Dr. Farida Abdulmalik, Programme Director of Support for Women and Teenage Children (SWATCH), an NGO, has identified stigma, denial, and economic hardship as major drivers of new HIV/AIDS cases in Kano State. Abdulmalik spoke with reporters on Tuesday in Kano. “Stigma remains a major barrier to testing and treatment. Some patients fear their families or communities will find out, while others stigmatise themselves and withdraw from society,” she warned. She added that denial of HIV status contributes to complications and preventable deaths. “Denial is a serious issue. We have seen cases where pregnant women refused to accept their status, leading…
Author: Newsdesk
Many commuters in the Mararaba-Nyanya-Kurudu axis of the Federal Capital Territory were stranded on Tuesday as commercial tricycle operators stayed off the roads in protest. The operators were reportedly protesting alleged extortion by some union officials in the area. The FCT Chairman of Keke Operatives Positive Initiative (KOPI), Mr. Suleiman Babaji, told reporters that his members woke up on Saturday to a sudden hike in the daily ticket fee at Mararaba Park. “We woke up on Saturday to the sudden increase in ticket fees at Mararaba Park. The rise from N100 to N200 prompted an emergency meeting of unions, after…
The Zamfara Government on Tuesday approved N3.8 billion for the immediate rehabilitation of the first phase of the Gusau Water Supply Scheme. According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mahmud Dantawasa, the approval was granted during the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Gov. Dauda Lawal. Dantawasa explained that the decision followed a memorandum from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure requesting urgent intervention in Gusau’s deteriorating water supply system. “This forms part of the administration’s sustained efforts to address water scarcity and improve access to clean and safe water in the state capital,” he said.…
On Tuesday, April 28, China officially handed over the China-Aid Project of the ECOWAS Headquarters to the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, Nigeria. Located on Airport Road, about 15 kilometres from the city centre, the complex spans 70,186 square metres, with a total floor area of 36,606 square metres. It comprises an office building, a conference centre, and supporting facilities including internal roads, utility networks, public plazas, parking areas, and a helipad—forming a modern complex that integrates administrative, conference, and service functions. The China-Aid Project, a flagship initiative under China–ECOWAS cooperation, was funded and implemented by the Chinese government. ECOWAS first…
Dr. Prince Mbachi, President of Africa Global Development for Positive Change Initiative (ADIafrica), has called on the African Union (AU) to abolish visa requirements across African countries to promote integration and development. Mbachi made the call during a scholarship presentation to 13 indigent university students from Egbeke Community in Etche LGA of Rivers State on Tuesday. Nine others received skill acquisition grants, while over 150 people benefited from free eye check-ups, with glasses provided to those in need. He expressed concern over the stringent visa processing requirements for intra-African travel, noting that easing movement across the continent would enhance trade,…
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, has described China as West Africa’s most strategic partner, noting that China’s multifaceted engagement with the sub-region will continue to deepen. Touray made the remarks during the handover ceremony of the new multimillion-dollar ECOWAS headquarters complex, funded and built for the commission by China. He recalled China’s previous partnerships with ECOWAS, including providing strategic military equipment and vehicles to support the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force. “This is not the first time China has partnered with ECOWAS to strengthen regional integration,” Touray said. “In the recent past, the Government of the…
The National Council on Nutrition (NCN) has adopted the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (NPFN) for 2026 to 2035. The adoption followed decisions made at the council’s 15th meeting, held virtually on Tuesday in Abuja and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The council’s approval came after extensive consultation and ratification by key stakeholders in Nigeria’s nutrition sector, including both public and private sponsors. The council directed the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to present the policy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for ratification. Shettima emphasized the human impact behind the statistics discussed at the meeting,…
The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has flagged off indigeneship verification for the university’s 2026/2027 admission process. This was contained in a statement posted on the university’s website on Tuesday. Olatunji-Bello, who inaugurated the Independent Indigeneship Verification Committee on Monday, reaffirmed LASU’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and integrity in its admission process. She said that objectivity in the verification process remains central to the credibility of the university’s admissions system. READ ALSO: Kaduna gov lauded for boosting education She described the exercise as a critical safeguard for equity and public trust, urging the committee to discharge…
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says the recent court judgement affirming its powers to investigate complaints of medical negligence confirms that no commercial service sector is beyond consumer protection accountability. Mr Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, hailed the judgement as symbolic and significant. The judgement was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit filed by Life Bridge Medical Diagnostic Centre Ltd. Bello said the ruling confirms that consumers are entitled to protection and redress in all sectors where services are provided for a fee, including healthcare. He…
Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), says the first trading day following the extension of market hours was smooth, with no operational issues recorded. The new trading hours took effect on Monday, April 27, changing from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This move aims to enhance market efficiency and liquidity. Speaking with reporters on Tuesday in Lagos, Kwairanga said staff feedback indicated that the transition to the new schedule was seamless. “From my observation and feedback from staff, the first day went smoothly with no hitches. It may take…