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The Director General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, on Monday, said the organisation is facing a salary gap for the next biennium of more than $500 million.

 

Hence, it is taking a range of measures to curtail costs in travel, procurement, recruitment, early retirement and more.

 

Ghebreyesus made this known at the high-level welcome at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, themed “One World for Health.”

 

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the WHO.

 

It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda.

 

While stating that the organisations have made many positive strides, he added that there is a salary gap.

 

“This week, I ask you to approve the next increase, to make another step towards securing the long-term financial sustainability and independence of your WHO. Already, the first increase has made a huge difference. If it had not happened, our current financial situation would be much worse – $300 million worse.

 

“Even so, we are facing a salary gap for the next biennium of more than $500 million. The Secretariat has taken a range of measures to curtail costs in travel, procurement, recruitment, early retirement and more. These measures have helped to narrow the gap, but still, there is no alternative but to reduce the size of our workforce.

 

“We are doing this reduction carefully, to protect the quality of our work, and ensure that we are positioned to emerge from this crisis stronger, more empowered and more independent.As you know, we have been engaging in a major structural realignment, guided by an in-depth analysis of priorities, deliberate and conscious,” he emphasised.

The WHO boss noted that the prioritisation exercise has informed the development of a new streamlined structure for headquarters, which reduces the executive management team from 14 to seven, and the number of departments from 76 to 34.

 

“Some Member States called the new structure ‘lean and mean’. I think it’s more focused and it could be more impactful as well.

 

“Last week, I announced our new executive management team, and in the coming weeks, we will decide which directors will lead which departments.

 

“This was an extremely difficult decision for me, as it is for every manager in our organisation who is having to decide who stays, and who goes,” he added.

 

Ghebreyesus thanked the outgoing executive management team -Dr Mike Ryan, Dr Samira Asma, Dr Bruce Aylward, Dr Catharina Boehme, Dr Li Ailan and Dr Jérôme Salomon- for their dedication.

Explaining further, he said, “Let’s be clear: a reduced workforce means a reduced scope of work. The Organisation simply cannot do everything Member States have asked it to do with the resources available.

 

“This week, you will consider a reduced programme budget of $4.2 billion for the 2026-2027 biennium. This represents a 21 per cent reduction on the original proposed budget of $5.3 billion.

 

“Assuming you approve the increase in assessed contributions, and thanks to the Investment Round, we are confident that we have already secured more than $2.6 billion, or 60 per cent of the funding for the next biennium. That leaves an anticipated budget gap of more than $1.7 billion. We know that in the current landscape, mobilising that sum will be a challenge.”

 

The Nasarawa State Government has received a refund of N9.75 billion from the Federal Government following the takeover of the former Lafia Cargo Airport.

 

Governor Abdullahi Sule announced this development during a special meeting with selected stakeholders from across the state, held at the Government House, Lafia, on Monday.

 

According to Governor Sule, after the Federal Government assumed control of the airport-renamed Usman Dan Fodio Airport in 2022-his administration persistently pursued a refund totalling N9.75 billion. He convened the meeting to express gratitude to stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly and traditional rulers, who played pivotal roles in securing the reimbursement.

 

The Governor added that the meeting would also provide participants with the opportunity to deliberate on the best use of the funds received.

 

While thanking stakeholders for attending the meeting, particularly on a Monday, he outlined three agenda items, emphasising the importance of collective decision-making for the state.

 

“The first item concerns the Lafia Cargo Airport, now named Usman Dan Fodio Airport by the Federal Government of Nigeria. I would like to begin by expressing my deep appreciation to His Excellency, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, for initiating the construction of this airport, which has significantly enhanced the state’s investment prospects.

 

“If you recall, we completed the airport and invited the former president to commission it in 2022. From the outset, we also discussed the possibility of transferring the airport to the Federal Government for optimal utilisation.

 

“I must take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance, our Revenue Chairman, the former Accountant General, and especially our National Assembly members-Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, as well as the member representing Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency-for their significant contributions to this achievement,” he stated.

 

Governor Sule revealed that the state government had initially sought the refund to finance the completion of the Kwandere-Sabon Gida Road, another project initiated by former Governor Al-Makura.

“The motivation for requesting the refund was to use the funds to complete the road between Kwandere and Sabongida. The amount we sought-approximately N9.75 billion-was precisely what was needed to finish the road, which was also initiated by Senator Al-Makura.

