By Abiemwense Moru, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Each year, the globe commemorates World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD) on June 19, an event to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), one of the most common hereditary blood disorders in the world.

The theme of the global observance for 2025 is “Global Action, Local Impact: Empowering Communities for Effective Self-Advocacy”, resonating across the corridors of academia, clinical settings and advocacy platforms.

SCD is a group of inherited blood disorders characterised by abnormally shaped red blood cells that resemble crescents or sickles.

The cells can block blood flow, causing severe anaemia, episodes of severe pain, recurrent infections, as well as medical emergencies like strokes, sepsis or organ failure.

In Nigeria, home to the largest population of people affected by SCD, the day carries a deeper, more urgent significance.

The burden of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the country continues to strain the nation’s healthcare resources and families affected by the disorder.

This growing challenge calls for comprehensive and sustained intervention across prevention, treatment and education.

Without urgent action, including newborn screening, public awareness and access to advanced therapies, the impact on families and the healthcare system will continue to deepen.

It is a timely call for national unity in curbing the spread of this life-altering disease and improving the lives of those who live with it daily.

With an estimated 150,000 Nigerian children born each year with the disorder, according to Harvard’s Dr Maureen Achebe, the country finds itself at the epicenter of a public health crisis.

While prevention remains the ideal, early diagnosis through newborn screening is a practical and effective tool that could reduce mortality among children under five.

Achebe, a renowned hematologist and global health equity advocate from Harvard, said “these babies look normal at birth”, warning that without early detection, mortality rates could reach 50–80 per cent before the age of five, a heartbreaking figure in a country with already strained healthcare infrastructure.

“Newborn screening helps identify those with SCD early so they can receive care and therapy to live normal lives,” she added.

She advocated nationwide newborn screening programme, alongside routine preventive care such as vaccination, folic acid supplementation, and prophylaxis against infections like pneumonia and malaria.

She also dispelled cultural myths surrounding the disease, stating unequivocally that SCD is an inherited genetic disorder, not a curse or result of witchcraft, a reminder of the persistent social stigma surrounding the condition in many communities.

At the heart of Nigeria’s strategy to reduce the prevalence of SCD is prevention, and according to Prof. Patricia Lar, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja (formerly UniAbuja), genetic compatibility awareness must be the foundation of preventive approach.

Lar spoke through Prof. Titus Ibekwe, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, during a public lecture titled “The Evolving Therapeutic Landscape in Sickle Cell Disease,”

She emphasised the importance of prevention as the most effective strategy in eliminating Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Nigeria.

She stressed that “seriously considering partner compatibility could reduce the disease to only carriers, discouraging marriages between incompatible partners.

“If we maintain this precautionary measure over time, we will be able to eliminate SCD or reduce it to a minimum world-wide ,” she added.

This message is echoed in the advocacy efforts of Mrs Aisha Edward-Maduagwu, the National Coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder.

She called for the strict enforcement of genotype compatibility checks, especially in states like Anambra, where legislation exists but implementation lags.

“Our association has made significant strides advocating for the rights and welfare of people living with SCD.

“We urge prospective couples to prioritise genotype testing and ensure compatibility before marriage,” she said.

Beyond bone marrow transplants, gene therapy is emerging as the next frontier, according to Lar.

“This revolutionary treatment aims to correct the sickle cell gene itself, potentially offering a one-time cure.

“This is where the future of SCD treatment lies,” she noted. “It modifies the faulty gene to function like a normal gene, potentially eliminating the disease at its source.”

In recent years, the emergence of curative treatments, though limited by cost, has brought renewed hope to families affected by SCD.

The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has taken significant steps forward, with successful bone marrow transplants performed since 2024.

Dr Adeseye Akinsete, a pediatric hematologist at LUTH, confirmed that all transplanted patients are alive and well, and that the centre is preparing for a third cycle in August 2025.

“This represents a major breakthrough in the country’s medical landscape.

“We are proving that advanced therapies can be delivered locally. Nigerians are beginning to trust and participate in these programmes,” he said.

Akinsete added that LUTH also offers post-transplant support services, including virtual consultations for patients outside Lagos, and has established a dedicated transplant clinic that follows up with patients who received care both locally and abroad.

The Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training (CESRTA) at Yakubu Gowon University is playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between research and care.

Since its inception in 2015, CESRTA has worked to provide clinical and translational research, skills training, and community outreach.

Prof. Obiageli Nnodu, CESRTA Director and Co-Chair of the 5th Global Congress on SCD, highlighted the Centre’s collaborations with both local and international partners and its mission to make advanced SCD care more accessible and affordable.

Following the recent global congress, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced the upgrading of CESRTA to the National Centre of Excellence for SCD Research and Training, recognising its impact on national policy, research, and education.

In spite of the scientific and medical advances, the social and economic barriers to quality care for SCD patients remain significant.

Dotun Oladipupo, Chairman of the Oladipupo Foundation in Abeokuta, says medication for managing sickle cell was extremely expensive.

“Many families cannot afford life-saving therapies. This must change.”

Oladipupo called on the Federal Government to invest more in alternative medicine research, as well as to promote inclusive legislation that gives people with SCD access to equal job opportunities, education, and healthcare.

“We also need bills that protect the rights of those living with the disease, so that stigma and discrimination no longer define their everyday experience,” he said.

The unifying thread running through the events, speeches, and expert recommendations marking World Sickle Cell Day 2025 is clear: community empowerment is essential for lasting change.

Whether through genotype testing campaigns, newborn screening, accessible treatments, or public education, the solutions must be people-centered and government-supported.

As Nigeria leads the global conversation on SCD by necessity, it must also lead by example, transforming advocacy into action, policy into practice, and awareness into impact.

There is hope. There is progress. But more importantly, there is a renewed determination to ensure that future generations are born not just with knowledge of SCD, but with the power and tools to defeat it.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

World Refugee Day, celebrated every June 20, is dedicated to refugees around the world.

The day was held globally for the first time in 2001 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

World Refugee Day was originally known as Africa Refugee Day before the United Nations General Assembly officially designated it as an international day in December 2000.

This year’s commemoration marks another solemn yet vital observance of World Refugee Day, an occasion dedicated to honouring the strength, courage, and resilience of millions forced to flee their homes.

Under the theme, “Solidarity with Refugees,” the global community is turning its attention to a fundamental human right often tragically denied in times of displacement: access to comprehensive healthcare.

Stakeholders say access to healthcare by refugees is a call to action, urging nations to stand in unwavering solidarity with those seeking safety, ensuring that health is not a privilege but a universal entitlement.

They also warn that the global landscape of forced displacement continues to present an unprecedented challenge.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that although modest progress had been made, increased conflicts and disasters in many parts of the world remain a challenge.

“As protracted displacement rises, many fleeing conflict and disasters are spending over a decade awaiting legal recognition.

“More than 70 per cent are hosted in low- and middle-income countries, often in urban areas, where legal, financial, and structural barriers hinder access to health.”

It said women and children bear the brunt of displacement, noting that over 47 million children are facing disrupted access to health, education, and protection.

“Women and newborns’ lives are at heightened risk with disrupted maternal and essential care as barriers to access increase.

“Notably, refugees are not only recipients of care- they are scientists, health workers, and leaders who enrich the social and economic fabric of both host and origin countries,” WHO said.

It also said it stood in solidarity with more than 123 million forcibly displaced people worldwide; reaffirming that health was a fundamental human right, essential to dignity, protection, and inclusion.

Health officials say that while exact figures for 2025 are still emerging, the trend observed over recent years points to persistently high numbers of individuals uprooted by conflict, persecution, and natural disasters.

“Millions find themselves living in precarious conditions, often in host communities or camps with stretched resources, where basic amenities, let alone specialised medical care, are a distant dream,” a health official said.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said “Health for All” for refugees means more than just treating illnesses; it encompasses a holistic approach to well-being.

It said it means ensuring access to primary healthcare services, including vaccinations, maternal and child health, and essential medicines.

It also demands robust mental health and psychosocial support to address the profound trauma of displacement, loss, and uncertainty.

The UNHCR said solidarity is the bedrock upon which “Health for All” can be built, adding that it signifies a collective responsibility that extends beyond borders and political divides.

