The office of the Plateau Governor’s wife, in partnership with UNICEF, has commenced empowerment training for 250 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state. The programme is part of ongoing efforts to support individuals displaced by communal clashes and conflicts. Inaugurating the three-day Life Skills Training on Thursday in Jos, Mrs. Helen Mutfwang described the initiative as a significant step in rebuilding and empowering displaced youths who have endured severe humanitarian hardships. “Despite disruptions to livelihood and security, young people continue to show resilience, strength, and hope across affected communities in the state,” she said. Mrs. Mutfwang said the partnership…
Author: Newsdesk
A Professor of Medical Physiology, Magnus Anyakudo, has urged urgent action to address Nigeria’s growing burden of diabetes, warning that millions of lives are at stake. Prof. Anyakudo of the Federal University of Lokoja (FUL) made the call on Thursday while delivering the university’s 35th Inaugural Lecture at the Adankolo campus, Lokoja. The lecture, titled “Nutrition, Your Health: Unlocking the Power of Evidence-Based Dietary Strategies for Diabetes Mellitus”, highlighted the urgent need to tackle diabetes amid Nigeria’s health, economic and social challenges. Prof. Anyakudo noted that the economic burden of diabetes is substantial, with global healthcare expenditure estimated at $772…
Margot Abayomi Memorial Evergreen Foundation has linked Nigeria’s rising food costs and worsening climate change to decades of unchecked environmental destruction. The foundation also called for urgent government and community action to restore degraded forests. Dr. Dayo Abayomi, Co-Founder of the foundation, said this on Thursday in an interview with reporters. The foundation, run by three siblings, is conserving a small forest reserve by the river in Ikoyi-Osun, Osun State, known as the Emerald Forest Reserve. Abayomi described as unfortunate the loss of more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s forests due to unchecked logging without reforestation, warning that the…
The Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), a coalition of civil society organizations, has empowered 50 women with skills in sustainable plastic and organic waste management. The initiative was implemented through the Composting and Organic Waste Management Project designed to strengthen agroecology and climate action. Mr Paul Joseph, CSDevNet Programme Officer, disclosed this on Thursday at the launch of the Tukpechi Women Lead Climate Action through Composting and Agroecology initiative in Abuja. “This initiative will strengthen women’s role in climate solutions by transforming organic waste into a resource for soil restoration and sustainable farming,” he said. Joseph noted that more…
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), says the strong performance of Nigeria’s genetically modified (GM) crops is the result of rigorous biosafety oversight and informed public engagement. Mustapha stated this in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Abuja. He said Nigeria’s biosafety framework, anchored by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and supported by research partners, adopts a case-by-case risk assessment system aligned with international best practices. According to him, biosafety is not a barrier to innovation but a safeguard to ensure that scientific advancements are deployed responsibly. He said transparency in…
A Bauchi-based paediatrician, Dr Kaltume Shuaibu, has urged caregivers to ensure proper ventilation in homes to safeguard the health and wellbeing of children, especially during the cold-dry season. Shuaibu, a paediatrician at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH), gave the advice in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Bauchi. She warned that tightly closed homes during the harmattan period could expose children to avoidable health risks. According to her, adequate ventilation helps reduce the spread of airborne illnesses such as respiratory tract infections, and also helps control indoor pollutants, moisture and odours that may affect vulnerable children.…
The West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives (WAPCNM), Nigeria Chapter, on Wednesday in Abuja urged the Federal Government to improve on the welfare of nursing personnel nationwide. The association said by doing so, the government would be boosting nursing services and creating a healthier nation. Dr Lilly-West Buloala, Chairman, Nigerian Chapter of the College, made the call on Wednesday at the ongoing 25th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of College in Abuja. it was reported that the theme of the conference is: “Healthy Nurses, Healthier Patients: Advancing Employee Assistance Programme and Health Insurance in Nigeria.” Buloala said…
Stakeholders in the health sector have called for collective action to address recurring issues of hospital bed scarcity and the complex referral system in Lagos and other Nigerian hospitals. The call was made on Wednesday during a scientific conference organized by the Medical Guild in Lagos, themed: “The No Bed Conundrum and Safe Referral: Exploring an Integrated & Effective Referral System in Lagos.” Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, said the shortage of hospital beds and the fragmented referral system reflect systemic gaps in coordination. Mustafa urged the…
The Kwara State Government says it is targeting 800,000 children under five and 200,000 pregnant women for its upcoming National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) and related healthcare interventions. The NIPDs is a nationwide campaign coordinated by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to vaccinate children against vaccine-preventable diseases, with a special focus on polio. Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, stated this on Wednesday in Ilorin during a meeting of the Kwara State Task Force on Immunization and Primary Healthcare. She was represented by Dr. Michael Oguntoye, Director of the Primary…
Health experts have emphasized the critical role of technological advancement, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in accelerating Nigeria’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The remarks were made on Wednesday in Abuja during a panel session titled “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Primary Healthcare in Nigeria” at the ongoing Afrihealth Conferences and Exhibitions, organized by the Afrihealth Development Foundation and Africa Hub for Innovation and Development. Dr. Kunle Kakanfo, Founder of Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact Development (AI4SID), said Nigeria must harness AI to strengthen its fragile health system. “AI is already improving clinical decision-making globally, and Nigeria can benefit from similar…