News
EXCLUSIVE: Father Battles Edo Hospital Over Baby’s HIV Infection During Blood Transfusion, Rejects ₦300,000 Offer, Demands ₦100Million Compensation
The baby was discharged two days later after receiving two rounds of transfused blood. But what was initially assumed to be a life-saving procedure soon spiralled into a nightmare, according to Praise.
Afather, Praise Mumbo, in Edo State, is demanding ₦100 million in compensation from Safebliss Medical Center in Benin City after his baby allegedly contracted HIV during a blood transfusion at the private facility.
Praise Mumbor had accused the private medical facility of infecting his one-year-nine-month-old son, Jeremiah Mumbor, with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through a tainted blood transfusion.
In an exclusive account made available to SaharaReporters, the aggrieved father narrated how his child, who was previously healthy and HIV-negative, fell critically ill on February 6, 2025. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors claimed the boy’s blood level had dropped dangerously low.
The father said he paid ₦40,000 for the transfusion, which was carried out immediately. The baby was discharged two days later after receiving two rounds of transfused blood.
But what was initially assumed to be a life-saving procedure soon spiralled into a nightmare, according to Praise.
The case, which has now attracted state government intervention, has raised serious questions about negligence and accountability in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The grieving father told SaharaReporters that for months, he and his family suffered in silence, waiting for the Ministry of Health to investigate how his child was infected with the life-threatening virus. According to him, he had made multiple trips to the Edo State Secretariat without receiving any meaningful attention.
”It was only after SaharaReporters published the story earlier this month that the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Dr. Cyril Adams Oshomile, reached out directly. The Commissioner invited both the family and the hospital’s management to a meeting scheduled for August 4 at the State Government Secretariat,” a family source stated.
Praise said on the day of the meeting, he was accompanied by his own father, two relatives of his wife, and a human rights activist. The hospital was represented by its owner, her son, who also acts as the facility’s administrator, and a female lawyer.
The session began with introductions. However, according to Praise, when the hospital’s lawyer introduced herself, the Commissioner reportedly questioned why the hospital had brought legal representation, stressing that his priority was finding a resolution.
“The Commissioner told them plainly that the baby’s file was with him and he had gone through it. He said if this matter goes to court, the hospital will lose, and someone must go to jail. From that point, the atmosphere in the meeting became tense,” the father told SaharaReporters.
The father asserted that the hospital management attempted to shift responsibility, with the owner suggesting that perhaps the child had been taken to a pharmacy earlier, where the infection might have occurred. The Commissioner immediately dismissed this claim, pointing out that pharmacies dispense medication but do not administer blood transfusions.
He also recalled that the hospital’s administrator repeatedly interrupted discussions, prompting visible irritation from the Commissioner.
“The Commissioner got angry and told him to stop making a noise, reminding them that the truth was already clear,” he said.
At the end of the session, the Commissioner laid out two key resolutions. First, the Ministry of Health would support the child’s parents by providing them with employment opportunities, enabling them to sustain themselves while caring for their baby.
Second, the hospital must take responsibility and offer financial support for the baby’s medical needs.
According to the father, the Commissioner suggested ₦700,000 in financial assistance. But rather than accept responsibility, the hospital owner continued to deflect blame.
He said the hospital owner argued that she was a retired nurse and financially broke. According to Praise, she further claimed that the baby bore multiple scarification marks, allegedly inflicted by a traditional healer through the grandmother.
”The Commissioner, however, ordered that the claims be investigated. The hospital’s lawyer asked for more time, promising that they would go home and ‘make plans’ to raise some money by the next meeting. No concrete figure was offered at the time,” he said.
”After the meeting, the Commissioner invited some journalists to speak briefly about the case, underscoring the government’s interest in resolving the crisis.”
But the father said he insisted that the hospital’s tactics are aimed at evading accountability. He stressed that subsequent investigations disproved the hospital’s allegation that the baby bore scarification marks.
“This is not the first time I’m going to the Secretariat. In fact, this is my seventh visit. I went there three times before the story went viral, and I was ignored. It was only after the publications that the Commissioner started calling me for meetings,” the father explained.
He expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for his interventions so far but maintained that the hospital’s attempt to offer ₦300,000 compensation is an insult to his child’s suffering and his family’s ordeal.
“They are proposing ₦300,000 for a baby whose life has been permanently altered. This is wickedness. I am demanding ₦100 million because this is not just about money—it is about justice and accountability. Somebody must be held responsible,” he said.
The father warned that if the Ministry of Health fails to ensure proper accountability, he is prepared to pursue the matter in court.
“The Commissioner himself said they would lose in court. If that’s the case, why are they still playing games? This is about my baby’s life,” he added.
-Leadership
Education
NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has called for stronger distribution frameworks within Nigeria’s film industry to ensure that locally produced content achieves global visibility.
Dr Husseini made this call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 edition of the Coal City Film Festival, held in Enugu.
Welcoming participants to the festival, Dr Husseini expressed his personal delight at hosting the event in Enugu, his birth state, noting the city’s rich cultural heritage and longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s creative landscape.
He commended the festival organisers, particularly the Festival Director, Uche Agbo, for their resilience and commitment in sustaining the initiative.
According to him, the Coal City Film Festival has grown into a significant cultural platform and a must-attend cinematic event in South East Nigeria.
Speaking on the festival’s theme, “Local Stories, Global Screens,” Dr Husseini emphasised the importance of authenticity in storytelling. He noted that films rooted in local realities, languages, and cultural truths often resonate more strongly with global audiences.
He cited notable Nigerian productions such as “King of Boys” by Kemi Adetiba, “The Wedding Party” by Mo Abudu, “Anikulapo” by Kunle Afolayan, “Black Book” by Editi Effiong, and “Lionheart” by Genevieve Nnaji as examples of culturally grounded stories that have gained international recognition on platforms such as Netflix and at global film festivals.
While acknowledging the growth in film production across Nigeria, the NFVCB boss identified distribution as a major bottleneck in the industry. He observed that many high-quality films struggle to reach audiences both locally and internationally due to limited distribution channels.
Dr. Husseini therefore urged film festivals across the country to evolve beyond networking platforms into active marketplaces where filmmakers can secure distribution deals. He stressed that festivals must attract distributors, exhibitors, streaming platforms, and marketers to create tangible opportunities for filmmakers.
“Film festivals must become gateways to distribution where filmmakers leave not just with applause, but with real opportunities,” he said.
Reaffirming the Board’s commitment to industry development, Dr. Husseini stated that the NFVCB has continued to reposition itself as a partner in progress by engaging stakeholders, improving classification processes, and promoting a balance between creative freedom and social responsibility.
However, he raised concerns over increasing non-compliance with regulatory requirements, noting that some filmmakers bypass the Board by releasing unclassified films or operating without proper licensing.
He reiterated that all films and video works must be submitted to the NFVCB for classification and registration before being released on any platform, including digital platforms such as YouTube.
“This is a legal obligation, and the Board will not hesitate to take decisive action against defaulters,” he warned, adding that regulation is essential for protecting the industry, audiences, and national values.
Looking ahead, Dr. Husseini assured stakeholders of the Board’s continued collaboration with filmmakers and festival organisers to build a structured, sustainable, and globally competitive Nigerian film industry.
He concluded by commending the organisers of the Coal City Film Festival for their vision and contribution to Nigeria’s cultural economy, urging filmmakers to continue telling authentic stories that can resonate across global screens.
-Leadership
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the European Union, while announcing steps to recover diplomatic lands in Abuja allegedly taken over by land grabbers.
Wike made this known on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja.
“We will continue to engage EU member countries to further strengthen bilateral relations,” the minister said.
Addressing concerns over diplomatic land allocations, Wike disclosed that several plots originally designated for EU countries had been unlawfully occupied over the years. He noted that the FCT Administration has begun reclaiming such lands.
He added that the government would formally communicate with the affected countries to determine their continued interest in the properties and ensure rightful ownership is restored.
“We are writing to those countries. If they still intend to retain the lands, we are willing to return them. We will not allow land grabbers to take advantage,” Wike said.