“Solidarity means honouring refugees not just with words but with actions. It means listening deeply, making space for their stories; it means standing up for their right to seek safety and for solutions to their plight.

“But above all, solidarity means saying, clearly and courageously, that refugees are not alone and that we will not turn our backs.

“Refugees are not looking for charity; they seek opportunity and self-advancement; when given the chance, they become integral, valuable and productive members of the communities that welcome them.”

UNHCR also highlights that “Every refugee carries a unique story of pain, loss, and unimaginable strength. They are not defined by what they’ve lost, but by the courage with which they rebuild.”

Advocates for refugee rights say international organisations, such as UNHCR and WHO, play a crucial role in coordinating aid and advocating refugee rights.

They also said solidarity extends to host communities, who often bear the immediate brunt of large influxes of people yet frequently demonstrate remarkable generosity.

Karen Gulick, Ag. Representative of the UNHCR Multi-Country Office for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, said refugees need solidarity more now than before.

“At a time of global uncertainty, with record numbers of forcibly displaced people and critical funding gaps, it is more important than ever to show solidarity with refugees,” she said.

She also called on governments to enact inclusive policies, allocate adequate resources, and strengthen health infrastructure.

In a message to commemorate the day, Save the Children UK echoed Gulick’s message, stressing the need for displaced children to access quality education.

“This year’s World Refugee Day is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with refugees and their communities around the world. Their quality education hinges on one crucial factor: their teachers.”

As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate the 2025 World Refugee Day, activists say it should be reminded of its challenge of grappling with a significant refugee and internally displaced person (IDP) crisis.

The ongoing insurgency in the North-East, particularly the activities of Boko Haram and other armed groups, has resulted in massive internal displacement.

Millions of Nigerians remain displaced within the country, facing severe humanitarian challenges in addition to hosting refugees from neighbouring countries fleeing similar conflicts.

Nonetheless, Gov. Babagana  Zulum of Borno recently disclosed plans to resettle more than 50,000 farmers displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Koshebe area and its environs back to their ancestral homes to boost agricultural activities in the state.

Zulum said that with gradual return of peace in the state, after the gruesome massacre against farmers in Koshebe, the Federal Government, through the North East Development Commission, decided to construct roads to enhance agricultural activities and ensure the resettlement of displaced persons in the area which is favourable for rice farming.

Zulum said the purpose of resettling the farmers back to Koshebe after the relative peace was to give them an opportunity to cultivate their farmlands.

According to the Journal of Migration and Health, the health situation for these displaced populations in Nigeria is critical.

“Camps and host communities often lack adequate sanitation and safe drinking water, leading to outbreaks of cholera, measles, and other communicable diseases.

“Malnutrition, especially among children, is rampant, compounding vulnerability to illness.

“Mental health trauma, stemming from violence, loss of loved ones, and prolonged uncertainty, is pervasive yet often goes unaddressed due to limited resources and stigma.

“Access to functioning health facilities is severely constrained, with many clinics damaged or non-existent in conflict-affected areas; even where facilities exist, they are frequently understaffed and lack essential supplies.”

Despite these challenges, the Nigerian government, often in partnership with UNHCR and numerous local and international non-government organisations (NGOs), has made efforts to assist.

Analysts say such collaborations have led to the establishment of temporary health posts, conducting vaccination campaigns, and distributing essential medicines.

“The 2025 theme resonates deeply within Nigeria, emphasising the need for increased international support, strategic funding, and innovative solutions to reach every displaced individual with the care they desperately need,” an analyst said.

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) recently took a significant step in addressing the challenges faced by displaced individuals by relocating 40 families to a newly constructed resettlement city in Keffi.

The commission said the move was the first phase of an ongoing initiative aimed at transitioning IDPs and refugees from temporary camps to a more permanent and secure environment.

It said 40 families, comprising approximately 300 individuals, have moved into the purpose-built community designed to provide safety, stability, and opportunities for rebuilding their lives with dignity.

Commendable as such an initiative is, analysts note that the scale of the crisis often overwhelms available resources, highlighting the persistent gaps in comprehensive, sustainable provisions for IDPs and refugees.

As the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Refugees are not numbers; they are people who have faces, names, and stories.”

