Maxillofacial surgeons say many challenges faced by patients with cleft lip and palate can be reduced through early intervention, proper care and risk-reduction strategies. They emphasised that treating cleft lip or palate is not just about surgery, but also about restoring confidence, improving communication and helping patients thrive socially. The surgeons from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, stated this in a World Oral Health Day message made available to reporters. The message was authored by Dr. Fatima Kyari, Dr. Adekunle Adegbayi, Dr. Adamson Olatunbosun, Ayelomi Oluwanifemi, Prof. James Olutayo, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo…
Author: Newsdesk
Mrs. Joko Omotola, National President of the Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of Nigeria (AIDDN), has called on policymakers and the general public not to abandon people with Down syndrome. Omotola made the call in a statement on Saturday in Lagos as part of activities to mark the 2026 World Down Syndrome Day. The event, celebrated annually on March 21 to raise awareness, has the 2026 theme: “Together Against Loneliness.” According to her, there is a need for policymakers and society at large to engage persons with disabilities like other members of society. She noted that the essence of…
The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), an environmental non-governmental organisation, has called on federal and state governments to adopt gender-responsive approaches to tackling Nigeria’s water challenges. The organisation made the call in a statement issued by its Project Officer, Tracy Ohovwore, on Saturday in Lagos to mark the 2026 World Water Day, commemorated annually on March 22. Ohovwore said the call aligns with this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” and its campaign slogan, “Where water flows, equality grows,” highlighting the link between water access and gender equality. She noted that the global commemoration, led by UN Women and UNICEF, underscores how…
The President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, says the global recycling economy will reach $4.5 trillion by 2030. Adebola disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Saturday in Lagos. He said the projection highlights vast investment opportunities in recycling and the circular economy, especially for rapidly growing cities like Lagos. He described waste management as capital-intensive, requiring significant investments in bins, collection logistics and processing infrastructure such as material recovery and waste-to-energy facilities. According to him, high inflation, rising fuel costs and expensive financing significantly increase operational costs for investors in the sector.…
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that one person died while two others sustained injuries following a gas tanker explosion at Ologuro Bus Stop in the Sangotedo area of the state. LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed this in a statement made available to reporters on Saturday in Lagos. Oke-Osanyintolu said the agency’s emergency response team, known as the Shark Team, arrived promptly at the scene and discovered that a tipper truck with no identifiable registration number had rammed into a gas tanker from behind, triggering a fire outbreak. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the immediate cause…
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has called for urgent action to halt deforestation, noting that Nigeria has lost nearly 90 per cent of its forest cover in three decades. The foundation made the call in a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos by its Director of Communications, Policy and Advocacy, Mr. Kunle Olawoyin, to mark the International Day of Forests, observed every March 21. Olawoyin said the 2026 theme, “Forests and Economies,” underscores the crucial role forests play in supporting environmental sustainability, livelihoods and national development. According to him, Nigeria records one of the highest deforestation rates globally, largely driven…
A petrol and gas station has exploded on Edibe Edibe Street in Calabar South, Cross River State, injuring residents and destroying property. The incident, which occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, razed the facility identified as Fonex Gas Station and destroyed fuel tanks and vehicles within the premises. It was reported that the station, located in a densely populated area, also affected nearby shops and buildings, forcing residents and business owners to flee to safety. Several victims sustained varying degrees of injury. Some were treated at nearby patent medicine stores, while others were taken to hospitals for further medical…
The Kaduna Division of the Court of Appeal has set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in a fundamental human rights suit filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering a fresh hearing before a different judge. In a unanimous ruling delivered on March 17, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the lower court proceedings violated the appellant’s constitutional right to a fair hearing. The panel, comprising Justices Onyekachi Otisi, Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo, and Sybil Gbagi, nullified the entire proceedings and judgment earlier delivered on July 30, 2024. The appeal, marked CA/K/240/2024, was filed by…
Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a speedboat transporting an estimated 1,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in the Abonnema creeks of Akuku Toru Local Government Area, Rivers State. The operation, carried out at about 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday following credible intelligence, led to the discovery of 25 sacks containing the suspected illicit product. However, the occupants of the boat fled into the creeks upon sighting the troops, and no arrests were made at the scene. The recovered items were subsequently handled in line with established operational procedures. In a related development, a suspect earlier arrested…
Showmax has announced specific shutdown dates for its streaming service. Subscribers have been informed that March 31, 2026, will be the last day to renew subscriptions or redeem vouchers. New subscriptions and renewals will be terminated on April 1, 2026. The streaming platform sent an email to subscribers today, detailing the timeline for its closure following MultiChoice’s decision to shut down the loss-making service after years of financial struggles. Existing subscribers can continue watching until their subscription ends, or until the end of April 2026, whichever comes first. The company will soon provide details on how users can continue enjoying…