No fewer than 8,000 migrants were reported dead or missing worldwide in 2025, bringing the total since 2014 to more than 82,000, according to new data released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday. An estimated 340,000 family members were directly affected. While arrivals have declined in some regions, migration routes are shifting rather than easing, with risks remaining high along increasingly dangerous journeys. The findings draw on IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Global Overview of Migration Routes and new analysis from the Missing Migrants Project (MMP). DTM tracks movements, route changes, and conditions via field monitoring and…
Author: Newsdesk
Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State has urged female aspirants to remain resolute and intensify grassroots mobilization to achieve their political ambitions. He gave the advice on Tuesday in Katsina while receiving a women’s political group, the “Reserve Seat for Women Movement,” led by his wife, Zulaihat. “Do not be discouraged by electoral setbacks. Active participation in politics, regardless of immediate success, helps build experience and credibility for future opportunities,” he said. The governor noted that commitment and consistency often determine the level of support aspirants attract from stakeholders. He also highlighted provisions of the Electoral Act, which allow for…
Nigeria is taking center stage in Africa’s public relations and food security sectors as the National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) launched its 2026 National Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Kaduna. The week-long event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and global experts to discuss bridging the gap between policy design and practical implementation. In his opening address, NIPR President Dr. Ike Neliaku highlighted the conference theme: “From Policy Paper to Public Plate.” He noted the participation of international experts, including Dr. Brylyne Chitsunge and Mr. Arik Karani, who shared global best practices in agriculture, livestock, and communication. “We are looking…
The Osun government has announced plans to launch a Security Trust Fund in the state. Mr. Kunle Adepoju, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Implementation Committee of the fund, said at a news conference on Tuesday in Osogbo that the initiative aims to enhance security across the state. Adepoju described security as the foundation for meaningful development and said the trust fund would be formally launched on April 23. “We are here to unveil plans for the State Security Trust Fund. This initiative, designed by Gov. Ademola Adeleke, seeks to strengthen our security architecture through collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility.…
Residents of Ado in New Karu, Nasarawa State, have lamented the worsening power supply in their community, appealing to the Federal Government to improve the situation. The residents spoke to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja. Mrs. Judith Moses, a business owner, explained that her business relies on electricity to operate. She said the erratic power supply was crippling her business and causing financial losses. “The light situation affects our businesses because nothing moves without it. Since morning, we haven’t had electricity. Yesterday, we only had it for about two hours in the evening. I appeal to the Federal Government to…
Stockbrokers have welcomed the extension of trading hours on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX), calling it a key move to deepen the capital market and align it with global standards. Market operators, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, said the change would enhance efficiency, improve liquidity, and reduce volatility. NGX has extended its trading hours from 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., effective April 27. Mr. Aruna Kebira, Managing Director of Globalview Capital Ltd., described the new seven-hour trading window as a significant structural shift. He said the initiative supports the exchange’s modernisation, particularly after Nigeria’s reclassification to Frontier Market…
The Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, with support from UNICEF and funding from the Republic of Korea, has launched an eight-month project to reduce zero-dose immunisation cases. Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed announced this during a one-day orientation for state officials and local government primary healthcare directors on Tuesday in Bauchi. He said the initiative aims to strengthen routine immunisation uptake across targeted communities through improved service delivery and expanded caregiver mobilisation strategies. The project will enhance coverage by leveraging nutrition platforms, antenatal clinics, and routine vaccination services to reach more children across the state. READ ALSO: [BREAKING] COVID-19 returns to…
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has trained over 5,000 specialists across Africa to strengthen social protection systems. Mrs. Vanessa Phala-Moyo, ILO Country Director, announced this at the TRANSFORM Certificates Issuance Ceremony for a new cohort of Nigerians under the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI) project on Tuesday in Abuja. The event was organised by the ILO in partnership with the Federal Government and UNICEF, with funding from the European Union (EU). Phala-Moyo said the training equips professionals to design, implement, and manage social protection interventions effectively. “The training builds a strong pool of experts to strengthen institutions…
The Federal Government says it spends about 150 million dollars annually on vaccine procurement, even as it expands malaria vaccination to more states. Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), disclosed this on Tuesday during the agency’s first quarterly media briefing for 2026 in Abuja. Aina explained that vaccine funding is sourced from federal allocations and development partners, particularly Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, noting that donor support has begun to decline. “Countries are now expected to increase domestic financing as global donor resources continue to shrink,” he said. He stated that vaccine financing…
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has unveiled a new digital platform, the Nigerian Information Statistical System for Raw Materials and Products (NISSRAMP), aimed at transforming access to critical data on Nigeria’s raw materials sector. Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, described the platform as a game-changer that would provide investors and stakeholders with reliable, data-driven insights into the country’s vast natural resource base. He said NISSRAMP was designed to address long-standing data gaps that had hindered effective decision-making and slowed industrial growth. According to him, the absence of…