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As the world marks the 20th anniversary of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (WHO) (FCCTC), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Nigerian government to escalate enforcement of the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA), the National Tobacco Control Regulations, as well as the Regulation prohibiting promotion and glamourisation of smoking in the film and music industry.  In a statement signed by its Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe on Wednesday, CAPPA noted that the FCTC is the first global public health treaty, adopted on 27 February 2005.  It regulates tobacco products, including their content, packaging, advertising, marketing, sponsorship, price, taxation, and illicit trade, to protect future generations from the health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco use. Many countries have become parties to the treaty, including 183 countries representing 90 percent of the...

. CP Jimoh (centre) at the meeting with the Tactical Commanders in Lagos The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare M. Jimoh has met with all Tactical Commanders in the Command.  In the meeting which held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 for about four hours at the Command Headquarters, CP Jimoh charged the officers to ensure they sustain the onslaught against crimes and criminals, and further reduce the crimes rate in Lagos State to the barest level in line with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun. In the same vein, the CP warned the commanders to at all times uphold the human rights of all Nigerians as any officer found violating the human rights of any individual will be dealt with in accordance with police regulations and the laws of the land. . CP Jimoh with the Tactical Commanders in Lagos The Lagos police boss also declared zero tolerance for maltreatment of suspects in detention, warning all officers with detentio...

Lawmakers and members of civil society organisations in Nigeria have expressed their determination to ensure that laws aimed at the inclusion of vulnerable groups, particularly women, poor men, and Persons With Disabilities, received significant attention.  They stated this during a two-day workshop in Lagos. The Co-Creation Workshop which focused on the State Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Bill brought together lawmakers and civil society organisations, led by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, to discuss the involvement of lawmakers in the legislative process. The event was organised by WARDC in collaboration with the Bauchi State Government, Women in Politics Forum, WIPF, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, and various donor agencies, including Canada and UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment for Women). The former chairman of the Conference of Speakers and current Speaker of the Bauchi Sta...

By Humphrey Ukeaja Love is in the air, or so we are told. Every February 14, as the world is draped in shades of red, Nigeria joins the global celebration of Valentine's Day, a holiday synonymous with romance, affection, and, increasingly, indulgence. But beneath the heart-shaped chocolates, lavish candlelit dinners, and sugary confections lies a more insidious agenda - the calculated exploitation of love to promote unhealthy eating habits by the ultra-processed food industry.  This industry has masterfully hijacked special observances to promote excessive consumption of nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods, exacerbating Nigeria’s already troubling prevalence of non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The link between these conditions and dietary habits is well-established, yet corporations continue to exploit emotional marketing tactics to associate love with indulgence.  As a result, a celebration like Valentine’s Day in the country has become less ...

. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun during the meeting. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has warned all officers of the Nigeria Police Force regarding serious breaches of Human Rights, emphasizing the duty of the Force to uphold these rights. Egbetokun gave the warning in Abuja during a virtual meeting with strategic police managers on Monday.  The IGP frowned against such acts, having received various complaints regarding Human Rights Violations through the Force's complaint channels.  He stated that any conduct violating Human Rights will not be tolerated and will be met with severe consequences. . The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun during the meeting The nation’s police boss also warned all tactical squads against the misuse of power and improper dressing, emphasizing the importance of operating in approved uniforms.  “No operative should be seen carrying assault arms (rifles) while dressed in civilian attire...

The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature have opened submissions for their 2025 awards.  The Science Prize for this year is looking for innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technologies that can drive development while the Literature Prize is calling for entries in Prose Fiction. A statement by the Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku said the focus on AI comes as the technology continues to reshape global economies and industries, creating new job opportunities and transforming productivity. Recent studies suggest that AI could add between 2.6 trillion and 4.4 trillion to global corporate profits each year. Chairman of the Advisory Board for the science prize, Professor Barth Nnaji, said “The rapid evolution of AI and digital technologies provides a unique opportunity for Nigeria and other developing nations to leapfrog traditional development traj...

. Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has vowed to address the filing of frivolous or malicious petitions aimed at harassment or intimidation.  Egbetokun in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said moving forward, all petitions submitted to the police must now include a declaration confirming their authenticity and genuineness. He stated that the complaint has not been submitted to any other law enforcement agency or, if it has, that it has been withdrawn before involving the police, saying that petitioners found to have filed frivolous petitions will be made to face the appropriate sanctions for giving false information to the police.  The IGP urged members of the public to submit complaints and petitions directly to the appropriate Police Commands, Divisions, or Units rather than to the IGP’s office, except in cases requiring review, appeal, or special intervention....

. Tayo Oyeladun The Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos - Nigeria is greatly concerned about reported threats on the life of Ibadan-based journalist Mr. Tayo Oyeladun of Lagelu FM. According to a report reaching the Safety Alert Desk of IPC, Oyeladun made the claim via a save my soul message posted on his Facebook page on Thursday, 30th January, 2025.  He noted that the threat was related to a programme he anchored, tagged “Bosenlo” after which the CPS to Soun Ogbomoso reached out to one of his senior colleagues to express his grievances about the comments of one of the guests. Since then, he began to receive strange threat calls. “The past few days have been hard for me and my family. I am facing death threats for doing my job as a broadcast journalist. I believe in balance opinion and free speech in a democratic setting. I’m living in a society where the system favours the elite and those in position of authority,” he alle...

The Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has expressed concern over the burden of skin cancer among its members in the country. In a statement to mark the February 4th World Cancer Day 2025, the National President of the association, Dr Bisi Bamishe said they have lost three members to the ravaging disease within just a few days. Dr Bamishe said many others were battling for their lives, adding that “Even as we speak, many others are battling for their lives. Some lying helpless in hospitals, while others struggle in their homes without access to proper medical care or hope for survival.  “The grim reality is that the community of persons with albinism (PWAs) in Nigeria is under siege, and urgent action is required to prevent further loss of lives”, she said. “Today, as the world observes World Cancer Day 2025 under the theme "United by Unique," we seize this moment to amplify the voices of persons with albinism in Nigeria. The theme speaks to the power of unity in addressin...