An environmentalist and analytical chemistry professor at Topfaith University, Mkpatak, in Akwa Ibom State, Prof Nsikak Benson, has been ranked among the world’s top 2% scientists in the 2025 global listing published by Stanford University. The list, published in collaboration with Elsevier, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious measures of research impact and recognises the most influential scientists worldwide across diverse disciplines. Prof Benson’s inclusion in this global ranking is said to be a testament to his academic strength, dedication, and sustained contributions to advancing scientific knowledge. Over the years, he has built an impressive record of…
Author: Newsdesk
Canada has recorded one of the sharpest declines in international student enrolment in its history, with foreign student numbers falling by nearly 300,000 over the past two years, according to official immigration data. Figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show that between December 2023 and November 2025, the number of international students in the country dropped by 273,570, representing a decline of about 27.5%. The fall reflects a major policy shift by the Canadian government aimed at reducing the number of temporary residents amid mounting pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public services. Speaking last month in Halifax, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab…
Enugu State Government says it is committed to wiping out Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in rural communities as part of plans to lift residents out of poverty. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, disclosed this in an address on Thursday in Enugu as the state celebrates 2026 World NTD Day with massive publicity and roadshows. He noted that the state would not rest on its responsibility to continue on its hard-earned “huge progress” it had made in dealing with some NTD diseases over the years through massive advocacy and investments. “The Enugu State Ministry of Health aligns with…
The Christian Blind Mission (CBM) says it has invested 15million Euros (N25 billion) to strengthen eye care services across 14 states in Nigeria. Dr Rainer Brockhaus, the CBM Chief Executive Officer, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of CBM SightQuest Nigeria Programme, with theme “A Journey Towards Inclusive Eye Health.” Ashenews gathered through NAN reports that the SightQuest Programme will run from January 2026 to 2035 across Bauchi, Imo, Jigawa, Plateau, Oyo and nine other states nationwide. The initiative also targets a 30 per cent increase in effective Cataract Surgical Coverage in 10 states by 2030. Speaking…
Lebanon has signed an emergency support agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to contain the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and strengthen national veterinary preparedness. Local media reported on Thursday. According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA), the agreement, signed by the country’s Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani and FAO Representative in Lebanon Nora Ourabah Haddad The agreement aims to control the spread of the disease affecting livestock production, reinforce animal health and food security systems, and protect rural livelihoods. The NNA reported that the FAO will support the second phase of the emergency vaccination…
Connected Development (CODE), a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) says it has partnered with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to launch Project Track–BHCPF to strengthen health security in Nigeria. BHCPF stands for Basic Health Care Provision Fund, a Federal Government initiative established under the National Health Act (2014) to ensure access to essential healthcare, moving the nation towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Nankpak Cirfat, CODE Communications Officer, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja. Cirfat said the initiative was an analysis and capstone project of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, supported by Resolve to Save Lives, a…
Stakeholders from government, the private sector, and regulatory agencies have underscored the central role of trust, ethics, and collaboration in safeguarding personal data as Nigeria advances its digital transformation. They made the call at the National Data Privacy Summit, organized by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to mark Global Data Privacy Day 2026 and the commission’s anniversary in Abuja. Global Data Privacy Day is celebrated annually on January 28, but activities in Nigeria were extended to a week-long National Privacy Week programme from January 28 to February 4 due to low public awareness of data protection issues. The summit’s…
Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to modernising livestock business practices to protect public health, improve food safety and strengthen livelihoods. The commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Aliyu Isah, stated this while receiving the leadership of the Kano State Livestock Traders and Meat Processing Union on a courtesy visit to his office. This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs of the ministry, Halima Gadanya, on Thursday in Kano. Isah said the ministry was working with relevant stakeholders to reform livestock trading and meat processing in line with global best practices, noting that the…
Syria is set to develop its first offshore oil and gas field in partnership with the US and Qatar, as the water-torn country attempts to emerge from the shadows of strife and violence. Syria’s state-owned Syrian Petroleum Company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US energy giant, Chevron, and the Qatar-based Power International Holding on Wednesday, reported the country’s state news agency, SANA. The MoU was signed in Damascus in the presence of the US’s special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, it was further reported. The deal marks Syria’s first formal step toward offshore energy exploration as the government…
More than 200 website domains with links to India-based criminal organisations selling counterfeit or unapproved drugs to Americans have been seized by the US federal authorities, said US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in a statement on Wednesday. Federal authorities in the US said the websites were being run by trans-national criminal organisations (TCOs) and were allegedly responsible for at least six fatal and four non-fatal overdoses. As part of ‘Operation Meltdown’, the DEA field officers also conducted multiple operations across the US from January 27 this year, leading to the arrest of four individuals along with the issuance of five…