Author: Lifestyle & Wellness Desk

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert over the discovery of falsified Gold Vision Oxytocin Injection 10IU carrying a fake registration number. The alert, numbered 028/2025, was released on Monday via the agency’s official website. According to NAFDAC, the product falsely claimed to be manufactured in China and was being marketed by a company based in Enugu State. The agency said the product was uncovered during a risk-based sampling survey conducted by its Post-Marketing Surveillance (PMS) Directorate. Further investigations revealed three other falsified products. A-tocin Injection, Extocin Injection, and Claxitodin Injection, all carrying the same forged registration number, A4-9566. NAFDAC confirmed the products were falsified after verifying that they were absent from its official registered products database. Oxytocin, a hormone and pharmaceutical drug, is commonly used to induce labour, control postpartum bleeding, and support lactation. NAFDAC warned that falsified or unregistered oxytocin poses severe risks to mothers and newborns, including weak contractions, postpartum haemorrhage, or even maternal death. Poor-quality oxytocin could also lead to life-threatening delays in stopping bleeding after childbirth, requiring emergency interventions. The agency has directed its zonal directors and state coordinators to intensify surveillance and withdraw any falsified products found across Nigeria. Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers were urged to remain vigilant and avoid engaging with unregistered products. NAFDAC further advised that all medicines and medical devices should only be sourced from licensed suppliers, with authenticity and physical condition carefully checked. Reports of suspected substandard or falsified medicines, as well as adverse reactions, should be submitted to the nearest NAFDAC office, the agency added.

Opposition parties and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have raised alarms over alleged irregularities in the ongoing voters pre registration figures, pointing to unusually high numbers from the South West and especially Osun State. The Independent National Electoral Commission says the pattern is consistent with past cycles and not unusual. Forensic experts say they are ready to help review the data. The ruling APC had yet to comment at press time. INEC says Osun spike is consistent with history INEC’s Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said there is nothing extraordinary about the first week of the current Continuous Voter Registration which opened online on August 18 2025 and moved to in person registration on August 25. He noted that week one produced 1,379,342 online pre registrants nationwide, with Osun at 393,269, Lagos at 222,205 and the FCT at 107,682. Citing the last CVR cycle, he recalled that within 24 hours of the portal launch on June 28 2021, 59,331 accounts were created. By July 21 2021 Osun led with 154,893 pre registrations, and by August 23 2021 it still led with 365,412. At the close of that exercise in April 2022, Osun topped all states with 708,782 registrations. INEC added that over 9.4 million new voters were added after due diligence in the last cycle, bringing the register to 93,469,008 ahead of the 2023 general election. The commission pledged transparency and urged citizens to rely on verifiable data. ADC warns of danger to 2027 polls The African Democratic Congress called the Osun numbers statistically implausible, noting Osun’s 393,269 pre registrations in one week exceed the 275,815 new voters recorded between 2019 and 2023. The party said the South West logged 848,359 pre registrations or 67 percent of the national total, while the South East had 1,998 and five states Ebonyi Imo Enugu Abia and Adamawa combined for 4,153. ADC demanded a forensic audit of week one data with a state by state breakdown for online and physical enrollment, plus release of server logs, bandwidth allocation and regional access reports. It urged international attention to prevent possible manipulation. Labour Party flags bias concerns The Labour Party said claims that INEC is favoring states seen as APC strongholds are yet to be refuted and urged nationwide vigilance. It warned against a repeat of past register controversies, referencing notorious instances where clearly fictitious names appeared. The party also questioned efforts to register inmates while many law abiding citizens still struggle to enroll and vote. PDP cites weak institutions and anomalous numbers The PDP described sharp disparities as a symptom of weak institutions vulnerable to political pressure. It pointed to one state recording nearly 400,000 new registrations in a week while several others barely totaled 4,500, calling the pattern illogical and demanding corrective action. Atiku seeks probe and electoral law overhaul Atiku Abubakar called for an immediate investigation into Osun’s figures to safeguard confidence ahead of 2027. He also urged amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act to mandate technology only processes. His proposals include compulsory BVAS accreditation and results upload, electronic transmission from polling units to iREV, collation strictly from electronically transmitted results, and a blanket end to manual accreditation transmission and collation. He further suggested democratizing the selection of the INEC Chairman Resident Electoral Commissioners and National Commissioners. Forensic body offers technical support The Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria said it stands ready to work with INEC to deploy technology and forensic methods to address disparities while avoiding partisan debates.

