Author: Ifunanya Okafor

Brazil has halted imports of dried and fermented cocoa beans from Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, amid ongoing challenges in the sector and declining exports. The country’s agriculture ministry issued a decree this week suspending shipments, citing concerns over potential pests or diseases in beans from Ivory Coast, including the risk that they may contain “grains from neighboring countries.” The suspension will remain in effect until Ivoirian authorities provide assurances that exports do not include cocoa from neighboring nations “whose phytosanitary status is unknown and whose shipment to Brazil is unauthorized,” the ministry said. Brazil produced nearly 300,000 tonnes of cocoa in 2024, according to the national statistics agency, and imported 42,000 tonnes of raw and roasted cocoa from Ivory Coast in 2025. The Federation of Agriculture and Livestock in Bahia, a key cocoa-producing state in Brazil, said the decision followed a technical mission conducted in Ivory Coast earlier this month. Ivory Coast is currently struggling to sell its cocoa due to a slowdown in exports caused by buyers’ liquidity issues and a global price slump. The World Bank notes that one in five people in the country relies indirectly on cocoa for their livelihood.

The Medical Director of the Snakebite Hospital and Research Centre, Kaltungo, Gombe State, Dr. Nicholas Amani, has described anti-snake venom as a scarce resource worldwide, citing that most victims are poor, rural farmers with limited social or political influence. Amani made the remarks in a telephone interview on Sunday while responding to the death of aspiring singer Ifunanya Nwangene, who reportedly died from a snakebite in Abuja on Saturday. Nwangene, 26, gained national recognition after appearing on The Voice Nigeria in 2021 and was known for her unique mix of jazz, opera, classical music, and soul. Discussing the challenges of snakebite management in Nigeria and globally, Amani said: “Anti-snake venom is a scarce commodity everywhere. Snakebites mainly affect the less privileged—farmers and rural dwellers—people who do not have a strong voice.” He explained that the marginalisation of victims has led to chronic underinvestment in the production and distribution of anti-snake venom worldwide. “At conferences and international meetings, the issue is always the same: scarcity. Free anti-snake venom is almost nonexistent, and most are sold through pharmacies,” he added. Amani noted that even specialised hospitals lack sufficient supplies. “Even in specialised facilities, we currently do not have anti-snake venom. The government is making efforts to provide it, but the process is still ongoing,” he said. Using Kaltungo as an example, he added that patients often have to source the life-saving drug from private vendors. The hospital treats patients from across Nigeria’s North-East and neighbouring countries, including Cameroon. “Even here, pharmacists and business people supply the anti-venom. Patients must buy it themselves. Scarcity is real,” Amani said. He stressed that the core problem is the lack of advocacy for those most affected. “The victims don’t have a voice. We raise awareness so the government and NGOs will listen and understand the situation,” he added. While acknowledging government efforts, Amani said public intervention alone is insufficient. “Government is doing a lot, but once anti-snake venom arrives, it is quickly exhausted. NGOs and other organisations must step in as well,” he said. He also highlighted the challenges of local production. “Producing anti-snake venom locally requires huge financial and technical investment, technology transfer, overseas training, specialised equipment, and sustained funding. This isn’t like producing a COVID-19 vaccine overnight,” he explained. Regarding the cost to patients, Amani described it as devastating. “A vial currently costs about ₦250,000, and some patients need two or three vials. Many victims are very poor and sell land or belongings just to afford one vial,” he said. Amani emphasized that the deaths of young Nigerians, such as Ifunanya Nwangene, highlight the urgent need to address snakebite as a neglected public health emergency. “We are taking steps, but we need sustained commitment, more funding, local production, and strong partnerships to effectively tackle this problem,” he added. The Toxinological Society of Nigeria has previously urged the Federal Government to fund snakebite control, noting that Nigeria records around 43,000 cases annually, with 1,900 deaths. At the society’s 2nd Annual General Meeting on Snakebite Management and Research Interventions, held from September 14–17, 2025, at Gombe State University, over 1,000 participants—including policymakers, researchers, clinicians, traditional leaders, and students—discussed the issue through 34 scientific papers and two plenary presentations. The society warned that snakebite envenoming continues to cause preventable deaths, amputations, kidney failure, and disabilities in vulnerable communities. Without decisive action, the cycle of poverty and suffering will persist.

