The Kaduna State Government has validated revised agricultural policy documents aimed at improving food production, strengthening food systems and boosting agribusiness in the state. The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Murtala Dabo, disclosed this on Thursday in Kaduna at a roundtable meeting held under the Policy on Agricultural Systems Strengthening (PASS). It was reported that the PASS programme is supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), with technical assistance from Synergos. Dabo said the review reflected the commitment of the administration of Gov. Uba Sani to revitalizing the agricultural sector since assuming office in May 2023.…
Author: Newsdesk
Psychiatrist links rising mental illness to Nigeria’s economic crisisPsychiatrist links rising mental illness to Nigeria’s economic crisis Obindo, who is also a consultant psychiatrist, made the assertion in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Lagos. He said that lack of food, insecurity, inflation, and the growing number of unemployed and underemployed Nigerians had left many people frustrated, a situation that could lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. According to him, the country’s economic situation is particularly unfavourable to the average Nigerian, noting that widespread hardship had increased vulnerability to mental health disorders. Obindo explained that many Nigerians were experiencing…
An agricultural extension officer, Lawan Masa, has advised farmers in Bauchi State to adopt improved farming practices ahead of the dry-season planting period to minimize losses caused by pests and crop diseases. Masa gave the advice on Thursday in Bauchi during an interaction with journalists. He noted that although many farmers engage in both wet- and dry-season cultivation, the dry season presents unique challenges that require careful planning and adherence to best practices. The extension officer recalled that over the last three years, farmers in the state recorded severe pest infestations and crop diseases despite extension support provided by relevant…
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 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 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 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 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…
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Plateau Specialist Hospital, Prof. Christopher Yilgwan, has disclosed that a bill seeking to upgrade the hospital to a teaching hospital has been submitted to the Plateau State House of Assembly. Yilgwan made the announcement on Thursday in Jos during the hospital’s 2025 end-of-year get-together and retirees’ award night. He described the move as a major step toward strengthening medical education, research, and healthcare delivery in Plateau State. According to him, the proposed upgrade would enable the hospital to train medical students and other health professionals while improving specialist services and partnerships. “The upgrade is…