Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has inaugurated the Yobe Council on Nutrition 774 Initiative, a programme designed to improve nutrition outcomes across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. The initiative seeks to enhance food security, health, and nutrition through community engagement, multi-level governance, and multi-sectoral collaboration. Speaking at the launch in Damaturu on Wednesday, Buni emphasised the importance of strong coordination, multi-sectoral partnerships, and community participation in achieving the programme’s goals. “The council will serve as the state’s coordinating body for nutrition programming, providing strategic leadership, oversight, and advocacy to ensure that the goals of the Nutrition 774 Initiative…
Author: Newsdesk
Experts have warned that Africa loses about 75 billion dollars annually due to biased credit ratings that inflate borrowing costs and hinder investment on the continent. The warning was issued during a two-day conference held on Wednesday in Dakar, Senegal. The event was jointly organised by AfriCatalyst, the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the African Union Development Agency–NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD). The conference brought together policymakers, economists, and financial experts from across West Africa to discuss how Africa can strengthen its influence in global financial and climate governance. Participants also explored ways to…
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has expressed satisfaction with the level of agricultural investments and processing activities in Kaduna State. Kyari gave the commendation on Wednesday after inspecting facilities at Olam Agri, Tomato Jos, and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) as part of the 47th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS). The minister said the facilities reflected Nigeria’s growing capacity in crop production, value addition, and quality control. “It’s impressive what we’ve seen — from crop production to processing,” Kyari said.“We also saw a quality assurance office being built by Afreximbank to…
A mental health expert, Chioma Onyemobi, has advised journalists covering conflicts to prioritise self-care and mental well-being as they report on wars, insurgencies, communal clashes, and political unrest. Onyemobi made the call during the mental health session of the maiden HumAngle Fellowship for Reporting Conflict and Missing Persons (HCMPF), held on Wednesday in Abuja. The fellowship was organised by HumAngle in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Onyemobi, who serves as the Lead Psychologist at HumAngle, said self-care was essential for conflict reporters due to the nature of their work, which often involves examining the psychological…
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed the death of a tricycle rider in a road traffic accident involving a Volkswagen truck at Ekoro Junction, in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos. According to him, the agency received distress calls through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines at about 10:00 a.m. and immediately activated the State’s Emergency Response Plan from its Igando base. “Upon arrival of the LASEMA Response Team, a Volkswagen truck with registration number AGL 514 XD, loaded with…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the confirmation of its new board members following a successful screening exercise conducted by the National Assembly. In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, the Head of Public Affairs at the NCC, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, said the Senate Committee on Communications approved the appointments after due consideration. According to Ukoha, Idris Olorunnimbe, representing the South-West, was confirmed as Chairman of the NCC Board. ALSO READ: Tanzania’s internet blackout costs $238m, says PIN She added that the Senate also confirmed the appointments of Maryam Bayi (North-East), Senator Ramoni Mustafa (South-West), and Ikechukwu Ugwuegede…
China and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment at the China Commodities Expo-Nigeria 2025 in Lagos, showcasing opportunities for economic cooperation and fostering deeper commercial ties between both nations. Hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and organised by its Trade Bureau, the Expo displayed top Chinese commodities and advanced technologies, providing a key platform for business collaboration and promoting mutual industrial development across multiple sectors. Chinese Consul-General in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, said the exhibition reflected growing confidence and cooperation, supporting Nigeria’s development in digital economy, green energy, infrastructure, and participation in the African Continental…
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the second reading of a bill aimed at facilitating the country’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and promoting green mobility. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, sought to establish a legal framework for EV adoption, local manufacturing, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. Presenting the lead debate, Kalu said the legislation would guide Nigeria’s gradual shift from petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles to cleaner, environmentally friendly alternatives. He highlighted that the transport sector contributed 25–30 per cent of national greenhouse gas emissions, with more than 12 million registered vehicles still relying on fossil fuels.…
Cocoa farmers in Ondo State have appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to suspend and review the recently announced ₦250,000-per-hectare levy imposed on farmers operating in the state’s forest reserves, warning that the policy could cripple livelihoods and threaten the state’s position as Nigeria’s leading cocoa producer. In an open letter made available to PUNCH Online on Wednesday, the National President, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Adeola Adegoke, said the new directive demanding a total of ₦250,000 per hectare from farmers operating in the state has thrown thousands of cocoa farmers into distress. In recent months, the state government introduced a…
The Senate has approved a bill prescribing up to 14 years imprisonment for educators convicted of sexually harassment of students in tertiary institutions. The move comes amid recurring reports of lecturers coercing students for grades, admission advantages and other academic favours. The bill titled Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597), was presented for concurrence by the Deputy Senate Leader, Sen. Oyelola Ashiru, during Wednesday’s plenary. Ashiru explained that the bill was designed to protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct and abuse within academic environments. “While providing clear legal frameworks for the enforcement and punishment…