Category Nigeria News

ARCO Group PLC has congratulated US–based Nigerian professional Dr Henrietta N. Ukwu on her recent inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who, one of the United States’ oldest and most respected biographical directories.

The prestigious listing, announced on January 9, 2026, recognises individuals with notable accomplishments and influence in their fields, placing Dr Ukwu alongside global leaders in business, science, public service and culture.

In a statement signed by Group Managing Director Alfred Okoigun, ARCO described Dr Ukwu’s recognition as “timely and well deserved,” highlighting her decades of professional excellence in global regulatory affairs and quality assurance.

“This honour is not only a personal milestone, but a testament to decades of intellectual rigour, ethical leadership, and professional excellence in one of the world’s most demanding and consequential fields,” the statement said.

ARCO Group recalled Dr Ukwu’s early recognition at the 2001 Nigerian Excellence in Science & Technology (NEST) Awards, which it organised in London — a testament to her long-standing promise and impact. The award was established to recognise outstanding Nigerians whose work had attained global standards of excellence in science and technology.

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At that ceremony, three individuals were honoured, among them Ukwu, whose selection reflected the same qualities that continue to define her career today: integrity, clarity of purpose, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Dr Ukwu’s inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who reflects a distinguished career as a physician, infectious diseases expert, and global regulatory leader, currently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer at Novavax Inc.

In this role, she oversees strategic product development and registration, forging regulatory partnerships with agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency and other global authorities.

Over her more than three-decade career, Dr Ukwu has held senior leadership positions in major pharmaceutical companies, including Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, PPD, Pfizer and Merck, where she helped secure regulatory approvals for critical vaccines and therapies, including the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine and early breakthroughs such as the Varivax chickenpox vaccine and Crixivan HIV protease inhibitor.

ARCO’s commendation emphasised not only Dr Ukwu’s accomplishments but also her enduring influence on global regulatory science and quality assurance — fields essential to public health, innovation and international collaboration.

The Rivers Assembly says the state’s Chief Judge, Simeon Amadi, has acknowledged the impeachment notice on Governor Siminalayi Fubara. 

In a statement on Friday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, said the documents and notices of allegations against Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, have been “received and acknowledged” by Amadi.

“It is important to inform the good people of Rivers state that Mr Speaker has already complied with the constitution, and letters sent by him to the chief judge have been received and acknowledged,” the statement read in part.

“All relevant documents, including the Notices of Allegations of Gross Misconduct, were attached.”

READ ALSO: Rivers Assembly Urges Chief Judge To Begin Impeachment Probe Against Fubara, Deputy

Last week, the Rivers Assembly started impeachment proceedings against the governor and Odu.

One week later, the lawmakers asked Amadi to investigate the gross misconduct allegations against Fubara and his deputy.

On the same day, a high court in Port Harcourt, temporarily restrained the Rivers state’s chief judge from receiving or acting on any impeachment notice against Fubara and Odu.

The order was granted by Justice Florence Fiberesima following the hearing of a motion ex parte filed separately by Governor Fubara and his deputy. In the two suits—marked OYHC/7/CS/2026 and OYHC/6/CS/2026—the court also granted the claimants leave to serve the interim order and other originating processes on the first to the thirty-first defendants by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State Assembly quarters.

The court also directed that the Chief Judge, listed as the thirty-second defendant, be served through any staff of the judiciary at his chambers within the court premises.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured residents that his administration will make further efforts to strengthen the security architecture of the state so as to ensure that every space of the state is secure.

The governor stated this at the grand finale and laying of wreaths of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

He expressed appreciation to the officers and men of the Armed Forces for securing the state, urging them not to relent in their efforts.

This was as he commended the efforts of security operatives in sustaining the relative peace and harmony in the state and across the nation, assuring residents that his administration’s commitment to securing lives would receive further boosts so as to ensure the security of lives and properties.

