PZ Cussons, the Manchester-headquartered consumer goods group behind brands such as Imperial Leather, Carex and Premier, has confirmed it will retain its Africa business and pursue a new phase of growth across Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, reversing earlier indications that it might sell the division. The decision, announced on December 11 in a statement published on the company’s website, concludes a strategic review launched in April 2024. The Group said that keeping the business will deliver stronger long-term value for shareholders than the offers it received for a sale. The updated direction reflects the company’s ambition to balance its portfolio…
Author: Newsdesk
The United States has signed a five-year health cooperation agreement with Eswatini valued at $242 million, reinforcing the Trump administration’s push to recast global health assistance around domestic responsibility and long-term self-reliance. Under the memorandum of understanding, signed on Friday, Washington intends to provide up to $205 million in health support, while Eswatini has committed to increasing its own health spending by $37 million over the duration of the agreement, according to the US State Department. From aid to shared responsibility The agreement forms part of President Donald Trump’s ‘America First Global Health Strategy’, unveiled in September, which seeks to move…
Kemya climate activist Truphena Muthoni has set a new world record by hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours, completing the feat on Thursday in Nyeri County. The 22-year-old began the challenge on Monday, aiming to surpass her earlier 48-hour effort. The attempt, widely reported by Kenyan media, formed part of her campaign to highlight the protection of indigenous tree species while raising awareness of mental wellness. Local officials and community groups monitored the event throughout the three days, with residents visiting the site to witness the endurance challenge. Observers described how Muthoni stayed wrapped around the trunk even during…
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 33-year-old Mohammed Sani, commonly called Gamboli, a notorious supplier of illicit drugs to bandits, after three weeks on the run from his home in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. He was arrested at his hideout following credible intelligence about his illicit drug activities. NDLEA operatives had on 20 November 2025 raided his house at Anguwan Makera, Kuta, where they recovered 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis. Though he escaped arrest during the raid and had been in hiding, the manhunt for him…
The European Union and the Government of Gombe State have formally launched a landmark initiative to improve healthcare delivery in the state, following similar launches across other states in Nigeria. The Nigeria Solar for Health Project (NISHP) was unveiled in Gombe alongside the inauguration of a Project Implementation Steering Committee, which will guide the deployment and oversight of solar electrification of healthcare facilities across the state. Speaking at the launch, the Head of Section, Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, highlighted the urgent need for reliable electricity in healthcare settings. “Electricity is…
The House of Representatives has decried the rising spate of rape and molestation of women and girls in the country, saying it will review existing laws to ensure stiffer sanctions for perpetrators. Deputy Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, said it would no longer be business as usual for offenders. Halims, who represents Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro constituency in Kogi State, stated this at the weekend in Abuja during the one-year anniversary of The Victoria Show and the launch of the book From Silence to Strength, authored by Jennifer Hembafan Alih. He pledged full parliamentary backing, saying: “By act…
Dr. Iorfa Tor-Ayiin, a Consultant Family Physician at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, has advised Nigerians to undertake regular medical check-ups to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Tor-Ayiin gave the advice during an interview with reporters at the closing session of the 9th Annual Abuja Cardiovascular Symposium (ACS) in Abuja. The symposium, themed “Hypertension, Diabetes and Heart Disease: Domesticating Global Solutions to Nigeria’s Deadly Trio,” was organized by Cardiocare Multi-Specialty Hospital, a subsidiary of Limi Hospital, Abuja. The two-day event attracted medical professionals from various health disciplines. Tor-Ayiin explained that the symposium focused on hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease because they…
Thrive Agric has called on the Federal Government to implement policy reforms, enhance funding mechanisms, and expand basic technology skills education in schools. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Uka Eje, made the appeal at the third edition of the Abuja Tech Converge in Abuja. Eje said that widespread technology skills education would accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and create opportunities for young people. He noted that while Nigeria has abundant tech talent, effective knowledge transfer requires deliberate policies exposing youths to practical learning and employable skills. “The private sector is ready to train people, but the government should link them to…
Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Federal Capital Territory Chapter has called for community education to challenge harmful norms in the six area councils of the FCT. President of MWAN-FCT chapter, Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu, made the call on behalf of the association at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday. Umeakuewulu said harmful norms were part of what brought an increase to Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Nigerian communities. She also called for strengthening of the capacity of health workers to identify, manage, and refer survivors of SGB to where they could get justice, stressing that the issue is becoming…
The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming the livelihoods of at least 450,000 rural households by 2029. The commitment will be achieved through the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) 2024–2029. The pledge was reiterated on Saturday in Abuja on the sidelines of the Second Annual Results Review Workshop of the COSOP 2024–2029. The Federal Government/IFAD COSOP, adopted in 2024, aims to promote inclusive and resilient growth of the rural economy through market-driven agrifood systems transformation to enhance food and nutrition security. Its strategic objective is to sustainably increase the productive…