For decades, neuroscience and artificial intelligence ran on parallel tracks – one seeking to decode the mysteries of the biological brain, the other striving to build intelligent machines. Today, those tracks have collided. Following a rigorous five-day intensive training program aimed at introducing young researchers to the frontier of Neuro-AI, ASHENEWS sat down with the Coordinator of Smartbrains Neuroscience School, Lead Facilitator and renowned Neuroscientist, Professor Barnabas Danborno to unpack this rapidly evolving field. From mitigating climate change with brain-inspired microchips to the promise of personalized neuromedicine, the conversation revealed how merging mind and machine could redefine healthcare, especially here…
Author: Tina George
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not render human professionals obsolete, but it will quickly replace those who refuse to adapt to new digital realities. This was the stark warning delivered by medical experts and academics at the SmartBrains Neuroscience School 2026, hosted by Bingham University in Karu. The five-day workshop trained 38 young African neuroscientists on integrating AI into brain research to modernize the fight against the continent’s rising burden of neurological disorders like stroke and epilepsy. The “Neuro-AI” solution for Africa Professor Bamidele Okoli, Dean of the Bingham University Postgraduate School, who represented the Vice Chancellor of the University, dismissed…
In an effort to improve the comfort of treating patients at the Leprosarium in Minna, Niger State capital, The Leprosy Mission Nigeria TLMN has provided the facility with 25 electronic motorised beds. The provision was made by Leprosy Mission in Switzerland through the Operations Manager of TLMN, Pius Ogbu, who presented the items to the Niger State Government at the Facility. Ogbu said, “25 electronic motorised beds, 25 bed sheets and 25 pillows, with cases are released today to support the Leprosy Hospital in Minna. With these electronic motorised beds, patients can now adjust to suit their comfortability. We have…
In a bid to tackle the rising threat of severe malnutrition and anaemia among displaced populations, the Federal Government, alongside the Niger State Government, flagged off the distribution of emergency food and micronutrient supplies in Minna on Saturday. The intervention, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, targets internally displaced persons, particularly pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under five whose health has been severely compromised by ongoing banditry and recurring floods. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction stated that the relief materials were deliberately structured to address essential micronutrient deficiencies and prevent severe…
In a direct response to the deepening water crisis gripping the Niger State capital, a non-governmental organization, Saf-She Enterprise, has provided five hours of free water access to residents across three major communities in Minna. The intervention targeted neighborhoods where the collapse of public water infrastructure has forced households to rely almost exclusively on expensive commercial boreholes and private vendors. By offsetting the costs typically charged by borehole operators, the organization enabled hundreds of residents to fill their containers without charge, offering a brief reprieve from the financial and physical strain of the city’s persistent scarcity. Safiya Yaman Muhammad, the…
In a bold move to sanitise the solid minerals sector, the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources has ordered the immediate closure of all illegal mining operations and unregistered mineral trading points. This was declared when the Ministry in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development conducted a high-level joint regulatory inspection and stakeholder engagement at the Gada Daya and Gada Eregi mining sites along Bida Road in Niger state. The inspection, which took place on Tuesday, targeted rampant illegal mining activities, revenue leakages, and lack of proper documentation in the area. Led by the Commissioner, Hon. Mohammed…
The Niger State Government has pledged to strengthen support for the cultivation and promotion of bio-fortified crops as part of a broader strategy to combat malnutrition and improve nutrition outcomes, especially among children and women. The commitment was announced by the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Mathew Ahmed, during an advocacy visit by the Niger State chapter of the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) in Minna. Ahmed said the ministry is prioritising nutrition-sensitive agriculture by scaling up the production of bio-fortified crops enriched with essential micronutrients such as Vitamin A and Zinc.…
The Boys Brigade Nigeria in Niger State Council has opposed the controversial Hisbah Bill recently passed by the Niger State House of Assembly , describing the legislation as a threat to peace and stability in the state. In a 12-point communiqué signed by its State Secretary Organising, Mr. Samson Japhet Pada, the council aligned with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State Chapter, which had earlier condemned the bill and urged Governor not to sign it into law. The Boys Brigade said Niger State, grappling with security and economic challenges, requires legislation that addresses insecurity and drives development…
The Niger Christian Youth Forum (NCYF) has rejected the proposed establishment of a Hisbah Commission in Niger State, warning that the bill raises constitutional, legal and social concerns in a multi-religious society. In a press statement signed by its spokesperson, Joshua Ndace, the forum aligned with the position of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State Chapter, urging the state government to halt the proposed framework. The group said the move, being considered by the Niger State House of Assembly under the administration of Farmer Governor Muhammad Bago, could be perceived as institutional preference for a particular religion.…
In a bid to transform how climate change is covered in the media, a consortium of Nigerian organizations has trained journalists to focus on its real-world impacts on livelihoods, health, and governance. Held in Abuja, the workshops gathered reporters from radio, TV, print, and online platforms. Participants honed skills in solutions-oriented storytelling, ethical reporting, and framing climate issues through governance and accountability lenses. Led by Goldapples Media Associates in partnership with Climate Africa Media Initiative and Centre (CAMIC) and African Newspage, the initiative emphasized connecting environmental challenges to everyday Nigerian experiences, such as food security, jobs, and public services. CEO…