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Category: News Update

  • We’re partners in progress, Kaduna Governor Sani tells Reps Speaker Abbas

    We’re partners in progress, Kaduna Governor Sani tells Reps Speaker Abbas

    Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has said the rapport between the House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and the Kaduna State government exemplifies cooperative governance at its best.

    The governor also said the partnership is “built on mutual respect, shared vision, and an unyielding commitment to the welfare of our people”.

    He added: “Together, we are demonstrating that when leaders work in harmony, development accelerates and trust in public institutions is strengthened>”

    Governor Sani said this at a special constituency empowerment programme organised by Speaker Abbas at the Nuhu Babajo Stadium, Zaria, on Sunday.

    Abbas distributed 850 motorcycles and 30 vehicles, as well as inaugurated sports centres across Zaria Federal Constituency as part of his empowerment programme.

    Teachers, religious leaders, polling unit heads, community support groups and security operatives, including Old CPC Support Group for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Uba Sani benefitted.

    Governor Sani noted that the empowerment programme “reflects the Speaker’s unwavering belief that public office must translate into visible improvement in the lives of the people, and that democracy finds its truest meaning when it delivers dignity, opportunity, and hope”.

    Read Also: Dangote, NNPCL seal gas supply deal

    The governor also said the empowerment programme “underscores a development philosophy anchored on productivity, inclusion, and human wellbeing”.

    He said: “This empowerment programme, which began days ago and now reaches its crescendo, is a powerful reminder of what purposeful leadership can achieve.”

    Abbas recalled that on Friday, the empowerment programmed had “focused on economic empowerment through training opportunities and financial grants for women and young people”.

    The Speaker said: “Today, we advance this commitment by investing in mobility, organisational, and community infrastructure.

    “Together, these interventions form an integrated approach to building capacity, improving service delivery, and strengthening the systems that sustain education, security, political participation, and youth development across Zaria Federal Constituency and Kaduna State in general.”

    He said Sunday’s empowerment “is about rewarding service and reinforcing grassroots structures”.

    Abbas added: “It is about equipping those who hold communities together with tools that make their work more effective and their impact more isible.

    “For this reason, we are distributing 850 motorcycles to primary and secondary school teachers, Imams, polling unit heads, support groups, and security personnel. Improved mobility reduces daily hardship and increases efficiency.

    “Teachers can reach classrooms more consistently. Religious leaders can engage wider communities. Grassroots organisers can operate effectively across all wards, and security personnel can respond faster and maintain a stronger presence.

    “When mobility improves, service improves, and when service improves, communities grow stronger.”

    The Speaker also presented 30 vehicles to the Old CPC Support Group for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Uba Sani Continuity 2027 in recognition of loyalty, sacrifice, and enduring commitment.

    “Politics is sustained by structure, discipline, and organisation. The Old CPC tradition in Kaduna State and across the North helped lay the foundation of the political movement that produced the APC and delivered national leadership.

    “This presentation reflects appreciation and reinforces readiness. Strong structures remain essential to political stability, mobilisation and governance,” he said.

    Justifying the inauguration of sports centres across Zaria Federal Constituency, Abbas said sports play a vital role in community development, adding that “it promotes discipline, teamwork and confidence”.

    Governor Sani had inaugurated a 100-kilowatt solar mini-grid at Damau, in the Kubau Local Government Area.

    Underscoring the significance of the mini-grid, the governor announced that “for more than a decade, the people of Damau lived without access to electricity”.

    He added: “Daily life was shaped by limitation. Markets closed early, small businesses struggled to grow, healthcare delivery was constrained, and children relied on candlelight to study.”

    Governor Sani stressed that “such conditions diminish productivity and weaken social progress”.

    The governor described the project as a “partnership between the Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria, the National Assembly, and the Kaduna State Government”.

    He hailed Abbas, whose “leadership and sustained commitment to development have helped to unlock opportunities that directly benefit communities such as Damau”.

    Governor Abbas also acknowledged the efforts of the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Mr. Abba Aliyu, for believing in our vision and the commendable work he is doing.

    The governor also praised the House member who represents Kubau/Ikara Federal Constituency, Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi, “whose advocacy ensured that this community remained firmly on the agenda of rural electrification”.

