The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a groundbreaking initiative to combat the threat posed by hazardous chemicals in 11 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) across Africa. In a statement released on Saturday, the AfDB outlined its plan to address Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and mercury through a project titled ‘Scaling-up Investment and Technology Transfer to Facilitate Capacity Strengthening and Technical Assistance for the Implementation of Stockholm and Minamata Conventions in African LDCs – Phase 2’ (AFLDC-2). This initiative will focus on improving the management of chemicals and waste in Angola, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone,…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Kunle Salako, extended free healthcare services to 1,000 residents of Ogun State during a medical outreach held on Saturday. Represented by his Special Adviser, Mr. Wale Junaid, the minister disclosed this initiative at the outreach program conducted for the residents of Ayetoro and Saala-Orile communities in the Yewa North Local Government Area. The outreach provided various health services, including malaria treatment, hypertension and diabetes checks, among others, catering to people across all age groups. Dr. Salako explained that the objective of the program was to enhance the well-being of rural residents. He emphasized…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced immediate cost-cutting measures, including a freeze on non-essential staff recruitment, in response to the financial strain caused by the United States’ decision to withdraw from the global health body. In an email sent to staff on Thursday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus outlined steps to mitigate the financial impact, including significant reductions in travel, limiting procurement, suspending office upgrades, and holding meetings virtually, except in exceptional cases. Only critical missions to provide technical support to countries will proceed. “This announcement has intensified our financial challenges and created uncertainty for our workforce,” Dr.…
On Friday, a tech expert, Mr. Ganiyu Lawal, emphasized the need to leverage technology to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Lawal, the Chief Executive Officer of COAPPT Solutions, shared this perspective during an interview on the sidelines of the Social Impact Tech Summit (SIT Summit) in Lagos. The summit, themed “Leveraging Technology towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” was organized by COAPPT Solutions to drive conversations about integrating technology into social impact work. Lawal highlighted the summit’s objective to bridge the digital divide and promote the application of technology to achieve the SDGs. “There is a significant…
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has urged Nigeria’s tech ecosystem to capitalize on opportunities provided by international collaborations to strengthen its global presence. Dr. Tijani made the call on Friday while speaking at the Nigerian-French Technology Roundtable in Lagos. He emphasized that Nigeria’s participation in the upcoming Viva Technology (VivaTech) Conference 2025 in Paris represents a pivotal moment for the country’s digital economy. According to him, platforms like VivaTech offer an unparalleled opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s innovations and position its tech startups as leaders on the global stage. He highlighted the importance of leveraging…
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has offered automatic employment to 16 nursing graduates of Sudan International University. These graduates were among the 66 students sponsored by the Zamfara State Government to study in Sudan but faced an abrupt disruption due to the ongoing conflict in the country. In 2023, they were evacuated back to Nigeria, where the governor’s swift intervention ensured they could complete their final exams. Governor Lawal presented the nurses with their employment letters and certificates at a ceremony held at the Government House in Gusau. He praised their resilience and determination despite the challenges they faced, urging…
Meta Platforms announced on Friday its plans to invest a staggering $60 billion to $65 billion in 2025, a move aimed at significantly expanding its AI infrastructure. This marks a sharp rise in the company’s capital expenditures compared to the $38 billion to $40 billion estimated for 2024, highlighting Meta’s commitment to becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence. The announcement places Meta alongside other major U.S. tech giants, such as Google and Microsoft, which have also committed significant resources toward AI development. As the AI race intensifies, these investments are expected to reshape the technology landscape, enabling companies to…
Edo State has recorded 56 confirmed cases of Lassa Fever and eight deaths between December 30, 2024, and January 2025, according to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole disclosed this on Friday in Benin City while officially declaring the current Lassa Fever situation in the state. “The 2025 epidemic year began on December 30, 2024. Since then, 336 suspected cases have been reported, with 56 confirmed and eight resulting in death,” he said. He noted that the outbreak poses significant public health risks due to its rapid transmission potential and severe outcomes if not effectively managed. The commissioner…
The Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NLIST), has upgraded its Sokoto office to a regional centre to enable it to carry out its mandates effectively. As a result, Sokoto state governor Ahmed Aliyu has assured his administration’s support for the newly created centre. The governor made this pledge while receiving the Director-General of NLIST, Dr. Awwal Mustafa Imam, who paid him a courtesy visit. Governor Aliyu commended the Director-General for the foresight in upgrading the Sokoto office to a regional centre, emphasizing its potential to boost the region’s economic status, especially in Sokoto State. “The activities of this…
The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has called on Medical Directors from various state General Hospitals to embrace innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. The directive was given during a meeting convened by the ministry, which also included key health officials. The Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmed, stressed the importance of collaboration and the sharing of best practices among Medical Directors to improve service delivery. She highlighted the critical need to enhance the quality of healthcare in state hospitals, noting that this would significantly impact the overall health outcomes of Kaduna residents. Addressing the participants, the Commissioner emphasized patient-centered care as…