The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has confirmed the cancellation of a United States–funded study on hepatitis B vaccines involving newborns in Guinea-Bissau, following ethical concerns. Dr Yap Boum, Deputy Incident Manager for Mpox at Africa CDC, disclosed this on Monday during a webinar briefing. Boum said the study did not meet acceptable ethical standards, adding that Africa CDC supports research that informs sound public health policy. He emphasised that all studies conducted on the continent must strictly adhere to internationally recognised ethical principles. He explained that the proposed research design raised serious concerns, particularly the…
Author: Newsdesk
The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Programme at the College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has commenced capacity building for 30 healthcare workers in the state. The training, a three-day programme on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) with emphasis on the foundations of IPC and hand hygiene, began on Monday in Bauchi. Speaking at the opening, Dr Abubakar Sari, Lead Data-to-Action Officer of the CHAMPS Project for the Bauchi Catchment Area, expressed concern over the high burden of infections, particularly among children under five years of age. He said the participants were drawn from…
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) says a fallen tanker incident earlier reported at the Tin Can Island area, popularly known as Liverpool Bridge, has been successfully resolved. The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, gave the assurance in a statement on Monday in Lagos. He said that following a prompt emergency response and effective coordination among relevant stakeholders, fuel leakage from the tanker was swiftly contained. ALSO READ: Expert warns against dangers of bush burning “All necessary safety measures were put in place to prevent further risks to lives, property and the environment,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. According to…
Nigeria must align its policy frameworks and infrastructure investments to harness the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and other emerging digital technologies by 2026, an ICT expert has said. Mr Jide Awe, an ICT expert, made this known on Monday in an interview with reporters in Abuja while outlining the ICT outlook for 2026 and its implications for Nigeria’s digital transformation. He said Nigeria was well positioned to benefit from AI, IoT and cloud technologies, noting that effective deployment could help address challenges in the financial sector, improve public service delivery and drive economic growth.…
A climate and environmental expert, Mr Usman Inuwa, has warned that rampant bush burning poses grave dangers to public health, wildlife and environmental sustainability. Inuwa, the North-East Zonal Coordinator of the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDEVNET), gave the warning in an interview with reporters on Monday in Bauchi. He explained that bush burning undermines the concept of “One Health” or “Planetary Health,” which emphasizes the close link between human health, animal wellbeing and the environment. According to him, uncontrolled fires are accelerating biodiversity loss while exposing both humans and animals to serious health risks. Inuwa noted that Nigeria is…
At least 21 people have been confirmed dead and more than 70 others injured after a tragic high-speed train collision in southern Spain on Sunday night. Ashenews reports that the disaster occurred near Córdoba when a high-speed train derailed and crossed onto an opposite track, crashing into an oncoming passenger train. Hundreds of passengers were onboard both trains at the time of the accident. According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), emergency responders worked through the night to rescue survivors, with dozens rushed to hospitals, including several in critical condition. Spanish authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine…
India has received an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to join his “Board of Peace” initiative that is aimed at resolving global conflicts, beginning with Gaza, a senior official said on Sunday. “Board of Peace” is meant to oversee governance and reconstruction in postwar Gaza. The White House had said there would be a main board, chaired by Trump himself, a Palestinian committee of technocrats meant to govern the war-wracked territory, and a second “executive board” that appears designed to have a more advisory role.However, there is yet no confirmation from the government whether India would join the initiative. The foreign…
Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged the Federal Government’s continued support for Nigerian farmers under the auspices of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), saying that when farmers thrive, the nation thrives. Shettima gave the assurance at the closing ceremony of the three-day General Assembly of Farmers (GAF) meeting, themed “Empowering Farmers, Fostering Collaboration,” held in Abuja. Speaking on behalf of the Vice President, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Dr. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, said the Nutrition 774 Initiative places farmers at the centre of Nigeria’s fight against malnutrition. She described agriculture as not only an…
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has rescued a driver who was trapped in a multiple-vehicle crash at Ojota, inbound Ketu, along the Ikorodu Road axis of Lagos. The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday. Giwa urged motorists to remain prudent and safety-conscious while on the road, stressing the importance of adhering to speed limits, exercising patience, and remaining vigilant in areas with high pedestrian activity. According to him, preliminary incident reports revealed that a Toyota Sienna saloon car with registration number KRD 311 JH…
Concerns are mounting over the continued detention of several Nigerian military officers arrested in October last year over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with critics questioning the legality and motives behind their prolonged custody without formal charges. The officers, reportedly detained by the Nigerian Army, have remained in custody for months without being arraigned before any court or court martial. There have also been claims that their families and legal representatives have been denied access to them, raising further questions about their welfare, including access to adequate healthcare. The alleged coup plot, which authorities initially linked…