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Ranti Odunlami: A First Lady After My Heart

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When I heard about the unfortunate happenstance in Burundi, I got scared for my family. The fact that the first family of a nation can be wiped out in the twinkle of an eye because of an alien virus, is alarming. I immediately thought of our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari, who was perhaps saved from the novel COVID-19 virus by the swift actions of his dear wife and first lady, Aisha Buhari.

An ever proactive mother, she sprung into action when news broke of the index COVID-19 case in Nigeria by first shutting down her office. She thereafter isolated her own daughter who returned from school in a COVID-19 high-risk country and ensured that the president distances himself from the then Chief Of Staff who had recently returned from a trip. Her actions may have been all that saved the president.

It’s no surprise then that with the rising number of cases being recorded in Nigeria on a daily basis, the first lady has not relaxed the preventive measures set up to protect her family, especially fighting any perceived danger around her husband who is elderly, knowing that the elderly are more susceptible to coronavirus.

This is perhaps why it is surprising that a person as close to the president as his personal assistant would work directly against the measures set up to protect the president and his family from the fate of the Burundian first family.

How can a Personal Assistant to the president be irresponsible enough to pose a threat to his President?

By all standards, and without being told, he should have done all it takes to protect his principal including self-isolating as needed in his case.

We have all learned that you can’t be too careful with the coronavirus. I personally think it’s unfair for anyone, no matter how highly placed, to have to put the first lady in a position to have to bring her maternal instincts to bear in doing all it takes to protect her husband, the President of Nigeria from imminent and known threats.

From time to time, this Amazon has proven to be the only one truly for the President, standing by him unwavering, spotting dancers even when he himself has not realized that. Such is the amazing love by a wife over three decades and a loving mother that is not in a hurry to see her children orphaned.

BIG STORY

Nigerian Firm Codix Bio To Begin Production Of Malaria, HIV Test Kits Amid USAID Fund Cutback

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Codix Bio Ltd, a Nigerian company, has announced plans to manufacture millions of HIV and malaria test kits at its new facility for use both locally and across the region.

As reported by Reuters on Thursday, the initiative aims to fill the gap created by funding reductions at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a US donor body.

Former US President Donald Trump had initiated a suspension of funding for HIV treatment in developing nations under an executive order concerning foreign aid.

These executive orders also disrupted the activities of USAID and other US-funded foreign aid programmes.

Speaking to Reuters, Olanrewaju Balaja, general manager of Codix Bio, said the plant located in Ogun state will begin distributing the test kits later this month.

He explained that the production will be done in partnership with SD Biosensor, a pharmaceutical firm based in South Korea, and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to him, the facility initially has the capacity to produce 147 million test kits annually, with potential expansion to over 160 million.

“From the statistics of what is supplied (by USAID and PEPFAR) for a specific programme year, and looking at what we have currently in capacity for Nigeria, we have enough capacity to meet the demand,” Balaja said.

He also indicated that the firm is prepared to expand its services to “West and Sub-Saharan Africa, including other African countries”.

“The focus was for us to be able to play in the field of supply of rapid diagnostic test kits for donor agencies, which particularly USAID was at the forefront,” Balaja added.

Balaja stated that both the Nigerian government and donor organisations such as the Global Fund are expected to source test kits from Codix Bio.

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Benue Killings: We Are Starving, Dying, IDPs Cry Out

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Displaced persons from Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, affected by coordinated attacks by suspected armed herders, protested on Thursday over poor living conditions in their camp.

The IDPs, currently staying at the International Market in Makurdi, the state capital, took to the streets and blocked major access routes leading to the temporary camp situated on George Akume Way, Makurdi, to express their frustration and the hardship they’ve faced since arriving at the facility.

They accused officials of the state government of diverting relief materials donated by well-meaning individuals and humanitarian groups, which they said has deepened their suffering.

One of the displaced persons, Fidelis Igban from Yelwata, described the conditions at the camp as unbearable due to starvation and a poor environment.

He stated, “Imagine, people would come to the camp and donate food items and other relief materials to us(IDPs), and once those items were handed over to the officials, it will end up not reaching us.”

He added, “Just few days ago, secretary to the government of the federation, Senator George Akume came to the camp and donated some items for onward distribution to IDPs. Up till now, we have not seen anything.”