 

“Unfortunately, we did not receive the funds until last week, when the Federal Government finally released the N9.75 billion.

 

“It took considerable effort to secure this refund, and I must commend all our leaders-from the National Assembly to the ministries and revenue service, as well as our elders who provided invaluable counsel. We shall further discuss the details of the refund and collectively determine the best course of action,” he added.

 

Governor Sule also announced the completion of the over N16 billion Lafia Flyover and Underpass, projects conceived and commenced by his administration.

 

He noted that, although minor works remain, the projects are now ready for use.

“The underpass and flyover in Lafia were technically completed yesterday. By ‘technically’, I mean they are ready and can be used immediately,” he said.

 

The Governor informed stakeholders that he had invited them to join him in making history by collectively opening the road for public use.

 

He explained that, ahead of the official commissioning of the project by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, it was necessary to open the road to traffic for a trial period.

 

“We want to open the road so it can be used extensively before the official commissioning. This will allow us to identify and address any issues, such as cracks, over the next two or three weeks. We are hopeful that Mr President will be present in June to commission it,” he concluded.

 

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has began plans to convene a royal dialogue on national reputation and values reserve for traditional rulers in the country.

 

The president and Chairman of council of the NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku disclosed this in Uyo on Monday during a Public Relations Stakeholders forum with Royal fathers as part of activities marking a weeklong NIPR 2025 celebration programme.

 

He highlighted the roles royal fathers played in the development and peace building of their communities in the past, empathizing that there was need to go back to the status quo where the royal fathers can work in collaboration with government to foster development and good leadership.

 

“From time, it was the Royal fathers that gave direction to leadership, they brought development to their kingdoms before even government of today came. So, we need to go back to the days where our royal fathers will continue to bring development in partnership with government at the grassroots.

 

“We are just consulting, we resolved that arising from this event, we are going to convene in partnership with honourable commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, a Royal Dialogue on National reputation and values Reverse.

 

“This, we believe is very deserving, we are taking it to the national but we are going to have the first one here in Akwa Ibom as where the idea was initiated.” he said.

 

Neliaku said the proposed royal dialogue would restore the reputation as a nation and bring about ideal leadership and development.

In his remarks, the President General, Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council, Ntenyin Etuk, appreciated the NIPR for including the Royal fathers in their event and choosing Akwa Ibom as the host state.

 

The Paramount ruler who stated that one of the roles of traditional rulers is to disseminate information particularly of government programmes to the people at the grassroots noted that partnering with the NIPR would empower them to effectively manage all information for peace and development of their communities.

 

“Day in day out things are changing, we are no longer analog, systems have changed and we have to change as well and I believe very strongly that today the council will teach us new ways of managing information so that we will be able to pass this information to the people.” He added.

 

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong said successive governments in Akwa Ibom had ensured that traditional institutions were made up of educated and enlightened individuals who would understand the dynamics of change.

 

He stated that NIPR is trying to expose the traditional rulers to tools of public relations which when carefully deployed and utilized for grassroots governance, would go a long way in fostering peace and managing crisis.

 

One of the resource persons, Rev Francis Asuk in his presentation, said the relationship management skills of traditional rulers is important to navigate through difficult situations.

 

He called for training of traditional rulers on deployment of public relations strategies in dousing of tensions and conflicts in their communities as well as getting things from government for the welfare and development of their people.

 

Adeola, the daughter of popular Nollywood actress Jumoke George, has returned to Nigeria from Mali after four years.

 

This was disclosed by the chairperson, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Monday.

 

According to her, the commission received Adeola from Mali, where she was trafficked.

 

She wrote, “Breaking! Adeola, daughter of popular actress Jumoke George, who cried out that she had not heard from her daughter in four years, is back home from Mali, where she was trafficked.”

Recall that the veteran actress had opened up in an emotional interview on how she started living in a church six years ago while battling illness and the heartbreak of a missing child.

Speaking in tears on the TalkToB show hosted by fellow actress Abiola Adebayo, Jumoke said she hid her predicament out of shame and fear of public ridicule.

 

The veteran actress explained that her health began to deteriorate earlier this year, which forced her to cancel scheduled acting jobs.

