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Lagos Assembly Moves To Criminalise Illegal Trading of Human Organs

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Lagos Assembly Moves To Criminalise Illegal Trading of Human Organs

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM (IKEJA)

SPONSORED BY:H&H

Members of the Lagos state House of Assembly, on Tuesday, moved to criminalise the illegal organ transplant by residents of the state, as a bill for a law to regulate organ harvest and transplantation in the state scaled second reading August24news.com has learnt.

Obasa

Obasa

Clause 33 of the bill which spells out the Offences and Penalties for culprit, provides that a person who removes the organ of another person for a reason other than therapeutic purposes commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 10years without an option of fine.

While kickstarting the debate, the Chairman, House Committee On Health Services, Hon. Olusola Sokunle, pointed out that bill was a legal framework to regulate the removal and transplant of organs from either living or dead person to patients suffering from terminal organ failure.

Sokunle added that the bill would regulate the harvest and transplant of human organs in order to curb illegal trading of the organs.

He stated that the bil would ensure persons suffering from organ failure have access to available organs, adding that it would also ensure standard medical procedure for human organ harvest and transplant is followed.

” Part two of the bill deals with the creation of department for the purpose of organ harvest and transplant in the ministry of health, who shall see to the affairs of organ harvest and transplant in the state. This part also talks about the Coordinator and other staff of the department. Also, it spells out the formation of authorization Committee, function of the Committee and State Register for organ harvest and transplant”, said Sokunle.

Contributing, Hon. Gbolahon Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2), said that the bill would help in putting a stop to organ trafficking, calling the attention of the House to the cauching of the regulations which exempted the Commissioner of Health from following the regulations and approval law.

Yisuawu added that clauses which would shut out the House from investigating the activities should be avoided.

” The way the bill is cauched, there is alot of human rights issues therein. Although the bill falls under the Committee on Health but I will suggest that the Committee that handles human rights should also be involved in it.

In his contribution, Hon. Rotimi Olowo (Somolu 1) condemned the illegal act of harvesting organs for monetary gain, adding that the act cut across the sections of the country.

Olowo stated that the bill would put an end to harvesting of organs for financial gain and that it will also protect the minors and mentally-ill persons whose organs cannot be harvested without the consent of their next of kins.

Reeling out the advantages of the bill, Olowo argued that the bill would bring about human santity to human dignity, adding that penalties for such act should be heavier than what was stated in the bill.

He added that the bill provides for certified medical laboratories for human organ harvest, adding that it would stop the involvement of quacks in the practice.

Olowo stated that the power of regulation should be with the House rather than the Commissioner for Health.

Also, the Deputy Speaker, Hon, Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, lamented the high rate of organ trafficking in the country, adding that the bill was all encompassing and that it should be supported by all members of the House.

The Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, described the bill as a product of deep reflection on the part of the state government, itemising the various areas involved in organ transplanting process.

Agunbiade added that the bill would improve the procedure and discourage the act of organ harvesting for financial gain.

” The bill will ensure that organ transplanting is not all comers Affairs in the health sector in Lagos”, said Agunbiade.

However, Speaker of the House, Rt (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa, said that the bill was a good and best thing that would happen to the state, adding that it would help those who with terminal organ failure to still live as there would be certified organ transplant for them.

Obasa said that the bill would as well criminalise the act of using organs for ritual purposes.

” Those who illegally harvest organ for ritual purposes, with this bill will face the full wrath of the law for such act”, said Obasa.

” The bill states the responsibilities of the donor and the recipient and those that will be in charge. I give my total support to the bill”, said Obasa.

The bill was, however, committed to the House Committee On Health Services for public hearing and to report back in two weeks.

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Lagos Island Lawmaker, Afinni Picks Patient Surgery Bill

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Lagos Island Lawmaker, Afinni Picks Patient Surgery Bill

Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim

sponsored by: H&H

“May you never experience such, May God be with you and your household, may you never fall sick, your enemies will never overcome you, These are the prayers from the heart of a resident of Lagos Island constituency ll, Mr. Abiola Shuab when favour falls on him during and aftermart of his successful surgery Operation been sponsored by Lagos Lawmaker, Hon. Lanre Afinni.

