The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising cancer care by expanding infrastructure and treatment centres across the country. Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made this known during a visit to the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Meta, Lagos, ahead of the 2025 World Cancer Day. Salako highlighted the government’s efforts, including the establishment of the Cancer Health Fund, an intervention programme designed to support cancer patients financially. He noted that President Bola Tinubu has directed the expansion of cancer treatment facilities and infrastructure to improve healthcare delivery. “We have the Cancer Health Fund, which…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to receive 12 million barrels of crude oil from the United States to mitigate local supply constraints that have hindered its production capacity. The $20 billion facility, which aims to reach its full refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) by June 2025, has turned to international markets to sustain operations. According to The Africa Report, the shipment has already departed from the U.S. and is expected to arrive in Nigeria by February. Local crude supply constraints Despite an agreement for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to supply 450,000 bpd for…
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has inaugurated a 40-bed hospital in Zarewa, Rogo Local Government Area, to enhance healthcare access for residents. The facility, facilitated by Senator Kawu Sumaila as part of his 2024 constituency projects, was constructed under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative. In a statement issued in Kano on Thursday, Sumaila’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, highlighted the hospital’s capacity to provide laboratory services, routine immunization, and antenatal care for at least 20,000 patients. Governor Yusuf commended Senator Sumaila for championing the project and emphasized its role in improving primary healthcare delivery in the region. He also directed the…
A Delta State High Court in Asaba has dismissed Prince Oyowoli Emiko’s legal challenge to the ascension of Ogiame Atuwatse III as the Olu of Warri. Prince Oyowoli, the son of the late Olu Ikenwoli, had contested the legitimacy of Atuwatse III’s succession. In its ruling on case A/119/2023, the court upheld the defendants’ preliminary objection, ruling that the claim was statute-barred. The court dismissed the suit in its entirety, effectively rejecting Prince Oyowoli’s claims. Key points in the court’s decision include: The court found that the withdrawal of a previous suit (W/104/21) was strategic, not aimed at peaceful resolution,…
Interest rate spreads—the difference between lending and deposit rates—has long been a concern in Nigeria’s financial sector. Over the years, Nigeria’s banking system has exhibited unusually wide spreads compared to regional and global institutions, reflecting systemic inefficiencies and economic distortions. Between 2023 and 2025, Nigerian banks’ interest spreads surged from 6% to 19%, raising alarms over its impact on the economy. By Mustafa Chike Obi & Adetilewa Adebajo This article explores the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to Nigeria’s high interest rate spreads and offers policy recommendations to create a more balanced and growth-friendly financial system. Causes of high interest…
A member of the House of Representatives, Terseer Ugbor, has called on governments at all levels to prioritize afforestation and smart agricultural initiatives as key strategies to combat climate change and food insecurity in Nigeria. Speaking at the Nigerian Climate Change Forum in Abuja, Ugbor emphasized the urgent need for large-scale reforestation to address the country’s growing food shortages. Representing the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Ugbor lamented the depletion of Rosewood, commonly known as ‘Madrid,’ which once thrived in his constituency. ALSO READ UNAIDS commends U.S. decision to continue funding life-saving HIV treatment ALSO READ Sokoto onion farmers…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Guinea for eliminating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem. This milestone marks the first successful elimination of a neglected tropical disease in the country and comes on the eve of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, observed on January 30. “Today’s announcement is both a testament to global progress against neglected tropical diseases and a beacon of hope for nations still battling human African trypanosomiasis,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease transmitted through the…
The number of cows slaughtered daily in Lagos State has declined from 5,000 to 3,000, according to the Lagos State Butchers Association. The association’s patron, Bamidele Kazeem, disclosed this in an interview on Thursday in Lagos, attributing the decline to Nigeria’s prevailing socio-economic challenges. Kazeem noted that the reduction in slaughtered cattle began in 2015 when Boko Haram insurgency intensified, disrupting cattle supply chains. He highlighted multiple factors contributing to the decline, including economic difficulties, rising exchange rates, and security concerns. “This reduction is due to numerous factors such as economic challenges, insecurity, and environmental concerns,” he said. Kazeem warned…
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has welcomed an emergency waiver issued by the U.S. Secretary of State, allowing the continuation of life-saving HIV treatment funded by the United States in 55 countries worldwide. The waiver comes in response to a 90-day funding pause on foreign assistance, introduced by President Trump’s Executive Order, which initially halted funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—the world’s largest HIV/AIDS initiative. PEPFAR directly supports more than 20 million people living with HIV, accounting for two-thirds of all individuals receiving HIV treatment globally. The waiver ensures that critical HIV…
For his exceptional leadership and contributions to banking and finance, the Board Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Mustafa Chike-Obi, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Thisday Awards. At a well-attended event featuring leaders across Nigeria’s public and private sectors, the erudite banking professional joined a host of awardees who were recognized for their leadership across various sectors of the economy. Lauding the event organisers for the recognition, Chike-Obi said: “This is one of the proudest moments of my life. I thank the Thisday team, led by the ebullient Prince Nduka Obaigbena, for this award and I wish…