A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights a remarkable 38% drop in global drowning deaths since 2000—a testament to the effectiveness of prevention strategies. However, despite this progress, drowning remains a grave public health concern, with more than 30 lives lost to drowning every hour. In 2021 alone, over 300,000 people died from drowning. The report underscores the disproportionate impact of drowning on young people: nearly half of all drowning deaths occur among individuals under 29 years old, and a quarter involve children under the age of five. Children without adult supervision are particularly at risk. “The…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill tagged “Budget of Hope for Sustainability and Food Security” to the State House of Assembly. The budget, valued at N1.558 trillion, prioritizes agriculture, which received the highest allocation of N399 billion. During the presentation on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Assembly Complex in Minna, Bago emphasized the need to strengthen the foundation for socio-economic development and food security under the New Niger Agenda. He noted that the 2025 budget represents a 48.32% increase from the 2024 appropriation. Revenue and expenditure breakdown The budget comprises N196.3 billion…
The Government of Tanzania, through the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), has unveiled a €15 million, four-year project funded by the European Union to revolutionize the Dar es Salaam Port, enhance trade facilitation, and improve urban mobility across East and Central Africa’s trade corridors. Implemented by TradeMark Africa (TMA), the Port of Antwerp, and UN-Habitat, with management support from Enabel, the project aims to tackle persistent inefficiencies hindering the port’s performance. As a critical gateway for Tanzania and its landlocked neighbors, the Dar es Salaam Port plays a pivotal role in regional trade. However, operational challenges and barriers have limited its…
The beauty industry in Africa is witnessing a significant rise, with countries across the continent spending millions on the importation of false beards, eyebrows, and eyelashes in 2023. According to data from Trade Map, South Africa leads the pack with imports worth $5.91 million, reflecting the growing demand for beauty enhancements in the region. Following South Africa, Zimbabwe imported $4.78 million worth of these products, while Mali and Uganda recorded imports of $3.76 million and $3.71 million, respectively. Ghana rounded out the top five with imports valued at $3 million. Nigeria among the top importers Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation,…
The 2024 Global Health Expenditure Report by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals a concerning trend: government spending on health per capita decreased in 2022 across all income groups after an initial surge during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, titled “Global Spending on Health: Emerging from the Pandemic,” has been released in conjunction with this year’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, observed annually on December 12. The 2024 campaign focuses on improving financial protection to ensure everyone can access the healthcare they need. Why government spending matters Government funding is a cornerstone of delivering Universal Health…
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) today announced recipients of the 2024 Champions of the Earth, honoured for their outstanding leadership, brave actions and sustainable solutions to tackle land degradation, drought and desertification. This year’s laureates include a minister of Indigenous Peoples, an environmental defender, a sustainable agriculture initiative, an Indigenous rights advocate, a scientist focused on afforestation and a pioneering ecologist. The annual Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honour, recognizes trailblazers at the forefront of efforts to protect people and the planet. Since 2005, the award has recognized 122 laureates for outstanding and inspirational environmental leadership. “Almost 40 per…
The Jigawa State Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has raised an alarm over the activities of fraudsters extorting money from unsuspecting farmers in the state. The association, under the leadership of Engineer Auwal Garba Ibrahim, denounced these impostors and called for immediate action to curb their illegal activities. In a statement issued on December 10, 2024, AFAN disclosed that unscrupulous individuals falsely claiming to represent the association had been demanding fees from farmers under the pretense of providing services related to government agricultural programs. The association clarified that it does not collect money for any of…
This year’s National Noma Day and Scientific Conference, held in Abuja on December 10-11, carries the theme “Listing of Noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease, What Next?” The event is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first National Noma Day since the World Health Organization (WHO) included noma in its list of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in 2023. The inclusion was a landmark achievement following three years of advocacy led by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Nigerian Ministry of Health, noma survivors, and partners from over 30 nations. Noma’s addition to the NTDs list recognizes it as a preventable and…
Over 200 journalists, media executives, scholars, and advocates from across Africa, gathered at the Asaa Pyramid Hotel in Kaduna, Nigeria with a shared purpose: to redefine the role of journalism in addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges. The 8th Africa Conference on Development Journalism, organised by the African Media Development Foundation (AMDF) held from December 4–5, 2024, wasn’t just about headlines—it was about lives. From neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) silently robbing communities of sight to the invisible scars of mental health struggles, the conference spotlighted health issues often overlooked in the media. And the message was clear: journalists are not…
If you’re focused on healthy ageing, make sure you’re getting enough of these 6 expert-recommended vitamins and minerals. Eating a balanced diet throughout your life supports everything from your bone health to your immune system. This is especially important for older adults at a higher risk for low vitamin consumption, according to a paper published in Clinical Interventions in Ageing. By Lara Vukelich Though your diet is where most of the essential nutrients you need come from, your doctor may recommend supplements or multivitamins. Those on certain medications that deplete the body of a particular nutrient or people with dietary restrictions will need extra help…