The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, has dismissed allegations contained in a viral video claiming that its Oncology Department operates in poor conditions and lacks adequate facilities, describing the claims as misleading and inaccurate. In a statement on Tuesday, the Head of the Oncology Department, Dr. Oiza Ahmadu, said the unit remains fully functional, properly equipped, and capable of managing cancer cases efficiently. The video, recorded by a patient undergoing treatment at the hospital, highlighted concerns over health workers’ welfare, inadequate infrastructure, and the overall environment for cancer care. While she praised the dedication of the medical team, she lamented…
Author: Newsdesk
MTN Nigeria has completed the first edition of its Cloud Accelerator Programme, awarding N5 million each to 20 early-stage startups and giving them access to MTN’s cloud stack, APIs, and payment channels to speed up deployment and scale. Selected from a pool of more than 8,000 applicants, the startups went through a 12-week hybrid programme covering cloud engineering, product refinement, business modelling and go-to-market readiness. The initiative is part of MTN’s broader strategy to deepen digital entrepreneurship and grow cloud adoption across Africa. Linda Saint-Nwafor, MTN’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, described the accelerator as a structured attempt to build Africa’s…
The Center for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University Kano (BUK) has sensitized 21 agricultural extension officers from Bauchi, Jigawa, and Kano states on the use of Decision Support Tools (DSTs) to enhance soil fertility management and optimise crop yields. DSTs are digital technologies designed to guide farmers in making precise decisions at every stage of agricultural production, from planting to harvest. The training, supported by the IFDC Soil Values programme, was held in Bauchi from November 29 to 30. Dr. Dahiru Wakili-Habib, Researcher and Soil Specialist at CDA, explained that DSTs help farmers reduce the excessive use of chemical…
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released its first-ever guideline on the use of a new class of weight-loss medicines, signalling a major shift in global health policy as obesity rates climb worldwide. The guidance centres on GLP-1 therapies — including liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide — and offers conditional recommendations for their safe, long-term use as part of comprehensive obesity care. In a statement on Monday, WHO noted that more than one billion people are currently living with obesity, which contributed to an estimated 3.7 million deaths in 2024. Without urgent and sustained action, the number of affected people could…
The death toll from floods across Asia has risen to 1230, as the hardest hit Sri Lanka and Indonesia’s Sumatra Island witnessed a sharp rise in fatalities after authorities deployed military personnel for relief and rescue operations. The weather disturbances that brought heavy rainfall inundated much of Sri Lanka, while Indonesia and Malaysia also suffered significant losses amid heavy rainfall. While much of Southeast Asia is currently in its monsoon season, climate change is altering patterns and producing extreme rainfall triggered by more intense storms. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who arrived in Sumatra on Monday, said, “The worst has passed,…
An NGO, Akoni Care Foundation, has donated 500 exercise books and awarded scholarships to 30 male students in SSS 1 and SSS 2 of Universal Basic Education Secondary School, Gadumo, Lokoja in Kogi. The foundation also donated 300 sanitary pads to female students of the school, emphasising proper hygiene and empowerment for both male and female genders. Speaking to students during the presentation on Monday, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Ms Deborah Agbonika, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to the welfare and development of boys and girls. She emphasised that empowering young people remained central to building a healthier and more productive society.…
South African agritech start-up SwiftVEE has raised about R173 million (roughly US $10.1 million) in a Series A funding round, marking a fresh inflection point for the continent’s digital livestock trading industry. The round was led by Cape Town-based venture capital firm HAVAÍC and private equity firm Exeo Capital, and includes backing from former Old Mutual CEO Iain Williamson, as well as participation from SwiftVEE’s existing shareholders — fund managers and investors such as Mike Kirsten, Carlo Dickson, and Zire Africa. Founded in 2019, SwiftVEE pioneered online livestock trading in Africa. What began as a platform for digital auctions of…
MTN Nigeria has unveiled solutions from 20 early-stage startups, the first cohort of its 12-week Cloud Accelerator programme, during a Demo Day and Investors Mixer held on Monday in Lagos. Ms. Linda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to boosting Africa’s digital economy through locally anchored infrastructure, mentorship, and N100 million funding for the startups. She disclosed that about 8,000 startups applied for the programme, with 20 making it to the finals. Each of the selected startups received N5 million to develop solutions “powered locally and scaled globally.” “For us at MTN, the Cloud…
The Kano State Government has enrolled more than 600 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and 4,200 people living with HIV (PLHIV) into the state’s health insurance scheme to improve access to quality healthcare. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, disclosed this on Monday at a media briefing marking the 2025 World AIDS Day, themed “Overcoming Disruptions, Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response.” Labaran said the enrollment was implemented through the Kano State Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND) in partnership with development organizations. He described the commemoration as an opportunity to stand in solidarity with millions of people living with HIV globally. “For…
Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on Monday urged women to embrace education as a key tool for becoming equal and effective partners in Nigeria’s development. He made the appeal at the inauguration of the World Women Organization (WWO), Nigeria chapter, held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, where he was the guest of honor. Amaechi cited global figures like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the WTO and Amina Mohammed, Deputy UN Secretary-General, as examples showing that educated women can excel internationally. “Education, not marriage, is key to women’s growth. When educated, women become responsible wives and impactful citizens. Women are equal partners in…