Airtel Nigeria on Thursday announced a partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink, marking a technological shift that will integrate “Direct-to-Cell” satellite technology into the country’s mobile ecosystem. Speaking at a news conference in Lagos, Airtel Nigeria CEO Dinesh Balsingh said the initiative would bridge the digital divide and expand connectivity to Nigeria’s most challenging terrains. The partnership, set to go live in 2026, aims to serve the estimated 12 percent of Nigerians who remain outside the reach of traditional terrestrial mobile networks. Unlike traditional bulky and costly satellite phones, the new Starlink “Direct-to-Cell” system uses a constellation of approximately 650 advanced satellites…
Author: Newsdesk
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has inaugurated the vaccination of 2,500 livestock against Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in Yobe State. Dr. Mitchell Alao, Director of Animal Health and Reproductive Services at the ministry, launched the campaign in Damaturu on Thursday. The programme was facilitated by Messrs Astute Synergy Limited. Alao described CBPP as one of the most economically damaging trans-boundary animal diseases affecting Nigeria’s cattle population. “For years, the disease has posed a persistent threat to sustainable livestock development and market opportunities for pastoralists and cattle farmers. Its impact—marked by reduced productivity, high mortality, and severe economic losses—undermines rural…
Nigeria is moving closer to achieving end-to-end vaccine manufacturing as Innovative Biotech Nigeria advances plans to establish a fully integrated vaccine production facility, the company’s CEO, Dr. Simon Agwale, has confirmed. Agwale, Chairman of the Technology Working Group and Vice Chairman of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative (AVMI), made the disclosure in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Abuja. The project, under development for nearly two decades, aims to cover the entire vaccine value chain, including research and development, active pharmaceutical ingredient production, and downstream formulation and fill-and-finish operations. “Most vaccine facilities in Africa only perform formulation or packaging…
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a key driver of food security and inclusive economic growth. Kyari made the remarks on Thursday during the Combined National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) meeting in Abuja. Describing the NPSC as “a strategic committee that sits at the intersection of policy authority, development financing, and the national imperative to secure the nation’s food systems,” the minister emphasized the ministry’s resolve to exercise its oversight mandate with “renewed firmness, zero tolerance for inefficiency, and uncompromising accountability.” “The era of business-as-usual is…
The Association of Scrap and Waste Pickers of Lagos (ASWOL) on Thursday held a Train-the-Trainer programme on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) to promote safety among waste pickers in Lagos State. Speaking during the training, ASWOL President Mr. Friday Oku said the programme is designed to equip members with knowledge of health risks associated with waste picking and measures to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses. “Waste pickers are constantly exposed to hazardous materials and harmful chemicals, making safety education and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) essential,” Oku said. He added: “We are conducting this train-the-trainer programme to help…
The Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Thursday inaugurated Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) for all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to enhance disaster preparedness and response. Speaking at the event in Umuahia, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, urged committee members to take their responsibilities seriously while pledging the government’s support. The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr. Sunday Jackson, said the committees, chaired by the LGA Mayors, would serve as first responders in their respective areas. He noted that the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), had directed all states to establish LEMCs…
The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says the continent achieved improved control of infectious disease outbreaks in 2025, despite rising public health threats. Prof. Yap Boum, Incident Manager for Health Emergencies at Africa CDC, made the remarks on Thursday during the continent’s virtual weekly press briefing. Boum noted that coordinated responses, strengthened surveillance, and expanded vaccination efforts enabled African countries to contain several high-risk outbreaks compared to 2024. He highlighted that major Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda were successfully controlled in 2025. The 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC…
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on Thursday assured residents of Alimosho Local Government Area of its readiness to respond swiftly to emergencies during the yuletide season. Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, made the assurance during a stakeholders’ engagement on emergency preparedness in the council area. Oke-Osanyintolu said that, following directives from the Chief Incident Commander of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, all first responders have been placed on red alert to protect lives and property during the festive period. “We want to assure the good people of Lagos State, particularly residents of Alimosho, that we…
The Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Prof. Bob Ukonu, on Thursday emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap in cancer treatment outcomes in Nigeria. Ukonu made the remarks during the “Mural of Hope: Unveiling Inspiration for Pediatric Cancer Patients” event in Gwagwalada. He was represented by the Acting Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Prof. Joseph Obande. The CMD explained that the Mural of Hope was created through a collaboration of foundations, including BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), Medicaid Cancer Foundation (MCF), Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), and Burkitt’s Lymphoma…
The Zamfara State Ministry of Health on Thursday launched the Safe Delivery Initiative to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare services across the state. The event took place at the Unguwar Dallatu Primary Healthcare Centre in Gusau. Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Maradun, said the initiative aims to upgrade delivery rooms, improve antenatal and postnatal care, equip facilities with essential drugs, and provide skilled birth attendants. Maradun, represented by the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Hussaini Yakubu, noted that the initiative aligns with Governor Dauda Lawal’s Rescue Mission Agenda, which prioritize health…