WAFFI TV | Feature

FG Slams Oyakhilome’s Salt Consumption Claims

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has cautioned Nigerians against excessive salt consumption in response to a viral video featuring Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. In the video, Oyakhilome—President and Founder of Loveworld Incorporated (Christ Embassy)—alleged that Africans are being discouraged from using salt to boost the market for sodium-based medications. Addressing the claim on Wednesday, the ministry’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Laba Balogun, clarified that although sodium—an essential component of salt—is vital for body functions, it should only be consumed in moderation. The ministry’s statement reads: “The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has observed a widely circulated video in which a respected religious leader discourages Nigerians from heeding medical advice on salt consumption. While we deeply respect the important role of faith and religious leaders in our society, it is crucial to correct misinformation that poses a risk to public health. “Salt is not the enemy. Salt contains sodium, an essential mineral that supports vital body functions such as nerve activity, muscle movement, and fluid balance. However, the concern lies in excessive consumption, not in salt itself. In line with global best practices, the World Health Organisation and the Nigerian Government recommend a maximum of 5 grams of salt per day (about one teaspoonful). Going beyond this threshold increases the risk of preventable disease and death. “Research shows that most Nigerians consume more than double the recommended daily sodium intake. This excessive intake is a major contributor to high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease—non-communicable conditions that continue to claim thousands of lives annually. “To address this growing health crisis, the Ministry is implementing a comprehensive national sodium reduction strategy. This includes the launch of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines, which aim to reduce sodium content across all food categories—from processed and packaged foods to meals prepared at home or sold in restaurants and by street vendors. This initiative mandates food manufacturers, regulators, and the public in lowering sodium intake without compromising quality and nutrition. “We wish to state clearly: Doctors do not lie. Nigeria’s health professionals are trained to offer evidence-based guidance rooted in decades of scientific research and patient care. The presence of regulated sodium compounds in certain medications is not equivalent to dietary salt (sodium chloride) and is safe when prescribed appropriately.” The ministry reaffirmed that faith and science are not at odds—they can and should work together for the well-being of our people. “We therefore urge Nigerians to seek accurate health advice from qualified medical professionals and to join hands with the Ministry in reducing the burden of preventable diseases,” the ministry urged.

5/8/2025, 8:40:46 AM

Cardinals Fail To Elect New Pope At First Voting As Black Smoke Billows From Sistine Chapel

After a long wait, black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney this evening, signaling that the cardinals have yet to elect a new pope. Tens of thousands had gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the first conclave vote, the outcome of which took over three hours to reveal. Due to the secrecy surrounding the process, experts say the reason for the delay may remain unknown—at least until the conclave ends. With no pope chosen, the cardinals will reconvene tomorrow behind closed doors for further voting.

5/8/2025, 8:15:23 AM

Senate Passes Two Tax Reform Bills

The Senate has approved two out of four key tax reform bills, marking a major step forward in the country’s tax administration overhaul. The approved bills include one repealing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and another establishing the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill 2025, alongside the Nigeria Revenue Service Bill 2025. These were passed after a detailed clause-by-clause review during the Committee of the Whole and a third reading on the Senate floor. READ ALSO: Senate Considers Tax Reforms Bills, Debates Contentious Clauses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted the four reform bills to the National Assembly in October 2024 for consideration and passage. Senate President Godswill Akpabio hailed the development, expressing confidence that the reforms would improve governance and transform tax collection and distribution nationwide. “These bills will add immense value to governance and transform how taxes are collected and shared in Nigeria,” he said. He further assured that the remaining two bills would be finalised tomorrow (Thursday), even if it required extended sitting hours. “We are committed to concluding the outstanding bills tomorrow, even if we have to stay here until 10 p.m.,” Akpabio said.

5/7/2025, 6:40:14 PM

Pirates Kidnap 19 Passengers In Rivers Boat Hijacking

At least 19 travelers were abducted on Tuesday along the Isaka River in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. Reports indicate that one boat was headed for Bonny Island, while the other was en route to the Cawthorne Channel in Bille, Degema Local Government Area when the attack occurred. Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Port Harcourt Commercial District, Israel Pepple, described the development as unfortunate. Pepple also disclosed that the pirates carted away goods and property valued at millions of naira. “From the information we gathered, it was 13 persons along with the driver in one boat. The other boat going to Bonny with goods had six persons kidnapped. So, six plus 13 makes 19,” Pepple stated. He disclosed that the union is considering a strike to compel government action, citing the frequent nature of the attacks. “As we said last time, we may have no option but to down tools because it is becoming routine. As soon as they release one group, they come back to kidnap more. It’s like a business for them,” he lamented. Pepple called on the State Sole Administrator and security agencies to improve security along the state’s waterways, emphasizing the lack of utilization of military gunboats donated by the Rivers State Government. “The irony is that even the gunboats stationed nearby have no fuel to operate. That is the worst part because the gunboats are right there, close to this office, but there is no logistical support for them,” he said.

