As urbanization continues to reshape Nigeria’s economic landscape, digital financial platforms are playing a crucial role in bridging the credit gap for small-scale entrepreneurs and the self-employed. Recent data shows that by 2024, more than 128 million Nigerians—over half of the population—reside in urban centres such as Lagos, Kano, and Abuja in search of sustainable livelihoods. Margaret Banasko, Head of Marketing at FairMoney Microfinance Bank (MFB), highlighted this trend in a statement on Tuesday. She noted that many urban dwellers are young entrepreneurs eager to turn their skills into income but are often constrained by the strict requirements of traditional…
Author: Newsdesk
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has stressed that improving human living conditions is critical to eradicating malaria in Nigeria. Dr. Adeola Olukosi, Director of Research and Head of NIMR’s Malaria Research Group, made the assertion during the December edition of the NIMR Monthly Media Chat on Tuesday in Lagos. Olukosi explained that environmental factors play a major role in sustaining malaria in many regions, noting that while significant progress has been made in some countries, living conditions remain the primary line of defense. “In parts of the world where malaria has been eliminated, improved living conditions were instrumental.…
Polaris Bank has distributed female hygiene essentials to students of Kuramo and Victoria Island Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in Lagos. A statement issued by the bank’s media unit on Wednesday in Lagos said the initiative reflects Polaris Bank’s commitment to empowering the Nigerian girl-child through health education and essential support. According to the statement, the outreach is part of the bank’s 2025 International Women’s Day activities and its ongoing Adolescent Health and Hygiene Support Programme. The initiative, implemented through the bank’s Girl-Child Support and Hygiene Education Programme, aims to improve menstrual hygiene education, build confidence and dignity among young…
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems to drive investment in the Red Meat and Coconut value chains. A two-day Investment Roundtable, held on Tuesday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, focused on validating key investment proposals under the Lagos State Red Meat Initiative and the Coconut Value Chain Programme. The initiative builds on extensive technical support provided through the FAO Technical Cooperation Project, “Technical Support for Feasibility and Value Chain Analysis of Lagos State Cattle Feedlot Farm Estate,” and the FAO–UNIDO-supported Coconut…
Dr Nuhu Bile, State Epidemiologist at the Gombe State Ministry of Health, says no fewer than 54 snakebite-related deaths have been recorded in the state in 2025. Bile disclosed this on Tuesday in Gombe during a meeting of the State Public Health Emergency Management Committee (S-PHEMC). The meeting, supported by UNICEF, was chaired by the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Mr Manassah Jatau, who also serves as Chairman of the committee. Presenting a summary of surveillance activities for 2025, Bile said that 1,591 snakebite cases were recorded at the Snakebite Hospital in Kaltungo during the period under review. He said…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has commended the appointment of Prof. Chituru Orluwene as the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Wike gave the commendation in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, on Tuesday in Abuja. The minister thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing another indigene of Rivers State to a federal position. He said Tinubu had consistently demonstrated goodwill towards Rivers State and its people, adding that they would continue to support him to sustain…
Prof. Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu has said that effective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) remains fundamental to sustainable development, environmental protection and good governance in Nigeria. Vincent-Akpu, the immediate past President of the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN), stated this in an interview with reporters on Tuesday in Lagos. She spoke after receiving AEIAN’s Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her contributions to the association’s growth and institutional strengthening. Expressing gratitude, Vincent-Akpu described the award as humbling and encouraging. “I am grateful and deeply humbled by this recognition. I thank God that the association remembered our work and deemed it…
Prof. Benard Odoh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Valcertra, says the company’s digital trading platform will address key challenges confronting African exporters. The online trading platform, scheduled for unveiling in 2026, was presented on Tuesday in Abuja during a demonstration session with stakeholders ahead of its official launch. Odoh said the platform would serve as a secure marketplace for buying, selling and exporting products from Nigeria and other African countries. According to him, Valcertra is designed as Africa’s first full-stack trade infrastructure, purpose-built to tackle the systemic bottlenecks that have constrained African exports for decades. He noted that Africa…
The Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF) says good sanitation and improved menstrual hygiene in Nigerian schools encourage girls to attend schools. According to YEF, it also brings visible changes to students’ welfare and relations between boys and girls. Mr Tony Eleme, Programme Manager, YEF, made the assertion at a Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) media engagement session, in Lagos on Tuesday. The engagement brought together the media, students, teachers, facilitators and other stakeholders in the MHM space. Eleme said the project, which relied on a significant funding boost of one million pounds, focused on diverse areas of MHM, including upgrading sanitation facilities…
The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has commenced integration of a comprehensive cancer screening programme into Family Planning (FP) services across Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs). Dr Yahaya Makanta, the NICRAT Consultant, said that the pilot integration of comprehensive cancer screening into FP services at the PHC level would commence in some states across Nigeria. Makanta made the disclosure on Tuesday in Ilorin while speaking at the entry meeting with stakeholders on the integration of cancer prevention services into FP services in Kwara. The consultant listed states on the pilot scheme to include Kwara, Ebonyi (South East), Cross…