The hard truth is, very few members of the National Assembly (NASS) returned to their communities after the elections to ask, “Why didn’t you vote?” They didn’t listen, didn’t ask, didn’t care. And now, they want to legislate our silence away. But democracy isn’t built on force. It’s built on trust. And right now, that trust is broken.
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Imagine carrying a virus and not even knowing it. That’s the reality for millions of people worldwide living with human papillomavirus (HPV) — often without any visible symptoms. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally. While many types are harmless and go away on their own, some can cause warts, and others can lead to serious health problems like cervical and throat cancers. “Most people who have HPV don’t know they are infected.” – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Let’s break down what to look out for and why it matters. Genital warts – often the…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to commence preparations for potential updates to vaccine formulations in advance of a critical review meeting scheduled for May 2025. The WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to conduct rigorous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variant evolution, immune responses resulting from infection and vaccination, and vaccine effectiveness against currently circulating variants. Based on these ongoing assessments, the WHO provides authoritative guidance to vaccine manufacturers and regulatory bodies regarding necessary future modifications to the antigenic composition of COVID-19 vaccines. In preparation for the forthcoming deliberations, the WHO has specified…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its World Health Statistics 2025 report, revealing the profound and lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global health. According to the report, global life expectancy declined by 1.8 years between 2019 and 2021—the steepest drop in recent history—effectively reversing a decade’s worth of health gains. The report also highlights that increased levels of anxiety and depression linked to the pandemic reduced global healthy life expectancy by approximately six weeks. This erosion has effectively cancelled out much of the progress made in lowering mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) during the same period. Warning…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a nationwide recall for dozens of eye care products due to potential contamination that could lead to serious eye infections, including vision loss. The voluntary recall affects products sold under popular brands such as CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and Leader, among others. The FDA announced that its investigators found unsanitary conditions and bacterial contamination at the manufacturing facility operated by Kilitch Healthcare India Limited. The products in question are primarily over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops, artificial tears, and eye lubricants. Although no infections have been reported so far, the FDA warns that…
It was a haunting Sunday, May 4, 2025, when a video surfaced online — not just any video, but a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the worsening humanitarian crisis unfolding in the heart of Lagos Island. As floodwaters swallowed homes, streets, and dreams, voices of despair rang louder than the thunder of the rain. Ajoke Balogun, a concerned resident, filmed the footage. Her voice cracked as she narrated scenes of devastation: people using planks, poles, and makeshift bridges to access what used to be roads. In the video, water lapped at doorsteps, and children waded through waist-deep floods to get home.…
Much more than a diplomatic visit, it was a profound gesture of partnership, trust, and mutual respect. In one of its initivities to mark a symbolic day for Europe (May 9, Europe Day), a powerful delegation of European Union (EU) diplomats and UN officials gathered in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria on Monday, May 5, 2025, to launch €60 million worth of health and social projects. But behind the numbers and handshakes was something deeper: a sincere celebration of culture, resilience, and shared humanity. Leading the EU delegation was Ambassador Gautier Mignot, accompanied by Ambassadors and Chargés from nine EU Member States.…
A professor of Enzyme and Environmental Biotechnology at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Folasade Olajuyigbe, has called for increased strategic investment in enzyme biotechnology, describing it as a vital tool for fostering sustainable economic growth and combating environmental degradation in Nigeria. Professor Olajuyigbe made the call while delivering FUTA’s 180th Inaugural Lecture on May 6, 2025. The lecture, titled “The Wonders of Enzymes: Glamour of a Clean and Healthy Environment,” emphasized the critical role of enzymes in promoting eco-friendly alternatives to harmful chemical processes and advancing a circular bioeconomy. Speaking at the event, Olajuyigbe, who also serves as…
Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda is being redefined with the Federal Government entering into a landmark $158.15 million agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the French Development Agency (AFD). The pact, signed at the State House in Abuja, sets the stage for an ambitious eight-year Value Chain Development Programme for Northern Nigeria (VCN), aimed at overhauling rural economies across nine states. By Abdallah el-Kurebe At the heart of this historic agreement lies a bold vision: to unlock the agricultural potential of Northern Nigeria — a region often portrayed through the lens of insecurity and poverty. But now,…
President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has announced that all childbirth services in the country will now be completely free. The decision, which takes effect immediately, is part of a larger national effort to make sure no mother or child is left behind when it comes to healthcare. For many women, especially those in rural areas, giving birth has long been a dangerous and expensive journey. According to the World Health Organization, Burkina Faso sees about 320 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births — far higher than the global average. For children, the statistics are just as concerning, with…