News

Esama @89: WMA President, Enabulele Receives Historic 100 Years-Old Bronze Artefact

Published

2 years ago

September 19, 2023

Editor

The President of the World Medical Association (WMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, has described the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion as a man of many parts who has positively impacted on the lives of so many people.

The WMA President made this commendation when he paid a special visit to the Esama of Benin to felicitate with him on his 89th birthday and to also brief him on the various activities he has so far undertaken in his position as President of the World Medical Association.

Thanking the grace of God in the life of the Esama, Dr. Enabulele said the birthday celebrant was one of the few Nigerians who had a passionate commitment to the growth and development of his state and country.

He stated that unlike some other privileged Nigerians who only invest outside the shores of Nigeria, the celebrant uniquely had most of his investments in Edo State and Nigeria, with positive impact on the local environment.

He averred that Nigeria needed more patriotic people of his lilk to positively turn around the fortunes of Nigeria.

“Esama is a unique philanthropist who lives here with us; supports local institutions, promotes healthcare, education, broadcasting, and business.’’

“Chief Esama is an outstanding man with luminous legacies we are all very proud of. He is inimitable and has touched so many lives with resultant blessings of God.”

“We can see the manifestation of God’s blessings in Chief Igbinedion’s life. We can see that Chief Igbinedion is still looking very young; that is the grace of God in his life. Our prayer for him is to continually look young, even as he advances in age.’’

“I am happy that I came to see the Esama today. We pray God to continually grant him quality life because he still has a lot to do to touch and better the lives of others.’’

While thanking the Esama for his valuable pieces of advice, prayers, blessings and support for his tenure as WMA President, Dr. Enabulele intimated the Esama with some of his strides as WMA President, some developments in the health sector, as well as the efforts of the World Medical Association in addressing some of the challenges confronting global health.

The highlight of the visit was the Esama’s presentation of a 100-year-old bronze artefact inherited from his late father, to the WMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele.

Presenting the bronze artefact to Dr. Enabulele, Chief Esama, in his words, said “I present this 100-year-old bronze artefact which I inherited from my late father, as a gift to you from my heart. I took it from my own archive.

“In my whole life, there are only two prominent people I have ever given this bronze artefact to; Yourself and one Emir in the North. I really cherish you and all your great achievements in life.”

Expressing his gladness over the special visit by the WMA President, Chief Igbinedion stated thus: “When I saw you, I was excited with great joy. I was very happy that you came to visit me, and to celebrate with me. Being an excellent son of Benin, Edo State, and Nigeria, you have made the Benins, Edos and Nigerians proud. With the impact you have created, every Benin and Edo Son and daughter, and indeed every Nigerian, will feel very proud to stand anywhere in the World. God bless you always.”

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

12 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

12 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

13 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.