A Bauchi-based veterinarian, Dr. Shehu Zailani, says the cold and dry conditions of the harmattan pose serious threats to livestock health.

He said the weather increases the incidence of respiratory diseases, cold stress, and mortality, particularly in poultry and young animals.

Zailani made this observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He explained that the drop in temperature, accompanied by dry, dusty winds, poses serious challenges to animal health, similar to how extreme weather affects humans with respiratory conditions.

The veterinarian said the current weather pattern significantly disrupts conventional livestock management practices, with poultry production among the most affected.

Zailani noted that newly hatched chicks require adequate warmth within their first two weeks of life through a process known as brooding—a critical stage for proper feeding, growth, and survival.

He added that fluctuating and extremely cold temperatures make effective temperature regulation difficult for poultry farmers and expose young birds to disease outbreaks and mortality.

“If chicks are not kept warm enough, they become vulnerable to respiratory infections, which may manifest through symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, and laboured breathing,” he said.

According to Zailani, the effects of severe cold weather extend beyond poultry, affecting small ruminants such as goats and sheep.

He said prolonged exposure to extreme cold can weaken animals’ immune systems, making them susceptible to infections, including respiratory diseases and Peste des Petits Ruminants.

“Infected animals often show signs such as sneezing, nasal discharge, weakness, and general poor health,” he added.

He attributed the rise in disease cases during the season to dry and dusty winds, which reduce body moisture in animals and create favourable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases.

The expert advised livestock owners and herders to provide warm and well-ventilated shelters to help animals maintain stable body temperatures and mitigate the risks.

“It is important to ensure adequate and clean drinking water. Proper hydration plays a crucial role in disease prevention. Many cold-related diseases are highly contagious and can result in serious economic losses if not addressed early,” he said.

While emphasising the need for routine livestock vaccination during periods of drastic weather changes, Zailani urged farmers to promptly seek veterinary attention for animals showing signs of illness.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Nollywood filmmaker and actor, Funke Akindele, has further cemented her place in African cinema history as her latest release, Behind The Scenes, crossed the ₦2 billion mark at the box office, becoming the first Nollywood film to achieve the milestone.

The record-breaking performance was disclosed on Monday in a post on X by the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, which confirmed that the title has now grossed ₦2,103,039,706 in ticket sales.

Announcing the feat, the distributor said the film had “officially broken and shattered records,” noting that it is the first Nollywood production in Africa to cross the ₦2 billion box office threshold. FilmOne added that the achievement places Behind The Scenes as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time in Africa, as well as the top-grossing Nollywood release in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

According to the distributor, the success of the film also reinforces Akindele’s status as Africa’s most commercially successful filmmaker, describing her as the highest-grossing writer, director and producer in West Africa’s history.

FilmOne further highlighted that Akindele has now become the first filmmaker to rank number one at the African box office for three consecutive years, a feat it described as unprecedented in the region’s film industry.

Reacting to the support from cinema audiences, the distributor thanked viewers for “believing in the magic of storytelling,” describing the film’s run as more than a commercial win but a cultural movement driven by audience loyalty and strong word-of-mouth.

The ₦2 billion milestone represents a significant leap from the film’s earlier box office records. Behind The Scenes had previously crossed the ₦1 billion mark before climbing to ₦1.77 billion, already positioning it among the most successful Nollywood titles of all time. Its continued surge in earnings has now placed it firmly at the top of the industry’s all-time rankings.

The film stars Scarlet Gomez in the lead role and boasts an ensemble cast that includes Funke Akindele, Iyabo Ojo, Destiny Etiko, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana, Uzor Arukwe, Ini Dima-Okojie, Adebowale ‘Mr Macaroni’, Ibrahim Chatta and Kamo State, alongside several other established and emerging actors.

At its core, Behind The Scenes explores the theme of black tax, examining the emotional, social and financial pressures faced by individuals who are expected to support extended family members.

The subject matter has resonated strongly with audiences, particularly young adults, contributing to the film’s sustained cinema attendance across Nigeria and the wider West African market.

Fans attribute the film’s exceptional performance to a mix of relatable storytelling, strong ensemble casting, aggressive marketing and Akindele’s enduring appeal as a filmmaker who consistently delivers commercially viable projects.

