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How my husband, Tinubu, others fought for Nigeria’s democracy

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How my husband, Tinubu, others fought for Nigeria's democracy

The Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye revealed that her husband, Olusola, and President Bola Tinubu, are among the several others who fought for Nigeria’s democracy.

Adeyeye made this known on Friday in her interview on the Channels Television programme, Inside Sources.

Her comments came on the heels of the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest which started on August 1, 2024, but has lost popularity after a week.

The protest was birthed in reaction by some Nigerians to the economic hardship affecting the standard of living of the citizenry.

The demands of the organisers and protesters include a return of the fuel subsidy, reduced price of food items, and low cost of governance, among others.

The NAFDAC boss described the country’s current situation as “a reflection of a six-decade of decadence.”

“I was young when we got our independence, and I knew the Nigeria that worked,” she recalled.

Adeyeye said, “We left the country for further studies in 1980, and we were part of those who fought for the democracy of this country. My husband and others fought for democracy in this country. My husband with the current president of this country, President Bola Tinubu, fought for independence. Some of them had broken homes. Some of them and others in the diasporas were always going to beg others to help us and deliver us from military rule then.

“At some point, a friend of mine asked me, “Aunty Moji, is something wrong with you and your husband?” Because he was teaching on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and those were the days he was present at home. He was always going with other leaders of Nigeria to beg other countries to help us. So I take whatever is happening now personally.”

The NAFDAC DG noted that the struggle for Nigeria’s democracy made her husband return from abroad after more than two decades, and within a year, he brought transformational changes to his Local Government in Osun State.

She said, “That was what made him come back home in 2002 after 22 years. He was an interim chairman of his Local Government and people were shocked at what happened to Ifedayo Local Government, Osun State, within one year.

“Before he came, there was no light in his Local Government for six months. He brought light. There was no water for 17 years, he brought water.

“He wears knickers to work, and they told him he was supposed to be wearing Agbada. It was the best job he ever did.”

Adeyeye, a Professor of Pharmaceutics and Manufacturing, lamented that before her return to Nigeria from the United States, the state of the country’s pharmaceutical industry and quality of medicines, among others was low.

“So, I take whatever is happening now personally. I was there for 37 years because I had to take care of the children. Both of us couldn’t come. He and others sacrificed a lot for the pro-democracy movement. After 37 years, I came back and of course, my profession is pharmacy. I was a professor for 30 years. I retired from the US system and came back to a country I couldn’t recognise anymore in terms of our values, the state of our pharmaceutical industry, the quality of medicines, and generally healthcare delivery.

“That’s why I said what is happening now is a result of six decades of decadence.

“I had thought of the new national anthem that says “in peace and plenty”. We are not looking for the Ethiopian system of government. It cannot happen. However, our people deserve the best within the context of our resources.”

She advised parents, and educational and religious institutions to make more efforts towards restoring the lost values in Nigerian society.

“But our values have gone, and it started from the home. If the parents are not doing what they should do, if the church and mosque are not doing what they are supposed to do, and if the schools are not the way they should be…it goes right up to the highest level of functionality of society.

“So what is happening now is very painful for me. I am a realist because, after 37 years abroad and coming back home, the reality is there that you have got to sacrifice. We were very comfortable in the US. But it is not all about comfort, but about making a significant impact in society.

“In peace and plenty may Nigeria be blessed. We cannot be blessed without a transparent society. We cannot be blessed if we have corruption. Corruption has eaten into the fibre of the society,” she said.

The NAFDAC boss had noted that she met a N3.2 billion debt and an unaccounted N500 million when she took over the agency’s affairs in 2017.

Nigeria gained independence from the British colonial masters on October 1, 1960, and became a democratic nation on May 29, 1999.

However, before leaving office, former President Muhammadu Buhari, approved June 12 as the Democracy Day, in commemoration of the late Moshood Abiola who died in incarceration after the annulment of the 1993 presidential election by former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida.

During Tinubu’s national broadcast on June 12, 2024, he extended appreciation to some of the heroes and heroines who contributed immensely to Nigeria’s fight for democracy.

These include but are not limited to late Kudirat Abiola, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Alfred Rewane, Anthony Enahoro, Abraham Adesanya, Dan Suleiman, Arthur Nwankwo, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Ndubuisi Kanu, Adekunle Ajasin,  Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransome-Kuti, among others.

Families demand justice after Katsina #EndBadGovernace protest deaths, injuries

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Families demand justice after Katsina #EndBadGovernace protest deaths, injuries

An aggrieved mother and relatives of Katsina State citizens who were allegedly killed and brutalised during the #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria in Katsina have demanded justice over alleged security brutality and killing of their people.

