Uyo, Nigeria – The Development Communications (DevComs) Network has debunked reports suggesting that family planning service providers narrowly escaped a mob attack during a recent outreach in Mbierebe Akpawat, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. In a statement issued by Akin Jimoh of DevComs Network, the organization described the earlier reports—now retracted—as false and misleading, noting that the outreach held in June was peaceful, productive, and welcomed by the host community. “The report, which has since been retracted, was based on inaccurate information and does not reflect the reality of the outreach activity,” the statement read. It…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, has announced the appointment of a new management team for its College of Nursing Sciences, effective June 2, 2025. According to a statement by the Head of the hospital’s Public Affairs Unit, Mansur Wadata, the appointments are for an initial period of two years and are renewable for a second and final term, subject to satisfactory performance. This development follows the voluntary retirement of the former Provost, Mrs. Grace Isiaku Amadu. The newly appointed management team comprises: Garba Usman – Provost. He is a registered Nurse and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees…
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Aliyu Wadada, has said his committee has discovered discrepancies involving ₦210 trillion in the audited financial statements of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), describing the revelations as mind-boggling and worrisome. He disclosed, during the investigative session on Wednesday, when the Chief Financial Officer of NNPC, Dapo Segun, appeared before the committee, that the absence of detailed records justified massive legal and auditing fees, including contradictions in receivables reportedly worth over N210 trillion between 2017 and 2023. “Legal fees were accrued without any explanation or documentation regarding the legal services rendered.…
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), the aid arm of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to construct 78 solar-powered boreholes across Nigeria as part of its commitment to supporting humanitarian needs and enhancing access to clean water in underserved communities. The project, which is being executed in collaboration with the Nigerian government and local implementing partners, will target areas with acute water shortages, particularly in rural and conflict-affected regions. The wells will be powered by solar energy and equipped with overhead tanks and taps to provide sustainable access to potable water for thousands of…
A heavy flood on Tuesday morning blocked the ever-busy Makurdi–Abuja road at the Guma axis of Benue State, leaving hundreds of motorists stranded just hours before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled visit to the state. The incident occurred amid heightened security preparations for the President’s visit, which includes a condolence stop in Yelwata following the recent killings in the area. The flooding, caused by torrential overnight rain, submerged a critical portion of the road, bringing vehicular movement to a halt and complicating logistics for presidential aides, security operatives, and local authorities. Eyewitnesses reported that travellers, including commercial drivers, were forced…
After seven years of vital support from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), local health authorities in Ebonyi State are now equipped to manage Lassa fever independently, bolstered by improved infrastructure, training, and resilience—saving lives and restoring confidence in the healthcare system. In early 2018, Ebonyi State in southeastern Nigeria grappled with a severe Lassa fever outbreak. The viral haemorrhagic illness—a neglected tropical disease—hit hard, overwhelming hospitals and claiming numerous lives, particularly among healthcare workers most at risk of exposure. “We lost doctors, nurses, and cleaners,” recalled Dr Nnennaya Anthony Ajayi, then Head of Clinical Services at the Virology Unit of Alex…
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised alarm over what it describes as the unchecked expansion of Dangote Petroleum Refinery into product distribution, warning that the move threatens the survival of thousands of marketers, depot owners, and transporters across the country. Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Tuesday, PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, urged the Federal Government and regulators—especially the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)—to intervene before the initiative leads to widespread job losses and monopolistic control. “If one company as massive as our brother’s (Aliko Dangote) is allowed to…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has rolled out a landmark initiative that includes the free delivery of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel, and aviation fuel to marketers, petrol dealers, manufacturers, telecommunications firms, the aviation sector, and other large-scale users nationwide. This strategic move, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s fuel distribution network, is expected to reduce inflation, create employment opportunities, and lower fuel prices nationwide. As part of the initiative, the refinery has deployed 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers to enhance logistics efficiency and environmental sustainability. Experts believe the move could disrupt the grip of intermediaries in the downstream sector while…
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has launched 4,000 CNG-powered tankers as a major national initiative to revolutionize fuel distribution across Nigeria. Starting August 15, 2025, the refinery will begin supplying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel directly to marketers, petrol dealers, manufacturers, telecom firms, aviation operators, and other large users, with free nationwide logistics. To drive this effort, the company has procured 4,000 brand-new CNG-powered tankers, aimed at reducing logistics costs, improving fuel availability, and enhancing energy efficiency. It is also rolling out CNG daughter booster stations, backed by over 100 CNG tankers to ensure smooth nationwide delivery. The initiative is open…
When I set out to monitor the second round of the polio vaccination campaign in Sokoto South Local Government Area, I expected to witness just another routine health exercise. But what I encountered along Lokoja Road, Emir Yahaya Road, and the surrounding neighborhoods was far more stirring—a powerful mix of resilience, rejection, and hope, carried by the unsung heroes on the frontlines of public health. By Usman Mohammed Binji My first stop was the Lokoja Road area. It was early morning, and the streets were already teeming with life—children ran barefoot through the dust, traders arranged their goods, and motorcycles…