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Former Juventus midfielder Paul Pigba has expressed his determination to return to full fitness.
The France international who is currently without a club after departing Juventus, is now eligible to return to football following an 18-month ban for a prohibited substance.
Speaking via a video on his Instagram story, Pogba stated that he”s currently in the United States trying to get fit soon.
“So we’re here in Miami, training, try to get fit as soon as possible, you already know the story,” Pogba said on a video on his Instagram story.
“I’m here and there’s some fans around, United fans and Barcelona fans, big up to all of them. This gentleman (the Barcelona fan) tried to challenge me.”
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In this piece, Senator Bunmi Adetunmbi, who represented Ekiti North District between 2011 and 2015 in the Senate, urges the National Assembly to consider the imperative of e-voting, instead of using the ‘voice vote’ to arrive at decisions.
Some of the decision-making methods generally employed by parliaments all over the world include voice voting, rising voting, show of hands, roll call, e-voting. All except for voice voting, provides a means to directly measure the voting pattern of individual members of parliament. Since the inception of the 4 Assembly in 1999, the Senate has largely employed voice voting for practically all of its decisions with the notable exception of constitution amendment bills and rare cases of call for division. Majorly, “Say Aye” and “Say Nay” have been the voting habit, which sometime gets challenged and a call for division demanded by members who feel strongly that the Senate President, based on his discretionary interpretation of the relative decibel level of response, has not dispensed his judgement fairly.
In his epochal and widely publicized legislative agenda, Senate President Bukola Saraki identified legislative best practices as one of the pillars of a comprehensive agenda at reforming the legislative business of government. Under this pillar, he promised an E-Parliament “using ICT in the regular conduct of legislative activities of the Senate, such that modern information communication tools will be used across the activities of the National Assembly” He went further to specifically declare that “the Senate will make e-voting a regular feature of Senate legislative business. The adoption of E-Voting is to clear any iota of doubt on the credibility of the voting process in the Senate. The method will ensure transparency and accountability thereby restoring the credibility of the voting activities in the system.” These are laudable initiatives and Dr. Bukola Saraki should be commended for offering these radial steps at reforming the way the business of the Senate is conducted.
The recent passage of the harmonization report on the order of elections, which led to a walk out by 10 senators, brings to the fore the issue of transparency and public accountability in National assembly voting process. One wonders why despite the promised voting reforms of Senator President Bukola Saraki, some of the recent sensitive decisions of the Senate have been dogged with controversy and protests by aggrieved Senators that the Presiding Officer is undemocratic and nursing a hidden agenda. This is a serious allegation that could have been addressed if the proposed e-parliament envisaged by Senator Saraki had been implemented.
Parliamentary vote by roll call to enumerate those that say “yea” or “nay”, on specific issues provides verifiable and empirical record on how parliament voted. It enables the general public, constituents and political parties to know how their representatives voted on issues of interest and concern to them. This form of transparent and open balloting system is considered the best for any deliberative and parliamentary assembly that is accountable and responsible to a constituency. Although Rule 73 of the Senate Proceedings provides for dissenting members to call for division to call for recorded votes, but under the proposed e-voting reform of Senate President Saraki, this should have been the rule of voting rather than the exception. I believe this is the anomaly that the laudable declaration of Senator Saraki intended to address and reverse at the onset of his Senate Presidency in June 2015. Unfortunately, this is yet to happen in the eighth assembly.
There were many instances during the 7th Senate where I served, that I wished my choices on major issues were placed on record beyond the untraceable “Yeas or Nays have it” that characterized most of the decisions of that era. Only during constitution amendments and a call for division by Senator Babajide Omoworare of Osun State did I recall the use of recorded voting during my four-year tenure of 2011-2015. Calling for voting history of representatives to know their positions on important parliamentary debates is impossible as a result of this casual style of voting. This makes it practically impossible to assess the quality of representation and how much parliamentarians toe party lines on policies and electoral promises. Voice voting, in my view, should be limited to simple decisions such as adoption of record of proceedings and the likes. Other serious business of the parliament such as resolution of motions, passage of bills should be resolved through recorded voting.
