Senior Technical Adviser at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), Dr. Ebere Okereke, has warned that the newly launched “America First Global Health Strategy” risks weakening Africa’s health sovereignty. In a statement on her LinkedIn page Wednesday, Okereke said the strategy prioritises U.S. national interests over global health goals, framing aid as a tool to make America “safer, stronger and more prosperous.” She noted that while the strategy pledges continued support for HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and pandemic preparedness, it singles out Africa as a priority region due to outbreak risks, population growth and strategic minerals. According to her,…
Author: Editor
Health experts are urging that children with sickle cell disorder should start taking hydroxyurea early. They say the drug greatly improves quality of life and does not cause cancer or fertility problems in the long term. The World Health Organization (WHO) says hydroxyurea is an important medicine for treating sickle cell disease, especially in countries with limited healthcare resources. WHO recommends the drug because it helps reduce severe pain episodes, lowers the need for hospital visits and blood transfusions, and helps both children and adults live healthier lives. At a recent event in Lagos, health experts shared that Nigeria has…
The Lagos State Government is worried about the low number of building permit applications in the state. Every year, the state needs about 40,000 to 45,000 permits, but only 12,000 were approved in 2024. This means there’s a big gap of around 22,000 permits. At a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, shared this information. He said the low number of permits is a serious issue because Lagos is growing fast in both population and construction. Dr. Oluyinka warned that buildings without proper permits could be demolished. These structures are…
Concerned about Nigeria’s unreliable electricity, the CEO of Newdigit, Derick Nwasor, has urged hospitals and industries to start using Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers to generate their own power. In a statement, Nwasor said it is heartbreaking that patients are dying in hospitals because of poor electricity, even though both public and private hospitals can explore other ways to generate power. He explained how the PEM system works: it has three main parts — one that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, a fuel cell that turns hydrogen into steady electricity, and solar panels that power the…
The Federal Government has announced new plans to improve Nigeria’s transport system. These plans include upgrading railway networks, improving connections between different types of transport, and reducing the high cost of moving goods, which has been hurting trade and the economy. At the 2025 Nigeria Transport Sector Summit in Lagos, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, said President Bola Tinubu’s government is focused on rebuilding the country’s transport system to make it safer, more affordable, and better connected. Represented by Dr Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the Minister said major railway projects…
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said that the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment at Asham Station on August 26 was caused by faulty infrastructure and poor safety management by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). According to the bureau’s preliminary findings, the derailment—which was the second at the same station in just over a year—occurred shortly after the train passed a manually operated switch that had earlier been declared unfit for use. Investigators found that some track sleepers damaged during the first derailment were only patched instead of being properly replaced. They also discovered that the point clip used to hold…
Dr. Peter Olumuyiwa James, a lecturer at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, has been ranked among the top two percent of scientists in the world. This marks the second time he has received such recognition, having also made the global list in 2024. The Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED, Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, congratulated him on the achievement, describing it as a proud moment for the institution. “I congratulate Dr. Peter Olumuyiwa on this remarkable feat. It reflects the hard work and excellence for which UNIMED and its staff are known. He has truly placed the university on the global map,”…
A respected scholar, Professor Eni Kalu, has praised Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for his strong commitment to youth development, especially through major investments in education both in Nigeria and abroad. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Professor Kalu described education as “the surest path to a brighter future” and applauded the senator for always giving it priority over less important activities. He noted that Senator Kalu’s dedication has been clear since his time as governor of Abia State up to his current role as senator for Abia North. “Over the years, he has sponsored more than 20 young Abians…
The Bauchi State government yesterday held an Investment Roadshow in Kano State to showcase the wide range of business opportunities available in Bauchi. The event served as a build-up to the Bauchi State Investment Summit, which will take place on October 9, 2025. Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo, restated his commitment to creating a business-friendly environment where investments can thrive. He highlighted efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps, especially in road networks, and assured that adequate security measures were being put in place across the state. The governor noted…
The Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have launched the Association and Chamber Excellence (ACE) Certification programme in Nigeria. Mr. Andrew Wilson, CIPE’s Global Executive Director, said on Tuesday in Lagos that the programme was designed to strengthen the capacity of chambers and associations. The ACE initiative was introduced by CIPE in partnership with UNILAG’s Human Resource Department and NACCIMA. Wilson said chambers and associations serve as the voice of business and are an important platform for shaping inclusive, market-driven policies. He…