Dubai Hospital’s Expansion to Lagos Promises Enhanced Healthcare Access, Say Stakeholders

The recent opening of the American Hospital Dubai Representative Office in Lagos has been hailed by stakeholders as a significant step towards improving healthcare access for Nigerians, potentially reducing the need for foreign medical trips.

At the unveiling of the state-of-the-art facility in Victoria Island, Lagos, key figures in the healthcare sector emphasized that the new office would connect Nigerian patients with world-class care, minimizing the burden of medical tourism. Mahmoud Harbaji, Chairman of American Hospital Dubai-Nigeria Limited, highlighted the importance of this initiative, noting that it would serve as a vital link between the Dubai-based hospital and local communities in Nigeria.

The launch event, attended by prominent government officials, embassy staff, and traditional leaders, underscored the collaborative efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Among those present were Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Nigeria, Dr. Abdullah Al-mandoos.

Prof. Abayomi, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised the initiative as a positive first step in Lagos’ broader healthcare strategy, which includes plans to develop subspecialty hospitals for advanced medical treatments. He also acknowledged the significant growth in Lagos’ GDP and its impact on the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

The new office is expected to function as a gateway for Nigerian patients seeking medical care in Dubai, with plans already underway to open additional offices and a diagnostic center in Lagos. Stakeholders expressed optimism that this expansion would make accessing care in Dubai more seamless and convenient for Nigerians.

Africa CDC Urges Action as Mpox Cases Reach Over 21,000 Across 13 Countries

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has alerted African Ministers of Health about the escalating Mpox outbreak, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to effectively diagnose and manage the disease.

In a letter dated August 23, 2024, and signed by Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, the agency reported that from January 1 to August 23, 2024, there have been 21,466 Mpox cases (3,350 confirmed and 18,116 suspected) and 591 deaths across 13 African Union Member States. These countries include Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.

Dr. Kaseya stressed the need for a holistic approach to diagnosing and managing Mpox, noting that relying solely on laboratory tests is insufficient. He pointed out challenges such as limited domestic resources, low vaccine approval in African countries, and the risk of Africa being overlooked in the global distribution of vaccines and medical supplies.

Africa CDC is collaborating with AU Member States, the World Health Organization, and other partners to enhance preparedness and response efforts. The letter also highlighted the threat of cross-border virus transmission and the possibility of travel restrictions if the outbreak is not adequately addressed.

Tinubu Swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Emphasizes Judicial Integrity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administered the oath of office to Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Friday, pending Senate confirmation. The ceremony, held at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja, marks the swearing-in of Nigeria’s 23rd Chief Justice and its second female to hold the position.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu called on the new acting CJN to uphold the independence of the judiciary and promote justice. He underscored the importance of integrity, discipline, and transparency within the judicial system.

Tinubu commended Justice Kekere-Ekun for her outstanding reputation and career, highlighting her rise from magistrate to Supreme Court justice as a testament to her dedication and excellence. He expressed confidence in her ability to inspire young women and contribute significantly to the judiciary’s evolution.

Following her swearing-in, Justice Kekere-Ekun pledged to improve the judiciary’s reputation and public confidence, stressing the need for collective effort in driving necessary reforms.

The event was attended by key figures including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Chief Justices, Supreme Court justices, and members of the Federal Executive Council. Justice Kekere-Ekun’s family, led by her husband, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, was also present.

Top 5 Countries with the Most Churches: Nigeria’s Surprising Rank

Christianity, one of the world’s largest religions, boasts a vast number of churches across the globe. While certain countries stand out for their high concentration of churches, Nigeria’s position on this list might surprise many.

Here are the top five countries with the most churches in the world:

  • United States
    The United States leads the world with an estimated 350,000 to 400,000 churches. Despite not all churches being packed every Sunday, this is a significant number, reflecting the deep-rooted Christian culture in the country.
  • Brazil
    Brazil is home to over 124,529 religious institutions, with more than half being Pentecostal or neo-Pentecostal churches. The number of official places of worship for these denominations has quadrupled over the past two decades.
  • Italy
    Italy, with its rich Catholic heritage, has over 20,000 churches, though some estimates suggest the number could be as high as 65,000. Vatican City, located in Rome, is particularly notable, housing about 1,700 churches, making it the country with the most churches per capita.
  • Spain
    Spain’s strong Catholic tradition is evident in its approximately 23,000 parishes and 712 monasteries. Many towns and cities across Spain have their own parishes, contributing to the vast number of churches in the country.
  • Nigeria
    Nigeria, with a population exceeding 206 million, has an estimated 16,300 churches. This equates to roughly one church for every 3.6 million people. Despite its large population, Nigeria ranks among the top countries with the most churches, reflecting the significant presence of Christianity within the nation.

