WAFFI TV | Feature

Delta Workers Sanctioned For Extorting Pregnant Women

The Delta State Government announced the dismissal of several fraudulent health workers caught extorting money from pregnant women and children under five, while others faced demotion. This was revealed on Saturday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, during the inauguration of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives Project Action Plan at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area. According to Onojaeme, the Ministry of Health has fulfilled its mandate by ensuring proper monitoring of government-released funds and their utilization. He said, “The health workers in the state have actually done well, but you know that in every 12, there is Judas. There are several cases of fraud and malpractice among the health workers. We have received reports that some pregnant women and children under five visit our hospitals across the state, and some health workers will collect money from them for drugs. “And at the same time, they will send the medical bills to the government to pay. The state government is paying for all pregnant women and children under five to enjoy free health care. We have demoted some of these fraudulent health workers and sacked many within this short period. I believe that with the continuous monitoring and with the support of the mothers themselves, some of these fraudulent practices will be reduced. “Report any health worker immediately who collects money for the treatment of any child under five in any of our public hospitals. We run free treatment for pregnant women till delivery. The government is paying, and hospitals are not to collect money from them. We will make the phone number of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on health monitoring available, and when you see cases of demanding money from pregnant women, you should call the phone number immediately.” The representative of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr John Ovuoraye, expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting state governments to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in their states. Ovuoraye hinted that 172 local government areas across 33 states had been identified as high-risk areas with prevalence of maternal and neonatal deaths, including five local government areas in Delta, which are Ndokwa East, Ughelli North, Aniocha North, Udu and Sapele.

9/28/2025, 9:01:33 AM

ICYMI: Fubara Dissolves Pensions Board Constituted By Ibas

Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has dissolved the management of the State Pensions Board set up by former Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ikot Ibas (rtd). The dissolution was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday evening by the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi S.I. Brown. Vice Admiral Ibas had inaugurated the board on September 12, barely six days before leaving office, with a mandate to reform the state’s pension system for improved efficiency. Governor Fubara has now directed that the responsibilities of the board be transferred to the Office of the Accountant General of Rivers State. The statement further instructed members of the dissolved board to hand over all assets and properties in their custody to the Director of Administration of the board. The notice read in part: “The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Rivers State Pensions Board. Consequently, the Office of the Accountant General of Rivers State, henceforth, will handle the functions of the Board. Members of the defunct board are by this notice advised to hand over all properties and assets of the Board in their possession to the Director of Administration of the Board. His Excellency, the Executive Governor, will in due course constitute a new board to manage the affairs of pensions.”

9/27/2025, 9:21:20 AM

ICYMI: FG Announces Tuition free Education In Technical Colleges

In a move to expand access to technical education, the Federal Government has declared tuition-free education in all Federal Technical Colleges (FTCs) across Nigeria. The initiative also covers other approved fees, including boarding, uniforms, textbooks, exercise books, prospectus, identity cards, stationery, medicals, vocational materials, utilities, security, clubs and societies, website/e-results, Skool Media, extra lessons, and insurance. According to the government, the decision aligns with its free-education policy and is aimed at ensuring FTCs fulfil their mandate of producing skilled graduates to drive national transformation. A statement issued late Wednesday by Folasade Boriowo, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, advised parents to report any illegal financial demands directly to the Ministry via Hotline: 08036576733, 08036373796 or email: tse@education.gov.ng . The statement quoted the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, warning that no principal or administrator is allowed to collect unauthorized payments from parents or guardians. It added that the Minister has directed that circulars reaffirming this policy be dispatched to all FTCs and parents. “This initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a pathway to human capital development. By equipping youth with employable skills, the government seeks to strengthen national progress and competitiveness. “No Nigerian child should be denied access to technical education because of illegal charges. By investing in education today, we are building a stronger, self-reliant Nigeria,” Dr. Alausa affirmed. The Ministry confirmed that monitoring mechanisms are in place to address any infractions swiftly. The statement, however, clarified that students are to purchase their personal items including Sunday/Jumat wears, bathroom slippers, blankets, bedsheets, pillowcases, towel, underwears as well as 1 ream of A4 paper (80 grams) for registration as well as other personal items and cleaning materials.

