News
Doro Reaffirms Commitment To Improving Welfare Of Older Persons, Strengthening Social Protection
Doro Reaffirms Commitment To Improving Welfare Of Older Persons, Strengthening Social Protection
The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of older persons through strengthened social protection systems, enhanced healthcare access, capacity building for caregivers, and sustained collaboration with stakeholders advocating for the rights and wellbeing of senior citizens.
The Minister made this known while receiving members of the Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), led by Senator Dr. Eze D. Ajoku, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
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Responding to issues raised by the delegation, Dr. Doro assured members of the coalition that the Ministry would carefully review all requests and recommendations presented during the engagement.
The Minister apologized for earlier scheduling changes that delayed the meeting and thanked the delegation for its patience and understanding.
“We will take time to carefully look into every request that has been presented to us today and work closely with the National Senior Citizens Centre to ensure that areas requiring intervention receive the necessary attention,” he said.
Dr. Doro disclosed that discussions had already commenced with international partners on strengthening systems for the care of older persons. He revealed that during a recent visit to New York, advanced engagements were held on building local capacity in elderly care, particularly in areas requiring specialized attention and support.
He further stated that proposals are currently being considered to enhance the training of caregivers responsible for supporting older persons, including those living with age-related conditions such as dementia and other special care needs.
On the proposed Rights and Privileges of Older Persons Bill before the National Assembly, the Minister pledged the Ministry’s support and assured the delegation that the matter would be actively pursued through appropriate channels.
Addressing concerns regarding healthcare access, Dr. Doro acknowledged the importance of health insurance for retirees and vulnerable older persons and promised to engage with the Federal Ministry of Health to explore options for extending healthcare support to retired civil servants and older persons in the informal sector.
The Minister also welcomed the National Policy on Ageing presented by the coalition and assured members that the document would be studied thoroughly to identify areas of collaboration that would improve the quality of life and wellbeing of older Nigerians.
According to him, policies aimed at protecting older persons are investments in the future of all Nigerians.
“We will all age at some point. Whatever policies we put in place today to support older persons are ultimately preparing the way for ourselves and future generations,” he stated.
Dr. Doro further assured the delegation of the Ministry’s support for training programmes, advocacy initiatives, and institutional reforms designed to improve elderly care across the country.
He also disclosed plans for continued engagement with the coalition through the establishment of a technical team that would facilitate collaboration between the Ministry, the National Senior Citizens Centre, and other relevant stakeholders.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social protection architecture, reducing poverty, empowering vulnerable populations, and creating sustainable pathways to resilience and prosperity.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, warmly received the delegation and commended its advocacy efforts on behalf of older persons across Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary noted that despite a demanding schedule involving official engagements across several states, the Honourable Minister considered it important to receive the delegation and listen directly to the concerns of older persons and their representatives.
He assured the visitors that the Ministry remains committed to promoting the welfare, dignity, and inclusion of senior citizens in line with the Federal Government’s humanitarian and social protection agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Senator Dr. Eze D. Ajoku congratulated Dr. Bernard M. Doro on his appointment as Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and described the appointment as both timely and well deserved.
He introduced COSROPIN as the umbrella coalition representing more than 170 civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations, retirees’ groups, and institutions working to advance the rights and welfare of older persons in Nigeria.
Senator Ajoku highlighted the coalition’s contributions to the establishment of the National Senior Citizens Centre and the development of the National Policy on Ageing. He also drew attention to the Rights and Privileges of Older Persons Bill currently before the National Assembly and appealed for the Ministry’s support toward its successful passage and implementation.

Bernard M.Doro
The coalition further called for improved healthcare access, expanded health insurance coverage for retirees and vulnerable older persons, stronger social protection systems, and enhanced government support for senior citizens across the country.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by both parties to deepen collaboration towards improving the welfare, dignity, and quality of life of older persons in Nigeria.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya; Director, Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Janet McDickson; Director, Social Development Department, Mr. Valentine Ezulu; other senior officials of the Ministry; and members of the Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN).
Signed:
Mrs. Janet McDickson
Director, Information and Public Relations
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News
Nigeria Police Force Debunk Fake Statement on Training of 50,000 New Constables
Nigeria Police Force Debunk Fake Statement on Training of 50,000 New Constables
The Nigeria Police Force has disclaimed a fake press statement circulating widely on social media, which claimed that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had ordered the commencement of training for 50,000 newly recruited police constables.
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The Force, in a disclaimer issued on Friday, said the document was not issued or authorised by any of its organs, despite being packaged to bear the letterhead of the Nigeria Police Force and the name of the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.
The forged statement, which had been making the rounds on WhatsApp and other platforms, was titled, “IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu Directs Commencement Of Training For 50,000 Newly Recruited Police Constables.”
It claimed that the IG had directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Training and Development to make arrangements for the training of the recruits in line with approved standards, with emphasis on discipline, professionalism, integrity, human rights and effective policing.
The fake release further claimed that successful candidates should begin checking the official police recruitment portal from Monday, September 14, 2026, for information on their allocated training institutions and dates of resumption.
It also purportedly quoted the IG as expressing appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support in tackling insecurity and strengthening the country’s security architecture.
But debunking the document, the Force said, “The Nigeria Police Force disclaims the purported Press Release titled, ‘IGP OLATUNJI RILWAN DISU DIRECTS COMMENCEMENT OF TRAINING FOR 50,000 NEWLY RECRUITED POLICE CONSTABLES,’ currently in circulation and bearing the name and designation of the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, anipr.”
The Force cautioned members of the public, especially candidates seeking to join its ranks, against falling for the document, insisting that only its verified channels should be trusted.
It said, “Members of the public, particularly Police recruitment candidates, are advised to disregard its contents and rely only on information published through the official Police recruitment portal and verified NPF communication channels.”
The Force also revealed that it had commenced a manhunt for those behind the fabrication and distribution of the false statement, warning that they would face legal consequences once apprehended.