August24news.com gathered that Mr. Abiola Shuab was suffering from a premium Nasal Nose Blockage and as been placed under drugs and treatment before his doctor prescribed him for a Surgery Operation.

The surgery Operation was carried out successfully by a team of medical expert at the Ilorin General Hospital last Friday.

Upon reaching the Lawmaker for Financial support for the surgery, Hon. Lanre Afinni who represent the good people of Lagos Island Constituency ll at the Lagos State house of Assembly quickly reacted to the request and ask his Committee on Health to rally round Abiola and carry out all the necessary action claiming the bill should be credited on his account.

Commenting on the Goodwill done by Hon. Lanre Afinni is the Apex Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos Island Constituency ll, Chief Babajide Damasio commended Affini for the prompt and good act describing him as a lawmaker of the people who is always at alert for the good gesture.

On his own Part Hon. Lanre Afinni who doubles as the Chairman house committee on Environment at the Lagos State House of Assembly told Our Correspondent that “health is wealth, “we remain committed to our constituents members healthcare, their health is Paramount to us and that is why we have to come to their aid when needed.

According to Afinni, When we came into Office in 2023, we inaugurated several committees to look into the needs of our consistency members in different capacity and appoint professional to head the team in various offices such as Education, Sport, Security, Empowerment, Job Creation and Health.

“On our Health Committee desk, we have been able to organize series of medical talks, we also help with medical bills of our constituency members, We have done 3 editions of the medical outreach program, which includes dentals and distributions of free eye glasses with over 2,000 Two thousand in every edition and the 4th edition will be held in December this year. Afinni Stated.

Mr. Abiola Shuab is an Higher National Diploma holder in Banking and Finance from the prestigious Ibadan Polytechnic, Oyo State and resident of Number 17 Ajanaku Street, Lagos Island East LCDA.

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Smear Campaign Won’t Stop Police Reforms, CASA Stands with IGP Egbetokun

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Smear Campaign Won’t Stop Police Reforms, CASA Stands with IGP Egbetokun

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Civic Alliance for Security Accountability (CASA) has strongly condemned what it calls a coordinated campaign of calumny against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, urging Nigerians to disregard all unfounded attacks on his person and leadership.

In a statement released on Friday, May 30, 2025, the President of CASA, Charles Egbunike, described the attacks as part of a broader agenda to discredit not just the IGP, but also President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under whose administration Egbetokun was appointed.

“These campaigns are not only malicious but deliberately designed to create instability,” Egbunike said. “Those behind them are not just attacking the IGP; they are using him as a tool to hit at the President. This is because of the IGP’s long-standing association with President Tinubu, dating back to when he served as his Chief Security Officer during Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State more than two decades ago.”

According to the group, the real masterminds behind the smear campaign are disgruntled elements who lost out following the IGP’s recent reforms aimed at sanitizing the system, especially his decision to implement the position of the law and the Police Service Commission on retirement age and service years. These individuals, who are angry over the unalloyed support Egbetokun enjoys from the President and the members of the Nigeria Police Force, he said, are now collaborating with unscrupulous figures in the online media space who have been paid to do a hatchet job.

“These individuals prospered under a corrupt system and are now resentful because Inspector General Egbetokun has put an end to that era of impunity and unprofessional conduct. They are using faceless online platforms and questionable media outlets to spread lies and cast doubt on the IGP’s credibility. Very soon, we will start revealing the people behind this campaign, including a retired Senior Police officer who is unhappy about the way he left office. We will also expose those paying for online attacks meant to weaken the police and, by extension, the government. This is not just an attack on one man, it is an attempt to undermine national security. We will not let that happen,” Egbunike said.

Speaking alongside Egbunike,  a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Idris Dauda Dabban, described IGP Egbetokun, as a truly professional, hardworking, humble and forward-thinking officer whose leadership is shaping a more disciplined and professional Nigerian Police Force as he advises those who are attacking him for their myopic selfish reasons to desist from it.

