She is a 46-year-old trader from Kaduna. She didn’t pay attention to her health until a general screening for residents was organized by the Nigeria Governors Forum in partnership with the World Health Organization.

She was okay before the screening, but the result was a rude shock to her—hypertension and diabetes. The lady, who wouldn’t want her name in print, was among the many people found to have health challenges during the exercise, which was conducted from 28 October to 3 November 2024 in most states in the North.

A Professor of Medicine at the University of Ilorin, Ayodele Babatunde Omotoso, cried out recently while delivering the university’s 272nd Inaugural Lecture, that non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung diseases, have been contributing to a considerable load of morbidity and mortality.

As if that was not enough, when another professor in a different foray made a speech in commemoration of this year’s World Hypertension Day (WHD), on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, he wore a face of concern about the occurrence of hypertension and, by extension, diabetes in Nigeria.

His long face pointed to Nigerians—not just for being lackadaisical about these NCDs, but also for not thriving in awareness. And this is low.

The Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS) President, Simeon Isezuo, wasn’t happy that only a minute proportion of 10 percent of those with hypertension could boast of keeping up with treatment. He also reprimanded that just 2.5 percent of Nigerians with hypertension can manage to control their blood burden from the large proportion.

“Awareness on hypertension in Nigeria is very low, leading millions of people to health challenges such as stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure,” he said.

While WHD is observed annually on 17 May, and the WHO sermonizes that adults aged 30–79 globally—two-thirds of whom live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—are among the 1.28 billion affected by hypertension, Isezuo called up the people’s spirit to note that the ratio of hypertension has risen from 594 million in 1975 to 1.13 billion in 2015, given the upsurging risk factors in LMICs, of which Nigeria is among. There is apprehension!

According to Peace Oregbesan, a public health analyst, “Nearly 30% of all deaths in Nigeria are due to NCDs. These diseases have caught the attention of the global health community because they are responsible for about 41 million deaths a year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.

“Of the fatalities caused by NCDs, 17.9 million are attributable to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), 9.3 million to cancer, 4.1 million to respiratory diseases, 1.5 million to diabetes, and the remaining 8.2 million to other NCDs.”

Dr. Usman Muhammad Ibrahim, who is with Rasheed Shekoni Federal Teaching Hospital, Dutse, lamented over what he described as “a growing number of hospital deaths and complications from long-standing illnesses, with hypertension and diabetes consistently identified as leading risk factors.”

Notably, there was uneasiness from medical practitioners such as Isezuo, haranguing about how unaware citizens are of their health statuses. There were indications that these NCDs can’t be cured with any scientifically proven medications but can be managed if detected early.

A Family Physician who also doubles as the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Jide Onyekwelu, was among the professionals whose clarion call emphasized that no person can detect his or her health conditions except by seeing a doctor, regardless of the cost involved.

While some citizens might think there is a particular age meant for falling ill, he said there is a need for people above 30 to visit the hospital regularly for medical checks, especially those with a family history of hypertension and diabetes.

According to him, such checks can cost less than a dollar equivalent and should be done every six months. If the indication on the medical gauge shows that the person has 140/90, then there is need for proper consultation with a doctor, who will give expert instruction on what to do.

It was gathered that in spite of the growing number of sufferers of these diseases, over 90% of DM in Nigeria is Type 2. Authorities might not have taken drastic action to reduce the numbers, notwithstanding the many policies in place, such as Nigeria’s National Multi-Sectoral Action Plan (NMSAP) for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) (2019–2025), and the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (2024–2027).

Investigations found that, as of 2020, such policies benefited the hypertension and diabetes drug markets. They consolidated resources from “local and multinational pharmaceutical companies to herbal providers.” Some drug merchants turned to manufacturing their own drugs when the government could not provide for drug shortages.

However, specialists found that prior to post-colonial times, Nigerians never had the rate of these NCDs as they do today, given their adoption of Western foods in what is dubbed “dietary transition.” Unlike in the past, when people lived in rural areas and were mostly farmers who knew nothing about mechanized agriculture, they produced quality crops directly from arable lands.

