The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has launched innovative mobile technologies aimed at combating counterfeit drugs in Nigeria’s North-East region.
PUNCH Online reports that at a two-day sensitisation workshop in Gombe, stakeholders from various healthcare sectors were introduced to the “Scan 2 Verify” and “Green Book App” tools designed to authenticate medicines and ensure public safety.
Speaking on Wednesday, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director of Post-Marketing Surveillance, Bitrus Fraden, reassured participants that all drugs registered by NAFDAC are safe and available only through legitimate outlets.
Adeyeye further explained that the Green Book App serves as a digital registry listing certified medicines approved by the agency.
“Users can quickly verify a drug’s authenticity, with any product not listed being deemed counterfeit,” Adeyeye said.
The workshop, which targeted key stakeholders, including pharmaceutical vendors, medical doctors, and healthcare professionals, harped on the need to adopt the technologies to ensure only genuine medicines reach consumers.
Participants such as patent medicine dealers and shop owners praised NAFDAC for the timely initiative.
Yakubu Yusuf and Hauwa Musa, participants at the workshop, described the training as a significant step toward resolving the challenges of counterfeit drugs.
NAFDAC also emphasised its ongoing efforts to shut down counterfeit drug markets in Lagos, Onitsha, and other parts of the country, reaffirming its commitment to public health and safety.
The agency highlighted the importance of public awareness in the fight against fake drugs, urging individuals to verify medicines before use and make informed health choices.
A data and AI expert, Abel Aboh, has urged the Nigerian government to embed artificial intelligence education into school curricula from the nursery level upwards, warning that the country risks falling behind global standards if it fails to act swiftly.
Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, Aboh, a Data Manager, AI leader, and board member at The Data Lab in Scotland, emphasized the importance of preparing young Nigerians to not just consume AI technologies, but to build and innovate with them.
“We need to start from the early years. When we talk about early years careers, we’re talking about people that are from nursery school. It’s crazy to say that, but countries like China are already starting from nursery and primary school,” he said.
Aboh argued that introducing AI and digital skills early in life is no longer optional but essential.
He stressed that schools without internet or computer access are no longer viable in today’s world, and Nigeria must catch up.
“Imagine a school without internet or without using computers. It’s not possible. We’ve got to embed artificial intelligence as part of the curriculum. This is not about an optional thing. This is a compulsory thing that needs to happen,” he said.
He pointed out that while efforts like the reported training of three million Nigerians in tech skills are commendable, the scope remains limited compared to the nation’s population and youthful demographic.
“You mentioned a number about 3 million, that’s a good number. But in my projection, we need to be targeting 10 million young Nigerian youths at the moment, not just 3 million,” Aboh said.
He called for AI integration across Nigeria’s roughly 200 universities and colleges, including secondary and primary schools.
“These institutions need to be using artificial intelligence as part of their curriculum; not just coding or data science, but how to develop and create those tools as well.”
Addressing concerns about the urgency of tech education amid widespread poverty and hunger, Aboh argued that AI could play a crucial role in addressing economic challenges by creating jobs and unlocking innovation.
“When someone is hungry, what the person needs is food. And food does not fall from the sky, you’ve got to create it. People are hungry because they’re not economically active. Artificial intelligence will help you earn money, create things you can sell, and feed yourself,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria can no longer rely solely on traditional methods to address societal challenges.
“We can’t just go into the farms and keep farming every day. It’s not possible. We’ve got to apply artificial intelligence to everything we do.”
On government action, Aboh revealed that Nigeria’s national AI strategy remains in draft form, urging policymakers to formalize it and act quickly.
“We’ve got the national AI strategy, unfortunately, the strategy is under draft and that’s sitting in the shed. That’s not good enough. We need to move that from a draft to an active policy,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of fast-tracking the Digital Economy Bill, which is still awaiting passage into law.
“Government needs to set the trajectory and the policy, and then the public sector needs to galvanize quite quickly,” he added.
Justice Olusola Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has convicted and sentenced Olaniyan Amos to 63 years in jail for multiple investment fraud.
Amos was convicted alongside his firm, Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited, on Monday.
