UMTH: CMD visits NEDC seeks more healthcare intervention

By: Our Reporter

As part of measures to further strengthen existing cordial relationship between the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the North East Development Commission NEDC, the New Chief Medical Director Professor Faruk Buba incompany of Top Management Committee of the hospital paid a courtesy visit to Managing Director/ CEO of NEDC Dr. Mohammed Goni Alkali at the Commission’s head office In Maiduguri.

Professor Faruk Buba recounted on the giant strides in healthcare interventions done to the hospital by the NEDC which cut across establishment of the Burns Centre, provision of steady water supply through drilling of boreholes, procurement and installation of High-tech Magnetic Resonance Imaging also known as MRI, High-efficiency generators as well as the recent establishment of Fertility Care Centre and en-suite maternity complex among others.

These and many more he said have contributed immensely to being the largest Hospital in Nigeria and longstanding Centre of Excellence in Immunology and Infectious Diseases.

The Chief Medical Director further solicited more interventions from the Commission especially in procurement of more up-to-date equipment to enhance the hospital capacity in healthcare service delivery to the teaming population of Borno state, the North East region, Nigeria and Beyond.

Responding, MD/CEO North East Development Dr. Mohammed Goni Alkali said the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital has been a partner in progress adding that UMTH has played critical roles in extending the Commission’s numerous life-touching interventions for the people in the region one of which is provision of accessible and affordable healthcare service delivery.

Dr. Alkali revealed that large consignments of Healthcare equipment are en-route to the region and as always, Tertiary Health institutions like the UMTH will be given priority consideration.

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director alongside top management Committee had paid condolences visit to Medical Director, Hospitals Management Board Borno state Professor Abubakar Kullima over the demise of his sister and offered prayers for the grieving families.

UMTH: CMD visits NEDC seeks more healthcare intervention

NDLEA, Australian Police Seal Pact to Combat Drug Cartels, Trafficking Networks

…Marwa declares war on transnational syndicates; AFP vows to hunt traffickers as a pack

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have entered into a strategic partnership to dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-Australia route, with a focus on intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated investigations.

The partnership was formalised on Monday through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the NDLEA national headquarters in Abuja, with the agency’s Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), describing the agreement as a declaration of war against international drug cartels.

Marwa said the agreement would strengthen the capacity of both countries to track, disrupt and prosecute criminal networks exploiting international borders to move illicit drugs, particularly methamphetamine and cocaine.

He expressed confidence that combining the AFP’s international reach with the NDLEA’s operational capacity would make the Nigeria-Australia drug corridor increasingly hostile and unprofitable for traffickers.

Under the agreement, the two agencies will collaborate in four major areas: intelligence and information exchange, joint and coordinated operations, capacity building and professional development, as well as controlled delivery of illicit consignments to facilitate investigations and arrests.

Marwa said the agreement was particularly important as drug trafficking networks had become increasingly sophisticated and interconnected, with Nigerian organised crime groups developing links along the Australia-Pacific drug route.

“ Nigeria is being exploited as a transit and sourcing hub, but no single country can fight this alone,” he said.

He expressed hope that the partnership would translate into major drug seizures, the arrest of high-value targets and successful controlled delivery operations, adding that its implementation would begin immediately.

The NDLEA chairman cited recent operations, including the seizure of 184.5 kilogrammes of cocaine intended for export and the dismantling of four methamphetamine laboratories in recent months, some of which allegedly had Mexican nationals embedded in their operations.

He said one of the laboratory operations resulted in seizures valued at more than 360 million dollars.

Marwa also highlighted the dismantling of a Switzerland-based drug cartel allegedly operated by a Nigerian, Simon Amadi, following more than a year of collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and law enforcement agencies in France, Greece and Switzerland.

He said the cartel’s assets in Nigeria had also been targeted as part of efforts to dismantle its criminal infrastructure.

Earlier, the head of the AFP delegation, Ms Sandra Booth, said the fight against illicit drugs required a comprehensive, collective response, commending the NDLEA for combining enforcement operations with preventive interventions.

She described the NDLEA’s international partnerships as commendable, noting that the new agreement would serve as a force multiplier in the fight against organised drug trafficking.

