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Sack NHIS Boss, Dissolve Board, Probe Panel Tells FG
The panel set up by the Federal Government to investigate the crisis in the National Health Insurance Scheme has recommended immediate dismissal of the Executive Secretary of the agency, Prof Usman Yusuf.
A copy of the report which was obtained by The PUNCH accused Yusuf of breaching the Public Procurement Act as well as the Public Service Rules.
The seven-man committee headed by Dr Hassan Bukar, a retired permanent secretary, nonetheless, did not recommend Yusuf for prosecution.
The committee added that the NHIS boss, who has been on suspension since November 2018, had an unhealthy relationship with members of staff of the agency; local unions, health management organisations and health care providers.
This, the panel said, would have a negative effect on the health sector if he was allowed to retain his position.
Yusuf, who said, “Fu*k the Minister of Health” during an interview with The PUNCH in 2017, was also accused of embarrassing the government through his unguarded social media comments.
The committee said the NHIS boss deserved to be dismissed for failing to explore internal administrative remedies before suing the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the NHIS last November.
The report read in part, “Relieve the executive secretary of his appointment. Justification: Inability to work in harmony with all the relevant stakeholders in the scheme for the attainment of the scheme’s mandate.
“Established cases of infractions of the Public Service Rules i.e. insubordination and refusal to carry out lawful instructions from superior authorities (governing council and the Federal Ministry of Health) contrary to PSR Rule 030301 (0), unauthorised public utterances contrary to Rule 030421 (id), and relevant service-wide circulars.
“Established cases of infraction of the following provisions of the Public Procurement Act: Sections 16(6) and 32(7).
“Infraction of Rule 3125(i) (a) and (b) of the Financial Regulations;
“Embarrassed government through unguarded social media comments.”
The panel also recommended for immediate removal the 13 senior officers improperly seconded to the NHIS from other government agencies by the suspended NHIS boss.
The committee also recommended the immediate dissolution of the Dr Eyanatu Ifienne-led NHIS governing council for suspending Yusuf when it clearly had no constitutional powers to do so.
It said there was a crisis within the governing council of the scheme and this could negatively affect the smooth running of the agency.
The report partly read, “Dissolve the governing council. Justification: The panel observed the role of the governing council in the present imbroglio and noted from the interactions that the council has become factionalised and is incapable of providing the required leadership for the scheme.
“The governing council embarrassed the government by exceeding its mandate when it suspended the executive secretary.”
The committee subsequently advised the Federal Government to appoint an interim management team to avoid a vacuum and ensure the smooth running of the scheme.
It said the proposed committee would have a six-month lifespan and should be led by a seasoned administrator with a health system experience and other technical members drawn from the offices of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bureau of Public Procurement and Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The panel said the proposed committee would report to the Presidency during its tenure.
It called on the Federal Government to amend the Act establishing the NHIS to make health insurance compulsory for Nigerians even as it advised the government to ensure that “the NHIS is ICT driven.”
Investigations by The PUNCH showed that the committee report was submitted to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, on December 24, 2018.
However, President Muhammadu Buhari government has failed to take any action in almost five months, thereby worsening the ongoing crisis in the health sector.
The NHIS crisis began in early 2017 when it was alleged by members of staff and the organised labour that Yusuf was diverting public funds to private use.
He was said to have brought in 13 officers from other government agencies and gave them undue promotion.
The NHIS boss was subsequently suspended by the Minister of Health in July 2017 while a committee was set up to investigate Yusuf.
The committee accused Yusuf of fraud to the tune of N919m and recommended that anti-graft agencies investigate and prosecute him if need be.
However, Yusuf, who is said to be close to the cabal at the Presidency, was asked to return to his position, an action that triggered public outrage.
Months after his return, Yusuf again ran into trouble with the governing council of the NHIS for, amongst other things, paying consultants N508m without due process.
Recall that the Assistant Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olusegun Adetola, in an interview with The PUNCH on April 17 named the just-concluded general elections as the reason the Federal Government had yet to make public the outcome of the probe initiated into an alleged fraud of N919m in the NHIS.
Adetola, in the interview, said, “As you are aware, the report has been submitted to the SGF and forwarded to the President. We had general elections that were completed only last week and that involved many government agencies.
“The report was submitted just before election activities began. This must have delayed the public presentation. I am sure that soon, it will be made public. It is not a forgotten document.”
The Punch
Wema Bank has introduced a new jingle to mark the next phase of its digital banking journey, tagged the ALAT: The Evolution jingle. Designed to capture the energy of a smarter and more seamless banking experience, the jingle is bright, catchy, and full of life. It reflects a platform built to simply work, pairing sound with innovation as ALAT: The Evolution steps forward with enhanced features and a refreshed user experience.
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More than just music, the ALAT: The Evolution jingle represents a clear statement of intent. It signals a shift towards banking that feels natural, responsive, and in tune with the user. As customers update their app and explore ALAT: The Evolution, the jingle serves as a reminder that a better, smoother way to bank is already here. Wema Bank is not just evolving its technology; it is shaping how banking feels.
Adron Homes and Properties Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and fostering community development through its sponsorship of the 39th edition of the Lisabi Festival, one of the most revered cultural celebrations of the Egba people.
Held under the distinguished leadership of Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the festival remains a symbolic institution that celebrates the unity, resilience, and historical legacy of Egbaland. It pays tribute to the legendary warrior Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, whose courage and leadership united the Egba people and secured their freedom.
Through this strategic sponsorship, Adron Homes and Properties Limited continues to position itself not only as a leading real estate developer but also as a custodian of culture and a partner in sustaining the traditions that shape communities across Nigeria.
Speaking on the importance of the festival, Oba Gbadebo emphasized that Lisabi serves as a vital platform for preserving the Egba people’s values, traditions, and identity, while inspiring younger generations to remain connected to their cultural roots.
