Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has on Monday inaugurated the distribution of 2026 Hajj kits to intending pilgrims. Ashenews gathered through reports that items distributed included two sets of 23 kg bags, two sets of uniforms for men as well as two sets of Hijab for women. Inaugurating the distribution at the Kauran Gwandu Hajj Camp in Birnin Kebbi, the governor promised to sustain the support to intending pilgrims. He appreciated the leadership of the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Agency, under the chairmanship of Faruku Musa-Enabo, for transforming the agency. “I can vividly recall that under your leadership we won…
Author: Newsdesk
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has been appointed as Senior Strategic Advisor to the Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The appointment was disclosed in a statement issued by Africa CDC on Monday, April 6, and signed by Margaret Edwin, Director of Communication and Public Information. Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s Vice President between 2015 and 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Africa CDC said in his new role, Osinbajo will provide strategic guidance on Africa’s positioning in global health reforms, including financing, local manufacturing of health commodities, partnerships, and policy leadership within…
Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, representing Sokoto Central Senatorial Zone, has distributed 101 electric scooters to APC local government youth and women leaders, as well as ward youth leaders across his constituency. The initiative is part of his ongoing commitment to grassroots empowerment and is one of several programs aimed at improving community welfare, enhancing mobility, and promoting environmentally friendly, sustainable transportation. Speaking at the distribution ceremony, APC Financial Secretary Nasiru Italy described the gesture as a reflection of the senator’s unwavering commitment to including all party stakeholders in governance and development. He called on party members and supporters to continue…
Millions of people are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for advice on everything from cooking to tax returns. Increasingly, they are also asking chatbots about their health. But as the UK’s chief medical officer recently warned, that may not be wise when it comes to medical decisions. In a recent study, researchers tested how well large language model (LLM) chatbots help the public deal with common health problems. The results were striking. The chatbots tested were not ready to act as doctors. A common response to studies like this is that AI moves faster than academic publishing. By the…
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says the commission has expanded its market surveillance and product testing to electrical and electronics products to ensure strict regulatory compliance. The commission also said it is extending the market surveillance to cables and other building materials due to significant product safety issues regarding collapsed buildings. Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, Director Surveillance and Investigations Department, FCCPC, said the commission had continued to encounter products that did not meet basic safety and quality standards. Adeyinka spoke on behalf of Mr Tunji Bello, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission. She noted that where business conduct raised…
Nigeria’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) database grew to 68.6 million in March 2026 as more Nigerians registered to link their bank accounts. This is according to newly released data by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). The figure, however, shows a slowdown in the rate of new registrations for the number compared with previous years, just as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced new rules last month. As of December 31, 2025, the BVN database stood at 67.8 million. The latest NIBSS data shows that the database grew by 754,128 between January and March this year. Throughout 2025, a…
Iranian authorities on Monday said that the Strait of Hormuz was never going to return to normal for Israel and the United States as the 48-hour deadline set by US President Donald Trump nears its end. Trump had threatened severe consequences for Iran, saying the US would attack Iranian power plants and bridges if the strait is not opened. Iranian armed forces have said they will respond to each attack with an equal response if any of its infrastructure is targeted by the US. A senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader has now issued a stern warning over global energy…
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group has announced $20 million financing for local champion SONOCO Group to help develop Guinea’s poultry sector, in a move aimed at strengthening food security, supporting local agriculture, and creating jobs. Agriculture accounts for 32 percent of Guinea’s gross domestic product (GDP), yet poultry production remains largely artisanal and small-scale. This has forced the country to import around 85 percent of the chicken it consumes. With domestic demand rising by 10 percent over the past five years, expanding competitive local production capable of delivering affordable, high-quality protein has become…
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has facilitated the return of three Nigerians who were stranded in South Africa, following a social media post by one of the travelers that drew the attention of South African authorities. The development was disclosed in a post on NIDCOM’s official X account on Sunday. The incident comes after claims by Just_Yemi (@YemiFirstson), who alleged that he and three other Nigerians were unlawfully detained at Johannesburg airport despite having valid visas and complete documentation. NIDCOM confirmed that the three Nigerians have now been cleared and are expected to arrive in Lagos on Monday. While welcoming their safe return, the commission expressed concern…
Police Command in Ondo says it has arrested a 23-year-old man, Emmanuel Usman, for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl at Ijebu-Owo, Owo Local Government Area of the state. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who made this known in a statement on Monday in Akure, said the case was reported on March 29 by the victim. “The victim alleged that Usman (suspect) forcefully dragged her into his employer’s office located along Ijebu Owo, where he had unlawful carnal knowledge of her without her consent. “She further alleged that the suspect threatened her with dire consequences should she disclose the incident…