On the whole, stakeholders say refugees deserve solidarity from all. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

By Abdullahi Mohammed, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Recently, a soul-stirring tribute for Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno evoked emotions at Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre.

The heart-warming prayers of teary-eyed inmates for the governor hinged on his incredible infrastructural achievements amidst insurgents’ attacks.

It was not about the 66 inmates that the governor granted pardon to on Democracy Day, or about the N20, 000 cash he gifted to each of the 1,280 inmates; it was not the donation of 300 bags of rice, 50 jerry cans of cooking oil and five cows to the inmates; it was about Zulum’s feats in governance.

Mr Daniel Simon, referred to as Sarkin inmates, who spoke on behalf of the inmates during the governor’s visit on Democracy Day, said what the governor had done in the area of housing and roads infrastructure in the capital city and some communities amidst attacks was unthinkable.

Simon prayed God to continue to bless the governor and grant him the opportunity to be one of those who would be favoured by God to transform Nigeria in the future as he did in Borno.

In the light of the aforementioned, Mr Dauda Iliya, the governor’s spokesperson, highlighted some of Zulum’s recent achievements.

Iliya listed the construction of 1.90 km dual road, with 3.80 km drainage and streetlight at Amb. Mahmud Ahmed Road Gwange.

“The construction of 9.30km roads network and 9.10km drainages network at Umarari/Ngarannam; construction of 3.88km road and drainage network at Farm Centre Housing Estate.’’

He said that the governor had also constructed N782 million dual carriage road network at Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital (KIUTH) and rehabilitation of 3.10 km single carriage road within the Kashim Ibrahim University.

“The rehabilitation and overlay of 37.54km dual carriage road Lagos Street, from Welcome to Maiduguri Gate through Bama Road to Custom Flyover, from Custom Flyover through Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road to West End Flyover and from West End Flyover through Baga Road to Gubio Road Junction.

“The rehabilitation and overlay of 4.80 km dual carriage road from West End Flyover through Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road to Race Course Roundabout to Shehu’s Palace Roundabout, 5.56 km Muhammadu Indimi Way and 960m Shehu Laminu Way from Post Office to Bolori Roundabout.

“The completion of 3 span flyover bridge with service length at West End Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road,” the spokesperson said.

Some international partners had, in December 2024, appraised  Zulum’s achievements at the inauguration of 1,900 housing units used in resettling the 1,874 households affected by insurgency in Monguno.

Annet Günther, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, described Zulum’s approach to the resettlement efforts as realistic to achieving peace, security and stability in the North-East.

Günther said there was need for those working towards peace–Zulum, UN or the international partners, like Germany– to have perseverance and determination.

For Elsie Attafuah of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, the state and the international partners’ joint efforts had been yielding results in the North-East, Borno in particular.

Attafuah said that the UNDP had been focusing on enhancing community security, safety, rehabilitating essential infrastructure, basic services and revitalising local economies for sustainable recovery.

“Through these efforts, we have restored trust between community and the government, laying a solid foundation for reintegration, economic renewal and long-term peace.

“This project (housing) represents a model of collaboration between the Borno Government, UNDP, our donors, especially the Government of Germany, UK, Netherlands, Sweden, EU and many more to support this initiative.

“UNDP, through Regional Stabilisation Facility (RSF), that is the stabilisation facility, supported 500 housing units, 900 semi-permanent shelters and 375 solar-powered streetlights which will improve security particularly for the weak and the most vulnerable.

“Building peace is not easy; it takes continued efforts and it does not come overnight; I have just been told as for how many years we have been working on this already.

“This housing project is also a great example of collaboration between the Government of Borno and international partners.

“Funding for the housing units comes from both the state government and international partners,” Günther said.

The German diplomat said the houses and the shelters built in Monguno for the returnees and the survivors were contributions towards building peace.

Attafuah corroborated Günther’s commendation of Zulum’s administration, noting that the housing project aligns with UNDP’s regional stabilisation effort, working towards peace restoration in communities in Lake Chad area.

In spite of the challenges, Zulum said his administration had succeeded in resettling more than 2.5 million people affected by the Boko Haram conflicts.

He said that before the end of his tenure in 2027, his government would close all IDPs camps in the state.

