General News
Nigerian Medical Association Games Begins Today
The Nigerian Medical Association is set to host the highly anticipated 7th edition of the NMA Games. This prestigious event will take place in Lagos from Monday, February 19th to Saturday, February 24th, 2024, at multiple venues including the University of Lagos Sports Complex and the Ikeja Golf Course.
The Lagos NMA chairman, who doubles as the chairman of Eko 2024 Games LOC, Dr Oluwatosin Benjamin Olowojebutu told a media conference held at the association’s secretariat at Bode Thomas in Surulere on Friday that “we are delighted to host this celebration of athleticism, sportsmanship and wellness among Nigeria’s finest physicians and medical professionals.
“Our expectation is that this sports fiesta will afford our doctors the opportunity to compete fairly, make new connections, unwind and create memories that will last a lifetime,” Dr Olowojebutu said.
He disclosed that the Lagos event will feature over 1,000 doctors taking part in events which include football, basketball, volleyball, golf, athletics, chess, scrabble, ayo, table tennis, tennis, badminton and draughts at different venues with the University of Lagos, where the opening ceremony will take place, being the major center and Ikeja Golf Club.
The opening ceremony will hold on Wednesday where the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate will be special guests of honour.
Olowojebutu said that, in addition to the competitive events, the Games will also feature musical and cultural showcases, networking opportunities, talk shops and special ceremonies to honour all outstanding athletes and participants.
“We had a pre-games event at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja on Thursday where we discussed on topic scientific sports science in advancing the cause of health and fitness. The sessions were lively, robust and all participants agreed that it was indeed an integral conversation that needed to be had.”
Also speaking, Dr Israel Jeremiah, Chairman National Sports Committee and the NMA Publicity Secretary, noted that other professionals in the medical field have been invited to be part of the weeklong fiesta, adding that all hands are on deck for the success of the Games.
Dr. Jeremiah recalled the long journey of the first edition of the Games which was held in Eket in Akwa Ibom State, after which the train moved to Ado Ekiti (Ekiti State), Jalingo (Taraba State), Abeokuta (Ogun State), Port Harcourt (Rivers State), FCT Abuja where the 6th edition was held.
Dr Jeremiah who is being referred to as the Games Master said doctors have always informed their patients to keep exercising their bodies, “I think we should begin to practice what we have been telling people,” he said.
Other attendees at Friday’s media conference included Dr Kefas Zawaya, vice chairman, National Sports Committee, Dr. Peter Ekwueme, secretary of National Sports Committee and National Games Organizing Committee, Dr Anthony Godfrey, Assistant Secretary, National Sports Committee and Coach NMA National Team, Dr Salau Tajudeen, immediate past chairman, Lagos NMA and Dr Kolawole Aramide 2nd Vice chairman, Lagos NMA
Police in Abuja have uncovered a criminal group making fake diplomatic and government number plates.
Ahmed Sanusi, commissioner of Police FCT, stated this during a press briefing on Friday.
He explained that criminals use these fake plates to dodge security checks and enter restricted areas.
The investigation started soon after Sanusi took office.
He noticed too many unauthorized cars driving around with official government and diplomatic tags.
“I immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation into this disturbing trend,” Sanusi said. He noted that these individuals use the plates as a cover to commit crimes and avoid arrest.
The police have already arrested several people caught using the fake plates.
They have also figured out who is making them.
The manufacturers operate outside Abuja, and police are actively hunting them down.
Sanusi kept their names secret so they would not flee.
He stressed that this is a highly profitable illegal business.
Buyers pay between N500,000 and N1.7 million for a single fake plate.
“This will tell you that they are making such huge expenditure because they have an agenda,” Sanusi explained.
“Now they will face punishment that is bigger than both the cost they incur and the agenda they are planning.”
The commissioner urged residents to report any cars with suspicious diplomatic plates.
He reminded the public that real diplomatic tags follow a very specific format.
A diplomatic number plate in Nigeria is a special vehicle identification tag issued to foreign embassies, high commissions, and accredited international diplomats.
Gavi has approved $500 million to strengthen Nigeria’s immunisation programme, primary healthcare services and long-term vaccine financing.
The move followed high-level discussions between Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, ]and Dr. Sania Nishtar, chief executive officer, Gavi in Abuja.
The funding, approved under the Gavi 6.0 programme, will support Nigeria’s efforts to accelerate routine immunisation, sustain polio eradication, expand HPV vaccination, strengthen primary healthcare services, and improve long-term vaccine financing.
Speaking during the meeting, Pate said Nigeria was strengthening its partnership with Gavi to accelerate immunisation, expand primary healthcare services, and ensure sustainable financing for vaccines.
He welcomed Gavi’s country-focused reforms, including the introduction of a predictable five-year funding envelope.
Pate said the US$500 million allocation will enable Nigeria to plan more effectively and deliver life-saving vaccines to more children and vulnerable populations.
The minister also revealed that quarterly visits to primary healthcare centreshad increased from about 10 million in 2023 to more than 45 million, reflecting significant progress in revitalising the country’s primary healthcare system.
Pate welcomed the announcement of a US$600 million pledge by the United States government to Gavi, describing it as a strong endorsement of the alliance’s leadership and the global value of vaccines.
He also commended Nishtar for prioritising Nigeria and praised the closer coordination among Gavi, World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, World Bank, Gates Foundation, and other development partners, describing it as a model that has improved efficiency and aligned support with Nigeria’s health sector reforms.
The minister expressed appreciation to Gavi and its partners for their continued technical and financial support, while calling on state governments to invest more in healthcare and immunisation to complement federal efforts.
For many women, financial independence means the freedom to provide for their families and build a better future. Yet, this remains out of reach due to limited access to opportunities, business support, and secure payment solutions.
Like millions of women in Nigeria determined to be financially independent, Pricillia started with a single PalmPay POS terminal, and as an agent, every successful transaction provided a commission which brought her one step closer to achieving her dream.
Through consistency, discipline, and support from the payment platform, she reinvested her earnings and eventually opened her own provision store.
“I started as just a PalmPay agent with one POS. The consistency of the platform gave me the confidence to expand. With the income I earned, I was able to open my own provision shop.” Priscilla said.
For Priscilla, PalmPay was more than a payment platform. Its secure payment infrastructure gave her the confidence to serve her customers, build trust, and grow her income.
Today, Pricillia has joined the statistics of SMEs powering Nigeria’s economy and PalmPay continues to support her daily operations, helping her receive payments, as she works towards her next business milestone. Her journey is a reminder that when women have access to secure financial tools and opportunities, they can build lasting economic independence.
Speaking on Pricillia’s journey, Femi Hanson, Head of Marketing, PalmPay said: “Providing a secure platform that users can trust, whether for everyday payments or high-value transactions, is central to our vision of advancing financial inclusion. Priscilla’s story reflects our commitment to supporting the ambitions of Nigerians by providing a platform they can rely on to grow their finances. After all, seamless banking begins with security, and every successful transaction reinforces the trust our users place in us.”
Priscilla stands among thousands of PalmPay agents nationwide who are helping to expand financial access across Nigeria while earning commissions to create sustainable sources of income for themselves.
Every payment tells a story. It begins with trust, the confidence that your money is secure and that financial services are accessible. And when that opportunity reaches women, it creates ripple effects that transform families, strengthen communities, and drive economic growth.
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