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March 18, 2025 WHO Warns of Imminent Treatment Shortages for Nigerian HIV Patients and Others

WHO Warns of Imminent Treatment Shortages for Nigerian HIV Patients and Others

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Monday that Nigeria is one of eight countries at risk of depleting its HIV treatment supplies in the near future, a crisis exacerbated by the Trump administration’s decision to suspend U.S. foreign aid. According to Reuters, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus highlighted Nigeria, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ukraine as nations facing “substantial disruptions” in their HIV treatment pipelines due to the funding freeze.

Speaking at a press conference, Ghebreyesus cautioned that these interruptions could unravel two decades of progress in combating HIV. “The disruptions to HIV programs could lead to over 10 million additional cases and three million HIV-related deaths,” he stated. The U.S. aid pause, enacted shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, has also hampered efforts to address polio, malaria, and tuberculosis in affected regions.

Beyond HIV, the WHO raised alarms about the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, a critical system with over 700 sites worldwide, which now faces potential closure due to funding shortages. This threat looms as measles cases surge in the United States, underscoring the timing’s severity. Ghebreyesus urged the U.S. to manage its withdrawal of direct funding responsibly, saying, “The United States has a duty to ensure this is done in an orderly and humane way, giving countries time to secure alternative resources.”

The ripple effects extend further. In Afghanistan, the WHO reported that 80% of its supported essential healthcare services could shut down without immediate funding. As of March 4, 167 health facilities had already closed, with over 220 more at risk by June if the situation persists. Meanwhile, the U.S.’s planned exit from the WHO—typically a source of about one-fifth of the agency’s annual budget—has forced hiring freezes and spending cuts. On Monday, the WHO announced it would slash its emergency operations funding target from $1.2 billion to $872 million for the 2026-2027 budget period.

The mounting challenges signal a precarious moment for global health, with Nigeria and other vulnerable nations bracing for the fallout.

March 18, 2025 Explosion Hits Trans-Niger Pipeline in Rivers State

Explosion Hits Trans-Niger Pipeline in Rivers State

A powerful explosion tore through a segment of the Trans-Niger Pipeline in the Bodo Community, located in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, late Monday night, further escalating the region’s mounting challenges. The blast, reported near the under-construction Bodo-Bonny Road, has intensified concerns amid an ongoing political crisis in the state.

A widely circulated video captured the aftermath, revealing dense black smoke billowing into the sky and a fierce fire rapidly engulfing the surrounding mangrove. The incident follows threats by unidentified militants to target oil infrastructure in Rivers, a warning linked to the state’s deepening political unrest.

When reached for comment, Grace Iringe-Koko, the Rivers State Police spokesperson, stated she was unaware of the situation but promised to investigate and provide an update later. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the explosion, and the cause remains unclear, heightening anxiety in an already volatile region.

March 18, 2025 Lagos PDP Slams Jandor for Rejoining APC

Lagos PDP Slams Jandor for Rejoining APC

The Lagos State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticized Dr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, after he rejoined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Jandor, the PDP’s governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, announced his return to the APC during a press conference in Lagos on Monday. His defection follows his resignation from the PDP on March 3, 2025, when he cited a lack of discipline and betrayal by party leaders as reasons for his exit.

Jandor, who leads the Lagos4Lagos Movement, was once an APC member before switching to the PDP ahead of the 2023 polls. In an interview with our correspondent on Monday, Lagos PDP Deputy Chairman Tai Benedict dismissed Jandor as a disloyal outsider, alleging he was an APC “agent” planted to sabotage the PDP. “He was never one of us,” Benedict claimed. “From the moment I met him, I suspected he was sent by the APC to undermine our party, especially since we had a strong chance of winning that election. He denied it, but time proved me right.”

Benedict accused Jandor of sowing discord within the PDP from the start, disrupting its unity and securing the governorship ticket through questionable means. “He came in, attacked our leaders, and destabilized a united party all the way to the national level,” he said. “It’s unprecedented—he even handpicked his running mate, Funke Akindele, claiming her three million Instagram followers would guarantee victory. Yet, we ended up with just 62,000 votes.” Benedict expressed relief at Jandor’s departure, adding, “Losing members isn’t ideal, but when someone like Jandor leaves, it’s a blessing.”

In contrast, the APC warmly embraced Jandor’s return, with Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo describing him as “a vibrant young man” reconnecting with his political roots. Speaking on Monday, Oladejo said the APC was eager to collaborate with Jandor, emphasizing the party’s progressive track record in Lagos. “He joined us with ambition, but the PDP couldn’t deliver on his goals—it’s a party consistently rejected by Lagosians,” Oladejo remarked. “We’re confident he can contribute to our ongoing success and the growth of our party.”

Oladejo also hinted at more defections to come, stating, “As we near the next election, we expect additional politicians to join us.” He brushed off the PDP’s claim that Jandor was an APC mole, calling it a sign of the opposition’s desperation. “The PDP is a party in perpetual crisis, incapable of organizing itself, let alone governing,” he said. “Lagos voters are sophisticated—they see through these excuses for incompetence and failure to mobilize support.”

Jandor’s defection marks a significant shift in Lagos politics, highlighting the PDP’s struggles and the APC’s dominance as the state gears up for future elections.

 

March 18, 2025 Rivers State Blames Pro-Wike Lawmakers for Obstructing Fubara’s Agenda, Cites Supreme Court Ruling

Rivers State Blames Pro-Wike Lawmakers for Obstructing Fubara’s Agenda, Cites Supreme Court Ruling

The Rivers State Government has accused the State House of Assembly of deliberately undermining Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s efforts to implement a Supreme Court ruling addressing the state’s ongoing political crisis. The charge came from the Commissioner for Information, Joe Johnson, on Monday, in response to claims by Enemi Alabo-George, Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Information, who alleged that Fubara was delaying the process.

Johnson countered that the Assembly has repeatedly ignored official correspondence from the governor, despite his persistent attempts to engage. He pointed to video evidence showing state officials attempting to deliver documents, only to be rebuffed by lawmakers. Some of these letters, Johnson noted, were even published in national newspapers to ensure transparency. He dismissed Alabo-George’s demand for acknowledgment copies of the correspondence, arguing that none could be provided since the Assembly never accepted the documents in the first place.

Addressing recent accusations of gross misconduct leveled against Fubara and his deputy, Johnson said the executive branch has yet to receive any formal communication from the Assembly on the matter. He emphasized that the governor remains committed to peace, as demonstrated by his compliance with a court order transitioning power from elected local government chairmen to Heads of Local Government Administrations. Fubara, he added, is also prepared to implement additional directives from the Supreme Court once he receives the Certified True Copy of the judgment.

However, Johnson accused the Assembly of responding with antagonism, including issuing ultimatums to both the governor and the state electoral commission. He labeled these moves as calculated attempts to incite chaos, noting that legal experts have questioned their legitimacy. The commissioner further criticized the Assembly’s recent push to investigate the Chief Judge, arguing that such actions reveal misplaced priorities that do not serve the state’s interests.

From the outset, Johnson asserted, the lawmakers—many of whom are seen as loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike—have pursued self-serving agendas rather than focusing on governance and the welfare of Rivers State residents. The escalating tensions highlight the deepening rift between the executive and legislative arms amid the state’s political turmoil.

READ ALSO: Rivers Assembly Issues Misconduct Notice to Fubara and Deputy

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