9/26/2025, 12:01:17 PM

Nigeria Secures Affordable HIV Prevention At UNGA

The Federal Government of Nigeria has recorded a breakthrough in HIV prevention with the landmark price reduction of lenacapavir, a revolutionary drug, announced by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). The development was unveiled during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Annual Meeting, held alongside the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. Under the new deal, the cost of the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection has been cut from $28,000 (₦41.9 million) to just $40 (₦60,000) per person annually. This historic drop makes the drug affordable to millions in Nigeria and more than 100 other low- and middle-income countries. Studies show lenacapavir is up to 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infections. Representing Nigeria at the event, NACA Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, hailed the agreement as a game-changer in the country’s HIV response. “Today marks a milestone in our fight against HIV in Nigeria and globally. This landmark access agreement unlocks affordable access to lenacapavir – a transformational option that guarantees longer protection, convenience, and renewed hope for millions at risk,” she said. Ilori further stressed that the achievement balances innovation with equity: “This breakthrough is not reserved for a privileged few. It sets the stage for broad, lasting impact for those who need it most.” The price slash was achieved through a coalition of global partners including UNITAID, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Wits RHI, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (DRL), and the Gates Foundation, who have also committed to fast-tracking generic versions of lenacapavir by 2027. Nigeria’s involvement has been praised as a demonstration of leadership at the UNGA, reinforcing its commitment to scaling up prevention, strengthening health systems, and accelerating the goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030. Currently, more than two million Nigerians live with HIV. While antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains freely available at public facilities, the rollout of lenacapavir is expected to significantly enhance prevention, especially among vulnerable groups.

9/26/2025, 11:17:02 AM

Nationwide Blackout Looms As Nigerian Electricity Workers Begin Strike

Nigerians could face nationwide blackouts in the coming days as the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) on Wednesday began an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of the national minimum wage, the casualisation of workers, and other unresolved issues. The union announced the industrial action in a notice signed by its Acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, stating that the strike followed the expiration of the ultimatum earlier issued to the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). According to NUEE, it could no longer remain passive while the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) continues to deteriorate, stressing that this justified the decision to down tools. “It is unfortunate that the TCN Management has decided to handle these issues with kid gloves and a lack of regard for the hard-working staff of TCN. This, they have displayed without any defined road map(s) to addressing them. “We cannot continue to fold our arms while we watch our rights being vehemently violated and the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) going down the drain. To this end, the Union is compelled to withdraw its services. “Members are hereby directed to withdraw services until such time that the management is ready to discharge its obligations towards the workforce,” the notice reads.

9/25/2025, 5:12:00 PM

Why Our Men Need Arms~ FRSC boss

Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has suggested that arming road safety operatives might be the only effective way to enforce traffic regulations on Nigerian highways. Speaking on Arise News on Thursday, Mohammed highlighted the severe challenges his officers encounter, particularly when attempting to halt heavy-duty vehicles. “How do you stop a trailer or a tanker on the road? How do you just do that? It’s very, very difficult. A truck, especially a truck with probably 100 passengers on top, with animals, and you only have four personnel as a team on patrol, and trying to stop a trailer, how do you do that?” he said. The FRSC boss argued that without adequate “power of cohesion,” enforcement is nearly impossible. “It will support. If you don’t have the power to enforce anything, there’s no way you can achieve that enforcement,” he said, when asked if arms would help. Mohammad also addressed allegations of bribery and extortion by some operatives, which often trend on social media. He admitted the challenge exists but stressed that the Corps has been stricter than most agencies in punishing offenders. “We have more record of termination and dismissal of our personnel because of bribe and corruption,” he explained, adding that the FRSC has a standing standard operating procedure to check misconduct. The Marshal moved to clear the air on driver’s licence fees, following public complaints that officials were charging more than the official rate. “For three years, it’s ₦15,000. For five years, it’s ₦21,000. It’s still the same figure, the same amount,” he said. Mohammed apologised to Nigerians over the difficulties faced in processing driver’s licences, assuring that a revamped and more efficient system would be unveiled soon. “By the first or second week of October, the public will experience an upgraded driver’s licence and improved service delivery,” he pledged. The call to arm FRSC personnel is not entirely new. In October 2024, the House of Representatives passed a bill for second reading seeking to create an Armed Road Safety Corps—a specialised unit within the FRSC empowered to carry weapons and enforce traffic laws more decisively. The move underscores growing concern about rampant traffic offences, recurring road tragedies, and the difficulties of maintaining order on Nigeria’s highways.

