The Federal Government says it is determined to protect Nigerians’ rights and privacy in the digital space. To achieve this, it said it has developed several policy and regulatory frameworks to strengthen cybersecurity. Dr Ayodele Bakare, Assistant Director, Cybersecurity Department, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said this during an interview with reporters in Abuja on Monday. He said cybersecurity governance in Nigeria is implemented through a collaborative approach involving multiple government institutions with different responsibilities. According to him, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) provides overall coordination of national cybersecurity efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre,…
Author: Newsdesk
A climate expert, Mr Akinmayowa Shobo, has warned that rising temperatures across Nigeria pose serious threats to public health, agriculture, and vulnerable populations. Shobo, Programme Manager at HEDA Resource Centre, disclosed in an interview with reporters on Monday in Lagos. He said the development aligned with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction. Shobo noted that the forecast projected warmer-than-normal temperatures across most parts of Nigeria, particularly in northern and north-central states. According to him, states including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Jigawa, and Sokoto may record daytime temperatures between 37°C and 43°C during March and April. He said warmer nights…
An independent global health expert, Dr Ebere Okereke, has urged African governments to treat health spending as a strategic economic investment rather than a social cost or burden. Okereke, who is also an Associate Fellow of Chatham House, told reporters on Sunday that governments must rethink how health financing is presented in national budgets and policy discussions. According to her, health is often framed primarily in humanitarian or social terms, making it more vulnerable to cuts when governments face competing fiscal pressures. “Governments need to change how they make the case for health in budget and policy discussions. ALSO READ…
The media office of Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, has dismissed reports alleging that the lawmaker distributed N1,000 each to 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), orphans and other vulnerable individuals in Sokoto State. The office described the report as misleading, saying it misrepresented the nature of the senator’s Ramadan support to vulnerable citizens. In a statement issued on Sunday, the office said the donation in question actually involved N10 million and 100 bundles of guinea brocade (clothing materials) distributed to about 10,000 indigent citizens, mainly IDPs, orphans and other vulnerable groups in the state. According to…
The Cross River State Government is establishing dedicated health facilities across all 18 local government areas to provide free and accessible care specifically for the elderly, children under five, and pregnant women. State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, disclosed this during an interview with reporters in Calabar on Sunday. Ayuk revealed that four of the designated facilities are already operational, with ongoing efforts to roll out the remaining centres statewide. “The designated health facilities target people who cannot afford services and aim to make healthcare accessible to vulnerable groups,” he said. “Services in these facilities will be free for…
Women and expectant mothers in Ikorodu, Lagos State, have called on the government to urgently prioritize the recruitment of healthcare workers, especially for rural communities, to address severe staffing shortages at Primary Health Centres (PHCs). The residents made the appeal during separate interviews on Sunday at various PHCs across Ikorodu. They also urged local councils to expand medical facilities, reduce long walking distances to centres, and improve remuneration and incentives to encourage health workers to accept and remain in rural postings. Mrs. Monsurat Ajenifuja, an expectant mother at Ita-Elewa PHC, highlighted the strain caused by staff shortages. “Large numbers of…
The Sokoto State Chapter of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN) has called for increased involvement of women and youths in politics, describing it as essential for strengthening democratic growth and sustainable governance in Nigeria. The appeal was made during a political sensitisation programme themed “Women and Youth Involvement in Politics: A Panacea for Democratic Growth,” organised by the group in Sokoto. In his address, the Sokoto State Chairman of IBBN, Ambassador Wakili Ibrahim, explained that the event aimed to educate women and youths on the critical importance of active participation in political processes at all levels. “The…
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has called for increased investment in the well-being of women and children as a foundation for building a healthier and more sustainable Nigeria. Adeyeye made the appeal during NAFDAC’s 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in Abuja, held under the global theme “Give to Gain.” The event honoured the dedication and contributions of NAFDAC staff, particularly women, to public health and regulatory excellence. A statement issued to journalists on Sunday in Abuja by NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant, Olusayo Akintola, described the celebration as a…
The Kaduna State Government has highlighted the ongoing 36-kilometre Bagoma–Gagumi road project in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area as a major boost for rural connectivity and economic growth, set to open access to approximately 66 farming communities. The Managing Director of the Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA), Abdullahi Baba-Ahmed, made the statement during an inspection visit to the project site over the weekend. Baba-Ahmed described Governor Uba Sani’s rural infrastructure drive as “revolutionary,” explaining that the road would significantly improve access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities for local residents. He noted that the Bagoma–Gagumi road is expected to surpass…
Environmental activists in Rivers State have raised fresh alarm over persistent oil spills, sluggish cleanup efforts, and worsening health challenges in the Niger Delta, attributing the crisis to decades of oil exploration, weak regulation, and inadequate remediation. Speaking to reporters during a survey on environmental degradation in the region, the activists described the situation as widespread and deeply entrenched, with oil prospecting continuing to devastate ecosystems, farmlands, fishing grounds, and human health. Mr. Olu Wai-Ogosu, President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), said oil activities had destroyed coastal vegetation, rendered farmlands infertile, and eliminated traditional…