For a parliamentarian, the duty of representation, in my view, is superior to that of law making because you have to be elected first as a representative before being law maker, in other words, without being a representative, you cannot be a law maker. Therefore, as representative of constituencies, senators have the primary and sacred duty of advocating the priorities of their constituents and constantly balancing local and national interests, and providing the constituents feedback on the choices he or she makes on their behalf. This is the soft underbelly of democracy and can only be measured if voting records of representatives are recorded and open for scrutiny and compliance trail by those whose mandate he or she carries and the party that gave it expression. Part of the reasons for the current poor public perception of the National Assembly is largely due to poor understanding of their roles and the value attached to it. The e-voting reform initiative proposed by Senator Bukola Saraki, if implemented, will give the media more work to do by creating a wider agenda of issue-based discussion on the deliberations of parliament and specific roles of individual parliamentarians and clusters of partisan and multiparty interest groups. This way, we can further build public confidence in the institution and further demonstrate its value to our democracy as well as justify the cost of running parliament in a democracy.
This is why Senator Saraki’s e-voting reform must be revisited to address a critical need for transparency in our legislative practice, boost the peoples’ confidence in the parliament and deepen our democratic culture. The public needs to be provided with relevant information to measure the quality of representation in the legislative chambers through transparent and responsible accounting of parliamentary votes. This is why, as much as practicable, voice voting should never be allowed to become the popular method for serious decision making in the legislative chambers. To the extent that it veils the voting identity of elected representatives, voice voting is fundamentally flawed and is a form of political corruption that should be discouraged in taking important decisions in the National Assembly. As it has played out in the current issue of the bill on the amendment of the timetable for the 2019 elections, e-voting would have established attendance, whether or not quorum was formed and how members wish to vote. Adoption of a voice call in such a sensitive issue is susceptible to controversies of the interpretational judgement of the Presiding Officer with the undesirable potential of promoting over time, the erosion of trust and confidence in the quality of decision emanating from leader of the deliberative assembly. Worse still, it helps to mask the face, muffle the voice and veil the choice made by each representative, this can promote indolence and non-transparent representation. It reduces public accountability on parliamentary decision to unacceptable minimum and provides undesirable cover for truancy on the part of some representatives.
On the other hand, any other form of decision-making that maintains the record of individual choices provides transparent measure of the representative’s quality of decision making. It becomes easy to know how the choices made by each representative hurt or promote the interest of their constituents, supports or undermines the policy preferences of their political parties. Recorded decision-making tools also promote the emergence of ideological differentiation within the various parties in the assembly and brings into full public glare what side of issues their representatives stand on major social and economic policy debates.
Luckily for us, our Senate and House of Representatives chambers have fully installed, functional e-voting systems which can easily be put to use to put names to votes and give specific identity to decisions in our National Assembly. It must be emphasized that e-voting is just another form of recorded voting that can promote decision integrity in NASS and make our Chambers truly hallowed. It follows logically that even if the e-voting system is not employed for whatever reason, manual recording is very possible, roll call, division and several other manual forms parliamentary vote recording exist that can be utilised.
To improve on the quality of legislative representation and promote transparency and accountability at this critical stage of our democratic evolution, our Senate and House of Representatives must move away from the convenient but controversial voice voting to recorded voting. Every legislator should be identifiable with and account for the choices he or she makes on behalf of the general public, their constituents and the political parties that gave them electoral platform. It is on this score and in the interest of building the institution of parliament, that Senator Bukola Saraki should not abandon his original commitment to e-voting and thereby giving room for imputation of wrong personal motive or partisan interpretation to his role as Senate President. He owes it a duty to his tenure not to allow drift of a noble mission, and in his own words, he owes the public a legacy that will “clear any iota of doubt on the credibility of the voting process in the Senate.” There is still time for him to make good this ennobling reform.
originally published in The Nation, Feb. 23, 2018.
Transcorp Hotels Plc has been awarded “Hospitality Company of the Year 2024” at the Independent Newspapers Awards.
