Prof. Eguakhide Oaikhinan, a Professor of Ceramic Engineering since 1994, says Nigeria’s solid minerals sector could significantly boost GDP through accurate data, value-driven processing, and skilled manpower. He made the remarks in an interview with reporters on Sunday in Lagos. Oaikhinan noted that ceramics and solid minerals are inseparable in driving industrial growth. Although the government often highlights about 44 different solid minerals in Nigeria, he said the sector has yet to realize its economic potential due to inadequate data on mineral locations, characteristics, and value chains. “Where are these solid minerals located? What are their characteristics that make them…
Author: Newsdesk
The Jigawa State Government has reassured residents of the safety of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Dr Shehu Sambo, Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, gave the assurance in an interview with reporters in Dutse on Sunday. He said the HPV vaccine is safe, harmless, and highly protective, stressing that administering it to girls would significantly improve maternal health outcomes in the state. Sambo noted that the vaccine has been integrated into the state’s routine immunization programme, targeting girls aged 9–14. READ ALSO: Kwara govt warns healthcare workers against falsification of data “We are assuring the…
Armenia will establish a ‘Ministry of Sex’ to ensure there are “no unsatisfied women” in the country, under plans proposed by an insurgent political party. Sargis Karapetyan, who helped form the Strong Armenia party ahead of this summer’s elections, suggested a rise in political activism by middle-aged white women was the result of sexual dissatisfaction. When pressed if a ministry should be created to tackle that apparent issue, Mr Karapetyan said it should, and that it could also help tackle Armenia’s declining birth rate. The idea behind a Ministry of Sex was initially raised by Armenian sociologist Armen Khachikyan, who…
European nations are now gearing up to impose a total ban on social media for children, officials said, with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, expressing support for an EU-wide age limit to be imposed on social media access. The move, initiated by Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez on Friday, has encouraged other countries in the bloc to consider an Australia-style social media ban for children aged 15 and less. Vowing to protect Spain’s children “from the digital Wild West”, the Spanish PM said, “Scrolling over harmful content, pornography, leads to exploitation and leaves unintended consequences on underage children.”…
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), in charge of the Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC), Comptroller Godwin Otunla, has attributed the ₦202.9 billion revenue recorded by the command in 2025 to improved trade compliance and effective teamwork. In a statement released by the command’s public relations officer, Superintendent of Customs, Affiong Momodu, on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, Comptroller Otunla, announced this while reviewing the Command’s performance for the year. He noted that the revenue figure represents a 13% increase over the ₦181.01 billion recorded in 2024, translating to 113% achievement of its annual target. According to him, the milestone was driven…
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has established a new radio station, Majority FM 89.5, for the reelection campaign of President Bola Tinubu. The radio station is located inside the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The development came amid intensified political mobilisation for President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign in the South-South.
The Federal Government may resume issuing petrol and diesel import permits by mid-February 2026 to prevent possible fuel shortages following a temporary halt by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Industry sources say the regulator is expected to begin approving new licences later this month or by early March, marking the first permits of the year. The pause was aimed at limiting imports to volumes needed to cover gaps in local refinery output and was also linked to recent leadership changes at the agency. Under normal practice, import permits are issued quarterly and valid for three months,…
The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmud, has distributed empowerment items to 4,064 All Progressives Congress (APC) women leaders and vulnerable citizens across Kano State’s 44 local government areas. Speaking at the mega empowerment event on Saturday in Kano, the minister acknowledged the loyalty, sacrifices, and critical roles of women as mobilisers, peacemakers, and agents of change. She described the gathering as a symbol of hope and inclusion, and a pathway to sustainable development through empowering women and vulnerable citizens. Mahmud commended the APC leadership in Kano State, particularly women leaders, for their resilience, dedication, and…
The Kwara Government has warned health workers against falsification of data in the forthcoming immunisation exercise. Prof. Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, gave the warning at the opening of a five-day training for healthcare workers on routine immunization in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara on Saturday. “The participants play critical roles in the immunization value chain and therefore must be continuously trained and retrained to enhance their skills and effectiveness. “The training is to ensure correct and accurate data at all times. Data falsification could undermine the effectiveness of immunization…
No fewer than 1,500 persons are expected to benefit from a medical outreach programme organized by the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) in Owo Community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State. Speaking at the event on Saturday, Dr Ogbodo Okechukwu, Vice President of the NAS Enugu branch and a Consultant Public Health Physician, said Owo was selected due to its peculiar challenges and high number of vulnerable residents. He noted that the quarterly exercise had previously been held in Nsukka, Iva-Valley, Enugu, and Awgu areas of the state. “Our target is 1,500 persons, and I am confident we will…