Economy
UNICEF Seeks Inclusion Of Retirees’ Children In Zamfara Health Insurance
UNICEF Seeks Inclusion Of Retirees’ Children In Zamfara Health Insurance
UNICEF seeks inclusion of retirees’ children in Zamfara health insurance. Mr Ibrahim reassured attendees of UNICEF’s ongoing support for social protection programmes.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Zamfara government to include the children of retired state and local government workers in its health insurance programme.
Isah Ibrahim, the social policy specialist from UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office, made this appeal during a quarterly meeting of the State Technical Working Group (TWG) on social protection in Gusau on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), TWG members, the Zamfara Social Protection Platform (ZSPP), and the media.
During the meeting, representatives from social protection implementation MDAs provided updates on the achievements, challenges, and opportunities related to social protection programmes within the state.
Mr Ibrahim emphasised that including the children of retirees in the health insurance scheme would further the state government’s commitment to universal health coverage.
He also noted that it would ensure the fulfilment of children’s rights to healthcare, in line with the state’s child protection laws.
He pointed out that excluding children from the civil servants’ health insurance programme was in conflict with both the National Health Insurance Act and the State Health Contributory Management Agency law.
According to the law, public employees are entitled to register themselves, their spouses, and up to four biological children under the age of 18 in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“Out of the 62,547 state and local government workers registered with the state health contributory agency, none have been allowed to register their children,” Mr Ibrahim noted.
Mr Ibrahim reassured attendees of UNICEF’s ongoing support for social protection programmes aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable families.
In his remarks, the permanent secretary of the state ministry of budget and planning, Sani Bukkuyum, reiterated the commitment of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration to strengthening social protection in the state.
Mr Bukkuyum, who is also the chairman of the state TWG, emphasised the importance of effective coordination among stakeholders to achieve the goals of social protection.

UNICEF
“Social protection is everyone’s responsibility, and it is essential for all stakeholders to work together to achieve the desired outcomes,” he said.
He also acknowledged the successful partnership between the Zamfara government and UNICEF in promoting social protection programmes.
“I want to commend UNICEF’s efforts in supporting social protection initiatives in the state.
“The Zamfara government remains committed to providing all necessary support to our partners for the development of the state,” Mr Bukkuyum said.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
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
“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.
Crime
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
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
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
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
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.

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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