    He added: “That project demonstrates what is possible when the Executive and the Legislature work in concert, guided by a shared sense of responsibility to the people they serve.”

  • Only collective responsibility will fix Nigeria, says Na’Allah

    Only collective responsibility will fix Nigeria, says Na’Allah

    A former Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Bala Na’Allah, yesterday said it will take collective responsibility on the part of Nigerians to achieve the country they desire.

     He said: “Nigeria’s challenges should not just be left with the nation’s leaders alone to solve.

    “The biggest problem we have is that every president that comes, after some time, Nigerians will say, ‘We are not satisfied.’”

    Na’Allah said this in an interview on a nationa television programme.

    “But what Nigerians have failed to understand is: what is the reason?”

    The former Senate Deputy Minority Leader noted that the challenges facing the nation require collective efforts to overcome.

    “Nigerians have failed to understand that there must be something somewhere that is working against the smooth running of the affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. All of us have decided not to look at it; we would rather say ‘it is Mr. President.’

    Read Also: Police urge NLC to shelve Tuesday’s planned protest

    “It’s an issue of collective responsibility. I’m telling you: go and look at the constitution. Look at the oath of office that each elected official has taken before assuming office, and then put it on their faces and tell me how many of them have succeeded in keeping to the spirit of that constitution,” the senator stated.

    Na’Allah described Nigeria’s Constitution as one of the best in the world, arguing that the country’s major challenge lies not in the law itself but in its implementation.

    “Our constitution is one of the best documents you can find anywhere in the world. Whether you believe me or you don’t believe me, that’s a different matter.

    “Our major issue is those charged with the responsibility of implementing the letter and spirit of the constitution,” he said.

    The former lawmaker, who represented Kebbi South in the Red Chamber, also weighed in on the recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said the mass exodus of politicians from opposition parties does not automatically guarantee victory in the 2027 general election.

    “The APC has to work to seriously convince the people that whatever they are going through is reasonably necessary for the purpose of positioning the country for a greater future.

     “I can conveniently say that no party was formed and came with the best intentions for Nigeria, better than the APC,” he added.

  • NAHCON concludes hajj accommodation arrangements

    NAHCON concludes hajj accommodation arrangements

    The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has said the commission had concluded accommodation arrangements for this year’s Hajj in Makkah and Madinah, ahead of the deadlines set by Saudi Arabian authorities.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Technical Assistant (Media), Ahmad Muazu, the NAHCON chairman said the conclusion of the accommodation uploads and approval/acceptance by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj was in line with the directive of Vice President Kashim Shettima that all critical Hajj arrangements should be finalised within the approved Saudi timelines to safeguard Nigeria’s operational interests.

    Read Also: Dangote, NNPCL seal gas supply deal

    He acknowledged the guidance and support of the Vice President throughout the process as well as the role played by the high-level delegation sent to Saudi Arabia, the NAHCON Board, the Nusuk Masar team, the leadership of the Forum of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, NAHCON’s workers and relevant stakeholders involved in the accommodation process.

    With the conclusion of the arrangements, Usman said Nigeria has secured its accommodation for this year’s Hajj and is positioned among countries that have completed the critical requirement within the prescribed timelines.

  • Ondo must reform tax system, end illegal levies to drive growth, says Oyedele

    Ondo must reform tax system, end illegal levies to drive growth, says Oyedele

    …announces N500k scholarship for best graduating student of every public secondary school in Ondo State 

    …50 years a milestone to shape Ondo’s future – Gov Aiyedatiwa

    Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has called on the Ondo state government to overhaul its tax administration, abolish multiple and illegal levies, and strengthen fiscal institutions to unlock sustainable economic growth.

    Mr Oyedele, who was the guest lecturer at the state’s 50th anniversary celebration, themed “Ondo State: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” spoke on Monday in Akure. 

    He said a modern, transparent, and predictable tax system remains fundamental to building a strong economy, warning that inconsistent policies and burdensome taxation discourage investment and weaken government revenue.

    According to him, nuisance taxes and overlapping levies shrink businesses and push investors away.

