The International Trade Centre (ITC) has begun efforts to address production and export challenges affecting the cowpea and sesame value chains in Benue. Dr Alexander Rutikanga, an agricultural policy and food safety expert with ITC, disclosed this on Tuesday during the flag-off of the cowpea planting season in Makurdi. Rutikanga said the team was in the state to identify gaps and opportunities and develop interventions to improve production and exports of both crops. “We want to carry out an in-depth diagnosis to know the gaps and opportunities and how we can support farmers and other actors along the value chains,”…
Author: Newsdesk
The Federal Government on Tuesday announced its readiness to invest more resources in critical infrastructure to fast-track economic and human development in the North-East. Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, made this known while speaking to newsmen shortly after inaugurating a fertility centre and ensuite maternity ward in Maiduguri. The facilities were constructed and equipped by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). Ahmadu said the centre was one of the components of NEDC’s intervention in the health sector, among many other projects being executed by the commission in health institutions…
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains far from control, with the risk of international spread still high. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said this in a statement on Tuesday, adding that nearly 5,000 people had been infected while more than 2,300 had died across six provinces and 55 health zones. He described the outbreak as the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded and the fastest-spreading so far. According to him, insecurity, displacement and intense population movement through roads, rivers and mining routes were contributing to the rapid…
The Enugu State Government says it has leased 67 tractors to farmers in the state at a subsidised rate as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and promote mechanised farming. The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, disclosed this when journalists visited the Nortra Tractor Assembly Plant established by the state government on Tuesday. Ubru said the tractor leasing initiative was part of the government’s efforts to make mechanised farming more accessible and affordable to farmers. He said farmers could access the tractors at a subsidised rate of ₦70,000 per day, compared with the prevailing commercial…
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the security and information environment necessary for peaceful, credible and transparent elections in 2027. The minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 8th Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards of Excellence organised by Blueprint Newspapers Limited. The event was themed “Security Challenges and Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections.” Idris commended Blueprint Newspapers for sustaining the annual platform, describing it as an important avenue for policymakers, professionals, academics, the media and other stakeholders to engage on issues of national importance. He said…
The Kano State Government has banned the administration of intravenous (IV) fluid infusions and blood transfusions at patent medicine stores across the state, an official has disclosed. The Acting Executive Secretary of the Kano State Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA), Khadijah Hussein-Sa’id, announced the directive during a sensitisation workshop for proprietors and medical directors of private health facilities in Kano. She said patent medicine stores are legally classified as non-clinical retail outlets and are not authorised to perform invasive medical procedures, administer IV fluids, or conduct blood transfusions. Hussein-Sa’id said the directive aims to protect residents from unsafe and…
Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger is set to receive myclimate experts as the state intensifies efforts to attract UN climate finance and develop viable carbon-market projects. The delegation will visit Nigeria from Aug. 23 to Aug. 28 for a technical feasibility mission to assess potential carbon-market projects in Niger. In a statement made available to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja, the discussions will focus on strengthening Niger’s participation in international carbon markets. In the statement signed by Aliyu Umar, Project Coordinator, Niger State Carbon Market Project, the mission will also examine regulatory requirements for activities under Article 6.4 of the…
The Niger State Government has taken another step towards improving access to quality healthcare with the unveiling of hospital equipment, medical commodities and consumables valued at N100 million for the Umaru Sanda Ndayako General Hospital, Bida. The intervention, secured through collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, is expected to strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide essential medical services, particularly maternal and newborn care, to residents of Bida and surrounding communities. Speaking at the unveiling, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Murtala Bagana, explained that the intervention was part of his administration’s…
The Federal Government has inaugurated a National Digital Cloud Policy to drive investment, digital sovereignty and the transformation of government services. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja. Tijani said the policy provided a national framework for the growth, governance and internationalisation of Nigeria’s cloud computing and data infrastructure ecosystem. He said it was aimed at positioning Nigeria as a regional digital services and hosting hub, attracting investment, strengthening indigenous digital capabilities, creating jobs and expanding digital service exports. According to him, the…
The Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mr Jude Asogwa, says 20 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) are more than 90 per cent complete, with one already operational. Asogwa said this on Tuesday at the completed and functional Ihe Nsukka PHC Centre while interacting with journalists during a tour of projects by Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration. He said Nsukka was grateful to the governor for approving an additional PHC centre, which was mistakenly included by the contractor, besides the 20 Type-2 PHCs approved for the 20 political wards. According to him, the facility was well equipped and…