The editor-in-chief of Independent Newspaper, Steve Omanufeme, said the media company recognises the transformation the Transcorp brand had undergone over the years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. He said, “Such a feat has come through deliberate asset renewal, planning and reinvesting that has ensured that the company is not only able to grow revenue sustainably but also remains profitable to the admiration of shareholders and other stakeholders.”
Managing director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Uzo Oshogwe, said the hospitality company was deeply honoured to receive the award. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire team.”
We would like to express our gratitude to the Independent Newspapers for this recognition and to our valued guests, partners, and stakeholders for their continued support. We are committed to consistently raising the bar in the hospitality industry and providing our guests with unforgettable experiences.”
Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 10 suspected internet fraudsters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
Taking to its verified social media handles on Friday, EFCC said the suspects were arrested on Thursday, March 20, 2025, in a coordinated sting operation at different locations across Uyo.
“While five were arrested at Shelter Afrique, others were arrested at Ifa, off Oron Road, both in Uyo.
“Two of the arrested suspects are undergraduates, three are online cloth vendors, one forex trader and another one film director,” it stated.
Items recovered from the suspects include 21 mobile phones, six laptops, one international passport, and three luxury cars
Kogi Central constituents have described the recent court injunction obtained by the embattled Senator representing the Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving a petition for her recall, as a sign that “she has realised that she is as good as gone.”
According to the constituents, who cut across the five local government areas of the Senatorial District, once intentions are not pure, individuals are bound to commit irreversible blunders, “which is the case of Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan, even in the construction of her court injunction statement.
In a statement released on Friday by the Kogi Central Renaissance Assembly, the constituents claimed that desperation had pushed the suspended Senator to describe the recall signatures as fictitious, saying that should have been left for INEC to unravel during its verification exercise.
“It is laughable that the same person who has called the recall process a sham is the same person that has gone to tell the court to restrain the electoral umpire from receiving or acting on the petition, even when she says the signatures are fictitious.
“We understand your plight. This is last-minute desperation to save yourself the embarrassment of a recall. But we, Constituents of Kogi Central, insist that you have already embarrassed both yourself and the District, and home you shall come.
“The courts are for everybody. You can’t force yourself on us. Even you should know that this your course of action is dead on arrival,” the statement, signed by the Coordinator, KCRA, Adeku Joshua; and Secretary, Maleek Sule, said.
The Kogi Central constituents insisted that they would follow the recall process through in order to redeem their image, the image of Kogi State and that of Nigeria at large.
“We, Ebiras, are not enablers of blackmail and unruly behaviour. We stand by this recall and will see it through. The world should know that we are people of integrity. Enough of embarrassing the entire country on the world stage over ridiculous allegations backed by no evidence,” they declared.
LEADERSHIP reports that a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, had earlier this Friday, granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its staff, or agents from receiving, accepting, or acting on any petition containing what the Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan called “fictitious signatures of purported members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.”
The federal government has been dragged before the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court), sitting in Abuja, over the declaration of State of Emergency in Rivers State.
In the suit dated March 20, 2025 and marked ECW/CCJ/APP/18/25, the applicants are seeking an order of the court to set aside and/or quash the suspension of elected officials and removal of the democratic structures and institutions in Rivers State as an imperative for the enthronement of a full-fledged democratic order.
Plaintiffs in the suit, Comrade Harry Ibiso and 11 others, have on their behalf and Eastern Zone of the Ijaw Youth Council also want an order of court setting aside all decisions, actions, policies and directives given or issued by the Sole Administrator appointed by the Respondent’s President on March 18.
In the application brought pursuant to Articles III and IV of the supplementary protocol amending ECOWAS Court’s protocol; Article II of the Protocol of the court and Article 33 of the Rules of the court, the applicants averred that the Respondent’s President (President Bola Ahmed Tinubu), elected into political office, lacked the powers to remove or suspend the governor of a state, who was also elected into the office.
They held that by removing the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and members of Rivers State House of Assembly, the fundamental rights of the applicants and the people of Rivers State have been violated.
“By so doing, the defendant has unlawfully taken away the democratic rights of the applicants and that of the population of Rivers State, both individually and collectively,” they averred.