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has officially endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, pledging to mobilise support across all 774 local government areas and deliver at least five million votes for his re-election. RTEAN President Musa Maitakobi made the announcement on Sunday in Abuja while hosting a delegation of the All Progressives Congress Jagaban Squad. During the visit, he was formally installed as Life Patron of the group. Maitakobi highlighted RTEAN’s nationwide network and strong membership as key factors enabling the association to play a decisive role in the 2027 polls. “RTEAN chairmen in every state are fully committed to ensuring victory for the APC. Once the campaign officially begins, our mobilisation efforts will intensify,” he said. As part of the association’s support, Maitakobi announced the donation of a fully branded bus to the Jagaban Squad to enhance its visibility and mobility within the Federal Capital Territory. The bus will display the group’s insignia alongside photographs of President Tinubu and will serve as a mobile platform for the Abuja coordinator to showcase activities. He added that discussions are ongoing with APC stakeholders to secure additional buses to strengthen nationwide mobilisation ahead of the general election. Describing RTEAN as one of the country’s most organised political support structures, Maitakobi noted that the association has functional leadership in all local government areas and over five million registered members. Plans are also underway to convene a national convention to publicly reaffirm RTEAN’s political direction and continued support for President Tinubu. Recalling RTEAN’s early endorsement of Tinubu ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Maitakobi said members actively participated in campaign rallies across the country, including in Jos, Kano, Ogun, and Jigawa. He revealed that his loyalty to the APC came at personal cost, including the demolition of his house in his home state. Looking forward to 2027, Maitakobi assured that the association’s mobilisation efforts would surpass previous elections. “By the grace of God, our focus is now on 2027. Compared to the past, our efforts this time will be doubled and multiplied,” he said. Maitakobi also praised the Tinubu administration for initiatives in the transport sector, particularly the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles and filling stations, which have benefited transport unions, including RTEAN, and other labour centres. He expressed optimism about the establishment of a dedicated Transport Bank to support operators, similar to the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture. In his remarks, APC Jagaban Squad National Coordinator Adekunle Alebiosu thanked RTEAN for its support, describing the association as a formidable organisation capable of significantly boosting grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections. “RTEAN is a formidable organisation with a strong nationwide structure. Its support will greatly enhance grassroots mobilisation for the APC in the 2027 presidential election,” Alebiosu said.

The Lagos State Government has cautioned operators of articulated vehicles, tankers and trucks to adhere strictly to traffic regulations and prescribed speed limits. The warning was issued on Sunday in Lagos by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, following a crash involving a speeding heavy-duty truck transporting Compressed Natural Gas and a privately owned vehicle. The accident occurred at the crest of Apakun Bridge, inward Oshodi. Giwa said preliminary security findings showed that the truck, with registration number EKY 120 YK, was travelling at excessive speed, contrary to traffic safety rules, before colliding with a moving silver Toyota Corolla bearing registration number EKY 289 HM. He noted that the impact caused severe traffic disruption and posed a serious threat to lives and property in the area. During the incident, two pedestrians were hit, while the driver of the Toyota Corolla sustained critical injuries. According to Giwa, officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority promptly responded to the scene, rescuing and extricating the injured victims from the wreckage. The injured pedestrians and driver were immediately taken to a nearby medical facility, where they are currently receiving intensive medical care. He added that personnel from the Ajao Estate Police Division were deployed to provide security during the rescue and evacuation operations, preventing further incidents and ensuring a smooth emergency response. Given the highly combustible nature of the truck’s cargo, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were also deployed to the scene as a precautionary measure. Giwa condemned the rising cases of road accidents linked to excessive speeding, particularly among drivers of trucks, tankers and other articulated vehicles, describing such behaviour as reckless, negligent and contrary to the state government’s goal of ensuring a safe, orderly and well-regulated transport system.

Delta State Governor, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged graduates of the Delta State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ofuoma-Ughelli, to deploy their skills in service to humanity, professionalism and compassion. The governor gave the charge during the institution’s 8th convocation ceremony held on Saturday. He was represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, who congratulated the graduands on the successful completion of their programmes and encouraged them to contribute meaningfully to society. Oborevwori also advised the graduates to pursue further academic and professional development, while commending the Governing Council and management of the college for organising a convocation ceremony after a long interval. Speaking at the event, Prof. Tonukari conveyed the goodwill of the governor and expressed optimism that Oborevwori would personally attend the institution’s next convocation ceremony. In her welcome address, the Provost of the college, Dr Odiete Eravweroso, described the ceremony as historic, noting that it was the first convocation held under her leadership since her appointment in August 2025. She said the event brought together graduates from 2017 to 2025, many of whom had waited several years to formally receive their certificates. “This convocation represents closure, restoration and the fulfilment of a long-awaited academic right,” she said, while thanking the Delta State Government and other stakeholders for their support. Dr Odiete disclosed that a total of 5,922 students graduated during the period, urging them to uphold professionalism, discipline and compassion in their careers. She assured that the college would continue to strengthen accreditation standards, improve infrastructure and promote staff development. Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Chris Oharisi, congratulated the graduates, describing the ceremony as a celebration of diligence and perseverance. He reminded them that health practice is both a privilege and a sacred trust, as their decisions directly affect lives. Highlights of the ceremony included the conferment of certificates, National Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas on 5,922 graduates, presentation of awards to best graduating students, conferment of fellowship and distinguished personality awards, and group photographs.