She said, “There are some things that are embarrassing to say, but at this point, I have no choice. I want to speak out. I am working, but it’s not like I get jobs every time.

 

“My first child, Adeola, has been missing. I’ve been looking for her for the past four years. Any small amount of money I got from work was spent looking for her.

 

“She was in Ibadan, where she was working and living with my mother. So my mother just called me one day to say that she hadn’t seen Deola, who said she was coming to meet me in Lagos. I said I haven’t seen her.”

 

She disclosed that Adeola, however, called one day to beg for forgiveness and informed her that she had migrated with some friends in search of a better life, but they had encountered something different.

 

Meanwhile, Dabiri commended Actress Bola Adebayo for breaking the story about the veteran actress’ daughter and actor Niyi Johnson.

 

“Just received her, with Biola Adebayo, who broke the story, and Niyi Johnson. Details later!”

 

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Monday, announced that it has almost completed the rehabilitation of 11 out of 22 Personnel Armoured Cars brought by the administration of Rauf Aregbesola.

 

This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo.

 

But Ismail Omipidan, who served as the Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced on his Facebook page that the government was merely repainting the armoured vehicles.

 

Omipidan’s post had read partly, “Another fraudulent act loading…After painting the Omoluabi buses, they are now repainting the APCs from red to black. Later, they will present them as being purchased by them to support security agencies in the state. O ma wa gaa o!”

 

Olawale, in his statement, however, claimed that Oyetola abandoned the vehicles during his four-year reign as governor.

“The governor, worried by the abandonment of the PACs which are rusting away, directed rehabilitation in batches with the first 11 carriers now nearing the final stage of rehabilitation.

 

“On the carriers are boldly written ‘rehabilitated by Governor Ademola Adeleke’ with the Governor waiting to launch the second phase immediately after the final rehabilitation and upgrade of the first 11.

 

“In line with my vow never to abandon any inherited projects, I have approved the rehabilitation of the Armoured Personnel Carriers in phases. This will strengthen state security and surveillance,” Olawale quoted Adeleke as saying.

 

He declared that the Adeleke administration was not interested in politics with bitterness, adding that its goal remains to develop Osun and never allow any state assets to waste away.

 

Spain government on Monday said it had ordered tourist rental platform Airbnb to take down more than 65,000 illegal adverts as it tries to balance the flourishing sector against a housing crisis.

 

The consumer rights ministry said it had “urged” the US company’s Irish-based subsidiary to remove 65,935 adverts for “breaching the advertising rules for this type of tourist accommodation”.

 

The infractions included failing to provide a licence number, not indicating whether the leaser was a professional or a private individual, and giving licence numbers that did not match those granted by the authorities.

 

Airbnb had appealed previous government requests to remove the illegal adverts, but a Madrid court has backed the authorities and urged the California-based firm to “immediately” withdraw 5,800 ads, the ministry said in a statement.

 

A company spokesperson said Airbnb would continue to appeal and criticised the “indiscriminate methodology” of the ministry, which it said was not competent to enforce tourist accommodation rules.

 

The ministry “has deliberately ignored” Spanish Supreme Court rulings that meant not all adverts on Airbnb required a registration number, added the spokesperson.

Spain, the world’s second most-visited country, hosted a record 94 million tourists in 2024, making the lucrative sector a driver of its buoyant economy.

 

But residents of tourist hotspots such as Barcelona have blamed short-term rentals for scarce and unaffordable housing and changing the fabric of their neighbourhoods.

 

According to the latest figures published by the National Statistics Institute, 368,295 properties were dedicated to tourist accommodation in November 2024.

 

Consumer rights minister Pablo Bustinduy will work “to stop the chaos and widespread illegality of tourist accommodation, as well as to promote access to housing and safeguard consumers’ rights,” his ministry added.

 

AFP

 

A former Enugu State House of Assembly Leader, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, accusing the party of promoting “mediocrity and deceit” over merit.

 

In his resignation letter, Ezeugwu cited internal discontent with the party’s operations, alleging that the party leadership had betrayed its values.

 

“Merit was frequently sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity and deceit.

 

“For me, trust is a fundamental aspect of any relationship, and without it, relationships can become challenging to maintain,” Ezeugwu wrote in his resignation letter addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman in Udenu Local Government Area.

