News

Armed Forces Remembrances Day: Address Challenges Facing Personnel, FG Told

Published

7 months ago

January 16, 2025

The Guild Of Online Media Editors And Publishers (GOMEP) Nigeria has charged the Federal Government to prioritise the welfare of the Nigeria Armed Forces with absolute transparency and accountability.

GOMEP gave the charge in Abuja at the occasion of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, a day set aside to honor the nation’s fallen heroes and veterans who have sacrificed for the peace and security of the country.

The National Secretary of GOMEP, Comrd. Akpovoke Otiti, in a statement said the charge was timely, considering the numerous challenges facing the Nigerian armed forces, including inadequate funding, poor equipment, and lack of transparency and accountability in the management of resources of the agencies within the armed forces, so as to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the personnel and secure the country from the challenges of insecurity.

The group stated that improved personnel welfare is very crucial, given the sacrifices made by the personnel in defending the nation.

The media body unequivocally condemned the challenges faced by the security personnel in the country, despite yearly huge resources allocated to each of the agencies, and opined that lack of welfarism and mismanagement of the resources account for 80 percent of non sustainability of the gains recorded by the Nigeria armed forces.

They also frowned at the alarming rate of insecurity in the country, describing it as alien.

GOMEP argued that there was no better time to give a facelift to the Nigeria armed forces than now, insisting that every Armed Forces Remembrance Day throws an opportunity for the nation to reflect on the sacrifices made by the personnel of the Nigeria armed forces, urging the Nigeria government to recommit to supporting their welfare, with much emphasis on transparency and accountability of the resources allocated to them.

“Today marks another year to acknowledge and extol the contributions of the members of the Nigeria Armed Forces, especially those that have paid the ultimate price for peace and security of our dear country.

“We gathered here as a media body whose primary objective, among others is to hold the government accountability by appraising their efforts at all fronts, with security taking the centre stage today, especially as our country marks another year of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

“Judging from what is on ground regarding the efforts of the Nigeria Government to boost the morale of the security personnel, one can say that more work needs to be done.

“The Nigeria Armed Forces are reckoned with globally because of their enthusiasm and commitment, even in the face of numerous challenges, ranging from poor welfare, to non provision of sophisticated equipment to tackle the surging insecurity in the land.

“Although some gains have been recorded, the Nigeria government must ensure that the welfare of these personnel, who against all odds, risk it all for peace and security of this country, are top priority, especially as President BolaTinubu has pledged to prioritise the welfare of our gallant security personnel.

“We cannot be talking about economic growth and foreign investment if the country is insecure.

“We cannot even be confident for the next general elections in an atmosphere of heightened insecurity.

“We demand for thorough transparency and accountability in the management of the resources of the security agencies, which on several occasions have been riddled with corruption over the years.

“As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launches the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and Appeal Fund, GOMEP is using this occasion to call for transparency and accountability in the management of the resources, such that the funds allocated for any security purpose are efficiently and effectively utilised to strengthen security in the country.

“Transparency and accountability should be the hallmark of any progressive and forward-thinking government for the promotion of good governance, and reduction of corruption, because the gains translate into national development”, Akpovoke concluded.

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

7 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

7 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

7 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.