The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Zamfara Chapter, says it is working with key stakeholders to intensify surveillance and preventive measures against Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the state. The state chairman, Dr Muhammad Murtala, said this at a press briefing in Gusau on Friday to mark the 2026 Physicians’ Week. This year’s theme is “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria.” Murtala, who is also the Incident Manager at the state’s Polio Emergency Operations Centre, said the NMA, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and its partners, had developed an incident action plan to raise public awareness about…
Author: Newsdesk
The first participant has been vaccinated in a pivotal clinical trial to evaluate vaccine candidates against Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) disclosed this in a statement obtained by reporters on Friday. The trial, named Tumaini (meaning “hope” in Swahili), will evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of candidates, including Ervebo, against the virus. The statement said the first vaccination was administered on Friday in Bunia, DRC, marking the start of the Phase 2/3 trial supporting the government-led outbreak response. It said the trial began as the country faced…
Prof. Adamu Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has urged plant breeders to develop improved underutilized legume varieties to strengthen food security and sustainable agriculture. Underutilised legumes are traditional crops such as Bambara nut that offer nutritional and agricultural benefits but receive limited research attention, commercial production and investment. Adamu made the call on the sidelines of the 9th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Society for Underutilised Legumes (SUL) in Zaria on Friday. The vice-chancellor, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Raymond Bako, said improved seeds and sustainable farming practices would unlock the nutritional,…
The Kwara State Government, in partnership with UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), has urged religious leaders to counter myths and misconceptions about vaccination and promote maternal and child health. They made the call at a one-day orientation programme for religious leaders on promoting positive norms through the “Faith-for-Life” approach on Friday in Ilorin. Speaking at the programme, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said traditional and religious leaders commanded trust and respect in their communities, making them important partners in promoting healthcare. Elelu said their involvement was crucial to reducing…
The National Sheep and Goat Development Association of Nigeria (NASHGODAN) has urged the government to establish community-based feed banks nationwide to give farmers easier access to affordable, quality feed. The association’s National President, Abdullateef Ahmed, made the call in an interview with reporters in Abuja on Friday. He spoke against the backdrop of rising livestock feed costs. Ahmed called for collaboration among all tiers of government, financial institutions, development partners, feed manufacturers and research institutions to develop sustainable solutions. He said Nigeria could make significant progress towards affordable livestock feed by combining government support with private-sector investment. According to him,…
The Lagos State Butchers Association says it is seeking approval to launch a pilot ranching scheme at Oko-Oba Abattoir while awaiting land for Eko Ranches. The association’s Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Wasiu Akande, disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Lagos. Akande said the association had applied to the Lagos State Government for 25 acres of land in Epe to establish the proposed ranch. He said the initiative, conceived about three years ago, would enable butchers to participate directly in cattle production and reduce reliance on livestock transported from distant locations. Akande said the association had asked the state…
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, has called for sustained political commitment, funding and vaccination efforts to eradicate polio and protect every child across Africa. In a message marking World Polio Day, Janabi said intensified vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response remained essential to achieving a polio-free Africa. He said polio was a preventable disease that could cause irreversible paralysis, change children’s lives and place lasting physical, emotional and financial burdens on affected families. Janabi said Africa’s certification as free of indigenous wild poliovirus in 2020 demonstrated what could be achieved through strong leadership,…
MTN Nigeria says it will take its Data on Trial initiative to Abuja to address customers’ concerns about data consumption, billing transparency and trust in telecommunications services. The company said this in a statement made available to reporters on Friday. The forum will hold on Oct. 26 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on the sidelines of the Nigerian Economic Summit, the statement said. According to the statement, the initiative will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, media professionals, technology experts and consumer advocates to examine issues shaping subscribers’ experiences with mobile data services. It said the forum would provide a platform…
The Ebonyi Government has designated an isolation and treatment centre for suspected Ebola cases as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s preparedness and response to the outbreak in the country. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, gave the assurance in an interview with reporters on Friday in Abakaliki, urging residents not to panic. Ekuma said the state Ministry of Health had strengthened its preparedness and response measures to ensure prompt and effective action if a suspected case emerged. “We have identified a designated isolation and treatment centre for suspected Ebola patients, should the need arise. “Health workers across…
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, when completed, will improve regional connectivity, expand trade, and ease the transportation of agricultural produce and industrial goods in the region. Mrs Gift Johnbull, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, made this known while speaking to newsmen on Friday in Abuja. She commended President Bola Tinubu for projects being executed in the South-South region, including the Benin-Asaba dual carriageway, Benin Bypass, the Benin-Sapele-Warri corridor, the Auchi-Ehor road and the East-West Road. She said the projects are expected to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and ease the transportation of agricultural produce, oil and…