At least seven people were killed and 100 kidnapped on Saturday night when gunmen attacked a rural community in Nigeria’s northwestern Katsina state, residents and police said on Sunday, in the latest attack against residents in the north of the country.
State police spokesperson Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq confirmed the attack and the seven deaths, but would not say whether anyone was missing. He said police were investigating.
“The remaining men who did not flee are living in fear … and waiting to hear news about their abducted loved ones,” said Muhammad Sani, whose sister was abducted.
Residents said gunmen on motorbikes arrived in Maidabino village in the Danmusa local government area of Katsina, and started shooting sporadically, forcing residents to flee.
Hassan Aliyu told Reuters news agency by phone that the attack took residents by surprise and dozens of women and children were confirmed missing.
“They killed seven people, including burning two children,” Aliyu said. “They spent more than six hours destroying our properties.”
Auwalu Ismail, another resident, said the gunmen first blocked all roads leading to Maidabino before the attack.
“They burned down our shops, vehicles, and took away our livestock. They also kidnapped my wife and more than 100 women and children,” he said.
In recent years, such abductions have been concentrated in Nigeria’s northwest and central regions, where dozens of armed groups often target villagers and travellers for large ransoms.
In March, gunmen attacked a school in the northwestern state of Kaduna and kidnapped dozens of pupils as they were about to start the schoolday, according to local residents and authorities.
Last year, gunmen took more than 80 students in a raid on a school in the northwestern state of Kebbi.
Monday, June 24, 2024
Seven dead, 100 kidnapped after attack in northern Nigeria
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Nigeria oil licence auction attracts huge interest
Nigeria is expanding the number of oil blocks slated for auction in its 2024 licensing round as well as extending the deadline for ending the exercise amid keen interest in the offer, the oil regulator told Reuters on Thursday.
Nigeria opened a licensing round in April offering a total of 19 onshore and deepwater oil blocks to investors. This has now been expanded to include an additional 17 deep offshore blocks to the 2024 licensing round.
"We have undertaken more exploratory activities and as a result acquired more data to expand the offer and extend the deadline. This has given rise to tremendous interest from investors," Gbenga Komolafe, head of Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said.
Komolafe said that registration, which had been slated to close on June 25, has been extended by 10 days. Bid submissions would open on July 8 and close on Nov. 29.
The oil regulator is seeking to deepen exploitation of the country's estimated 37.5 billion barrels of crude oil and 209.26 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves.
It has tried to sweeten the offer by cutting entry fees called signature bonus from around $200 million per field to $10 million, promised a fair and transparent process and allowed online submissions through its website. Bidders also have the option to lease single units of oil blocks or in clusters.
Nigeria is seeking to halt the flow of investments to African rivals Angola and Namibia by improving the ease of acquiring oil blocks.
Nigeria, a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has seen its oil production decline from around 2 million barrels a decade ago to just over 1.4 million barrels per day.
Oil majors are leaving onshore fields - prone to sabotage and frequent claims to compensation for spills - to focus on deepwater fields where disruptions are less common.
By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters
Super Eagles drop eight places in FIFA ranking
Following these setbacks, their new manager, Finidi George, resigned after the Nigeria Football Federation announced its intention to hire a new foreign technical adviser.
In Africa, Morocco, Egypt, and Cote d’Ivoire each improved one spot, while Senegal dropped one spot.
The Atlas Lions are the highest-ranked African team at No. 12, followed by Senegal’s Teranga Lions at 18, Egypt’s Pharaohs at 36, the African champions Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire at 37, and the Super Eagles rounding out Africa’s top five at 38.
According to the FIFA release, “the top three, however, remain unshakeable. Argentina (1st) retains their place at the summit, with France (2nd) and Belgium (3rd) hot on their heels. But there is movement behind them, as Brazil (4th, up 1) and England (5th, down 1) swap places.
“Meanwhile, Portugal (6th), the Netherlands (7th), and Spain (8th) consolidate their spots in the top ten, while Croatia (9th, up 1) overtake Italy (10th, down 1), who nonetheless hold onto a place among the leading pack.”
