In 2020, cigarette smoking among men showed striking global variation, with some countries reporting alarmingly high rates. Indonesia led with the highest prevalence, where 71.4% of men aged 15 and older smoked any tobacco product. Myanmar followed closely at 68.5%, while Bangladesh and China reported 52.2% and 49.4%, respectively. Asian countries notably dominate the higher end of the male smoking spectrum, reflecting deep-rooted cultural and social norms around tobacco. Other countries with high male smoking rates include Egypt (48.1%), Malaysia (43.8%), Turkey (42.1%), and Sri Lanka (41.4%). In Eastern Europe and Russia, male smoking rates hover around 40%, with Russia…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Kaduna state government has strengthened its private sector collaboration as the Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmad received a delegation from the Saudi Arabia–based Muslim World League Headquarters on cardiac hospital project. The delegation, led by Dr. Abdurrahman Huwarai, briefed the Commissioner on the purpose of their visit, which was to assess progress on the ongoing construction of a state-of-the-art cardiac hospital and to reinforce the organisation’s partnership with the Kaduna State Government. Dr. Huwarai highlighted the scope of services the centre will provide, noting that the facility—now 60% equipped—will position Kaduna State as a leading hub for advanced cardiac services…
Dangote Group has announced a series of strategic technical partnerships to support the next phase of expansion of its fertiliser operations in Nigeria, as well as the development of new fertiliser plants in Ethiopia. The collaborations mark a major stride in the Group’s long-term plan to strengthen regional food security, boost agricultural productivity and enhance Africa’s position in the global fertiliser market. Through the new partnerships, Dangote Group will increase its urea production capacity in Nigeria from the current three million metric tonnes to nine million metric tonnes annually. The existing two production trains deliver three million metric tonnes, and…
Guinea-Bissau’s President, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, has reportedly been arrested by armed men following gunfire near the presidential palace in the capital, Bissau. Witnesses said shots were heard around 13:00 GMT, and hundreds of residents fled on foot or in vehicles seeking safety. The takeover comes just days after a presidential election in which the main opposition candidate, Fernando Dias, was disqualified. Both Embaló and Dias have claimed victory, and official results were expected later this week. The unfolding events have raised fears of political instability in the West African nation. Guinea-Bissau has a long history of political turmoil, with multiple…
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Wednesday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.664 trillion to the State House of Assembly. Presenting the bill during plenary in Asaba, Oborevwori said: “I wish to announce a budget proposal of N1.664 trillion for the services of Delta State Government in 2026.” He said the proposal comprises N499 billion (30% of the total budget) for recurrent expenditure and N1.165 trillion (70%) for capital expenditure. The governor added that the 2026 budget size represents an increase of N685 billion, or 70 per cent, over the 2025 appropriation. He said the major funding sources would…
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Wednesday presented a N517.5 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly for approval. Presenting the Appropriation Bill tagged “Budget of Strategic Consolidation” in Lafia, the governor commended the legislature for its consistent support in passing previous budgets. Sule said the theme of the 2026 budget aligns with his administration’s development agenda to consolidate ongoing infrastructure projects, strengthen connectivity, and enhance the state’s economic competitiveness. He said N212.79 billion, representing 41.12 per cent of the budget, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while N304.75 billion—58.88 per cent—goes to capital…
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, on Wednesday signed the N897.8 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law. The bill, signed at the Katsina Government House, is tagged ‘Building Your Future 3’. The governor commended the state House of Assembly for passing the budget within 21 working days. Radda noted that the budget—comprising 18 per cent recurrent expenditure and 81 per cent capital expenditure—reflected the legacy of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He said the structure of the budget, with its low recurrent spending, aligns with the fiscal discipline championed by the late president, who also served as governor of the…
The Dangote Group has announced a strategic partnership with Honeywell International Inc. to support the next phase of expansion at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, enabling a capacity upgrade to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028. Under the agreement, Honeywell will provide advanced catalysts, equipment, and process technologies to help the refinery process a wider range of crude grades while enhancing product quality and operational efficiency. Honeywell — a global Fortune 100 industrial and technology company — has been a key technology partner to Dangote since 2017 through its UOP division, which supplies proprietary refining systems, catalyst regeneration units, high-performance…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Tuesday presented a ₦1.016 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly. Presenting the budget — christened “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities” — at the Assembly complex in Umuahia, Otti said the proposal represents a 13 per cent increase from the 2025 appropriation, which stood at ₦750.28 billion. He said the budget was designed to fast-track infrastructure expansion, boost social services, and deepen ongoing reforms across the state. Otti allocated ₦811.8 billion — 80 per cent of the total outlay — to capital projects, while ₦204.4 billion…
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, on Tuesday presented a ₦1.39 trillion budget proposal for the 2026 financial year to the State House of Assembly. Speaking during the presentation, Eno said that recurrent expenditure was projected at ₦354.87 billion, while ₦1.035 trillion was earmarked for capital expenditure. The governor noted that the 2026 budget represents a 16 per cent decrease from the revised ₦1.65 trillion budget for 2025. He added that total capital receipts and expenditure for 2026 were estimated at ₦1.15 trillion, compared to the revised provision of ₦897.14 billion for 2025. Eno said the 2026 proposal—christened “The People’s…