NAFDAC Arrests Businessman for Importing Counterfeit Medicines

Mr. Olisaemeka Osefoh

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that it had arrested and investigated Mr. Olisaemeka Osefoh for importation of counterfeit medicines worth N106, 210, 000, into the country.

The agency’s Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii, who disclosed this at a press conference said, following a tip-off, operatives from NAFDAC investigation and enforcement directorate raided a warehouse located at Progressive Traders Market known for the sales of jewelleries and cosmetic products, within Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

TONY ELUMELU: A Better Way of Giving

Tony Elumelu

“Rich Nigerians should give the right way.” This was the rallying call made by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the inaugural Nigeria Philanthropy Summit co-hosted with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

As Africans, we tend to give money to people to satisfy an immediate need, a child’s school fees, a hospital bill, a gift of cash to cover expenses.  But often this is not sustainable in the long run. Yes, a child goes to school for a while, the medical expenses are covered this time and the cash keeps the family afloat for another month or two. But soon enough, the next term’s fees become payable, the hospital bills and living expenses continue to mount and in time, they’ll inevitably be back to ask for more.  It’s a vicious circle that leads nowhere.

SEGUN ADENIYI: Chinua Achebe Still Speaks

The Verdict By Olusegun Adeniyi. Email: olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”-- Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart

Early last month, a close friend of mine of more than two decades lost his younger sister to cancer. On Friday, April 26th, the deceased was buried at her husband’s village of Isinweke in Imo, after which we retired to my friend’s country home in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of the same state to spend the weekend. The next day, Saturday in the afternoon, some prominent people, including Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako and a traditional ruler from the area, visited and stayed for lunch. In the course of the meal there was a serious argument in Igbo, interspersed with English. The topic of discussion: opposition to the appointment of Father Peter Okpaeleke as the Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese of Mbaise.

Kano Police: FG Yet to Compensate Families of Slain Policemen

 IGP, Mohammed Abubakar

The Kano State Police Command  Thursday disclosed that 16 months after the attack on the state by terrorists, which claimed the lives of about 192 people, including 40 police officers,  the families of the slain officers are yet to be compensated by the federal government.

The disclosure, however, came on the heels of the reports that many residents of Hausari ward in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, who left the area as a result of the stench oozing from decomposing corpses deposited at the state Specialist Hospital, may relocate back to the area, as the state government had started evacuating the corpses.

Navy Impounds Camerounian Vessel for Violating Entry Permit

Nigerian Navy

A Camerounian vessel, MV Anna Maria, which Thursday entered Nigeria’s territorial waters without notification, has been impounded by officers and men of the Nigerian Navy NNS Victory in Calabar, Cross River State.

The ship, which was loaded with passengers and goods incurred the wrath of the Nigerian Navy when it failed to wait at Nigeria’s international maritime boundary for escort by Nigerian Naval men into the country’s territorial waters, as expected. 

El-Rufai Condemns Amnesty for Boko Haram

Mallam Nasir el-Rufai

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday condemned the proposed amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect, saying it would not address the security problems in the country.

El-Rufai said in order to arrest the problem, there was need to address the fundamental issues like lack of opportunity, social injunctions, unemployment, poverty and lack of rule of law in the country.

Reuben Abati Loses Mum

Dr. Reuben Abati

The mother of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Madam Maria Taiwo Abati, passed on Thursday. She aged was 81. Abati, in statement on behalf of the family, gave a sketch of her biography: "Mama Abati, a devout Christian, a very kind and loving person was born on 7th August 1931. She was born into the family of late Pa Samuel Jobo Arowotadina and late Madam Elizabeth Efundunke Arowotadina of Ijemo, Abeokuta.

"She was a trader at Kuto Market for many years. She was popularly known and addressed as Mama Adunni or Mama Sunday. She is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren including Dr. Reuben Abati, Mr Robert Abati, a Geologist with Dangote Cement, Mr Ralph Abati, a banker with Fidelity Bank Plc and Mr Lanre Abati, an economist and chartered accountant. She is also survived by her twin sister, Madam Victoria Kehinde Olude.

Police Arrest Lebanese, Accomplice for Kidnapping

The suspects 

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command, yesterday paraded a Lebanese, Mohammed Dannawi, who had connived with their domestic staff to kidnap his aunt, Alhaja Essa Dannawi.

The suspect alongside a former domestic staff of the victim, Obi Kwentua had abducted the 61-year-old woman from her residence and kept her hidden in their hideout in Oyingbo before she was released.BTo ensure the release of the victim, the suspects had initially demanded fora ransom of N100million but later reduced it to N4million.

Couple Sells Own Unborn Foetus for N200, 000

The suspects 

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

For Chibueze Mba and his 23-year-old wife, Adaeze, the saying 'Blood is thicker than water' truly held little or no meaning to them. The couple who had been fingered in about three high profile child trafficking cases had also sold off their unborn foetus at N200, 000,  who baring all unforeseen circumstances would be born in three months time.

But for the couple, selling off their blood was no rocket science as Mba confessed that it was not his first attempt. Infact, selling his son two years ago was the beginning of his foray into child trafficking.