News
FG approves N4.8bn for HIV/AIDS treatment as Trump halts support
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.
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.
“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.
“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
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the recent 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs.
This decision followed a meeting with government representatives at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday night.
During the discussions, the government agreed to establish a broader committee to review the entire tariff structure.
This committee will comprise five representatives from both the NLC and the government and is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.
The NLC has stated that its next steps, including potential protests, boycotts, or service withdrawals, will depend on the committee’s outcomes.
The NLC had expressed concerns over high electricity tariffs and burdensome taxes affecting workers, emphasizing that these issues remain unresolved and require attention.
… set up 10-member committee to review the increment in telecom’s tariff
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Government has met with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with a view to reaching a common ground on the recent 50 percent increment on the telecommunication tariff by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC).
The meeting, which was at the behest of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, was aimed to maintain industrial harmony and to also protect the interest of Nigerians.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, said that the purpose of the meeting was to look into the study carried out by the NCC which led to the 50 percent increment on telecommunications tariff.
After extensive deliberation, the two bodies agreed to set up a 10-man Committee comprising five members from the Federal Government and five from the NLC to review the study by the NCC to review the study by NCC and submit its report within two weeks.
“So, the summary of it is that Labour and the Nigerian Labour Congress specifically and the delegation of the federal government have set up a committee of five each. We are going to meet here continuously for the next two weeks. And at the end of the second week, we will now come up with a recommendation that we will give to government and the organised Labour for final consideration”, he said.
The NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero said that it will wait till the outcome of the Committee to determine its next line of action.
Present at the meeting were Minister Communication and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijanni, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Budget and National Planning,Atiku Bagudu, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu among others.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Kogi State High Court has nullified the appointment of HRM Ahmed Muhammed Tajani Anaje as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Salisu Umar on Monday.
The legal challenge against Anaje’s appointment was initiated by Dr. Barnabas Adeku Ojiah and two other petitioners, who argued that there were serious irregularities in the selection process that led to his ascension to the throne.
The case, numbered HCO/05C/2024, was filed against both the Governor of Kogi State and Anaje himself.
Anaje was appointed in January 2024 following the death of the previous Ohinoyi, but his selection had been mired in controversy, with various stakeholders expressing concerns over adherence to traditional protocols and legal standards.
Justice Umar’s ruling mandated Anaje to cease all activities associated with his role as traditional ruler immediately.
The court’s decision not only invalidated Anaje’s appointment but also called for a new selection process in compliance with both legal and traditional requirements.
The Kogi State Government and relevant traditional councils are now expected to take swift action to implement the court’s directives and initiate a fresh selection process for the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland if they are not contemplating an appeal.
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