For Adron Homes, the partnership reflects a deliberate alignment with the socio-cultural aspirations of Egbaland. By supporting the festival, the company is contributing meaningfully to the preservation of indigenous heritage, the promotion of unity, and the celebration of a people whose influence continues to shape the cultural landscape of Abeokuta and beyond.
Notably, Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State is also home to key Adron Homes developments, including the prestigious Adron Homes Sunrise Park and Gardens located in Alabata, and Southgate Park and Gardens Estate in Alamala. These flagship estates further reinforce the company’s deep-rooted presence and long-term investment in the socio-economic growth of the region.
The 2026 edition of the Lisabi Festival, themed “Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Education: Opportunities and Challenges,” highlights the intersection between tradition and modern development, an area where Adron Homes continues to make an impact through its community-driven initiatives.
The festival will feature a vibrant lineup of cultural and social activities, including the iconic Woro procession, traditional rites, arts and crafts exhibitions, educational programmes, and community engagements, all reflecting the richness of Egba heritage.
By Oki O. Samson
In what is already generating significant grassroots political momentum across Surulere, immediate past Executive Chairman of Coker-Aguda LCDA, Hon. Rasaq Ibrahim Olamilekan, popularly known as RIO, has officially declared his intention to contest for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat representing Surulere Constituency II.
The declaration, made on Saturday, March 21, 2026, positions the youthful and widely regarded grassroots mobilizer and a party loyalist as a strong contender in the evolving political landscape of Lagos State.
At the official declaration on Saturday morning, supporters, community leaders, youth groups, and political stakeholders gathered in large numbers to witness what has been described as the formal transition of a tested local administrator into state-level legislative politics.
A Grassroots Politician with Development Credentials
Hon. Olamilekan’s entry into the race is backed by a track record that spans infrastructure renewal, social welfare interventions, education support, and community-driven security initiatives during his tenure as Council Executive Chairman.
Described by admirers as detribalized and accessible, RIO built a reputation for inclusive governance for all tribes, implementing policies and programs that cut across religious, ethnic, and political divides. His administration’s interventions ranged from road construction and drainage systems to healthcare upgrades and youth empowerment schemes.
In the area of healthcare, his government reconstructed the Orile-Iganmu Primary Healthcare Centre and facilitated multiple medical outreaches in collaboration with the Lagos State Health Management Agency, bringing free medical services closer to residents in underserved communities.
Security Advocacy, Peacebuilding and Policy Direction
A major highlight of his public service profile is his consistent advocacy for sustainable security funding and community peacebuilding. Speaking at an event marking his induction as Patron of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Southwest Nigeria in 2024, Hon. RIO emphasized the need for a maintenance culture in security investments.
“Buying equipment is not enough,” he noted. “We must make deliberate provisions for maintenance to ensure long-term effectiveness of support to the Nigeria Police Force.”
During his tenure, he provided operational vehicles for Police formations and institutionalized monthly security meetings with Divisional Police Officers and other community stakeholders. These measures were noted to have improved safety coordination across the LCDA and were largely applauded by the community, the Media industry.
His collaboration with security leadership, including engagements with former Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, further reinforced his administration’s proactive approach to tackling crime and improving public safety infrastructure.
Beyond institutional support, Hon. Olamilekan also demonstrated a firm commitment to peace and conflict resolution at the community level. Following incidents of unrest in Orile Iganmu, a densely populated community and cultural hub hosting the National Theatre, he convened a high-level security stakeholders’ meeting involving community leaders, law enforcement agencies, and transport union representatives.
The engagement led to the inauguration of an Enquiry and Peace Taskforce Committee tasked with addressing recurring street clashes in areas such as Awe, Aloko, Alagba, and Memudu streets. The committee, working with the council’s security architecture, was mandated to develop recommendations and drive a comprehensive sensitization campaign across the LCDA.
Describing peace as a collective responsibility, the former Chairman stressed that sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of security and mutual coexistence.
Social Intervention and Community Impact
Hon. RIO’s leadership gained widespread attention and commendation from political party leaders during the post-fuel subsidy removal period, when his administration rolled out sustained palliative distributions. Over a six-month period, thousands of residents comprising youths, widows, elderly citizens, and vulnerable groups benefited from food and financial support initiatives.
Unlike many local governments criticized for slow response, Coker-Aguda LCDA under Hon. RIO leadership executed multiple phases of relief distribution, reaching over 12,000 residents. The initiative was widely praised by party leaders, community stakeholders for its transparency, inclusiveness, and consistency.
Recognition and Rising Political Profile
His governance style and impact earned him several accolades, including his induction into the prestigious Trek Africa Hall of Fame as Youth Man of the Year. The recognition placed him alongside notable figures such as Secretary to State Government, Lagos State, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin and Executive Secretary/CEO, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, underscoring his growing influence within Lagos’ political and governance ecosystem.
His emergence as one of the youngest local government chairmen in Lagos helped position him as a symbol of youth inclusion in governance and a bridge between established political structures and the next generation of leaders.
Legislative Vision for Surulere II
In declaring his candidacy, Hon. Olamilekan RIO pledged to take his grassroots governance experience to the legislative arena, with a focus on people-oriented laws, improved infrastructure funding, education access, and community-based security frameworks.
He emphasized that his campaign would be driven by direct engagement with constituents, policy clarity, and a commitment to delivering measurable outcomes.
With a blend of administrative experience, party loyalist, grassroots appeal, and a demonstrable commitment to peace and development, political observers believe his candidacy could significantly shape the contest for Surulere Constituency II.
As the political season gathers pace, attention will be on how his entry reshapes alignments within the constituency and influences the broader dynamics of legislative elections in Lagos State.
