Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, has voiced his support for the adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria. Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja, Abdullahi emphasized that GMOs could significantly improve agricultural yields, which remain low in the country. He urged Nigerians to embrace genetic engineering as a means to mitigate risks from pests and enhance food production. “Increasing agricultural yield is critical, and genetic engineering provides a viable solution to challenges like pest infestations,” he said on the sidelines of the 2025 Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Media Awards. Scientists have reassured…
Author: Newsdesk
Community-driven initiatives are at the heart of sustainable development, turning global promises like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into tangible local impact. From eradicating poverty (SDG 1) to promoting gender equality (SDG 5) and ensuring good health (SDG 3), grassroots action plays a critical role. The annual August Meeting—a homecoming and convention of Igbo women’s hometown associations in Southeastern Nigeria—exemplifies such action. During these gatherings, married Igbo women return to their rural hometowns, uniting with co-wives (nwunye di) to discuss community development, manage conflicts, raise funds for infrastructure, and drive economic empowerment—all while preserving cultural values. Recognising the potential of…
The Lagos State Command and Control Centre has launched a public sensitization campaign to educate residents on the proper use of its emergency toll-free numbers, 767 and 112. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos, Mr. Kennedy Giwa, General Manager of the Centre, described the initiative as part of the state government’s renewed efforts to enhance public safety. Giwa explained that the campaign aims to strengthen emergency response across Lagos, especially ahead of the busy Ember months. “This is the period when most emergencies and disasters crystallise, and we record high numbers of incidents,” he said.“It is, therefore, important for…
The Kwara State Government on Wednesday inaugurated the Local Government Area Primary Health Care (PHC) Task Force as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination and service delivery at the grassroots level. Speaking at the inauguration in Ilorin, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, said the initiative underscored the government’s commitment to deepening community ownership and accountability within the PHC system. Elelu, who was represented by the Director of Primary Health Care Systems, Dr. Michael Oguntoye, said the task force would play key roles in monitoring, evaluation, and supervision of intervention programmes…
Information technology experts have urged internet users to recognize the risks associated with online activities and take proactive steps to mitigate them. They noted that while social media has revolutionised communication, access to information, and global interaction, it also exposes users to significant security and privacy threats. The experts spoke in separate interviews with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja. Cybersecurity expert Dr. Olayinka Egbokhare identified the spread of misinformation as one of the most critical risks linked to social media. “False information can spread like wildfire on these platforms, causing harm to individuals, communities, and society as a whole,” Egbokhare…
Scientists at the University of Queensland (UQ) have captured the first-ever high-resolution images of the Yellow Fever Virus (YFV), a potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease that attacks the liver. According to UQ, the breakthrough revealed key structural differences between the vaccine strain (YFV-17D) and the virulent, disease-causing strains of the virus. Yellow fever remains a major public health concern in parts of South America and Africa. With no approved antiviral treatments available, vaccination remains the primary method of prevention, the researchers noted in a study published in Nature Communications. Summa Bibby, a research officer at UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular…
A psychologist, Prof. Andrew Zamani, has called for mandatory psychological assessments for intending couples and security personnel to help reduce rising cases of domestic violence and accidental firearm discharges in the country. Zamani, who is the President of the Pan-African Psychology Union (PASU) and Chairman of the International Union of Psychology Unions’ Committee on Cross-Border Mental Health Issues, made the call in an interview with journalists in Abuja. He said such assessments would help identify potential red flags, prevent future conflicts in relationships, and minimise deaths or injuries resulting from accidental firearm discharges. According to him, while not all psychological…
The Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Mr. Obiora Obeagu, says his administration has enrolled 5,000 indigent residents of the council into the Universal Health Insurance Scheme to improve access to healthcare services. Obeagu disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while speaking with journalists during the 2025 Physicians’ Week and the maiden Enugu Regional Health Summit organised by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). He said his administration prioritised healthcare delivery through targeted interventions aimed at addressing the health needs of residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. According to him, several health centres…
The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) reports significant progress in Rivers State’s Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, achieving more than 95 per cent HIV testing acceptance among pregnant women between 2020 and 2023. Dr Stanley Idakwo, Project Director of the Rivers ASPIRE Project at IHVN, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, noting that the achievement reflected years of strategic community engagement and consistent peer mentorship efforts. Idakwo said data from the District Health Information System (DHIS) indicated that HIV testing among pregnant women had remained between 95 and 100 per cent since 2020, following intensive counseling and…
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, has revealed that the first-ever National Land Transport Policy has been validated by stakeholders and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The minister stated this at the 7th National Conference of the Chartered Institute Of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA) in Abuja yesterday. Senator Alkali also said “Upon my appointment as the minister, I set it as one of my critical objectives and with commitment, perseverance, cooperation of all the major stakeholders, of which CIOTA and its key members made significant contributions; and finally, with the support of Mr President, we…