He also hinted that plans were afoot to set up a welfare scheme for the families of the five forest guards killed recently at the Oloka Village axis of the old Oyo National Park in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

READ ALSO: Shettima, Akpabio, Other Dignitaries Commemorate Armed Forces Remembrance

The governor equally assured that his administration would continue to remember and support maimed soldiers, widows, orphans, and other dependents of the fallen heroes, because they paid the ultimate price to keep the country safe and secure.

“I can only say thank you to the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces,” Makinde said.

“This is a challenging time for us as a nation. We are still dealing with all sorts of security challenges, and they have been trying their best.

“We have asked them to do a lot more with very little resources, and they have been doing their bit. I want to urge them not to relent.

“I want to say that for us, as a government, we will continue to give the necessary support to ensure that it is not a hardship posting for them.

“For Oyo State, a few days back, we had an incident at the Old Oyo National Park where some forest guards were killed. We commiserate with their families, and we will do our best to ensure that they are looked after. It is not time to play the blame game.

“We won’t leave any stone unturned until we keep every inch of space and land in Oyo State safe and secure.”

Also speaking, the Interim Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Command, Chief Julius Alabi, lauded the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government for the improvement of Legion members’ welfare and for other support.

The ceremony witnessed the laying of wreaths at the remembrance cenotaph by Governor Makinde, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by the Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Fadeyi; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Sen) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

Others who laid the wreaths were the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General C.R Nnebeife; Interim Chairman, Nigeria Legion, Oyo State Command, Chief Alabi; Commander, 2 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General A.S Bugaje; the Commander 655, Nigerian Air Force Station, Ibadan, Air Commodore D.U. Njoku, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, Mr Femi Haruna, and a representative of the widows of the fallen heroes, Mrs Taibatu Bello.

The occasion also witnessed the 21-gun salute in honour of the fallen heroes, special prayers for the repose of the fallen heroes, and the release of ceremonial pigeons by the governor and the inspection of the parade guards by the governor.

The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. ‘Bayo Lawal, former deputy governor, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi, former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.

Also present were the Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Kazeem Adeniyi; and Commissioner for Women and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun, among other top government functionaries.

A medical doctor abducted in Auchi, Edo State, has regained his freedom, the Edo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has confirmed.

The Chairman of the association, Eustace Oseghale, announced the development on Wednesday, describing the doctor’s release as a moment of relief for the medical community and the victim’s family.

Oseghale said the association worked tirelessly with relevant stakeholders to secure the doctor’s freedom, adding that the outcome highlighted the importance of professional solidarity and collective action.

However, details surrounding how the doctor was released were not disclosed.

While welcoming the development, the NMA, Edo chapter chairman, raised concerns over the increasing attacks on medical doctors and other healthcare workers in Edo State and across the country.

READ ALSO: Edo Doctors Commence Strike Over Abduction Of Colleague

He warned that the persistent insecurity not only threatens the lives of health professionals but also undermines the delivery of healthcare services, as many doctors now work under fear and uncertainty.

Oseghale called on the Edo State Government and security agencies to adopt decisive and sustained measures to curb criminal activities, particularly those targeting healthcare workers.

According to him, only proactive security interventions can halt what he described as brazen acts of criminality against doctors and society at large.

Oseghale added that the NMA would continue to advocate for the safety of its members while engaging authorities to ensure a secure working environment for healthcare professionals.

The doctor’s release comes against the backdrop of heightened tension in the state following the abduction, in early January 2026, of Abu Babatunde Ibrahim and his younger brother, Abu Tahir.

Ibrahim was later confirmed dead after his body was discovered by security operatives near a riverside.

Following the incident, doctors across Edo State last week embarked on an industrial action, suspending medical services in parts of the state’s 18 local government areas.

The action was in protest against the abduction and killing of their colleague and the growing insecurity.

Despite assurances from security agencies that efforts were ongoing to improve safety, the doctors said they could no longer operate under an atmosphere of fear.

