The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) has commenced pilot joint frontline health missions to strengthen coordination and improve maternal and neonatal care outcomes nationwide. Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator of the NHSRII Sector-Wide Coordination Office, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Abuja. Umar-Sadiq said the initiative was designed to address long-standing gaps in healthcare delivery caused by fragmented implementation across institutions, particularly at the primary healthcare level. “Reform fails where coordination breaks, and nowhere is that more visible than at the frontline,” he said. According to Umar-Sadiq, the new approach brings together key actors…
Author: Newsdesk
Australia has introduced temporary restrictions on visitors arriving from Iran, citing the ongoing war and continued hostilities in the country. The government stated that the conflict in Iran has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may not be able to leave Australia when their visas expire. According to the Department of Home Affairs, for the next six months, people holding specific visitor visas linked to Iran will not be allowed to enter Australia. However, the restrictions will not apply to individuals married to an Australian citizen or those with children under 18 living in Australia. Home Affairs Minister…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday elected new executives for its North-West zone, with Muhammad-Garba Babawo emerging as zonal chairman. Hadiza Alhaji was elected zonal woman leader, while Abdulhamid-Umar Mohammed retained his position as zonal youth leader, reflecting continuity and experience. Other officials elected include Salisu Tsafe as organising secretary, Mailafiya Mada as publicity secretary, and Bashir Hussaini as legal adviser for the zone. The elections were conducted during the APC North West Zonal Congress held in Kaduna, attended by key party leaders and stakeholders from the region. The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Speaker of the House of…
The number of children and young people out of school worldwide has climbed to 273 million, the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has said. UNESCO, in the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM), stated that the number of out of school children and young people has climbed for the seventh consecutive year. The report finds that one in six school-age children are excluded from education, while only two in three complete secondary school. Progress has also slowed across most regions since 2015, with conflict and population growth among the main drivers. “Progress in keeping children in school has slowed across almost…
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Helen Eno Obareki, has called for strategic international partnerships to drive agricultural transformation in the state. Obareki made the call on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the opening and guided tour of the Netherlands Pavilion at Agrofood Nigeria 2026 in Lagos, where she invited Dutch investors to consider long-term investments in Akwa Ibom State, particularly in dairy development and smart greenhouse farming. “We therefore invite the Dutch business community to look beyond the pavilion and towards the lush, peaceful, and fertile lands of Akwa Ibom. Whether it is in developing…
Kenya and the United States have moved forward in strengthening their agricultural trade relationship following the first round of consultations on a proposed reciprocal trade framework. Held in Washington DC, the discussions placed strong emphasis on expanding opportunities within the agricultural sector, which remains central to Kenya’s export economy. The Kenyan delegation, led by Regina Ombam, engaged with the United States team headed by Osvaldo Gómez Martínez. While the talks covered several areas of trade, agriculture stood out as a key priority, particularly in improving market access, reducing barriers, and increasing value addition. Trade between Kenya and the United States…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding broadband access to underserved communities in Plateau State. The Head of Public Affairs, NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. Ukoha said the move is central to the Commission’s broader efforts to improve access to opportunities enabled by robust connectivity. “This position was reiterated during a courtesy visit by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Ms. Rimini Makama, to the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, at the Government House in Jos.” During the visit, Makama described Plateau as a strategic and indispensable partner…
The Chief Medical Director of Rock Foundation Hospital, Awka, Dr. Chukwudi Njelita, has expressed concern over what he described as “the increasing prevalence” of high blood pressure among adolescents and youths in the country. Njelita spoke on Wednesday in an interview with reporters in Awka, noting that the development differs from past experiences. He said that, in the past, the ailment was more common among adults and the elderly. He added that the medical advice that people aged 40 and above should check their blood pressure every six months or monthly was no longer tenable. According to Njelita, in the…
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has inaugurated a new forum aimed at enhancing coordination and effectiveness in electricity regulation across Nigeria. This was disclosed in a statement shared on X by NERC on its official handle on Wednesday. The forum was inaugurated during the first quarter 2026 Regulatory Meeting with State Electricity Regulators (SERs) in Lagos. The development comes amid complaints of power outages in many parts of the country, as generation drops due to a persistent gas shortage. The Forum of Nigerian Electricity Regulators (FONER) is expected to drive key regulatory objectives, including fostering dialogue between NERC and SERs,…
Croatia is set to overhaul its work visa framework as part of broader immigration reforms aimed at addressing labour shortages and attracting foreign talent into key sectors of its economy. The proposed changes, expected to take effect later in 2026, will introduce longer work permit validity, greater job mobility for foreign workers, and new integration requirements, including a basic language test. The reforms come as the country grapples with persistent worker shortages across tourism, construction, and hospitality industries that have become increasingly reliant on international labour. One of the most significant updates is the extension of work permit validity. Under the new…