5/7/2025, 6:17:31 PM

FG Begins Overhaul Of NYSC Scheme, Plans Teachers’, Medical Corps

The Federal Government has established a committee to implement major reforms in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The aim is to strengthen the scheme, enhance its relevance to national development, and better align it with the aspirations of Nigerian youths. This move comes amid growing concerns about corps members' safety, inadequate infrastructure, and questions about the NYSC’s relevance in today’s socio-economic climate. The committee was inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday, with key stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector present. At the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, emphasized that the NYSC has significantly contributed to national unity and youth empowerment since its inception in 1973. He said, “The issues of corps members’ safety, infrastructural challenges, and the broader question of the scheme’s relevance in an increasingly dynamic socio-economic environment are among the key concerns. However, these challenges also present opportunities that require urgent, visionary, and determined action.” Olawande said the committee will look into how NYSC works and suggest ways to make it safer, more creative, and more impactful. “The outcome of this review must align with broader national development objectives, positioning the NYSC as a strategic tool for youth empowerment and nation-building,” he added. The committee will review current NYSC policies, talk to people across the country and suggest changes to laws, policies, and how the scheme is run. It will also come up with better ways to fund, track and improve the NYSC. The final report will be submitted to the minister within a set time. Also at the event, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the government planned to start a Teachers’ Corps and a Medical Corps. These will be for NCE graduates and healthcare workers ready to serve in rural areas. Alausa explained, “The Teachers’ Corps would help bridge educational gaps and create a pathway to government employment, while the Medical Corps would strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved areas, addressing critical issues such as maternal and child health.”

5/7/2025, 2:38:15 PM

FG Plays Nnamdi Kanu’s Broadcast, Videos In Court To Establish Alleged Terrorism Charge

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, presented in open court recordings of “Radio Biafra” broadcasts and videos featuring Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as part of its terrorism case against him. These materials, marked as exhibits, were introduced through the second prosecution witness (PW-2), identified as BBB, before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Testifying behind a court-provided screen, BBB stated that Kanu admitted to creating the broadcasts and videos during questioning led by the government’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN. One of the recordings, aired on October 20, 2020, during the #EndSARS protests, was played in court. In it, Kanu was heard urging youths to attack police officers and soldiers wherever they were found. He further called on protesters to ambush security personnel, seize their weapons, and kill them.

5/7/2025, 2:27:10 PM

IYC Western Zone Reveals 57th Boro Day Schedule

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, has officially unveiled the program for the 57th Boro Day Celebration, scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2025, in Warri, Delta State. This year’s theme, “The Genesis of the 12 Days Revolution Struggle: Our Pains and Gains in Retrospect,” invites deep reflection on the historical and ongoing fight for justice led by the late Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro. In a statement by on Wednesday by the Information Officer of the IYC Western Zone and Secretary of the Boro Day Committee, Tare Magbei, the celebration will take place at the Chief Tunde Smooth Playground, located along the NPA Expressway in Warri. A highlight of the event is a vibrant procession that will display the unity, culture, and enduring spirit of the Ijaw people. An engaging symposium will also be held to examine the legacy and lessons of the famed 12 Days Revolution. Covering the states of Delta, Edo, and Ondo, the IYC Western Zone encourages all Ijaw sons and daughters to participate in honoring the heroism and vision of Boro, whose revolutionary struggle continues to inspire movements for equity and self-determination across the Niger Delta.

