Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, is this week hosting a gathering that could shape the future of West Africa’s health security. The 2025 ECOWAS Lassa Fever International Conference (ELFIC) has brought together scientists, policymakers, donors, and community leaders in a united front against epidemics that continue to strain the region’s fragile health systems. The four-day forum is designed to strengthen vaccine acceptance and promote innovations in prevention and control. Organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), a specialised agency of ECOWAS, and its partners, the event is being held under the theme: “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa and…
Author: Editor
Renowned virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has urged West African governments to take concrete steps in the fight against Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease that continues to threaten the region. Tomori, a former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, made the call on Monday in his keynote address at the 2nd International Lassa Fever Conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The conference, themed “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases,” seeks to reaffirm regional commitment, mobilise political will, and drive collective action against epidemics. Tomori noted that although progress has been made since the…
As the Africa Climate Week (ACW) and the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) unfold in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the African Union (AU) is stepping forward to lead the charge for a realistic, people-centered, and African-driven climate agenda. This moment signals a shift in Africa’s climate diplomacy—from one of vulnerability to one of vision, leadership, and innovation. The urgency of now Africa is no stranger to the devastating impacts of climate change. With rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods, the continent remains on the frontline of the climate crisis—despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Recognizing this…
A meeting between Dangote Refinery and oil workers’ unions, PENGASSAN and NUPENG, ended without any agreement. The workers want Dangote staff to be allowed to join unions, but Dangote strongly disagrees. The meeting was meant to solve the conflict between both sides, but no progress was made as of the time this report was written. The unions are angry that Dangote Refinery is stopping its workers from joining their unions. To show their displeasure, some fuel depots in Lagos and Port Harcourt were shut down by union members. In Apapa, Lagos, which has many fuel storage depots, NUPENG blocked fuel…
Nigeria prides itself on being the largest democracy in Africa. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of association, the right to political participation, and the liberty to hold dissenting views. But democracy is not judged by the mere existence of elections or political parties—it is measured by the protection of rights, fairness of the political process, and the absence of fear in civic engagement. Unfortunately, the reality in Lagos State often paints a troubling picture. Time and again, there have been reports of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) resorting to intimidation, violence, and the use of thugs to suppress opposition voices.…
In my personal encounter with the realities of politics today, I have come face to face with the painful truth that integrity is no longer the guiding light it once was. Men and women who once stood tall in conviction now compromise their values for token stipends. I have seen people who pledged undying loyalty to a cause or leader suddenly shift ground when financial inducements are introduced. It is a sobering reality that the pursuit of short-term gain has eroded the very foundation upon which true leadership ought to stand. The betrayal of loyalty is one of the most…
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) says countries in the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) will benefit from its partnership with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) through a project called the International Transboundary Aquifer System (ITAS). NiHSA’s Director-General, Mr. Umar Mohammed, said this during a regional workshop in Abuja focused on sharing experiences and best practices in managing underground water (groundwater). He explained that the ITAS project is helping to restore underground water levels in the Sokoto Rima Basin, located in northwestern Nigeria. He added that the positive results from the project could be extended to other parts of the…
Due to the poor state of Nigeria’s power sector, the Federal Government has announced that it is working with the World Bank to get a \$500 million loan. The money will be used to improve electricity distribution through the country’s electricity companies (DisCos). Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, explained that the loan has two parts. The first part is called Investment Project Financing (IPF), and the second part is called Programme for Results. Under the IPF, 3.2 million electricity meters will be distributed to customers across…
The Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) has called on the government, business leaders, and professionals across the country to quickly adopt new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cloud computing. They believe these tools can help improve innovation, creativity, and productivity in Nigeria’s economy. The President of the Institute, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (retired), gave this advice on Monday during the 2025 Annual National Management Conference in Abuja. The theme of the event was “Using Emerging Technologies to Boost Innovation, Creativity and Productivity.” Ayuba said that technology is now a key part of everyday life and warned that no country…
The Federal Government has started giving out free Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) items worth N2.9 billion across Nigeria. This is to help improve the health of mothers and babies. At the launch event in Abuja on Monday, Dr. Muyi Aina, who leads the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said the goal is to stop deaths that can be prevented. Dr. Aina said this effort shows the government’s promise to give women and children better access to quality healthcare and reduce deaths among mothers. He explained that the health items will help make a big difference in Primary…