These rankings are expected to change further this month, with the Euro Championship and Copa America taking place.
By Jide Alaka, Premium Times
NASRDA Signs MoU with SERA to Launch First Astronaut to Space from Nigeria
Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (FMIST), stated that Nigeria is on track to make history in Africa by carrying out its first human space flight. He emphasised that the human space flight, which will be at no cost to the Federal Government of Nigeria, is a key objective of the nation’s space programme, initially scheduled for 2018. Nnaji added that the partnership with SERA will help address past delays and align the programme with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Furthermore, the Minister congratulated the Director General of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Adepoju and his team, stating that this marks an excellent start to his tenure and validates the President’s wise decision to appoint the DG to lead the Agency at this crucial time. He acknowledged the critical role of Dr Ann Agi from the Learn Space Foundation in facilitating the collaboration and emphasised that the private sector involvement will significantly contribute to achieving the nation’s aspirations and enhancing its international reputation.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Esuabana Asanye, provided a brief history of the meeting between the former President of the United States, John F Kennedy, and the then Nigerian Head of State, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa. The meeting centred on the goal of sending the first American and Nigerian to space before the end of the 1960s. She noted that both leaders were assassinated before this dream could be realised. However, America succeeded in sending its first astronaut into space by 1969, while Nigeria has yet to achieve the same milestone. She expressed her gratitude for the collaboration between NASRDA and SERA, which is helping to make this long-held dream a reality. Mrs Asanye also commended the teams involved and urged them to continue their excellent work as the nation eagerly anticipates having its first Nigerian in space.
In his remarks, Dr Matthew Adepoju, expressed his gratitude to the Minister for his support, stating that the agency takes pride in being Africa’s premier space agency—not just as a mere claim, but as a fact. He highlighted that the collaboration with SERA signifies the beginning of NASRDA’s efforts to achieve its dream of human space flight, a key objective of the National Space Policy and Programme. Dr Adepoju emphasised SERA’s crucial role in providing this collaborative opportunity and praised their mission to democratise space exploration and exploitation for all nations as a noble endeavour. He assured that NASRDA is committed to doing everything necessary to send the first Nigerian into space through this partnership.
Furthermore, Sam Hutchinson, Co-founder of SERA, remarked that the Human Space Flight Programme with NASRDA is part of a broader mission to allow six astronauts from different nations, who have never been to space, to make their debut. He explained that SERA is dedicated to democratising space so that anyone can become an astronaut. According to Hutchinson, the Nigerian populace will select a candidate through an open democratic process managed by SERA. He added that Nigeria was chosen for this initiative because of its strong interest in space exploration and its reputation as a nation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
Joshua Skurla, the Co-founder of SERA, praised the event as a milestone for the African continent and assured that his team is committed to putting the first Nigerian astronaut in space. Speaking at the event, Victor Hespenia, the first SERA astronaut, emphasised that a trip to space could significantly impact young Nigerians by inspiring them to dream big and create space-based inventions valuable for the country’s growth. He stressed the importance of exposing young people to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to ensure Nigeria’s bright future in space. The partnership acknowledges and appreciates Nigeria’s achievements in space science and technology.
By Deborah Faboade, Space in Africa
Related story: Artemis Accords signed by Nigeria and Rwanda
Asthma patients face spiralling costs as big pharma exits Nigeria
The following week, when she went out in Ibadan city to replace her old Ventolin inhaler, the asthma sufferer was shocked to see that many pharmacies were out of stock and the only place it was available sold it for 7,500 naira ($5) – more than double the 2,800 naira ($1.86) she had paid months before.
This price jump – which followed the departure from Nigeria of a major health pharmaceutical – was a shock for the 24-year-old undergraduate student who earns a bit of money designing clothes. And the ripple effects were even worse.
Last month, while alone in her room at the university hostel and consumed by thoughts of her economic challenges, Mofifoluwa started hyperventilating and struggled to catch her breath.