They therefore insisted that the actions of the respondent’s President have not only drowned, diffused and collapsed the constitutional rights of the applicants and the people of the state in neo-junta governance, but also put them into unconstitutional, undemocratic and arbitrary manner of governance which they cannot fit into.
“The implication therefore is that the applicants and the people of Rivers State have lost their existence and dignity as human beings, having been politically emasculated by the loss of the values that accompany democratic governance and deprived of leaders duly elected by them in the democratic space.”
The crux of the applicant’s complaint is anchored on the infringements on their rights to have a government of their choice as people of Rivers State in their individual and collective capacities as the defining constitutional order under the framework of democratic values.
According to them, the actions of the Respondent’s President does not advance the course of democracy and human rights in their contextual and contemporary forms “when national Presidents exhibit absoluteness in determining the existence and functioning of democratic systems in national sub-units by upturning and collapsing entrenched democratic systems.”
Adding, “the deliberate disruption of the democratic order in any part of the national structure questions the democratic practice and constitutional authenticity of the nation state, as the forceful removal of popular sovereignty in a part or fraction of the national landscape translates to the non-existence of liberal democracy and non-application and conformity with constitutional norms in the entire federation.
“The enthronement of an illegal and unconstitutional order in any form within a constitutional democracy threatens the very idea of freedom and precipitates loss of genuineness on the part of the state and its institutions of any legitimate claim to a constitutional democracy.
“A state of emergency cannot be guise or subterfuge for the usurpation of the executive functions of the Governor or the exercise of the law making powers of the legislature”, the applicants held.
The affidavit was disposed to by a constitutional lawyer, Chief Festus Ogwuche and others.
Meanwhile, the court is yet to fix a date for hearing in the matter.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, has revealed how it intercepted a total of $578 000 falsely declared from an inbound passenger coming into Nigeria from South Africa.
The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, John Harrison announced this while addressing journalists at the command on Friday.
He explained that the suspect, Mr. Okorie Sunday, came into the country on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, with the money undeclared and hidden in his body.
According to him, the passenger, on arriving at the airport, started acting strange, which warranted a search by the officers on duty.
“The passenger was said to have declared $279,000 and hid $299,000 on his body, bringing the total money to $578, 000. This contravenes the threshold of $10,000 approved by law,” Harrison said.
Harrison added that the suspect also concealed £100 and a counterfeit $250.
The cash that was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was jointly counted and confirmed by customs and the anti-graft agency.
The CAC highlighted that such unlawful behaviour undermines the integrity of the nation’s financial system.
Harrison mentioned that customs has provided forms at the counters of all airlines to allow passengers to make the lawful declaration.
While receiving the intercepted cash, the acting Zonal Director of EFCC Ahmed Ghali, urged members of the public to avoid such crimes advising that any cash over $10,000 should be declared as provided by law.
Ghali added that such an act exposes the country to money laundering and could make the country look like a hub for illicit financial inflows.
He added that the EFCC will investigate and verify if the money is genuine or fake while taking further investigative action.
[TNG]
If you’re scanning the crypto market for the best altcoins to buy now, you’re not alone.
With Ethereum’s Layer-2 scaling solutions gaining traction, investors are hunting for high-potential altcoins before the next bull run sends prices soaring.
I’ve been in the game long enough to know that catching the next altcoin to explode isn’t about luck, it’s about spotting market trends, liquidity, and institutional adoption before the crowd.
One project making waves is Dawgz AI, a meme coin with real utility, fast transactions, and a growing ecosystem.
5 Best Altcoins to Buy Now
From coins with solid market capitalization to those poised for explosive growth, we’ve got you covered. Below is a list with 5 best altcoins to buy now!
1. Dawgz AI: The Presale Opportunity You Can’t Miss
If you ready for a game-changing opportunity in the world of crypto assets, meet Dawgz AI, the meme coin with a twist!
Currently in presale at a price of $0.00345, $DAGZ is already making waves, offering you a chance to invest early and be part of something huge before it takes off.
