The Kaduna State Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (KADSAMHSA) says it will institutionalise community-based outreach programmes to reduce HIV and hepatitis among women who use drugs. Dr. Joseph Ike, Director-General of KADSAMHSA, announced this on Wednesday at the opening of a three-day 2026 Linking and Learning Meeting themed “Beyond Outreach: Sustaining Harm Reduction in a Shifting Funding Landscape.” Ike noted that women who use drugs are often hard to reach, especially in Northern Nigeria, due to social and cultural factors. Estimates from UNODC and the Federal Ministry of Health indicate that about one in four drug users is…
Author: Newsdesk
Nasarawa State Government has announced the appointment of Suleiman Ahmed-Eko as the new Osu Ajiri of Udege Chiefdom in Nasarawa Local Government Area. Aminu Mu’azu-Maifata, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Community Development, said the appointment takes immediate effect and congratulated Ahmed-Eko on his elevation. The selection followed consultations with the state Traditional Council of Chiefs. READ ALSO: AU mission urges sustainable water, sanitation Ahmed-Eko, a First Class traditional ruler from the Afo community, was born on June 2, 1972, and is a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa. He is married with children. He succeeds the late Halilu…
The State Multi-stakeholders Implementation and Monitoring Committee (SMIMC) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is reviewing the Benue Action Plan to strengthen women’s participation in peace, security, and governance. Mr. Joseph Gbagyo, SMIMC Chairman, said the current State Action Plan (SAP) had expired, prompting the review to reactivate it and ensure inclusivity of women in peacebuilding, politics, and governance. Gbagyo, a legal practitioner, noted at the review and revalidation meeting in Makurdi that the structures were established by the CLEEN Foundation to implement WPS in line with UN Resolution 1325. He explained that the review…
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command, has arrested two suspects for allegedly raping two minor girls, aged 13 and 15, in Akure, the state capital. SC Daniel Aidamenbor, Head of Media & Public Relations for the command, announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Akure. Aidamenbor explained that the suspects, aged 22 and 38, committed the offenses on March 3 and April 13 and were arrested at different locations in the state. “In two separate cases, one Emeka Chidi Innocent, a 22-year-old farmer, raped a 13-year-old girl on March 3. Chidi had been on…
An aspirant for the Ondo North Senatorial seat, Michael Abayomi Adeyanju, popularly known as Imole, has paid a courtesy visit to the state leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his commitment to party unity and progressive governance. During the visit to the APC State Secretariat, Adeyanju congratulated the newly elected Ondo State Chairman, Kolawole Babatunde, describing his emergence as timely and symbolic of renewed unity and strength within the party. He expressed confidence that the new leadership would reposition the APC as a dominant political force in the state. Adeyanju also commended the administration of Ondo State Governor,…
United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) has informed passengers and the public of a bird strike involving one of its CRJ-900 aircraft. The airline’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chibuike Uloka, made the announcement on Wednesday in Lagos. Uloka said the bird strike occurred during the landing of Flight UN0579 from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday evening. He explained that, in line with strict safety standards, the aircraft has been withdrawn from operations to undergo comprehensive technical inspections and any required maintenance before returning to service. “Consequently, some flights across our network may not…
Stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in southern Kaduna State say the party remains a formidable platform for political contest ahead of the 2027 general elections. The assertion was made during the Kaduna South Senatorial District PDP expanded caucus meeting in Kafanchan. Speaking at the event, Mr. Akusor Danjuma, Zonal Chairman of the party, assured members, supporters, and aspirants that the PDP remains intact and on course to participate in the 2027 polls. Danjuma urged aspirants contesting under the PDP in the zone to remain resolute, noting that the party would provide a level playing field for all candidates.…
The President of the Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission, Dr. Steven Ben-Joel, has called on AU member countries to prioritise sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems. He said these are the cornerstones of the continent’s development agenda. Ben-Joel made the call at a news conference unveiling the 2026 African Day Celebration Programme and the Inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Abuja on Tuesday. He described the event as a continental call to action on a topic that directly affects Africa’s future and the responsibility all Africans share in shaping it. “The African Day is commemorated every…
Prominent Russian lifestyle blogger Viktorija Bonja has drawn wide attention with a video criticizing President Vladimir Putin, attracting millions of views and over 800,000 likes on Instagram. “Vladimir Vladimirovich, people are afraid of you,” Bonja, who lives outside Russia, said in a rare public criticism. “The people are afraid of you, bloggers are afraid of you, artists are afraid of you, governors are afraid of you. And you are the president of our country. READ ALSO: Guterres urges US–Iran talks “It seems to me that we should not be afraid,” she added. Bonja said she personally was not afraid of…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has endorsed Nigeria’s ongoing bank recapitalisation drive. It said stronger capital buffers are cushioning the financial system against external shocks and strengthening resilience amid intensifying global uncertainties. Tobias Adrian, Financial Counsellor and Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department at the IMF, said this during the presentation of the Global Financial Stability Report. He made the remarks at the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Adrian said robust fiscal positions remain critical for emerging markets to withstand volatile global capital flows. He noted that this would reduce exposure to sudden market…