A boat accident in the Republic of Cameroon has claimed at least 20 lives, including 18 Nigerians travelling to a community in Adamawa
State.

The boat, said to have been travelling from Garoua in Cameroon to Yola in Nigeria, capsized after encountering a violent storm late
Monday night, it was learnt on Tuesday evening.

Witnesses said the boat, which was carrying more than 50 passengers, was also heavily loaded with iron rods and other building materials
meant for Dasin, a village in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

They recounted that the boat was caught in a severe storm around midnight, causing it to overturn. Initial estimates indicated that about
30 people might have died, but local authorities have so far confirmed that about 20 victims have been killed.

Among the deceased, the 18 identified as Nigerians have been buried in Wuro Bokki community in Fufore LGA, according to reliable sources,
while search and rescue operations continue for passengers who are yet to be accounted for.

Divers from both Cameroon and Nigeria are said to be involved in the search, while many survivors are receiving treatment at hospitals in border communities.

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Garba Maidoki, senator representing Kebbi south, has called for the inclusion of traditional medicine in a bill seeking to overhaul
Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory framework.

He argues that indigenous healing practices remain relevant, particularly in rural communities.

The senator spoke on Tuesday during debate on a bill seeking to repeal the Food, Drug and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act and the
Food and Drug Act, and replace them with a single legal framework for regulating food, medicines and other products that affect public health.

‘MOST RURAL DWELLERS RELY ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINE’

Speaking in support of the bill sponsored by Sadiq Umar, senator representing Kwara north, Maidoki said the legislation should also
recognise traditional medicine.

“I rise to also support this motion ably sponsored by Senator Suleiman Sadiq. This motion, as my colleague said, is apt, is timely,
and is in good faith to modernise the practice of food and drug registration in Nigeria,” he said.

“But Mr. President, I want to bring to your attention that even though this is modernised, we have not seen anything on this bill
concerning traditional medicine.

“Concerning traditional medicine, sir, most of our rural dwellers, most of them rely mostly on this traditional medicine.

“And I think it is high time that we have a law that also allows traditional medicine to be implemented.

“Holistically, if this is done, we will also reduce the cost of importation of drugs from foreign nations, and we will rely mostly on our
own indigenous herbs and medication by our own native doctors.”

Maidoki said incorporating traditional medicine into the legal framework would reduce dependence on imported medicines.

He added that the bill’s sponsor, a pharmacist, should work towards integrating traditional practitioners into the country’s healthcare
system.

“I think if this is done, the pharmacist Senator Suleiman will be able to incorporate these people and make this holistic,” he said.

The lawmaker said some ailments are better treated with herbal remedies than orthodox medicine.

“Even some of us that are senators, sometimes we rely, we go to herbal medicine to help us with one ailment or the other, which sometimes
the modern medicine has no answer. Like if your ancestors decide to talk to you, you need a native doctor to intercede on your behalf,” he added.

Maidoki’s remarks elicited laughter in the senate chamber.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio responded in a light-hearted manner.

“Thank you, Distinguished Senator Garba. The native doctor will intercede between you and the ancestor,” he said.

“It’s actually baffling that this was part of the African religion, but when the white people came, they now told us that we don’t need
our ancestors, but I think from what you are saying, you are still using your ancestors.”

The bill later passed second reading after receiving the support of lawmakers.

If enacted, the legislation will repeal two existing food and drug laws and establish a unified regulatory framework covering food,
medicines, vaccines, medical devices and other products that affect public health.

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The United States is set to announce a landmark 30-year nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, aimed at establishing a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom, according to reports from US media outlets.

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The Federal Government has announced plans to implement 112 as Nigeria’s nationwide emergency telephone number, aiming to unify and strengthen the country’s emergency response system.

The initiative was disclosed in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), following a meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and a delegation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at the Presidential Villa.

The move comes days after the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Shettima, approved the adoption of 112 across all levels of government and agencies.

Shettima directed the NCC to develop a roadmap for implementation and to collaborate with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to improve coordination nationwide.

“The Vice President assured the delegation that the project would be sustained, with funding mobilised through NEC and private sector support,” the statement read.

NCC Chairman Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe noted that about 35 Emergency Communications Centres had already been established across the country, but urged greater support from governors, the police, ambulance services, and NEMA to keep them operational.

He stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on collective commitment:“Everyone is expected to buy into this initiative. It is a patriotic duty to ensure that anyone in distress can get help swiftly.”

The adoption of 112 is expected to streamline emergency response, reduce delays, and provide Nigerians with a single, reliable number for police, fire, medical, and disaster-related emergencies.

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike,
on Wednesday, declared that working with him is very difficult.

Wike explained that contractors and those working with him
must show that they have the capacity.

He spoke during the inauguration of the Federal High Court
Judges’ Quarters in Katampe area of Abuja to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third
year in office.

Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at
the event.

Wike said: “Anything that is good is good, nobody that will
come here, no matter how wicked or appreciate that you are, will say Mr
President thank you for doing this. We all understand how Mr President feels
about the judiciary.”

Wike also noted that the judiciary needs a conducive
environment to work, adding that the welfare of judicial officers would ensure
the sector’s independence and rule of law.

He added: “The judiciary can’t be independent without giving
them a befitting environment to work, improving their welfare and these are the
things that would make the independence of the judiciary and uphold the rule of
law.”

The minister noted that glassiness that Tinubu’s
administration is changing the narrative.

“I pity the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, you know
working with me is very difficult because you really have to show that you have
the capacity to deliver.

“The contractors have said so and I think I have been here
more than 20 times supervising this project and letting him know that if you
collect our money during the rainy season, you must also work during the rainy
season, no excuses.

“You can also empower those who said that they are rain
doctors, go and bring them so that there be no rain. I’m happy this project is
completed within the time scheduled.”

He further urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court
to ensure proper use of the facility.

“But I will appeal to the Chief Judge of the Federal High
Court, this the Federal government has provided and I believe that when we come
back here in the next one year it will still look like this.

“We have the problem of maintenance culture, most people say
it’s lacking in us but I don’t want to believe so; I believe that if you have
your own private house, the way you will keep it is the same way you will keep
wherever you are staying.

“It’s very important that we keep the standard the way it is
and ensure that we will be happy when we come back in the next one year,” he
added.

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