AIG Dabban (rtd), who was a coursemate of Egbetokun at the Police Academy and later served closely with him, gave personal insights into the character and work ethics of the country’s top cop.

“IGP Egbetokun is a very humble, selfless, courageous and hardworking officer,” Dabban said. “He’s someone who listens, interacts well with people, and genuinely cares about getting the job done.”

Their connection goes way back, not just as coursemates but also as close colleagues posted to the same units and living in the same police barracks. According to Dabban, that experience gave him a front-row view of the IGP’s drive, care for the people and passion for duty.

“After we left the academy, we were both posted back to Lagos. We served in the same unit and even lived in the same barracks at Satellite Police Barrack. I can confidently say I know him very well,” Dabban recalled.

“He’s always ahead, very proactive, never reactive. He doesn’t tolerate anything that goes against the ethics of the Force. He’s very forward-looking, passionate about the job and holds himself and others to high standards. I can say Nigerians are lucky to have this kind of incorruptible cop as their IGP.

“He’s a nationalist, he is never tribalistic or considers religious sentiment. For him, it’s all about the job, work, work, and more work. He’s fully committed to building a better police force that I am certain about.”

Speaking in a similar vein, the Secretary-General of CASA, Emamode Peters, praised IGP Egbetokun for the positive changes he is bringing to the Force.

According to him, Egbetokun is not only a strong leader but also a highly educated officer who brings deep knowledge and discipline into policing.

He said, “One thing I admire most about the IGP is his work ethic. He drives his subordinates hard because he believes in results. Laziness and unprofessional conduct have no place under his leadership. I have personally observed that he leads from the front; he works round the clock, comes to the office early, and spends more than 14 hours in the office daily, and I also know that most days he does not go to bed until 4 am. Because he continues with meetings and work at home. I marvelled at how he attends to the deluge of work and files on his table and he does all of that with vigour and professionalism.”

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NiMet SAPZ Partner to Empower Smallholder Farmers Across Agro Processing Zones

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NiMet SAPZ Partner to Empower Smallholder Farmers Across Agro Processing Zones

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has formalized a strategic partnership with the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Program to advance climate resilience and sustainable agriculture across key farming regions in Nigeria.

The partnership, formalized in Abuja, will initially be implemented across seven pilot states—Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—with a roadmap to scale nationally. The initiative targets smallholder farmers and agro-processors, equipping them with real-time weather forecasts, seasonal climate predictions, and tailored advisory services to improve decision-making and mitigate climate-related risks.

The SAPZ initiative, a five-year national agricultural transformation program co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aims to stimulate inclusive agro-industrialization, raise rural incomes, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.

Professor Charles Anosike, NiMet’s Director-General/CEO, welcomed the partnership, emphasizing that meteorological services are critical to enhancing food security and reducing climate risks within Nigeria’s agricultural value chains. “We are proud to support SAPZ’s vision with timely, accurate, and accessible climate information. No farmer should be left behind in the climate-smart agriculture movement,” he said.

Dr. Kabir Yusuf, the National Program Coordinator for SAPZ, emphasized the critical role of climate-smart solutions in addressing the unpredictable weather patterns that pose a threat to agriculture. He stated, “This collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) will provide actionable climate data and advisory services to farmers and agro-processors, thereby enhancing productivity, minimizing losses, and fostering resilience.”

Under the agreement, NiMet will provide seasonal rainfall forecasts, localized weather updates, training for extension workers, install mini weather stations, and develop innovative applications for real-time alerts. SAPZ will integrate NiMet’s climate data into its Agricultural Industrial Hubs and Transformation Centers, supporting training, equipment, and infrastructure deployment.

A joint technical committee will oversee implementation, monitor progress, and develop innovative solutions such as localized crop calendars and precision farming tools. The MoU is initially valid for five years, with plans to evolve into a long-term institutional framework supporting Nigeria’s national climate adaptation strategy.

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