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Prof. Ahidjo urges colleagues to stem the tide of medical tourism affecting the country
Prof. Ahidjo urges colleagues to stem the tide of medical tourism affecting the country
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Professor Ahmed Ahidjo has called on colleagues in the medical sector to step up their level of excellence to stem the tide of medical tourism affecting the country.
Ahidjo who was the guest speaker during a recent dinner in honour of the former CMD of the Federal Neuro Psychiatrist Hospital (FNPH) Maiduguri, Professor Ibrahim Wakawa argued that it is only the excellence Nigerian physicians are known abroad for that can decrease the crave for residents to resist medical tourism which is on the rise in the country.
He noted that when excellence is stamped in all facets of the medical sector,the needed growth will be achieved and a lot of people who are not satisfied with the sector will begin to have a rethink and do their treatments in Nigeria.
Ahidjo commended Professor Wakawa for a job well done adding that “he has really done well by transforming the hospital from where he met it to where it is right now.”
“Professor Wakawa is a former member of the executive of the ‘Committee of CMDS’ who believed so much in professionalism while he was there so I am not surprised that he rose to such a high height in his career ” Said Ahidjo.
The CMD called on colleagues to do their best at all times so that only the best could be mirrored out as their personal optics when people begin to look for the good or bad outputs of professionals at times like these adding that it is however not always necessary to look out for the bad side of people when striving for excellence.
Ahidjo equally commended the CMDs for daring to come to Maiduguri in spite of all the fears and myths associated with the state due to the lingering insurgency war that is affecting social life.
UMTH he maintained is privileged to have them in town for the 110th session they came for adding that he is grateful for having them in Maiduguri at a time like this.
Reeling out the achievements of the CMD, he said that Wakawa has face-lifted the entire hospital from how he met it to a very special place devoid of the usual inhibitions associated with mental hospitals.
” He not only stopped at infrastructure, he has been able to produce more than ten consultants and four Phd nurses during his tenure as CMD. About two other psychologists are doing their PhD’s as at the time he is completing his tenure”.
Also pouring encomium on Wakawa, the Secretary to the State government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani commended Wakawa for his achievements in the FNPH.
He assured the committee that the state is relatively peaceful for now adding that whatever hospitality that has been meted out to them during the visit is the typical “Borno hospitality” which is the true hallmark of the residents of the state.
Responding, the former CMD FNPH Professor Wakawa thanked colleagues for lining up to celebrate the end of his tenure at the dinner held at the new Bola Tinubu IT complex in the UMTH.
He gave credence to Professor Ahmed Ahidjo for guiding him throughout the nine years he spent as CMD rectifying many issues at the FNPH in Maiduguri.
He however warned that rectifiers like him are most times seen as committing wrongs against the status quo adding that there are so many challenges in the medical sector which needs fixing if one has the determination and guts to fix it.
” Its regrettable however that that is the way the system works. They are always waiting to resist the standard practice which we all know thereby distorting the difference between wrong and right as we all know it to be.
Professor Ibrahim Wakawa a consultant psychiatrist and lecturer at the University of Maiduguri was the Chief Medical Director of the FNPH in Maiduguri before completing his two terms tenure as CMD recently. He is a consultant psychiatrist and a lecturer in Psychiatry at the University of Maiduguri, with research interests in HIV psychiatry, psychopharmacology, and epilepsy.
Prof. Ahidjo urges colleagues to stem the tide of medical tourism affecting the country
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has said the principles of the United Nations Charter offers guidance to Nigeria and other African countries bedeviled by terrorism and other violent conflicts.
The message was given by the Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of United Nations.
Ochogwu said: “Today, October 24, 2025, marks exactly 80 years since the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. As the world commemorates this historic milestone, we are reminded of the enduring vision of the Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. This vision remains profoundly relevant to Africa and to Nigeria, where the pursuit of peace, justice, and inclusive development continues to shape our collective aspirations.
“In today’s complex and rapidly changing security environment, the principles of the Charter, namely sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international law offer essential guidance. Across Africa, the persistence of violent conflicts, terrorism, and governance challenges underscores the urgent need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and mediation capacities. Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and her experience in regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution affirm our commitment to these ideals and to the transformative role of international law in sustaining peace and security.
