The Ekiti State Government has commenced free medical screening and treatment for victims of the recent Eda Oniyo kidnapping following their release from captivity.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji directed the management of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, to provide comprehensive medical care for the victims, while the State Ministry of Health and Human Services was mandated to oversee their welfare and wellbeing.

According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, on Saturday, the state government will bear all medical expenses incurred during the victims’ treatment.

The statement said the rescued victims are currently receiving care at EKSUTH and will remain under medical supervision until they are certified fit to reunite with their families.

Oyebanji expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support in ensuring the safe release of the victims.

The governor also commended heads of security agencies in the state, the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, leaders of the Eda Oniyo community, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and other stakeholders for their contributions to securing the victims’ freedom.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, Oyebanji urged individuals politicising the incident on social media to desist and instead support government efforts to build a safer and more prosperous state.

He also extended his condolences to the family of one of the victims who died while in captivity.

The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared two medical doctors wanted for allegedly abandoning their duty posts after being trained for eight years at the state’s expense.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, announced this on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, during a press briefing in Uyo.

He identified the doctors as Consultant Radiologist, Dr. Uduakabasi Ita, and Consultant Hematologist, Dr. Mfonobong Bassey, both staff of the state’s Ministry of Health.

According to him, the doctors left their duty posts for greener pastures without fulfilling their service bond with the government.

“The state government has repeatedly said that any medical personnel it trains is bond to first serve the state to cover the cost of the training before they will be allowed to leave for greener pastures,” John said.H

He added that the ministry had declared the doctors wanted, ordered the stoppage of their salaries, and would pursue disciplinary action through local and international medical councils if necessary.

John urged the doctors to immediately return to their duty posts or refund all resources spent on their training, warning that their families should advise them to comply before sanctions are enforced.

The commissioner stressed that going forward, all medical officers trained by the state must serve out their agreed years before being allowed to resign.

He also commended Governor Umo Eno for declaring a state of emergency in the health sector, noting that Akwa Ibom was positioned to achieve improved healthcare under the ARISE Agenda of the present administration.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for retaining the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) status for the regulation of medicines and vaccines.

The WHO conducted a re-benchmarking exercise from May 28 to May 30, 2025, assessing NAFDAC’s regulatory performance against globally recognised standards. NAFDAC attained the ML3 status in 2022, becoming Africa’s first National Regulatory Authority to achieve the milestone in regulating medicines and vaccines (non-producing).

According to the WHO’s assessment, NAFDAC has maintained a stable, well-functioning, and integrated framework for regulating medicines and vaccines, a feat attributed to sustained government investment in strengthening the regulatory system.

President Tinubu commended the agency’s management and staff for their professionalism and dedication to safeguarding public health, describing the achievement as a boost to Nigeria’s standing in global health security and pandemic preparedness.

The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines and vaccines in line with international best practices. He noted that the milestone aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system, upgrading over 17,000 primary health centres, improving maternal care and diagnostics in underserved areas, training 120,000 frontline health workers, and doubling national health insurance coverage within three years.

Tinubu also pledged continued support for NAFDAC’s bid to achieve WHO’s Maturity Level 4, the highest global standard of regulatory excellence, and reaffirmed plans to promote local production of healthcare products, attract investment in the pharmaceutical sector, and expand manufacturing capacity.