9/25/2025, 2:38:19 PM

FG Renews Call For Permanent Seat At UN Security Council

The Federal Government yesterday renewed its push for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council as part of broader institutional reforms, highlighting Nigeria’s growing population, its stabilising role in regional security, and its consistent contributions to global peacekeeping. At the general debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Bola Tinubu—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—stressed that Nigeria’s population has surpassed 200 million, while its military has participated in 51 of the 60 UN peacekeeping operations since independence in 1960. In his address, Tinubu also called for urgent measures to promote sovereign debt relief, easier access to trade, and financing for emerging economies. He proposed the creation of a binding global mechanism to manage sovereign debt. The president further emphasized the need for resource-rich nations to derive equitable benefits from their mineral wealth through investment, local processing, partnerships, and job creation. He also advocated for a global initiative to unite governments, private sector players, researchers, and communities to bridge the digital divide and expand access to technology. Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged an end to the weaponisation of trade, warning that policy volatility in global trade was destabilising the world economy. “United Nations will recover its relevance only when it reflects the world as it is, not as it was. Nigeria’s journey tells this story with clarity. When the UN was founded, we were a colony of 20 million people, absent from the tables where decisions about our fate were taken; today, we are a sovereign nation of over 236 million, projected to be the third most populous country in the world, with one of the youngest and most dynamic populations on earth. “A stabilising force in regional security and a consistent partner in global peacekeeping, our case for permanent seat at the Security Council is a demand for fairness, for representation, and for reform that restores credibility to the very institution upon which the hope of multilateralism rests. “This is why Nigeria stands firmly behind the UN80 Initiative of the Secretary-General, and the resolution adopted by this Assembly on 18 July 2025, a bold step to reform the wider United Nations system for greater relevance, efficiency, and effectiveness in the face of unprecedented financial strain. “We support the drive to rationalise structures and end the duplication of responsibilities and programmes, so that this institution may speak with one voice and act with greater coherence,” he said.

9/25/2025, 7:29:03 AM

Child Kidnapper Burnt Alive In Agbarho

An irate mob on Thursday set a woman ablaze after she was accused of attempting to kidnap a child in Agbarho community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. An eyewitness told *Vanguard* at the scene of the incident on Ekwvere Road that the woman had allegedly hidden a seven-year-old boy inside a sack. The source added that she was holding a Bible in one hand when she was apprehended. Community sources said some residents in the area accosted the lady when they observed the way she was dragging the sack to know what she had in it. “She was unstable when they asked her to disclose what she was carrying in the sack. When the bag was forced open, they found a seven year old child in it. They shouted and it attracted a large crowd,” a source said. Vanguard gathered that the angry mob immediately brought a used tyre to the scene, which they forced down her neck after beating her to a pulp. “The lady and the tyre were set ablaze,” the source added. The incident has again heightened tension in the community over rising cases of missing children. Agbarho community has been in the news for more than a year over issues of missing children with mothers alleging that no fewer than 30 children had been stolen from the community. It was gathered that last week, a youngman in his 20s suspected of trying to abduct a child was caught and handed over to the police . “This lady was quite unlucky as the mob this time opted for instant justice, fearing that if she was handed over to the police, she might be released later. “The angry mob probably chose to set her ablaze to send a clear message to those kidnapping children in the community to stay away from the town. With what has happened today, they will know it is no longer a police affair in the community,” a source in the community said. Meanwhile, the mother of the boy allegedly rescued from the woman refused to disclose his name, as she was seen pulling him away from the crowd.