“The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) stands as a bridge between national policy and global peace initiatives. We reaffirm our partnership with the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other stakeholders to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and institution-building. In this decade of action, we must deepen investments in peace infrastructure, youth empowerment, and cross-border cooperation to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
He added that: “As we look to the future of the United Nations in Africa, the challenge before us is clear: to make peace sustainable, justice accessible, and security inclusive. The continued faith of Member States and communities in the principles of the UN Charter is an enduring source of hope for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous continent.”
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity.
By Fathia Adenike
The heartbeat of Nigeria’s bustling cities and quiet villages lies ìtàn a Yoruba word meaning “story” or “history” a powerful force shaping cultural identity. Across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic landscapes Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa,and beyond. Storytelling isn’t just tradition; it’s a living bridge connecting past, present, and future.It’s an Oral Threads of Heritage,From moonlit Yoruba folktales whispering òrìṣà deeds to Igbo elders recounting ancestral proverbs, Nigeria’s oral traditions transmit values, wisdom, and belongings. These stories embed moral codes, communal bonds, and cosmological maps that ground Nigerians amid rapid change. Ancient myths seep into contemporary Nigerian life. Olókun’s oceanic power meets Lagos’ tech-driven streets; Ọṣun’s fertility echoes in art exploring feminine resilience. Writers like Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart and Ben Okri The Famished Road weave such mythic threads into explorations of identity, disrupting colonial ruptures.
Today, Nigerian storytelling leaps into digital realms. Podcasts like “The Nairaland Podcast and Twitter threads” retelling folklore showcase ìtàn’s adaptability. Social media becomes a virtual àbù̀ (drumbeat), amplifying voices across Nigeria’s youthful diaspora.
Ìtàn fosters cultural resilience. As Nigeria navigates urbanization, migration, and tech disruption, these stories offer anchors. They articulate collective memory, mediate conflict, and nurture belonging across ethnic lines Igbo, Yoruba.
Hausa in a nation of profound diversity.In Nigeria’s mosaic, ìtàn remains a vital pulse reminding Nigerians, globally, of roots nourishing identity’s complex, beautiful branches. ìtàn remains an irreducible heartbeat reminding Nigerians globally of identity’s deep, branching roots nourishing complex beauty. As Nigeria braids tradition with cutting edge innovation, these stories transmute into luminescent beacons, diachronistic continuity. Resonating poignantly in diaspora conversations spanning oceans.
Echoing vibrantly in Nigeria’s creative expressions celebrating Ultimately, ìtàn transcends mere retrospection; it dynamically sculpts Nigeria’s unfolding narrative vectors. These andaren’t antiquarian tales; they’re heritage-infused blueprints propelling Nigeria’s stories into uncharted tomorrows narratives carrying ancestral essence into modernity’s unspooling scroll. ìtàn brings identity filaments, affirming storytelling as Nigeria’s quintessential cultural DNA.
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
LAGOS, NIGERIA – October 11, 2025 — Nigerian sportswear brand, ShightVault is making bold strides in redefining the culture of movement and style in Africa. The brand recently led a major collaboration with the Èkó Runners Club, hosting a vibrant community event themed “RUNWITHLAGOS” at The Finery, Ikoyi.
The activation brought together over 280 guests, including more than 140 runners who took part in a 5KM morning run through the heart of Lagos. The day unfolded into a full lifestyle experience, from yoga sessions and high-intensity training classes to ice baths, networking, food, drinks, and friendly competitions, blending wellness and urban culture in one energetic celebration.
At the center of it all was ShightVault, showcasing its limited-edition collaborative run-fit, a sleek performance line that sold out quickly at the venue.
Speaking at the event, Riches Efe Arhiakpore, Executive Director of ShightVault, described the collaboration as a reflection of the brand’s growing vision:
ShightVault is more than a sportswear label, it’s a movement. This collaboration with Èkó Runners Club represents how we want to connect fashion, fitness, and community. We’re open to working with more run clubs across the country and internationally as we expand our reach in both the sports and fashion industries.
The event was powered by key sponsors including KNGSMN, Pocari Sweat, ZoneX, Red Bull, and Glacee Table Water, alongside partners who helped deliver one of Lagos’ most engaging fitness activations of the year.
As ShightVault continues to grow beyond Nigeria’s borders, the brand is positioning itself as a global voice for African sportswear innovation, bridging performance, design, and cultural expression in every stride.
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity
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