A Nigerian student, Kenechukwu Oluwanifemi Uba, has been named the “Top in the World” candidate in the November 2024 Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (Speaking Endorsement). Uba, a student of Caleb British International School, Magodo, Lagos, earned the Outstanding Cambridge Learners Award for her exceptional performance, as recognised by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. According to a statement issued by Prof. Elvis Otobo, spokesperson to the Proprietor and Founder of Caleb Group of Schools and University, the award certificate signed by Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of International Education at Cambridge was officially presented at a ceremony organised by the British Council and Cambridge University Press & Assessment at the Civic Centre, Lagos. Reacting to the feat, the Proprietor/CEO of Caleb Group of Schools and University, Dr. Oladega Adebogun, said Uba’s recognition reflects the school’s commitment to excellence. “We are overjoyed by Kenechukwu’s remarkable achievement. Her success mirrors our values of integrity, perseverance, and innovation. At Caleb, we invest in advanced teaching methods, from flipped classrooms to AI-driven language labs, to ensure our students realise their potential,” he said. In her remarks, Uba expressed gratitude to her teachers, peers, and family for their support, highlighting how the school’s language lab boosted her preparation. “Preparing in our state-of-the-art lab sharpened my confidence. This recognition belongs not only to me but also to my mentors, classmates, and family,” she noted. The school described the award as further proof of its dedication to producing globally competitive students equipped with both academic excellence and strong character.

Health stakeholders in Bauchi State have commended the progress made in reducing maternal and child mortality, crediting part of the success to the installation of oxygen plants supported by IHS, UNICEF, and the Canadian government. The Executive Chairman of the State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Mohammed Sambo, described maternal and child mortality as one of the state’s greatest health challenges, particularly cases related to pneumonia and respiratory complications among newborns. He explained that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in Nigeria’s oxygen supply chain, prompting development partners to intervene. “After COVID-19, data revealed a global shortage of oxygen, and Nigeria was not spared. UNICEF, IHS, and the Canadian government stepped in to support, which led to the establishment of oxygen plants in selected states, including Bauchi,” he said. The first plant, located at General Hospital Azare, was designed to serve a wide population, as most residents rely on secondary healthcare due to affordability and accessibility. Sambo disclosed that Bauchi now has three operational plants in Azare, Ningi, and Misau, serving the state’s senatorial districts. “These plants are already saving lives pregnant women during cesarean sections, children under five, and patients in emergencies. The system is not profit-driven but structured to ensure sustainability through affordable pricing that covers maintenance and running costs,” he explained. Despite the progress, Sambo noted the shortage of biomedical engineers and urged more young Nigerians to pursue careers in the field. He praised the engineers currently managing the plants and revealed that ongoing training programs were equipping more health workers with technical expertise. At General Hospital Azare, the Principal Medical Officer, Dr. Bello Idris, confirmed that the oxygen plant has significantly reduced maternal and child mortality in the state. He said the facility provides oxygen at little or no cost, reducing unnecessary referrals to higher centres and easing the financial burden on low-income families. “Before now, patients who needed oxygen were always referred elsewhere. Today, we can handle such cases here, and this has cut down mortality and morbidity among children and mothers,” he said. Dr. Idris added that the hospital sees about 2,500 outpatients monthly, with up to 300 children requiring oxygen therapy. He stressed that the plant has improved surgical safety and emergency response, though maintenance remains a challenge. He assured that arrangements between UNICEF and the state government would ensure long-term sustainability. Similarly, Bara’atu Kinging, Unit Manager of the Special Baby Care Unit at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare, recalled the difficulties faced before the oxygen plant was established. “We had to travel over 100 kilometers to source oxygen during emergencies, often risking the lives of newborns. With the plant now in place, survival chances for babies have greatly improved,” she said. The biomedical engineer in charge of the Azare plant, Philip Gabriel, revealed that the facility produces about 62 cylinders of 36.5 litres daily, meeting both the hospital’s needs and refills for nearby facilities. He identified unreliable power supply as a major constraint, with operations currently dependent on diesel generators. According to him, solar or stable electricity would drastically cut production costs. Stakeholders unanimously agreed that the oxygen plants have strengthened Bauchi’s healthcare capacity and will continue to save lives, especially among mothers and children most at risk.