While the number of churches in a country can be influenced by its population size, Nigeria’s position among the top five countries with the most churches underscores the prominent role of Christianity in its society.

NCC Seizes ₦50M Worth of Pirated Books in Lagos, Arrests Shop Owners in Major Raid

By: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has confiscated suspected pirated books valued at ₦50 million during a raid in the Yaba area of Lagos State.

The operation, led by Charles Amudipe, Deputy Director of Operations and Head of Operations at the NCC Lagos office, targeted the Yaba Book Market. The raid resulted in the seizure of pirated materials from five bookshops and three warehouses, along with the arrest of the shop owners involved.

Amudipe emphasized that the NCC’s anti-piracy action serves as a strong warning to the public, particularly booksellers, schools, and printers, that the commission will not tolerate any form of piracy. “The anti-piracy raid is to send a signal to the public that the commission has upscaled its enforcement activities,” he said.

He also highlighted the growing issue of pirated books being directly sold to schools and warned that any school found participating in such activities would be treated as a collaborator in piracy.

The NCC has mandated all printers, booksellers, and schools dealing in books to maintain proper documentation and receipts as proof of purchase from legitimate sources. Amudipe warned that failure to adhere to these regulations would result in severe penalties under the copyright act.

Federal Government to Relaunch School Feeding Programme Amid Calls for Resumption

The federal government has announced plans to relaunch the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, an initiative aimed at providing meals to students to boost school attendance and improve educational outcomes.

Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, made this announcement during a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Alternative Education on Thursday, August 22. The discussion focused on tackling the longstanding issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

In a statement released by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, Edun emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring every Nigerian child has access to quality education. “The federal government is dedicated to tackling critical issues through innovative initiatives like the ‘Home-Grown School Feeding Programme’ and the ‘Secretariat for Financing Safe Schools’,” Edun said.

The relaunch of the programme is expected to not only improve students’ health and well-being but also encourage them to stay in school, thereby reducing the number of out-of-school children across the country. “Feeding children at school would positively impact the national budget by providing sufficient resources to support and sustain educational programs,” Edun added.

This development follows the suspension of the programme by President Bola Tinubu in January, as part of a broader investigation into alleged financial irregularities within the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). The suspension also affected other key social investment initiatives, such as N-Power and the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programmes.

Despite the suspension, there has been significant pressure from the House of Representatives, which argued that discontinuing these programmes could severely harm the education sector. The Green Chamber has been actively campaigning for the government to resume the suspended initiatives, stressing their importance in supporting Nigeria’s educational infrastructure.

Edun’s announcement marks a renewed commitment by the federal government to enhance educational opportunities and support future generations, paving the way for a more prosperous Nigeria.

Bwala: Spirit of #EndSARS Influenced #EndBadGovernance Protesters

Daniel Bwala, former campaign spokesman for the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has commented on the #EndBadGovernance protests, stating that the movement was influenced by the spirit of the #EndSARS protests.

Speaking with Arise News, Bwala noted that the protesters believed a multi-faceted approach was necessary to compel the government, reflecting lessons learned from the #EndSARS movement.

“Protest is the constitutional right of the people, and there are lessons to be learned by both the protesters and the government,” Bwala said. However, he emphasized that the protesters should have considered forming a leadership structure to negotiate their demands, similar to trade unions.

He added, “The spirit of #EndSARS haunted them because they believed that having identified leadership could lead to compromise by the government. They thought that a hydra-headed approach would be more effective in compelling action.”

Bwala also warned that in a protest without clear leadership or defined goals, undemocratic elements might exploit the situation, leading to the potential curtailment of the protesters’ rights.

Ukrainian Navy Strikes Major Blow to Russian Logistics by Sinking Ferry in Kerch Strait

In a critical move against Russian military supply lines, Ukraine’s Navy has successfully sunk a ferry loaded with fuel and weapons destined for Russian forces in Crimea.