They were prosecuted on 30-count charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Directorate, bordering on obtaining by false pretences, an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Tuesday.
Count 21 of the charge reads, “That you Olaniyan Gbenga Amos and Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited on or about 18th of June, 2020, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N995, 000.00 from Bada Titilope, when you falsely represented to him that the money is meant for registration and investment with Crime Alert Security Network with a promise of 30% return on investment in six weeks (30 working days), which representations you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of obtaining money under false pretence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.”
Another charge reads, “That you Olaniyan Gbenga Amos and Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited on or about 29th of January, 2020, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N920, 000.00 from Onifade Isaac Olawale, when you falsely represented to him that the money is meant for registration and investment with Crime Alert Security Network with a promise of 30% return on Investment in six weeks (30 working days), which representations you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of Obtaining Money under false pretence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
Upon his plea, the EFCC Counsel, Sanusi Galadanchi, opened the case on February 17, 2022 and called eight witnesses, tendered several exhibits marked “Exhibits A to H” and closed the case on January 24, 2023.
At the end of the prosecution’s case, the defendant filed a “no case submission” but was thrown out as the defendant was ordered by the court to enter his defence.
Subsequently, the defendant opened and closed its case on October 17th, 2024, where the first defendant testified for himself and on behalf of the 2nd defendant as a lone witness.
The court, after the presentation of the defendants’ case, adopted the final written addresses of both parties as judgment was reserved till April 28th, 2025.
At the resumption of the trial on Monday, April 28, 2025, Justice Adetujoye convicted and sentenced Amos to seven years imprisonment on each count of 6, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23 and 24 but discharged and acquitted the defendant on 21 counts.
The court also ordered that the sentence should run concurrently and the convict must restitute the victims.
Amos was convicted and sentenced to seventy-five years imprisonment by Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, for a similar offence on December 14, 2023.
The convict has two other ongoing trials before the Federal High Courts in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Another journey by the convict to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested and arraigned before Justice Olusola Adetujoye on December 14, 2021, by the EFCC.
He swindled several individuals under the pretext of investment ventures that led to the loss of money to the tune of over N1 billion by investors.
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State, Chief Edward Masha, says the party is on course to reclaim power in the state, citing increasing dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress and growing public support for the PDP’s alternative vision.
Masha, in a statement on Wednesday, said since assuming leadership of the party six months ago, his administration has prioritised reconciliation, party cohesion, and grassroots engagement.
He said ongoing consultations with critical stakeholders have helped to reposition the PDP as a viable opposition force and a beacon of hope for citizens.
According to him, the party has recorded significant progress despite challenges.
Masha also acknowledged the wave of defections that saw some elected officials and stakeholders defect to the APC but said the PDP remains resolute and united.
He noted that efforts led by Shuaibu Miqati, the chairman of the Reconciliation Committee, has sparked a healing process among aggrieved members, with many embracing the reconciliation.
“We are focused on consolidating our hold on the National Assembly seats, defending our three senatorial positions, and expanding our representation at both the state and federal levels,” he said.
He criticised the APC-led administration of Governor Uba Sani, describing the government’s “Sustain Agenda” as an extension of “painful policies” that have worsened the living conditions of citizens.
“There is widespread insecurity across local government areas such as Kauru, Kaura, Zangon-Kataf, Kajuru, Lere, and Birnin Gwari due to the state government’s failure to complement federal security efforts
“Meanwhile, workers are on strike, hospitals are struggling, and rural infrastructure remains neglected,” Masha stated.
He accused the government of wasteful spending and alleged that funds were being channelled into flamboyant events for projects that were either abandoned or never initiated.
In contrast, he said the PDP lawmakers have been providing boreholes, classrooms, laboratories, healthcare facilities, farming inputs, scholarships, and other empowerment programmes to cushion the hardship faced by the masses.
On the party’s legal battle over the local government councils, Masha said the PDP is pushing to sack all 23 the chairmen and 255 councillors in the state and restore democratic governance through the courts.
“There’s no debate that our people desire change, and the PDP is committed to ushering in a new dawn. We will continue to expose the government’s inadequacies and provide credible alternatives,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the PDP would build on its 2023 performance and reclaim the governorship seat in 2027.