Police detectives in Ondo state have arrested a couple in Ondo town for allegedly faking a kidnapping to extort ₦10 million from relatives living abroad. The suspects, Pastor Sanmori Olubumi Joshua, 62 year old, and his wife, Mrs Sanmori Taiwo, 42 year old, reside on Road 5, Power Line, Ondo town. According to police sources, the incident occurred on August 23, 2025, between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Investigators said Mrs Taiwo isolated herself in a separate room while her husband called relatives using her phone, claiming unknown gunmen had abducted her and were demanding ₦10 million in ransom. A relative, Mr Fasegha O. Joseph, petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, who directed the Special Anti Kidnapping Squad, supported by Enu Owa Division, to act. Officers traced the alleged victim to the couple’s residence, where she claimed she had just been released after a supposed ₦5 million payment. However, police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka said she later confessed the abduction was staged as a self kidnapping scheme to extort money from relatives abroad, citing debts and personal needs. Both suspects are under investigation, and police say appropriate legal action will follow. The command warned it will not tolerate criminality, whether genuine or staged, and urged residents to continue providing credible information, assuring confidentiality.

A decisive meeting is expected in Abuja today as the federal government tables a counter offer to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, aiming to convert years of stalled talks on the 2009 FGN ASUU agreement into clear and implementable commitments. Education Minister Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa is due to join the Minister of Labour, the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission, and the Solicitor General to meet ASUU leaders and agree on a timetable for signature and phased implementation. The urgency follows warnings from ASUU branches nationwide after a renegotiation process concluded in December 2024 and was submitted to government in February 2025. ASUU insists the draft must be signed and implemented to avert another nationwide shutdown of public universities. At a recent briefing, Abuja Zonal Coordinator Prof Al Amin Abdullahi said the union had fulfilled its obligations and expects the government to adopt the report without delay. The 2009 agreement signed under the late President Umaru Musa YarAdua promised revitalisation funding, institutional autonomy, a negotiated salary and conditions package for academics, and a monitoring framework. Its partial or non implementation across successive administrations has triggered recurring strikes. Analysts estimate that since 1999 disruptions by ASUU and other unions amount to nearly five years of lost academic time. Officials say the current process differs in approach under Minister Alausa, combining immediate fixes with structural reforms. Earlier this year the Tinubu administration released N50 billion to offset earned academic allowances owed across campuses, a move credited to Alausa that many saw as a restoration of trust. Beyond arrears, Alausa launched the Diaspora BRIDGE Initiative, a digital platform linking Nigerian professionals abroad with local universities for mentorship, guest lectures, research collaboration, and curriculum support. Policy voices including Dr Dakuku Peterside and Prof Yemi Oke have praised the effort as a shift from brain drain to brain circulation. Today’s meeting is expected to tackle the reconciliation of the Yayale Ahmed draft concluded in December 2024 with the original 2009 text and subsequent reports such as the Nimi Briggs recommendations, map phased fiscal commitments into the national budget, and produce a legally sound instrument for signature.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for urgent electoral reforms, prioritizing a new process for appointing the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman and curbing the rising tide of political defections. Speaking at the National Action Plan for Electoral Reform Dialogue organized by the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, and represented by Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Jonathan acknowledged gains since 1999 but said key flaws still undermine public trust. He urged reforms that better reflect the will of the people and the principles of justice, accountability and inclusion. Jonathan proposed an independent screening and nomination panel for the INEC chair, with members drawn from the judiciary, civil society, academia, trade unions and professional bodies. He said a credible, arms length process would reduce perceptions of bias, strengthen confidence in INEC and enhance the legitimacy of its decisions. On defections, Jonathan criticized the increasing practice of elected officials abandoning the parties on whose platforms they won, often without clear ideological reasons. He backed creating an independent Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to regulate party operations, promote internal democracy and enforce party discipline. He said the registrar should have authority to declare the seat of any defector vacant, noting that similar systems operate in Kenya and Malawi, where they affirm that electoral mandates belong to the people, not individual ambition. Jonathan also urged that all election petitions be concluded before swearing in winners, warning that seating candidates with unresolved cases creates confusion and erodes confidence. He called for streamlining the judicial process by reducing the number of courts that hear electoral disputes, especially for governorship and presidential contests. In party reactions, Peoples Democratic Party National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the PDP has many qualified contenders for the 2027 presidential race and noted that Jonathan remains a PDP member. He also praised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as one of the party’s standout performers.

