General News
Osita Chidoka … The Midas Touch
“Age was respected among his people, but achievement was revered. As the elders say, if a child washes his hands he could eat with kings” – Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart Emeka Anyaoko, former Sec Gen of the Commonwealth was on the front row of reserved seats for title holders of Obosi, clad in full colourful regalia.
On the same platform with the octogenarian, attired in similar royal regalia, was Osita Chidoka , Ike Obosi.
This scenario at the New Yam festival (3rd Iwa-ji & Obiora Festival of Eze Iweka III) at Obosi, gave life to Chinua Achebe’s classic, quoted above.
He had been invested with the traditional title of Ike Obosi (Strength of Obosi) and a member of Ndi-Ichie, the highest decision making body of Obosi Traditional Council of Anambra State, following recognition of his contributions to national and community development five years ago.
Even though there was no Amalenze the cat to defeat, to earn him a place of honour, Osita wrestled and overcame societal limitations and inhibitions by dint of hardwork, determination and an unquenchable vision to succeed.
His outstanding rendition at the FRSC where he held sway as a corp marshal for seven years was outstanding.
He earned the respect and admiration of fellow Nigerians through his out-of-the-box strategy for achieving set objectives.
Many a time, he came to the highways himself to enforce traffic rules, sometimes at great risk to his life.
Nigerians were bewildered as they watched on national television, a uniformed officer threatening him when stopped from driving on the opposite lane.
He led bicycle rides and jogging exercises to reinforce his advocacy for alternative transport and physical fitness, respectively.
He transformed the FRSC to a functional Lead Agency in Road Traffic Administration and Safety Management driven by information and communication technology.
It, therefore, did not come as a suprise when, shortly on assumption of office as Minister of Aviation, he received the National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM) for his accomplishments at FRSC, by President Goodluck Jonathan. Chidoka is no stranger to awards.
During his NYSC, he served at the FCT where he became an Award Winner and subsequently secured automatic employment into the FCDA Abuja.
He received Papal commendation in 1998 when after a stint as Secretary, National Committee for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Nigeria.
He was a Senior Adviser on Government and Business Relations, Mobil Producing Nigeria.
He had earlier served as Personal Assistant to the Minister of State in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Personal Assistant to the Minister of Transport as well as Special Assistant to the Senior Adviser to the President on Legal matters.
On assumption of office, there were fears that he had little or no time to make any meaningful impact with barely few months to the end of the tenure.
He allayed these fears with the analogy that General Murtala Mohummed, Nigeria’s late Head of State, in just six months created twelve states, made Abuja Federal Capital and recorded several milestones that have endeared him to many Nigerians. Same cannot be said of some leaders who spent more time with little impact.
Chidoka’s interaction with aviation agencies, airline operators, workers union, the media and other key stakeholders secured their buy-in.
His interaction with Airport Managers and consultants birthed his operational template anchored on the Aviation Master-plan.
His shared vision for the sector was unambiguous. The aviation sector must fulfil its potential.
He shared a vision, his vision of the future, a vivid image of the compelling future that can only be realised through dedicated commitment.
Within the short period of his resumption as Minister of Aviation, the aviation industry received the confirmation of the substantive DG of NCAA, Capt Muktar Usman.
Fate also bestowed on him the fortune to receive the golden fleece of the aviation industry …the Category 1 status of the FAA for the second time, a feat most armchair critics in the industry had thought was far-fetched.
Like someone noted “Chidoka has Goodluck!”
Yakubu dati is the general manager, Corporate Communications of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.
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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