By David Torough, Abuja

The Federal Government has pledged its support for the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to harness Nigeria’s Orange Economy as a driver of job creation, entrepreneurship, economic diversification and sustainable development.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the commitment on Tuesday in Abuja when the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof.

The meeting focused on the research being undertaken by participants of NIPSS Senior Executive Course 48 and plans for a National Summit and Exhibition on the Orange Economy.

Idris commended NIPSS for choosing the creative economy as the focus of its research, describing the sector as a significant opportunity to diversify Nigeria’s economy, create jobs for young people and promote sustainable prosperity.

“I want to commend NIPSS for this initiative of examining the Orange Economy and entrepreneurship for sustainable development,” the minister said.

He assured the delegation that the Ministry and its agencies would support both the research and the proposed summit. According to him, effective communication would be essential to ensuring that Nigerians and the international community understand the opportunities available in the creative economy.

“This Ministry is essentially about taking information to the public and taking it back from the public. It is a two-way thing,” Idris said.

The minister also highlighted the role of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which has a nationwide presence, in gathering feedback on the views, needs and aspirations of Nigerians at the grassroots.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remained committed to listening to citizens and adjusting policies and programmes where necessary in the national interest.

“The first question the President asks whenever I sit with him is: ‘What are Nigerians saying?’” Idris said.

To strengthen coordination, the minister said the Ministry would designate an official to work with NIPSS as preparations for the proposed summit advance.

Earlier, Omotayo said NIPSS was seeking the Ministry’s partnership in its research and the planned national summit, which is expected to examine how the Orange Economy can contribute to Nigeria’s economic transformation and the administration’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy.

He said participants in Senior Executive Course 48 had conducted research visits across Nigeria and to several countries to examine how creative industries are being developed and leveraged for economic growth.

The proposed summit, he added, would bring together government representatives, creatives, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders to explore opportunities across the sector.

“The Orange Economy is a very huge sector. We have identified about 48 subdivisions, and we believe the summit will bring out the potentials in every sector,” Omotayo said.

According to the NIPSS Director-General, Nigeria’s growing creative and digital industries have considerable potential to tackle youth unemployment while creating new avenues for entrepreneurship, investment and wealth creation.

Idris reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with NIPSS and other strategic institutions to turn research and policy ideas into practical opportunities for Nigerians, particularly young people, while strengthening the country’s position in the global creative economy.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials and representatives of NIPSS and the private sector, including Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire; former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and other officials.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Akpodo Community has paid a thank-you visit to the management and staff of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo, in appreciation of a recent medical outreach organised to provide healthcare services to residents of the community.

The delegation, led by the Community Chief, His Royal Highness Chief Mark Baron Onah, also expressed appreciation to the Linda Moro Memorial Foundation and other partners and individuals who supported the outreach.

Speaking during the visit, Chief Onah commended Lydia Memorial Hospital for bringing medical services to the community despite the difficult road conditions.

He described the outreach as a significant humanitarian intervention, particularly at a time when many families are facing economic hardship.

“What baffles me most was that, even when there was no way to our community, you created a way where there was no way, and made sure my people benefited from the outreach,” the traditional ruler said.

Chief Onah said the initiative went beyond healthcare delivery, describing it as a demonstration of compassion, solidarity and concern for the wellbeing of people in underserved communities.

He called on other organisations, philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to emulate Lydia Memorial Hospital by supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to essential services in rural communities.

The community’s Woman Leader, Mrs Kate Onah, also expressed gratitude to the hospital and the Linda Moro Memorial Foundation for what she described as a memorable and impactful outreach.

She commended the organisations for combining healthcare delivery with community empowerment and bringing professional medical attention closer to residents who often face difficulties accessing healthcare.
Responding on behalf of the hospital’s nursing department, the Head of Nursing Department, ACNO Samuel Ajuma, thanked the delegation for returning to the hospital to formally express its appreciation.

Ajuma said the visit demonstrated the community’s acceptance of the outreach and recognition of the efforts of the hospital and foundation.

He added that the initiative was also aimed at strengthening relationships between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.
The Medical Director of Lydia Memorial Hospital, Dr Mark A. C. Ogbodo, used the occasion to draw attention to the poor condition of roads linking Akpodo with neighbouring communities and major markets.

Ogbodo said the deplorable roads were hindering the community’s social and economic development, particularly affecting farmers who rely on the routes to transport agricultural produce to markets.

He appealed to the local, state and federal governments, as well as philanthropists, corporate organisations and other stakeholders, to urgently intervene by grading and improving the roads.
According to him, better roads would improve access to healthcare and other essential services while also helping farmers transport their produce to markets, increase household incomes and strengthen the local economy.

The Linda Moro Memorial Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian service, saying the medical outreach and community empowerment initiatives were inspired by the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people.

The foundation said its activities were also intended to preserve the legacy of its late matriarch, Mrs Linda Moro, whose memory continues to inspire acts of compassion, service and community development.

The visit ended with both Akpodo Community and the hospital reaffirming their commitment to sustaining their relationship and exploring further opportunities to improve the wellbeing of people in rural and underserved communities.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has renewed its call for harsher penalties for counterfeiters.

The agency proposed death sentences or life imprisonment for those convicted of counterfeiting regulated products in Nigeria.

NAFDAC Director-General, Prof.

Adeyeye said the penalties should be incorporated into the NAFDAC Act and Counterfeit and Fake Drugs Act.

She said tougher sanctions would strengthen Nigeria’s fight against counterfeit, substandard, falsified and unwholesome regulated products.

“We need stricter penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment, for counterfeiters,” Adeyeye said.

According to her, NAFDAC secured 64 convictions for counterfeiting nationwide between June 2025 and June 2026.

She said the convictions attracted prison sentences ranging from one to seven years, without the option of a fine.

Adeyeye said the convictions included a five-year sentence for faking Global Fund Artemether, an antimalarial medicine.

Another five-year sentence was imposed over counterfeit cough and cold syrup containing codeine, she said.

She added that other cases involving counterfeit ointments and condoms attracted 12-month prison sentences.

According to Adeyeye, seven-year prison sentences were secured for counterfeit antibiotics and a woman involved in pharmaceutical counterfeiting.

The director-general described counterfeiters as “merchants of death”, stressing that NAFDAC would maintain zero tolerance toward their activities.

She said the agency would intensify enforcement against substandard, falsified and unwholesome regulated products across the country.

Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC’s enforcement records since 2023 showed billions of naira worth of products seized.

She said the agency had also recorded hundreds of arrests, dozens of convictions and destruction of confiscated products.

The NAFDAC chief said the agency’s enforcement efforts were necessary despite the “brazenness” of merchants involved in the illicit trade.

She said counterfeit products posed serious risks to public health and undermined legitimate manufacturers operating within the regulated pharmaceutical market.

On the ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets and small plastic bottles, Adeyeye said manufacturers were complying with enforcement measures.

“Manufacturers are already dismantling their production lines or reconfiguring them for other non-alcoholic products,” she said.

She attributed the development to NAFDAC’s ban and intensified enforcement against manufacturers of the affected alcoholic beverages.

NAFDAC announced a nationwide ban on alcoholic drinks in sachets and PET bottles below 200ml in January.

The agency has subsequently intensified enforcement of the prohibition, targeting production, distribution and sale of the banned alcoholic products. (NAN)