Police
It said, “The Force is currently on the trail of the persons responsible for generating and circulating the false document and will take appropriate legal action against those found culpable.”
The disclaimer comes amid a spate of fake recruitment-related statements attributed to security agencies, which have continued to mislead unsuspecting job seekers and members of the public.
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News
Nigeria Police Arrest Suspects Over Obi’s Convoy Blockade in Benue
Nigeria Police Arrest Suspects Over Obi’s Convoy Blockade in Benue
The Benue State Police Command has arrested some people in connection with the blockade of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, on Tuesday.
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The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, who disclosed this at a press conference held in Makurdi on Wednesday, did not give the number of those arrested.
According to the CP, the police officers deployed for the visit of the former governor of Anambra State acted in a professional and tactical manner to avoid an escalation that could have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.
While stating that the tactical decision taken by the command should not be mistaken for inaction, the CP said that Obi was subsequently safely escorted back to the airport.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Obi’s movement was obstructed by a group of persons, creating tension and a situation that could have degenerated into violence.
“At that point, the Police took a professional and tactical decision to avoid an escalation that could have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property. Mr. Obi was subsequently safely escorted back to the airport and departed the state peacefully.
The police boss, who said that the command remained a neutral and professional institution, added that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement, irrespective of political affiliation, status or personal belief.
“No individual or group has the right to unlawfully obstruct another person’s movement,” he said.

Peter Obi
The command assured the public that all those found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the police to conclude their investigation.
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News
ICPC, NCS Advocate for a Robust Collaborative Framework to Safeguard Public and National Revenue
ICPC, NCS Advocate for a Robust Collaborative Framework to Safeguard Public and National Revenue
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has underscored the critical necessity of integrity within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), advocating for a robust collaborative framework to protect public revenue and bolster governmental trust.
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The Commission articulated this stance during a high-level courtesy visit from the newly appointed Customs Area Controller for the Ondo/Ekiti Command, Deputy Comptroller Patience O. Ita, at the ICPC’s Ondo State headquarters in Akure.
During the meeting, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) for Ondo and Ekiti States, Mr. Tiku Andrew Menge, stressed that the NCS’s pivotal role in border management, enforcement, and trade facilitation renders ethical conduct paramount.
He warned that systemic revenue leakages and the abuse of regulatory powers not only erode public confidence but also critically impair the efficacy of state institutions, creating a fertile ground for corrupt practices.
Mr. Menge elaborated on the ICPC’s holistic preventive mandate, clarifying that its remit extends well beyond the investigation and prosecution of graft; further noting that the Commission is actively engaged in identifying systemic vulnerabilities and reinforcing institutional controls, thereby fostering an environment where corrupt activities are intrinsically difficult to initiate or sustain.
Highlighting the transformative potential of modernisation, the RACC advocated for the integration of technology, automation, and data-driven processes within Customs administration.
He explained that such advancements could significantly enhance traceability and accountability by curbing discretionary human intervention, though he cautioned that these measures must be underpinned by ethical leadership, rigorous supervision, and robust internal controls.
In a salient clarification, Mr. Menge asserted that the objectives of corruption prevention and trade facilitation are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, symbiotic. He argued that transparent and predictable Customs processes effectively diminish the appeal of informal channels, thereby cultivating a more reliable and secure environment for legitimate commercial ventures.
Proposing a strategic roadmap for future collaboration, the Commissioner suggested that both agencies could benefit from practical engagements in corruption-risk identification, integrity sensitisation, and stakeholder dialogue.
He emphasised that such cooperation should be guided by the overarching public interest, rather than fostering a hierarchical dynamic where one institution supervises the other, but rather leveraging their respective mandates for a common good.
In her response, Deputy Comptroller Ita affirmed that her visit was primarily to establish a constructive working relationship following her recent deployment.

ICPC, Customs
She expressed her command’s unequivocal readiness to sustain engagement with the Commission on matters of mutual concern, particularly in the realms of compliance, enforcement, and the effective administration of public services.
However, Mr. Menge concluded with a firm caveat, reminding all parties that collaborative ventures must not compromise the statutory independence of either institution.
His parting words served as a stark reminder of the fundamental principles underpinning their shared mission: “Partnership creates trust; it does not create immunity.”
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