The Chief Medical Director of Rock Foundation Hospital, Awka, Dr. Chukwudi Njelita, has expressed concern over what he described as “the increasing prevalence” of high blood pressure among adolescents and youths in the country. Njelita spoke on Wednesday in an interview with reporters in Awka, noting that the development differs from past experiences. He said that, in the past, the ailment was more common among adults and the elderly. He added that the medical advice that people aged 40 and above should check their blood pressure every six months or monthly was no longer tenable. According to Njelita, in the…
Author: Newsdesk
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has inaugurated a new forum aimed at enhancing coordination and effectiveness in electricity regulation across Nigeria. This was disclosed in a statement shared on X by NERC on its official handle on Wednesday. The forum was inaugurated during the first quarter 2026 Regulatory Meeting with State Electricity Regulators (SERs) in Lagos. The development comes amid complaints of power outages in many parts of the country, as generation drops due to a persistent gas shortage. The Forum of Nigerian Electricity Regulators (FONER) is expected to drive key regulatory objectives, including fostering dialogue between NERC and SERs,…
Croatia is set to overhaul its work visa framework as part of broader immigration reforms aimed at addressing labour shortages and attracting foreign talent into key sectors of its economy. The proposed changes, expected to take effect later in 2026, will introduce longer work permit validity, greater job mobility for foreign workers, and new integration requirements, including a basic language test. The reforms come as the country grapples with persistent worker shortages across tourism, construction, and hospitality industries that have become increasingly reliant on international labour. One of the most significant updates is the extension of work permit validity. Under the new…
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday departed Lagos for Abuja after marking the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. Ashenews reported that the presidential aircraft took off from the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 6:44 p.m. The president was seen off by top government officials, including Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, his deputy Obafemi Hamzat and top APC stalwarts. During his stay in Lagos, Tinubu observed the Eid prayers at Dodan Barracks and hosted a cross-section of political and economic leaders. Among those received were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives,…
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to embark on massive enlightenment against Ponzi schemes. Signing the MoU in Abuja Wednesday, the Director-General of SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, warned that fraudulent operations are not legitimate investments. Agama, represented by the Commission’s Executive Commissioner Operations, Mr Bola Ajomale, advised the public to verify company’s registration with SEC before investment. He said the enlightenment would guarantee citizens including those at the rural areas to know where to invest and when to detect a ‘red flag’. ”We have in the last…
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has taken delivery of media equipment from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to boost the operations of its radio broadcast. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Mr Samuel Ogbuku, said the gesture was a deliberate investment in communication, visibility and national development. Obgbuku, represented by the Director, NDDC Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs Mary Nwaeke, described NYSC as a vital institution in fostering unity, service and nation-building over the years. He specifically lauded the Media Department for playing a critical role in documenting activities, shaping narratives and projecting the ideals of…
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday, flagged off the distribution of N350 million interest-free loans to 1,000 residents under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project. AbdulRazaq said the initiative, funded by the World Bank through the Community Revolving Fund (CRF), was aimed at empowering small business clusters, strengthening grassroots economies and promoting sustainable development. He said that the beneficiaries, drawn from various community interest groups, would receive the loans to support economic activities at the grassroots. The governor said the programme underscored his administration’s commitment to poverty reduction and economic inclusion. “This World Bank-supported initiative is designed…
The naira depreciated marginally to N1,383.5/$ on Tuesday from N1,383/$ on Monday, as declining external reserves and cautious global sentiment weighed on the market. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the currency traded within a band of N1,372/$ to N1,389/$ during the session, reflecting mild volatility. The slight weakening underscores persistent pressure in the foreign exchange market, driven largely by a steady drawdown in external reserves. Market activity indicated moderate liquidity, with trading remaining stable but cautious in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM). The naira posted a simple average rate of N1,381.86/$ for the day, while…
Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has urged the private sector to increase investment in advancing weather and climate services across Nigeria and the wider region. Anosike made the call during his opening remarks on Wednesday in Abuja at the World Meteorological Day celebration themed “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow,” highlighting the critical role of timely and accurate weather information. According to him, the private sector can strengthen meteorological observation systems by investing in weather stations, remote sensing technologies, data analytics platforms, AI weather models and innovative observation tools that complement national networks globally. “We recognise that…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered all International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) operating in the country to open and maintain naira settlement accounts with authorised dealer banks, in a move to tighten oversight of diaspora remittances and improve transparency in the foreign exchange (FX) market. The directive was contained in a circular dated March 24, 2026, signed by Musa Nakorji, Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, and addressed to IMTOs, authorised dealer banks, and the general public. The circular was published on the CBN’s website on Tuesday. According to the apex bank, the measure is part of…