Akwa Ibom State Government has said it will soon inaugurate its Agric Equipment Leasing Company as part of efforts to promote large-scale mechanised farming in the state. Governor Umo Eno disclosed this while fielding questions from Government House correspondents shortly after inspecting the progress of work at the company’s facility located at Ekpri Nsukara in Uyo on Thursday. In a statement obtained from the Government House Press Unit on Friday, the governor commended the contractor for the progress recorded at the project site. “There is a lot of improvement in the work done here to get the company kick-started in…
Author: Newsdesk
The World Bank on Friday announced the approval of an 800 million dollar loan to help the Philippines strengthen its fiscal resilience, attract higher-quality private investment. The loan will also equip its workforce with skills needed for better and more productive jobs. The new operation, called the Philippines Growth and Jobs Development Policy Loan, focuses on reforms in three key areas. The key areas are strengthening fiscal management through revenue and expenditure reforms; expanding opportunities for private investment and innovation by lowering the cost of doing business and promoting competition. The World Bank said building labor-force capabilities through improvements in…
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has confirmed the development and release of more than 200 improved climate-resilient maize varieties across Sub-Saharan Africa through global research partnerships under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system. The improved varieties have already been released in 13 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, helping farmers better withstand the growing impacts of climate change, including drought, erratic rainfall and other environmental stresses that threaten maize production in the region. According to IITA, the varieties were developed through collaborative research programmes aimed at strengthening the resilience and productivity of maize, a staple crop for…
A Consultant Family and Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Dr Moyosore Makinde, has advised adults aged 18 and above to get seven to nine hours of restorative sleep daily for optimal health. Ashenews gathered that Makinde, also President of the Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria (SOLONg), gave the recommendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos. She spoke while commemorating World Sleep Day, observed annually on March 13, emphasising the importance of adequate sleep in maintaining overall wellbeing, productivity, and long-term physical and mental health. The 2026 World Sleep Day, themed “Sleep Well, Live…
Anambra Governor, Chukwuma Soludo has appointed Dr Uche Umeakuewulu as Chief Medical Director of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, strengthening leadership at the state-owned tertiary health institution. A statement on Friday by the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said that the appointment would take effect from March 13, marking a new administrative phase for the hospital and its clinical services. Ashenews reports that Umeakuewulu succeeds Dr Joe Akabuike who previously served as Chief Medical Director, completing his tenure at the major referral hospital in Awka, Anambra. Aburime said Umeakuewulu is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with special interest…
The Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria has introduced the Procurement Compliance Monitoring System (PICOMS), a digital platform aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in procurement processes across Nigeria’s education sector. This was announced in a press release by the Ministry during a capacity-building session for procurement officers held at the National Universities Commission Auditorium in Abuja. This is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that education projects are executed efficiently and public resources are effectively managed. The Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa, stated that delays in procurement processes have hindered the implementation of key education…
The Nigerian Navy says it has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site containing about 17,500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in the Bonny area of Rivers. The Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the operation was carried out under Operation Delta Sentinel. Folorunsho said the action followed directives by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, to intensify efforts against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering across the nation’s maritime domain. He said personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny uncovered the illegal storage facility…
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) says no woman should lose her life because she cannot afford treatment during pregnancy-related emergencies, assuring that financial barriers should never delay life-saving maternal healthcare. Ashenews gathered through an interview with Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of NHIA on Friday in Abuja. Ohiri spoke on a Federal Government intervention programme designed to provide financial protection for pregnant women facing life-threatening complications during pregnancy or childbirth. According to him, the initiative ensures that women who arrive at hospitals with pregnancy complications receive immediate treatment without being required to make upfront payments before care begins. “What we…
Civilians, primarily women and children, continue to bear the brunt of escalating cross-border hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported on Friday. In a statement posted on its official X account, UNAMA revealed that it has documented at least 75 civilians killed and 193 injured in Afghanistan between Feb. 26 and March 13 as a direct result of the ongoing armed clashes. “We continue to call for an immediate cessation in hostilities to prevent further loss of civilian life,” the mission stated. The latest appeal comes amid heightened tensions following a series of…
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc on Thursday hosted its quarterly Business Series, bringing together accomplished female leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the theme, “Gen.W: The Evolved Woman.” The hybrid session which was held at the UBA House in Marina, Lagos and also transmitted live to participants across the globe, was part of activities to mark the International Women’s Month. The event also focused on the evolving role of women in leadership, business, and innovation, highlighting how African women are redefining success while also creating sustainable impact across their various spheres of operation. UBA’s Group Head, Customer Experience, Michelle…