The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Southwest and Lagos Chapter, has called for greater private sector investment in the agriculture sector to enhance food security and improve farmers’ livelihoods. The Chairman of AFAN Southwest and Lagos State, Mr. Femi Oke, made the appeal on Thursday in Lagos following a recent intervention by the African US Trade Connect, which provided agricultural equipment and financial grants to farmers. Oke noted that the support demonstrated how private sector participation could complement government efforts in developing the agricultural value chain. “The empowerment we are enjoying today is from the private sector. We met…
Author: Newsdesk
The first female Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Yetunde Olumide, has inaugurated the newly established Dermatology Centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to enhance skincare outcomes in Nigeria and beyond. Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday in Lagos, Prof. Olumide described the facility as “a centre of excellence for dermatology care.” She said the new centre would improve patient outcomes while providing opportunities for teaching, learning, and research in dermatology and related fields. According to her, the facility—fully equipped with modern dermatology equipment—would serve as a global hub for research and healthcare…
The National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) has announced that it has distributed more than 320 million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) and 450 million blisters of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Amodiaquine (SPAQ) to children under five years across Nigeria since 2009. Dr. Nnenna Ogbulafor, National Coordinator of NMEP, disclosed this on Thursday in Minna during the flag-off of the 2025 Mass Distribution Campaign for insecticide-treated nets in Niger State. The campaign is being implemented in collaboration with the Global Fund, Catholic Relief Services, Malaria Consortium, and the Society for Family Health. Dr. Ogbulafor, represented by Mrs. Mary Esema, Head of Integrated Vector Management at…
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday administered the oath of office to Dr Bernard Doro and Dr Kingsley Udeh, officially inducting both men into the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Ashenews reports that the ceremony was held at 1:52 p.m. inside the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the first FEC meeting since July 2025. With their swearing-in, Plateau and Enugu, two states that had been without ministerial representation for weeks, now have their seats restored in the federal cabinet. Doro, a UK-trained clinical practitioner and public health administrator, was nominated on October 21 to replace Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda,…
The Senate has ordered the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory bodies to enforce, without compromise, the ban on high-strength alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets beginning December 2025. The lawmakers insisted that no further extension beyond the current moratorium would be permitted, saying the industry must comply with the agreed deadline. Sources reports that the resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who urged the upper chamber to halt fresh attempts by some manufacturers to seek another extension. Leading the debate, Senator Ekpeyong reminded the Senate that NAFDAC had…
Dr Kingsley Udeh, until recently the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Enugu State, was sworn in to replace Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who resigned on October 7 amid controversies surrounding his academic records. Udeh, who was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) shortly before his nomination, was put forward by the President on November 4 and promptly confirmed by the Senate. Their induction brings Tinubu’s cabinet strength to 48 ministers. Following the formalities, President Tinubu presided over the FEC meeting. Before the session went behind closed doors, the Coordinating…
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year ban on the establishment of new federal Universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Ashenews learnt that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated that the decision was made during the FEC meeting on Thursday, chaired by President Bola Tinubu. Alausa said the latest development followed concerns over under-utilised institutions, poor infrastructure, and declining academic quality. He clarified that while the suspension applies to both public and private tertiary institutions, nine pending private universities were approved after meeting the stringent requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC). While describing the reform as a “reset button” for…
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says he is committed to revolutionising the state’s hospitality sector as part of a broader plan to drive state-wide economic development. Otti disclosed this on Thursday during a meeting with the Hotel Proprietors Association in Abia at the Government House, Umuahia. The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Caleb Ajagba, said that technology remains central to the Rebuild Agenda of the present administration. He urged the hoteliers to modernise their operations and service delivery in order to attract more customers. He said that the State Government seeks a productive partnership with the private…
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Southwest and Lagos Chapter, is seeking increased private sector investment in the agriculture sector to boost food security. The AFAN Southwest and Lagos State chapter, Mr Femi Oke, made the call following a recent intervention by the African US Trade Connect to the association on Thursday in Lagos. Oke said aside from the provision of agricultural equipment, the group provided financial grants to members. “The empowerment of which we are enjoying today is from the private sector, we met the company in the United States during a conference we attended. “The African US…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the modernisation of traditional Islamic schools to tackle the surging scourge of terrorism and violent extremism across the sub-region. President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja at the West African Islamic Conference on Security and Governance. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was themed: The Role of Islamic Organisations in Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in West Africa and the Sahel. According to him, modernising and protecting the schools, students and teachers will end street begging phenomenon, child…