Two Nigerians, identified as Simi and Peter, have opened up about the challenges they face as immigrants in Canada.

In a video circulating on social media on Monday, they both explained that they moved to the country with hopes of a brighter future, but unforeseen circumstances have pushed them to the brink of homelessness.

Narrating her story, Simi, who moved to Canada alone to pursue her studies, recalled the initial excitement of arriving in the country.

“When I came to Canada, I was going to school in Hamilton, so it was pretty good. I was in boarding school, so it was pretty good,” she said.

Despite the promising start, Simi said that her journey took a turn when a failed business investment and rising housing costs in Toronto derailed her plans.

“It’s a long story, but it’s mostly because I invested in a business idea that failed. I was running colleges down the street, and I had a fashion business,” she explained.

The soaring cost of housing compounded her struggles.

“There is an issue with housing. It’s not so much detox, it’s not so much hospitals, it’s not so much the mental health, like the therapy. It’s more so housing that there’s issues with,” she said.

Simi also added that she battles anxiety, which makes traditional employment challenging.

“I struggle with anxiety. And so working on a 9-to-5 is quite difficult. I’m trying to figure out what to do and how to balance myself,” she added.

When asked if she is currently homeless, Simi said, “I’m working on it.”

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Peter noted that he arrived in Canada as a student in December 2023, with his father as his financial sponsor.

However, tragedy struck when his father suffered a stroke, leaving him unable to continue supporting Peter.

“I came in as a student. I was doing good, but all of a sudden my dad, who was my sponsor, fell sick. He got a stroke. So they were unable to support me again,” Peter explained.

Now homeless, Peter expressed his immediate need for shelter.

When asked what he needed the most, he replied, “Shelter. They help me the most.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has raised the alarm after recent drug seizures in Lagos and Kano exposed the troubling abuse of hazardous substances by youths, disguised under disturbing street names.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared a video of the confiscated contraband on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

Among the substances are New Psychoactive Substances and others with alarming names such as “Suck & Die,” “Rubber Solution,” “Dead Man,” and “Gelato.”

Babafemi urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and curbing these trends within their spheres of influence.

Lagos chief priest nabbed for trafficking, 40ft skunk trailer seized
He said, “Narco-trend update: Parents, shine your eyes 👀! Latest seizures by @ndlea_nigeria officers in Lagos and Kano reveal scary names of some substances, including NPS, we should all watch out for in our homes and communities: Suck & die, Rubber solution, Dead man, Gelato.”L

By Francesca Hangeior

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Chapter, has debunked reports identifying the suspect accused of killing an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officer in Awka as a medical doctor.

In a statement released by Dr. Obiaeli Ifeanyi, the State Secretary of the NMA, via X (formerly Twitter), on Monday, the association clarified that the suspect, Joshua Ikechukwu, is neither a licensed medical practitioner nor a member of the NMA.

Ikechukwu allegedly killed an EFCC officer, Aminu Salisu, during an operation in the early hours of Friday, January 17, 2025, at Dr J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka.

The EFCC said Ikechukwu was allegedly involved in “online medical supplies of doubtful legitimacy.”

An online publication was said to have reported that the suspect was a staff member of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital.

Addressing these claims, the NMA expressed concern over the misuse of the title “medical doctor” by impostors.

“The attention of the leadership of NMA Anambra State has been drawn to online and newspaper publications alleging that a medical doctor shot an EFCC officer in Awka,” the statement said.

“In one of the publications, the suspect was described as a staff member of NAUTH. However, following our investigation, we wish to clarify that: Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu is not a staff member of NAUTH, as confirmed by the hospital’s management.

“He is not a member of the NMA Awka Zone, nor has any member identified him as a colleague. He is not a medical doctor (not even an academic doctor), though he deals in medical supplies and has been erroneously addressed as one.

“The NMA Anambra State hereby notifies the media and EFCC that the said suspect is not a medical doctor. We demand an immediate retraction of all defamatory publications where he was referred to as such. We urge the media to conduct due diligence before publishing claims.”