Nation
Oyo Shuts Illegal Hospitals …Says Anti-Quackery War Continues
The Oyo State Government on Tuesday, sealed off two private hospitals in Oyo town, restating there is no room for quackery and other illegalities in the state.
The illegal hospitals sealed up by the state Hospital Monitoring Task Force in Oyo town were Wise and Pearl Hospital Limited, Akeetan-Tuntun and Living Stone Clinic and Maternity, Idi-Ose, Alaafin High School.
The coordinator of the task force, Dr. Wale Falana, who spoke shortly after the exercise, said that the move was part of the efforts of the state government to rid the state of quackery and other atrocities perpetrated by some individuals in the health sector.
Falana, who is also the Director of Secondary Healthcare, Ministry of Health, revealed that the government would continue to wage war against all forms of illegalities in private hospitals and clinics to ensure access to quality healthcare by residents in the state.
He said that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration is passionate about the well-being of every individual, and therefore the need for private health facilities to comply with best practices and the laid-down rules by the state government.
Falana advised proprietors of unapproved health facilities in the state to get approvals from the government and do what is necessary without further delay or face sanctions.
He expressed displeasure over irregularities in the conduct of the concerned hospitals, noting that patients under their care were at high risk.
Falana urged residents of the state to be conscious of the health facilities they patronise for treatment in order to prevent unforeseen circumstances.
He said, “Quackery is a serious issue. These people are doing surgeries, some are even in training, have accommodation for trainees, and you can see the owner of one of the places visited ran away.
“This monitoring is part of efforts of the ministry of health and the government to get rid of quackery. We are going to continue, and it will be regular.
“The present administration is trying to correct the wrongs perpetrated by some people. Therefore, we appeal to medical practitioners to put their licences in their facilities.
“Residents are also advised to ask for annual practicing licences collected from the government by health facilities if they are to go to private clinics or hospitals for treatment.”
He added, “Residents can key into the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme; it doesn’t cost much and it is safe.
“There is a normal standard for opening of hospitals. They can come to the ministry of health for inquiries on this, but we don’t have room for quackery practices in Oyo State.”
The hospital monitoring team found two other private hospitals worthwhile, while the remaining two out of the six health facilities visited during the tour, were advised to work on identified issues within the shortest possible time.
Kindly
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.
Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.
The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.
“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.
Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state
He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.
“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.
While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.
He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.
Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