This is your chance to invest in a coin that blends AI-powered technology, lightning-fast transactions, and a strong community vibe that’s bound to go big.
Whether you’re a crypto veteran or new to the scene, $DAGZ is the next big thing.
How to Buy $DAGZ:
Buying $DAGZ is super easy, and here’s how you can get started:
- Select Your Network:
Connect your wallet to either the Ethereum or Solana network. You can pay with ETH, USDT, USDC, BNB, or SOL. - Purchase Tokens: Input the amount of $DAGZ tokens you want to buy and confirm the transaction with your selected cryptocurrency (ETH or USDT).
- Consider Staking for Extra Rewards: You can stake your $DAGZ tokens for additional rewards, with staked tokens becoming available to claim eight days after the presale ends.
- Claim Your Tokens: If you prefer not to stake your tokens, you can easily claim them using the same wallet and network you used for the purchase
Why Dawgz AI?
Dawgz AI it’s a project with real utility and advanced AI-powered trading algorithms designed to deliver consistent profits for holders. Here’s why $DAGZ is a must-have:
- Meme Coin ROI: With its AI-powered technology, you’re looking at strategic investments that deliver massive growth while still keeping the fun, community-driven energy alive.
- Advanced Technology: Dawgz AI’s high-frequency trading algorithms are designed to run 24/7, 365, maximizing your returns without requiring constant monitoring.
- Accessible Investment: $DAGZ is made for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader, you can join the journey without needing deep technical knowledge.
- Community & Hype: Dawgz AI is backed by a strong community and growing hype. $DAGZ is poised to be a leader in the meme index while also delivering the profits.
2. Solana (SOL)
Solana (SOL) is steadily holding its ground in the crypto space.
Currently priced at $130.96, it has experienced a 5.96% increase in the last 24 hours, with a market cap of $66.79B.
Known for its fast transactions and low fees, Solana is becoming a popular choice.
As we approach the next bull run, analysts predict that Solana could see significant gains, especially as more users and developers continue to adopt its decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.
As adoption grows and more projects build on Solana’s platform, it remains a key altcoin to consider for long-term growth.
3. Cardano (ADA)
Cardano, currently priced at around $0.7314 and has recently seen a 6.18% increase in the past 24 hours, has carved out a solid position in the crypto world, particularly with its focus on sustainability and scalability
With a focus on sustainable blockchain development, Cardano’s ecosystem has been gaining momentum, especially with its smart contract capabilities and growing partnerships.
As the DeFi space expands, Cardano’s low fees and scalability position it well for future growth.
As the crypto industry continues to mature, Cardano’s robust ecosystem and commitment to improving scalability make it a promising option for strategic investments.
4. Dogecoin (DOGE)
Dogecoin (DOGE), currently priced at $0.1714, has seen a 4.48% increase over the last 24 hours.
Although its price tends to be more volatile compared to other major cryptos, Dogecoin continues to hold its place in the market due to its low transaction fees and its widespread recognition.
With a total supply of 148.49B DOGE and the same amount in circulating supply, Dogecoin’s price movement often reflects sentiment in the broader crypto market.
It’s not always taken seriously by traditional investors, but DOGE still enjoys a solid following, and its lighthearted nature continues to make it an interesting option in the crypto ecosystem.
5. XRP (Ripple)
XRP, currently priced at $2.51, has experienced a solid 12.21% increase in the past 24 hours, with a market cap of $146.32B.
As one of the top players in the crypto market, XRP stands out with its focus on facilitating fast, low-cost cross-border transactions.
With a circulating supply of 58.1B XRP and a total supply of 99.98B XRP, it has a large presence in the market.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges it faces, XRP continues to show strong growth and remains a key asset for those looking for crypto solutions in international payments.
Comparing Top Altcoins: Dawgz AI, Solana, Cardano, Dogecoin and XRP
When it comes to selecting the best altcoins to buy now, there are several options with unique qualities.
While Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), and XRP are all well-known, Dawgz AI ($DAGZ) is quickly becoming a strong contender with its AI-powered technology and early investment opportunity in its presale.
