The Presidency has highlighted planned and ongoing investments involving major international companies, including JPMorgan, Shell, ExxonMobil and Siemens Energy, to counter claims that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have discouraged investors from doing business in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has taken a swipe at Nigerians who believe the country has made little or no progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, suggesting that they need what she described as “Bola Tinubu eyeglasses” to see the changes taking place.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

She made the comment on Friday while inaugurating the Abuja headquarters of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a grassroots organisation campaigning for the President’s re-election in 2027, reports.

According to the First Lady, some Nigerians appear unable to recognise the developments taking place across the country under her husband’s administration.

She said, “So things are happening in Nigeria, except, you know, those who don’t see; maybe we’ll give them some, you know, Bola Tinubu eyeglasses. We are doing that, JigiBola.”

Jigi-Bola is an eye-care initiative introduced by Tinubu in 2001 during his tenure as governor of Lagos State. The programme provided free eye examinations, eyeglasses and surgical procedures. The Lagos State Government relaunched the initiative in 2021.

Mrs Tinubu also cited changes at Nigerian airports as evidence of progress under the current administration, expressing her desire for faster and more convenient travel.

“I want to get to the airport. I want to travel, you know, so quickly. And you can see our airports too are changing,” she said.

The First Lady further expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future beyond her husband’s presidency, revealing that she looked forward to leaving the Presidential Villa in 2031 and enjoying life in a better country as a woman in her 70s.

She said, “I want to leave Aso Rock, in 2031, by the grace of God, and enter a Nigeria that me as a 70-something-year-old woman will enjoy.”

During the event, Mrs Tinubu formally commissioned the Abuja headquarters of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement and expressed confidence in the President’s chances of securing another term in office in 2027.

Declaring the headquarters open, she said, “So to the glory of God, and for the victory of Mr President come 2027, I hereby formally commission the PBAT door-to-door movement campaign headquarters Abuja.”

She also reaffirmed her support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the movement’s convener, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

The United States government has declared two Nigerian men, Ezechukwu Ohaka and Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, wanted over separate allegations involving Medicare fraud and drug-related offences.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to reports, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Ohaka of submitting fraudulent Medicare claims worth more than $3.1 million, allegedly working with other individuals to carry out the scheme.

In a statement, the department said the 57-year-old allegedly obtained more than $1 million in illegal proceeds by targeting hurricane victims and paying kickbacks to recruit Medicare beneficiaries.

The DHS further alleged that Ohaka operated through his Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc., to submit claims for power wheelchairs, motorised scooters and wheelchair accessories that were either medically unnecessary or never provided.

The statement read, “Ezechukwu Ohaka (57) is wanted for allegedly submitting $3M+ in fraudulent Medicare claims and reaping $1M+ in illegal proceeds. He reportedly targeted hurricane victims and paid kickbacks to recruit beneficiaries.

“Through his Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc., Ohaka and others allegedly billed for medically unnecessary power wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and wheelchair accessories that were either not medically necessary or were not provided.”

In a separate development, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has declared 57-year-old Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, also known as Uncle, wanted over alleged drug-related offences.

The agency disclosed this in a brief statement published on its official X account.

According to the statement, the DEA’s Chicago Division is seeking Olukoya in connection with an alleged conspiracy to possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute them and to distribute the substances.

The statement read, “@DEACHICAGODiv is looking for Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, wanted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances.”

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a health alert following the reported case of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria.

In the alert published on October 21, the US Mission Nigeria described Ebola as a serious health concern, warning that the disease is rare, severe and potentially fatal.

The embassy explained that health authorities were conducting contact tracing following the reported case.

It urged travellers to consult health guidance issued by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and take necessary precautions to minimise the risk of exposure.

The mission also directed travellers to the CDC’s Ebola information page and its Nigeria travel health page for additional guidance.

The embassy advised individuals who may have been exposed to Ebola to contact their healthcare providers if they develop symptoms associated with the disease. It stressed the importance of seeking professional guidance before presenting for medical care.

Travellers were also encouraged to continue taking malaria-prevention medication as prescribed by their doctors, noting that some malaria symptoms can resemble those of Ebola and potentially cause unnecessary alarm.

Additionally, the US Mission advised people returning from areas affected by an Ebola outbreak to monitor their health for 21 days after their return.

The embassy recommended consulting the US Department of State’s Nigeria country information page for general health guidance. It also directed travellers to its list of medical providers and advised them to contact their travel insurance companies to understand the medical evacuation options available should they fall ill while abroad.