In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a distressing series of fuel tanker and gas cylinder explosions, leading to significant loss of life and property. These incidents not only highlight systemic safety challenges but also underscore the urgent need for comprehensive preventive measures. By Abdallah el-Kurebe A grim chronicle of tragedies In January 2025, a devastating explosion occurred near Suleja, Niger State, when a fuel tanker overturned at Dikko junction. While the local residents gathered to collect the spilled petrol, the site ignited, resulting in a catastrophic blast that claimed at least 98 lives and injured 69 others. The inferno also…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Amlodipine is one of the most widely used blood pressure medications. But why do doctors prescribe it so often? Let’s break it down. What is Amlodipine? Amlodipine is an oral dihydropyridine Calcium Channel blocker used in the treatment of heart diseases. For context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), are a class of antihypertensives, divided into: Dihyropyridines Non-dihydropyridines What is their mechanism of action? Calcium channel blockers work by blocking voltage dependent L-type calcium channels in the heart, blood vessels and pancreas. These channels regulate calcium influx into muscle cells, and with reduced calcium, the muscles relax, and the blood vessels open…
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has reaffirmed its critical role in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights across West and Central Africa, tackling challenges such as maternal mortality, unmet family planning needs, gender-based violence (GBV), and the vulnerabilities of women and girls in humanitarian crises. Alian Akpadji, UNFPA Resident Representative for West and Central Africa, speaking on behalf of Regional Director Sennen Hounton during the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, highlighted the region’s fragile health systems and the need for strengthened interventions to ensure sustainable development and human rights. Key areas of UNFPA’s work 1.…
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung condition that makes it harder to breathe over time. It is slow, progressive, and often goes unnoticed until significant lung damage has already occurred. Millions of people worldwide have it, yet many don’t realize it until the symptoms become severe. What is COPD? It is a long-term disease that affects the lungs, making it difficult to push air in and out. It includes two main conditions: Chronic bronchitis: The airways become swollen and produce too much mucus, making breathing difficult. Emphysema: The tiny air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) get damaged,…
In many Nigerian homes, animal-based foods, including a glass of milk in the morning, a plate of steaming suya in the evening, or a simple boiled egg as a quick snack is common. But beyond their taste and convenience, these foods carry immense nutritional and economic value. A professor of Animal Science Bashir Muhammad Fagge, who is an expert in animal product processing, sheds light on how Nigeria can make them even better—fortified, modified, and optimized for health and national development. By Abdallah el-Kurebe The science behind everyday foods Think of milk, meat, and eggs as nature’s powerhouse foods. They…
Endometriosis: More common than you think! Here are some key facts about endometriosis: ● Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body, causing “menstruation” outside the uterus. ● The pain is real and can feel like “knife-cutting” at times. It’s not “just bad cramps.” ● We need more awareness. Women suffering from endometriosis deserve to be heard and supported. Endometriosis is a commonly misunderstood condition that often leads to misdiagnosis. In some cases, patients are even incorrectly told they may have cancer. It affects approximately 1 in 10 women, primarily…
Nigeria’s electronic payment ecosystem has hit a historic milestone, surpassing N1.07 quadrillion in transactions in 2024—the first time e-payments in the country have crossed the quadrillion mark. In dollar terms, this amounts to approximately $702.6 billion, based on the official exchange rate of N1,535/$1 as of December 31, 2024. According to data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), transactions conducted via the NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) platform grew by 79.6% compared to N600 trillion in 2023. Throughout the year, electronic payment activity maintained a steady rise, peaking in December 2024, when Nigerians spent a record-breaking N115.1 trillion via e-payment…
Microsoft and OpenAI are investigating whether DeepSeek, a fast-growing Chinese AI startup, may have accessed OpenAI’s proprietary technology without authorization. According to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter, Microsoft security researchers detected unusual activity in late 2024, where individuals suspected to be linked to DeepSeek extracted a significant amount of data through OpenAI’s application programming interface (API). This API allows developers to integrate OpenAI’s advanced AI models into their own applications via a paid license. Microsoft, OpenAI’s biggest investor and technology partner, flagged the activity to OpenAI, prompting an internal review. “If confirmed, such actions could violate…
Over the weekend, Chinese AI company DeepSeek launched an AI chat app featuring a “reasoning” AI model on par with OpenAI’s o1, causing a stir in the U.S. tech industry as it surged to the top of Apple’s App Store. Based in Hangzhou, China, DeepSeek specializes in generative AI models and AI integration. Its first products to make a significant impact in the U.S. market include the GPT-4-like DeepSeek-V3 and R1, an advanced “reasoning model.” Much like ChatGPT, DeepSeek-V3 and R1 swiftly respond to natural-language prompts. NVIDIA and Microsoft saw a drop in stock prices on Monday after the highly…
As of 2022, about 1.9 million people have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Past studies show that lifestyle modifications, such as eating a healthy diet, can prevent bowel cancer. A new study has found that consuming foods and drinks rich in calcium correlates with a lowered risk for colorectal cancer. Researchers also further solidified the known risk of alcohol and red and processed meats consumption with higher colorectal cancer risk. In 2022, about 1.9 million people around the world received a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, making it the third most common type of cancerTrusted Source globally. Also known as bowel cancer, this type of cancer…