The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has announced the postponement of the 2025 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that festival to be hosted by Enugu State was scheduled to commence on Nov 22. However, the postponement announcement was made in statement by Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister on Saturday in Abuja. He said decision for the postponement was made after a careful assessment of the national mood and the recent insecurity across different parts of the country. “In…
Author: Newsdesk
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has affirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the condition of correctional facilities in the state. Otti spoke, on Friday, when the Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Owerri, Zone E, Dr Ngozi Amanze, visited him in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA. He said that the centres must reflect their mandate of rehabilitation, rather than punishment. He said that the renaming of Nigerian prisons to Nigerian Correctional Service was a significant step, as it underscores the hope and rehabilitation expected of such facilities. Otti recalled that shortly after assuming office, he met a former National…
The Federal Government has directed the closure of 47 Unity colleges across the state as a result of the recent abduction of boarding school children and the increasingly rise of insecurity. The school’s include: 1. FGGC MINJIBIR 2. FTC GANDUJE 3. FGGC ZARIA 4. FTC KAFANCHAN 5. GC BAKORI 6. FTC DAYI 7. FC DAURA 8. F GGC TAMBUWAL 9. FSC SOKOTO 10. FTC WURNO 11. FGC GUSAU 12. FGC ANKA 13. FGGC GWANDU 14. FGC BIRNIN YAURI 15. C ZURU 16. GGC KAZAURE 17. FGC KIYAWA 18. FTC HADEJA 19. GGC BIDA 20. FGC NEW-BUSSA 21. FTC KUTA-SHIRORO 22.…
Telecommunications giant MTN Group on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to deepening economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa. A statement by the company said the pledge was made during the Nigeria–South Africa Presidential Trade and Investment Breakfast Dialogue. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, described the high-level meeting as pivotal for aligning private sector capabilities with the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda. Edun assured investors of the government’s readiness to support them, emphasizing that Nigeria’s borders remain open to legitimate business. “Nigeria is open for business, safe for investment,” he said. ALSO READ: Uniccon…
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the National Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) on Friday inducted a new set of engineering graduates into the profession. The ceremony, held at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) for the 2023/2024 class, was described as the first of its kind in any Nigerian polytechnic. NATE National President, Mr Dominic Udoatan, said the induction marked a significant step toward aligning engineering technology graduates with global standards. Represented by the association’s General Secretary, Mr Kayode Ibidapo, Udoatan said the initiative was in line with the Sydney Accord of the International…
Stakeholders on Friday urged government hospitals to prioritize strategic planning, innovation and technology to improve healthcare delivery in Lagos State and across the country. They made the call at the 2025 Strategic Management Retreat organized by the Orile Agege General Hospital (OAGH) at Orchid Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. The two-day retreat has the theme, “Re-inventing Healthcare Excellence: Balancing Innovation, People and Sustainability.” Dr. Atinuke Onayiga, Chairperson of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, emphasized the importance of planning and innovation in enhancing patient care. Onayiga said strategic plans provide a framework for aligning hospital vision and values, adding that such plans…
The Uniccon Group of Companies says Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven diagnostics will transform healthcare delivery across Africa. The Chairman of Uniccon Group and Founder of MySmartMedic, Prof. Chuks Ekwueme, stated this in an interview with journalists on Friday in Abuja. Ekwueme spoke ahead of the Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Telemedicine and Digital Health Access in Africa, organized by MySmartMedic and scheduled to hold in Abuja on Nov. 25. The programme, themed “Telemedicine and Digital Health Access in Africa,” will bring together government leaders, regulators, healthcare executives, innovators and development partners to collectively reimagine the future of health service delivery on the continent.…
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Friday inaugurated a Digital Economy Advisory Council to strengthen the state’s ongoing tech-driven transformation. Speaking at the inauguration in Osogbo, Adeleke—represented by the Commissioner for Political Affairs and Regional Integration, Dr. Biyi Odunlade—said the council was part of his administration’s long-term strategy to build a robust digital economy. He said the council would guide the state on policies, projects and partnerships that would expand digital capacity. “Your role will include advising the government on innovation, digital skills, data governance, emerging technologies and the future of work,” he said. “We want Osun to be…
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Primary Health Care Board (FPHCB) has called on the media to support publicity for the second phase of the 2025 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW). Dr. Ruquayya Wamako, Executive Secretary of the board, made the appeal during a one-day media orientation held on Friday. She said the five-day exercise is scheduled to run from Saturday, Nov. 22, to Wednesday, Nov. 26. Wamako, who was represented by Dr. Okoli Nicholas, Acting Director of Primary Health Care, said media support is vital to mobilize mothers of children under five and pregnant women to participate in…
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has confirmed that 227 students and teachers were abducted during Thursday’s attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State. The Chairman of CAN in the state, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, disclosed the updated figure in a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Daniel Atori, and made available to ASHENEWS. “I just got back to the village tonight. I visited the school, where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the state…