Ahead of the homecoming of embattled lawmaker from Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi State Police Command has called for the cancellation of the proposed rally in her honor, scheduled to take place in Okene on Tuesday.

According to a statement by the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Ovye Aya, intelligence reports revealed that the proposed rally poses a security threat to the people of the state.

Aya stated that the call for the cancellation of the rally became necessary, adding that intelligence reports indicate that some hoodlums plan to hijack the event and cause a disturbance of peace in the state.

“The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the state is currently enjoying.

“In view of the security threat received regarding the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organizers to cancel the event to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the state, as the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of the law on anyone who causes a disturbance of peace and order,” the statement added.

The House of Representatives member representing Ahoada West/Ogba Egbema/Ndoni, Victor Obuzor, has disclosed that the Nigerian government may subsequently replicate the establishment of the Federal Institute for Vision and Optical Research in Rivers State across the six geopolitical zones of the nation.

The Rivers lawmaker, who sponsored the bill for the establishment of the Institute, addressed journalists on Monday, saying the support the bill received during and after the public hearing recently held at the National Assembly was encouraging.

“The House is delighted with the bill and has asked that the Institute, since it’s one of its kind, should be replicated in the six geopolitical zones,” he said.

He called the establishment of the proposed institute an urgent necessity.

“As guardians of public health, we must address the escalating prevalence of vision impairment, particularly in underserved communities,” he added.

With an estimated 50 million Nigerians currently affected by visual disabilities and over seven million already blind, the need for decisive action has never been more pressing.

“The proposed institute represents a crucial step towards mitigating this growing public health challenge and ensuring a brighter future for our citizens,” he stressed.

Earlier in his presentation at the public hearing, he explained that “vision disorders are reaching epidemic proportions in Nigeria, exacerbated by limited access to ophthalmic care, particularly in rural locales,” adding that projections by the World Health Organization suggest that the current figure may double by 2050 without the right interventions.

On the proposed bill to establish the Federal College of Optometry to provide courses leading to the award of designated degrees, diplomas, and certificates in Optometry and related courses, which he also sponsored, he said the desire of any government is to have a population of healthy citizens.

“This is why governments all over the world, including Nigeria, continue to fund health-related infrastructure as well as basic health and eye care services to ensure that health sector objectives are actualized.

“The impact of optometric care is growing worldwide, and countries have devoted huge resources toward the development of infrastructure and human capital to ensure that this vital organ of the human body is given its pride of place, because without the eyes, life and living would be difficult,” he stated.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, had during the hearing assured that the bills, if considered and passed into law, “will address the current low-level scientific research and development in vision healthcare and ensure a phenomenal increase in the number of qualified professional manpower and the establishment of more specialized eye care facilities across the country.”

Also in his remarks, Chairman of the Committee on Specialty Healthcare, Hon. Alex Egbona, while expressing support, said the bills generally seek to increase public access to healthcare for Nigerians in the area of eye care, vision, and optical health.

Three officials of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Abdul-Akeem Olarenwaju, Adetola Fatimoh Oluwatosin, and Adetu Samshudeen Adekunle, have issued formal apologies for assaulting officers of the Department of State Services, DSS.

The incident occurred during the recent leadership crisis that unsettled the legislative chamber.

Security personnel deployed to the Lagos State House of Assembly were assaulted despite being officially invited to safeguard the premises amid the leadership crisis.

In a letter dated February 14, 2025, and signed by Acting Clerk A.T.B. Ottun, the Assembly formally requested the Department of State Services (DSS) to enhance security at the facility. The letter, referenced LSHA/FAD/0/7554/323, urged the DSS to secure the legislative complex from February 15 “until further notice.”

Upon their arrival, however, DSS operatives were reportedly attacked by three Assembly staff members. Relying on CCTV footage, the DSS arrested the individuals and later filed charges against them.

Following the incident, the three Assembly workers—Public Affairs Officer Ibrahim Abdul-Akeem Olarenwaju and Sergeant-at-Arms officials Adetola Fatimoh Oluwatosin and Adetu Samshudeen Adekunle—submitted written apologies to DSS Director General Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi through the State Director of Security, Lagos State Command.

“I, Ibrahim Abdul-Akeem Olarenwaju, hereby tender my unreserved apology for any act or omission that I might have caused your distinguished office (DSS) and personnel in the course of my duty at the hallowed chamber of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, on the 27th day of February, 2025,” one of the letters read.

The Assembly staff pledged to maintain good conduct and avoid any actions that could undermine security personnel in the future.

Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the leadership crisis, several media outlets initially reported that DSS operatives had “invaded” the Assembly. However, upon reviewing the facts, prominent news organizations, including AIT, Channels TV, The Punch, Blueprint, Tribune, and The Guardian, retracted their reports and issued apologies to the DSS.

It remains unclear whether Lagos Television, LTV, which was also requested to apologize, has complied. This has raised concerns over potential legal action by the secret police against the state-owned broadcaster.