The Sokoto State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have renewed their partnership to eradicate polio in Northwest Nigeria, pledging intensified vaccination campaigns, stronger community engagement, and improved surveillance to protect every child from the crippling disease. Marking the 2025 World Polio Day, officials, health partners, and traditional leaders reaffirmed that collaboration remains key to sustaining Nigeria’s victory over polio. Sokoto’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Farouk Abubakar Wurno said the state, working with UNICEF, WHO, Rotary International, and other partners, has achieved over 90 percent vaccination coverage in recent rounds across high-risk areas. “We are determined to sustain…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Experts have called for the adoption of digital forest management to unlock Nigeria’s vast economic and environmental potential. Delivering a virtual keynote address at the 9th Biennial Conference of the Forests and Forest Products Society (FFPS) themed “Healthy and Resilient Forests for a Buoyant Nigerian Economy” in Akure on Wednesday, Professor Timo Tokola of the University of Eastern Finland said digital monitoring can transform forest management and sustainability in Nigeria. He highlighted the high economic value of forests — including medicinal plants, timber, paper, fibre, furniture, and ecosystem services — but warned that these benefits are threatened by illegal logging,…
Governments and energy companies are increasingly acting on methane emission alerts, but global efforts must accelerate to meet the 2030 target of cutting methane by 30 per cent, according to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The report — An Eye on Methane: From Measurement to Momentum — published by UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), reveals that government and industry responses to over 3,500 methane alerts have risen from just one per cent last year to 12 per cent in 2025. However, nearly 90 per cent of reported cases still remain unaddressed. Methane, a greenhouse…
The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria, has condemned in strong terms the reported attacks on journalists who were covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja on Monday, October 20, 2025. In a statement issued through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub, the IPC said the journalists, who were performing their lawful duties, were subjected to various forms of assault — including unlawful arrest, confiscation of equipment, and destruction of property. According to information gathered by the IPC-SPJ Hub, the protest, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, demanded the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra…
A Kenyan entrepreneur, Elly Savatia, has won the prestigious Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering for developing Terp 360 — an AI-powered app that translates speech into sign language in real time using 3D avatars. Savatia described his innovation as “Google Translate for sign language,” explaining that Terp 360 converts speech and text into lifelike sign language animations, enabling seamless communication between deaf and hearing individuals without the need for human interpreters. He received £50,000 ($67,000) on October 16 during a ceremony in Dakar, Senegal, emerging winner among four African finalists selected by a…
Kenya Airways has made history by operating Africa’s first intra-continental flight using 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) attributes, marking a major step in reducing the carbon footprint of air travel across the continent. The milestone flight, from Nairobi to Cape Town, was conducted under international standards set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The SAF attributes are verified through globally recognized certification schemes to ensure traceability and transparency. The fuel—made from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) derived from used cooking oil and other waste materials—can cut greenhouse…
In a recent study published today in the European Geosciences Union (EGU) journal Biogeosciences, scientists have confirmed that mercury pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is contaminating food crops not through the soil, as previously believed, but directly from the air. Driven by the surging price of gold, which has increased by more than tenfold since 2000, the rapid expansion of unregulated mining in these regions raises urgent questions about food security, human health, and environmental justice The study, conducted by an international team of scientists led by Excellent O. Eboigbe and David McLagan at Queens University, and Abiodun Odukoya Mary…
For the first time in history, scientists have confirmed the presence of mosquitoes in Iceland — a country long believed to be free of the biting insect due to its cold and unpredictable climate. The Icelandic Institute of Natural History announced the discovery after three mosquito specimens were captured on October 16 in West Iceland. The insects were first noticed by an observant nature enthusiast who posted his find on a Facebook discussion group. Entomologists later identified the species as Culiseta annulata, commonly known as the banded mosquito. This species is well known for its ability to survive in colder…
Researchers in the United Arab Emirates have reached a significant technological milestone by successfully testing one of the fastest 6G networks in the world, achieving a peak speed of 145 gigabits per second (Gbps). The trial, conducted by telecom operator e& UAE in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), utilized terahertz (THz) frequencies, marking the first 6G Terahertz pilot in the Middle East and setting a new benchmark for ultra-high-speed wireless connectivity. The test, carried out in controlled conditions, demonstrated the immense potential of 6G technology to enable data transfers at unprecedented speeds. At 145 Gbps, users could…
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, joined world leaders in Rome to commemorate World Food Day 2025 and the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), reaffirming the country’s commitment to innovation, resilience, and partnerships for sustainable food systems. Speaking at the event, Senator Kyari said Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, remains steadfast in advancing agricultural transformation through technology adoption, climate-smart solutions, and inclusive food security strategies. The Minister emphasized that Nigeria’s focus aligns with this year’s World Food Day theme, highlighting the need to build resilient food systems that ensure accessibility,…