The Executive Vice President for Diagnostics in Africa at Roche Diagnostics, Dr. Allan Pamba, has urged the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to put African-led health solutions at the center of its commitments instead of depending heavily on foreign aid. In a statement released, Dr. Pamba called on world leaders at the ongoing UNGA 80 to ensure that Africa’s health priorities are not overlooked but firmly included in global health decisions. His call comes as African leaders and development experts increasingly push for health sovereignty—the ability of African countries to design, fund, and deliver health services based on their own needs and…
Author: Editor
The Federal Government has warned the contractor handling the N56 billion Abuja–Lokoja highway project that the contract may be revoked if progress remains slow. Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the 53-kilometre section on Saturday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said the government expects immediate acceleration in the pace of work, stressing that by November, failure to meet targets could lead to reassignment of the project. “We will agree on milestone completion. If you complete from here to there, you will get paid. For those who cannot meet up, we…
BRICON Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has called for better support to cancer survivors so they can live well and feel included in society. Co-founder of the foundation, Mrs. Abigail Simon-Hart, made the appeal on Saturday at the 2025 Cancer Survivor Conference in Lagos. The theme of the event was “Together we RISE.” She explained that survivors need the same level of care they received during treatment to help them overcome challenges and recover from the heavy financial costs of treatment. “Life after cancer deserves as much attention as treatment. Survival is not just about defeating cancer, but about rebuilding lives,”…
Some mothers have cautioned parents against giving children unrestricted access to smartphones and the internet, stressing the need to instill moral values and promote responsible behaviour. In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, they warned that poor monitoring of children’s online activities could have serious consequences. Mrs. Olubukola Aladeusi, a teacher, said children under 16 should not own smartphones. “Phones can be used for assignments, research and educational purposes, but only under close supervision,” she said.“Parents should know all passwords, install monitoring software, block inappropriate apps and ensure only educational apps are allowed.”…
The Federal Government’s duty-free food imports and resulting price crash could worsen Nigeria’s food insecurity, an expert has warned. Mr. Joseph Unogwu, Country Director of the Agricultural Development for Economic Growth Initiative (AgDEG), said this on Sunday in an interview in Makurdi. The Federal Government had in July 2024 opened borders for a 150-day window to allow duty-free imports of rice, maize and wheat. The measure, according to Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari, was meant to curb food inflation and ease the high cost of living. But Unogwu cautioned that flooding the market with imports would cripple local food production. “No…
The Ministry of Livestock Development has started moving about 30,000 cattle from Abuja city centre to the Kawu Grazing Reserve in Bwari Area Council. The reserve covers 9,000 hectares. To launch the project, the ministry commissioned a solar-powered borehole at the pilot site. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, expressed joy at the event. He told herders that the ministry is working with different agencies to provide vital infrastructure. These include a 15-kilometre access road, solar boreholes, a dam, irrigation facilities, schools, healthcare, markets, electricity, and security. According to the minister, the project aims to stop the free movement…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk and opioids in Adamawa, Zamfara, Yobe and Taraba states. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said on Sunday in Abuja that operatives recovered 233,800 tramadol pills in Adamawa during three raids that led to two arrests. He said 195,600 pills were abandoned in a Toyota Sienna at Mayo-Belwa, while 27,900 pills were found in a woman’s bedroom in Jambutu, Yola. Another suspect was caught with 10,300 pills at the Namtari checkpoint. In Zamfara, operatives, assisted by Community Protection Guards, intercepted a Mitsubishi Canter truck on the Gummi-Daki Takwas road…
The Lagos State Government has expressed readiness to partner with investors in converting municipal solid waste into energy, wealth, and liquid waste solutions. The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs in the ministry, Mr. Kunle Adeshina. Wahab said the present administration in Lagos State had set up a climate adaptation and resilience plan encapsulating its vision and policies. He added that the state had carried out two pre-feasibility studies on waste-to-energy and wastewater projects to demonstrate its commitment. With a population of over 20 million generating 13,000…
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has revealed that rebuilding the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road will cost the federal government a total of ₦761 billion and is designed to last for 100 years. During an inspection of the project at the weekend, Umahi explained that the road is divided into three sections. Sections 1 and 3 cover 118 kilometers at a total cost of ₦252 billion, out of which the president has already released 30 per cent, about ₦60 billion. Section 2, covering 72 kilometers, will be built with reinforced concrete, while 15 kilometers will use flexible asphalt pavement. He said Section…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two Brazil returnees who excreted a combined 116 wraps of heroin and cocaine after days in observatory custody. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. He said the suspects were intercepted by operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. According to him, the first suspect was arrested on September 16 at Terminal 2 upon arrival from São Paulo, Brazil, via Ethiopian Airlines. A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs. “He was lodged under observation where he egested 111 wraps of…