***Minister Wale Edun Hails Local Innovation in Sustainable Transport

The Federal Government has commended NEV Electric, an indigenous electric vehicle (EV) company under Brilliant Model Technology, for its groundbreaking efforts in developing affordable and eco-friendly transportation solutions in Nigeria.

During a test ride of NEV Electric’s buses, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, lauded the company’s contributions to sustainable mass transit, emphasizing that its innovations align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for a cleaner and more efficient transportation system.
Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement quoted Minister Edun thus,

“NEV Electric’s initiative is a game-changer for Nigeria’s transport sector. It not only addresses environmental concerns but also creates jobs, enhances energy security, and boosts economic growth,” Edun stated.

The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting local innovation and private-sector partnerships that drive the transition to clean energy solutions.

As Nigeria tackles urban mobility challenges, the government’s endorsement of NEV Electric signals a major shift towards reducing carbon emissions, improving transportation efficiency, and fostering economic development.

This move is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s journey towards a sustainable and technologically advanced transport system.

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the insensitivity of Nigeria’s political leadership after an emotional encounter with an elderly woman struggling with unpaid pensions and medical bills.

Obi, who was on an official visit to Shanahan College of Nursing Sciences, Nsukka, recounted how he noticed the distressed woman trying to get his attention despite efforts to silence her. Upon hearing her story, he learned that she was a retired civil servant who had dedicated her working years to serving the country but had not received her pension for a while.

Writing on his X-handle, he said to make matters worse, she had been hospitalized for over a week and lacked money for food.

Moved by her plight, Obi criticized the government for neglecting pensioners, calling it an act of wickedness to withhold payments from vulnerable elderly citizens. He emphasized his past actions as governor, where he cleared over N30 billion in unpaid pensions and gratuities to alleviate the suffering of retirees in Anambra State.

“I felt a surge of anger and pity. Anger at leaders like me who, out of greed, have made life unbearable for others, and pity for the elderly woman and many like her, whose voices remain unheard,” Obi stated.

He provided immediate financial assistance to the woman and assured her of follow-up with the hospital. However, he stressed the urgency of addressing similar cases nationwide, advocating for a compassionate system where all citizens receive their rightful dues.

“This nation must work for all. Everyone deserves to reap the rewards of their productive contributions. A New Nigeria is Possible,” Obi declared.

His remarks have reignited discussions on pension reforms, the welfare of senior citizens, and the need for ethical governance in Nigeria.

The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has sounded the alarm over a critical shortage of veterinarians, warning that the country lacks the manpower needed to contain the spread of anthrax and other livestock diseases.
The council is calling on the government to immediately recruit more veterinary professionals to prevent future outbreaks and protect public health.

This warning is coming against the backdrop of the recent confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development of an anthrax outbreak on a farm in Zamfara State, prompting urgent calls for vigilance and preventive measures.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday at the conclusion of the 2025 VCN staff retreat, VCN Acting Registrar, Oladotun Fadipe, stressed that every local government in Nigeria needs at least two veterinarians to effectively manage animal health crises.
“Many states have only a handful of veterinarians, making it impossible to properly monitor and control livestock diseases. If we continue like this, outbreaks will become a recurring nightmare,” Fadipe warned.
He criticized the underutilization of trained veterinarians, revealing that while many professionals are available, they remain unemployed due to a lack of government action.
“If veterinarians were strategically positioned in the system, they could detect disease outbreaks before they even happen. Right now, we are constantly playing catch-up,” he added.
At the retreat, President of Farm Alert, Dr. Femi Kayode, emphasized the need for modernization in veterinary practice.
He called for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital tools to improve surveillance, diagnosis, and response strategies.
“We must rethink our approach to veterinary medicine. By leveraging technology and strengthening work ethics, we can boost efficiency and productivity, even in challenging times,” Femi noted.
He stressed that livestock health is directly linked to human health, making it imperative to invest in veterinary services as a national priority.
Deputy Registrar of VCN, Dr. Helen Oputa, highlighted the importance of staff motivation and workplace efficiency. She stated that the retreat aimed to equip VCN personnel with the right mindset and tools to tackle the country’s growing animal health challenges.
“We are already seeing results. Our staff are more committed, and we hope this renewed energy will translate into better service delivery nationwide,” she said.
The Veterinary Council of Nigeria is urging the government to act swiftly by, recruiting more veterinarians to cover all 774 local government areas, Investing in veterinary infrastructure to improve disease surveillance and response and incorporating modern technology in veterinary training and practice.
With livestock diseases threatening food security and public health, experts agree that Nigeria can no longer afford to neglect veterinary services.
If urgent steps aren’t taken, the next outbreak could be even worse.