The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, on Friday urged renewed collaboration with the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation and other stakeholders to safeguard the Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Lawal made the call at the 7th Stakeholders’ Meeting of the Southern Sector of the park, organized by ANI Foundation at the 20 Modern Battalion, Serti, in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State. Represented by the Conservator-General of Parks, Dr Ibrahim Goni, the minister recalled that the National Park Service (NPS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ANI Foundation in 2017 to provide financial and technical support in complementing the Federal Government’s…
Author: Newsdesk
Tragedy struck on Friday when an 18-seater bus carrying passengers to the Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s burial was involved in a crash along the Toru-Orua axis of the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road. News of the accident emerged shortly after it occurred, with initial reports suggesting multiple casualties. Prof. Seiyef Brisibe, Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, confirmed the crash in a telephone interview with reporters, saying that two victims died at the scene. He dismissed rumors that more than 10 people had died in the incident. “Our State Ambulance Services promptly responded and evacuated the victims to hospitals. Seven were taken to Sagbama General Hospital,…
The inauguration of the Tudun Biri Resettlement Site in Kaduna State reflects the Federal Government’s shift from emergency relief to structured post-conflict recovery, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, stated this on Friday during the inauguration of the Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict (RSPIC) in the state. Umar, who also chairs the Project Implementation Unit of the scheme, said the intervention was designed to support planned resettlement, livelihood restoration and social reintegration for persons affected by conflict. She explained that the project was coordinated by the Office of the…
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy says it has partnered with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to drive digital transformation for sustainable development in Nigeria. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Nadungu Gagare, disclosed this at the ministry’s monthly DevsInGovernment programme on Friday in Abuja. The programme, organized by the ministry, was sponsored by KOICA and supported by Galaxy Backbone. Its theme was, “Preparing Public Servants for the Digital Era.” Gagare, who was represented by the Director of ICT at the ministry, Mrs Folashade Olojede, said the year began with a clear intention to move beyond…
The Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr Chinedu Okafor, has urged community leaders to intensify grassroots sensitization ahead of the Measles-Rubella vaccination exercise Okafor, who was represented by the Supervisor for Health, Mr Frank Ajazu, made the call at a sensitization meeting held at the Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCH), Amawbia. He described measles and rubella as highly contagious and potentially deadly diseases, stressing the need for collective action to protect children. Okafor emphasised the importance of community involvement to ensure the success of the vaccination exercise, which is scheduled to begin on Feb.…
Participants at the World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day awareness walk in Abuja on Friday have warned that the diseases continue to spread largely because many people underestimate their severity. Speaking during the walk, they said many Nigerians wrongly believe NTDs are insignificant because they are described as “neglected,” noting that the term refers to lack of attention rather than the seriousness of the diseases. NTDs are a group of communicable diseases that thrive in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in communities with limited access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare. They often result in disability, disfigurement, social stigma and…
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in collaboration with more than 50 public and private sector organizations, on Friday led a sensitization roadshow in Abuja to raise awareness on data protection and privacy. The roadshow was part of activities marking the 2026 National Privacy Week. It was organized to commemorate Global Privacy Day, observed annually on Jan. 28. Nigeria marks the day with a week-long programme in response to the low level of public awareness about data privacy and protection. The National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said the commission adopted an extended celebration to deepen public understanding…
The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to remain firm in enforcing the ban on the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET bottles and glass containers below 200 millilitres. This is contained in a statement signed by the RDI Executive Director, Mr Philip Jakpor, and made available to journalists on Friday in Lagos. Jakpor said the call came amid growing opposition from segments of the alcohol and beverage industry following the commencement of enforcement on Jan. 22. He noted that the enforcement exercise was the…
Dr Nicholas Baamlong, Plateau State Commissioner for Health, says the state government has integrated preventive measures against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), including schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths, into its school health programme. Baamlong disclosed this on Friday in Jos while briefing journalists to commemorate the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day. According to him, the government is implementing key interventions such as the integration of preventive chemotherapy into the school health programme, alongside the strengthening of disease surveillance and reporting systems. The commissioner said the state has also built the capacity of frontline health workers and aligned NTD control efforts with…
The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Thursday, January 29, 2026, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with further testimony from Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7), Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank. Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering involving ₦80.246 billion. Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Egoro presented detailed transaction records relating to accounts operated by Fazab Business Enterprise and E-Traders International Limited, which he said received funds traced to Kogi…