The United Nations is facing the threat of an “imminent financial collapse” as member states fail to pay their mandatory contributions, Secretary-General António Guterres has warned. In a letter to all 193 member states, Guterres said the UN’s financial crisis is deepening and could leave the organisation without sufficient funds by July, severely disrupting programme delivery. He urged countries to either settle their assessed fees in full and on time or agree to a fundamental overhaul of the UN’s financial rules to avert collapse. The warning follows decisions by several countries to withhold payments, including the United States the UN’s largest contributor which has refused to fund the organisation’s regular and peacekeeping budgets and withdrawn from multiple UN agencies it has described as a waste of taxpayer money. Other member states are also in arrears or have declined to pay altogether. Although the UN General Assembly approved limited reforms to the organisation’s financial system in late 2025, the UN continues to face a severe cash shortage. The situation has been worsened by a rule requiring the UN to refund unspent funds, even when those funds were never received. Guterres described this as a “double blow” that forces the organisation to return money it does not have. According to the secretary-general, only 77% of assessed contributions were paid in 2025, leaving a record level of unpaid dues. “We cannot execute budgets with uncollected funds, nor return funds we never received,” he said, noting that the UN was compelled this month to return $227m as part of its 2026 assessment. At UN offices in Geneva, cost-cutting measures are already visible, with escalators switched off and heating reduced in an effort to conserve cash. The funding crisis is having tangible consequences across the UN system. The human rights office has warned that serious abuses may go uninvestigated due to a lack of resources. In Afghanistan, UN Women has shut down mother and baby clinics, while the World Food Programme has reduced food rations for refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan. Guterres said the UN has weathered financial crises before, but stressed that the current situation is “categorically different” and poses a direct threat to the integrity and functioning of the entire organisation.

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to tackle poverty more effectively by coordinating and harmonising the implementation of various poverty reduction programmes across the country. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Yobe State lawmaker Mrs. Khadija Ibrahim during Thursday’s plenary session. Recent estimates indicate that about 139 million Nigerians, or 61 per cent of the population, live below the national poverty line. Projections suggest this could rise to 141 million by 2026 due to economic pressures such as inflation and slow growth. The country is also facing severe food insecurity, with the United Nations World Food Programme projecting that 35 million Nigerians will experience acute food insecurity in 2026—the highest in Africa. Highlighting the challenges faced by vulnerable groups, Ibrahim said, “Millions of Nigerians cannot afford basic food items and essential services, worsening food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among women, children, the elderly, and internally displaced persons.” She emphasised that the North-East, a predominantly agrarian region, is the most affected. “For several years, farming activities were severely disrupted due to insurgency, displacement of rural populations, destruction of farmlands, and loss of productive assets,” she said. While security has improved in the region, many farmers remain unable to resume full agricultural activities due to limited access to inputs, financing, extension services, irrigation facilities, storage, and other infrastructure needed for agricultural recovery. Ibrahim warned that failing to fully reintegrate displaced farmers into recovery programmes could deepen poverty and hunger, heighten dependency, and negatively impact national food security, economic stability, and peace-building efforts. Following the motion’s adoption, the House urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to strengthen and harmonise national initiatives on poverty reduction, food security, and post-conflict agricultural recovery, with particular focus on agrarian communities affected by insecurity. The House also directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, to fully integrate North-East farmers into ongoing recovery programmes. Recommended measures include timely access to farm inputs, credit support, extension services, mechanisation, irrigation, storage, and value-chain development to restore livelihoods and boost food production. Additionally, relevant House committees were tasked with intensifying oversight on agricultural recovery, poverty alleviation, and food security interventions, especially in conflict-affected areas, and reporting back to the House for further legislative action.

United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that the man killed by US federal agents in Minneapolis last week was an “agitator and perhaps an insurrectionist.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the individual’s reputation had declined following the release of a video allegedly showing him shouting and spitting at a calm and controlled ICE officer. The president was referring to footage said to capture the man in a confrontation with federal agents 11 days before he was killed.

