Dr. Prince Mbachi, President of Africa Global Development for Positive Change Initiative (ADIafrica), has called on the African Union (AU) to abolish visa requirements across African countries to promote integration and development. Mbachi made the call during a scholarship presentation to 13 indigent university students from Egbeke Community in Etche LGA of Rivers State on Tuesday. Nine others received skill acquisition grants, while over 150 people benefited from free eye check-ups, with glasses provided to those in need. He expressed concern over the stringent visa processing requirements for intra-African travel, noting that easing movement across the continent would enhance trade,…
Author: Newsdesk
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, has described China as West Africa’s most strategic partner, noting that China’s multifaceted engagement with the sub-region will continue to deepen. Touray made the remarks during the handover ceremony of the new multimillion-dollar ECOWAS headquarters complex, funded and built for the commission by China. He recalled China’s previous partnerships with ECOWAS, including providing strategic military equipment and vehicles to support the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force. “This is not the first time China has partnered with ECOWAS to strengthen regional integration,” Touray said. “In the recent past, the Government of the…
The National Council on Nutrition (NCN) has adopted the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (NPFN) for 2026 to 2035. The adoption followed decisions made at the council’s 15th meeting, held virtually on Tuesday in Abuja and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The council’s approval came after extensive consultation and ratification by key stakeholders in Nigeria’s nutrition sector, including both public and private sponsors. The council directed the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to present the policy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for ratification. Shettima emphasized the human impact behind the statistics discussed at the meeting,…
The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has flagged off indigeneship verification for the university’s 2026/2027 admission process. This was contained in a statement posted on the university’s website on Tuesday. Olatunji-Bello, who inaugurated the Independent Indigeneship Verification Committee on Monday, reaffirmed LASU’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and integrity in its admission process. She said that objectivity in the verification process remains central to the credibility of the university’s admissions system. READ ALSO: Kaduna gov lauded for boosting education She described the exercise as a critical safeguard for equity and public trust, urging the committee to discharge…
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says the recent court judgement affirming its powers to investigate complaints of medical negligence confirms that no commercial service sector is beyond consumer protection accountability. Mr Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, hailed the judgement as symbolic and significant. The judgement was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit filed by Life Bridge Medical Diagnostic Centre Ltd. Bello said the ruling confirms that consumers are entitled to protection and redress in all sectors where services are provided for a fee, including healthcare. He…
Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), says the first trading day following the extension of market hours was smooth, with no operational issues recorded. The new trading hours took effect on Monday, April 27, changing from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This move aims to enhance market efficiency and liquidity. Speaking with reporters on Tuesday in Lagos, Kwairanga said staff feedback indicated that the transition to the new schedule was seamless. “From my observation and feedback from staff, the first day went smoothly with no hitches. It may take…
Chinese authorities announced on Tuesday that China will extend zero-tariff treatment to all African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, starting from May 1. According to the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028, China will grant zero-tariff treatment to 20 African countries that have diplomatic ties with it and are not classified as least developed countries. READ ALSO: UNGA President Baerbock to visit China The commission noted that since December 1, 2024, China has already been granting zero-tariff treatment on 100 per cent of tariff lines to 33 least developed…
The Kano State Government on Tuesday commenced activities to mark the 2026 Africa Vaccination Week (AVW), reaffirming its commitment to expanding immunisation coverage and integrated health services across the state. Speaking at a news conference at the Kano Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, said the week underscores the state’s resolve to protect children and families through vaccination and other essential health interventions. This year’s theme is “For every generation, vaccines work”. Dr Labaran emphasised the importance of reaching “zero-dose” children — those who have not received any vaccines. He stated that Kano will deliver…
Dr Terfa Kene, President of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), has said that Nigeria lacks sufficient public health physicians due to a nationwide shortage of medical doctors. Kene made this known during an interview with reporters on Tuesday in Abuja. He noted that the deficit in medical doctors is limiting the country’s ability to train and produce the specialists needed for effective public health practice. “Public health physicians must first be medical doctors. Since we don’t have enough doctors, we naturally don’t have enough public health physicians,” he said. He explained that public health physicians work…
The President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Annalena Baerbock, will visit China from April 29 to April 30, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Tuesday. Baerbock, a former German Foreign Minister, is currently presiding over the 80th UNGA session, which runs from September 2025 to September 2026. READ ALSO: Nigeria consul-general calls for stronger African unity She was invited by Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister. The spokesperson said the visit aims to strengthen multilateral cooperation and will include…