“Any attempt by the APC to rig the next election will be strongly resisted, stressing the party is prepared to defend the people’s mandate with courage and commitment,” he added.
Masha urged party members and citizens to remain united and hopeful, assuring them that the PDP is ready to lead the charge for the redemption of Kaduna State.
Dangote’s World Bank appointment well deserved – Tinubu
By Rotimi Agbana
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on his appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab — a high-level global advisory body designed to accelerate private investment and job creation in emerging economies.
The congratulatory message was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.
The President acknowledged Dangote’s new role at the World Bank, stressing the significance of the lab’s mission — which he said aligns with Nigeria’s and other developing countries’ aspirations for economic growth through private sector involvement.
Tinubu justified the merit of Dangote’s selection, pointing to his extensive track record as an investor and employer.
The President praised the industrialist’s ability to grow the Dangote Group into a powerful conglomerate through innovation, resilience, and continued capital infusion, making him a symbol of African entrepreneurship.
The statement partly read, “President Bola Tinubu congratulates Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group, on his appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, a body tasked with promoting investment and job creation in emerging economies.
“The President describes the appointment as apt, given Dangote’s rich private sector experience, strategic investments, and many employment opportunities created through his Dangote Group. The Dangote Group became one of Africa’s leading conglomerates through innovation and continuous investment.”
Also, the President emphasised the scale and ambition of Dangote’s investments, spotlighting the $20 billion refinery project in Lagos, which has been dubbed Africa’s largest private-sector initiative.
He referenced it as a shining example of the industrialist’s capacity to undertake transformative projects with continent-wide implications.
He added, “Dangote Group’s business interests span cement, fertiliser, salt, sugar, oil, and gas.
“However, the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals remains Africa’s most daring project and most significant single private investment.”
Calling Dangote to action, the President encouraged him to use his expertise and track record to influence the World Bank’s global development agenda — particularly in helping other developing nations benefit from his knowledge of attracting capital and delivering large-scale development projects.
“President Tinubu urges Dangote to bring to bear on the World Bank appointment his transformative ideas and initiatives to impact the emerging markets across the world fully,” the statement added.
Tinubu noted that Dangote’s appointment is part of an effort to scale private-sector-led solutions to global development challenges, such as unemployment and limited infrastructure.
He situated Dangote among other globally respected business leaders from diverse industries, reinforcing the prestige of the appointment.
“The World Bank announced Dangote’s appointment on Wednesday as part of a broader expansion of its Private Sector Investment Lab.
“The lab now enters a new phase aimed at scaling up solutions to attract private capital and create jobs in the developing world.
“The CEO of Bayer AG, Bill Anderson, the Chair of Bharti Enterprises, Sunil Bharti Mittal, and the President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Mark Hoplamazian, are on the Private Sector Investment Lab with Dangote. The World Bank said the expanded membership brings together business leaders with proven track records in generating employment in developing economies, supporting the Bank’s focus on job creation as a central pillar of global development”, he concluded.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he is unbothered by what he described as the “noise” from opposition party members in the state.
Otti made the remark on Tuesday while receiving a delegation led by the member representing Bende North State Constituency, Nnamdi Ibekwe, who recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party to join the ruling Labour Party in the state.
According to the governor, many of those in the opposition who claim they are coming to contest elections are not serious contenders.
He said their motives are to seek recognition, negotiate political benefits, or project themselves for the future.
“We are not bothered about the oppositions and their noise. There are different reasons why people show up (for elections).
“Sometimes, they just want recognition—that their names showed up for the primaries—knowing fully well that they will not win the election.
“Some of them also come for negotiations, and then of course, some others also show up for projections. They look at themselves and say, ‘If I start the noise in 2025, maybe by 2040 they will know that I have been in the race and they will call me and recognise me,’ so they are projecting themselves”, Otti stated.
He noted that his focus remains on the mandate given to him by the people, and his response to opposition criticism is to deliver tangible results across the state.
“People are making noise, but I respond with work. We are very committed to the job that our people asked us to do. We are doing just that. For us, governance is about stewardship and leadership. And that is what is keeping us here,” he said.
