The Nigeria Customs Service seized seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medications, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine, and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing at the Apapa port.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, estimated that the duty paid values of the seizures made on Monday, arms included, was more than N10 billion.

Adeniyi explained that on receipt of credible information, a 40ft container with registration number, MRSU6407089, was jointly examined by officers of the NCS and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The container was adjudged clean, but a secondary search by the two agencies revealed the concealment of 202 cans of Colorado loud, that is, Canadian drugs.

The World Health Organisation, WHO, on Monday warned of a global resurgence of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, following major outbreaks in La Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius since March.

However, Nigeria is not yet on the list of countries currently battling chikungunya outbreaks, but public health experts warn that the nation’s environmental conditions make it highly susceptible.

The outbreaks, WHO said, have now spread to South and East Asia, mirroring patterns seen 20 years ago when a wave that began in the Indian Ocean swept across continents, infecting nearly half a million people.

“This further spread is highly concerning because it follows a trajectory we’ve seen before-one that can quickly escalate into a global public health emergency,” WHO stated in its advisory.

The agency also confirmed that the virus continues to spread in endemic regions, with the Americas already reporting over 200,000 cases this year alone.

WHO said that about 5.6 billion people worldwide now live in areas suitable for the spread of Aedes mosquitoes-the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus which transmit chikungunya along with other diseases such as dengue and Zika.

Chikungunya has been detected or transmitted in 119 countries globally. In communities with little or no immunity, WHO warned that the disease can infect up to three-quarters of the population in a short period, severely straining healthcare systems.

WHO’s Technical Lead for Arboviruses, Dr Diana Rojas-Alvarez said the warning was being sounded early to give countries a fighting chance.

“We are raising the alarm early so countries can prepare early through surveillance, mosquito control, and public awareness-to avoid overwhelming health services,” she explained

Kogi State has emerged as Nigeria’s top-performing state in insurance coverage for adults, with 11% of its population enrolled, according to new 2023 data from StatiSense and EFInA. This figure places Kogi ahead of Lagos (9%), Oyo (7%), and the Federal Capital Territory (6%), underscoring the state’s commitment to expanding quality, affordable healthcare.

At the center of this progress is the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA), led by Dr. Kunle Aledare, whose people-centered approach has driven aggressive enrollment, rural outreach, and partnerships that deliver inclusive, sustainable health financing. Thousands of rural and underserved residents can now access essential health services without fear of financial ruin.

Government Spokesperson, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, noted:

“This data confirms that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration is deeply committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Kogites. With Dr. Aledare’s leadership, we are not just building hospitals but a healthcare system that truly works for everyone.”

Fanwo added that other states are already studying the Kogi model as the administration moves closer to universal health coverage.

In a further push to extend affordable healthcare, the Kogi State Government recently signed a landmark pact with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), providing Local Government staff access to affordable insurance under the state scheme. The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, signed the agreement on behalf of the state, describing it as a “game changer.”

Fanwo explained that the initiative also covers retirees, with thousands of Kogi pensioners already enrolled and registration ongoing for others.

“We are actively onboarding our retirees, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensure cheap, quality, and accessible healthcare for pensioners and low-income earners,” he stated.

To support the rollout, the government is upgrading over 200 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state to guarantee grassroots access to quality care.

Fanwo hailed the Federal Government for its support, assuring civil servants, Local Government workers, and retirees that the Ododo administration will continue to build a healthy, empowered, and productive population as the foundation for sustainable development.