    Oyedele recommended that Ondo host the National Tax Ombud office for the South-West to provide an independent platform for resolving tax disputes and protecting taxpayers’ rights.

    He also advised the state to urgently implement the new national tax reform acts and enact a State Tax Harmonisation Law to streamline revenue collection across ministries, departments and agencies.

    “Implement the new tax reform acts, enact the State Tax Harmonisation law to curb nuisance and illegal taxes. The state can even host the national Tax Ombud office for the South-West region to lead in taxpayer rights and protection,” he said.

    The tax cyzar further proposed the introduction of an annual Tax Accountability Report to every taxpayer and the development of a comprehensive State Tax and Fiscal Policy Framework to guide revenue mobilisation, spending and debt management.

    To promote transparency at the grassroots, Oyedele urged each local government council to prepare economic development plans and publish budgets and audited statements on a dedicated online portal.

    He also called for improved tax registration, simplified regulatory charges and harmonised public services to reduce bureaucracy and make compliance easier for residents and businesses.

    Beyond taxation, Oyedele stressed the need to strengthen the Ministry of Finance to properly manage state assets and investments through a comprehensive assets register to track and optimise public wealth.

    He noted that strong fiscal management, policy consistency and institutional stability are key to long-term prosperity.

    “Better revenue administration must translate to improved public services such as stable electricity, poverty reduction and job creation,” he added.

    He also emphasised the need for structured platforms to help young people transition from job seekers to entrepreneurs.

    Oyedele, however, announced a Golden Jubilee scholarship of N500,000 for the top graduating student in every public secondary school this year.

    In her keynote address, the President’s Special Adviser on Energy, Mrs Olu Awolowo Verheijen, lauded the contributions of farmers, teachers, civil servants, artisans and entrepreneurs to the state’s development.

    She highlighted gas infrastructure, the revival of the Odigbo power plants and modular LNG projects as catalysts for industrial growth.

    Verheijen also cited major projects including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, road expansions in Akure, teaching hospital upgrades and the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port as investments that would create jobs and boost revenue.

    Read Also: Individuals must file tax returns by March 31, employers, January 31 – Oyedele

    “Value addition is the foundation for job creation, revenue generation and the dignity of our people,” she said.

    Declaring the lecture open, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa outlined a vision for the next 50 years centred on industrialisation, innovation and youth-driven growth.

    “Fifty years is not just a number. It is a milestone that challenges us to shape the next era with wisdom, courage and innovation,” the governor said.

    He listed key projects such as the Sunshine Free Trade Zone, Golden Ceramics Industrial Plant, Ore Ethanol Plant and the Ondo Deep Sea Port as initiatives aimed at expanding industrial processing and export capacity.

    Aiyedatiwa also highlighted investments in roads, bridges, and energy infrastructure, alongside scholarships, vocational training, and digital literacy programmes targeted at empowering youths.

    In his welcome remarks, Secretary to the State Government and anniversary committee chairman, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, described the celebration as nostalgic and emotional, noting that distinguished citizens, including elder statesmen, would be honoured during the golden jubilee.

  • Ohaneze warns against excluding Igbo from Rivers politics

    Ohaneze warns against excluding Igbo from Rivers politics

    The Rivers State chapter of the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide has warned against excluding Igbo people from the politics of the state.

    The chapter president of the group, Livingstone Wechie, in a statement to commemorate the World Igbo Adoration and Thanksgiving Day boasted that the Igbos had the largest voting bloc in the state.

    Wechie said, “The Rivers State chapter President cautioned against any orientation that will isolate Ndi-Igbo from the politics or economy of Rivers State. It is not in dispute that Igbos have the largest voting block in Rivers state as well as dominate the economic lifeline of the state.

    “We maintain that one of the most strategic ways to honour our fallen heroes and survivors of the civil war is to leverage on our entrepreneurial mastery and use our population to influence the politics of the state positively”.

    He appealed to Igbo people to rethink their approach to politics saying the ethnic group possessed the potential to attain any political height of interest in the country. 

    Wechie called on Igbos in Rivers State to see the current trend and business space in the state as a golden opportunity to reposition themselves in the Nigerian project.