Speaking further, Otti congratulated Ibekwe on his decision to join the LP, stressing that it was a voluntary move made without pressure.
He reiterated that his administration does not prioritise political affiliations in governance, but is focused on delivering good governance to all Abians.
He added that the party is inclusive and welcoming, noting that Ibekwe has become a ranking member of the party.
He also announced that an official reception would be organised in his honour.
Earlier, Ibekwe said he was attracted to the Labour Party because of Otti’s achievements, which he described as unprecedented.
“This is the best time for Abia people”, he said, while praising the governor’s visionary leadership and assured him of his full support and that of his supporters toward the governor’s 2027 re-election bid.
Ibekwe was accompanied by key stakeholders from Bende North State Constituency, including the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze; Labour Party stalwart, Chief Uwakwe Maduka; former Commissioner for Boundary Matters, Mr. Mascot Obike; and the Abia State APC spokesperson, Mr. Okey Ezeala, among others.
The Yobe State Government said it is committed to reaching 80 per cent vaccination coverage by 2026, as it intensifies efforts to close immunisation gaps and protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mohammed Gana, who said this on Tuesday at a one-day media dialogue to commemorate the 2025 World Immunisation Day in Damaturu, Yobe State, noted that the state is implementing strategic actions to reach underserved and vaccine-hesitant communities.
He stated that unvaccinated children pose a public health risk, contributing to repeated outbreaks of diseases such as diphtheria, cholera, cerebrospinal meningitis, and vaccine-derived polio.
“To achieve herd immunity and safeguard our communities, we must reach at least 80 per cent coverage by next year,” Gana said.
He urged health workers not to miss fixed immunisation sessions and emphasized the need to prioritise hard-to-reach and zero-dose communities, particularly in areas with low vaccine uptake.
Gana said, “Here in Yobe State, we have been recording outbreaks of diphtheria. We’ve seen outbreaks of cerebrospinal meningitis, especially Type C. We have seen outbreaks of even acute watery diarrhoea, sometimes cholera, and others.
“Despite all this, we have recorded a lot of success, in the sense that when you compare the 2023 and the 2018 National Demographic Health Surveys, you can see that we have made moderate or modest progress in that regard.
“The desire is actually to get up to 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the population for you to be able to achieve herd immunity.
“So, because of all these issues, and of recent, the record of type 2 circulating vaccine-derived polio viruses, and then sadly the type 3 in one of the local government areas has been a wake-up call to the entire team, not only the team here in the state, but nationally.”
Also speaking, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Yobe State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Umar Chiroma, stated that as of 2024, 17.5 per cent of children in the state were classified as zero-dose, meaning they had not received any routine vaccination.
“Two LGAs were categorised at the national level as zero-dose LGAs due to high burden of zeth-dose children – Gulani and Geidam LGAs,” he said.
He, however said the state is working towards ensuring that the health system is integrated into serving the communities better.
The Borno State Immunisation Officer at the State Primary Health Care Agency, Maina Modu, said that the state is intensifying efforts to reduce the number of zero-dose children.
According to him, additional outreach activities are being implemented in hard-to-reach settlements to ensure no child is left behind.
He added that eligible children are also being vaccinated at transit team points to receive missed or overdue vaccines.
He noted that the efforts are part of a broader Big Catch-Up strategy, which includes targeted local responses tailored to specific community needs.
Meanwhile, UNICEF Health Officer Mr. Bashir Elegbede, highlighted that to meet the global targets, there is a need to reduce the number of zero-dose children by 25 per cent by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030.
Elegbede urged all stakeholders to strengthen vaccination platforms and ensure equitable access to routine immunisation.
He reiterated the call for collaboration between government agencies, traditional leaders, healthcare workers, and development partners to ensure no child is left behind.
Telecommunications services disrupted in Kogi State are expected to resume by Wednesday following a resolution of the dispute between MTN Nigeria and the state government, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria has said.
The Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, told PUNCH Online on Tuesday that the issues that led to the shutdown of telecom masts in the state, primarily affecting MTN, had been addressed, paving the way for service restoration.
“We have resolved the issues. Services will be fully restored on Wednesday,” Adebayo said.
