The Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, under the leadership of Commissioner Dr. Abubakar Zayyana, has unveiled its ambitious 2025 roadmap aimed at driving economic growth and advancing the state’s development. Speaking during the official unveiling, Dr. Zayyana revealed that the roadmap was designed through a collaborative approach, involving inputs from all departments to outline planned activities for the next 12 months. “I informed the ministry’s management that I was bringing a preliminary roadmap, but it needed their inputs to be effective and to ensure accountability,” the Commissioner explained. He further stated that all departments had complied by…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The NNPC Foundation has successfully provided 1,000 free cataract extraction surgeries to residents of Ogun State. According to Dr. Peter Abikoye, Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, the surgeries, which included procedures for children, were conducted in January 2025 after patient screenings began in December 2024. The surgeries were carried out across four centers: FMC Idi-Aba, Abeokuta; Lukosi Health Centre, Mosimi; FMC Joga-Orile; and FMC Ajebo. Dr. Abikoye described the initiative as “successful, all-encompassing, and all-engaging,” noting that three of the beneficiaries were children who had successful cataract extractions. He highlighted that the foundation achieved its goal…
The Nasarawa State Government has secured a $370,000 grant from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to foster inclusive transformation in the agricultural sector. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Nasarawa State Capability for Inclusive Agriculture Transformation project on Friday in Lafia, AGRA’s Country Director, Mr. Rufus Idris, highlighted the organization’s commitment to empowering Africans to take charge of transforming their agriculture and food systems. Founded in 2006 by the late Dr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, AGRA has supported agricultural initiatives in Nigeria for 17 years, particularly in Kaduna and Niger States.…
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has officially proscribed the Lakurawa sect, declaring it a terrorist organization. The court’s decision followed an ex-parte application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). In his ruling, Justice Omotosho also extended the proscription to similar groups operating across Nigeria, particularly in the North West and North Central regions. Proscription Order Details The court issued the following orders: Declaration of terrorist activities: The court declared the activities of the Lakurawa sect and similar groups in Nigeria as acts of terrorism and illegality. Proscription…
A federal judge in Seattle, John Coughenour, temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship, describing it as “blatantly unconstitutional.” The order, signed by Trump on Monday, sought to deny U.S. citizenship to children born in the United States if neither parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Coughenour, a Reagan-appointed judge, issued a 14-day nationwide restraining order at the request of Democratic-led states, including Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon. He expressed disbelief at the legal basis of the order, stating, “I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, and I can’t remember another…
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has urged Nigerians to utilize free HIV testing, counseling, and treatment services available at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). Dr. Muyi Aina, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, emphasized during an interview on Friday in Abuja that early detection and treatment are critical in reducing HIV-related illnesses and deaths. “Get tested, get treated, and stay healthy. Our PHCs offer confidential and free HIV services, including testing and counseling. We encourage everyone to visit their nearest PHC and take control of their health,” Dr. Aina said. He reassured Nigerians of the NPHCDA’s commitment to providing…
Extreme weather events in 2024, including heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts, caused widespread disruptions to education, leaving approximately 242 million students in 85 countries unable to attend school, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Thursday. UNICEF’s analysis underscored the devastating impact of “extreme climate events” on school closures and operational disruptions, with heatwaves identified as the most severe threat to education. “Last year, extreme weather kept one in seven students out of class, putting their health and safety at risk and jeopardizing their long-term educational outcomes,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. ALSO READ UNICEF warns water could…
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has announced plans to establish a Compliance Department by February 2025 to strengthen transparency and resilience in Nigeria’s financial sector. Cardoso made this disclosure on Thursday during the launch of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group’s (NESG) 2025 Macroeconomic Outlook Report titled “Stabilisation in Transition: Rethinking Reform Strategies for 2025 and Beyond”. Speaking virtually at the hybrid event held in Lagos, he highlighted the department’s role in addressing past challenges and aligning with global standards. “The CBN is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.…
Eighteen U.S. states have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump to halt his controversial executive order that denies birthright citizenship to children born on U.S. soil to undocumented immigrants. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in a Federal District Court in Massachusetts, marks the first significant legal challenge to Trump’s immigration policies during his second term. Led by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, alongside attorneys general from California and Massachusetts, the plaintiffs argue that the executive order is an unconstitutional overreach of presidential authority. “Presidents are powerful, but they are not kings. He cannot rewrite the Constitution with a…
“I don’t believe in aid; I believe in partnership. I’d rather carry my poverty with dignity and engage with nations, companies, and people on equal terms—not in a master-servant relationship. I didn’t come with a begging bowl.”