Booth warned that criminal organisations were increasingly using proceeds from drug trafficking to finance other serious offences through what she described as a “crime as a service” model.

She said vulnerable young people were being recruited to deliver and transport drugs, while some were drawn into violent attacks against rival criminal groups.

According to her, the consequences extended beyond addiction to the destruction of families, destabilisation of communities, gang violence and deaths in Australia.

“Whilst Nigeria is a transit country, we are a destination country. And unfortunately for us, people will pay a lot of money for the commodity,” she said.

Booth said Australia was committed to working with Nigeria to prevent illicit drugs from reaching its territory and protect young people and other vulnerable populations.

Emphasising the need for a united front, she said both agencies must demonstrate commitment, integrity and determination in confronting the criminal networks.

“It is so absolutely necessary that we work together as a team, that we are forceful, that we are committed, that we show integrity, and we hunt as a pack. And I am very proud that we can now be part of your pack,” she said.

The ceremony was attended by the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Leilani Bin-Juda; Deputy High Commissioner, Timothy Milikan; and other members of the AFP delegation, Andrea Humphrys and Susan Gray, alongside senior NDLEA officials.

NDLEA, Australian Police Seal Pact to Combat Drug Cartels, Trafficking Networks

Ikpeazu urges Abians in Spain to uphold hard work, unity, resilience

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr Victor Ikpeazu, has urged Abia indigenes residing in Valencia to uphold the virtues of hard work, integrity, resilience and unity, describing them as important ambassadors of Nigeria and their home state.

Ikpeazu gave the charge on Sunday, when he attended the 16th anniversary celebration of Ndi Abia in Diaspora, Valencia Chapter, as Special Guest of Honour.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Embassy of Nigeria in Madrid, Spain, the Ambassador, who is a former Governor of Abia State, said the conduct, industry and integrity of Nigerians abroad directly shaped perceptions of the country and their communities.

He urged the Abia indigenes to remain committed to positive engagement with Spanish society while preserving their cultural identity and maintaining strong connections with their homeland.

Ikpeazu described Abians as enterprising people, particularly renowned for their skills in tailoring and shoemaking, urging them to take pride in their history and Igbo heritage.

He said Nigerians in the diaspora remained among the country’s most valuable assets, serving as cultural bridges, promoters of investment and informal ambassadors whose daily activities could influence international perceptions of Nigeria.

The envoy encouraged the Valencia chapter to sustain its culture of unity, mutual support and cooperation while exploring opportunities to contribute to the development of their host community and Abia State.

He commended the association’s leadership and members for sustaining the organisation over 16 years, congratulating them on the anniversary and assuring them of the Embassy’s continued support in promoting the welfare of Nigerians in Spain.

Ikpeazu, who assumed office as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain in September 2026 after presenting his Letters of Credence to King Felipe VI, said the Embassy was ready to work harmoniously with Nigerian community organisations to address issues affecting their members and strengthen people-to-people relations between Nigeria and Spain.

Earlier, Chairman of Ndi Abia in Diaspora, Valencia Chapter, Mr Endy Okoroafor, expressed gratitude to members, founding leaders and elders whose commitment had sustained the association over the years.

Okoroafor described the anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, unity and achievements of Abians in Valencia, while acknowledging the contributions of those who established the organisation 16 years ago to provide mutual support and build a lasting legacy for future generations.

He also announced that the association, formerly known as Abia State Congress in Diaspora, had now secured full registration after encountering difficulties under previous administrations.

The chairman called for greater unity and participation among members, stressing that Abians remained one people irrespective of their local government areas of origin.

He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to the Igbo principle of Onye Aghala Nwanne Ya, meaning that no one should abandon their brother or sister.

The celebration featured cultural performances, reflections on the association’s journey, the unveiling of Almalac, presentation of awards and networking among Abia indigenes in the Valencia region.

The event highlighted the role of organised diaspora associations in preserving cultural heritage, strengthening community bonds and promoting Nigeria’s interests abroad.

Ikpeazu urges Abians in Spain to uphold hard work, unity, resilience