Her roommate was away and there was no one to take her to hospital. All she had on her was an Aeroline inhaler, which she explained does not work as fast for her as the Ventolin she now struggles to get.
“I was just scared because not only was I alone in my room, I was also on my floor [and without the medicine I most needed],” she told Al Jazeera, adding that all she could do was pray until she fell asleep, hoping she would regain her strength by the time she woke up.
The pharmaceutical scarcity and rising prices causing stress for asthma sufferers like Mofifoluwa cap off a chain of events that began in May 2023, when Bola Tinubu was elected president.
During his inauguration ceremony, Tinubu announced the removal of a fuel subsidy, which resulted in an unprecedented increase in petrol prices. This also affected the cost of various goods and services and contributed to an inflation rate of above 27 percent. The cumulative economic effects have been harsh, especially for the vulnerable – including students and low-income earners.
The hardships worsened as the president’s monetary policies pushed the naira to an all-time low against the United States dollar, further leading to a downward trend as manufacturers struggled to meet production targets.
Amid the downturn – which included exchange rate volatility, declining revenues and a general worsening of the investment climate in Nigeria – a significant number of businesses including international pharmaceuticals exited the country.
GSK exit
Among those that left was British company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which ceased direct business in Nigeria in August 2023 and transitioned to a third-party distribution model. The company had operated in the Nigerian market since 1972.
“We believe the move to a third-party distribution model, a strategy we’ve successfully implemented in other markets, will enable more sustainable access to our medicines and vaccines for patients in Nigeria in line with our global strategy,” said GSK spokesperson Dan Smith.
However, Nigerian doctors and patients Al Jazeera spoke to said GSK’s departure has contributed to rising prices and increased the scarcity of some medicines. As a major supplier of inhalers – including the type Mofifoluwa depended on – the company’s exit has not been good news for asthma patients.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asthma cannot be cured but common treatments like the usage of inhalers which deliver medication to the lungs allow patients to live normal, active lives.
The global health body recommends that people with asthma get access to proper healthcare, but in developing countries like Nigeria, the situation is complicated. This has been worsened by the exit of companies like GSK.
While asthma inhalers were easily available and more affordable when the company was around, many now find the medication is out of reach. Despite there being alternative options, Nigeria relies largely on imported medicines, meaning high operational costs get added to the price tag for consumers.
For the average patient, an inhaler lasts about two months, depending on usage, which makes it a pricey regular cost in a country where the minimum monthly wage is 30,000 naira (about $20).
Like Mofifoluwa, 21-year-old Joseph Biyi also struggles with asthma. The library, archival and information science student was diagnosed in the middle of last year, and has since been confronted with the rising prices of inhalers.
The first time he bought a Ventolin inhaler, it sold at 3,500 naira ($2.30) but by his next visit to the pharmacy this year, the price had jumped to 7,500 naira ($5).
While Biyi has his parents to help him with money for inhalers, especially since the prices have skyrocketed, he said he now also forgoes some essential items, like groceries, to save the extra money for medicine, “just to avoid risk”.
High asthma rates
The Nigerian Thoracic Society says that, as of 2019, 15 million Nigerians were asthmatics while a nationwide study put the number at 13 million – one of the highest rates in Africa. With less than accurate data in Nigeria, because those in rural areas have limited access to quality healthcare or medical tracking, the number could be even higher.
On World Asthma Day in 2023, the president of the Nigerian Society of Asthmatics, University College Hospital (UCH) Branch, Professor Olusoji Ige, said more than 10 million Nigerians have asthma and about three-quarters of them risked dying due to poor asthma control.
Mrs Tinubu, the Matron of the University of Ibadan’s Asthmatic Club who prefers to be identified only by her surname, said there are several factors responsible for asthma. However, she noted that the ill-equipped healthcare system worsens the condition over time.
Due to the poor state of the public healthcare system in Nigeria, after diagnosis, most people take charge of getting their medication themselves.
