• Ibas appoints new chairman, members for Rivers electoral commission

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has approved the appointment of a new chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. According to the statement, the new RSIEC Chairman, Dr Micheal Ekpai Odey, will work with six members and four professors. The appointment was announced in a Government Special Announcement issued on Wednesday by Prof. Ibibia Worika, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government. The statement …… Read more

Athena Commentary

The legality of the Sole Administrator’s actions in appointing the new RSIEC chairman and members appears to be under scrutiny. Recalled that a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt recently issued an interim injunction restraining the Sole Administrator from making certain appointments, including those for local government administrators. While this injunction specifically addresses local government appointments, it raises broader questions about the constitutional authority of the Sole Administrator to make such decisions.

• Plateau killings: IG orders deployment of assets, tactical squads

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate and comprehensive deployment of police tactical assets to troubling communities in Plateau State. The deployment comes just days after coordinated attacks by armed assailants on March 28 in Bokkos Local Government Area, which led to the deaths of at least 50 individuals and left many others injured. The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage and concerns over growing insecurity in the region……. Read more

Athena Commentary

It’s concerning that despite significant investment in security, many officials adopt a reactive approach instead of a proactive one. The capital and resources allocated for modernizing our security should lead to pre-emptive measures, yet it often feels like leadership waits for crises to act. When training, advanced equipment, and strategic planning are not deployed effectively, communities face unnecessary risks. The recent turmoil in Plateau State highlights that modern security remains unfulfilled when leaders focus on managing crises rather than preventing them.

This situation is not just mismanagement; it breaches public trust and fails to utilize investments responsibly. Nigerian citizens deserve a security system that actively protects them, not one that struggles to respond to predictable threats. Addressing the gap between available resources and effective execution is crucial to restore confidence and safeguard lives

• Expert urges NHIS to cover rheumatology treatment

A Professor of Rheumatology at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Segun Oguntona, has called on the government to include medications for autoimmune diseases under the National Health Insurance Scheme, citing the high cost of treatment.

Speaking during the university’s 122nd inaugural lecture titled “Joint Diseases and Internal Organ Complications: Unmasking Immune Tolerance as The Culprit”, on Tuesday, Oguntona highlighted the severe impact of rheumatologic conditions, which can lead to kidney and heart failure, blindness, lung defects, and other complications. He lamented the shortage of specialists in the field, noting that Nigeria currently has only one paediatric rheumatologist trained in the last two years. Read more

Athena Commentary

Professor Segun Oguntona’s insights spotlight a critical healthcare challenge in Nigeria—the need for better support for autoimmune disease patients and a stronger focus on specialist training. His call for the government to include medications for such conditions under the National Health Insurance Scheme is both timely and essential. Autoimmune diseases, as he emphasized, can lead to severe complications like kidney and heart failure, lung defects, and blindness, making early intervention and treatment vital for saving lives and preventing long-term disabilities.

Incorporating these treatments into the NHIS would alleviate the financial burden on patients and ensure equitable access to care, aligning with the scheme’s goal of universal health coverage. However, addressing the shortage of specialists, including the alarming statistic of having only one trained paediatric rheumatologist in the last two years, is equally critical. Without adequate specialized medical professionals, even the availability of medications could fall short in addressing the complexities of these conditions.

This issue underscores the importance of investing in medical education and creating incentives to retain trained professionals. It also calls for urgent measures to curb brain drain and ensure a sustainable healthcare system. A comprehensive approach—combining policy shifts, workforce development, and infrastructure improvement—could pave the way for significant progress in combating autoimmune diseases in Nigeria.

• NNPC crude suspension to Dangote refinery affected OPEC output – Report

The decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to suspend crude supply to the Dangote and other refineries affected the output of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in March. A Reuters survey found that OPEC oil output fell in March as Nigeria curbed deliveries to domestic refineries. In March, supply from Nigeria, Iran, and Venezuela fell by 50,000 bpd each, the survey found. Nigerian supply was said to have declined “due to reduced deliveries to the Dangote refinery, offsetting higher exports.” Reuters stated that Nigeria is pumping slightly above its OPEC quota. In March, OPEC pumped 26.63 million barrels per day, ……. Read more

Athena Commentary

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has come under scrutiny for suspending crude supply to the Dangote Refinery, raising concerns about adherence to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and fair competition. To address these issues, the following recommendations are suggested:

• Transparent Policy Framework: Establish clear, legally backed policies for crude supply to domestic refineries to avoid disputes.
• Regulatory Oversight: Ensure crude allocation aligns with the PIA’s objectives through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
• Payment Flexibility: Consider hybrid payment models instead of rigid dollar-based transactions for local refineries.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Foster open dialogue between NNPC, Dangote Refinery, and other industry players to prevent conflicts.

• No country has developed under democracy – Burkina Faso’s Leader

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the interim leader of Burkina Faso, has questioned the effectiveness of democracy as a pathway to national development, arguing that no country has truly developed under a democratic system.

During a recent flag-raising ceremony at the Koulouba Palace, Traoré stated that it is misleading to assume that democracy is essential for progress. According to him, it is impossible to cite any nation whose development can be attributed directly to democratic governance.

“If we have to say it loud and clear here, we are not in a democracy; we are in a popular, progressive revolution,” he declared. “We must necessarily go through a revolution, and we are indeed in a revolution. So this question of democracy or libertinism of action or expression has no place. As much as you think you are free to speak and act, the other is also free to speak and act, and there we end up with a society of disorder.”….. Read more

Athena Commentary

Democracy, while not without its challenges, remains a powerful system for fostering inclusivity, accountability, and long-term development. It provides a framework where diverse voices can be heard, and decisions are made collectively, ensuring that progress benefits the majority rather than a select few. Countries like South Korea and Germany have demonstrated how democratic principles can coexist with rapid economic and social development.

That said, Burkina Faso’s strides under Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s leadership deserve recognition. His emphasis on self-determined political systems and revolutionary governance reflects a commitment to addressing the unique needs of his nation. While his critique of democracy may spark debate, his focus on progress and stability is commendable. Every nation has its development path, and Burkina Faso’s journey is one to watch closely.