Dawgz AI offers an exciting chance to be part of a growing community while securing passive income from staking and benefiting from advanced AI trading algorithms.
| Cryptocurrency | Current Price | Market Cap | 24H Change | Use Case | Unique Factor |
| Solana (SOL) | $130.96 | $66.79B | +5.96% | Fast blockchain for DeFi and NFTs | High scalability, low transaction costs |
| Cardano (ADA) | $0.7314 | $25.77B | +6.18% | Sustainable blockchain with smart contracts | Focus on security and scalability |
| Dogecoin (DOGE) | $0.1714 | $25.45B | +4.48% | Meme coin with community support | Popular for fun and low transaction fees |
| XRP | $0.5713 | $30.21B | +3.69% | Cross-border payments | Strong partnerships with financial institutions |
| Dawgz AI ($DAGZ) | $0.00345 (Presale) | N/A | N/A | AI-powered trading, meme coin utility | AI-driven, passive income, staking rewards |
Which crypto coin will boom?
While it’s hard to predict with certainty, Dawgz AI ($DAGZ) is a strong contender due to its AI-powered technology and early presale momentum.
Along with Solana (SOL), which has proven scalability and XRP, known for its use in cross-border payments, Dawgz AI stands out with its unique combination of AI-driven trading and meme coin appeal.
Conclusion
As the crypto world keeps evolving, Dawgz AI is shaping up to be the best altcoin to buy now.
With its combination of real utility, AI-powered trading, and a strong, growing community, $DAGZ offers a unique opportunity for those looking to get in early.
[Vanguard]
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) says it is investigating TikTok and Truecaller over alleged data privacy violations as part of efforts to enforce compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Vincent Olatunji, the national commissioner and chief executive officer (CEO) of NDPC, said the agency is assessing the platforms’ compliance with data protection laws and would determine necessary regulatory actions based on its findings.
“As we speak, we have even gone to the extent of investigating multinationals. We are currently investigating TikTok and Truecaller in the area of data privacy,” Olatunji said.
“Depending on our findings, if they are able to go through remediation and do what is right, we are happy to work with them.”
The NDPC CEO noted said when the commission began monitoring data protection compliance, only 4 percent of organisations adhered to regulations.
He, however, said through increased enforcement and stakeholder engagement, compliance levels have now surpassed 55 percent.
Olatunji said the NDPC prioritises remediation over immediate sanctions, evaluating data breaches based on their severity, the number of individuals affected, and the potential economic impact.
Instead of publicly declaring non-compliance, he said the commission provides companies with clear corrective measures to address identified issues.
The commissioner added that organisations found in violation must keep comprehensive records of their data processing activities and rectify any lapses.
“Additionally, they are subject to monitoring for six months to a year to ensure full compliance,” he said.
Olatunji said while the commission prefers a corrective approach, it will not hesitate to enforce stricter actions if necessary.
At the press conference, the NDPC also introduced the NDPA general application and implementation directive (NDP Act GAID), a regulatory framework designed to help data controllers and processors comply with the NDPA.
Olatunji said many organisations lack understanding of data protection regulations, often leading to inadvertent breaches.
The commissioner said the NDP Act GAID addresses technical and organisational measures in the areas of data protection principles, lawful basis of data processing, NDP Act compliance audit, and data subject rights, among others.
He said the directive, which will be available on the NDPC’s portal, intends to provide clarity and reinforce the role of data protection officers in ensuring compliance.
[Thecable]
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has alerted the public on falsified Oxycontin 80mg (oxycodone hydrochloride) which it says was detected in an unregulated market in Switzerland.
The public alert with No. 07/2025 was uploaded on the agency’s website on Thursday.
The agency said the issue about falsified medicine was reported to the World Health Organisation by the genuine manufacturer, MUNDIPHARMA, in February.
It said the falsified product imitated the genuine OXYCONTIN 80mg authorised for sale in Poland, adding that the genuine OXYCONTIN (oxycodone hydrochloride) is a semi-synthetic opioid indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain.
