By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria will get a $350,000 intervention from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to support its response to the ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (bird flu) and strengthen the country’s animal health systems.

An agreement was reached on Wednesday during a strategic meeting between the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and the FAO Representative to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Mr Hussein Gadain, in Abuja.

The intervention, approved under FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme, will support disease containment efforts in 11 affected states and enhance surveillance, coordination and response mechanisms to prevent further spread of the disease.

Speaking during the meeting, Maiha said effective disease control remains critical to improving livestock productivity and protecting the livelihoods of farmers across the country.

He explained that factors such as drought, scarcity of feed, interaction between livestock and wildlife, as well as cross-border movement of animals have contributed to the spread of diseases in some areas.

“We must continue to strengthen our animal health systems and build the capacity required to respond effectively to disease outbreaks. Our collaboration with FAO will help protect livestock assets, improve productivity and support the broader transformation of the sector,” the minister said.

Mr Gadain commended the federal government’s commitment to the development of the livestock sector and assured that FAO would continue to provide technical support to Nigeria.

He stressed the need to strengthen veterinary services at the state and community levels, improve early detection of diseases and promote biosecurity practices among livestock farmers.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the global campaign to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants, a highly contagious disease that affects sheep and goats.

To advance the initiative, the ministry plans to convene a national technical meeting involving veterinary institutions, researchers and practitioners to review Nigeria’s eradication strategy and address gaps in vaccine supply.

As part of preparations, the ministry will engage the National Veterinary Research Institute to assess its vaccine production capacity while exploring other options for vaccine procurement to meet national demand.

Both parties also agreed to accelerate Nigeria’s access to financing under the Pandemic Fund through the One Health approach in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health to strengthen preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases.

Plans are also underway for the Director-General of FAO to participate in the Antimicrobial Resistance Conference scheduled for June 2026 in Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu is expected to be recognised as the African Champion for the eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants.

The meeting further agreed to inaugurate a Livestock Donor Working Group to coordinate development partner support and advance key initiatives, including the development of a national feed and fodder strategy aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in the livestock sector.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A Lagos-based healthcare facility currently in the limelight, Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, has faulted the outcome of the investigation panel of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) on the death of a 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of a renowned author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

The toddler died some weeks ago after an alleged overdose of sedative propofol, with the family alleging medical negligence.

This week, the panel suspended the two doctors of Euracare, Dr Tosin Majekodunmi and Dr Titus Ogundare.

Reacting to the development in a statement, the hospital claimed it observed “a number of serious concerns that have arisen in the course of these proceedings.”

In the statement made available to Business Post, Euracare emphasised that it vouches for the “professionalism and integrity of our clinical team,” pointing out that “certain established processes and protocols have not been followed in the manner required” during the probe.

While it empathised “with the family of Master Nkanu Nnamdi Esege” over the unfortunate incident, the healthcare firm said there was a “serious breach” by the investigators that “cannot go unaddressed.”

It identified this breach as the disclosure of “matters covered by patient and institutional confidentiality” outside the appropriate channels.

Below is the full statement from Euracare;

Our attention has been drawn to widespread media reports concerning the interim suspension orders and other findings issued by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel against thirteen doctors, two of whom are our clinical staff members in connection with the ongoing proceedings relating to the death of Master Nkanu Nnamdi Esege. We remain fully committed to cooperating with all relevant regulatory and judicial authorities in the course of their inquiries.

We however wish to place on record our confidence in the professionalism and integrity of our clinical team. Dr. Tosin Majekodunmi and Dr. Titus Ogundare who are experienced professionals whose records of service to patients in Nigeria span many years. Both doctors have, in their respective careers, contributed meaningfully to the delivery of quality healthcare to Nigerian patients at a standard comparable to what is obtainable in the world’s leading medical facilities.

In the interest of transparency, since the commencement of this matter, we have conducted a thorough internal review of the clinical events in question, in line with our clinical governance standards and best practices. We have actively demonstrated our commitment to transparency and will continue to engage openly with all inquiries directed at us.

We are also compelled to draw attention to a number of serious concerns that have arisen in the course of these proceedings. It is our position that certain established processes and protocols have not been followed in the manner required. We have further noted, with deep concern, that matters covered by patient and institutional confidentiality appear to have been disclosed outside the appropriate channels, and we consider this a serious breach that cannot go unaddressed.

We wish to state that we stand by the principles of equality, fairness, and good governance. Every party in this matter, including our institution and our staff, is entitled to a process that is conducted with rigour, impartiality, and respect for the rules that govern it. We will be raising these concerns through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels.

We continue to empathize with the family of Master Nkanu Nnamdi Esege. The loss of a child is a grief without measure, and we carry that awareness in everything we say and do in relation to this matter.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has invoked its order of suspension against the Medical Director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr Tosin Majekodunmi, and two others, after establishing a prima facie case of medical negligence against them in the management of the late Nkanu Adichie-Esege.

Nkanu, the son of renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege, died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos. He was 21 months old.

Apart from the Medical Director at Euracare, the panel also suspended the anesthesiologist at the same hospital, Dr Titus Ogundare, as well as the Chief Medical Officer at Atlantis Pediatric Hospital, Dr Atinuke Uwajeh.

The trio were suspended from medical practice in Nigeria pending the determination of their case by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.

A statement signed by the committee’s secretary, Dr Enejo Abdu, also disclosed it was determining if there is a prima facie case of professional misconduct against 10 other doctors.

These are Dr Adeseye Akinsete, Dr Chidinma Ohagwu, Dr Anthony Ajeh, Dr Amarachi Bayo, and Dr Nkechi Peji. Others are Dr Olaoye Oludare, Dr Agaja Oyinkansola, Dr Patricia Akintan, Dr Babatunde Bamgboye, and Dr Raji Faidat.

The panel, which also cleared eight other doctors, reached these decisions after considering the complaint against all 21 doctors and reviewing their counter-affidavits, including their oral depositions on oath.

It concluded its investigation at its 25th session held at Excel Hotel & Resort in Abuja on February 17 and 18, 2026.

The 21-month-old child, Nkanu Adichie-Esege, was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness.

While arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States, Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line.

However, the child passed following the procedures.

His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death.

In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, issued by the law firm led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Ms Adichie and her husband accused Euracare, its anesthesiologist, and other attending medical personnel of breaching the duty of care owed to their son.

The notice stated that the child, born on March 25, 2024, was referred to Euracare on January 6, 2026, for diagnostic and preparatory procedures ahead of an emergency medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist team was reportedly on standby.

The procedures reportedly included: Echocardiogram, Brain MRI, and insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter.

Lumbar puncture, Intravenous sedation using propofol was administered.

The parents alleged that the child developed sudden and severe complications while being transported to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory after the MRI.

The development has raised worries and questions about the country’s healthcare.