Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have introduced a temporary measure allowing certain residents whose visas expired while they were outside the country to return without facing penalties, offering relief to those stranded abroad due to recent travel disruptions. The policy, announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), provides eligible residents with a limited window to re-enter the United Arab Emirates even if their residence visas expired while they were overseas. Under the directive, the special arrangement will remain in effect until March 31, 2026, after which the country’s standard immigration procedures will resume.…
Author: Newsdesk
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a $5.52 million grant to strengthen tax administration and improve domestic revenue mobilization in Nigeria and other West African countries. The development was disclosed in a statement published by the AfDB Group over the weekend, announcing the signing of the grant agreement between the bank and the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF). The initiative is expected to help participating countries modernize tax administration, strengthen governance systems, and improve revenue collection to support development priorities across the region. The African Development Bank said strengthening tax administration remains critical for West African countries seeking to increase domestic revenue and reduce dependence on external borrowing.…
Patients visiting hospitals across Nigeria are increasingly finding it difficult to distinguish nurses from other health workers as colored scrubs and varied uniforms replace the once-distinctive traditional white nursing attire. For decades, the white dress and cap symbolized the nursing profession in Nigeria, making nurses easily recognizable in hospitals and reinforcing a professional identity associated with discipline, care, and service. However, that longstanding tradition is gradually giving way to colored scrubs and varied uniforms now widely adopted across many health facilities, reflecting changing workplace practices, global trends, and institutional preferences. The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria…
The Federal Government says it is determined to protect Nigerians’ rights and privacy in the digital space. To achieve this, it said it has developed several policy and regulatory frameworks to strengthen cybersecurity. Dr Ayodele Bakare, Assistant Director, Cybersecurity Department, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said this during an interview with reporters in Abuja on Monday. He said cybersecurity governance in Nigeria is implemented through a collaborative approach involving multiple government institutions with different responsibilities. According to him, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) provides overall coordination of national cybersecurity efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre,…
A climate expert, Mr Akinmayowa Shobo, has warned that rising temperatures across Nigeria pose serious threats to public health, agriculture, and vulnerable populations. Shobo, Programme Manager at HEDA Resource Centre, disclosed in an interview with reporters on Monday in Lagos. He said the development aligned with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction. Shobo noted that the forecast projected warmer-than-normal temperatures across most parts of Nigeria, particularly in northern and north-central states. According to him, states including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Jigawa, and Sokoto may record daytime temperatures between 37°C and 43°C during March and April. He said warmer nights…
An independent global health expert, Dr Ebere Okereke, has urged African governments to treat health spending as a strategic economic investment rather than a social cost or burden. Okereke, who is also an Associate Fellow of Chatham House, told reporters on Sunday that governments must rethink how health financing is presented in national budgets and policy discussions. According to her, health is often framed primarily in humanitarian or social terms, making it more vulnerable to cuts when governments face competing fiscal pressures. “Governments need to change how they make the case for health in budget and policy discussions. ALSO READ…
The media office of Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, has dismissed reports alleging that the lawmaker distributed N1,000 each to 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), orphans and other vulnerable individuals in Sokoto State. The office described the report as misleading, saying it misrepresented the nature of the senator’s Ramadan support to vulnerable citizens. In a statement issued on Sunday, the office said the donation in question actually involved N10 million and 100 bundles of guinea brocade (clothing materials) distributed to about 10,000 indigent citizens, mainly IDPs, orphans and other vulnerable groups in the state. According to…
The Cross River State Government is establishing dedicated health facilities across all 18 local government areas to provide free and accessible care specifically for the elderly, children under five, and pregnant women. State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, disclosed this during an interview with reporters in Calabar on Sunday. Ayuk revealed that four of the designated facilities are already operational, with ongoing efforts to roll out the remaining centres statewide. “The designated health facilities target people who cannot afford services and aim to make healthcare accessible to vulnerable groups,” he said. “Services in these facilities will be free for…
Women and expectant mothers in Ikorodu, Lagos State, have called on the government to urgently prioritize the recruitment of healthcare workers, especially for rural communities, to address severe staffing shortages at Primary Health Centres (PHCs). The residents made the appeal during separate interviews on Sunday at various PHCs across Ikorodu. They also urged local councils to expand medical facilities, reduce long walking distances to centres, and improve remuneration and incentives to encourage health workers to accept and remain in rural postings. Mrs. Monsurat Ajenifuja, an expectant mother at Ita-Elewa PHC, highlighted the strain caused by staff shortages. “Large numbers of…
The Sokoto State Chapter of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN) has called for increased involvement of women and youths in politics, describing it as essential for strengthening democratic growth and sustainable governance in Nigeria. The appeal was made during a political sensitisation programme themed “Women and Youth Involvement in Politics: A Panacea for Democratic Growth,” organised by the group in Sokoto. In his address, the Sokoto State Chairman of IBBN, Ambassador Wakili Ibrahim, explained that the event aimed to educate women and youths on the critical importance of active participation in political processes at all levels. “The…