Health care
BREAKING: FG Suspends Sachet Alcohol Ban, Orders NAFDAC to Stand Down
BREAKING: FG Suspends Sachet Alcohol Ban, Orders NAFDAC to Stand Down
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has directed the suspension of all actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml pet bottles products, pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive.
In a statement issued on Monday, by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the OSGF disclosed that it received an official correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025. The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, addressed concerns surrounding the proposed enforcement of the ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
According to the OSGF, the correspondence highlights existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the matter and is currently under review in line with the office’s statutory coordinating role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat.
“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the proposed sachet alcohol ban are to be suspended pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement said.
The OSGF further clarified that any enforcement action taken by NAFDAC or any other agency without due clearance and resolution by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would be considered invalid and should be disregarded by the public until an official decision is communicated.
The office assured Nigerians that it is carefully examining all relevant factors, including legislative resolutions, economic implications, public health concerns, and the broader national interest, to ensure a balanced, lawful, and well-coordinated outcome.
The OSGF added that the public would be duly informed once a final position on the matter has been reached.
Abuja
FCTA Confirms Antivenom Stock, Warns Negligent Hospitals, Gives Emergency Lines
FCTA Confirms Antivenom Stock, Warns Negligent Hospitals, Gives Emergency Lines
FCTA confirms antivenom stock, warns negligent hospitals, gives emergency lines. The FCTA said all public hFCTA confirms antivenom stock, warns negligent hospitals, gives emergency linesospitals have sufficient antivenom after singer Ifunanya Nwangene’s death at FMC Jabi. Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe warned facilities to follow protocols or face sanctions, stressing that early treatment is critical.

FCTA
The territory has added 12 ambulances, improved ICUs, and centralized antivenom storage.
Residents are urged to use emergency lines 090157892931 or 090157892932.
Economy
NARD: Resident Doctors Give FG Four Weeks To Meet Demands
NARD: Resident Doctors Give FG Four Weeks To Meet Demands
NARD: Resident doctors give FG four weeks to meet demands. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to fully implement outstanding agreements on salaries, allowances and welfare.
The decision was taken at the end of the association’s national executive council (NEC) meeting and scientific conference, held from January 25 to 29, 2026, in Jos, Plateau state.
In a communiqué signed by Mohammad Suleiman, NARD president, the association expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other key stakeholders for their roles in ongoing engagements.
The NEC acknowledged the reinstatement of disengaged doctors at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, and commended the intervention of the ministry of labour and employment and the integrated payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS) on the outstanding 25 and 35 percent consolidated medical salary structure (CONMESS) and accoutrement allowance arrears.
NARD also noted that promotion and salary arrears had been forwarded to relevant authorities, with assurances from the minister of finance that payments would be expedited.
However, the association expressed concern over delays in circulating the directive affirming CONMESS 3 as the approved entry level for medical doctors.
It also decried the non-payment of the professional allowance provided for in the 2026 Appropriation Act and persistent salary arrears across several health institutions.
The association warned of worsening industrial relations at the Benue state University Teaching Hospital and demanded urgent action, alongside calls for improved welfare, timely release of training funds and renewed investment in health infrastructure nationwide.
“The NEC demands the expeditious clearance of the outstanding 25%/35% CONMESS arrears and accoutrement allowance arrears within the assured two weeks, as committed by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), following the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,” the communique reads.

Doctors
“The NEC demands the prompt payment of all promotion arrears already forwarded to the appropriate authorities, in line with the assurances of the Honourable Minister of Finance for payment within the next four (4) weeks.
“The NEC demands the expedited payment of all outstanding salary arrears owed to specific centres, which have been duly forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance for processing, within the assured four (4) week timeline.
“After exhaustive deliberations and in recognition of the progress made by the Federal Government towards addressing the legitimate demands of Nigerian resident doctors, the NEC has resolved to extend the suspension of the Total Indefinite Comprehensive Strike (TICS) for a further period of four (4) weeks as a further goodwill gesture, to allow for the full implementation of the Association’s demands.”
The association had earlier suspended its plan to commence another strike on January 12.
The doctors said this was done after firm commitments from critical stakeholders following Shettima’s intervention.
Economy
Ododo Government Unveils Construction Of Model Veterinary Hospital
Ododo Government Unveils Construction Of Model Veterinary Hospital
Ododo government unveils construction of model veterinary hospital. Kogi’s commissioner for livestock development, Olufemi Bolarin, handed over the site to the contractor in Osara, Adavi.
The Kogi government has advanced the construction of a model veterinary hospital, a flagship project under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support project.
The facility, to be built at the Cattle Value Cluster Osara, Adavi LGA, aims to strengthen animal health systems, improve livestock productivity, and enhance food safety and security.
Kogi’s commissioner for livestock development, Olufemi Bolarin, handed over the site to the contractor in Osara, Adavi.
Mr Bolarin described the project as a strategic investment in improved animal health service delivery, disease prevention, and control to improve livestock productivity in Kogi.
He noted that the project would revolutionise the state’s livestock sector by providing modern veterinary services, enhancing disease surveillance, and promoting the One Health approach.
He thanked the federal government, the World Bank, and the national L-PRES office for their support, saying the project aligns with the state’s developmental agenda and livestock transformation roadmap.
Mr Bolarin praised Governor Ahmed Ododo for his visionary leadership to transform the livestock sector into a modern, productive and resilient contributor to food security, public health and economic development.

Ahmed Ododo
The commissioner urged contractors to comply with approved designs, timelines, and quality specifications.
The project coordinator, Abdulkabir Otaru, said the hospital would address challenges faced by livestock farmers, including limited access to quality veterinary services and inadequate disease surveillance.
Mr Otaru emphasised that the facility will provide modern veterinary clinical services, disease diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance, and support improved animal disease surveillance and response capacity.
He commended the governor for creating an enabling environment for the project and for promptly paying the State counterpart funding for the implementation of the L-PRES project in Kogi.
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