By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Committee on Infectious Diseases will hold an investigative hearing on the management of more than $4.6 billion in health grants received by Nigeria from the Global Fund and USAID since 2021.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the funds were allocated for tackling HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and for strengthening Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH).

The move follows the adoption of a motion titled “The Need to Investigate the Over $1.8 and $2.8 Billion Grant Received by Nigeria from Global Fund and USAID from 2021 to 2025 for Response Against HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and for Supporting Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (HR. 74/10/2025).”

The investigative session is scheduled for Monday, 10 November 2025, at 10:00 a.m., and will take place at the Conference Hall, Room 231, 2nd Floor, House of Representatives New Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The event will be hosted by the Chairman of the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Rep. Amobi Godwin Ogah, while the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, will serve as Chief Host.

Key stakeholders expected at the hearing include representatives of relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), donor partners, civil society organisations, health professionals, and transparency advocates. Discussions will centre on how the grants have been disbursed, managed, and monitored, as well as their impact on Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Speaking ahead of the engagement, Rep. Amobi Godwin Ogah stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in the management of health funds.

“This hearing is about ensuring that every dollar meant to save Nigerian lives is used efficiently and transparently. It’s time to strengthen oversight and rebuild public trust in our health financing system.

“This investigation is a necessary step to ensure that every dollar received on behalf of the Nigerian people achieves its intended purpose. We are determined to strengthen accountability mechanisms, enhance health system efficiency, and ensure that donor-funded programs deliver measurable impact on the lives of Nigerians,” Rep. Ogah stated.

The Committee is expected to demand detailed reports from all implementing agencies and donor-funded programmes operating under the RSSH framework, as lawmakers intensify efforts to ensure Nigeria meets global standards in health governance and aid utilisation.

The Committee reaffirmed that the outcome of the hearing will contribute significantly to improving oversight frameworks, strengthening institutional collaboration, and reinforcing Nigeria’s reputation as a responsible partner in global health development.

Through this process, the House of Representatives reaffirms its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective oversight in ensuring that all public and donor funds deliver tangible impact for the Nigerian people.

...launch Renewed Hope Partners in Abia

By Gloria Ikibah

The Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. HonThe Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called on the South East to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing to what he described as clear gains in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and education.

Speaking at the launch of the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Ukwa West, which also kicked off the programme across all 17 local government areas of Abia State, Kalu listed the creation of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), the revival of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail line, and new gas pipeline projects as major milestones.

He noted that the compressed natural gas initiative could save Nigeria over N2 trillion monthly in fuel costs, while ongoing support for farmers through fertiliser and mechanised tools showed tangible results at the grassroots.

Kalu urged continued regional support for Tinubu’s administration ahead of 2027, adding that new Renewed Hope Councils would soon be set up in every local government area to fast-track federal projects and strengthen local development.

He said: “The story of the South-East is changing and it is changing for good. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our region is beginning to feel the touch of inclusion, investment, and renewed hope. From infrastructure to appointments, from industry to innovation, this administration is deliberately ensuring that the South-East takes its rightful place in the national journey of growth.

“Let me now highlight some of the concrete steps this administration has taken that speak to the renewed commitment to the South-East and its people.

“Regional Growth Drive & Infrastructure South East Development Commission (SEDC) was fully established (July 2024) with a governing board and management team. SEDC will drive a $1 billion regional asset base under the “Triple-R” agenda.

“President Tinubu approved the N150 billion South-East Investment Company (SEIC) under the SEDC to fast-track industrialisation across the region. The Eastern Rail Line (Port Harcourt–Maiduguri corridor): connecting Aba,-Onitsha, Enugu and Nsukka, expected to unlock over ₦50 billion annual trade.

“The Lekki-Aba–Onitsha–Maiduguri Road Corridor under federal focus are for logistics and commerce.

“Federal housing under Renewed Hope Cities & Estates. Abia’s site is located in Bende, part of the 100,000 homes nationwide.

“The development of the Anambra Gas Basin, under active federal supervision, has the potential to make Anambra and Abia energy hubs.

“AHL and ANOH Gas Processing Plants expansion in Imo State with 23.3km ANOH–OB3 pipeline, adding 500 million scf/day (≈ 25% increase in national gas supply). NCDMB NOGaPS Industrial Parks are operational in Abia and Imo, enabling local manufacturing of oil & gas equipment.

“Roll-out of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative across Onitsha–Aba–Enugu transport routes.”

Deputy Speaker revealed that the Federal Government has set aside land in Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu States as part of its 10-million-hectare national food security drive. He noted ongoing partnerships with the United States, Belarus, and Brazil to strengthen fertiliser supply and mechanisation for cassava, rice, and palm oil production across the region.

Kalu also stated that N45.6 billion in student loans has already been disbursed to learners from the South East, with an additional N50 billion set to be released from recovered funds to further support education and human capital development.

