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FG approves N4.8bn for HIV/AIDS treatment as Trump halts support

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved an allocation of N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment packs to support Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.

The approval by FEC comes after the US government granted an emergency humanitarian waiver, reversing a previous funding pause on HIV treatment in developing countries—including Nigeria.

The pause was initially ordered under an executive directive by President Donald Trump as part of a broader review of foreign aid.

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Nigeria has been heavily reliant on international assistance for HIV initiatives, particularly from the US president’s emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR).

The federal government’s approved budget will facilitate the procurement of 150,000 treatment packs over four months.

This initiative aims to provide immediate relief and demonstrate Nigeria’s intent to build a more sustainable domestic financing model for health interventions.

Speaking on the approval on Monday after the FEC meeting, Ali Pate, minister of health and social welfare, said it underscores Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring continuous access to life-saving treatment for individuals affected by the virus.

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“This allocation is critical for ensuring that those living with HIV continue to receive necessary treatments without interruption,” Pate said.

The minister said the FEC also set up a committee with membership drawn from the ministries of finance, budget, defence, environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to come up with a sustainability plan.

“This is about ensuring that no Nigerian loses access to treatment

Pate announced that the FEC has also approved the HOPE (human capital opportunities for prosperity and equity) programme, a $1 billion initiative aimed at enhancing governance and strengthening primary healthcare systems across the country.

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“This programme is very much in line with the direction of this administration—to focus on investing in the human capital of Nigerians. People are at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the minister said.

He added that the funding, developed in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA), allocates $500 million for governance improvements and another $500 million to enhance primary healthcare.

The minister noted that the governance component will incentivise states to recruit and train teachers and healthcare workers, while the healthcare portion will

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ECKANKAR Nigeria Hosts the 2025 African ECK Soul Adventure Seminar in Port Harcourt

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

ECKANKAR Nigeria is delighted to announce that it will host the 2025 African ECK Soul Adventure Seminar, a landmark spiritual event, from December 12 to 14, 2025, at the Temple of ECK, Obi Wali Road, Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

This highly anticipated seminar, themed “Spiritual Tools for Mastering Life’s Challenges,” marks the first major international gathering following the succession of Sri Doug Kunin as the MAHANTA, the Living ECK Master, on October 22, 2025. Over 15,000 participants from across Nigeria, Africa, and the world are expected to attend.

The Guest Speaker at the event will be Armand Mpassy-Nzoumba, the Regional ECK Spiritual Aide (RESA) for Central Africa and Mauritius.

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The seminar will feature a rich lineup of inspiring talks, workshops, music, drama, laughter, and fellowship, offering attendees divine insights and practical tools for personal and spiritual growth.

ECKANKAR—The Path of Spiritual Freedom—is a worldwide spiritual teaching that helps individuals experience the Light and Sound of God, understand dreams, and find inner guidance to lead a more fulfilled life. The spiritual home of ECKANKAR is the Temple of ECK in Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA, while the magnificent Temple of ECK in Port Harcourt stands as a beacon of light for truth seekers in Nigeria.

All who seek to experience love, healing, and spiritual awakening are warmly invited to attend this life-changing event and explore the treasures of Soul.

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Just in: Three PDP governors missing at ongoing convention in Oyo

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Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun); Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Sim Fubara (Rivers) are yet to arrive the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) holding at Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Lagos.

They are among high profile members of the party not participating in the convention, which was preceded with conflicting court orders amid the crisis affecting the party.

Source: Nation

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PASAN ready for nationwide strike as 21-day notice expires

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The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has given a final notice to all its chapters nationwide, to embark on an indefinite strike as its 21-day ultimatum to state governors draws to a close.

The imminent industrial action could disrupt legislative activities across all 36 State Houses of Assembly.

The union’s action follows a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Bauchi on October 23, 2025, where members resolved to give State Governments a 21-day deadline—effective October 24—to begin implementing the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) and full financial autonomy for State Legislatures, in line with Section 121(3) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

An official directive (Ref: PASAN/NS/SGO/01, dated November 12, 2025) confirmed that the ultimatum will expire on Friday, November 15, 2025.

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The National Secretariat expressed dissatisfaction that despite providing “ample window for compliance, reports reaching the national secretariat indicate that most State Governments are yet to begin the implementation as directed.”

In a decisive move toward enforcement, PASAN instructed its zonal leaders to activate full mobilization. In a memo titled “Directive to Mobilize for Industrial Action,” the union ordered all National Vice Presidents to “immediately mobilize all Chapters within their respective zones for industrial action as soon as the ultimatum elapses.

This action is to ensure full enforcement of the NEC resolution and to press home our demand for the implementation of CONLESS without further delay.”

The union also wrote to Rt. Honourable Speakers across the states (Ref: PASAN/NS/ADM/OF/22, dated November 13, 2025), informing them of the ultimatum’s expiration and its readiness to strike. PASAN lamented that “the said ultimatum expired Friday, 14th November, 2025, without any concrete response or positive action from most State Governments.”
While restating its preference for dialogue, PASAN urged its members to remain focused and united.

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“While we continue to pursue our legitimate demands, all members are enjoined to remain resolute, law-abiding, and united in the struggle for justice and improved welfare. In solidarity,” it said. However, it stressed that workers “can no longer continue under unfair and discriminatory treatment,” warning that the persistent neglect of its demands amounts to “institutional disregard for the legislative workforce.”
PASAN added that it has written to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (CSSLN), alerting them to the looming strike and urging immediate intervention to avert a nationwide shutdown of legislative activities.

The correspondence, jointly signed by Comrade Mohammed Usman, National President, and Comrade Agugbue Ugochi, Acting National Secretary, and dated November 13, 2025, was titled “Notification of Expiration of 21-Day Ultimatum and Readiness for Industrial Action.” It was also copied to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Clerks of State
Assemblies, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and security agencies including the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Reiterating its call for urgent action, the union stated that “the patience of our members has been overstretched,” and urged the Governors’ Forum to collectively prevail on State Governments to implement CONLESS “in the interest of industrial harmony and the effective functioning of State Legislatures.”
With just hours left before the ultimatum expires, Nigeria’s legislative workforce stands on the edge of a nationwide shutdown. Without swift intervention from the governors, the strike could effectively halt legislative proceedings across the federation.

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