5/7/2025, 2:22:11 PM

Insecurity: Senate To Hold Two~Day National Security Summit

Amid escalating insecurity across Nigeria, the Senate has resolved to convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja to tackle the nation's growing security concerns. The summit will bring together representatives from the Federal, State, and Local Governments, along with Traditional Institutions, to collectively devise practical solutions to the country’s worsening security crisis. The Senate has urged the Federal Government to review and reform existing security policies in line with recommendations expected from the summit. This decision followed the presentation of a motion titled “Urgent Need for a National Security Summit,” which was moved on Tuesday by Senator Ibrahim Jimoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs and representative of Ondo South. The motion was co-sponsored by Senators Zam Titus (Benue North-West), Peter Onyeka Nwebonyl (Ebonyi North), and Ngwu Osita (Enugu West, PDP). In his remarks, Senator Jimoh drew attention to the global dimensions of insecurity, citing the Russia-Ukraine war, which has worsened food insecurity and impeded the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also referenced growing geopolitical tensions between the global North and South, and economic conflicts like the U.S. tariff wars, which are undermining global stability. Senator Jimoh voiced deep concern over the effects of these international crises on Nigeria, where insecurity—manifesting in banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism—has become widespread in both urban and rural areas. He recalled past political upheavals, including the 1953 Kano riots, the constitutional crises in the Eastern Region during the 1960s, and the electoral unrest of the 1980s, warning that Nigeria’s political history should inform its present security strategies as the nation prepares for upcoming elections. He praised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to resolving Nigeria’s security issues and called for enhanced intelligence support to foster national peace. While acknowledging advancements in military tactics and communication, Senator Jimoh advocated for alternative approaches to military operations and increased funding to strengthen the Armed Forces. He also urged the Senate to align with the "Peace for All" principle, in harmony with the executive’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.” The summit is expected to serve as a comprehensive platform for dialogue among policymakers, security agencies, and other stakeholders to develop actionable strategies for national security and stability. Senator Ahmad Lawan, former President of the 9th Senate, had previously initiated a similar security summit, stressing the Senate’s responsibility to spearhead efforts in addressing nationwide insecurity. The forthcoming summit aims to build on such past initiatives and deliver practical recommendations for government implementation.

5/7/2025, 12:04:14 PM

Dozens Killed As India, Pakistan Exchange Fire

India and Pakistan engaged in intense artillery exchanges along their disputed border on Wednesday, following deadly missile strikes by New Delhi on its longtime rival—marking the most severe clash between the nuclear-armed nations in 20 years. At least 38 people were killed: Islamabad reported 26 civilian deaths from Indian strikes and border fire, while New Delhi claimed 12 fatalities from Pakistani shelling. The escalation follows New Delhi’s accusation that Islamabad supported an attack on the Indian-administered side of Kashmir two weeks earlier. The two South Asian nations, born from the 1947 partition of British India, have fought multiple wars since. This latest outbreak of violence surpasses India’s 2019 airstrikes, which targeted what it called “several militants” in response to a suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian security personnel. The South Asian neighbours have fought multiple wars since they were carved out of the sub-continent at the end of British rule in 1947. The latest violence exceeds India’s strikes in 2019, when New Delhi said it had hit “several militants” after a suicide bomber attacked an Indian security force convoy, killing 40. The Indian army said “justice is served”, reporting nine “terrorist camps” had been destroyed, with New Delhi adding that its actions “have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature”. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of launching the strikes to “shore up” his domestic popularity, but said Islamabad had struck back. “The retaliation has already started”, Asif told AFP. “We won’t take long to settle the score.” Military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said five Indian jets had been downed across the border. An Indian senior security source, who asked not to be named, said three of its fighter jets had crashed on home territory.

5/7/2025, 11:59:53 AM

Cardinals Hold Last Mass Before Conclave To Elect Pope

Cardinals from across five continents gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Wednesday for a final mass before entering seclusion to elect a new pope for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. A total of 133 cardinal electors will participate in the conclave — the confidential voting process to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away last month after a 12-year papacy. With no clear favorite among the candidates — who span the Church’s progressive and conservative wings — the race to lead the 2,000-year-old institution remains wide open. The next pope will inherit a Church grappling with global geopolitical instability, internal divisions, the enduring impact of clerical abuse scandals, and dwindling congregations in the West. Wednesday’s pre-conclave mass began at 10:00 am (0800 GMT), led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. This marked the final public ceremony before the Church presents its 267th pope from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, likely in the coming days. While the last two popes — Francis and Benedict XVI — were chosen within two days, the longest papal election lasted 1,006 days, from 1268 to 1271. This conclave is the largest in history, with clerics from nearly 70 nations. To be elected, a candidate must receive at least 89 votes — a two-thirds majority. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. They are housed in the Vatican’s Santa Marta guesthouse — once home to Pope Francis — and the adjacent Santa Marta Vecchia. They will enter the Sistine Chapel — a 15th-century masterpiece — to begin the conclave, described by the Vatican as “one of the most secret and mysterious events in the world.”

5/7/2025, 10:13:04 AM

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