The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the refinancing of the $3.3 billion Project Gazelle Pre-Export Finance Facility through a new $4.5 billion facility named “Project Gazelle 2”. It was reported that the approval was made during the 159th meeting of the National Economic Council held virtually on Monday. The approval allows NNPC Ltd to refinance the outstanding balance of $1.5 billion under the original 2023 facility. It will also unlock an additional $3 billion in liquidity to strengthen the country’s external reserves and support the government’s ongoing fiscal and infrastructure priorities. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Minister of…
Author: Newsdesk
Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State has inaugurated the newly constructed edifice of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) to strengthen the state’s capacity to detect and curb outbreaks of communicable diseases. It was reported that the governor on Monday commissioned the facility located within the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Kano. He said the facility was established to coordinate efforts to control the spread of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, meningitis and other infectious diseases. The governor urged health officials to ensure judicious utilisation of the facility for the benefit of the people of the state.…
Surulere Local Government in Lagos State has launched its sixth free summer coaching programme for 1,300 secondary school students, with outstanding participants to receive free GCE and JAMB forms. The initiative, unveiled on Monday at Gbaja Girls High School, combines academic lessons, vocational training, career guidance and counselling during the long school vacation. Chairman of the council, Mr Yusuf Sulaiman, said the programme was designed to sustain learning, improve performance and keep young people productively engaged. Represented by Vice-Chairman Adewale Dosunmu, Sulaiman said the scheme would help students prepare for the next academic session while staying away from negative influences.…
The Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Prof. Usman Muhammad Sani, has commended the Founder and Chairman of the Governing Council of Northwest University, Sokoto (NWUS), Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for what he described as his unwavering commitment to building a world-class institution. Prof. Sani, represented by the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Clinicals), Dr Ibrahim Abdulqadir, gave the commendation on Friday when he led a delegation of UDUTH officials on an assessment visit to the NWUS College of Health Sciences as part of the existing mentorship and affiliation agreement between the two…
Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, Plateau Commissioner for Health, says breastfeeding significantly improves maternal and child health while delivering economic and environmental benefits, describing it as one of the most effective and affordable public health interventions available. Ba’amlong said this on Monday in Jos during the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week celebration, themed “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” emphasising its importance to child survival and development. According to him, exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life significantly reduces childhood illnesses, including diarrhoea, pneumonia and malnutrition, while improving growth outcomes and strengthening the overall wellbeing of children.…
The Federal Ministry of Works has begun an assessment of flood-affected sections along the Benin-Sagamu Expressway following recent torrential rainfall that disrupted movement on parts of the highway. The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, stated this on Monday while inspecting the affected sections at the Ore corridor in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. According to Umahi, the three major flood-prone locations along the Ondo section of the expressway are: Agofure at Km 100, Adolak Junction near Ore Flyover Bridge at Km 107, and the Agric Section at Km 117. He said the ministry was proposing targeted engineering…
A consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Richard Ajayi, has called for culturally responsive reproductive healthcare across Africa. Ajayi, Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Bridge Clinic Fertility Centre, Lagos, made the call on Monday in an interview with reporters. He said healthcare providers, policymakers and investors must reflect the continent’s cultural and religious diversity in the design and delivery of specialised medical services. He also said that treating Africa as a single healthcare market overlooked the continent’s diverse cultural, religious and social realities, particularly in specialised areas such as reproductive medicine. According to him, healthcare systems that fail to recognise…
The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has assured customers and stakeholders that its operations remain unaffected despite the fire that damaged parts of its headquarters over the weekend. In a statement on Monday, Group Head of Corporate Communications Joe Abuku said the fire broke out on the second floor of the head office on the night of Saturday, 1 August, but was swiftly contained. According to Abuku, the incident caused damage to office furniture, equipment and appliances in the affected area. “The fire was successfully contained and prevented from spreading to other parts of the building. “While there has…
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas on Sunday signed three Executive Orders in Jalingo aimed at tackling political thuggery, illegal mining and drug abuse in the state. This is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation, Ms Zainab Jalingo. Kefas noted the alarming rise in substance abuse and its correlation with criminality, violence and social disintegration in society. “Drug abuse remains one of the greatest threats to the future of our young people. It fuels insecurity, destroys families, undermines productivity, and exposes communities to various forms of crime. “The Executive Order provides stronger legal backing for…
Vice President Kashim Shettima arrived in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Sunday to attend the State Economic and Investment Summit scheduled for Monday. The summit is a strategic platform for economic transformation, deepening investor confidence, fostering partnerships, and attracting local and foreign direct investment. Shettima is billed to grace the summit to highlight how President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda reforms have opened up Delta State to abundant business opportunities. On arrival, Shettima was received by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke, other political heavyweights, and business moguls.