The Founder and President of ImeyrReach Foundation, an NGO, Mr. Oluwayemi Odubote, has decried the devastating effects of drug abuse on Nigerian youths and called for urgent collective action to reverse the trend. Odubote, who is also a mental health advocate, made the call during an interview with reporters on Tuesday in Lagos. He warned that drug abuse has ruined the futures of many young people, describing its impacts as profoundly destructive. Prolonged use, he said, leads to severe health risks including brain damage, organ failure, mental illness, and often death. Beyond physical tolls, Odubote explained that drug abuse impairs…
Author: Newsdesk
Patients at the General Hospital, Minna, breathed a sigh of relief as the Niger State Government stepped in to clear their outstanding medical bills. The free medical care intervention, launched to mark Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago’s birthday, immediately eased the financial burden on vulnerable families awaiting discharge. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, led the outreach and was joined by the Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Junaidu Inuwa, and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Imam. The team toured multiple sections of the hospital, including the Paediatric Clinic, the Male…
The Abia State Government says it achieved 96 per cent coverage in the just-concluded Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, surpassing the 95 per cent benchmark required to attain herd immunity against infectious diseases statewide. The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia. Kanu said the campaign, which commenced on February 3, targeted children aged nine months to 14 years in schools, health facilities, and other public institutions across the state. He noted that the exercise surpassed the 95 per cent herd immunity threshold, recording 96 per…
Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have signed a historic science and technology pact, ending a 20-year hiatus to drive measurable innovation and scale startups across Africa through proactive implementation. Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and his team, signed on behalf of the EU in Abuja on Monday while Dr Kingsley Udeh, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology signed for Nigeria. Udeh said the agreement marked a milestone by positioning Nigeria as a central hub for scientific advancement in Africa. Speaking on the historic nature of the deal, the minister said it was the…
Bayer has announced the launch of newgold seed, its first multi-crop seed brand developed specifically for low-carbon intensity crops, as the company positions agriculture as a key enabler of the fast-growing biofuels market. The new brand is designed to help farmers participate directly in the expanding demand for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, while also enhancing on-farm profitability. Bayer said the move responds to a growing challenge in the global energy transition: scaling low-carbon fuels without competing with food production or adding complexity to existing farming systems. “As demand for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel accelerates, the energy transition…
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project in Kaduna State has activated the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for erosion control works in Rigasa, Kawo, and Zaria. Abubakar Buba, the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, said on Tuesday in Kaduna that the exercise marked the state’s transition from consultations to full safeguards implementation ahead of civil works. Represented by the Director of Environment and Pollution Control, Yusuf Mu’azu, the commissioner said the three sites were selected from over 242 identified ecological challenge locations based on priority and impact. He said ongoing reforms in waste evacuation—including strengthened local council…
The Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN) has intensified efforts to eradicate child labour in the ginger supply chain in Southern Kaduna. The association has also called for collective action from communities, NGOs, farmers, agricultural extension workers, policymakers, and other key stakeholders. CRUDAN made the call on Tuesday at a one-day Stakeholders’ Debriefing, Learning and Sustainability Workshop on Child Labour Awareness Creation in Ginger Production, held in Kachia, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The workshop brought together participants from Fai in Jaba Local Government Area and Kachia LGA to review progress, share findings, and develop…
Moniepoint Inc. says digital payments now dominate Nigeria’s nightlife economy, particularly among local bars and informal community venues. Moniepoint is a Nigerian financial technology (fintech) company that offers a wide range of digital banking and financial services for businesses and individuals. It is one of the fastest-growing fintech firms in Africa. The Lagos-based company provides digital payments, banking, credit, and business management tools to millions of users. In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, Moniepoint said its study, titled “The Business of Community Nightlife in Nigeria,” analyzed transactions from more than 27,000 bars, clubs, and lounges on its payment…
New Zealand will implement new employment conditions for holders of open work visas from April 20, 2026, as part of efforts to clarify what forms of work are permitted and to strengthen compliance with labour and business laws. According to immigration authorities, the changes are designed to give migrants clearer guidance on their rights and obligations while reducing uncertainty for employers. Officials say clearer and more consistent visa conditions will support safer, fairer and more transparent employment practices across the labour market. According to a statement issued on the New Zealand immigration website, ‘’On 20 April 2026, we will introduce changes to employment conditions for people with open…
Africa’s mining industry is reinforcing its position as a major engine of employment creation, as rising global demand for critical minerals drives investment across extraction, processing and industrial value chains, strengthening Africa’s mining sector outlook amid intensifying global competition for resources. A new report by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) estimates the continent holds approximately $29.5tn in mineral wealth — about 20 percent of global reserves — with $8.6 trillion still untapped. Published in the Compendium of Africa’s Strategic Minerals 2026, the study highlights mining’s growing importance not only as a revenue source but also as a pathway to large-scale job…