Lassa fever is a cryptic viral disease that is spread predominantly from rodents to humans in West Africa. We estimated the health-economic burden associated with Lassa fever, highlighting the gains to population health and economies that could be afforded by Lassa vaccines, several of which are currently in development. The problem Lassa fever is a poorly understood zoonotic disease that causes viral hemorrhagic fever and thousands of deaths annually throughout West Africa. It has also been identified as a leading pandemic threat by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global health institutions. This has motivated considerable investment in the…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The price of a 50 kg bag of local rice surged year-on-year (YoY) by 152.9%, reaching N95,738 in September 2024, compared to N37,853 in September 2023. This data was revealed in the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) ‘Selected Food Price Watch’ for September 2024. Additionally, the price of 1 kilogram (kg) of local rice during this period was N1,914.77. The report highlighted that beans recorded an even higher YoY growth rate, exceeding 200%. Specifically, the average price of 1kg of brown beans increased by 281.97%, rising from N716.97 in September 2023 to N2,738.59 in September 2024. Month-on-month, the price saw…
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in business operations. According to GoDaddy’s Global Entrepreneurship Survey, 94% of respondents reported that digitization has significantly improved their work processes. AI tools offer various ways to enhance efficiency for small businesses, from streamlining workflows to improving decision-making, gaining a competitive edge, and enhancing customer experiences. AI can automate tasks, analyze data, and provide actionable insights, helping small businesses compete with larger firms. However, leveraging AI strategically and thoughtfully is key. Here are three ways AI can benefit your business: Automate Time-Consuming TasksAI can automate repetitive tasks such as data analytics, invoicing,…
The upcoming UN climate change meeting, COP29, will feature a dedicated Health Day on 18 November in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of the negotiations from 11-22 November. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to ensure health is a central focus in climate talks. Maria Neira from the WHO emphasized two key objectives: raising awareness that the climate crisis is a health crisis and showing how mitigating climate change can bring significant health benefits. Neira stressed the need to integrate health into all climate actions. The Health Day will begin with a high-level meeting on the Baku Initiative on Human Development…
A tweet by Senator Shehu Sani has sparked a thought-provoking conversation about the growing issue of beggars in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. ASHENEWS recalls that the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, during the inauguration of the construction of an access road from Ring 1 by N16 to Judges’ quarters and roads within the quarters in Katampe District of Abuja on Tuesday, declared war on Abuja beggars. He gave them a one week ultimatum after which they would begin to be apprehended. “Let me state clearly that we have declared war; Abuja is turning into a beggar city.…
Mathematicians in China and the United States say they have developed a “model of everything” that simplifies complex systems in the body, society and the environment by revealing their patterns and interactions. The team, led by renowned Chinese-American mathematician Yau Shing-Tung, says their model can be used to analyse many scenarios. They range from how gut microbes interact and trigger inflammation, to how increased carbon dioxide and pollutants cause climate warming, and how firms compete and cooperate to boost the economy. In biological scenarios, the model’s analysis could be used to help pharmaceutical professionals develop treatments – for example, for cancer by decoupling cells…
“The significance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure in attracting financing for sustainable development in Africa cannot be overstated. It is no longer optional; it is essential for Africa to thrive in the 21st century,” said Solomon Quaynor, Vice-President of the African Development Bank Group, during the opening of the inaugural Africa ESG Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The two-day event, organized by the African Development Bank, the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF), and Making Finance Work for Africa (MFW4A), is themed “Building a Sustainable Finance Ecosystem for Africa: A Collaborative Approach for ESG Disclosure.” The forum…
The 2024 State of AI report highlights a pivotal year of consolidation in the realm of artificial intelligence, particularly regarding foundation models. After last year’s breakout moment, researchers and companies are now navigating the complexities of integrating AI capabilities into real-world applications. OpenAI, a frontrunner in the field, is reaping substantial financial rewards, reportedly generating billions in revenue as its generative Artificial Intelligence products become integral tools for Fortune 500 companies. However, the initial excitement surrounding these technologies has given way to a more nuanced understanding of their potential and limitations. The report underscores the increasing challenges associated with the…
Task automation, AI at the intersection of coding and AI agents take on new frenzied importance heading into 2025 for the commercialization of Generative AI. This could be an important announcement, whereas the last two years (2022-2024) LLMs have shown us an architecture of predicting language (token prediction), the next two years 2025-2027 could be more about predicting computer use. In an environment where so many companies are developing AI agents (Asana) and AI builder architectures (Salesforce), are agents the new chatbots? AI agents and the intersection between AI and software engineering now become even more important as task automation is the new focus of the…
AI is no longer just a buzzword in hospitality – it’s a disruptive force transforming how properties are managed and guest experiences are delivered. Adopting AI is not a question of “if” but “when.” The stakes couldn’t be higher for the hospitality industry, representing a staggering $4.1 trillion global market. Jurny and its advanced AI agents are driving exponential improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and operational processes within this market segment. If you’re looking to be part of this industry-changing opportunity, Jurny is accepting investments from private investors for a very limited time. The AI Tipping Point Business luminaries like…