Health
LAAF Writes Attorney General to Decriminalize Suicide in Nigeria

▪︎UGC : Attorney General of the Federation, Honourable Lateef Fagbemi; Halima Layeni
Halima Layeni Men’s Mental Advocate Executive Director, Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), has urged the Federal Government to decriminalize suicide attempts in Nigeria.
” Countries like India, Canada, and New Zealand have decriminalized suicide attempts, recognizing the need for supportive health interventions rather than criminal penalties,” said Halima Layeni.
In an Open Letter to the Attorney General of the Federation, Honourable Lateef Fagbemi, Halima Layeni pointed out : ” Under Section 327 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, any individual who attempts suicide can be imprisoned for up to one year.
This law, which criminalizes suicide attempts, is not only outdated but also ineffective in addressing the root causes of the mental health crisis we face.”
She further noted that instead of offering treatment and support, the criminalization of suicide perpetuates suffering, pushing those in need further into silence and shame.
” The suicide crisis disproportionately affects men, who make up the majority of suicide cases worldwide, and Nigeria is no exception.
Men are often pressured to suppress their emotions, adhere to societal norms of masculinity, and face stigmatization when they seek help for mental health issues. Consequently, many men in Nigeria feel trapped in isolation, leading to higher rates of depression and suicide. Rather than being met with compassion and support, these men risk being labeled as criminals under the current law.
Criminalizing suicide attempts is, at its core, a violation of human rights. Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights both emphasize the right to dignity, health, and mental well-being.
Punishing someone for attempting suicide disregards their fundamental human right to access the care they need.
The act of criminalization perpetuates the idea that those suffering from mental health crises are less deserving of protection, violating principles of equality and human dignity.
Suicide is not a crime; it is a symptom of profound mental health distress. To view it through a legal lens rather than a medical one is to misunderstand the gravity of the issue.
Those who attempt suicide do not need punishment—they need mental health care, compassion, and a system that prioritizes their well-being.
Mental health is a critical element of overall health, and just as we treat physical illnesses, so too must we treat mental health crises with proper support, not prosecution.”
Health
Lagos Shuts Down YABATECH Sewage Plant Over Unauthorized Waste Discharge

The Lagos State Government has sealed the sewage and wastewater treatment facility at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) following allegations that the institution was discharging raw, untreated sewage into the environment in violation of state environmental laws.
The enforcement action was carried out by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), operating under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, after the college reportedly ignored multiple warning letters and failed to address long-standing environmental compliance issues.
Announcing the development, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the college’s actions constituted a serious breach of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017. The law explicitly prohibits the discharge of untreated wastewater or sewage into public drains, canals, or any part of the natural environment.
“The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed off the non-functional sewage and wastewater treatment facility of Yaba College of Technology due to its illegal discharge of raw sewage into the environment,” Wahab said in a statement.
He described the situation as a major public health risk, noting that untreated human waste contributes to the contamination of water sources, the spread of waterborne diseases, and general environmental degradation. Wahab emphasized that institutions, whether public or private, are not exempt from compliance with environmental laws and standards.
“Illegal discharge of wastewater not only endangers the health of residents but also undermines our efforts to maintain a sustainable, safe, and flood-resilient Lagos. The state government has zero tolerance for environmental infractions and will continue to enforce compliance,” the commissioner said.
#ZeroToleranceLagos Campaign
The sealing of YABATECH’s facility forms part of the state’s ongoing #ZeroToleranceLagos campaign—an initiative aimed at holding individuals, businesses, and institutions accountable for environmental violations. According to the Ministry, the campaign is designed to protect public health, improve environmental quality, and reduce pollution across Lagos.
Officials from the Wastewater Management Office said they had repeatedly engaged YABATECH’s management before resorting to enforcement. Technical guidance and timelines for achieving compliance were provided, but the institution allegedly failed to take corrective action.
Broader Enforcement Actions Across Lagos
In a related development, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has continued its crackdown on environmental violators across the state. On Thursday, the agency sealed 11 establishments in the Ikorodu area for various infractions, including persistent noise pollution, improper waste disposal, and failure to obtain necessary environmental permits.
The affected businesses include bars, hotels, lounges, and industrial facilities. Among those sealed are Zero Square Bar & Lounge, Limpex Resources, Starex Poly, Skipper Nigeria Ltd, NDO Hotel & Suites, Beechwood Guest House, Embassy Lounge, and A-Star Pencil.
The enforcement operation targeted several key areas in Ikorodu, such as Agodo Gas Line, Odogunyan Industrial Layout, Ita Oluwo Junction, Haruna, Ipakodo Road, and Ebute.
LASEPA stated that the crackdown is part of a broader effort to promote environmental responsibility and ensure that all sectors adhere to the state’s environmental protection framework.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to creating a healthier and more livable environment for its residents. Officials say that environmental compliance is central to the state’s climate resilience agenda and a critical step toward achieving its goals for a cleaner, greener Lagos.
Commissioner Wahab urged all public institutions, private companies, and individuals to align with the state’s environmental policies, warning that non-compliance would attract strict penalties, including fines, facility closures, and potential legal action.
“Lagos is committed to enforcing all existing environmental laws. Institutions must lead by example, and no one is above the law when it comes to protecting our environment,” Wahab added.
The situation at YABATECH serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental negligence and the growing resolve of the Lagos State Government to ensure strict enforcement of environmental standards across the state.
Health
JUST IN: Doctors in FCT Commence Indefinite Strike Over Outstanding Issues

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Monday began an indefinite strike on Monday.
This was disclosed in a communique issued by the ARD-FCT on Monday, signed by its President, Dr. George Ebong, and General-Secretary, Dr. Agbor Affiong.
The association had embarked on a seven-day warning strike last Monday to press home its demands, following months of unresolved negotiations with the FCTA.
Details later.
Health
Overworked RSUTH Resident Doctor Slump, Dies on Duty
What happened is that he was on call in the Emergency Room. Afterward, he went to the call room to rest, and it was there that he died. Unfortunately, he was the only one attending to the patients.

Dr Oluwafemi Rotifa, a young resident doctor at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) collapsed and died after a gruelling 72-hour call duty.
Ohibaba.com reliably gathered that the deceased doctor, fondly called Femoski by colleagues, was a former President of the Port Harcourt University Medical Students’ Association, PUMSA, and was registered with the United Kingdom’s General Medical Council, awaiting placement abroad.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, Dr. Tope Osundara, who confirmed Rotifa’s death, said that the deceased doctor had been on continuous call duty for three days in the Emergency Room before he retreated to the call room to rest.
It was there that he slumped and later died, despite efforts to resuscitate him in the Intensive Care Unit.
“What happened is that he was on call in the Emergency Room. Afterward, he went to the call room to rest, and it was there that he died. Unfortunately, he was the only one attending to the patients.
“The overuse of manpower strained his health and led to this painful death. It was a death on duty,” Osundara lamented.
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