Their demand followed the death of a minor and an unverified number of persons who were allegedly shot by security operatives during the #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria protest in the state.

A mother in a viral video displayed the corpse of her son who was murdered in the process that took place at the Kofar Sauri, Katsina metropolitan area saying, “I will not forgive the perpetrators of my son’s death. He was just a minor, and they had no right to take his life from me.”

In an interview with our correspondent, a resident of Katsina who only gave his name as Ramalan, said apart from the case of the viral video, other victims who suffered brutality from men of the Nigeria Police and operatives of the Department of State Service brutality during the peaceful protests were four.

“I can categorically say that to the best of my knowledge, three persons, youths and the small boy in a viral video of a mother crying are four that were killed,sic” he said.

However, reports from different quarters said many were killed and several injured on day six of the protest along Kofar Kaura, Kofar Sauri, and Modoji where youths displayed Russian flags during the protests.

A mother to an injured victim, Bilkisu Adamu whose son, Aminu was not among the protesters but sustained a gunshot injury on his left hand, narrated how a bullet penetrated her son’s hand while standing at the front door of the house.

She said after the gunshot, he was rushed to the Hajiiya Turai Yar’adua General Hospital, Katsina for treatment.

“I was informed on the phone that my son was shot. While I wanted to come home to see for myself, another person called warning me that the police were shooting people indiscriminately, the place was no longer safe, saying I should instead go to the general hospital where injured victims were taken for treatment.

“I immediately rushed there and when I reached the hospital I saw the medical personnel in tears because of teargas.

“In fact, a pregnant woman from our neighbourhood died from teargas that were thrown into her house while she was in labour.

“The entire Kofar Sauri community was filled with teargas and my son was lucky to have survived with just a gunshot wound because there was a boy that was shot dead. About six to seven persons were killed in this area to my knowledge.

“I want justice for my son, I can’t forgive them.”

She continued “The security only brutalised innocent youths that did not even participate in the protest.

“The protesters are there at the main road, why enter our community and shoot innocent people, knowing that they are not even permitted by law to do so?”

“You see, it has turned into another thing entirely. Are we going to deal with the hardship we are facing, food shortages or funds to treat our children? I’m not happy with this,” Bilkisu lamented.

She again expressed concern over the show of force by the security as she condemned the brutality done to innocent people who had nothing to do with the protest.

Muntari Garba, uncle to Mallam Shefi’u, another victim who allegedly sustained bullet wounds and died, Shefi’u was shot by a stray bullet though he was not among the protesters

“He only went out to eat when security personnel targeted and shot him,” he said.

He expressed displeasure over the inability of the government, police and DSS to calm down people’s emotions over the brutality since the incident happened three days ago.

“No delegation to sympathise with us or even for the government to condemn its actions.

“As much as I want justice for my nephew, I call on the government to caution security operatives against brutality and indiscriminate shooting of people in the disguise of controlling peaceful protesters,” he said.

Recall that the Katsina State Police Command earlier in a statement by its spokesperson, Sadiq Abubakar said no life was lost during the protest.

However, as the new development unfolded, efforts by our correspondent to get the reaction of the state police command proved abortive as calls, and messages via SMS and WhatsApp to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq for comment were yet to be responded to as at the time of filing in this report.

Secure release of our missing officials – NYSC begs Imo, Anambra govts

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The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has appealed to the security agencies in Anambra and Imo States as well as the two governments to do everything possible to secure the release of two of its officials.
TVN reported that the two officials went missing on Monday, July 29, 2024, between Onitsha and Owerri roads while in transit to Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
They are the NYSC Akwa-Ibom State Coordinator, Mr Okun Christopher and his driver, Mr Daniel Effiong Asibong.

They were travelling in a white official Hilux vehicle with registration number 27D31FG when they were last heard of.
The Scheme, in a statement signed by Eddy Megwa, Director, Information and Public Relations, enjoined all well-meaning individuals from both States to assist the security agencies in the search and rescue efforts of the missing NYSC Officials.
It said, “Anyone with useful information regarding their whereabouts should contact the law enforcement agents in Anambra and Imo States, any of the 37 NYSC State Secretariats, Area Offices and National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja or the nearest police station for immediate action.”
Secure release of our missing officials – NYSC begs Imo, Anambra govts

Anyaoku-led group urges Tinubu to establish new constitution drafting committee

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Anyaoku-led group urges Tinubu to establish new constitution drafting committee

A group of Nigerian statesmen, The Patriots, has urged President Bola Tinubu to convene a constituent assembly to draft “a people democratic pluralistic constitution” for the country.