    Read Also: Ohaneze Ndigbo condemns children’s torture in Rivers 

    He said: “It is no doubt that the Igbo question is still unanswered by the Nigerian state and remains the main unresolved question in contemporary black Africa today. 

    “We seize this medium to thank God for making Igbos great. Igbos are arguably the largest black stock on Earth. The slave trade escalated our global spread. 

    “Calabar was the largest slave port in Africa and Igbos were the highest victims exported to various countries which is why we have indigenous Igbos in many countries of the world. This to us is a strength and not a disadvantage. We urge government at all levels to engage Ndi-Igbo for a purposeful future”.

    Wechie sued for peace in Rivers saying the state remained the safest haven for Igbo investment.

    “As we invite Ndi-Igbo from all over the world to pour in their highest investment into Rivers State because the Atlantic is open to us, we assure the government of Rivers State of the greatest support of Igbos for the development of the State”, he said. 

  • Navy raids Apapa drug hideout, hands seized substances to NDLEA

    Navy raids Apapa drug hideout, hands seized substances to NDLEA

    The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has raided and dislodged a suspected criminals’ hideout at Gidan Drama, Agbo Malu area of Apapa, recovering illicit drugs including Marijuana and Codeine. 

    The drugs, it said, were recovered on January 24, following credible intelligence on the presence of suspected drug peddlers in the area.

    A statement on Monday said the seized illicit substances have been  handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), by the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Rear Admiral Paul Nimmyel. 

    Represented by the Base’ Executive Officer, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, Nimmyel said no arrests were made as the suspects fled on sighting naval personnel.

    Read Also: Navy Hospital threatens mass burial of unclaimed bodies

    He said the recovery reflects the Navy’s resolve to curb the spread and abuse of illicit drugs among youths, noting the attendant health risks and security implications.

    The Commander added that the operation aligned with the directive of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for the Navy to rid the maritime environment of criminal activities, working independently or in collaboration with other agencies.

  • PDP BoT, caretaker factional chairman moves to end crisis

    PDP BoT, caretaker factional chairman moves to end crisis

    …holds NEC meeting in Abuja

    Following the outcome of a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, last Friday, which nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in the city between15 and 16 November, 2025, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified moves to overcome its internal crisis.

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Caretaker Committee reaffirmed commitment to unity, respect for court rulings and preparations for outstanding congresses ahead of a national convention.

    BOT chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa who spoke on Monday at the 85th meeting of the PDP BoT in Abuja urged party members to embrace peace and put collective interest above personal ambition.

    Ohuabunwa said the PDP had weathered months of turbulence marked by leadership disputes and legal battles, but survived due to its strong institutions and adherence to constitutional order.

    According to him, the delay in conducting party congresses was a deliberate and cautious decision taken out of respect for pending judicial processes, not an abdication of responsibility.

    He said, “The PDP chose legality over expediency and patience over provocation. History would judge the party kindly for upholding the rule of law.”

    The Bot chairman hailed the judicial pronouncements, particularly the Federal High Court judgment in Ibadan, which affirmed the legitimacy of the Abdulrahman-led National Caretaker Committee, and called on party members to respect the judiciary and comply with lawful decisions.

    Ohuabunwa warned against divisive rhetoric and actions capable of undermining democratic institutions, stressing that the moral authority of the BoT lies in fairness, balance and due process.

    “With the legal fog lifting, the focus must now shift to reconciliation, rebuilding trust and laying the groundwork for orderly congresses and a credible national convention,” he said, noting that unity was a strategic imperative for the survival of the party.

    In his remarks, National Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, thanked members of the BoT for their steadfast support, describing it as crucial to the stability of the party at a defining moment.

    Mohammed also expressed gratitude to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for standing by the Caretaker Committee, saying the support had strengthened its resolve to reposition the party.

    He said the Christmas and New Year holidays were over and that it was time for decisive action to deliver on the mandate given to the Caretaker Committee to put the PDP back on track.

    The caretaker chairman confirmed that the Ibadan High Court had delivered a declaratory judgment in favour of the committee, stressing that the law was clear and that justice would continue to be pursued for the party.

    Read Also: Zamfara former council chairman dump PDP to APC

    “Any moment from now, we shall roll out a timetable for activities relating to outstanding congresses in some states, which will usher in a seamless national convention,” he disclosed.