It said laboratory tests of samples for the falsified product were conducted by the Drug Information Centre in Zurich, Switzerland, and that WHO, DIZ’s drug-checking service determined that the tablets did not contain oxycodone but a synthetic opioid likely to be a nitazene compound.
According to NAFDAC, Nitazene derivatives (e.g., metonitazene, isotonitazene, fluonitazene) are potent synthetic opioids, primarily used in research due to their high addiction potential and severe side effects.
It said these substances could be hundreds of times stronger than oxycodone, posing a high overdose risk, stressing that limited information is available on their risks, toxicity, side effects, and long-term consequences.
“The identified product in this alert is confirmed as falsified on the basis that it deliberately/fraudulently misrepresented its identity, composition, or source.
“The falsified product imitates OXYCONTIN 80mg manufactured and marketed by MUNDIPHARMA in the Polish market. MUNDIPHARMA has confirmed that the product was falsified and was not produced by their company.
“This falsified product has been found to contain undeclared nitazene compounds, which pose a significant risk due to the high likelihood of adverse events, even in small doses. Nitazenes produce similar effects to other opioids.
“Their high potency carries a high risk of overdose and death. Using nitazene derivatives has been linked to several deaths.
“Mixing them with other depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines can be very dangerous, leading to severe effects like respiratory depression, low blood pressure, coma, or even death,” NAFDAC said.
It said that this falsified product posed a particular risk to individuals with substance use disorders who might perceive this falsified product as a safe and quality-assured medicine.
NAFDAC said that visible discrepancies were observed on the falsified product such as the placement of the batch and expiry dates on the counterfeit product were incorrect.
It added that the falsified product batch and expiry date are visible on the front side of the blister strip, adding that genuine OXYCONTIN has the batch and expiry date visible on the back of the blister strip.
NAFDAC stated that on the falsified product, the expiry date is on the left and the batch number is on the right, pointing out that genuine OXYCONTIN has the batch number on the left and the expiry date on the right.
According to NAFDAC, all its zonal directors and state coordinators have been instructed to conduct surveillance and retrieve any falsified products of this medicine found within their zones and states in Nigeria.
It said that importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid importation, distribution, sale, and use of falsified OXYCONTIN tablets.
NAFDAC said that all medical products/ medical devices must be obtained from authorised/licensed suppliers, stressing that products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked.
It advised healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, or call NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
It said that healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office.
NAFDAC said that healthcare professionals and patients could also report to the agency through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Prof Pat Utomi has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s motive for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, arguing there was no ground for such a move.
In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2024, President Tinubu cited militant vandalization of pipelines and the political situation in Rivers as reasons for consigning the state to emergency rule.
The President also nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the state’s affairs after suspending Governor Siminalayi Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State.
However, Prof Utomi faulted President Tinubu’s decision in an interview on Channels Television, saying that the political crisis in Rivers did not warrant a state of emergency.
The professor of political economy asserted that even when militants in Rivers were blowing up pipelines during the previous administration, the state was not subjected to emergency rule.
Prof Utomi further questioned the president for not declaring a state of emergency in Lagos State during the crisis involving the Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and his colleagues.
“What is the problem in Rivers State that warranted a state of emergency? Tell me what it is. When pipelines were blowing up like popcorn in Rivers State, was there a state of emergency?”
Why did he not declare a state of emergency in Lagos State when the assembly was running back and forth? Why Rivers? There’s something about fairness, equity and pure decency, and I don’t see it here, and I think it’s a shame that they want to rubbish the democracy that we all fought so hard for.”
Prof Utomi also blasted the National Assembly for endorsing President Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
According to him, the endorsement was an insult to Nigerians.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in Friday as the first woman president of Namibia, which became independent 35 years ago.
Here are five things to know about the leader of this stable and mineral-rich country of around three million people in the south of the continent.
– Ruling party veteran –
NNN, as she is popularly known, is a long-time loyalist of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) that has governed Namibia since its independence from South Africa in 1990.
SWAPO’s dominance meant that there was little surprise that she won the November 2024 polls, where she took 58 per cent of votes as the party’s candidate.
Nandi-Ndaitwah became a member of the party at the age of 14, when it was leading the struggle for independence, and became its first woman president last year.