 

Reacting to the resignation, Professor Victor Nnam, former Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development in Enugu State, slammed Ezeugwu, accusing him of hypocrisy, and questioning why he only spoke out after leaving office.

 

“He is just a sycophant who shouldn’t be taken seriously. If not, why is he crying foul now? Why didn’t he tell the world since 2022?” Nam said.

Nnam also challenged Ezeugwu’s legislative record, highlighting that during his 12-year tenure in the Enugu State House of Assembly, his constituency projects were limited to the construction of just two bus stops in Udenu Local Government Area.

 

“As a former leader of the state assembly, what was his track record?” Nnam asked.

 

“So a third-term House member needs to be deceived before he can empower his own people? That’s laughable,” Nnam responded to Ezeugwu’s claim that the PDP deceived him into undertaking constituency projects.

 

Nnam further accused Ezeugwu of personal frustration, saying, “His recent resignation from the PDP is driven by personal frustration after being denied a fourth term in the House, an ambition that would have extended his stay to 16 years.”

 

Ezeugwu represented Udenu Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly from 2011 to 2023 and served as the Assembly Leader from 2015 to 2023.

 

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Inspector Obic Modestus, a police officer seen in a viral video violently assaulting an Uber driver.

 

The video which was shared by X user, Oyindamola, who identifies as #dammiedammie35 , showed the officer repeatedly beating the driver.

 

He wrote, “A new video of Nigerian police men violently assault!ng an Uber driver. Please spread this video cos this is someone’s father they’re beat!ng like an animal like this.”

 

Responding to the video on Monday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated, “The Police Officer, Inspector Obic Modestus, has been summoned by the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) #LagosPoliceNG. He will be handed over to the Provost Department for appropriate disciplinary measures.

 

“The Lagos State Police Command, under CP Olohundare Jimoh, will not condone any form of incivility to members of the public.”

Watch video below:

𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐈𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐬

 

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Inspector Obic Modestus, a police officer seen in a viral video violently… pic.twitter.com/GXLKtoJjTR

 

The All Progressives Grand Alliance has expressed its deep sadness over the passing of Chief Sylvester Chukwudozie Ezeokenwa, the father of the party’s National Chairman, Sly Ezeokenwa Jr.

 

In a short press statement released on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, said the deceased, who passed on a few days ago, was a founding member and pioneer Chairman of APGA in Onitsha South Local Government Area of the state.

 

Opara said Ezeokenwa’s dedication to APGA and his leadership in galvanising grassroots support have been instrumental in strengthening our party.

The statement read, “Chief Ezeokenwa’s dedication to APGA and his leadership in galvanising grassroots support have been instrumental in strengthening our party.

 

“His legacy of service, leadership, and commitment to societal progress continues to inspire our National Chairman and the entire APGA family.

 

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to Sly Ezeokenwa and the Ezeokenwa family, praying for the peaceful rest of Chief Ezeokenwa’s soul and comfort for the family during this difficult time.”

 

One person has died and 61 others have been rescued after an overloaded migrant boat disintegrated in the English Channel during an attempted crossing overnight, according to French maritime authorities, Sky News reported on Monday.

 

The Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea confirmed the vessel had collapsed in the water, prompting a major rescue operation involving both French and British emergency services.

 

Among the rescued were a mother and her child, both suffering from hypothermia. They were airlifted to the hospital by helicopter. The rest of the survivors were transferred to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, south of Calais.

 

The French rescue tug Abeille Normandie launched three speedboats to retrieve 50 people from the water.

 

An additional 11 were rescued by British crews—two by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and nine by the UK Border Force vessel Ranger. All were eventually brought aboard the French tug.

A French Navy helicopter later spotted an unconscious person in the sea. The individual was retrieved by the RNLI and taken to the Abeille Normandie, where they were declared dead by the medical team onboard.

 

The United Kingdom government confirmed the fatality and expressed condolences. “We can confirm there has been a tragic incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters, which has resulted in the loss of one life.

 

“This latest tragedy underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings, and we continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people. Our thoughts are with those affected,” a spokesperson said, adding that efforts to prevent human smuggling continue.

 

The incident occurred amid a surge in Channel crossings. Over 12,000 people have arrived in the UK by small boats this year, including more than 1,100 in the past week alone.

 

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer recently vowed to dismantle smuggling networks, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned of growing immigration pressures and pledged to reduce net migration by 2029.