A former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, says Nigeria urgently needs scientific breakthroughs to drive sustainability and secure a better future. Nnaji, a Professor of Robotics and Engineering, stated this at the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Science (NPS) Roadshow with the theme “Innovation in ICT, AI and Digital Technologies for Development” on Tuesday in Abuja. The NPS is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) in partnership with Ventures Park. Nnaji, who is the Chairman of the NPS Advisory Board, said the prize had, since inception, stimulated Nigerians’ potential to contribute to knowledge and fundamental advancements in various fields. He…
Author: Newsdesk
Lagos State has introduced two new health insurance plans to provide diasporans and festive-season visitors with affordable, reliable medical coverage, strengthening access and reducing health risks during the high-traffic “Detty December” period. The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr Emmanuella Zamba, made this known on Tuesday at the agency’s 2025 Fourth Quarter Media Parley in Lagos. Zamba said the initiative marked a major expansion of the Ilera-Eko diaspora offerings, deepening access, strengthening health financing and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). She explained that the new plans — Ilera-Eko Waka-Well and Ilera-Eko Home Konnect…
Leaders from Eastern and Southern Africa will gather in Lusaka from Dec. 11 to 12, 2025, for a landmark conference expected to produce a unified One Health Call to Action. The initiative aims to strengthen the region’s response to rising health, environmental and climate-related threats. Ms Winnie Kariuki of Global Health Strategies disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. She said the summit was taking place at a decisive moment for the region. “Hosted by the Government of Zambia in collaboration with SADC, the World Bank and the Quadripartite Alliance, the Regional One Health Conference will bring together…
The Pathfinder Women and Children Development Initiative (PWCDI), an NGO, has reactivated its response teams to address cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and strengthen community partnerships across Sokoto State. The initiative’s Facilitator, Hajia A’isha Dantsoho, disclosed this during a sensitisation lecture organised as part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV on Tuesday in Sokoto. Dantsoho emphasised the need for increased community engagement, educational awareness and interpersonal discussions to address the rising prevalence of GBV in society. She underscored the need for governments at all levels to prioritise the establishment of volunteer response teams to support GBV…
The House of Representatives on Tuesday accused commercial banks of perpetrating illegality by deducting inexplicable monies from customers without remittances. The House Ad-hoc Committee Chairman, investigating deduction of taxes from civil and public servants earnings and bank charges on customers account, Rep. Kelechi Nwogu, said this during an investigative panel in Abuja. Nwogu reiterated the panel’s mandate to ensure that all deductions or charges by banks on accounts of customers must be deducted rightly, fined rightly and used rightly. “Commercial banks are perpetrating illegality by deducting inexplicable charges from civil servants, public servants and other customers bank accounts without remittances,”…
WaterAid Nigeria on Tuesday launched a project titled “Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery in Lagos — Year III” to expand access to clean water and improve sanitation. The initiative, aimed at enhancing access to clean water, upgrading sanitation facilities, and promoting hygiene behaviors in public schools and communities, focuses on Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the project was unveiled at an event in Ikeja. This marks the third year of a broader programme designed to make water and sanitation services more effective, resilient, and sustainable. Speaking at the…
South Africa recently voted against a United Nations resolution on ‘Agricultural Technology for Sustainable Development.’ The decision defies logic and undermines SA’s own economic interests. While 129 nations, including most of Africa, voted in favour, South Africa joined just 28 states in opposing what developing countries urgently need: climate-smart farming, water-efficient irrigation and agritech tools to build rural resilience. The resolution contained no political clauses, no reference to conflict, and no ideological language. It was a practical, developmental initiative aligned to South Africa’s stated policy objectives of empowering small farmers, women, youth and rural communities. South Africa rejected it for…
Prof. Charles Onyenekwe of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra, has called on Nigeria to strengthen its health security framework to avert potentially severe national consequences. Onyenekwe made the call on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at the Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony of qualified graduates of Medical Laboratory Science at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State. The guest lecturer said the warning became necessary due to evolving disease threats amid Nigeria’s growing population. He noted that the country’s health system was already showing signs of strain and could become increasingly vulnerable without immediate investment in manpower, technology, and training. “The nation’s capacity…
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Value 360 Ventures, an international agribusiness organization, to improve fertilizer quality and soil fertility for enhanced food security. AFAN President, Dr. Farouk Rabiu-Mudi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the MoU signing ceremony. Rabiu-Mudi said the partnership aligns with AFAN’s commitment to easing farming systems and improving the livelihoods of farmers across Nigeria, particularly grassroots and smallholder farmers. “We are very happy to partner with Value 360 today. This is the kind of partnership we always pursue—partnerships capable of bringing positive changes to Nigeria’s…
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says it has facilitated the establishment of 24,000 youth-led agribusinesses in the Niger Delta under the Federal Government/IFAD Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) programme. IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting on Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship in Nigeria for Food Systems Transformation in Abuja. The event is organized by the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the LIFE-ND programme. Ekoue said the achievement was made possible through structured apprenticeship, mentorship, and innovative support for youth and women. She noted that the federal…