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Doctors should account for placenta after childbirth to avoid trouble – Experts

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By Francesca Hangeior

Leading health experts have said doctors should ensure they account for the placenta of women after childbirth to avoid getting into trouble with their family members.

The physicians revealed that many doctors had been harassed by family members of women who delivered in their hospitals for not being able to account for the placenta.

According to the senior health practitioners although there was no scientific basis for placenta collection, some Nigerians insisted on collecting it after childbirth due to cultural beliefs.

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Recall that in March 2024, the police in Kwara State arrested a doctor and three nurses following the disappearance of the umbilical cord and placenta of a newborn baby at Government Cottage Hospital, Iloffa in the Oke-Ero Local Government Area of the state.

The mother, identified as Mrs C. Williams, a class teacher at Orota Secondary School, Odo-Owa, was reported to have had the child on Sunday night but was not given the umbilical cord and the placenta by the hospital’s workers.

It was gathered that the health workers were detained by the general Investigation unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command in Ilorin.

A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Joseph Akinde, told our correspondent that some family members were so crazy about the placenta to the point that they could sue the doctor if he failed to provide it after delivery.

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Akinde, who is a former chairman, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, said the placenta, in some cultures in Nigeria, especially in the eastern part, is highly valued.

He explained, “We have people that are superstitious. If a doctor cannot account for the placenta, he can be fought to any length, especially in the eastern part of the country.

“Some people bury the placenta in designated places. Their belief is that no matter where the child grows, he will always trace his path to where the placenta is buried.

“Some people believe that the placenta could be used for ritual purposes, hence their insistence on taking possession of it.

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“So, that is why some families are so crazy about it that if a doctor cannot account for it, they might even want to take him to court.”

Akinde pointed out that some people believe that the destiny of the child is linked to whatever is done with the placenta.

“But there is no medical basis for all these and there is no scientific basis for such belief,” he warned.

“So, many doctors have been harassed because they could not account for the placenta. I remember some time ago, a family made a hell of noise because a doctor in one of the government hospitals where the woman delivered could not account for the placenta.

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“They went to the press and they were making noise that the doctor had sold the placenta of their baby, accusing the doctor of selling the destiny of the baby.”

The gynaecologist urged doctors to always make sure that they account for the placenta in order to save themselves from accusations.

He suggested that doctors should always ask family members of the woman if they want to collect the placenta or not before discarding it.

A past Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River State chapter, Dr. Innocent Abang, also corroborated Akande’s statement, saying many people are steeped in traditional beliefs and practices about the placenta, though such practice has no scientific basis.

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Abang said, “They believe that if somebody picks a baby’s placenta and buries it somewhere, that is where the child’s destiny is buried.

“So, there are a lot of connotations attached to it. Most times, family members take it themselves and go and bury it under a tree. Sometimes, they plant coconut atop the placenta.

“They believe that as the coconut is growing, that is the child growing. As it blossoms, they believe that the life of the child will blossom. So, there are a lot of spiritual, traditional and cultural connotations attached to the placenta. It is really funny.”

The physician noted that medically, immediately after a child is born, the child has no business with the placenta, stressing also that the collection of the placenta by family members has no link with medicine.

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“But some family members can sue a doctor or burn down his hospital if he fails to produce the placenta.

“Many families do not joke with it. If the doctor mistakenly throws it away, that doctor is in trouble. They will read many meanings to it.

“Many doctors have suffered at the hands of family members of women after delivery because of the placenta. I have seen where a family member made serious trouble in a hospital over placenta. But those who have no attachment to the placenta are not bothered,” he said.

He, however, said, “In medical practice, anything that you bring out of a patient must be shown to the patient.”

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INEC ought to have archived recall petition long ago-Senator Natasha

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Thursday hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rejecting a petition to recall her as the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The lawmaker, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said the electoral umpire should have thrown out the petition long before it did on April 3, 2025.

“I’m a lawyer. I’m a senator and I understand how Nigeria works. For me, the most important thing is this recall process has been stalled.

“I give kudos and credit to INEC even though I believe they should have thrown it away from the get-go.