They believed that such a “Western-type diet” is characterized by prepackaged foods, refined grains, red meat, and high-fat dairy products that increase the risk of overweight, obesity, and reduced insulin sensitivity. In the words of Isezuo, “Hypertension, normally branded as high blood pressure, is diagnosed once a person constantly records systolic readings of 140 mm Hg or higher, or diastolic readings of 90 mm Hg or higher.”

Indications are that the Nigerian authorities—with their promise to curb Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by 2030—may not suffice due to what pundits saw as “bureaucratic hurdles, inadequate engagement with affected communities, and a care funding gap in excess of N8.6 trillion.”

But Omotoso had this to say: “Government should fund, equip and support at least one tertiary health facility that can take care of complicated NCDs, encourage private companies to invest in health promotion activities and create workplace wellness programs that address NCDs risk factors.

“Government should partner with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to implement community-based interventions and support groups for individuals affected by NCDs. They should also collaborate with international organizations to share knowledge, resources and best practices for NCDs prevention and control.”

Onwumere is Chairman, Advocacy Network On Religious And Cultural Co-existence, ANORACC. He writes from Rivers State.

TROUBLING IMPUNITY: That leadership is everything in every organisation is trite. Since inception, EFCC has never been lucky with its headship but the curse seems to get increasingly malevolent.

Apropos, a rotten head will breed a rotten body; it can’t be any other way.

This explains why impunity at the commission seems to get even more brazen by the day.

The result is that the commission seems to be of no effect to Nigeria as the monster of corruption rages on without let.

From Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, the pioneer chairman, to the current head, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, none has managed to serve without blemish. Now, it seems Nigerians must resign to the ‘fact’ that we can’t find even one ‘clean’ man to run the EFCC.

Yes, the stakes are quite high and the opportunities to help oneself to enormous booties are numerous and hanging low… But there must be a Nigerian out there who has enough integrity to manage that sacred seat.

When the current chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede was appointed in 2023, many Nigerians thought the real anti-corruption czar had finally arrived.

Coming from the campus of former vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; being a senior pastor of the Redeemed Church of Nigeria and being a lawyer exposed and groomed in some of the best institutions, we thought we couldn’t find a better specimen of human on earth.

But woe alas, even the venerable gentleman chairman has fallen far short.

Sonala Olumhense, a leading light of Nigeria’s journalism and arguably the best Columnist writing in Nigeria today has shouted himself hoarse concerning the obtuse ways of the EFCC and its serial poor leadership.

Hear Sonala in an article which appeared in the Sunday Punch, January 12 this year (but first published October 10, 2021): “EFCC was established to respond to some of Nigeria’s ethical challenges, but it has become a part of it.”

Sonala didn’t spare the current chairman, Olukoyede. In a December 1, 2024 Backpage article in the Sunday Punch, he wrote: “This is how the EFCC has become a far bigger disease and enabler than the ailment it was established to treat…

“This is why, including under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, who in October 2023, spoke about the integrity of the agency’s staff, it cannot report openly and with confidence.”

For nearly two decades, Sonala has ‘beefed’ about lack of transparency and accountability in the commission. Then he wails about the brazen conversion and re-looting of forfeited assets by top-ranking officials of the body.

EFCC deliberately keeps no records nor does it release the statutory annual report and accounts of its activities. EFCC’s digital memory is at once empty and vacuous.

Sonala thinks this is deliberate so the personnel would achieve their dubious motives without leaving a trail.

How about this recent intervention, again by Sonala on June 15, 2025 to buttress this point:

“Twenty years of investigations, and yet when you search its site, there’s not a single mention of one Patience Jonathan, not even the Supreme Court decision on seizing $8.4m from her in 2019…”

EFCC Vs. CITIZEN EMENIKE AS CASE STUDY: No case typifies the impunity and outright pilfering going on in the commission than the on-going trampling on citizen Ikechi Emenike.

