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Economy

Government, Partners Unite To Eliminate Infectious Diseases In Kwara

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Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq

Government, Partners Unite To Eliminate Infectious Diseases In Kwara

Government, partners unite to eliminate infectious diseases in Kwara. He said infectious diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, syphilis, and malaria continue to pose serious challenges in the state.

The Kwara government, in collaboration with the National AIDs, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme and development partners, on Wednesday, organised a one-day summit geared towards elimination of infectious diseases.

Some of the development partners are the Trinity Healthcare Foundation, Abbott and Clinton Health Access Initiative and World Health Organisation (WHO).

The Infectious Diseases Summit is themed: “Synergising Efforts to End Infectious Diseases: Strengthening Investment, Innovation and Collaboration Against HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Syphilis, and Malaria in Kwara State.”

In her address, Amina El-Imam, commissioner for bealth, highlighted the summit’s importance in facilitating collaborative problem-solving and strengthening partnerships for meaningful impact.

The commissioner who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Abdullahi Taoheed, said infectious diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, syphilis, and malaria continue to pose serious challenges in the state.

She stated that the objective of the summit was to strengthen investment and explore innovative financing for disease elimination.

According to her, it will also help to foster innovation through showcasing research and technology that can accelerate progress.
“This summit will lead to enhancing collaboration and uniting government, civil society, private sector, and development partners in a common cause,” she said.

The commissioner commended the federal government and development partners for their commitment to improving health outcomes through innovation and partnership.

She also commended Gov AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for making significant progress in combating these diseases and strengthening the health system.

She listed some of the achievements on healthcare in the state to include expansion of access to HIV services, increased testing, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) coverage.

According to her, others are improved access to antiretroviral therapy across health facilities and also strengthening malaria control efforts, among others.

In his presentation, an expert in Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Sulaimon Akanmu of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, emphasised on early detection of HIV/AIDs and commencement of treatment.

The expert emphasised the need for active case-finding to identify those with acute HIV infections, enabling early treatment commencement and better health outcomes.
“There is need to expand study, so that we can determine the true burden and incidence of infection,” he said.

He explained that the estimated population with the infection was less than one per cent which can contribute to 20 per cent infection rate in the country if they are not tested and begin treatment.

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq

Mr Akanmu called for total commitment from the government and all stakeholders to achieve wider coverage in testing and treatment, enabling Nigeria to reach zero HIV/AIDS cases by 2030.

Khadijat Kamaldeen, the state epidemiologist, said Kwara faces risks from infectious diseases, noting that Congenital Syphilis remains a concern due to non-routine screening.

She noted that malaria remains a significant public health threat in Nigeria, particularly for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children, who are disproportionately affected.

She, however, revealed that Kwara has made stride in control of malaria having recorded a decline and currently at six per cent.

She observed that though there is significant decline in new cases of HIV/AIDs infections, challenges such as stigma, poverty, gender inequality and weak infrastructure still persist.

Ms Kamaldeen urged enhanced surveillance and expanded prevention efforts, emphasising the need to address underlying social factors like poverty, education, stigma, and gender inequality.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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