For the people of Sokoto, disasters have always been more than just statistics; they are personal stories of families, homes, and dreams lost. This Thursday, however, brings a glimmer of hope as the Disaster Management Platform (DMP) of the USAID-supported “Enhancing Coordination System for Disaster Response in Nigeria (ECODiN)” will be inaugurated in the state. By Abdallah el-Kurebe The launch of the platform marks a new era in safeguarding Sokoto’s communities against the devastating impacts of natural and man-made disasters, from floods to droughts, offering tangible support and resources for those at risk. The DMP, designed with the community’s needs…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has joined forces with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to advance health impact investment, with a landmark US$10 million grant aimed at strengthening primary health care and health systems resilience. The grant was officially announced at the COP29 Climate Change Conference held in Baku on November 12, 2024. This contribution is part of a larger global effort to build climate- and crisis-resilient health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and underserved communities. Through the newly launched Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP), IsDB, WHO, and their MDB partners…
The Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE) has elected Obafemi Oyenubi as its new National President, marking a significant step toward unity and stability within the organization. This election follows a successful reconciliation of internal factions, facilitated by veteran union members. The newly elected national leadership includes Benco Hameed Ademola as Deputy National President I, Aniedi Abasi Ekpo as Deputy National President II, and Segun Victor Alemeru as National Treasurer. Other key officers include Kabiru Haruna Mafara (North West), Ayodeji Frances (South West), Buhari Dame Tanimu (North East), Nwagu Christopher (South East), Joseph Sunday Asaolu (North Central), and…
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or illness, but not all inflammation is the same. Blood tests like CRP Quantitative (CRP Quant) and CRP Cardiac (hs-CRP) help doctors identify and monitor inflammation, yet they serve different purposes. Understanding these tests can provide insights into your health, especially if you’re concerned about chronic inflammation or cardiovascular disease.What Is CRP?C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Elevated levels of CRP in your blood indicate that your body is fighting something—whether it’s an infection, injury, or a chronic condition. However, the sensitivity and focus of CRP testing vary, depending…
A lot of people are saying “corruption”. Sorry, that’s not an explanation that’s an observation. There is a reason why there is a lot of corruption in Africa and it has everything to do with Western foreign aid and economic interventionism in the various states of Africa. Before mentioning the two causes let’s dispel the myth that it was due to colonialism. There have been about 40 years since the vast majority of Africa was decolonized. To compare, 40 years after the liberation of the United States as colonies, they were a serious world economic power and growing at a REAL…
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have been used in the news industry for over a decade to assist in automating tasks, including summarizing data from outside sources, crafting financial reports and sports stories and performing grammatical checks. However, the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022 ushered in an era of generative artificial intelligence that dramatically reshaped this landscape, and newsrooms’ use of AI tools has been increasing. The news industry’s adoption has been spurred by desires for efficiency, hopes of growing readership and general market pressures. These processes and decisions are becoming well-documented within academia and the trade press. However, much less is known about the…
HIV is a legitimately difficult problem. Thousands of very smart people have devoted the last 30 years to studying every gene, protein, and molecule in the virus and have created more models than any disease other than cancer. I spent two hours sitting with an undergrad who asked me “Well… why didn’t they try [X] then?” and I had an answer ready for them. Nearly everything has been tried against HIV and unless people invent a class of drugs (which does happen on a periodic basis), our current tools aren’t going to work. People have to recognize what HIV is.…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a concerning REPORT highlighting a significant rise in mpox cases across various countries, particularly in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) leading as the epicenter of this outbreak, and other hotspots also identified in Burundi and Uganda. This report highlights mpox as a global health concern with complex challenges that demand a multifaceted and coordinated international response. It also ensures prompt, equitable action in vaccination, infrastructure support, and surveillance will be key to addressing this expanding health crisis. As of November 3, 2024, the DRC reported cases across six provinces,…
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), through its Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) project, marked the 4th annual OFAB Day by celebrating African scientists whose groundbreaking innovations are shaping the future of agricultural biotechnology. This year’s OFAB event brought together policymakers, lawyers, researchers, students, and agricultural stakeholders to honor these leaders for their contributions to advancing science, addressing food and nutritional security challenges, and combating misinformation surrounding biotechnology. Among the notable honorees was 27-year-old Fatma Mohamed Omar, a graduate of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). Fatma has been instrumental in advancing Kenya’s agricultural sector…
Just like brushing your teeth or washing your hands regularly, digital hygiene should be second nature to most of us—except that it is not. What most people think is sufficient will hardly protect you against the advanced nature of cybercrime, a constantly changing threat. By Anna Collard Digital hygiene involves cultivating habits that keep your digital life healthy and secure. In our highly connected world, you want peace of mind so that you can prevent or quickly detect and fix problems with your devices. Digital hygiene is crucial for individuals and organisations as it serves as the first line of…