The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) records about 16,000 cases of tuberculosis (TB) annually, with a treatment success rate of 94 per cent. Dr. Dan Gasama, Director of Public Health, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HSES), disclosed this at a community outreach to commemorate the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day on Saturday in Abuja. The outreach was organised by the FCT-HSES, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), and other partners. Gasama said TB mortality has reduced by about 64 per cent over the years, noting that the disease remains a major public health concern globally…
Author: Newsdesk
Prof. Olaniyi Babayemi, President of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), has urged stronger civil-military collaboration to enhance livestock production and address security challenges. Babayemi spoke on Saturday at a media briefing ahead of the society’s 51st annual conference, scheduled to begin on Monday at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna. He said the theme, ‘Civil-Military Collaboration for Sustainable Livestock Production and National Security,’ highlights the growing link between agriculture and national security. Babayemi, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State, said livestock production now plays a vital role in…
The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE) has stressed that sustained infrastructure development remains the most critical driver of economic growth, trade expansion and investment. The National Chairman of NICE, Mr. Tokunbo Ajanaku, said this on Saturday at the 2nd Sen. Adefemi Kila Annual Colloquium in Abuja. The colloquium was themed ‘Infrastructure Development as the Bedrock for Growth in Trade, Economy and Investment in Nigeria’. Ajanaku said global studies consistently show a strong correlation between infrastructure development and economic performance. “Every major economy is founded on infrastructural growth. If infrastructure does not grow, the economy, trade and the business sector…
The Israeli military says it has struck an Iranian naval weapons research facility, as fresh explosions shook Tehran late Saturday. The strikes came hours after Yemen’s Houthi rebels declared their entry into the conflict, launching a missile towards Israel—raising fears of further disruption to Red Sea shipping and worsening economic fallout from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Israel said it targeted the headquarters of Iran’s Marine Industries Organisation during overnight raids across Tehran, describing the facility as a key hub for developing naval weaponry, including surface and sub-surface vessels and both manned and unmanned systems. An AFP…
A critical United States Air Force surveillance aircraft, the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), was damaged during an Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, in a major escalation of the ongoing Middle East conflict. According to defence sources, the March 27 attack involved a combination of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the strategic base, which hosts key US military assets supporting regional operations. The E-3 AWACS aircraft—an essential airborne command-and-control platform used for tracking threats and coordinating air operations—was among several assets hit in the strike. The aircraft…
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the successful implementation of its bank recapitalisation programme. In a policy brief released on Sunday in Lagos, the CPPE noted that 32 banks met the new capital requirements without disruptions or losses, describing the process as smooth and effective. However, CPPE Chief Executive Officer, Muda Yusuf, said the stronger capital base has yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy. According to him, private sector credit remains at about 17 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), below regional and…
The Rolan Foundation has stepped up efforts to improve access to eye care services in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), targeting at least 1,000 residents through a free medical outreach. Mr. Olorunisola Azeez, FCT Coordinator of the foundation, said the outreach, held on Saturday, included free eye screenings, distribution of eyeglasses and eye drops, as well as basic medical checks for beneficiaries aged 38 years and above. The initiative was implemented under the Abuja Vision Support Programme 2026, in collaboration with the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) and the FCT chapter of the Nigerian Optometric Association. Azeez explained that the…
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says his administration remains committed to making all 948 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state fully functional, with emphasis on quality standards and sustainability. Otti made the pledge on Friday night during a monthly media chat with journalists at the Government House, Umuahia. He said that although 200 PHCs had been completed, they would not be inaugurated until they are properly equipped and adequately staffed. He explained that the focus is not only on infrastructure but also on delivering functional health services to residents. “In the area of healthcare, we continue to functionalise the…
The Rotary Club of Ilorin Metro, the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) have agreed to partner to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in communities across the state. This was the resolution reached during a panel discussion organised by the Rotary Club on Saturday in Ilorin. In his address, the President of the Rotary Club of Ilorin Metro, Mr. Buhari Oladimeji, said the initiative aims to address the pressing issues of access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities, particularly in underserved areas. Oladimeji said there is a need for…
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has trained highway sweepers on health and safety to enhance efficiency and reduce occupational risks. The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters on Saturday in Lagos. Gbadegesin said the training was held along the Ikate–Elegushi corridor of the Lekki-Epe Expressway on Friday. He noted that the initiative underscores the authority’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of frontline sanitation workers. Gbadegesin said the training focused on the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks and safety boots, as well as the…