President Bola Tinubu is set to leave Abuja on Wednesday for Paris, France, for a private visit, after which he will travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the African Union summit.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that while in Addis Ababa, President Tinubu will participate in the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State, scheduled from February 12 to 16, 2025.

“The president will arrive in Addis Ababa early next week for the African Union summit,” Onanuga said in a statement.

Onanuga also noted that President Tinubu is expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to France.

Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has stated that regular blood donors may live up to five years longer than those who do not donate regularly.

Prof. Titi Adeyemo, the Head of the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at LUTH, made this claim on Wednesday during a voluntary blood donation event at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) office in Lagos.

Prof. Adeyemo, also a Consultant Haematologist, explained that donating blood helps keep the bone marrow active, which in turn helps individuals stay younger.

Read Also: Tinubu Approves New Retirement Age For Doctors, Healthcare Workers

She lamented that Nigeria still heavily relies on family replacement donors, where relatives are forced to donate blood, and urged people to donate blood regularly instead of waiting for emergencies.

She noted that the department regularly participates in blood donation drives upon invitation to supplement the blood generated within the hospital.

According to her, it is safe for people aged 18 to 65 to donate blood three or four times a year, and that regular blood donation keeps the bone marrow active, which promotes overall health and longevity.

She also highlighted that studies suggest regular blood donors live five years longer than those who do not donate because their bone marrow is continually renewed.

In his remarks, Mr. Adeyinka Adewale, the Unit Head of Blood Donor Recruitment at LUTH, emphasized the need for more Nigerians to develop the habit of voluntary blood donation.

He pointed out the lack of awareness in the country about the importance of regular blood donation and called for more advocacy to educate Nigerians on the life-saving benefits of donating blood voluntarily.

He noted that voluntary blood donation not only saves lives but also helps maintain a steady supply of blood for medical use when needed.

Adewale further explained that voluntary blood donation helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, and depression, and can lead to a longer, healthier life.

He also mentioned that regular blood donors benefit from periodic medical check-ups, which encourage healthier lifestyles.

He added that people can donate blood every three months, which means they can donate up to three or four times per year.

He highlighted that blood is crucial for both planned treatments and emergency medical interventions, and that it supports complex surgeries, helps in the treatment of wounded individuals during emergencies, and plays an essential role in maternal and perinatal care.

Therefore, he emphasized the need for more people to donate blood to improve access to safe, readily available blood.

Adewale thanked the NAN staff for their strong participation in the event, noting that NAN had been a regular donor for over six years.

One of the regular blood donors, Oladapo Udom, an Assistant Chief Correspondent at NAN, expressed that donating blood gives him joy because it helps save lives.

He shared that he had been donating blood regularly for the past three years, and that the act keeps him fit and rejuvenates his body.

Udom also acknowledged that some people refuse to donate blood due to superstitions, while others may not be medically fit to do so.

However, he encouraged those who are eligible to donate blood, as they could unknowingly save a life.

President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years.

Dr. Mannir Bature, the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Bature explained that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has been instructed to formally present the approval to the Council on Establishment through the Office of the Head of Service for finalization.

Read Also: Tinubu Increases 2025 Budget To ₦54.2tn

The policy shift was conveyed by Pate during a high-level meeting with NMA President Prof. Bala Audu and other key health sector stakeholders.

The meeting also included leaders from the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

Bature stated that the discussions focused on advancements in the welfare of doctors and healthcare professionals.

He further noted that the Coordinating Minister confirmed that the arrears from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) are set to be paid soon, with the necessary funds already secured.

The minister also mentioned that President Tinubu had approved the correction of consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), following the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The process to implement these corrections is nearing completion, providing significant relief to doctors and healthcare workers.

Additionally, Bature highlighted that following a comprehensive review initiated by the NMA, new tariffs for healthcare service providers have been approved, which will particularly benefit members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), ensuring improved financial remuneration and sustainability for healthcare services across the country.

The Coordinating Minister expressed gratitude for the cooperation and patience of all stakeholders and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of healthcare workers.

Pate also emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s health sector.

Attendees at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for the welfare of healthcare workers and ensuring the full implementation of key reforms.

The NMA has long advocated for raising the retirement age for healthcare workers to 65 to address brain drain, improve knowledge transfer, and ensure better healthcare delivery.

National strikes had been declared by various health associations and unions over the non-implementation of CONMESS and CONHESS for doctors and healthcare workers.

President Bola Tinubu has increased the proposed 2025 budget from ₦49.7 trillion to ₦54.2 trillion, attributing the rise to additional revenue generated by key government agencies.

The President communicated this adjustment in separate letters to both the Senate and the House of Representatives, which were read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

According to President Tinubu, the budget increase is due to ₦1.4 trillion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), ₦1.2 trillion from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and ₦1.8 trillion from other government-owned agencies.

Following the announcement, the Senate President referred the President’s request to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for urgent consideration.

He reassured lawmakers that the budget would be finalized and passed before the end of February.

This move is expected to prompt the National Assembly to expedite deliberations to ensure the 2025 budget is approved and implemented on time.

The leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly remains unresolved since the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa on January 13, 2025.

Currently, some members of the Assembly have traveled to Abuja for talks with President Bola Tinubu regarding the ongoing leadership issues within the Assembly.

On Monday, February 3, members of the Governor’s Advisory Council and the Lagos State House of Assembly convened at Lagos House Marina to discuss the situation.

Read Also: El-Rufai Accuses Kaduna Governor Of Backing Tinubu For Personal Gains

While the specific agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, it is expected that the aftermath of Obasa’s removal would be a key topic.

Obasa’s removal by 32 members of the House has led to political tensions and sparked controversy in Lagos State politics.

The Department of State Services (DSS) became involved on January 30, 2025, after a petition allegedly filed by Obasa, claiming his removal was politically motivated and involved accusations of misconduct, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement.

After questioning the lawmakers for several hours, the DSS released all the detained members late Thursday.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has strongly criticized his successor, Uba Sani, accusing him of sycophancy and trying to gain favor with President Bola Tinubu for personal benefit.

El-Rufai’s comments came after Sani expressed surprise during a TVC News interview on Monday at the growing criticism of Tinubu’s administration from some founding members of the All Progressives Congress.

In a response posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, El-Rufai claimed that Sani’s consistent support for Tinubu was tied to over N150 billion in federal reimbursements received by Kaduna State over the past 18 months.

El-Rufai wrote, “Every day I see this governor embarrassingly and sycophantically rambling, I used to wonder why? However, confirming that Federal Government ‘reimbursements, interventions, and grants’ in excess of N150bn have been given selectively to Kaduna by Tinubu in the last 18 months now explains everything.”

He added, “By all means, defend Asiwaju for the conditional cash transfer. Asiwaju has earned it, coming from you. The people of Kaduna State will judge at the right time and place. Have a nice day.”

In the interview, Sani had criticized some APC members for publicly opposing Tinubu’s policies, calling their actions “unfortunate” and “undemocratic.”

He expressed surprise at the coalition of politicians making such remarks, with some even urging people to oppose the government in ways he considered undemocratic.

Sani challenged the critics of Tinubu, suggesting that if they believed they had enough support, they should wait until the 2027 elections to try to unseat the president. “Any politician who feels he is popular or can defeat Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the APC should work hard and present themselves in the next election,” Sani said.

The Senate has appointed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) as the first Chairman of the Senate Committee on the newly created South-East Development Commission (SEDC), one of the regional development commissions. Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja.

Kalu, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Privatisation, will now oversee the SEDC. Additionally, Senator Ken Eze (Ebonyi Central) was named as the vice chairman of the committee.

Akpabio mentioned that the remaining members of the committee would be announced later.

Kalu, who had previously led the screening of nominees for the management of both the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) and SEDC, is now responsible for guiding the commission’s efforts in addressing civil restitution, combating erosion, restoring security, and improving infrastructure in the South-East region.

In another development, the Senate also approved the board members of the SEDC, as presented by Senator Kalu.

The 18-member board will be chaired by Dr. Emeka Nworgu, with Hon. Mark Okoye appointed as the Managing Director and CEO. Other confirmed board members include Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Kzenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali, Kumo Edward David Onoja, and Orure Kufre Inima.

Further appointments include Daniel Akwari, Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma, Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka (Executive Director, Finance), Chief Sylvester Okonkwo (Executive Director, Corporate Services), and Hon.

Toby Okechukwu (Executive Director, Projects). Senator Anthony Agbo was appointed as Executive Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, while Dr. Clifford Ogbede will serve as Executive Director of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development at the SEDC.

The federal government has approved the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to ratify the African Medicines Agency (AMA) treaty.

During a briefing with State House correspondents, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, shared that the approval was granted at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Tuesday.

Minister Pate explained that the African Union Heads of State and Government introduced the treaty at their 32nd meeting in Addis Ababa in February 2019. To date, 37 African Union member states have signed the treaty, and 26 have ratified it.

The FEC has now directed Nigeria to ratify the treaty and take all necessary actions to implement it.

Read Also: Former NCDC Boss Ihekweazu Appointed Acting WHO Regional Director For Africa

The treaty aims to enhance the regulatory capacities of participating countries regarding medical products, increasing access to safe and quality medical services.

It also seeks to establish common standards across the continent, creating a Pan-African regulatory framework.

This, Pate noted, would expand markets for products manufactured within Africa, benefiting both Nigeria and other African nations through mutual trade.

In addition to the treaty approval, the FEC also approved six contracts for major diagnostic equipment, including three Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines and two CT scan machines.

These will be installed at various institutions, including the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom, the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, and several other universities and medical centers across Nigeria.

Pate emphasized that Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure is gradually improving, particularly at teaching hospitals, and noted that people from across Africa, as well as from places like the United Kingdom and the United States, are now coming to Nigeria for high-quality healthcare.

He expressed confidence that the transformation in Nigeria’s healthcare system, as promised by the president, is underway and that continued investments in the sector are essential for sustaining this progress.