9/25/2025, 7:16:04 AM

CBN Warns Against Naira Abuse, Hoarding Of Currency

As the festive season approaches, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cautioned Nigerians against abusing or hoarding the naira. The apex bank on Tuesday in Abuja launched a campaign against the mishandling of the national currency, stressing that such practices increase the cost of maintaining it. Deputy Governor (Operations), Mr. Bala Bello, urged Nigerians to embrace a change of attitude, noting that safeguarding the naira requires collective effort from all stakeholders. Represented by the Director of Currency Operations and Branch Management, Dr. Adetona Adedeji, Bello strongly condemned the spraying of naira notes at social events, as well as acts of mutilating, tearing, or writing on them. With “naira our pride: handle with care,” as its theme, Mr. Bello said the campaigned aimed to strengthen not only the integrity of the currency but also the partnerships that sustain the nation’s financial ecosystem. His words, “The naira is more than a means of payment. It represents our national pride, our sovereignty, and our shared destiny as a people. “Unfortunately, careless practices-folding, tearing, spraying at social events, writing on notes, and even outright mutilation undermine the dignity of our national symbol and increase the costs of maintaining it. “The Central Bank cannot succeed in this mission alone. To truly change behaviours and instill respect for the Naira, we need the collaboration of all stakeholders; commercial banks, microfinance institutions, transport unions, traders’ associations, market leaders, schools, religious organizations, civil society, and the media.”

9/25/2025, 7:08:06 AM

NDLEA Proposes Mandatory Drug~Test For Driver’s Licence Applicants

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has proposed mandatory drug integrity tests for drivers applying for licences. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the initiative aims to tackle the growing number of road accidents linked to drug use nationwide. NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, made this known in a goodwill message delivered at the National Summit of the Special Marshals of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Wednesday in Abuja. He was represented by Deputy Commandant General of Narcotics, Mr. Umoru Ambrose. Marwa described the FRSC and NDLEA as “partners in progress,” noting that while the FRSC focuses on preventing crashes and assisting victims, the NDLEA works to eliminate the root causes of accidents, as well as related security and health concerns. “From research over the years, we have found out that drug abuse plays a very significant role in the accidents on most of our highways. “It is in that respect that NDLEA has been collaborating with the FRSC,” he said. Marwa revealed that both agencies were working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was nearing completion and would benefit the public once unveiled. According to him, the NDLEA has done its part, and the agency is waiting for the FRSC to also finalise theirs. “One of the key impacts of the MoU is the issue of drug integrity tests. “The agency is already propagating drug tests in several organisations, certainly, extending the measure to the transport sector is necessary given FRSC’s role in ensuring safety on our highways. “That is why we are advocating that drivers should undergo drug tests even before they apply for their licences. “NDLEA has already trained professionals who are going to train FRSC officials so that they can conduct on-the-spot drug tests for drivers,” he revealed. Marwa added that the initiative would serve as a deterrent to commercial drivers who may indulge in alcohol and other psychoactive substances on the highways. The NDLEA boss further said that the planned collaboration would enable FRSC and NDLEA operatives to assess both drivers and passengers during joint highway operations. “In fact, we don’t like commercial drivers on our roads indulging in drugs or alcohol. “With this measure, FRSC and NDLEA on the highways will be able to assess drivers and conduct spot drug tests. “Once it is ready, the NDLEA will bring it to the road for implementation,” he assured. Marwa thanked the organisers for inviting the agency to the summit, describing it as a platform that reinforces collaboration between institutions working to safeguard lives.

9/24/2025, 6:22:49 PM

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