Lagos State Health District One (LSHD1) on Monday launched an intensive clinical immersion programme aimed at fixing weak referral links blamed for preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. Dr Sola Pitan, Permanent Secretary of LSHD1, said the initiative focuses on timely referrals and better care coordination between Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and secondary hospitals. “Prompt referrals for pregnant women with complications will significantly reduce maternal and neonatal deaths when the need arises,” Pitan said during training at Orile Agege General Hospital. He explained that the programme would equip PHC workers to identify danger signs early, understand their limits, and refer patients…
Author: Newsdesk
The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Nigerian Red Cross Society have refuted claims circulating on social media alleging that the Red Cross is providing support to armed groups in Northern Nigeria. The organisations described the claims as false and misleading. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Chima Nwankwo, Head of Communications for the NRCS, on Monday in Abuja. “The ICRC and NRCS are aware of harmful social media content claiming that the Red Cross is supporting armed groups in Northern Nigeria. “Both organisations categorically refute these claims, which are false,” Nwankwo said. He noted…
A fire outbreak in the early hours of Monday destroyed the residence of Mika’ilu Fagaci, a Nagarta Radio reporter, in Zaria, the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Zaria Area Command, has said. This is contained in a statement issued by ASF Kamaluddeen Shehu, Public Relations Officer of the command in Zaria. The spokesperson said the incident occurred at about 4:30 a.m. on Monday. He added that the property is located at No. 4 Abdu Na Mairo Street, behind ABU Quarters, Jushi area of Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State. According to him, preliminary investigations showed that the fire was caused…
The Federal Government, through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has announced the commencement of applications for its foreign master’s postgraduate scholarship programme for the 2026/2027 academic session. Ashenews reports that the commission disclosed this in a statement posted on its official 𝕏 handle on Monday, noting that the application portal opens on March 23, 2026, and will close on April 19, 2026. According to the NDDC, the scholarship scheme is designed to equip young Nigerians from the Niger Delta region with advanced education and professional training. The commission stated that the initiative aims to boost beneficiaries’ capacity to participate in local content…
The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority is intensifying collaboration with traditional institutions to increase enrollment in the state health insurance scheme by 30 per cent. Abubakar Hassan, Director-General of KADCHMA, disclosed this during a Sallah homage visit to the Ahmed Bamalli on Monday in Zaria, emphasising strengthened partnerships with local leaders. Hassan said the visit also felicitated the emirate council on the successful completion of Ramadan and Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, while reinforcing cooperation to expand insurance coverage, particularly among informal sector workers. He noted that about 10 per cent of Kaduna State’s population is currently enrolled, and the authority aims…
The Federal Government on Monday inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), charging members to uphold corporate governance and safeguard over ₦28 trillion in pension assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme. This was contained in a statement issued by the commission following the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described PenCom as a vital institution in Nigeria’s financial architecture. He said, “PenCom is a critical pillar of Nigeria’s financial sector, entrusted with the retirement savings of millions of Nigerians.” Akume added that the inauguration reflects the government’s…
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the appointment of Ms Sherifat Adegbenro as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eko Electricity Distribution PLC (EKEDP). The commission made this known in a public notice posted on its website in Abuja on Monday. NERC said the appointment aligned with the Code of Corporate Governance for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. “This appointment ensures leadership continuity pending the DisCo’s appointment of a substantive CEO.” NAN reports that Adegbenro previously served as the Chief Audit and Compliance Officer at EKEDC and as the Vice President, Power & Renewables for the Women…
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says EU-funded nutrition interventions have assisted more than 40,000 malnourished children in Yobe State, providing life-saving treatment during critical lean seasons. Mr Joseph Senesie, UNICEF Malnutrition Manager, disclosed this during a media field visit and virtual dialogue in Damaturu on Monday, noting that the May-to-September lean season often exacerbates acute malnutrition among children. Senesie expressed optimism that 2026 would not record the high malnutrition levels seen in previous years, attributing the progress to EU humanitarian support, particularly from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. He explained that the funding enabled the procurement…
The Katsina State Government says it is targeting about three million children aged 0–59 months during the March 2026 polio vaccination campaign and routine immunisation services against child-killer diseases. The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Shamsuddeen Yahaya, made the disclosure on Monday in Katsina at a mass mobilisation dialogue with journalists, social media youth influencers, and U-Reporters. He said the campaign would start on March 28 and run until March 31, during which eligible children would be vaccinated across the 34 local government areas of the state. The executive secretary called on parents, caregivers, and…
A men’s mental health advocate, Ms Halima Layeni, says nothing justifies sexual violence or assault, describing it as a grave violation of human dignity and a crime that leaves lifelong scars.. Layeni, Executive Director of the Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), made the assertion while reacting to viral videos allegedly showing women being assaulted in Ozoro, a community in Delta State, on Monday. It was reported that the videos show chaotic scenes of women being stripped, chased, harassed, and, in some cases, physically attacked by groups of men in public spaces under the guise of a “festival”. The content has…