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UN Rep. Urges Priority for Accident Victims as Suberu Foundation, VIO Mayor Donate Relief”
By Ibironke Ariyo
Dr Yusuf Suberu, Representative of NGOs and CSOs, United Nations Decade Of Action on Injury Prevention has appealed to healthcare providers to prioritise the care of accident victims nationwide.
Suberu made the call when his foundation paid a courtesy visit to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) to donate relief items and cash gifts to the hospital and to accident victims on Monday in Abuja.
Dr Yusuf John-Suberu Foundation donated N500,000 cash to the hospital, gave items like Tissues, antiseptic products, soaps, hand washes, N20,000 cash gifts each to accident victims at the hospital among others.
Suberu, who doubled as the FCT Squadron leader, Directorates of Road Traffic Services (DRTS)
emphasised the critical need for immediate medical attention to accident victims, stressing that timely intervention was crucial to saving lives.
He said that the call had become necessary following concerns over hospitals denying emergency treatment to accident victims due to lack of police reports, resulting in unnecessary deaths.
He, however, commended FMC Abuja for their swift response to accident victims adding that such act was worthy of emulation by other governments and private hospitals across the nation.
“I want to go practical.I don’t even want to go with my speech. Personally. I have bring several accident victims to this hospital and no time was the accident victim rejected.
“That is on a personal basis. I didn’t wait for somebody to assess this hospital for me. And I said to myself, though at the moment the country is a little bit tight, but in the midst of it, we are still eating and accidents are still happening.
“So therefore, we said from the little God has made available for us, let us also reach out to not just the patient, but also to the hospital.
“This is because, I know in a critical moment like this, if you have to attend to patients, sometimes they may not have money at hand. And then definitely something has to be done in that regard.
“So we personally have a little sum for the hospital and then we have donation for the accident victims too.
“Now, this is my own way of contributing to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. Trying to say it is not just about what the nation can give to you, but what you can also offer, “he said
According to him, if stakeholders in the health sector are doing what they ought to do, patients will not suffer at the hospitals.
“This is a place to emulate. Imagine if all the other public and private hospitals are functioning the way this hospital is functioning, that means our health care will improve drastically.
“By prioritising accident victims’ care and working together, we can prevent unnecessary deaths and reduce the impact of accidents worldwide,”he said.
Suberu called on the government at all levels to support and to set up the necessary apparatus that would also help transform the health sectors in the country.
He called on commuters and pedestrians to be careful when driving or using the roads adding that ember months comes with increase in vehicular movement due to festivities attached to the month’s.
“This is ember month, I want to tell all the commuters and the pedestrians on the need to be careful.
“Drive as if everybody in Nigeria depends on you, know that somebody’s else safety is your own safety and please before you cross the road, look well.
“When you are driving, don’t make phone calls, that one second is very important, when there is fatigue, take time to rest and regain energy to be able to continue your journey,”he said.
Reacting, the Medical Director, FMC, Dr Saad Ahmed commended the foundation’s “impactful gesture towards the hospital and accident victims.
Ahmed, who was represented by the Head of clinical services, FMC, Dr Bioku Muftau said that the donation addressed challenges faced by accident victims, including anonymity, lack of access to relatives, phones, and even funds.
He also said that the generous gesture reinforced the importance of community support in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“Accident victims were vulnerable individuals who may be unknown, rich or poor, but require immediate care.
“This donation will provide basic resuscitative materials like IV fluids, bandages, and sutures and this foundation’s support sets an example for others to assist accident victims.
“We urge other organisations to follow suit, helping more victims access quality care. We also believe that timely intervention by doctors with these critical supplies will save lives, “he said.
Present at the event were representative of VIOs, members of NGOs and CSOs on road safety matters, relevant stakeholders among others.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.
The police chief, however, directed the Kano State command of the force to obtain the monarch’s statement in the State regarding the incident.
Egbetokun, who gave the directive through the spokesman of the police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the withdrawal became imperative following the intervention of some stakeholders in the country.
The top cop also said his resolve was in line with the police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted.
The Inspire Her Conference & Awards 2025, set to take place in Abuja on 17th April, promises to be a celebration of female leadership, resilience, and achievement across Africa.
The event will be led by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Honourable Minister for State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud, alongside other influential women leaders.
The conference and awards, organised by the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative & Magazine and Rest Logic Nigeria, will honour a diverse group of exceptional women for their contributions to society and leadership.
Among the distinguished recipients of the Inspire Her Award are Halima Buba, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Trust Bank; Hajiya Umma Getso, the 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director of NEXIM Bank; and Engr. Fatima Umar Farouk, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs.