Worthy of mention, Zulum said that the German Government funded the construction of 500 permanent and another 900 semi-permanent shelters, while the Borno Government constructed the remaining 500 houses and provided amenities such as a health centre and potable water, among others.

“A Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed between Borno Government and UNDP in 2020 under the RS German initiative to start the construction of 500 housing units.

“In August 2023, another LOA was signed under RSF German reintegration funds aimed at completing the 500 permanent housing units, providing an additional 900 semi-permanent shelters, and installing 375 solar streetlights,” the governor said.

He said in addition to the efforts, the Borno Government had also constructed 500 permanent housing units and provided toilets for the temporary shelters, bringing the total number of houses constructed to 1,900.

According to him, the accommodation will play a crucial role in the voluntary decongestion and eventual closure of some IDP camps in Monguno, ensuring a smoother transition for resettling families.

Zulum said that the construction of 500 two-bedroom self-contain flats, 10 block two-story building of 72 three-bedroom flats Metro housing estate in Maiduguri was aimed at cushioning the effects of accommodation costs among the civil servants both at federal and state levels.

Of note, there is scepticism from the returnees in Monguno regarding their resettlement plans, but their body language speaks volumes.

To this end, the governor told those of them who were not ancestrally from Monguno that his government would allow them to continue to stay in the camps for the time being, but they would still have to return to their places of origins.

Zulum pointed out that the objective of his resettlement efforts was to comfort the survivors in their permanent homes and engage them in farming and other business activities in order to be self-reliant without depending on donor’s aid.

He said that the majority of the survivors in IDP camps were women and children, mostly young mothers between the age of 15 years and 17 years who were born and brought up in the IDPs during the conflict period of more than 15 years.

The governor said no fewer than 1,874 IDP families from 14 communities benefited from his housing project, which was achieved about seven months ago.

He also said that each of them (beneficiary) received food and non-food items, N50,000 cash for the household heads and another N20,000 for each housewife.

A government official said on anonymity that children (young mothers at IDPs) took IDP camps as their permanent home, for they did not even know about life outside IDP camps.

“Ironically, nobody can tell the whereabouts of the relatives of those women and children in IDP camps –15 years after the peak of Boko Haram conflict, not even the parents of the young mothers, whose true identity is questionable because of the circumstances at which they were born.

“The young mothers themselves were either brought into camps as orphans or their own mothers if still alive, got their pregnancy out of wedlock,’’ he said.

Observers say Zulum deserves commendation for remarkable accomplishments in infrastructure in spite of lingering onslaughts from insurgents.

They say that while security operatives also deserve commendation for holding sway, efforts should be stepped up towards restoring peace and stability in Borno.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

By Naomi Sharang, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Inaugurated on June 13, 2023, the 10th Nigerian Senate, under the leadership of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has dubbed itself the “uncommon Senate”.

This designation reflects an ambition to stand out in productivity and impact, with emphasis on “people-centred” legislation.

In his inaugural speech, Akpabio had assured his colleagues of cooperation in all matters.

He said that their joint efforts would bolster efficiency in the red chamber.

“It is time now to go forward with the task set before us as a collective body – the promulgation of laws and enactments for the well-being and security of the country,’’ he said.

Two years after, observers say the 10^th Senate has made significant legislative and oversight moves, aiming to shape Nigeria’s policy and economic landscape.

They say the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, stands out.

Worthy of note, Bamidele played key roles in the last two years in the formulation and prioritisation of several significant legislative initiatives including the introduction and passage of the Tax Reform Bills 2024.

The Tax Reform Bills include the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill; the Nigeria Tax Bill.

The executive bills, sponsored by Bamidele, are poised to redefine Nigeria’s fiscal landscape and offer the prospect of enhanced revenue without overburdening taxpayers.

“Since the birth of the 10th Senate about two years ago, I have been discharging the duties of my office with modest records of accomplishment.

“One of such accomplishments is the timely passage of key legislations, particularly in the areas of fiscal reform and national security.

“By engaging my colleagues across all political divides, we have successfully passed laws aimed at creating an environment for economic competitiveness and positioning Nigeria for a 1 trillion dollars economy by 2030.

