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‘It’s Not Well With Nigeria, Country On Life Support – Ortom

Published

4 years ago

September 29, 2021

Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom has declared that Nigeria is on life support, stressing that all was not well with the country.

Ortom, who spoke while paying a condolence visit to the family members of the late Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, said those who believe all is well with Nigeria are simply deceiving themselves.

The governor extolled the virtues of the late consummate writer and technocrat in standing up for justice and truth.

“Dr. Mailafia was fearless and he stood on the side of the truth. As the Bible says, ‘You should know the truth and the truth shall set you free.’ Our brother stood for truth and justice.

“Anyone saying that all is well in Nigeria is just deceiving himself. Nigeria is on life support. Nigerians have never been divided as it is today.

“Let everyone know that Nigeria is greater than any person. Nigeria is greater than all of us. We must team up and work. We must combine our faith in Nigeria with work in order to salvage our nation from those who seek to destroy it. Refusing to combine our faith with work is akin to pumping a punctured tyre,” he said.

He stressed further that, “We are here to pay our respects to Dr. Mailafia and console the family. We appreciate God for giving us Mailafia and for all he did in his lifetime.

“Dr. Mailafia lived a worthy life, and we are happy the Almighty God spared his life to enable him achieve what he was able to.

“The actions and memories he left behind shall ever remain alive. We the living shall forever continue to cherish his principles and the indefatigable spirit he demonstrated throughout his lifetime.”

He continues: “Those who are celebrating his death are lying. What Dr. Mailafia did in life will continue to germinate and bear fruits for many years to come. We appreciate him and thank God for his.

“I stand with Dr. Mailafia even in his death. I appreciate his principles, and though dead, we shall continue with the struggle.

“I encourage our mother to be strong. When our time has come, there is nothing on earth that can stop it. Be strong in the Lord and know that “all things worketh together for good for those that are called by God,” Ortom consoled the bereaved family.

Welcoming Ortom to the Mailafia’s’ home, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Pogu Bitrus, appreciated the governor for finding time out of his busy schedules to pay a condolence visit to the family Dr. Mailafia who was one of Nigeria’s distinguished elder statesman and a prominent son of the Middle Belt Region.

Members of the bereaved family who received the governor included the widow, Mrs. Margaret Mailafia, and some of the siblings of the former CBN Deputy Governor. They included Dr. Luka Mailafia; Professor Samuel Mailafia and Barr Abel Mailafia.

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NAFDAC Warns Against Use Of Excess Hydroquinone In Cosmetics

Published

11 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned users of bleaching creams to refrain from using products containing excessive hydroquinone to safeguard their health.

NAFDAC Bauchi State Coordinator, Mr Hamis Yahaya, advised in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday.

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent used to treat hyperpigmentation, such as melasma and age spots.

Yahaya said that the approved quantity of the chemical substance in cosmetics was only two per cent.

According to him, NAFDAC conducts checks on market products to ensure public health and safety.

“The black colour provides natural protection against harmful radiation due to melanin content.

“Applying creams with hydroquinone contents more than two per cent is harmful. Mixing creams by non-experts is wrong.

“Hydroquinone affects the health of the users gradually, including causing cancer,” he said.

Yahaya urged the media to raise awareness about the dangers of cosmetics that could endanger consumer lives.

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AU Helicopter Crashes In Somali Capital – State Media

Published

16 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

An African Union helicopter crashed Wednesday at the airport in the Somali capital Mogadishu with eight people onboard, state media said.

The aircraft was part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), tasked with fighting the Al-Shabaab militant group.

The state media agency Sonna said the AUSSOM helicopter, carrying eight people, “crashed during landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport this morning after departing Balidoogle”.

“The fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation,” it said in a post on X.

Sonna quoted the country’s civil aviation authorities as saying that “flight operations remain normal”.

There were no further details given, but unverified clips and images shared online showed a plume of black smoke over the city.

The AUSSOM mission faces funding difficulties, even as fears of an Al-Shabaab resurgence are stoked by attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.

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Australia Cancels Kanye West Visa Over ‘Heil Hitler’ Song

Published

16 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

Australia has cancelled US rapper Kanye West’s visa over his song glorifying Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, the government said Wednesday.

The 48-year-old musician, who has legally changed his name to Ye, released “Heil Hitler” on May 8, the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.

West — whose wife Bianca Censori is Australian — has been coming to Australia for some time because he has family in the country, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.

“He’s made a lot of offensive comments. But my officials looked at it again once he released the ‘Heil Hitler’ song and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia.”

Burke said the rapper’s cancelled visa was not intended for holding concerts.

“It was a lower level, and the officials still looked at the law and said: You’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism — we don’t need that in Australia,” he told public broadcaster ABC.

Asked if it was sustainable to bar such a popular figure, the minister said: “I think what’s not sustainable is to import hatred.”

But he said immigration officials reassess each visa application.

Australian citizens have freedom of speech, Burke added.

“But we have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.”

AFP