Indigenes of Ikwere, Obiakpor, and Etche Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers are set to benefit from a free eye-screening programme courtesy of ADIafrica, a non-governmental organisation (NGO). Ashenews gathered through NAN reports that the initiative is aimed at promoting accessible healthcare. International President of the NGO, Dr Prince Mbachi, disclosed this at the flag-off of the two-day eye-screening outreach held in Port Harcourt on Saturday. Mbachi said no fewer than 340 persons were expected to benefit from the exercise in the state. He explained that the outreach was organised by ADIafrica in collaboration with the Stephen and Judith Igwe…
Author: Newsdesk
Dangote Cement Plc has signed a $1 billion agreement with Sinoma International Engineering for the construction of 12 new cement plants and the expansion of existing facilities across Africa. The deal was disclosed by MarketForces Africa following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos on Friday. The agreement supports Dangote Cement’s drive to scale production, expand its market footprint, and consolidate its leadership across the continent. Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, described the projects as key enablers for reaching a production capacity of 80 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2030. He said the expansion aligns with the Group’s Vision 2030 agenda, which targets $100 billion in…
Abia State Government has finalised the acquisition of Afro Beverages from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), marking another step in its industrial revival agenda. Governor Alex Otti disclosed the development on Friday during the February edition of his monthly media parley at the Government House in Umuahia. Afro Beverages is among five moribund industries identified by the administration for revival as part of efforts to boost manufacturing output and create jobs in the state. Speaking at the briefing, Otti said the government had concluded the acquisition process and was already engaging potential investors. “The State Government has completed the acquisition of Afro Beverages…
The Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States have signed a $1.2bn strategic health agreement aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system and expanding disease prevention programmes over the next five years, according to a joint statement issued Thursday. The partnership, covering the period from 2026 to 2031, combines $900m in targeted assistance from the US government with a commitment by Kinshasa to contribute $300m through progressively increased domestic health expenditure. Officials from both governments described the agreement as a long-term investment designed to improve healthcare delivery while encouraging greater national ownership of public health financing. The deal reflects…
Regional military leaders in West Africa have renewed calls for closer operational cooperation between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), signalling a pragmatic shift toward collective security despite ongoing political tensions across the region. The commitment followed high-level security talks held Thursday in Freetown, Sierra Leone, chaired by President Julius Maada Bio in his capacity as ECOWAS chairperson. Defence chiefs and senior officials gathered to accelerate plans for deploying a multinational force aimed at countering escalating extremist violence threatening both Sahelian and coastal states. Officials stressed that coordination between ECOWAS and…
The Nigeria Customs Service has formally handed over five live pangolins to the Green Fingers Wildlife Foundation for rehabilitation and eventual release back into their natural habitat. Speaking during the handover on Saturday in Bauchi, the Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘D Bauchi, Mr Abdullahi Ka’ila, said the gesture was made on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi He noted that the action underscores the service’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species. “The rescued pangolins were intercepted during anti-smuggling operations and subsequently handed over to the Green Fingers Wildlife Foundation for professional care, rehabilitation and…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Command has reaffirmed commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to combat illicit drugs. The Commander, Kano Strategic Command, Dahiru Yahaya-Lawal, said this during a familiarisation visit to the NAFDAC State Coordinator, Mr Kasim Ibrahim, in Kano. The Public Relations Officer of NDLEA, ASN Sadiq Muhhamads-Maigarari, said this in a statement issued on Saturday in Kano. According to the statement, the visit underscored the shared resolve of both agencies to safeguard citizens of Kano from the dangers posed by illicit drugs and…
The Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, has urged youths to use digital technology responsibly by promoting righteousness to safeguard their moral future and advance positive values in society. Abubakar made the call while chairing the 20th Annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and Voice of Nigeria (VON) on Saturday in Kaduna. He described the lecture theme, “Digital Technology and the Moral Future of the Youth,” as timely, noting that while technology provides opportunities for learning, connection, and growth, it also exposes youths to harmful content and behaviours. The Etsu Nupe said…
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Lebara Nigeria on its official launch, describing the milestone as a strong vote of confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy. In a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga on Saturday in Abuja, Tinubu said the development reinforces Nigeria’s position as a leading technology and investment destination in Africa. He stressed that Nigeria’s telecommunications sector remains a key driver of economic growth, recording 5.78 per cent year-on-year growth in the third quarter of 2025 and contributing more than 14 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is a significant economic…
Dr Oluseyi Folagbade, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, has reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare and stronger advocacy for persons living with spinal cord injuries. Folagbade gave the assurance on Friday in Lokoja when the hospital management received a delegation from the Kogi Chapter of the National Association of Persons with Spinal Cord Injury (NAPSCI). The visit provided an opportunity for a heartfelt engagement between the association and the hospital management, marked by empathy and constructive discussions on the challenges faced by persons living with spinal cord injuries. The CMD described the visit…