    Mohammed described the PDP as the only political party built around the people, with nationwide structures, coherence and verifiable legacies, warning that the party could not afford to “sleep in our hands.”

    He also commended party stakeholders across the country for their unwavering support during what he described as defining times for the opposition party.

    Both leaders expressed optimism that ongoing engagements, reconciliation efforts and planned congresses would reposition the PDP as a strong and credible alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape.

    The party members are currently in a closed door National Executive Council (NEC) meeting with a large turnout of members across the country.   

  • Technical education key to youth devt — Oborevwori 

    Technical education key to youth devt — Oborevwori 

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has described technical and vocational education as a critical tool for addressing youth unemployment, saying graduates of such institutions will emerge as skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and employers of labour rather than job seekers.

    The governor spoke on Monday at the inauguration of the Model Technical College, Omadino, in Warri South Local Government Area, describing the institution as a flagship investment in technical and vocational education by his administration.

    Oborevwori said some achievements were best appreciated when seen rather than spoken about, noting that within two years, his administration had delivered landmark projects without borrowing or imposing additional burdens on the people of Delta State.

    “Even I am often amazed at how much we have been able to achieve within two years without borrowing and without burdening the people. This project we are commissioning today is a clear example of prudent management. Contractors were paid promptly, and that is why delivery was timely,” he said.

    The governor disclosed that academic activities had commenced at the college before its formal commissioning, a development he said underscored the facility’s readiness and full functionality.

    According to him, the college represents a major milestone in advancing technical and vocational education in the state, reflecting clarity of vision, strategic planning and disciplined execution.

    He noted that the institution’s internal road network, administrative blocks, classrooms, workshops and laboratories demonstrated his administration’s commitment to quality education.

    Oborevwori commended his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for initiating the project and said his administration ensured its completion to the required standard.

    “Today, I am pleased to see a beautiful and solid edifice standing proudly. We give God all the glory. Any student, lecturer or staff member would be proud to be associated with this institution,” he said.

    The governor also praised the quality of training at the college, citing the confidence and articulation of a student who spoke earlier at the event as evidence of effective teaching and learning.

    He emphasized that modern educational infrastructure was essential for a conducive learning environment, improved student performance and enhanced teacher effectiveness.

    “With the high-quality facilities provided here, I am confident that students of this college can compete with the best anywhere in the world. All workshops and laboratories are fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities,” Oborevwori added.

    Reaffirming his commitment to education under the MORE Agenda, the governor assured Deltans that his administration would continue to upgrade educational infrastructure across the state to ensure access to functional education and globally relevant skills.

    He, however, urged the management, staff, students and host communities to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities, stressing that government property represented the commonwealth of the people and must be protected from vandalism and neglect.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Technical Education, Mr. Smart Ufoh, described the Omadino Model Technical College as more than a modern technical school, calling it a bold statement of purpose and a symbol of transformation.

    Read Also: Oborevwori felicitates ex-Delta SSG Agas at 66

    He said the institution had 12 classrooms and nine fully equipped workshops, alongside two hostel blocks, staff quarters, a principal’s lodge and a corps members’ lodge to ensure a conducive learning environment.

    Other facilities include a dining hall, clinic, spacious school hall, football pitch and basketball court, as well as support infrastructure such as a generator house and operational quarters.

    Ufoh disclosed that academic activities commenced in September 2025 with the admission of Junior Technical One students to prevent the facilities from lying idle, adding that the response from Omadino community and beyond had been overwhelming.

    Also speaking, Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Hon. Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, commended the governor for his people-centred leadership and development projects across the state.

    He described the commissioning of the college as a landmark achievement, alongside major projects such as the Trans-Warri Road and Bridges, extensive road networks, improved drainage systems and the near-completed Warri Modern Stadium.

    Agbateyiniro said development projects had reached all parts of the state within three years, adding that the people of Warri South remained firmly behind the governor ahead of 2027.

    The Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse III, thanked Oborevwori for his commitment to the development of riverine communities and urged him to sustain investments in schools, bridges, roads and jetties across riverine areas.

