President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a landmark subsidy to ease the cost of kidney dialysis for Nigerians.

This was announced by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, on his X page. According to Bwala, with this intervention, the price of each dialysis session has been reduced from ₦50,000 to just ₦12,000, bringing relief to thousands of citizens battling kidney-related diseases. 

He stated that this subsidy is already being implemented in major federal hospitals across the six geopolitical zones, including the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar.

He added that more federal medical centres and teaching hospitals will be added before the end of the year to widen access nationwide. 

The Lagos Voice reports that last year, President Tinubu approved free cesarean sections (C-sections) for pregnant women in federal hospitals, a bold step aimed at boosting maternal healthcare and reducing preventable maternal deaths. 

According to Bwala, “these measures demonstrate the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda in action—ensuring that no Nigerian is denied healthcare because of cost.”

The permanent secretary in the office of drainage services, Lagos state government, Mahmood Adegbite, has stated that anyone drilling a borehole in the Lekki axis of the state is most probably drinking ‘shit water.’

Adegbite made this statement during a stakeholders meeting in the state. 

He said, ‘’Yesterday it rained heavily which is unusual because this is supposed to be August break. However, we started having it because of a lot of complex issues. In terms of flooding, despite the fact that we have committed so much, however, we still need a lot to do in that space.

“Presently also, on waste water treatment, I will say that everyone digging the borehole within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I will call ‘Shit water’. However, if we are able to treat all the waste water within this axis which we have plans for, we should be able to also eradicate any form of disease that might result from non-treatment of our waste.”

DareLasisionline.com reports that heavy downpour was recently witnessed in the state for hours, sending residents into panic.

In his message to Lagosians, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, called on the residents to remain calm as the government is putting all resources in place to contain the flooding.

He said, “Over the past 12 hours, Lagos has experienced intense rainfall, and more is expected in the coming days according to NiMET’s latest advisory. I urge all residents to remain calm. We have resilient systems in place to manage flash floods, but the sheer volume of rainfall may temporarily overwhelm some drainage channels. 

“As a coastal city, Lagos is naturally vulnerable to tidal lock-up when rising water levels in the lagoon slow down the discharge of runoff. This is further worsened by climate change. We are closely monitoring areas near rivers and lagoons, which are at higher risk of flash floods with strong currents.”

The Commissioner has also urged parents to keep their wards indoors during the holiday season, cautioning them to avoid swimming or playing in the floodwater. He called on motorists and pedestrians to avoid moving through flooded roads.

“Parents and guardians, please keep your children indoors during this holiday period. Swimming or playing in floodwater is extremely dangerous. I also appeal to motorists and pedestrians to avoid moving through flooded roads. Vehicles can be submerged, and lives can be lost. Once again, I must stress, do not dump refuse into drains during rainfall. 

“It clogs our drainage systems and worsens flooding. There are consequences for such actions, and enforcement will continue. Our teams are working round the clock to clean and maintain drainages and are expanding our network with concrete-lined channels to manage runoff more effectively. But in times of unusually heavy downpour like this, every resident must play their part. Together, we will keep Lagos safe”, he added.

Head, Information and Communications for NBMA, Mrs Gloria Ogbaki, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, quoted the Director- General, NBMA, Dr Agnes Asagbra, as saying there was need for carefulness.

“Asagbra said Nigerians must exercise caution as Nigeria records 30 deaths and 1,141 suspected cases from the disease.

“As we approach the festive period of the Salah celebrations, it is of utmost importance that we collectively prioritise the health and safety of our communities.

“Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water, has been reported in Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos States.’’

Asagbra said NBMA, in collaboration with health authorities, was actively monitoring the situation and implementing measures to contain the spread of the disease.

She adviced Nigerians to imbibe various hygiene practices such as boiling drinking water or using certified water purification methods.

The council emphasized that applications with provisional licenses will be promptly rejected, while those seeking relocation must hold an active practicing license with a minimum of six months validity remaining. These revised guidelines, effective March 1, 2024, aim to elevate the standards of nursing education and practice in alignment with global best practices.

Key requirements outlined in the circular include obtaining a Letter of Good Standing from the applicant’s workplace CEO and the last nursing training institution attended. Applicants are directed to initiate the verification process through the official portal, pay a non-refundable fee for each application, and upload Certificates of Registration only during the application process.

Furthermore, the council stated that responses to verification requests should be directed to the Registrar/CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. The verification process is expected to take a minimum of six months, a significant increase from the previous timeframe of two weeks.

Folashade Kadiri, the Director of Public Affairs at LAWMA, highlighted that the enforcement team also dismantled shanties and removed structures belonging to illegal traders along the Ajah Jubilee Bridge and the BRT corridor.

In an official statement, it was unequivocally stated, “The Lagos State Government has shut Ogba City Mall, Ikeja, and Ajah Market, Eti-Osa, for sundry waste disposal offences. The action was carried out by the combined enforcement teams of the Lagos Waste Management Authority; State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences, LASTMA, and LAGSEC (KAI).”

Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director and CEO of LAWMA, reiterated that the zero-tolerance campaign is an ongoing effort and called on markets and business stakeholders to take the necessary measures to ensure clean and hygienic premises.

Commenting on this significant development, Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, emphasized that this action is part of the ongoing campaign by the administration to combat unsanitary conditions and irresponsible trash disposal in marketplaces and commercial establishments throughout the state.

Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director of LAWMA, issued a plea to traders and corporate stakeholders, urging them to proactively maintain a clean and healthy working environment.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, reiterated the administration’s commitment to enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for filth and reckless waste disposal by traders and business facilities. He emphatically stated, “We are stepping up action on this administration’s zero tolerance for filth and reckless waste disposal by traders and business facilities. We have continuously warned business owners to expect action if they refuse to do the needful to sustain the environment. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration will not relent in its pursuit of this lofty objective for overriding public good.”

