IHVN Staff Found Dead in Abuja Hotel Room

By: Zagazola Makama

A staff member of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), Meshach Thomas Panwal, was found dead in his hotel room at Grand Pella Hotel, Durumi, Abuja, on March 7, 2025.

According to sources, the deceased had checked into Room 224 alongside colleagues attending a seminar. His body was discovered at about 12:00 p.m. by his colleagues, prompting an immediate report to the Durumi Police Division by the hotel’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Orlando Okpete.

Police detectives visited the scene and conducted preliminary investigations. No marks of violence were found on his body. Among the items recovered from the room were: Various medications in an H-Medix leather bag, an Omron blood pressure monitor and other Personal belongings

Sources revealed that Panwal had complained of a headache the previous day and had gone for medical treatment before returning to his room.

His sudden death has been classified as Sudden and Unnatural Death (SUD) pending further medical certification.

His remains were evacuated to the Federal Medical Center, Jabi, while his brother, Joseph Panwal, an official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was notified.

The family, not suspecting foul play, requested the release of the body for burial, which was granted.

IHVN Staff Found Dead in Abuja Hotel Room

Ease of Loan Disbursement to Student: NIMC, NELFUND, Data Mining Sign MoU on Biometric-Enabled Cards

By: Michael Mike

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and the Data Mining Company on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enable seamless access of students to education loans with biometric-enabled cards.

The MoU was signed at the headquarters of NELFUND in Abuja by the Director General of NIMC, Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Education Loan Fund, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr and the Managing Director of Data Mining Company, Mr Femi Akande.

The NELFUND boss, Mr. Sawyerr during the signing described the MoU as a groundbreaking event to drive financial inclusion, promote transparency and accountability in the deployment of Government to People Service Card (G2PS-card).

Sawyerr said the MoU would open a new vista for Nigerian students to access loans seamlessly using multiple wallets as facilitated by the biometric-enabled cards from NIMC.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for rolling out socio-economic programmes that would change the narratives for Nigerian students, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration would have far reaching positive impacts for Nigerian students.

On her part, the CEO of NIMC, Engineer Abisoye Coker-Odusote, noted that the biometric-enabled cards are parts of products from NIMC to drive digital and financial inclusion and ensure that every single beneficiary of government services (loans) have verifiable identity.

Coker-Odusote maintained that the biometric-enabled cards have multiple wallets for students and could be used online and offline to access loans and other services.

According to her, the cards would also make it possible to track loans disbursement and ensure they are used for the purposes intended, noting that it would promote transparency, accountability and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy.

She said: “The biometric-enabled cards is unique in promoting digital and financial inclusion because of the layers of features in them. They cannot be forged or faked.

“They have features that make cash available in students wallets..the students can easily access their allowances, buy books and make transfers without waiting for banks. The cards operate online and offline. ” Coker-Odusote said.

Ease of Loan Disbursement to Student: NIMC, NELFUND, Data Mining Sign MoU on Biometric-Enabled Cards

FCT POLICE RESPOND TO MISREPORTED DEATH OF RETIRED COMPTROLLER GENERAL DAVID PARRADANG

By: Michael Mike

In light of the recent reports alleging that retired Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang, was kidnapped and subsequently killed, we wish to clarify the facts surrounding this incident to ensure accurate information is disseminated to the public.

On March 3, 2025, at approximately 12:00 PM, Mr. Parradang arrived at Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, driving a black Mercedes Benz. He checked into the hotel, paying a sum of Twenty two thousand naira (N22,000) for one night’s stay. Shortly thereafter, he directed the hotel room attendant to escort a female guest who had come to visit to his room. This lady left the hotel premises around 04:00PM of the same day.

Mr. Parradang did not exit his room after the lady left. Around 04:00 AM of 04 March 2025, a friend who is a military officer, concerned for his wellbeing, traced him to the hotel. Upon arrival, the hotel receptionist and the officer proceeded to his room, where Mr. Parradang was found deceased, seated in a chair.

The Durumi Police Station was notified and officers promptly arrived at the scene, secured the area, took photographs, and collected all relevant evidence to preserve the integrity of the crime scene. The body has been transferred to the National Hospital for necessary procedures, and hotel staff are currently cooperating with Police investigations.
Effort is in top gear to effect the arrest of the lady.

We urge the public and media outlets to refrain from spreading unverified information, including claims of kidnapping, that may incite fear or panic. The FCT Police Command is committed to conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding Mr. Parradang’s death. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to ensure justice is served.

For any further inquiries, please contact the FCT Police Public Relations Office.

FCT POLICE RESPOND TO MISREPORTED DEATH OF RETIRED COMPTROLLER GENERAL DAVID PARRADANG