The minister also commended the EU for its contributions to governance and justice sector reforms in the FCT, particularly in court digitalisation and improved justice delivery.
“I am aware of your support, especially in strengthening the administration and dispensation of justice. We will continue to partner with you to deepen these initiatives,” he added.
On requests for land allocation for local EU staff, Wike assured that applications would be considered based on due process, stressing that such processes must ultimately benefit the public.
He further addressed infrastructure concerns at the IBB Golf Club, confirming that a caretaker committee has been constituted, with rehabilitation works expected to commence soon.
In his remarks, Mignot described Nigeria as a key strategic partner for the EU, noting that both parties are entering a new phase of deeper engagement.
“The European Union remains one of Nigeria’s foremost trade and development partners. Our relationship is strong, mutually beneficial, and evolving into a more significant phase,” he said.
He highlighted ongoing EU-supported programmes in the FCT, including judicial reforms, court digitalisation, human rights initiatives, and support for victims of gender-based violence.
Mignot also invited the FCT minister to engage further with EU ambassadors to explore collaboration in areas such as waste management, urban planning, and water infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Wike recently ordered the demolition of buildings illegally constructed on land designated for foreign embassies in the diplomatic zone of Katampe Extension, Abuja.
He explained that the land, originally allocated on March 18, 2008, for residential use by diplomatic missions, was later encroached upon by an unauthorised developer who commenced construction without approval from the Federal Capital Development Authority.
The affected diplomatic missions include Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
-Leadership
News
Inspector-General Disu Submits 75-Page Framework On ‘State Police’ To Senate As Push Gains Momentum
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, the document titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police” was presented at Jibrin’s office within the National Assembly complex.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has submitted a 75-page framework on the establishment of State Police to the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, in a fresh move to advance decentralised policing in Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, the document titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police” was presented at Jibrin’s office within the National Assembly complex.
The report was delivered on behalf of the IGP by Prof Olu Ogunsakin, who chairs the Nigeria Police Force committee set up to develop modalities for instituting State Police.
Disu said the document encapsulates the Force’s professional input following extensive consultations and a thorough evaluation of the legal, operational and administrative implications of decentralised policing.
“The report covers the considered views, professional insights and strategic recommendations of the Force, derived from extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the operational, legal and administrative implications of instituting State Police in Nigeria,” Disu said.
“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will meaningfully contribute to ongoing deliberations and assist in shaping informed, balanced, and pragmatic decisions on this critical aspect of national security architecture.”
The police chief noted that the framework has been formally submitted to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution as the Nigeria Police Force’s official contribution to the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Responding, Senator Jibrin commended the IGP for what he described as a proactive step aligned with the security agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Deputy President of the Senate commended the IGP for his proactiveness on the establishment of State Police in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to fully secure the country,” the statement read.
He assured that the Senate Committee reviewing the Constitution would carefully examine the framework alongside other submissions as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal foundation.
The proposed framework is expected to outline the operational structure, governance model, and coordination mechanisms between federal and state policing systems— marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Disu inaugurated an eight-member committee in March to drive the implementation of State Police, declaring that the reform was irreversible.
At the inauguration in Abuja, the IGP insisted that decentralised policing “has come to stay,” dismissing concerns that it could threaten the roles of existing police personnel.
“State Police has come to stay, and the police should be able to contribute their part in making it succeed. The police are not afraid, our jobs are not being taken,” he said.
He described the committee’s assignment as urgent and critical, giving members one month to submit their report amid rising security challenges across the country.
Disu stressed that the move towards State Police is aimed at strengthening internal security by bringing law enforcement closer to communities and enabling faster, more targeted responses to threats.
“Across the nation, we continue to confront evolving security challenges. These require innovative thinking, strategic collaboration, and the willingness to explore reforms,” he added.
The push for State Police has gained renewed momentum following President Tinubu’s assurance that the plan would not be shelved, urging stakeholders to support the initiative.
-Sahara
NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu
Wike Reaffirms Nigeria–EU Ties, Moves To Reclaim Encroached Diplomatic Lands
Inspector-General Disu Submits 75-Page Framework On ‘State Police’ To Senate As Push Gains Momentum
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