“I am proud to say that many of these legislative initiatives are already making a difference in the daily lives of our citizens.’’

Bamidele said that efforts were exemplified in the amendment of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (Establishment) Act, 2024.

The Senator explained that the Act guaranteed the sustainability of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) as a valuable tool for poverty alleviation in Nigeria.

“The frameworks are designed to foster environmental sustainability; encourage greater access to qualitative health care; discourage social dislocation; eliminate terrorism and insecurity and reduce the gap between the haves and the have-nots,’’ he said.

The Senate also passed the Investments and Securities (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2024.

More so, the Senate amended the Nigeria Data Protection Act (Amendment) Act, 2023 to mandate social media platforms and bloggers to establish physical offices in Nigeria.

The amendment further aims at promoting accountability and transparency within the digital media space.

Another key bill of the 10th Senate is the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2024.

The bill established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), designed to provide financial aid to students in tertiary institutions.

Other achievements of the 10th Senate was the passing into law, the Minimum Wage Bill which President Bola Tinubu approved a minimum wage increase from N30,000 to N70,000, a response to prolonged agitation from labour unions in the country.

The legislation also mandates a review of wages every three years, ensuring that pay keeps pace with inflation.

There is also the Judicial Office Holders Salaries and Allowances Bill that was signed into law, raising their earnings by 300 per cent.

Similarly, are the bills on regional development commissions which were all signed into law by the President.

These commissions are the South-West Development Commission (SWDC), the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), and the North-West Development Commission (NWDC).

Others are the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC).

The Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, scored the 10^th Senate high.

“We have done very well and we have delivered on our mandate as representatives of the people.

“You know that the legislature is for three-pronged functions; law making, oversight functions and then advocacy for our constituents.

“So, when we talk about law making, at least in the past two years, we have sorted out nothing less than 700 bills.

“Some are in the third reading; some are in the second reading; some have just come through the first reading.

“And some have already been passed to the Presidency for assent and some have been assented to and they have become laws.”

Adaramodu, representing Ekiti South, said that the 10th Senate had raised so many motions adding that many of the motions and resolutions therefrom, had been sent to the executive.

“Some have been executed; some are still under processes of maybe inviting those who are concerned.

“We have dealt with so many public petitions and we have done a lot, lawmaking wise.

“And then when we talk about oversight function, we have done a lot, especially as it is related to security matters.

“We have invited the security chiefs almost eight times in order to interrogate them, to ask questions, to give them suggestions and then to ensure that they are never left alone.

“Maybe lack of facilities, arms and ammunition and then their welfare, we have done all those things.

“We have done a lot; we have assisted the Executive to ensure that minimum wage was raised by more than 100 per cent to Nigerian workers.

“We have made sure that the judiciary has never been left alone in our own advocacy too whereby we have raised the judicial officers’ emoluments by almost 300 per cent.’’

In terms of infrastructure, Adaramodu said the upper chamber had done a lot in that manner.

“We have been able to appropriate enough and to make sure that we supervise the Executive in making sure that roads construction and rehabilitation are given adequate attention.’’

He listed the top priority road projects to include the Badagry-Sokoto Road; roads leading from Kaduna to Kano and the road leading from Abuja to Lokoja.

On the Legislature-Executive relations, the lawmaker said the Senate approved only bills that would have direct impact on citizens.

“We are not going to publish everything that is brought to the National Assembly; so, the ones that cannot scale through in most cases will not and the ones that will scale through will scale through.

“And there is no way the executive will bring any bill which is for the advancement of Nigeria and Nigerians that will be rejected,’’ he said.

On his part, the Chairman, Committee on Senate Services, Sen. Sunday Karimi, said the 10th Senate had lived up to the expectations of the people who voted them into office.

“It has been two years since the 10th Senate was inaugurated; so far, so good, we have at least performed the expectations of our people.

“A lot of bills and motions that impact positively on our people have been passed into law.

“The government brought an increase in salary for workers, a request to us, and we immediately passed it so that workers’ earnings will increase.

“Not just that, the student loan scheme, the NELFUND, which will allow Nigerian students to take loans to finance their education.

“This bill became an act of parliament which enables Nigerian students to easily have access to loans.’’

Nonetheless, some concerned Nigerians have flayed the Senate for pandering to the executive.

