The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) following the recording of 11 suspected cases of Buruli ulcer in the state. Dr Murtala Muhammad-Bagana, the Commissioner for Health, disclosed this during a press conference held on Friday in Minna to commemorate the 2026 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day. The Niger State Ministry of Health organized the event in collaboration with Mission to Save the Helpless (MITOSATH), with the theme: “Let’s Unite and Act to Eliminate NTDs.” Bagana said the state had taken immediate steps to respond to the suspected Buruli ulcer cases reported in…
Author: Newsdesk
A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, on Friday, nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in the city between Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, 2025. Justice Uche Agomoh also held that the Caretaker Committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu remained the only recognised National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, pending the conduct of a valid national convention. It would be recalled that the Kabiru Turaki faction of the PDP had filed the suit No. FHC/IB/CS/121/2025, seeking recognition of the convention held in Ibadan on Nov. 15, 2025, and validation of the NWC that…
UN Women Regional Director, Maxime Houinato, says when custodians of culture publicly denounce harmful practices, backed by evidence and community dialogue, norms shift and laws gain legitimacy. Houinato made this known in a statement ahead of the Conference of African Traditional and Cultural Leaders on Gender Based Violence (GBV) holding in February, in Lagos. The conference aims to explore how culture can advance dignity, safety and equality for women and girls. The West and Central Africa Director said violence against women and girls remained widespread, underreported, and a major obstacle to achieving Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. He cited recent UN…
France is set to legally abolish the outdated notion of “conjugal rights,” which suggested that marriage created a duty to have sex. A bill approved by the National Assembly clarifies that a “community of living” between spouses does not imply any obligation for sexual relations. It also prevents lack of sexual activity from being used as grounds in fault-based divorce cases. The law is largely symbolic, as the European Court of Human Rights has already condemned France for allowing refusal of sex to justify divorce. Still, supporters hope it will challenge lingering societal attitudes that suggest wives owe sexual consent…
Fidson Healthcare Plc delivered a significantly stronger financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2025, which was a record-breaking year for the national drug maker. Revenue growth has accelerated over the past few years, from N53.1 billion in 2023 to N84.2 billion in 2024, before surging to N191.1 billion in 2025, reflecting higher sales volumes across its ethical drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and consumer healthcare segments. The performance comes at a time when manufacturers are grappling with high inflation, FX constraints, and elevated borrowing costs. Profit after tax for the year stood at N9.3 billion, up from N5.8 billion in…
The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, has sought synergy with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The request was made on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, when the Chief Medical Director, Professor Chituru Godwill Orluwene came on a courtesy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. According to Orluwene, who recently assumed office, “I feel that we should develop that friendly relationship with you so that we will be able to assist ourselves when the need arises,” he said. He stated that such synergy was important, given that his hospital in the course of discharging…
Ghana has granted citizenship to American YouTube star IShowSpeed, marking a rare convergence of digital influence, diaspora engagement and modern cultural diplomacy. The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who confirmed that the government had approved the issuance of a Ghanaian passport to the globally followed content creator after what he described as ‘confirmation of the irrefutable ties of IShowSpeed to Ghana’. In a post on X, Ablakwa praised the influencer’s impact, writing: ‘Keep making our great nation Ghana, and our beloved African continent proud. Ghana celebrates you.’ The decision comes as the 21-year-old concludes a month-long…
Morocco has officially launched construction of what is set to become Africa’s largest tyre manufacturing facility, marking a major milestone in the country’s industrial expansion and its ambition to dominate automotive production across the continent. The project, located in the Batouya Industrial Acceleration Zone in Driouch province, was formally launched this week at a ceremony attended by senior government officials, regional authorities and representatives of the project developer, according to Morocco World News and local government statements. Once completed, the plant is expected to position Morocco as a leading tyre production hub serving European, African and Middle Eastern markets. The Driouch…
Kenya government plans to raise KSh125bn (about $969 million) through short-term syndicated loans to support its national road construction programme, according to Bloomberg. The borrowing will be used to bridge financing shortfalls that have slowed several highway and transport projects, as the government seeks to maintain momentum on infrastructure development despite tightening fiscal space. The move underscores the growing pressure on Kenya’s public finances as infrastructure costs rise faster than revenues. With limited room for new long-term borrowing, the government is increasingly relying on short-term financing mechanisms to keep projects running — a strategy that carries refinancing and repayment risks…
The Senate has constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to harmonise and distil senators’ inputs on the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act, as lawmakers intensify efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ashenews reports that the decision followed a three-hour closed-door executive session held on Thursday, during which senators further scrutinised the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill currently before the National Assembly. Announcing the outcome of the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the committee was mandated to synthesise lawmakers’ views and address outstanding concerns on the bill. “The committee is mandated to contribute, galvanise…