Nigeria recorded a zero out of 100 score on supportive parenthood policies in the 2026 Women, Business and the Law report released by the World Bank Group, underscoring major gaps in the enforcement of gender equality laws. Mrs. Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters on Wednesday in Abuja. While Nigeria scored 50 out of 100 on the adequacy of legal frameworks promoting gender equality, it achieved only 21.7 out of 100 on policies, budgetary provisions, and institutional mechanisms needed for effective implementation. Globally, the report found that only 4 per cent…
Author: Newsdesk
A paediatrician, Dr. Nkechi Nwibo, has explained that Type 1 diabetes in children is associated with genetic susceptibility—particularly involving Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes—and is frequently triggered by viral infections or early exposure to cow’s milk. Dr. Nwibo, a Senior Registrar at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, shared these insights during an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Abuja. She noted that Type 2 diabetes in children is primarily driven by obesity, sedentary lifestyle, maternal gestational diabetes, and family history. Cases are increasingly reported in rapidly urbanizing areas. The paediatrician emphasized that preventive measures—such as exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended…
Wheat farmers in Gombe State are expressing deep concern over the severe impact of climate change on wheat cultivation, with many anticipating significantly poor harvests this season. Mr. Bala Garba, Chairman of the Gombe Chapter of the Wheat Farmers Association, told reporters on Wednesday that numerous members are bracing for disappointing yields. Garba explained that the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly unbearable for most wheat farmers, who typically grow the crop during the dry season (October to March) under irrigation. “Many farmers are expecting poor harvests as harvesting begins, largely due to the delayed harmattan season this year,”…
Lagos State farmers have expressed excitement over the World Bank’s proposed $500 million loan to Nigeria’s agriculture sector, while urging transparent and effective implementation to ensure real impact. Agriculture experts and farmers shared their views in separate interviews with reporters on Wednesday in Lagos. The World Bank is set to approve the $500 million facility in March 2026 (with an estimated approval date of March 30), funded entirely through the International Development Association (IDA)—the Bank’s concessional lending arm for low-interest loans to developing countries. The funds aim to boost agricultural productivity, increase food production, strengthen value chains, and create jobs…
The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Anna Westerholm, has urged deeper Nordic-Nigerian partnerships and long-term ecosystem building as Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation. She delivered the call on Wednesday in Enugu during the ongoing 2026 Enugu Tech Festival (ETF). The festival brought together participants from academia, innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders. Ambassador Westerholm led the Nordic delegation, joined by the Consul-General of Denmark in Lagos and several Nordic companies, to explore investment and collaboration opportunities in Nigeria’s innovation landscape. “The future does not arrive fully formed; it is built by those who dare to imagine it,” she said. Westerholm described…
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, has stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills can help journalists overcome the evolving challenges in modern media practice. Oyelade made the remark on Tuesday during a one-day Google training session in Ibadan. He commended the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for prioritizing AI training for its members. The commissioner stressed the critical importance of continuous training for journalists and urged participants to fully utilize the opportunity provided. “AI can only endanger the jobs of journalists who refuse to learn,” he said. He explained…
South Africa has stepped up its response to Foot and mouth disease with the arrival of one million high potency vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport. The shipment was received under the supervision of John Steenhuisen, Agriculture Minister marking a significant boost to the national vaccination drive already under way in affected regions. The vaccines were supplied by Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina and form part of a broader supply programme. Further consignments are expected in the coming weeks from BVI in Botswana and Dollvet in Turkey. By the end of March, more than five million doses from these three international…
South Africa has reached a landmark moment in its agricultural trade journey as the first shipment of locally grown stone fruit sets off for China. The milestone was marked on 18 February 2026 with a visit to the Freshness First Packhouse in Franschhoek by John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture, joined by Wu Peng, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China. The consignment includes around 20,000 cartons of premium plums, mainly the African Delight and Ruby Star varieties. This first shipment signals the formal launch of the long awaited stone fruit trade protocol between the two nations, a development expected to…
A Nigerian court has ordered oil exploration firm Oriental Energy, owned by billionaire Mohammed Indimi, to pay $43.51 million to two daughters of the oil magnate, Ameena and Zara Indimi. The ruling, delivered by the Federal High Court, follows years of litigation over unpaid dividends linked to the company’s offshore oil operations, according to Africa Report. The case has drawn widespread attention because of the scale of the financial claims involved and the prominence of the Indimi family in Nigeria’s energy sector. Court filings show that the twin sisters argued they jointly held a 10% equity stake in Oriental Energy, entitling them…
Maersk Kenya today announced a series of strategic initiatives designed to support the country’s vital avocado export industry as it prepares for the upcoming peak season. Through enhanced training programs, optimised logistics capacity, and strategic resource positioning, Maersk is reinforcing its commitment to Kenya’s agricultural sector and to the growers who depend on reliable, uninterrupted cold chain logistics to reach global markets. Avocado exports represent a critical economic driver for Kenya, generating substantial foreign exchange earnings and supporting thousands of livelihoods across the country’s agricultural value chain. As global demand for Kenyan avocados continues to grow in the global markets,…