The strike disrupted healthcare delivery, leaving many hospitals operating at skeletal capacity and raising concerns among patients and their families.

Speaking to Channels Television, the Chairman of the Association of Resident Doctors at the Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Paul Evbuomwan, said healthcare workers were increasingly exposed to danger and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect both medical personnel and residents of the state.

Concerns over the safety of healthcare workers have continued to rise nationwide.

In November 2025, a consultant neurosurgeon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Dr Tochukwu Mbanugo, was kidnapped by gunmen after leaving work.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed January 19 for the hearing of an alleged defamation suit filed by the Nasarawa State

Governor, Abdullahi Sule, against the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mkar, Gboko, Benue State, Professor Zachary Gundu.

Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter following a request by counsel to the governor for additional time to respond to three pending applications filed by the defendant.

Governor Sule is seeking ₦100.5 billion in damages, alleging that Professor Gundu made defamatory statements accusing him of providing a haven to Fulani herdsmen who allegedly carried out attacks on communities in Benue State.

The alleged statements were said to have been made on July 10, 2025.

READ ALSO: Court Strikes Out Defamation Suit Against Senator Natasha After Discontinuance By FG

During proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Sebastine Hon, SAN, opposed the request for adjournment, arguing that the claimant had sufficient time to respond, noting that the applications had been filed since November last year.

Hon further informed the court of his intention to withdraw two of the applications already before it, stating that the move was aimed at clearing procedural obstacles to allow the substantive matter to proceed.

Fuji music icon King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), whose real name is Wasiu Adewale Olasunkanmi Adesanya, has formally petitioned the Ogun State Government over his alleged wrongful exclusion from the nomination process to fill the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

In a petition dated January 14, 2026, addressed to the Executive Council of Ogun State through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adesanya challenged the conduct of the nomination meeting of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

He insisted that the exercise was marred by grave procedural irregularities and violated both customary and statutory laws.

READ ALSO: Ogun Govt Denies ‘Anointing’ Candidate For Awujale Stool

The petition, written by his legal team led by Wahab Shittu, SAN, stated that Adesanya is an acknowledged and eligible member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and a legitimate aspirant to the Awujale stool, which became vacant following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

According to the petition, the Secretary of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government had invited members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to a statutory meeting scheduled for January 12, 2026, in line with Ogun State chieftaincy regulations and Ijebu customary law. However, Adesanya and several other eligible family members were allegedly prevented from participating in the meeting held at Bisrod Hotel, Ijebu-Ode.

The petition claimed that heavily armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed at the venue to restrict access, while entry was limited to individuals carrying special “delegate” cards allegedly issued by a faction within the ruling house.

“This system of delegates was unilaterally introduced and never agreed upon by our client or other legitimate members of the ruling house,” the petition stated, adding that the action amounted to deliberate disenfranchisement.

A list of over 15 princes and princesses reportedly barred from entering the venue was attached to the petition, along with a flash drive containing video evidence of the incident.

Adesanya’s lawyers argued that the nomination exercise breached Section 16(1)(f) of the Obas and Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council Law of Ogun State, 2021, which mandates that candidates must be nominated at a properly constituted meeting of the ruling house.

They also alleged violations of the Awujale of Ijebuland Chieftaincy Declaration, as well as the constitutional right to fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The petition cited several Supreme Court decisions, including Kotoye v. CBN and Longe v. FBN Plc, to argue that any decision reached at a meeting where affected parties were deliberately excluded is legally invalid.

“The arbitrary exclusion of eligible members from a process as significant as the nomination of an Awujale is repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience,” the petition stated.

Adesanya urged the Ogun State Executive Council to: Declare the January 12, 2026 nomination exercise null and void; Order a fresh, transparent, and inclusive nomination process; Ensure strict compliance with chieftaincy laws and customary rules; Prevent any further exclusion of eligible members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

The petition warned that failure to address the matter promptly would leave Adesanya with no option but to seek redress in court.