This came as the group, led by former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku met with the president at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

Anyaoku, who addressed State House correspondents after Friday’s meeting, urged the president to forward an executive bill to the National Assembly to legislate on a national referendum that will approve the draft constitution.

He said the 109-member constituent assembly should be mandated to produce the draft constitution to be subjected to a referendum.

This referendum, he argued, will give legitimacy to the new constitution.

“We put some proposals to Mr. President and we urged him to send a president’s executive bill to the National Assembly, a bill that will call for two essential measures.

“One, the convening of a National Constituent Assembly, to be mandated to produce a new draft constitution. We suggested that such a National Constituent Assembly should consist of individuals elected by the people on a non-party basis.

“Say, for example, three individuals per state, per each of the 36 states and one from the Federal Capital Territory and they should be mandated to produce a new draft constitution,” he explained.

Anyaoku premised this proposal on the argument that Nigeria needs a pluralistic constitution to tackle its development challenges.

Citing Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and Sudan, he noted that countries that failed to manage their pluralism through a federal constitution are on course for eventual disintegration.

He said countries such as India and Canada, with pluralistic constitutions, have remained resilient.

The former Commonwealth helmsman explained, “Nigeria, we affirmed to Mr. President, is a pluralistic country. And you all know that pluralistic countries exist all over the world.

“Those of them who addressed their pluralism by having true federal constitutions have survived. An example is India and Canada.

“But pluralistic countries that failed to address their basic challenge of pluralism through a federal Constitution have ended up disintegrating. Examples of that are Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Sudan, here in Africa.”

On the #EndBadGovernance protest, The Patriots urged Tinubu to dialogue with the leaders.

They also advised law enforcement agencies to avoid using lethal weapons on protesting civilians.

Gov Alia expresses worry over unprovoked fresh killings in Benue communities

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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has expressed sadness over another unprovoked attack on Ayati Village in Ukum Local Government Area, where many people were reportedly killed.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday, the governor condemned the new wave of attacks.
The governor, who expressed worry over the attack on unarmed innocent citizens by armed bandits, said such heinous acts have continued in the state despite the strong security presence.
He, however, made a firm decision to continue to use lawful procedures to protect Benue people, particularly Ukum, which has been on the front lines of attacks lately.
Alia called on security agencies to improve their surveillance and ensure that vulnerable communities were not left unguarded.
The governor condoled with the families that lost their loved ones in the unfortunate attack and prayed to God to comfort them.
He assured the people that his administration would continue to explore both discreet and open measures to ensure that Sankera retraces her path of peace and lives happily again.
Gov Alia expresses worry over unprovoked fresh killings in Benue communities

Russia mobilises troops, arms to counter Ukraine incursion

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Russia mobilises troops, arms to counter Ukraine incursion

Russia said Friday it was deploying more troops and munitions to a border region where Ukraine had mounted a major ground offensive, as Ukraine said a Russian strike on a supermarket in its east killed 11 people.

Kyiv’s troops have been driving into Russia’s western Kursk region since Tuesday in a surprise offensive that appears to be the most significant attack on Russian soil since Moscow invaded in February 2022.

Russia’s defence ministry said it was sending columns of military hardware, including rocket launchers, artillery, tanks and heavy trucks to reinforce its defences in the region, state media reported.

Around 1,000 Ukrainian troops and more than two dozen armoured vehicles and tanks were involved in the initial attack, according to Russia’s estimates, although it has since claimed to have destroyed many more pieces of equipment.

Kyiv has not officially taken responsibility, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address Thursday that Russia needed to “feel” the consequences of its invasion.

Both sides also stepped up aerial attacks behind the frontlines on Friday.

A Russian missile strike on a supermarket in the east Ukrainian town of Kostyantynivka in the middle of the day killed at least 11 people and wounded 44, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said.

The town is about 13 kilometres (eight miles) from the nearest Russian positions.

“Russia will be held accountable for this terror,” Zelensky said in a post on Telegram.

AFP journalists on the scene saw dozens of people fleeing as police officers warned of a potential second strike.

• ‘The war has come to us’ –

Ukraine’s surprise offensive into the Kursk region appeared to catch Russia off guard, with some analysts suggesting Kyiv was hoping to divert resources and relieve pressure on parts of the frontline where Moscow is advancing.

Influential Russian military bloggers have blasted army leaders for failing to spot or quash the incursion.

