By Ijeoma Olorunfemi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, interactions and transactions are rapidly moving into the digital space. Today, the internet is central to financial, social, and economic activities, with e-governance, e-banking, and interconnectivity driving the digital era. Against this backdrop, data protection and safeguarding users’ privacy have become critical. Governments, financial institutions, businesses, and individuals must prioritize robust data protection measures to build online trust, secure cyberspace, and foster digital economic growth. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the country’s apex data protection authority, has made significant strides in regulating data protection, building…
Author: Newsdesk
The Federal Government, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the health sector, on Monday in Abuja inaugurated the National Electronic Pharmacy Policy (NEPP) and its Strategic Implementation Plan to further transform Nigeria’s healthcare system. Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the policy would regulate the production and sale of pharmaceutical products while ensuring Nigerians have access to quality-assured medicines. Pate, who was represented by the Director of Food and Drug Services in the ministry, Mr Olubumi Aribeana, said the policy was aimed at modernizing healthcare delivery and guaranteeing access…
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday approved a weight-loss drug named Wegovy to help tackle obesity and other lifestyle diseases. The US food regulator approved a pill version of the GLP-1 drug that has been developed by Novo Nordisk, which is also its manufacturer. Usually recommended for patients with chronic obesity, Wegovy joins the list of weight-loss drugs that are being touted as “magical” for those struggling with weight management issues along with at least one other health-related complication. The oral medication, according to the manufacturer, contains ‘semaglutide’, the same active ingredient present in Ozempic and Wegovy…
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has released two new pearl millet varieties—Iniadi Composite 1501 and ICMP 177003—the first biofortified millet in Eastern and Southern Africa with naturally high iron and zinc, a milestone expected to significantly transform nutrition and agriculture in Zimbabwe and the wider region. The release marks a major step forward in addressing malnutrition, strengthening food security, and improving climate resilience for millions of smallholder farmers who depend on millet as a staple crop. Pearl millet is widely grown in arid and semi-arid areas due to its ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions,…
Building on the success of the previous edition, Macfrut will relaunch the Berry Area in 2026, with a larger exhibition space, an extensive programme of scientific events and an even more international scope. The Berry Area is a leading event for the entire berry and strawberry supply chain. The Italian market for this sector is worth more than 621 million euros and is still growing strongly, with a 15% increase in 2024. The trade fair is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, 21 April to Thursday, 23 April 2026, at the Rimini Expo Centre. Genetic innovation and the market: bridging the gap between research and business ‘We are currently finalising the programme of events, working closely with key Macfrut stakeholders, in particular the exhibiting…
The Brazilian Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, announced the creation of Brazil’s first antigen and vaccine bank against foot-and-mouth disease, designating Biogénesis Bagó as the supplier of antigens for vaccine production through the Paraná Technological Institute (Tecpar) This first Brazilian antigen and vaccine bank for foot-and-mouth disease represents a strategic stock of supplies aimed at the rapid formulation of vaccines in the event of localized outbreaks. The agreement comes as Brazil assumes, for the first time, global leadership in beef production—surpassing the United States—and is set to close 2025 with an estimated 12.345 million tons. In March 2025, Tecpar signed…
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday unveiled the Traditional Medicine (TM) Global Library, a first-of-its-kind digital platform consolidating 1.6 million resources on TM, from scientific studies to Indigenous knowledge. With advanced features like Evidence Gap Maps and an AI-powered tool, TMGL GPT, the Library promises to transform access to trusted information and accelerate research worldwide. The UN health agency unveiled the digital library at the end of the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, jointly organised with the Government of India, concluded on Monday in New Delhi. Innovation took centre stage with the launch of Health & Heritage Innovations (H2I), an initiative to nurture breakthrough ideas…
The Naira on Monday opened the trading week on a stronger note, appreciating against the dollar at the official market to trade at N1,456.56. According to data released on the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Naira gained N7.93. This represents a 0.5 per cent gain when compared to Friday, Dec. 19, when the local currency traded at N1,464.49 to a dollar. The gain represents an improvement for Naira which experienced depreciation in the previous week.
Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has commenced the construction of a dedicated residential complex for doctors at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, to address accommodation shortages and improve healthcare delivery. The project is considered a major investment in healthcare infrastructure and staff welfare. In a statement issued on Monday in Gusau, the Public Relations Officer of FMC Gusau, Dr Naziru Tukur, said the contract was awarded to Gateway International Nigeria Limited for the construction of 26 one-bedroom apartment units. According to the statement, the contractor was mobilized to the site in September 2025, with the project expected to…
The Kaduna State Government has recruited 1,800 health personnel to enhance quality healthcare service delivery across the state. The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Prof. Bello Yusuf-Jamo, disclosed this on Monday in Kaduna during the presentation of probationary appointment letters to the newly recruited personnel. Yusuf-Jamo said the appointment letters were issued after the candidates successfully completed rigorous oral and written examinations, as well as screening exercises, to ensure transparency and merit in the recruitment process. He explained that the list of successful candidates had been displayed at the board’s headquarters to enable beneficiaries to verify their…