The Cross River Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA) says it has achieved 99 per cent coverage in its ongoing Measles–Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign. Dr Vivien Mesembe-Otu, Director-General of CRSPHCDA, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Friday in Calabar. As of Day nine of the campaign, no fewer than 1,866,070 children had been vaccinated out of a target of 2,015,493, leaving a balance of 149,423 children yet to be reached. She explained that the campaign recorded a 99 per cent daily settlement reach, with 8,696 out of 8,791 planned settlements covered across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas…
Author: Newsdesk
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has inaugurated a five-year strategy aimed at strengthening global preparedness against epidemic and pandemic threats. The coalition also called for an additional $2.5 billion to reinforce the world’s disease defenses. This is contained in a statement by Ms Jodie Rogers, Senior Communications and Advocacy Manager at CEPI. The strategy, tagged CEPI 3.0, is due to begin in 2027 and requires a total of $3.6 billion for full implementation. With $1.1 billion already secured and committed, the organization is seeking further investments from governments, philanthropies, and development partners. According to Rogers, the new plan…
…Presents Them Instruments Of Office Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has elevated 14 high chiefs and Baales in Oyo town to the status of crown wearing Obas, formally presenting them with instruments of office. The coronation ceremony held on Friday, February 13 at Oliveth Baptist High School, Oyo. Speaking on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, said the elevation of the chiefs underscored the administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions and promoting peace and development at the grassroots. He congratulated the newly crowned monarchs, noting that their ascension to the status of crown wearing Obas…
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has begun training 600 women farmers in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture in Bauchi State. The exercise is being implemented in collaboration with Al-Muhibbah Foundation to strengthen household food security and environmental resilience in the state. Regenerative agriculture is a holistic farming system that reverses environmental degradation by restoring soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and sequestering carbon to mitigate climate change. Project Coordinator Dr Kabir Ibrahim announced this at the inauguration of the exercise on Friday in Bauchi. He said 600 women would benefit in the first phase, with the programme targeting about 6,000…
The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has decried the paucity of professional veterinarians in the country. Acting Registrar of VCN, Dr Oladotun Fadipe, made this known in an interview with reporters on Friday in Vom, near Jos. Fadipe’s concern came a day after he inducted 164 graduates of the Federal College of Animal Health and Production, Vom. He stressed that Nigeria currently has fewer than 10,000 qualified veterinarians. He explained that the shortage has affected the growth and development of the veterinary sub-sector, describing the induction of the graduates as a “significant move” toward improving the animal health delivery system.…
Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc says implementation of the Federal Government’s tax waiver for pharmaceutical raw materials has assisted in reducing production cost and accelerating organisational growth. The Managing Director of the company, Mr Valentine Okelu, said this at a media parley on Friday in Lagos. Ashenews gathered through NAN reports that the government implemented a two-year exemption from import duties and Value Added Tax for critical pharmaceutical raw materials, effective from March 5, 2025, to March 2027. The policy approved by President Bola Tinubu, aims to reduce production costs, boost local manufacturing, and lower the prices of essential medicines. Okelu urged the…
The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 25 kilograms of cocaine valued at over N1 billion along the Seme border in Lagos State. Speaking on Friday during the formal handover of the suspect to officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure. Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Timi Bomodi, said the suspect was apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday, February 10, 2026. According to the Customs CG, officers…
The Federal Government has launched an emergency intervention programme to tackle Tuta absoluta and African Sugarcane Borer, pests threatening tomato and sugarcane production in Nigeria. The Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi in a statement said the initiative aims to sensitise farmers and extension workers, provide approved pest control inputs, and offer technical guidance on integrated pest management. Abdullahi noted that the programme underscores the government’s commitment to food security, farmers’ welfare, and sustainable agricultural pest management, particularly in front-line states such as Kano. “Tomatoes are widely grown and eaten in Nigeria and are a major income source for smallholder farmers. The country…
Nigeria has secured a permanent seat on the Board of the African Central Bank following deliberations at the 39th Session of the Executive Council of the African Union. According to a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the development marked a significant diplomatic milestone. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who signed the statement, said that Nigeria also secured representation on the Board of the African Monetary Institute through the Technical Convergence Committee. The statement read, “A major highlight of the session was the Council’s agreement to grant Nigeria a permanent seat on the Board…
The Federal Government says about 15 million vulnerable households have been captured in its Benefit Register for conditional cash assistance being implemented in partnership with the World Bank as part of efforts to cushion economic shocks. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television on Friday. He explained that not all households listed in the National Social Register qualify for direct financial support. He said, “We are currently offering conditional cash assistance in conjunction with the World Bank, but this money is actually meant as a shock response. And…