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Reps Call for Defibrillators in Public Buildings After Rising Sudden Deaths
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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has urged the immediate installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public buildings across Nigeria following a series of sudden deaths in government environments.
This resolution was a sequel to the adoption of a motion on Thursday during plenary sponsored by Rep. Muktar Tolani Shagaya, who raised concerns about the absence of critical emergency medical equipment in many public institutions despite the heavy daily movement of people through such facilities.
Rep. Shaga noted that cardiac arrest remains a major cause of sudden death globally and can occur without warning, often requiring rapid medical response within minutes to save lives. They observed that the chances of survival fall sharply when defibrillation is delayed, highlighting the importance of AEDs, which are designed to restore a normal heart rhythm during cardiac emergencies.
Concern was expressed over the widespread lack of emergency medical devices and trained responders in government offices, ministries, legislative buildings, courts and schools across the country.
The motion drew attention to several recent incidents involving sudden deaths in public offices. Among them was the case of a female public servant, Pharmacist Bilkisu, who collapsed and died while addressing colleagues in her office on 5 January 2026. Another incident involved Andrew Essien, a senior official of the Nigerian Customs Service, who slumped during a public engagement on 24 June 2024.
Lawmakers also referenced the death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, who collapsed while carrying out official duties on 11 December 2025.
Members of the House noted that these incidents occurred in government environments where the presence of Automated External Defibrillators could have provided an opportunity for rapid medical intervention.
They also pointed out that in several countries, including the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, the placement of defibrillators in public offices and government facilities forms part of standard public safety requirements.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ensure the immediate installation of AEDs in federal government institutions, schools, National Youth Service Corps camps, religious centres and other public buildings across the country, including the National Assembly complex.
Ministries, Departments and Agencies were also encouraged to ensure the devices are clearly visible, properly maintained and supported by staff training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of defibrillators.
The House also mandated its committees on Health and Legislative Compliance to monitor and ensure the prompt implementation of the resolution.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a city-wide desilting of drainage channels following heavy torrential rainfalls that triggered flash floods across parts of the nation’s capital.
Inspecting the ongoing clearance operations along the Airport Expressway on Thursday, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), said the exercise was directed by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The directive followed a flash flood that flooded the Airport Expressway on Tuesday.
According to Dauda, the effort is to mitigate flood risks during the peak of the rainy season.
Dauda noted that while recent downpours align with earlier meteorological warnings and climate change trends, the Abuja Master Plan inherently recognises certain areas, including the Airport Expressway axis as flood plains.
He assured residents that while resilient infrastructure was originally built to handle high water volumes, human activities have severely compromised its efficiency.
“Some of these drainage facilities over time have been silted. Part of the cause is residents dumping refuse into drainage channels.
“When rain falls, it washes down polythene bags, waste, and even large objects that block the outlets,” he said.
Dauda highlighted two major human factors aggravating the flash floods: illegal development and widespread infrastructure vandalism.
Exposing a major choke point along the expressway, Dauda pointed to a triple-cell box culvert meant to discharge a powerful stream flowing from the Galadima Roundabout.
He explained that a private developer had illegally constricted the waterway further downstream by constructing retaining walls to expand a personal plot.
“What that causes is that the volume of water that ought to pass no longer passes, causing detention, backflow, and eventual flooding.
“To restore adequate discharge capacity, we must remove the structures built by this developer,” he said.
Dauda also decried the theft of metal gully inlet covers by vandals, which allows large debris to flow directly into underground drains instead of being sieved at the surface.
“When vandals steal these covers, it’s like stealing from yourself as a taxpayer,” he remarked.
To permanently curb the theft, he revealed that the FCDA is exploring replacement materials made from non-recyclable compounds rather than steel or cast iron.
The FCDA boss confirmed that workers were already desilting trapezoidal drains, U-channels, and culvert outlets along the Airport Expressway, with plans to reconstruct damaged points where necessary.
Dauda urged Abuja residents to stop dumping refuse into waterways, warning that government infrastructure can only protect the city if public cooperation is guaranteed.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has began disilting of accumulated silt, sand and other objects blocking drains are being removed.
Men from FCTA were captured on camera as they clear blockades caused by flood.
See photos below:
The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 3rd September 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.
NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.
The exchange rate fluctuates hourly based on the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 3rd September 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1403 and buy at ₦1395 on Thursday, 3rd September, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1405
Buying Rate ₦1395
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1335
Lowest Rate ₦1326
Flooding: FCTA begins desilting of drains, warns against vandalism, illegal structures
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