The Africa Hub for Innovation and Development (AFHID) has called for the development and adoption of trusted, homegrown and human-centred Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to address healthcare challenges in Nigeria. The call was made on Thursday at a pre-summit webinar on AI in health, where experts examined the opportunities and challenges of deploying emerging technologies across the health sector. The Chief Executive Officer of Advantage Health Africa (Aha), Abimbola Adebakin, said trust was particularly important in deploying AI in healthcare because health is a “low-forgiveness sector”. She said Aha had built its ‘myMedicines’ platform around familiar channels such as WhatsApp,…
Author: John Asishana
President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States. Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. The 81st UNGA General Debate will hold from September 22 to 28. The theme of the UNGA is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” Nkwocha explained that at the General Debate, Shettima would deliver Nigeria’s national statement. He said the statement would outline…
The Sokoto State Government has ordered a full investigation into the attack and killing at the Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in Mabera, while directing the closure of the mosque until further notice. The government also dissociated itself from anyone who uses religion as a pretext to disrespect Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his parents, household and companions. In a statement signed by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, on Tuesday, the government reaffirmed its respect and obedience to the personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), urging residents to continue to demonstrate love and compassion towards him. The government said…
The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with Sightsavers, has administered the antibiotic azithromycin to 1.1 million children as part of efforts to reduce child mortality. State Health Educator Mr. Sabi’u Gandi announced this at a media roundtable organized by Sightsavers on Thursday in Sokoto, where stakeholders reviewed child health interventions. Gandi explained that the treatment was part of the Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin on Children in Nigeria (SARMAAN) project, aimed at improving child survival. He noted that children were treated during the fifth round of azithromycin administration from Dec. 15 to Dec. 21, 2025, across…
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed life jackets and other relief materials to families affected by the Gorau boat mishap in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NEMA Sokoto Operations Office, Mr Dahiru Kure, made this known to reporters on Sunday in Sokoto. Kure said the agency conducted the direct distribution of humanitarian relief assistance to families affected by the recent boat mishap in Gorau village. He said the intervention was part of the Federal Government’s response to the incident, adding that life jackets were distributed to the people of Gorau…
The Wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Fatima Aliyu, has pledged to facilitate the timely release of the N150 million counterpart funding allocated to family planning activities in the state’s 2026 budget. Aliyu made the commitment when the Family Planning Financing Tracker and Advocacy Group, led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State Team Lead, Dr Rabi’atu Sageer, visited her on Thursday in Sokoto. She assured the delegation that she would engage the state governor on the need for the timely release of the funds to support UNFPA interventions in the state. “I will join the advocacy to the…
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has commenced the training of 110 traditional rulers, herders, farming communities and government officials on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Sokoto State. The training workshop was organised by L-PRES in collaboration with Khadilad Support Services on Wednesday in Sokoto. It was tagged “Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution for Peaceful Coexistence, Community Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods among Farmers and Host Communities in Sokoto State”. In his address, the State L-PRES Project Coordinator, Surajo Abubakar, said participants would acquire practical skills for identifying emerging disputes, facilitating dialogue, supporting peaceful settlements and strengthening community-based mechanisms for…
The Sokoto State Government on Wednesday began screening candidates for the 250 Community Midwifery Scholarship and Bonding Scheme, aimed at improving maternal health in the state. The scheme is being implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) through the European Union-funded Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH) Programme. Ibrahim Dingyadi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said the initiative seeks to enroll 250 young women and girls from rural and underserved Local Government Areas into community midwifery pre-service training for the 2026 academic cycle. Dingyadi explained that the screening criteria require candidates to have four…
The World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) in Sokoto State has recorded its first delivery of a Girolando calf produced through its Artificial Insemination (AI) programme. The beneficiary, Bello Gumburawa, disclosed this to reporters in Wurno Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday. Gumburawa said he was among the livestock farmers who benefited from the AI exercise, adding that three of his cows were inseminated. He said one of the cows had successfully delivered a healthy male Girolando calf. Gumburawa expressed appreciation to the Sokoto State Government and L-PRES for introducing the intervention, describing it as…
Dr Bashir Achida, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, has charged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure realistic and transformative 2027 budgeting processes in line with the present administration’s policies and vision. Achida made the charge when he led deliberations on the 2027 budget proposals from MDAs on Monday in Sokoto. He harped on the need for MDAs to cut waste, eliminate duplicative projects and focus resources on areas with the greatest impact on citizens. He stressed that existing projects must be reviewed based on performance, while new projects should be properly prioritised. The Commissioner reaffirmed…