The Senate’s move came after Senator Asuquo Ekpenyon sponsored a motion during the plenary session in Abuja, drawing attention to the heart-wrenching case. Ms. Greatness Olorunfemi met a gruesome end, and her death has raised critical questions about the response of authorities and healthcare providers.

Among those summoned to appear before the Senate is the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The Senate seeks answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and the actions taken by the police in response to the crime.

Additionally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and his Health counterpart, Ali Pate, are also expected to provide explanations to lawmakers. They will be required to clarify why the victim was abandoned and allowed to bleed to death at the hospital, a situation that appears to be in violation of the Gunshots Act of 2017.

Greatness Olorunfemi tragically lost her life due to injuries sustained during the “one chance” bus incident, which occurred on the Maitama/Kubwa highway. The criminals responsible for the attack not only stabbed her but also callously threw her out of the moving vehicle, resulting in multiple injuries.

Good Samaritans rushed Olorunfemi to Maitama General Hospital in a desperate attempt to save her life. However, the hospital’s staff reportedly refused to provide treatment, citing the lack of a police report as the reason for their inaction.

In response to this alarming incident, the Senate has directed its Standing Committees on Health and Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Greatness Olorunfemi’s untimely demise. These committees have been tasked with thoroughly examining the case and are expected to report their findings within a two-week timeframe.

SDP State Chairman Stephen Adewale voiced the party’s concerns in a statement issued on Thursday. Adewale emphasized that the governor’s health status should not be shrouded in secrecy and called for transparency regarding his condition.

While acknowledging that Governor Akeredolu’s health issues were not new, as confirmed by a viral voice note released by the First Lady, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, in recent weeks, the SDP expressed disappointment that the governor and the APC in Ondo State had not addressed the rumors surrounding his battle with blood cancer, alleged bedridden condition, and his reported inability to sign documents.

The party believed that the silence and failure to deny or confirm the information implied consent from the governor’s camp. Adewale raised serious doubts about Akeredolu’s ability to continue governing the Sunshine State effectively as his health conditions remained undisclosed.

The state of the governor’s health has become a topic of curiosity and concern for the people of Ondo State. This situation, according to the SDP, undermines the government’s ability to fulfill its obligations, including providing economic pathways for the many residents facing poverty and uncertainty due to the removal of subsidies by the APC-led federal government.

The SDP called on Governor Akeredolu, also known as Arakunrin, to respect the citizens of Ondo State who elected him twice by presenting his medical records to the public. The party believed that the people had the right to know about their governor’s health conditions.

The SDP emphasized that while ordinary residents had the right to keep their health state private, elected officials like Governor Akeredolu, whose treatment is funded by the public, cannot hide behind personal rules. As a trustee and the governor of Ondo State, Akeredolu is required to accurately inform the residents about his present medical conditions, according to the party.

The SDP stated that providing full access to the governor’s medical data would prevent speculation, embarrassing commentary, and incomplete or erroneous reports about his health. They reminded Governor Akeredolu that he was once a vocal critic who called for the resignation of the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua when he suffered poor health in 2009. The party expressed disappointment that Akeredolu had not followed the same path by being transparent and disclosing the true state of his health while battling with illness.

Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Health, made the disclosure on Thursday, stating that health workers were making efforts to control the reported 550 disease cases, which appeared mostly in the northern part of Kenya.

“It is very unfortunate that we have lost 13 Kenyans to the disease, 12 of them in Marsabit, and one in Turkana.

“Regrettably, most of the cases, 40 per cent and sadly, 70 per cent of the deaths too, have been among children aged 10 years and below.

“Other cases have been reported in Garissa in north-eastern Kenya and that the outbreak gradually made its way to Wajir, Turkana and Muranga in central Kenya,” he said.

He also said that the 48 cases in Garissa, four in Wajir, and eight in Muranga have been controlled, following quick intervention by health personnel.

“We believe that this is feasible, given the fact that the outbreak is currently localized to only two areas – Marsabit and Turkana,” he added.

Cholera is a gastrointestinal disease, usually spread by contaminated water and food.

It can cause severe diarrhea that, in extreme cases, can lead to fatal dehydration and kidney failure within hours, NAN reports.

“We have our institutions, systems, and processes in the country. Any such formulations should be sent to them for verification. I will not put it to use without the endorsement of our institutions,” said the Nigerian President.

On the main reason for his visit, President Embalo said having stabilized his country after the tussles that attended the general elections won by him, he had come to seek counsel from his “father,” President Buhari on his plan for a “government of national unity” and a proposed war against corruption in his country.

He also said that his new government met a country beset with a number of issues and problems, the resolution of which would require tremendous assistance from the “big brother,” Nigeria.

“Problems of Guinea Bissau are problems of Nigeria. I have come to you as your son. I need your help and assistance to make the people happy. I will not let you down, neither will I put you in any difficult situation,” the visiting leader told President Buhari.

In response to these demands, the Nigerian leader commended “General“ Embalo on his confirmation as President and for stabilizing the country. “I commend your political dexterity in getting the opposition to join the proposed unity government,” he said.

President Buhari restated the determination of Nigeria to keep West Africa politically stable and promised to support the new government in Guinea Bissau. “I will cooperate and help in every way possible,” assured the Nigerian President.

President Buhari also used the opportunity of the visit to praise the good work that the President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, who is the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is doing in the sub-region, and commended him for keeping him informed of all that is happening around.