The shutdown stemmed from a compliance dispute between MTN and the Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency, which accused the telecom giant of violating operational rules and under-declaring the extent of its optic fibre network coverage in the state.
KUIMCA Director General, Taofeeq Isah, told journalists in Lokoja on Friday that MTN failed to comply with state operational rules.
“After assuming the office last August, I found non-compliance in their files. A four-day verification showed they covered more areas than declared,” Isah said.
He noted that MTN initially claimed to have laid 48 optic fibres across Kogi, but a joint verification exercise revealed a much larger coverage.
“I called them for a discussion where they complained of being overbilled concerning the area of the state covered by their optic fibre.
“I went with them for a verification exercise to assess their claim, which took about four days, and we found out they were even covering more areas than they claimed,” Isah said.
Kogi demanded additional levies, and MTN’s refusal led to a court-ordered facility shutdown, leaving subscribers and businesses frustrated for over a week.
Officials from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service also accused MTN of tax evasion and submitting irrelevant documentation during compliance checks.
Two members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria were crushed to death on Tuesday by an articulated vehicle in front of the University of Benin along Lagos Road.
One of the deceased was identified as Mustapha through his identity card, and the other victim had their head crushed in the accident, which led to their death.
The deceased were said to be riding a motorcycle when they were run over by the trailer, which sped off after the accident.
One of the hawkers, who gathered at the scene of the incident, said that the accident happened in a flash, as it was not clear whether the vigilante men were trying to stop the trailer when the accident happened.
The hawker said, “The accident happened all of a sudden. The trailer was on its way to Lagos, and before we realised what was happening, the men were lying on the road, lifeless, with their heads crushed.
“No one could say if the vigilantes were trying to stop the trailer when the accident happened. It is so sad that these men had to lose their lives in this manner.”
When contacted, the spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu confirmed the incident and said efforts were on to get more information from the Divisional Police Officers of the area, who are on official duty.
He said, “It is true that the accident happened and that the men died in the process. However, I am waiting for more information from the DPO of the area who is on official duty.”
Their corpses have since been deposited at the morgue of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
Celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest has expressed support for his friend and fellow socialite, Emeka Okonkwo popularly known as E-Money following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
E-Money was taken into custody by EFCC operatives on Monday night at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos for allegedly abusing the Naira and violating the Foreign Exchange Act by reportedly spraying U.S. dollars at a public event.
Reacting via his Instagram page on Tuesday, Cubana Chief Priest rallied behind E-Money, praising his recent contributions to the South-East, particularly his Easter “Homecoming” concert. He hinted that E-Money’s rising influence may have drawn the attention of those seeking to suppress prominent voices from the region.
He wrote, “This is a guy who just did everything to push up Southeast with his just concluded Home Coming Concert this Easter. I knew they will come for him because they just saw his strength, they are doing this so they could break him so as to make him succumb in supporting them under duress.
“The oppression on us Igbos will never stop but let me tell all of you we will never stop. We don’t die we multiply more billionaires are coming up, come 2027 we will support & vote for who we want to, we wont be broken, we will even be stronger, we will reciprocate how we were treated with our energy, brotherhood, support, votes & affluence. #iam_emoney1 it’s nothing brother I have been there it will make you stronger it’s just like our Rolls Royce, 🦅 na location for the rich & famous na status symbol.”
Cubana Chief Priest himself was previously arraigned on April 17, 2024, on similar charges of Naira abuse after spraying money at a social event at Eko Hotel in Lagos. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million. However, Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos later struck out the charges following a settlement agreement between the parties involved.
PUNCH Online reports that the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested a popular Lagos socialite, Emeka Okonkwo Daniel (a.k.a. E-Money), for allegedly abusing the Naira note.
Our correspondent gathered that he was arrested on Monday night at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos.
Sources within the commission on Tuesday said E-Money was arrested for allegedly spraying United States dollars, an act said to be in violation of the Foreign Exchange Act.
One of the sources said, “On Monday night, we arrested E-Money for Naira abuse and defacing foreign currencies. Specifically, he was alleged to have sprayed U.S. dollars, which is against the Foreign Exchange Act.
