Nnamdi Kanu: Umuahia locked down as shops, schools, banks close.

Abia State capital on Monday was totally locked down as residents decided to withdraw from their daily businesses and operations in solidarity with the #FreeNnamdiKanu march being championed by rights activist Omoleye Sowore.

The roads were virtually empty except for the occasional movement of tricycles and a few vehicles.

Economic and commercial activities were totally paralysed as shops, markets, banks, petrol stations, motor parks did not open for business.

Similarly, schools, both private and public, did not open for studies.

It was gathered that some of the schools had, over the weekend, sent messages to parents asking them not to bring their children and wards to school on Monday because of the #FreeKanu protest.

A convoy of joint security patrol vans was sighted along Uwakala Road, probably monitoring the situation.

Traders at the popular Isigate market did not show up for business, as their wares and tables were all covered.

Most of the major streets, including Post Office/Abia Tower Junction, FMC/Bank Road Junction, and Umuahia, visited by our correspondent, were a ghost of themselves.

The Era of Calling Nigeria “Most Corrupt Country” Is Over — First Lady Remi Tinubu.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, says the era of branding Nigeria as the “most corrupt country” in the world has ended.

Speaking during her official visit to Gombe State, where she commissioned several health facilities including the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Kumo, Mrs Tinubu urged citizens to stop demeaning the nation’s image, noting that global perception of Nigeria is improving under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Gone are the days when they say Nigeria is the most corr¥pt country. You won’t hear that again,” she said. “When I travel abroad and they hear you’re from Nigeria, everyone is interested. Nigeria is now the next destination.”

The First Lady, who also paid homage to the Emir of Akko, encouraged Nigerians to show national pride and speak positively about their country.

She described Gombe’s landscape as “beautiful and comparable to the English countryside,” adding that Nigerians should celebrate the nation’s natural and cultural assets.

Mrs Tinubu linked her message of patriotism to the administration’s ongoing reforms in security, education, and grassroots development, emphasizing the role of traditional and religious leaders in shaping citizens’ attitudes.

“I’m 65 years old now, and I pray to live long,” she said. “I’m working so hard so that when my husband finishes his tenure, I too can walk around safely. That is what drives me.

She called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, united, and supportive of government efforts aimed at restoring the nation’s pride and strengthening its place in the global community.

BREAKING: Gunmen have abducted Pastor Ayodeji Akesinro, a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, from his residence at Upenme, Owo LGA, Ondo State, around 7 p.m. on Thursday.

The National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) has confirmed the incident and warned it may embark on protests if urgent action is not taken to secure his release.

Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, assured that operatives, in collaboration with other security agencies, are combing the forests to rescue the victim.

The abduction has intensified concerns over rising insecurity in the state, coming just two weeks after a Adekunle Ajasin University staff member was kidnapped from his home.

#Ondo #Kidnapping #FMC

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Bida, Niger State, has announced that it is fully ready to digitize its operations by the end of 2025 in line with Federal Government directives.

Source: Daily Post Nigeria

FULL LIST: Federal Hospitals With Reduced Dialysis Costs — Presidency

President Bola Tinubu has approved a reduction in the cost of kidney dialysis from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000 in federal hospitals nationwide.

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala confirmed the subsidy on Monday, noting it is already being implemented in medical centres and teaching hospitals across the six geopolitical zones.

Hospitals currently offering reduced dialysis costs include:

FMC Ebute-Metta, Lagos

FMC Jabi, Abuja

University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan

FMC Owerri, Imo State

University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Borno State

FMC Abeokuta, Ogun State

Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos

FMC Azare, Bauchi State

University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State

University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Cross River State

Bwala said more hospitals will be added before year-end, stressing that the move highlights Tinubu’s commitment to affordable healthcare.

#Tinubu #Healthcare #Nigeria #Dialysis #KidneyCare #FederalHospitals #HealthcareReform

Weeks After Withdrawal of UBEC appointment, Pres. Tinubu Appoints Idris Olorunnimbe as NCC Chairman.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Idris Olorunnimbe, founder of The Temple, as chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Olorunnimbe replaces Aminu Waida, who will continue as the NCC’s executive vice chairman and chief executive officer — a role he has held since October 2023, with Senate confirmation in November that year.

Olorunnimbe’s previous federal appointment as chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in March was withdrawn in July and given to former Nasarawa governor, Tanko Al-Makura.

He also served on the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) board, where he led youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes. The new NCC board includes: Abraham Oshidami (executive commissioner, technical services), Rimini Makama (executive commissioner, stakeholder management), Maryam Bayi (former director, human capital & administration), Cornel Abdulwahab Lawal (Rtd), Lekan Mustafa, Chris Okorie, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko, and the board secretary.

Tinubu also approved Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, as chairman of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), with Olorunnimbe as vice chairman. Other USPF board members are Oshidami, Makama, Aliyu Edogi Aliyu (FMCIDE representative), Joseph B. Faluyi (finance ministry), Auwal Mohammed (budget & planning ministry), Uzoma Dozie, Peter Bankole, Abayomi Okanlawon, Gafar Quadri, and the USPF secretary.

The USPF was set up to expand access to information and communication technologies in rural, unserved, and underserved communities across Nigeria.

Policeman dead as armed men ambush FMC Owerri Director’s convoy in Imo.
Suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), on Saturday ambushed the convoy of Dr. Kingsley Achigbu, Director of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, killing a security escort and injuring three others.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 2:10 p.m. along the Okigwe–Owerri highway near Oniumo River.

The convoy, which included two police officers Inspector Uwem Samuel and Inspector Obinna Egege was escorting the FMC Director, his wife, and daughter back to Owerri when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle, a Toyota Hilux belonging to FMC Owerri.

It was gathered that the Commissioner of Police in Imo, CP Aboki Danjuma, swiftly deployed tactical rescue teams in collaboration with troops from the Military Forward Operating Base (FOB), Okigwe, to the scene.

The injured officers were evacuated to FMC Owerri, where one of the escorts was confirmed dead, while the others were reported to be in stable condition.

There was no loss of arms or ammunition during the incident. The Director’s wife and daughter were unhurt, though the civilian driver of the vehicle remains missing.

Security operatives have launched a manhunt for the attackers and are combing the surrounding areas to locate the missing driver.

EXCLUSIVE: Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda Involved in Road Accident.

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State was involved in a car accident on Sunday while returning from Daura to Katsina, sustaining a fracture in the incident.

He is currently receiving medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Daura, and has been reported as stable.

Details surrounding the nature of the crash remain unclear, but sources close to the state government confirmed that the governor was swiftly evacuated to FMC Daura following the accident.

A source familiar with the matter told Okay.ng that Governor Radda’s condition was not life-threatening and that he had been “stabilised and is responding well to treatment.”

The news sparked concern across the state, particularly after the governor’s daughter shared a post on Facebook shortly after the incident, writing: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un!” — an Islamic phrase meaning “From God we came and to Him we shall return”, often invoked in moments of distress or loss.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been released by the Katsina State Government, but officials close to the governor say he may remain under observation for a few days.