Chief Emenike is an Economist, publisher and politician. He has lived as a tenant in house No. 6 Aso Drive, Abuja for over a decade. When it turned out that the property was determined to be proceed of corruption and was forfeited to the federal government, EFCC duly communicated to Chief Emenike, directing him to pay rent to EFCC’s agent.

For many years, Chief Emenike paid rent to EFCC’s agent until the property in question was advertised for sale.

Chief Emenike applied to be given RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL (RFR) as stipulated by the commission’s assets disposal rules. An understanding was reached between Chief Emenike and EFCC pending property re-evaluation.

But after a while, the EFCC seemed to have a brainwave. It ordered Chief Emenike to stop paying rent and to vacate the property. It was to be  appropriated for the use of the EFCC chairman, Emenike was told.

This is not only a brazen violation  of Chief Emenike’s  right, it is a blatant disregard of the forfeited assets disposal rules. This smells of naked corruption, an attempt to re-loot a forfeited asset.

Chief Emenike approached the FCT High Court. The Court ruled that he being a long-standing tenant of over a decade, deserved the right of first first refusal.

EFCC didn’t appeal the ruling, but instead, it surreptitiously approached the FHC Abuja to dubiously secure an ex parte motion with which they stormed the property, forcefully evicting Emenike’s domestic staff and repossessing the residence.

When Chief Emenike approached the same Federal High Court (FHC) with the facts of the matter, the court was miffed that it was misled by the EFCC.

Justice M. S. Liman reversed the previous ruling fraudulently procured and ordered the EFCC to immediately vacate the property and restore Chief Emenike’s tenancy.

Twice, court bailiffs went to the property to execute the court order, twice, armed EFCC operatives pursued them, threatening to shoot them!

Still obstinate and unyielding, EFCC returned to the court once again to seek a stay of execution. The court again dismissed and lambasted the EFCC urging them to go purge themselves of disobedience to court orders.

Currently very desperate in its bid to acquire this  singular property by hook or crook, EFCC is reported to have deployed all manner of intimidation and blackmail to overawe the tenant, Chief Emenike, and force him to abandon pursuit of his legitimate rights.

To think that this matter has gone on for about five years! If the EFCC could prove so obdurate about one single building, we then begin to imagine what’s going on with thousands of forfeited cash and physical assets across the country.

And if a personality of Chief Emenike’s standing could be dragged in this manner, we can only conjecture What’s happening to lesser Nigerians.

But let’s recourse to the venerable Sonala Olumhense: “One problem, as I have described here since 2008, is that Nigeria’s EFCC is a reputable organisation only on paper, on which its enabling law is inscribed.” (Back page, Sunday Punch, June 15, 2025).

This typifies EFCC’s poor image among Nigerians. We thought Mr Olukoyede would come with a broom; but he seems to have been caught in the EFCC morass and he’s poised to end like all the chairmen before him. Well, unless he turns a new leaf.

EFCC DOING UNTOLD DAMAGE TO NIGERIA’S JUDICIARY: To right- thinking people, this EFCC -Emenike’s saga reads like a fairy tale,  but it’s real. It is happening in Nigeria in 2025!

How could a government institution established to rid the society of economic and financial malaise morph into a demolition squad?

How could EFCC headed by a lawyer and clergyman serially disobey the courts and the very laws upon which it is founded.

Already, some CSOs are canvassing that courts in Nigeria should boycott EFCC’S causes.

Some people are also requesting the judiciary to invoke its consequential powers and declare EFCC officials and their ilk who are in serial disobedience of court orders and abuse of court processes, as unfit for public office.

RE-LOOTING GALORE: Tampering with and re-looting of forfeited assets has almost become the norm in recent years.

This matter between the EFCC and Chief Emenike may well be the endgame playing out for the EFCC; it’s the telltale sign of the current state of the commission today.

This case in which the EFCC exhibits so much brazen impunity showcases to Nigerians that the commission has lost everything good it ever had, including its clothes. It now goes about naked unbeknownst to it.

Who will save the EFCC?

Osuji was editor at The Guardian and THISDAY among others. He can be reached via steve.osuji@gmail.com