The vessel, known as the Conro Trader, was struck at the Kavkaz port in the Kerch Strait, one of Russia’s largest passenger hubs, on Thursday.

Reports from the Telegraph indicate that the ferry was carrying 30 fuel tankers at the time of the attack, underscoring Ukraine’s ongoing strategy to disrupt Russian supply chains to the strategically vital Crimean region.

While the Kerch Bridge has been a frequent target for Ukrainian forces, much of the essential cargo heading to Crimea continues to be transported by ferry, making these vessels key components in Russian military logistics.

The attack has been verified by both Ukrainian and Russian officials. The governor of Russia’s Krasnodar region announced that 17 crew members were rescued, though two remain missing.

Dmytro Pletenchu, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Navy, highlighted the ferry’s strategic role, stating, “This ferry is a crucial link in the Russian military logistics chain, primarily for supplying occupation forces with fuel and lubricants, as well as transporting weapons. Therefore, it was a legitimate target.”

This incident comes amidst Ukraine’s ongoing offensive in western Russia’s Kursk region and a series of missile and drone strikes targeting key Russian positions.

Tinubu Swears In Kekere-Ekun As New Chief Justice of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Friday, August 23, 2024. The ceremony, held at the State House in Abuja, marks a significant milestone as Justice Kekere-Ekun becomes the second female jurist to serve as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, following Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, who held the position from July 2012 to November 2014.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was sworn in at approximately 11:38 AM in the presence of several dignitaries, including other Supreme Court Justices, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. She will serve in an acting capacity pending her confirmation by the Senate.

Justice Kekere-Ekun succeeds Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who has retired. Her appointment was recommended by the National Judicial Council, reflecting her esteemed judicial career and dedication to the Nigerian legal system.

Born on May 7, 1958, in London, United Kingdom, to Lagos State natives, Justice Kekere-Ekun is the eldest of eleven siblings. She completed her primary education in private schools before attending Queen’s College, Lagos, in 1970. She pursued her passion for law at the University of Lagos, graduating in 1980, and later attended the Nigerian Law School, where she was called to the Bar in July 1981. She also holds a master’s degree in law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s judicial career began in December 1989 as a Senior Magistrate Grade II in Lagos. Her competence led to her appointment as a Judge of the Lagos State High Court in 1996 and her subsequent elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2004. In July 2013, she became a Justice of the Supreme Court, making her the fifth and youngest female to achieve this position.

She has held various leadership roles, including serving as the pioneer Presiding Justice of the Makurdi Division and later as the Presiding Justice of the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal. Her contributions to the judiciary have been recognized with her appointment as a Life Bencher by the Body of Benchers in February 2018.

Justice Kekere-Ekun is married to Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, and they have three children together. Her swearing-in is seen as a continuation of her distinguished career, and she is expected to bring her extensive experience and expertise to her new role as Nigeria’s Chief Justice.

Tinubu Administration Pledges to Complete Abandoned Projects, Says Water Resources Minister

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to completing all abandoned and inherited projects across Nigeria. During an inspection tour of the Ogbese Multi-purpose Dam in Ekiti State on Thursday, Utsev emphasized that the administration is determined to ensure that these projects, which began but stalled due to funding issues, are brought to completion for the benefit of the citizens.

Construction on the Ogbese Dam, located along the Ikere Ekiti – Ise Ekiti Road, started in 2009 but was halted due to a lack of funds. However, the minister announced that President Tinubu has recently approved the necessary funding to complete the project, which is designed to provide water, generate hydroelectric power, and support irrigation.

Utsev noted that approximately 70% of the dam project is already completed, and the remaining work, including the installation of hydro-power components, will be finished soon. He highlighted that the dam is expected to generate about 4 megawatts of electricity, enhance irrigation, boost agriculture, and provide water to the surrounding communities.

The minister also pointed out that the administration has successfully commissioned several other dams and water supply schemes across the country, demonstrating its dedication to addressing the nation’s infrastructure needs.

The Director of Dams at the Ministry, Ali Dallah, confirmed that the available funds had been effectively utilized to achieve significant progress on the project. The Project Contractor, Mr. Fahd Jammal, expressed readiness to resume work as soon as additional funds are made available to complete the job.

The Ogbese Multi-purpose Dam project, awarded in 2009, is part of a broader initiative by the Federal Government to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of citizens in both rural and urban areas.