The success of Behind The Scenes adds to Akindele’s growing list of box office achievements. Her earlier releases, including Everybody Loves Jenifa, recorded rapid earnings growth and set multiple opening-week and cumulative revenue records, establishing her as Nollywood’s most bankable figure.

With its cinema run still ongoing and international markets contributing to its revenue, Behind The Scenes is widely seen as a defining moment for Nollywood’s commercial evolution, signalling the industry’s growing capacity to deliver billion-naira blockbusters with global reach.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu land on Sunday lashed out at popular Fuji musician Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, also known as KWAM1, over his protest letter to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, in which he alleged that he was being deliberately excluded from the ongoing selection process of the next Awujale of Ijebu land.

In his protest letter dated January 8, 2026, written by his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), KWAM1 explained that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, next in line to produce the new Awujale, had issued directives that were unknown to the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State.

He claimed these directives were aimed at disenfranchising him from contesting for the throne.

But responding to the development, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof. Fassy Yusuf,  dismissed the protest letter as “arrant nonsense” with no bearing on the selection process.

Speaking on the telephone on Sunday, Yusuf said: “It is a misguided letter. Either Wahab Shittu is being misled or Wasiu Ayinde is being misled. It is arrant nonsense.

The letter was directed to the government, so they will respond appropriately. The issue being raised about the screening is illogical. We have over 20,000 members in the ruling house. How does he expect us to manage the crowd? What is being talked about is illogical.”

He added that the family had fixed Monday for the nomination meeting of aspirants for the vacant stool.

The selection process for the new Awujale, which has reportedly attracted over 60 aspirants, has generated widespread interest, with Ayinde openly declaring his interest in the stool.

The Fusengbuwa family, however, asserted that the Fuji musician is not a member of the ruling house and therefore not qualified to participate in the process.

Ayinde had approached the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, seeking an interim injunction restraining the governor and six others from proceeding with the selection process. The court declined the application, ruling that it lacked merit. The suit was subsequently withdrawn by Ayinde through his lawyer, although no reason was given.

The ruling house also suspended the nomination process and restarted it afresh after intervention by the state government.

In the fresh letter to the governor, Ayinde stated that the Ijebu-Ode Local Government, through a letter dated January 6, 2026, and signed by its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, had given approval for the ruling house to commence the selection process for the new Awujale.

He said it was surprising that while members of the family were preparing for a meeting, one Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, the Public Relations Officer of the ruling house, issued a notice directing candidates to obtain nomination forms and appear before a screening committee chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga.

Ayinde further stated that the directive fixed the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, but also stipulated that nominations would be conducted by delegates selected at a meeting scheduled for January 10, 2026.

KWAM1’s lawyer said: “It is a matter of deep concern to our client that all the illegal directives—unknown to the Chieftaincy Declaration, the Obas and Chiefs Law, and the letter of the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government—were included in the family’s letter to the Local Government dated January 6, 2026. It is clear that there are plans by the leadership of the ruling house to disenfranchise members who wish to participate in the nomination of candidates for the Awujale stool.”

He added that his client took exception to the directives from the ruling house, describing them as deliberate attempts to exclude him from the process.

“We wish to emphasise that all members of the ruling house are entitled to attend this important meeting to nominate candidates of their choice. A group of people in the ruling house cannot usurp the rights of members to freely nominate candidates. The attempt by certain individuals to hijack the nomination process will certainly create a crisis in what should be a seamless exercise.

We state in specific terms that the directive providing for screening of candidates and nomination by delegates is not only inconsistent with the spirit and letter of the Chieftaincy Declaration but also with the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021. We counsel that in the larger interest of justice and compliance with due process, you take timely steps to address these fundamental concerns capable of affecting the integrity of the entire process.”

The letter added that attempts to preclude KWAM1 from the process would be resisted: “In particular, our client is concerned that certain elements are attempting to exclude him from the process in flagrant violation of the law, and this will be resisted. We hope your intervention will ensure that justice is done to all parties involved, including our client.”

The Awujale stool became vacant in July last year following the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona at the age of 91, after a 65-year reign.

Efforts to obtain the state government’s reaction were unsuccessful, as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, had not responded to enquiries as of press time.