He also said, “The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, came here and donated materials for our consumption, yet nothing gets to us. We are starving and dying here. We want to go back to our homes.”

He lamented the reality of being forced from their homes due to herdsmen attacks, only to face new hardships in the camp after losing loved ones.

“There’s no food, our children are starving, we sleep on the floor, and mosquitoes are almost killing us. We are suffering, and people are dying. officials overseeing camp management were hoarding and diverting donated materials,” he said.

Erdoo Targa, another IDP, said she was six months pregnant when she arrived and has struggled to access medical attention.

She said, “Government brought us here and abandoned us. No food, no medical care, hunger is telling us, we are starving and our children are getting sick day by day”.

She explained that the protest was to call the attention of the government and concerned individuals to their plight.

She urged the state government and relevant humanitarian bodies to investigate the alleged diversion of supplies and ensure fair distribution of aid.

Efforts to contact the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Aondoaseer Kude, and the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr James Iorpuu, were unsuccessful as they did not respond to calls or text messages.

The agency’s information officer, Tema Ager, said he was not authorised to speak on the protest.

He said, “Kindly get across to the Head of Administration of SEMA or the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management. They are in better position to speak to journalists, thanks”.

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BIG STORY

Road To 2027: President Tinubu Has No Rival In Kaduna — Speaker Abbas

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Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that residents of Kaduna State do not see any other option besides President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential race.

He explained that the president has significantly impacted the state “In very practical terms” by initiating “A wide range of federal infrastructure projects that directly impact” its citizens.

According to Abbas, because of these efforts, the people of Kaduna are ready to surpass the votes President Tinubu received in the state during the 2023 elections.

He made these remarks during President Tinubu’s visit to Kaduna on Thursday to commission several projects carried out under Governor Uba Sani’s administration.

Among the projects inaugurated were the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun, Soba, and Samaru-Kataf; a 300-bed hospital in Kaduna Millennium City; the 24km Kafanchan Township Road; the Tudun Biri Road; the 22km Kauru-Pambegua Road connecting Kauru and Kubau LGAs; a Vocational and Skills Training Centre in Tudun Biri; and the deployment of 100 Compressed Natural Gas buses.

Abbas noted that Kaduna remains central to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and said Tinubu’s visit “Reflects a leadership that engages directly, listens attentively, and responds with action.”

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas was quoted as saying, “Kaduna has no reason to vote for anyone else in 2027. My belief is strengthened by your administration’s commitment to Kaduna in very practical terms. You have initiated a wide range of federal infrastructure projects that directly impact the state of Kaduna.

“Mr President, Kaduna has long been at the centre of Nigeria’s national conversation, politically, economically, and historically. In the 2023 presidential election, the APC received about 30 per cent of the valid votes cast in the State. While that outcome is significant, it leaves room for growth.

“Therefore, on behalf of our governor, our party, and our communities, I assure you that Kaduna is determined to do more. Our goal is to double that margin and secure at least 60 per cent of the vote in 2027. This is not merely a political ambition; it is a coordinated objective backed by a united political structure and a population that believes in your leadership.”

He also praised the president for initiating the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Federal Highway reconstruction, noting it “Was flagged off by Your Excellency in April and reinforced by substantial budgetary approval from the Federal Executive Council.”

He described the $2.8bn Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project, which had reached 72% completion by Q1 2025, as another milestone.

He added, “We also acknowledge with deep gratitude your vow to complete the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway project, which will further reinforce Kaduna’s role as a transport hub.

“Other significant projects under your administration include the recent establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan and the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia. For the people of Southern Kaduna, these developments are not merely about access to health and education; they are, more importantly, about federal presence, institutional recognition, and long-overdue inclusion.”

Abbas said Zaria has also benefited under the current administration, stating, “We have also seen measurable progress, made possible by your support and federal backing. Through consistent legislative engagement and collaboration with your administration, we have secured significant federal investment in institutions of higher learning.

“These include the upgrade of the Federal College of Education, Zaria, into the Federal University of Education. Support has also been strengthened for the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

“Federal funding secured under your administration is helping to expand their infrastructure, modernise their facilities, and increase their capacity to serve Nigeria more effectively.

“Mr President, these are not abstract achievements. They are deliberate outcomes made possible through political will, budgetary support, and executive collaboration,” he added.

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