News

Enugu Declares Malaria Treatment Free In State Hospitals

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2025

Editor

The Enugu State Government has asked residents to report any healthcare facility charging for anti-malaria drugs and testing within the next two years.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof Ikechukwu Obi, gave the directive on Wednesday, during the official flag-off of the State Malaria Elimination Initiative, supported by the Islamic Development Bank Lives and Livelihood Fund project.

Prof Obi revealed that the government had established a whistleblower policy to ensure that malaria treatment remained free. “If anybody charges for anti-malaria drugs, please report to the whistleblower policy of Enugu State through the Ministry of Health, and we will take action.

“The state has a whistleblower policy and we have told citizens of Enugu State that anti-malaria drugs in healthcare facilities are free. If anybody is charged for anti-malaria drugs within the next two years, please pick up your phone or write an email to the whistleblower policy of Enugu State, through the Ministry of Health and we will come out and deal with that matter.

“We are saying it emphatically because the governor openly said that healthcare centres belong to the people and these services belong to the people. They are free, therefore, to report when anybody goes against what the policy has said,” the commissioner said.

Prof Obi stated that the government’s efforts were to provide free malaria treatment and testing, to ensure healthcare services reach the people.

The event, held at the Uwani General Hospital in Enugu South Local Government Area, was organised by the state Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme and Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme.

The National Coordinator of NMEP/National Programme Manager, IMPACT, Dr Nnenna Ogbulafor, noted that Enugu State had one of the highest malaria burdens in Nigeria, with a prevalence rate of 24 per cent.

She encouraged residents to take advantage of the support programme to reduce the burden to an acceptable level.

“In Nigeria, our statistics, according to the 2021 national malaria indicators survey, have it that malaria statistics is at 21 per cent, still very high.

“According to that same report, Enugu State has 24 per cent cases, which is still high.

“It is important for us to note that 2014, 2015 was when the malaria programme was supported last in Enugu State,” Ogbulafor said.

She appreciated the Federal Ministry of Health, the Islamic Development Bank and the state Ministry of Health for their efforts.

“So we are very happy. It means that malaria is back at the top of the table. I will say that at this point, it is important for the people of Enugu State to utilise this opportunity to push down the burden of the disease,” Ogbulafor added.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.