The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the health of pregnant women and children through continuous training of healthcare workers on malaria in pregnancy. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, spoke on Thursday in Ilorin during a two-day training programme organized for doctors, nurses, and community health extension workers. Represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, the commissioner stressed the importance of proper record-keeping, noting that “what is not documented is as good as unknown.” She explained that accurate records help the government plan better and improve health services. “The government remains committed…
Author: Newsdesk
The Edo government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusion, understanding, and support for persons living with autism. This was stated by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, on Thursday in Benin, to mark World Autism Awareness Day. Abdallah emphasized the need for an inclusive society where individuals with autism are neither stigmatized nor marginalized. She commended Gov. Monday Okpebholo and his wife for their dedication to protecting vulnerable groups in the state. The commissioner urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to raise awareness, eliminate discrimination, and create environments that enable individuals with autism to thrive.…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has inaugurated a Payments Service Providers’ Committee to strengthen coordination, address industry challenges, and sustain growth in Nigeria’s digital payments ecosystem. Speaking at the committee’s inaugural meeting in Lagos, CBN Deputy Governor (Economic Policy), Abdullahi Sani, said the platform brings together licensed payment providers and key regulators to deepen collaboration. He noted that Nigeria’s digital payments landscape has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by increasing adoption across sectors. ALSO READ Bank recapitalisation to drive SME lending, customer-focused reforms – Experts ALSO READ [EXPLAINER] 10 risks in Nigeria’s new AML rules and what banks…
The Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has disbursed N96 million in soft loans to eight Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators to strengthen waste collection and environmental sanitation within the council. The initiative provides each operator with N12 million as working capital to enhance operational efficiency. The Executive Chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Mr. Idowu Akinola, said the scheme is designed to improve service delivery and ensure a cleaner environment. The loans will be repaid over 12 months following an initial grace period, with monthly instalments of N1 million. “We are supporting PSP operators as part of our commitment to environmental…
The Federal Government and key stakeholders on Thursday in Abuja validated the Nigerian Oil Palm Development Strategy to boost productivity, achieve self-sufficiency, and reduce poverty. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, described the policy as a comprehensive roadmap for the growth and development of the oil palm industry. The validation meeting, themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Oil Palm Potential: Pathways to Sustainability and Growth,” focused on implementing the oil palm value chain strategy. Abdullahi said the initiative comes at a critical time in efforts to reposition Nigeria’s oil palm industry, noting that the crop remains vital…
A wood scientist, Dr. Olayiwola Ajala, has said that efficient utilisation of forest resources could support diverse industries, generate employment, strengthen rural livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth. Ajala, an Associate Professor of Wood Science and Utilisation at the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, stated this while delivering a valedictory lecture organised by the college in his honour on Thursday, as he retires from active service. The lecture, titled “From Waste to Wealth: Reflections on Sustainable Wood Utilisation and National Development,” examined how forest resources can be effectively harnessed for national economic growth. Ajala said the concept of transforming…
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised alarm over potentially dangerous shortages of essential medical supplies. This is due to rising input and transport costs linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, issued the warning on Thursday during the weekly high-level regional press briefing. Kaseya said the cost of key materials, such as polyester used in mosquito nets, has surged by up to 40%. Shipping expenses have spiked due to new war taxes and fuel surcharges, reaching $4,000 per container. He noted that delays in freight and supply chain…
Flutterwave has announced a major strategic shift following the acquisition of a banking licence in Nigeria, marking what the company describes as the beginning of a new phase in its mission to reshape financial infrastructure across Africa. The fintech firm said its founding goal was to solve long-standing challenges in Africa’s payments ecosystem, where cross-border transactions were often slow, unreliable, and fragmented. Over the years, it built payment rails that enabled businesses to move money more efficiently across markets, supporting both global companies and African enterprises expanding beyond their home countries. Flutterwave stated that it has processed more than 1 billion…
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a National Cybersecurity Coordination Council as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s digital resilience and improve coordinated responses to cyber threats. The initiative, led by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, is designed as a non-statutory, multi-stakeholder platform that will bring together government agencies, private sector operators, and cybersecurity professionals to enhance information sharing and collective defence against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. The proposed Council comes in response to recent cybersecurity incidents affecting services and private institutions across Nigeria. It is expected to promote stronger collaboration between key institutions,…
The Federal Government has emphasized the critical link between food security and improved health outcomes. To this end, the government has unveiled a N17 billion intervention to support the National Community Food Bank Programme, aimed at tackling malnutrition and hunger across the country. Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the programme’s Trust Fund. The event brought together business leaders, government officials, and stakeholders from various sectors. Pate said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the well-being and…