The conference will also highlight the achievements of other accomplished female leaders, aiming to inspire women across the continent and encourage resilience, inclusion, and progress.
With the theme “Accelerate Action: Building Resilience,” the conference will address key issues such as gender equality, leadership inclusion, human capital development, work-life balance, and poverty eradication.
In addition to the award ceremony, the event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, creating a platform for dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing African women today.
Attendees will have the chance to engage with top female leaders from both corporate and private sectors, share ideas, and explore potential solutions to enhance women’s roles in leadership and societal progress.
Amb. Jeremiah Agala, Executive Director of the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative, and Co-Convener Dr. Joy Franklyn Ekemezie, emphasised that the conference would highlight the excellence, hard work, and resilience of African and Nigerian women.
“This year’s conference will feature the Inspire Her Fire Chat, a new addition designed to provide deeper insights into the journeys of our honourees and inspire the next generation of women leaders,” Agala said.
The event, which is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, will take place at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotels in Abuja, with a diverse audience that includes female youth leaders, students, women’s organisations, decision-makers, and the international community.
With a limited number of slots available, organisers are urging those interested to register early, as admission is strictly by registration.
The conference promises to be a powerful event, one that will not only celebrate the success of African women but also create pathways for future empowerment and leadership.
Early Sunday, a missile barrage targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, injuring at least three individuals and igniting multiple fires, according to the city’s mayor. This attack occurred just two days after a Russian strike in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown resulted in the deaths of 18 people.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that emergency services were dispatched to two districts within Kyiv, while the Ukrainian air force confirmed that missiles had penetrated the northern Chernihiv region.
“Explosions have been reported in the capital, and air defense systems are currently engaged,” Klitschko stated on Telegram. He urged residents to seek shelter, warning, “The missile assault on Kyiv persists.”
So far, three injuries have been recorded, with fires erupting in non-residential structures and damage inflicted on eight vehicles.
This onslaught coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, over three years into Moscow’s extensive invasion, while also seeking to mend relations with the Kremlin.
Poland’s military announced that it, along with allied forces, had taken to the skies in response to Russian strikes near the western Ukrainian border, with ground-based air defense systems on high alert.
“Due to the heightened activity of long-range Russian aviation targeting locations within western Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft operations in our airspace have commenced,” stated its operational command on X. “These measures are intended to ensure security in regions bordering the threatened zones.”
On Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its air defense units had intercepted and destroyed 11 Ukrainian drones.
**Zelensky Critiques U.S. Response**
On Saturday, President Zelensky criticized the U.S. embassy for what he termed a “weak” statement that failed to hold Russia accountable for the recent deadly missile strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rig.
The missile impacted a residential area near a children’s playground in central Ukraine, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine children, aged between three and 17. In a heartfelt social media post, Zelensky called out the U.S. embassy for its reluctance to name Russia as the aggressor.
“Regrettably, the American embassy’s response is surprisingly disappointing: such a powerful nation, yet such a feeble reaction,” Zelensky remarked. “They hesitate to even mention ‘Russian’ when discussing the missile that claimed the lives of children.”
Zelensky’s remarks followed a post by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink on X, expressing horror over the missile strike near a playground and restaurant. In his evening address, Zelensky emphasized, “It is both incorrect and perilous to remain silent about the fact that it is Russia perpetrating these crimes against children with ballistic missiles. This only emboldens the perpetrators in Moscow to continue their aggression and disregard diplomatic solutions.”
The president, who hails from Kryvyi Rig, where the pre-war population was approximately 600,000, conveyed his condolences and called for a three-day mourning period on April 7, 8, and 9.
“This is nothing short of a mass murder of civilians,” stated Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rig military administration.
Images shared by rescue services depicted several victims, with one body found near a playground swing. In response, Russia’s defense ministry claimed it executed a “precision strike” against a meeting of military commanders and Western instructors in the area. The Ukrainian army’s General Staff countered that Moscow was attempting to obscure its heinous actions and disseminating false information, labeling Russia’s actions as “war crimes.”
While Trump continues to encourage both sides to pursue a ceasefire, his administration has struggled to mediate a mutually acceptable agreement. Zelensky remarked that the missile attack underscored Russia’s lack of interest in halting its full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian president reported “significant progress” following discussions with British and French military leaders in Kyiv on Friday. They explored plans for a “reassurance” force from London and Paris to be deployed to Ukraine if a resolution to the conflict is achieved.
Zelensky shared on social media that the meeting with British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin and French counterpart Thierry Burkhard yielded “the initial details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed.” This initiative represents one of the latest efforts by European leaders to coordinate a response after Trump initiated direct negotiations with the Kremlin, sidelining them.