    Speaking on behalf of the students, Miss Courtney Omotoyine described the commissioning as the fulfillment of a long-held dream and a major step toward securing the future of young people in Delta State and Nigeria.

    Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; and Speakers of the Edo, Bayelsa and Anambra State Houses of Assembly.

  • Snakebite: Choir details how Abuja singer Ifunanya Nwangene died

    Snakebite: Choir details how Abuja singer Ifunanya Nwangene died

    The Amemuso Choir has given a harrowing account of the final hours of its soprano singer, Ifunanya Nwangene, who died on Saturday after being bitten by a snake in her residence in Lugbe, Abuja.

    Nwangene’s death, which occurred at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, has cast a harsh spotlight on emergency response gaps and the availability of life-saving antivenom in hospitals within the Federal Capital Territory.

    “She was sleeping when the snake bit her”

    Confirming the tragedy in a statement issued on Sunday, the choir announced that the fast-rising singer died barely hours after the incident.

    “We regret to announce the sudden demise of our beloved soprano, Ifunanya Nwangene, who passed away yesterday, January 31, 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre due to a snake bite,” the statement, signed by the choir’s Music Director, Sam Ezugwu, read.

    The choir described her as a promising talent whose death came at a critical point in her musical journey.

    “A rising star, Ifunanya was on the cusp of sharing her incredible talent with the world. Her voice, dedication, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed by the Amemuso family and everyone who knew her,” the statement added.

    Speaking further on how the incident unfolded, Ezugwu said Nwangene was bitten by a snake while asleep in her room on Saturday morning.

    “She was sleeping when the snake bit her. This happened around 8 or 9am. She woke up, realised what had happened, and rushed herself to a private hospital around where she lives in Lugbe,” he said.

    The hospital, identified as Divine Health Hospital, Trademore, Lugbe, was unable to provide the critical drug needed to treat snakebite victims.

    “The snake bit her, and she rushed herself to the hospital. But when she got there, they told her they didn’t have antivenom. That was the first major problem,” Ezugwu explained.

    With her condition worsening, she returned home in an attempt to get help to reach a tertiary hospital. 

    “She rushed back home. Her landlord wanted to take her to FMC, Jabi, but his car refused to start. At that point, time was already against her,” he said.

    Left with no other option, Nwangene booked a ride-hailing service to the hospital.

    “She booked a Bolt and went to FMC herself. When she arrived, she explained everything to the medical personnel on duty,  that she had been bitten by a snake and that the first hospital didn’t have antivenom,” he added.

    “They said they had only one antivenom”

    According to Ezugwu, doctors at FMC immediately began attending to her, but another critical challenge emerged.

    “When we got the call, we rushed down to FMC and met the doctors trying their best. She was already struggling at that point,” he said.

    He disclosed that the hospital informed them that it had only one dose of antivenom, whereas her condition required more.

    “The doctors told us they had one antivenom, but they needed a second one urgently. We were running around, making calls, trying to buy the second one,” Ezugwu recounted.

    While efforts were ongoing to source the drug, Nwangene’s condition deteriorated rapidly.

    “In the period we were rushing to get the second antivenom, she gave up,” he said.

    She was pronounced dead at 12:20pm, barely three to four hours after the snake bite.

    After her death, the choir said steps were taken to confirm the type of snake involved.

    “We contacted a snake charmer who went to her room. The snake that was killed inside her room was identified as a cobra,” Ezugwu disclosed.

    He added that another snake was also sighted and killed near the entrance of her residence.

    “There was another snake outside her house by the entrance that was also killed,” he said.

    Reacting to the controversy surrounding the singer’s death, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, expressed condolences to Nwangene’s family, describing the incident as tragic and emotionally distressing, while insisting that every possible medical effort was made to save her life.

    In a press statement issued on Sunday by the hospital’s Head of Clinical Services, Dr Bioku Muftau, FMC dismissed claims that the death of the 25-year-old singer, popularly known as Nanyah, was caused by the non-availability of anti-snake venom.

    According to the statement, Nwangene died from severe neurotoxic complications arising from the snake bite she sustained on January 31, 2026, despite what the hospital described as prompt and appropriate medical intervention.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: How to keep snakes away from your home

    The hospital explained that following a rapid clinical assessment, doctors confirmed that the patient had already developed advanced neurotoxic effects, after which arrangements were made to transfer her to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for further management.