China has executed 11 members of a notorious mafia clan that ran scam centres in Myanmar near its north-eastern border, according to state media. The Ming family members were sentenced in September by a court in Zhejiang province for crimes including homicide, illegal detention, fraud, and operating gambling dens. The clan was among several that transformed the once-impoverished town of Laukkaing into a hub of casinos, red-light districts, and online scam operations. Their empire collapsed in 2023 when ethnic militias, who had seized control of Laukkaing during a conflict with Myanmar’s army, detained the gang and handed them over to Chinese authorities. The executions serve as a warning to other potential scammers. However, the scam operations have since shifted to Myanmar’s border with Thailand, as well as Cambodia and Laos, where China has less influence. The UN estimates that hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked to work in online scams in Myanmar and across Southeast Asia. Many victims and perpetrators are Chinese, with billions of dollars lost to these schemes. Beijing, frustrated by the Myanmar military’s failure to curb the scam industry—which it likely benefited from—supported an offensive by an ethnic insurgent alliance in Shan State in late 2023. The alliance captured large territories and overran Laukkaing, a key border town. The 11 executed members of the Ming family are the first of the Myanmar-based scam bosses to face capital punishment in China. Others are expected to follow: five members of the Bai family received death sentences in November, and trials are ongoing for defendants from the Wei and Liu families. The Ming trial was held behind closed doors, though more than 160 people attended the sentencing last year, including victims’ relatives. Between 2015 and 2023, their operations reportedly generated over 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion), according to China’s Supreme Court, which rejected their appeals in November. The court said their crimes led to the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens and injuries to many others. More than 20 additional Ming family members received prison sentences ranging from five years to life. Ming Xuechang, the family patriarch, died by suicide in 2023 while attempting to evade arrest, according to Myanmar’s military. Chinese state media have broadcast confessions from the arrested members to demonstrate the authorities’ determination to dismantle scam networks. The Mings were among a handful of dominant families that rose to power in Laukkaing in the early 2000s after the town’s former warlord was ousted by a military operation led by Min Aung Hlaing, who later became Myanmar’s military ruler following the 2021 coup. Ming Xuechang ran one of the most infamous scam centres, Crouching Tiger Villa. Initially, these families relied on gambling and prostitution for income but later expanded into online fraud, using kidnapped individuals forced to work the scams. Reports from former victims describe a culture of violence inside the sprawling, heavily guarded compounds, with routine beatings and torture.

The controversy that arose in Nigeria over President Bola Tinubu’s brief stumble during his official visit to Türkiye has been described as “silly” by Turkish officials, according to the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Dabiri-Erewa made this known on Wednesday while responding to a post on X by a user, Oguntoye Opeyemi (Equityoyo), who commented on the reactions of Nigerian media to the incident. She said officials in Ankara were surprised that the moment had become an issue back home. “Exactly. On ground here in Ankara, their officials were shocked to learn that it was an issue in Nigerian media/blogs,” she wrote. According to Dabiri-Erewa, a Turkish official described the attention given to the incident as “silly and mischievous,” noting that the visit itself was being widely celebrated in Türkiye. She added that Turkish media focused on what they considered the success of President Tinubu’s visit, rather than the brief stumble. Opeyemi also observed that the incident did not feature in Türkiye’s mainstream media, stating that no Turkish television station reported it, as it was viewed as a non-issue. President Tinubu briefly stumbled on Tuesday during a ceremonial march-past organised in his honour at the parade ground in Ankara. The incident occurred as he joined the guard of honour and lasted only a moment before proceedings continued without interruption. A short video of the incident, shared by a Turkish digital news platform and later circulated on X, showed the President walking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before momentarily losing his balance. He was promptly assisted by security personnel. Despite the video attracting attention in Nigeria, the Presidency has played down the incident. The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said Tinubu remained “hale and hearty” and went on with his scheduled engagements, including bilateral meetings with the Turkish President and other senior officials. Similarly, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the episode as minor, explaining that the President briefly lost his balance after stepping on a metal object on the floor. He stressed that it was a simple stumble and not a fall, accusing critics of trying to sensationalise a fleeting moment. The reception ceremony, which began around 5:00 pm local time, featured the rendition of both national anthems and a 21-gun salute. Afterward, Presidents Tinubu and Erdoğan held a closed-door bilateral meeting to discuss strategic issues between Nigeria and Türkiye. The visit, Tinubu’s first official trip to Türkiye, is focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and expanding cooperation in areas such as defence, trade, investment, energy, media, and scientific research. A business forum was also planned alongside the visit to link Nigerian and Turkish investors. Top Nigerian officials present at the event included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake; and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.). The Presidency has urged Nigerians to ignore attempts to exaggerate the incident, insisting that the President remains fully engaged in his official responsibilities.