Lagos State has updated its tenancy law to strengthen tenant protections and regulate landlord practices. Under the revised rules, landlords cannot demand more than three months rent in advance from existing tenants, and tenants are barred from paying more than three months upfront. Landlords must issue rent receipts to all tenants or face a ₦10,000 fine. Tenancy agreement fees are capped at 10 percent of annual rent, and any landlord or agent charging above this limit is in violation. Authorities say the changes aim to ensure fairness in the rental market and curb exploitative practices.  

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI carried out a series of counter insurgency missions between August 21 and August 23, eliminating senior Boko Haram figures and dozens of fighters across Borno and Yobe, according to a credible military source who spoke to NAN. Ground forces, backed by precision air strikes, foiled coordinated attacks on Bita and Wulgo in Borno, killing 11 terrorists, including field commanders Abu Nazir Munzir of Juye and Abu Fatima Munzir of Koloram. On August 22, 21 Special Armoured Brigade repelled a night attack on the Forward Operating Base at Kumshe, with subsequent exploitation revealing more than 20 terrorist bodies in shallow graves. Sector 1 troops engaged militants at Dipchari near Banki Junction in Bama Local Government Area, neutralising several fighters and seizing RPG tubes, AK 47 rifles, loaded magazines, 7.62 mm special rounds and motorcycles. In Yobe, Sector 2 troops working with the Civilian Joint Task Force conducted a long range raid in the Ndoksa area near Buni Gari on August 23, killing additional terrorists and recovering more rifles and motorcycles. The sustained tempo has denied the insurgents freedom of action, degraded their firepower and disrupted logistics. The Military High Command commended the troops and urged them to maintain momentum.

Nigeria’s political scene sharpened on Monday after the Peoples Democratic Party resolved at its 102nd NEC meeting in Abuja that the South should produce its 2027 presidential candidate. The decision, which mirrors the eight year rotation understanding between North and South, comes as President Bola Tinubu is expected to seek a second term on the APC platform. Several northern groups condemned the move as marginalisation and warned it could weaken PDP support in the region. The Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations called the decision unjust and a betrayal of long standing northern loyalty, while North Central stakeholders rejected both PDP and APC zoning arrangements and demanded fair inclusion for a zone that has never produced a civilian president or vice president. The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement argued the PDP NEC lacks legal authority to limit contests by region, calling the move unconstitutional and strategically risky. Some northern PDP figures added that zoning to the South could hurt the party in parts of the North, though they noted the APC might also lose votes depending on who emerges from its primaries. PDP leaders defended the decision. Former Deputy National Chairman Bode George said opponents were being selfish and manipulative, and party officials including Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and the PDP State Chairmen Forum’s Austin Nwachukwu hailed zoning as a unifying step ahead of 2027. Beyond the backlash, some northern leaders are said to be weighing support for a credible southern contender, with names such as former President Goodluck Jonathan and Peter Obi mentioned. The African Democratic Congress criticised both major parties for focusing on zoning two years before the poll, arguing it shows disregard for the pressing needs of Nigerians. With alignments shifting, Peter Obi’s next move remains in play as he consults allies on whether to return to the PDP or remain in the Labour Party. How the parties manage zoning, regional sensitivities, and candidate selection over the next year will shape the 2027 race.