Senior Kyiv officials have stayed largely tight-lipped, although Zelensky alluded to the attack on Thursday.

“Everyone can see that the Ukraine army knows how to surprise and knows how to achieve results,” he said.

Moscow has not presented detailed information on the extent of the Ukrainian advance.

It said Friday it had struck Ukrainian positions on the western edge of Sudzha, a town around eight kilometres (five miles) from the border that appeared to be the focus of Kyiv’s offensive.

Several Russian media outlets shared a video purporting to show residents from the town appealing to President Vladimir Putin for help, warning that many were unable to evacuate.

“In a few hours our town was turned into ruins … Our relatives are left behind, we can’t call them, there is no communication. Please help us get our land back,” one resident said in the video.

Thousands have been evacuated from the border region, with Russia putting on an extra train to Moscow from the regional capital, Kursk, for those looking to leave.

At a train station in Moscow, AFP journalists saw families disembarking with children.

“The war has come to us, so all the relatives have gone to Moscow,” AFP heard a woman with her young daughter saying at the station.

• ‘Rapid advance’ –

Based on geolocated videos and photos, the independent US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Ukrainian units had pierced much further into Russian territory in a “rapid advance”.

“Ukrainian forces are reportedly present in areas as far as 35 kilometres from the international border,” the ISW said in its daily campaign assessment.

It cautioned, however, that its troops “most certainly do not control” that entire area.

Putin has called the incursion a “large-scale provocation” by Kyiv, and Russia’s top general has vowed to crush it.

The health ministry said 66 civilians were wounded, including nine children, in the first three days.

On the first day of the assault, Kursk regional governor Alexei Smirnov said five civilians were killed.

Ukraine on Friday expanded its own evacuation zone in the Sumy region, just across the border from Kursk.

“About 20,000 people need to be evacuated” from 28 settlements, Ukraine’s national police force said.

Ukraine also said on Friday it had carried out a major air strike on a Russian military base in the Lipetsk region, around 280 kilometres (175

miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border.

It said it had struck “warehouses containing guided aerial bombs and a number of other facilities.”

AFP.

Reps unveil committee to check oil theft

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Reps promise to support Abuja market fire victims

The House of Representatives has established a new committee to investigate economic sabotage within the petroleum sector.

Notably absent from the list of committee members is Ikenga Ugochinyere, the former ad-hoc chairman and current Chairman of the House Committee on Upstream Petroleum.

A few days ago, the House dissolved the previous ad-hoc committee, which had been investigating issues related to the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security concerns.

The decision to dissolve the committee followed several controversies since its inauguration.

The previous ad-hoc committee, led by Ugochinyere, had called for the dismissal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Mele Kyari.

In contrast, a group of 50 lawmakers, led by Billy Osawaru (Edo State), argued against Kyari’s removal, asserting that such action would go against parliamentary norms while an investigation is ongoing.

When announcing the members of the newly constituted committee on Friday, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, emphasised the urgency and importance of the matter, highlighting the necessity for close collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Abbas said, “The urgency and importance of this matter have necessitated close collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives.”

The leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, was named Co-Chairman of the committee.

Other members include Hon. Iduma Ighariwey, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka, Hon. Sada Soli, Hon. Fatima Talba, Hon. Tunji Raheem, and Hon. Patrick Umoh.

The House spokesman, Rotimi Akin, stated that the new committee structure is designed to ensure synergy, a holistic approach to addressing the issues, and ease of administrative coordination.

He added that the committee is expected to begin its work immediately, with a clear mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector.

Akin said, “This new structure aims to ensure synergy, a holistic approach to addressing the issues, and ease of administrative coordination, resulting in a harmonised and efficient investigation.

“The committee is expected to commence its duties immediately, with a clear mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector.”

BREAKING: Emeka Anyaoku advocates new constitution for Nigeria

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Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, was a guest of President Bola Tinubu on Friday, where he and other leaders of thought went to sell the idea of a new Constitution for the country.
The group under the auspices of The Patriot said a new Constitution has become imperative to address the persistent challenges bedeviling the country.
According to Anyaoku, the existing constitution lacks capacity to take the country to the promise land, stressing that it was also responsible for the prevailing social, economic challenges.
The group addressed State House Correspondents after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House on Friday.
Others members of the group who accompanied Anyaoku to the Presidential Villa were, Senator Shehu Sani, Mike Ozekhome, Labaran Maku, Senator Ben Obi, Segun Osoba, among others.
They advocated that President Tinubu should immediately send a presidential bill to the National Assembly, so that a constituent assembly would be put in place and be mandated to produce a new Constitution that will put into consideration the plurality of the country.
The draft constitution should also be subjected to a National referendum that should give the people a new constitution, expected to tackle many of challenges in the country.
The group which said the new constitution can be put together in nine months, added that what we have presented was responsible for the challenges bedeviling the country.
BREAKING: Emeka Anyaoku advocates new constitution for Nigeria

159 gender-based violence cases recorded in one year

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NSCDC deploys over 40,000 personnel nationwide

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has stated that 159 cases of gender-based violence have been treated in the state over the last one year.

A statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ayoola Michael, made available to the press on Thursday said that “the Gender Unit of the NSCDC in the state command, under the leadership of Dr. Umar JG Mohammed, has continued to make substantial progress in its efforts to combat Gender-Based Violence and protect vulnerable individuals within the state.

“These cases include 76 cases of domestic violence, physical assault and intimidation, 58 cases of abandonment of responsibility, 11 cases of sexual abuse and rape; 12 cases of threats to life and 2 cases of missing children.”

He noted that several cases are currently in court and assured the public that all offenders will be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land.

Umar reiterated the corps’ zero tolerance stance for gender-based violence and expressed the corps’ ongoing commitment to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to aggressively combat this societal menace.

He urged members of the public to support the corps by providing actionable intelligence to help prevent crime in the state.

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Stakeholders hail Tinubu’s Executive order on healthcare products

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Tinubu appoints new DG NAPTIP, six others

The Healthcare Equipment and Allied Products Providers of Nigeria have praised President Bola Tinubu for signing the executive order aimed at increasing local production of medical and other healthcare products.

In a press statement issued on Friday, the equipment providers also urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to consider reducing the cost of Good Manufacturing Practices certificates for medical devices.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, announced in June that President Tinubu had signed an executive order to boost local production of healthcare products, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and devices such as needles and syringes, as well as biologicals and medical textiles.

Pate stated that the order is crucial to the success of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, which was approved by the President in October 2023.

He explained that the order introduces zero tariffs, excise duties, and Value Added Tax on specified machinery, equipment, and raw materials, aiming to reduce production costs and enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers.

Specified items include Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, excipients, and other essential raw materials required for manufacturing critical health products like drugs, syringes, needles, long-lasting insecticidal nets, and rapid diagnostic kits, among others.

The order also includes market-shaping mechanisms such as framework contracts and volume guarantees to encourage local manufacturers. It mandates collaboration between the Ministers of Health, Finance, and Industry, Trade and Investment to develop a Harmonised Implementation Framework, expediting regulatory approvals and reducing bottlenecks.

Agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service will ensure swift implementation, with special waivers and exemptions effective for two years.

According to HEPAN, the order will help mitigate the rising cost of medical services in the country, particularly at a time when Nigerians’ disposable incomes are constrained by record-high inflation rates.

The National President of HEPAN, Dr Ifeanyi Nwankwo, said, “The implications of this order by President Tinubu will greatly reduce the cost of medical services for everyday Nigerians while also creating more jobs for unemployed youths.”

He added, “The association also expresses its sincere gratitude to the Minister of Health, Prof Muhammad Pate, for expediting the signing of the decree.”

The Board Chairman of HEPAN, Mustapha Falaki, stated, “This is a laudable policy requiring the support and collaboration of all industry stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation.”

Falaki expressed HEPAN’s commitment, as a critical stakeholder in the Nigerian healthcare services support and delivery sector, to ensuring the policy’s success, flawless execution, and adherence by all HEPAN members.

He also appealed to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, to consider reducing the cost of GMP certificates for medical devices.

“Reducing the cost of GMP certification is another key element that will further lower the cost of medical devices in the Nigerian market and make basic medical services more available and affordable for medical institutions,” he noted.

He added that the eventual effects of this would lead to even lower charges by medical institutions for Nigerians who need medical attention but are constrained by the high cost of GMP certification, which is ultimately passed on to end-users.

According to the World Health Organisation, GMP is a component of quality assurance that ensures medicinal products are consistently produced and controlled to the quality standards appropriate to their intended use and as required by the product specifications.

GMP defines quality measures for both production and quality control and establishes general measures to ensure that processes necessary for production and testing are clearly defined, validated, reviewed, and documented, and that the personnel, premises, and materials are suitable for the production of pharmaceuticals and biologicals, including vaccines.

HEPAN is an association of specialised medical equipment importers and other specialised medical services, established in 2019 to support government efforts in standardising the importation and distribution of medical equipment into Nigeria, in collaboration with other relevant government parastatals.

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