Recently, Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Presiding Overseer of the Global Community Citadel Church, said that the National Assembly had become a haven for legislative rascality.

He faulted the red chamber for rubber stamping everything the President sent to it.

However, Karimi, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, rejected opinions that the 10th Senate was a rubber stamp legislature.

“If you call it a rubber stamp Senate, that is a mistake; it is an error; we are not out to fight this government; we are out to work with this government to impart positively on our people.

“Let me tell you, there are areas we disagree with the executive; we may not do it publicly for you to know.

“Sometimes, we go into closed-door sessions and iron out our disagreements.

“So, if you say that it is a rubber stamp, no; let me tell you something, Tinubu was advised to remove our zonal intervention projects, and he was going to do that.

“I can tell you the leadership of the 10th Assembly disagreed strongly with the president; it was not only restored, the president increased it,’’ he said.

While the Senate applauds its accomplishments so far, political pundits say the National Assembly needs to rise up to its mandate of making laws for the peace, order and good governance as well as representing the interests and wellbeing of the citizenry.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

In Nigeria, a silent struggle for survival unfolds daily for thousands living with albinism.

Their unique genetic makeup, which lacks melanin (pigmentation), leaves them acutely vulnerable to the scorching sun.

This vulnerability tragically results in skin cancer claiming no fewer than two lives every month, says Bisi Bamishe, National President of the Albinism Association of Nigeria.

Bamishe describes the community as being “under siege’’, with countless others battling for their lives in hospitals or languishing at home without adequate medical care or hope.

Bamishe deeply laments the severe lack of structured interventions.

She highlights the urgent need for free or subsidised skin cancer treatments, consistent distribution of preventive measures like high-SPF (20-30) broad-spectrum sunscreens, protective clothing, UV-protective sunglasses, and specialised annual dermatological and eye examinations.

The prohibitive costs associated with these essential measures place them far beyond the financial reach of most of Nigeria’s estimated two million persons with albinism (PWAs).

The Founder of The Albino Foundation (TAF), Mr Jake Epelle, also affirms that persons with albinism in Nigeria always have to contend with some health challenges due to the genetic condition they have.

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition present at birth.

It results in a lack of melanin in the hair, skin, and eyes, making individuals highly susceptible to sun and bright light.

Consequently, almost all people with albinism have visual challenges and prone to developing skin cancer.

While albinism affects approximately 1 in 20,000 individuals worldwide, Nigeria has one of the highest prevalence globally.

The country’s tropical climate, with its intense sunlight, places PWAs at heightened risk of skin cancer.

A UN study reveals that most people with albinism in Nigeria die from skin cancer before age 40.

Skin cancer, caused by DNA damage often from sun exposure, is treatable if caught early, but the lack of access to care is a significant barrier.

Nigeria has fewer than 125 dermatologists for a population exceeding 220 million, creating a dire ratio of roughly one dermatologist for every 1.1 million people.

These specialists are also concentrated in urban areas, further hindering access for PWAs in rural regions.

Beyond the severe health challenges, albinism in Nigeria also presents a unique set of social stigma and discrimination challenges.

These pervasive issues impact various aspects of their lives, including education, employment, and overall well-being.

There is an urgent call to action.

The International Albinism Awareness Day, observed annually on June 13, with the 2025 theme “Demanding our rights: Protect our skin, Preserve our lives,” underscores the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and accessible healthcare.

The theme calls on authorities to take steps to prevent skin cancer-related deaths, including skin cancer screening and the provision of sunscreen, and to add sunscreen to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Essential Medicines List.

According to the National Organisation for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, the failure to prevent these foreseeable yet preventable deaths among persons with albinism constitutes not only a violation of the right to health but also the right to life.

Stakeholders are advocating for improved education and awareness among PWAs and the public on early detection, preventive measures, and available treatment options.

They also push for integrating skin cancer treatment into the National Health Insurance Scheme.

For persons with albinism, the time for mere discussions has passed.

They demand tangible, swift, and decisive actions from governments, health authorities, and all stakeholders to combat this preventable loss of life.

The community’s survival hinges on urgent, comprehensive action. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Edited by Vivian Ihechu