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“I think it was void ab initio because there is no law in the Electoral Act that says a petition should be discarded just because there is no address but again, what if the address is false?”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain argued that most of the addresses provided in the petition for her recall were false because most houses in her district weren’t labelled.

Even though INEC did count 208,000 signatures, I bet you if they had gone into the verification stage, they would have struggled to even have 500 people come out to attest to signing that,” she added.

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We’re putting together new 2025 Budget for Rivers-Ibas

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…hosts Delegation Of Rivers NASS Caucus

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, has said that an appropriation bill for 2025 is being articulated to provide for critical development concerns in healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and infrastructure.

Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas also said that the anticipated budget will cater to creating more employment opportunities for Rivers people and advance delivery of technology in critical facets of public life.

The administrator gave the hint when he hosted the delegation of Rivers State caucus at the National Assembly, led by Dr Barinada Mpigi, the Senator representing Rivers South-East District, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

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Those on the delegation included Senator Allwell Onyesoh, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Hon Dumnamene Dekor, Hon Solomon Bob, Hon Cyril Godwin Hart,
Hon Blessing Amadi, Hon. Felix Nwaeke, Hon Kelechi Nwogu, and Hon Victor Obuzor

Ibas said he has been resolute, since assumption of office, to restore law and order, and with support from the security agencies, an environment has been created where Rivers residents feel valued and safer.

The Administrator stated that the commitment is to make Rivers a model of peace in the comity of States, with a stable economy and citizens courageous to pursue their livelihood without fear or molestation.

“In addition to our peace building efforts, we are also focused on the economic stability and development of Rivers State.

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“Since the Supreme Court verdict on the state’s budget, we have acted swiftly and decided to put together a new budget that reflects our commitment to healthcare, education, social services, and continued infrastructural development.

“We have worked diligently to ensure that the process is transparent, inclusive, and most importantly expedited. Our goal is to ensure that we do not lose any more time in making the necessary investments that will improve the lives of citizens.”

Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas stated: “The budget which is been finalized focuses on creating job opportunities and investing in key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and technology.

“We understand the urgency of this initiative, and we are committed to ensuring that they are implemented without delay.”

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The Administrator noted that to get the task done, the support of the legislators will be required as key representatives of Rivers State in the National Assembly.

He sued for their assistance in securing the necessary resources and legislative backing that would bring the initiative of his administration to fruition.

“Your partnership is critical to success in ensuring that Rivers State remains on the path of progress and enduring peace for future generations.”

He explained that in the face of the challenges that beset Rivers, which led to the State of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu, dialogue, community engagement and reconciliation were deplored to build trust among the citizenry.

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He noted that the people of Rivers State have shown incredible resilience and patience in the efforts taken so far to restore the State back to the path of peace and respect for the law.

Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas assured that his administration remains committed to achieving enduring peace for the state.

He said: “Beyond security, we have prioritised community engagements as a central part of our strategy. Dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusivity have been key to building trust among our people.

“We are determined to strengthen the bond of unity in Rivers State and to foster an environment where every citizen feels valued, heard, and respected. Together, we are making strides in ensuring that peace becomes a permanent feature of our state.”

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Responding, Senator Barinada Mpigi, representing Rivers South-East District, said they are dedicated representatives of Rivers people at the National Assembly and resolved to support all efforts that will bring development to the State.

While commending the administrator for the modest successes he had achieved so far, Senator Mpigi pledged the support and cooperation of the legislators to ensure the return of the state on the path of law and order.

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Just in: Shettima jets out to attend Senegal’s independence

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal for official assignment.

The VP is expected to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the West African nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

Senegal marks its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its liberation from French colonial rule in 1960.

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The annual celebration is a significant event featuring national parades, cultural displays, and ceremonies highlighting the country’s achievements and unity.

A statement issued on Thursday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima’s participation followed an official invitation from Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

This underscored the strong diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Senegal.

The two nations share longstanding relations, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), fostering cooperation on regional security, trade, and development initiatives.

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The event is expected to reaffirm Senegal’s commitment to democratic governance and regional cooperation.

Vice President Shettima is scheduled to return to Nigeria immediately after the one-day celebrations, continuing his engagements in national development and diplomatic outreach.

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