    However, FMC said her condition deteriorated suddenly shortly before the transfer could be completed.

    “Despite aggressive resuscitative measures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the patient could not be revived,” the statement said.

    The hospital firmly refuted allegations that her death resulted from a lack of antivenom or negligence by its staff, describing such reports as misleading and inconsistent with the clinical facts.

    “Our team of professionals worked diligently to provide CPR and other life-saving measures; however, despite these efforts, we were unable to revive her,” FMC stated.

    “The claims of non-availability of anti-snake venom and inadequate response are unfounded and do not reflect the reality of the situation. We stand by the quality of care and dedication our team demonstrates daily.”

    FMC urged the public to rely on credible and verified information rather than social media speculation, adding that it remains open to further inquiries regarding the incident.

  • NAPTIP raids Onitsha hotel, arrests four, rescues 17 victims

    NAPTIP raids Onitsha hotel, arrests four, rescues 17 victims

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested four suspects and rescued 17 victims during a raid on a popular hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    Two suspects allegedly involved in selling and buying babies within the South-Eastern States were nabbed during the raid, which was carried out with the support of the military.

    According to the Agency, the victims were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom States and trafficked to Onitsha for alleged prostitution.

    According to a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of the Agency, Vincent Adekoye, four of the victims rescued were infected with HIV and are currently being counselled by a Team of Caregivers from NAPTIP and volunteers from the Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA).

    Adekoye stated that the latest operation followed a credible intelligence by a non – State Actor based in Anambra State which indicated the presence of some underage girls within the said facility and the health status of the victims, having carried out a voluntary screening on them after proper counselling.

    The statement read, “Investigation revealed that residents of the area have, before now expressed worry over the unwholesome activities of the operators of the Hotel which has about 45 rooms most especially the influx of men who daily throng there to cool off with the underage girls.

    “During the operation, while some of the victims were caught in the act with the randy lovers, other victims were seen in skimpy wears and bump shots apparently waiting for their usual customers.

    “During interrogation, the victims disclosed that they were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom States and trafficked to Onitsha for alleged prostitution

    “They added that each of them remits the sum of N20,000 to N25,000 to their “Madam” daily by sleeping with about 5 men with multiple sex rounds.”

    One of the victims narrated, “It was my boyfriend who said he saw a job for me here in Onitsha. When I arrived here, the Madam sent someone to pick me up at the park and she introduced me to this hustling job. She said I will work for her and pay N20, 000 daily and that at the end of the year, she will buy me a box filled with assorted clothes and the sum of N500, 000 so that I can be free to go and start my own work. It is not with a good mind that I am doing this job, but it was too late for me to refuse”.

    A victim who is HIV positive said, “When the people came here to test us, they told me that I have been infested, and they advised me and my friends that we need to start treatment to flush out the infection. They gave us medicine. But, after they left, our Madam beat us seriously because we came out of the rooms to see the people who tested us. 

    Read Also: 93 traffickers jailed, 120 children rescued in 2025, says NAPTIP

    “She collected the medicine they gave to us and warned us that we should never go out for any treatment again. I cried and cried for hours, and the more I cried, the more she beat me”.

    The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, expressed sadness over the plights of the victims.

    She stated, “I want to sincerely thank the Military in Onitsha for their support to NAPTIP during this operation, and also the Gender and Human Rights State Response Team (GHR-SRT) domiciled under the Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA) in the Office of the Governor who provided timely intervention and collaboration that led to the rescue of the underage girls.

    “I am most devastated by the health status of the rescued victims and the action of their so-called Madam who not only collected the Antiretroviral medicines that were given to them by the good spirited Organization that visited the hotel, but also prevented them from accessing any further medical opportunity. This is a criminal act, and NAPTIP has launched a manhunt for her.

    “The Agency has also invited the Owner of the Hotel for interrogation with a view to determining the next sanction on the facility.

    “As said few weeks ago, NAPTIP shall continue to double its efforts and scale up activities to ensure a good chase for the human trafficking criminal elements in the country.”