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Economy

Senate Seek Major Health Reforms As Akpabio Laments Low Funding

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Akpabio

Senate Seek Major Health Reforms As Akpabio Laments Low Funding

Senate seek major health reforms as Akpabio laments low funding. Senate President Godswill Akpabio says funding for Nigeria’s health sector remains far below the commitments the national assembly has made at continental and global levels.

Akpabio spoke on Monday at a public hearing organised by the senate committee on health (secondary and tertiary) in Abuja.

The hearing considered five health-related bills, including the sickle cell disorder research and therapy centres (establishment) bill sponsored by Sunday Katung, senator representing Kaduna south.

Other bills were the national health act (amendment) bill sponsored by Ipalibo Banigo, senator representing Rivers west, which seeks increased funding for the sector; and the orthopaedic hospital establishment bill sponsored by Isa Jibrin, senator representing Kogi east.

Two additional bills sought to establish national eye care centres in Plateau and Benue states and were sponsored by Diket Plang, senator representing Plateau central, and Titus Zam, senator representing Benue north-west.

Represented by Mohammed Monguno, senate chief whip, Akpabio said the amendment to the national health act aims to strengthen the financial framework supporting primary healthcare, disease prevention, workforce development and emergency response.

“Increased funding is not an expense — it is an investment in national security, economic growth, and human capital,” he said.

Akpabio added that each bill responds to real health challenges affecting millions of Nigerians across the country.

“Nigeria has the highest burden of sickle cell disease in the world. Every year, thousands of our children are born with sickle cell disorder, and many do not survive to adulthood due to inadequate diagnosis and poor access to therapy,” Akpabio said.

He said the sickle cell bill would establish research and therapy centres to advance scientific knowledge, improve patient care, and reduce mortality.
Akpabio noted that the national assembly remains committed to strengthening the country’s health architecture and ensuring that legislation reflects citizens’ needs.

Banigo, who chairs the committee and sponsored the national health act amendment bill, said the proposal seeks to raise the basic healthcare provision fund allocation from one percent to two percent of the consolidated revenue fund.
“This is necessitated by the abysmally low current allocation, which cannot meet national health needs,” she said.

Akpabio Laments Low Funding

Akpabio Laments Low Funding

In his presentation, Katung said the sickle cell disorder bill proposes seven specialised centres — one in each geopolitical zone and one in the federal capital territory.

“These centres represent our commitment to providing Nigerian children living with sickle cell disorder with the same standard of care available elsewhere in the world,” he said.

Katung added that Nigeria records about 150,000 babies born with the condition annually and that the new centres would serve as hubs of excellence offering specialist care and counselling for families.

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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