“Other notable achievements of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the South East include the establishment of the South East Development Commission with a $1 billion regional asset base, the Eastern Rail Line connecting Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, and Nsukka, and the Anambra Gas Basin development.

“Additionally, the Federal Government has allocated land in Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu for large-scale farming and provided
N45.6 billion in student loans to South East students.

He urged the people of the South East to embrace the opportunities offered by the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing the need for unity and collective effort in building a stronger future for both the region and the nation.

So far, Kalu has launched the Renewed Hope Partners initiative in Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Ugwunagbo, Osisioma, and Obingwa local government areas of Abia State, where he inaugurated local officers and shared his message of optimism and inclusion with enthusiastic supporters.

. Dismantles laboratory, recovers 148.3kg Colorado, precursors; nabs 73-yr-old grandpa, 70-yr-old grandma in Edo, Bayelsa

A wanted drug lord 40-year-old Yussuf Abayomi Azeez has been arrested by operatives of a special operations unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos while on his way to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, a holy pilgrimage, after months of intelligence and surveillance on him and his criminal drug activities.

The drug kingpin had been arrested and charged for drug offences in the United Kingdom but jumped bail and escaped to Nigeria. Soon after settling down in Lagos, he set up a massive clandestine laboratory in the Lekki area of the state for the production of Colorado, a deadly synthetic cannabis and other illicit substances.

At about 6:30am on Thursday 6th November 2025, Yussuf walked into the waiting hands of NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport while attempting to board his flight to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. He was swiftly driven to his 17 Vincent Eku street, Ogombo, Lekki, clandestine laboratory which has been under surveillance for a while. At the time of his arrest, Yussuf was found in company of another suspect, 43-year-old Abideen Kekere-Ekun.

Inside the massive building, operatives from the Agency’s Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring were able to dismantle all installed laboratory equipment, precursor chemicals and already produced illicit substances including Colorado, all weighing 148.3 kilograms.

At the Sifax bonded terminal in Okota, Lagos, NDLEA operatives in conjunction with men of Customs Service and other security agencies on Friday 7th November discovered 105.5kg Molly, a designers drug and 500grams of methamphetamine during a joint examination of
a shipment.

In Niger state, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 6th November intercepted Ibrahim Mohammed, 35, in a Volvo truck marked GRZ 872 XA along Kainji-Wawa road while conveying 87,000 pills of tramadol and 72kg of skunk, a strain of cannabis.

Not less than 34,520 capsules of tramadol were found concealed in different compartments of a Toyota Corolla car marked GAN 102 AR intercepted along Zaki-Biam – Wukari road on Monday 3rd November while the driver Aliyu Samaila, 25, was arrested. The opioids were loaded from Onitsha, Anambra State, and heading to Cameroon. In another operation in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Thursday 6th November arrested a suspect Felix Tanko Chinedu, 28, with 15,020 capsules of tramadol at Kasuwabera ATC in Ardo Kola LGA.

In Kogi state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene/Lokoja highway on Wednesday 5th November intercepted a consignment of 7.600kg Loud, a strong strain of cannabis. A follow-up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of the owner, Chukwunonso Anieze, 40, while no fewer than 175,000 pills of opioids were recovered from another consignment at the location same day.

Three suspects: Olayide Oyidiran, 39; Abdulsalam Abdulsalam, 28; and Opeyemi Tijjani, 39, were on Wednesday 5th November nabbed at Abuja/Kaduna tollgate with 769kg skunk being conveyed in a truck marked TRE 897 BE, coming from Lagos en route Owo, Ondo state and heading to Kano.

A 73-year-old grandpa James Ugbedo was on Friday 7th November arrested in a cannabis plantation at Igbeshi forest, Imiakebo, Etsako East LGA, Edo state where 1,459.75kg skunk was destroyed and 5.6kg of same substance evacuated, while 70-year-old grandma Mrs. Comfort Odudu was nabbed at Onopa, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state with 5kg skunk on Tuesday 4th November.

With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Transfiguration Seminary Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; Day Secondary School, Sabonkasuwa Kontagora, Niger state; Immanuel College High School (Snr), Ibadan, Oyo State; Government Girls Secondary School, Ilelah, Sokoto; Government Day Secondary School, Namtari, Adamawa and NURTW leaders and members in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of SOP, DFCM, Tincan, Edo, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger and Bayelsa Commands for the various successful operations, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

“The dismantling of yet another clandestine laboratory for the production of Colorado and other dangerous synthetic substances and the arrest of the kingpin behind it in Lekki, coming barely a week after similar actions were taken against another cartel in Ajao estate Lagos shows that these are no doubt the first in the series of what will be many strikes against merchants of death who prey on the weak in our communities. Let it be known to those still hiding in the dark that the NDLEA supported by our local and international law enforcement partners will continue to hunt them and bring them to justice”, Marwa added.