Meanwhile, in Ibadan, some enterprising young Nigerians have been trying to help fill the health gaps that exist.
Temitope Omosebi, a postgraduate psychology student, told Al Jazeera that after having an encounter with an asthma sufferer in 2023, he understood the full gravity of the condition and wanted to do something to help.
That’s when he launched the #AttackAgainstAsthma campaign at the University of Ibadan, to help at least some patients get access to interventions. The campaign helps provide various types of inhalers, including Sivobutamol, Aeroline, Ventolin and Fortide, to those who need them. Last year alone, 40 inhalers were distributed and this year, an additional 60 were disbursed for free; all were procured with funds from Omosebi himself.
“The campaign is important as it addresses self-care medication for asthmatic patients which has become highly costly in the recent time,” Omosebi said. “Our focus is specifically on varsity students – and on individuals in low socioeconomic communities hopefully soon – because of the known financial challenges among these groups of people.
“In Nigeria, the government isn’t doing anything it’s meant to do,” he added.
‘All inhalers are expensive’
Olabitan Odunola, a doctor and the lead at The Health City, a tech-enabled platform that focuses on preventive services and education, bemoaned the scarcity and cost of GSK products since the company exited the Nigerian market.
She said that especially for asthmatic patients who depended on GSK’s inhalers, the new circumstances are disturbing and even alternative medicines are out of reach for most patients.
“Across the board, all the inhalers are expensive,” Odunola said.
Patients have switched to alternatives like Longlife Pharmaceuticals which mostly sells Aeroline inhalers, to find relief. There are also other options like Symbicort inhalers, manufactured by AstraZeneca, and Fortide inhalers, distributed by Pakistani pharmaceutical company Getz Pharma. While all are recognised and available, they are also largely unaffordable.
Odunola said the limited access to these preventers could worsen healthcare outcomes for asthmatics. Since the condition is long-term, she also feared that it could lead to more deaths, especially in instances when someone has an asthmatic attack.
The poverty rate in Nigeria, according to the World Bank, was estimated at 38.9 percent in 2023, and considering the relatively high prices of inhalers, patients may even resort to unproven asthmatic treatments out of desperation, experts fear.
There is a correlation between limited access to quality healthcare services and the number of asthmatic patients in Nigeria, said Bello Wada, a physician and the current public health rirector of the State Ministry of Health in Kano.
“This leads to delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment and poor management of asthma, exacerbating the condition and increasing the number of patients,” he said.
Wada also pointed out that GSK leaving Nigeria further puts those who have been diagnosed at a disadvantage, as inaccessibly priced inhalers could lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates.
Finding solutions
In January, the value of drugs imported into Nigeria was estimated at 900 billion naira ($606m), showing a high dependency on imported medicines.
In February, the federal government announced a $240m investment in the local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, but while this is yet to materialise, Wada wants the government to do more to address the situation.
“They need to implement policies to make essential medicines more affordable, increase funding for healthcare infrastructure and personnel, develop programmes to improve access to quality healthcare services, especially for vulnerable populations, and also engage with international organisations to secure donations or discounted prices for essential medicines,” he stressed.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, met with representatives and chief executive officers of pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria last year and said the government is concerned about the high cost of medicines and finding solutions to the crisis.
“The Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, @Fmohnigeria, is working towards policy actions that may address the high prices of medicines especially for the most vulnerable Nigerians,” he said on the social platform X in November.
Until that happens, to help her asthma and manage costs, Mofifoluwa said she will continue to use Aeroline, which at 6,500 naira ($4.30) is slightly cheaper than Ventolin. Even though it does not work as well for her, she feels the lower price makes a difference and allows her supplies to last longer.
“I normally don’t use Aeroline because Ventolin works faster. I had to start buying because it’s less costly,” she told Al Jazeera. “But I still have to manage when I buy it and use it based on calculation [and only when necessary].
“During examinations period, I consume a lot because anxiety and stress are all over me,” she added.
Now, with the high cost of essential medicine she needs, school is not the only thing adding to her stress.
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