– Long government career –
Nandi-Ndaitwah entered the national assembly in 1990 and was first appointed as cabinet minister in 2000 to head the women’s and children ministry.
She has also served as minister of information, environment and tourism, and of foreign affairs, as well as deputy prime minister.
In February 2024 she was appointed vice president, the first woman to hold that post in the country.
– 72 years old –
Born in October 1952, Nandi-Ndaitwah will be sworn in at the age of 72 for a five-year term.
She will lead a largely young country with more than 70 per cent of the population aged under 34, according to the 2023 census.
NNN took over from 83-year-old Nangolo Mbumba, who came to power in February 2024 following the death of his predecessor, Hage Geingob at the age of 82.
– Conservative views –
The daughter of an Anglican pastor and educated at a mission school, Nandi-Ndaitwah has conservative views on issues like abortion, which is illegal in most cases in the largely Christian country.
Her party voted against gay marriage in 2023.
– Exile, studies in Russia, UK –
NNN spent 15 years in exile, leaving in 1974 when she was aged 21 and spending time in Zambia and Tanzania, as well as Russia, where she joined the Komsomol, a Soviet Union-era communist youth organisation.
She obtained a post-graduate diploma in public administration and management at the Glasgow College of Technology in 1987, and a master’s degree in diplomatic studies at England’s Keele University in 1989.
AFP
Skales, the Nigerian singer, has expressed his gratitude to music executive Banky W for sponsoring his university education.
In a post via X, the ‘Shake Body’ hitmaker shared a photo of his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration certificate, revealing he graduated from Lead City University years ago but only recently received it.
Skales dedicated the certificate to his mother and thanked Banky W for his kindness.
“Aye, my BSc showed up after many years of graduation,” he wrote.
“This is for my mother and thank you to @BankyW for sponsoring the boy through school.”
Skales gained recognition after winning the North Central region of the Zain Tru Search contest in 2008.
He later signed with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) record label in 2009, alongside other notable artistes like Wizkid and Niyola.
Banky W, who co-founded E.M.E with Tunde Demuren in 2002, has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of several successful Nigerian artistes.
In addition to his work as a music executive, Banky W has also had a successful music career, releasing his debut album ‘Back in the Building’ in 2005.
He gained widespread recognition with hits like ‘Ebute Metta’. His work has earned him an avalanche of awards.
Banky W also ventured into politics.
[TheCable]
The highly anticipated Nigerian Idol Season 10, themed “Rise to Victory,” is set to premiere on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. across all Africa Magic channels. This season welcomes Iyanya as a new judge alongside returning judges Omawumi and Ric Hassani.
The show will run from April 20 to July 13, 2025, with auditions and theatre-week episodes airing on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv Channel 49 until July 14, 2025. The highly anticipated live shows will commence on May 25, 2025.
Adding to the excitement, Camosunate Antimalaria joins the list of sponsors for the first time.
Speaking at a press briefing, MultiChoice’s Executive Head of Content and Channels for West Africa, Busola Tejumola, emphasized the show’s impact on the Nigerian music industry.
“This year is special. It marks a decade—ten years—of Nigerian Idol, a platform that has transformed lives and helped shape the future of Nigerian music. Our theme this season, ‘Your Voice, Your Victory,’ celebrates passion, resilience, and the power of self-expression.
Nigerian Idol has not only launched incredible music careers but has also contributed significantly to Nigeria’s creative economy, providing opportunities for artists, producers, stylists, content creators, and industry professionals. At MultiChoice, we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of Nigerian music stars.”
Tejumola further revealed that Ike Osakioduwa will return as host for the fifth consecutive season, bringing his signature energy and wit to the show.
On the addition of Iyanya as a judge, she said: “Ric and Omawumi bring deep industry experience, mentorship, and invaluable insights to the competition. We are also thrilled to welcome Iyanya, an experienced singer, songwriter, and performer, who will bring a fresh perspective to the judging panel.”
The season finale is set for Sunday, July 13, 2025, when Nigeria’s next big music star will be crowned.