Eswatini has unveiled a powerful new HIV-prevention injection, marking Africa’s first public rollout of the twice-yearly drug and signalling a major shift in the kingdom’s long-running battle against the virus. The Ministry of Health confirmed the development, which was first reported by both the Associated Press and AFP. Officials described lenacapavir as a ‘transformative tool’ that could redefine prevention in one of the highest-burden nations on earth. A heavy burden on a small nation Eswatini, a country of roughly 1.2 million people, has about 220,000 residents living with HIV. The national prevalence rate has long been the highest in the world,…
Author: Newsdesk
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, has inaugurated new irrigation systems and research farm equipment to accelerate the development and delivery of improved crop varieties at a larger scale. The project, funded by the Crops to End Hunger (CtEH) initiative, was launched at the institute’s headquarters in Ibadan on Thursday. IITA Director-General (DG), Dr. Simeon Ehui, said the project would strengthen the institute’s capacity to better serve farmers in Nigeria and across Africa. “The new infrastructure enhances IITA’s farm research, allowing us to conduct more efficient breeding trials, sustain year-round research, and respond better to climate variability. In…
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has urged the government and agricultural stakeholders to prioritize climate-smart, digital, and gender-responsive innovations in agricultural extension to address food insecurity in Nigeria. Prof. Adamu Ahmed, ABU Vice-Chancellor, made the call on Thursday during the 2025 National Agricultural Extension Review and Planning Meeting, organized by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) in Zaria. He stressed that the annual extension meeting should not be treated as a ceremonial event but as a strategic platform to identify challenges and adopt practical solutions that directly improve farmers’ productivity. The vice-chancellor warned that climate change is…
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, has called for improvements in Nigeria’s medical referral system to ensure better outcomes for emergency health cases. Wasiu made the remarks in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Lagos, expressing concern over lapses in the referral process among hospitals. He noted that many secondary and primary healthcare facilities, including private hospitals, often fail to follow proper referral procedures, resulting in poor outcomes for patients in emergency situations. “Some hospitals refer patients without first contacting tertiary health institutions to confirm their readiness to handle the emergency.…
Prof. Femi Ayoade of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, says funding gaps, weak infrastructure, policy limitations, skill shortages, and evolving regulations are preventing Nigeria from fully benefiting from biotechnology advancements. Ayoade, a professor of Food and Environmental Biotechnology, made the remarks while delivering the university’s 20th Inaugural Lecture on Thursday in Ede. The lecture, themed “Biotechnology as Divine Providence: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation,” focused on how biotechnology could be harnessed for economic growth and poverty reduction in Nigeria. The professor described biotechnology as a revolutionary branch of science that is reshaping industries and improving the quality of…
The Sokoto State Government has approved N1.8 billion for HIV/AIDS kits, drugs, and the renovation of six additional hospitals. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Wurno, disclosed this following the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, noting that N100.6 million has been allocated for HIV testing equipment and treatment as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease. The newly approved hospital projects include facilities in Yabo, Shagari, Sabon-Birni, Tangaza, Goronyo, and the Women and Children Hospital, Sokoto. Each project is valued at several hundred million naira, with a six-month execution period and 30 per cent mobilization fees already released. ALSO…
The Federal Government says soil health is central to achieving food sovereignty and climate resilience in Nigeria. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, made the statement on Thursday in Abuja during the 2025 World Soil Day celebration, themed “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities.” Abdullahi noted that soil forms the backbone of Nigeria’s agriculture, supplying 95 per cent of the nation’s food and providing most of the essential nutrients required for plant growth. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to restoring soil health through sustainable agricultural practices and highlighted the recent launch of the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Lassa fever as a priority pathogen in urgent need of research and development due to its epidemic potential. In a statement on Thursday, WHO announced that the Oxford Vaccine Group has vaccinated the first volunteer in a first-in-human trial of a Lassa fever vaccine. “The first volunteer has received a dose in a first-in-human trial of a Lassa vaccine, marking a major milestone in the fight against this deadly virus,” the organization said. The trial, conducted by the Oxford Vaccine Group and funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), will assess…
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has urged contractors to adopt efficient practices to improve sanitation across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Mrs. Kate Ogbonna, Acting Director of AEPB, made the call during a meeting with the 54 newly inaugurated contractors in the FCT. She stressed that the contractors are responsible for the regular and thorough evacuation of refuse from bins, bus stops, and other public areas. “The aim of this meeting is to have a close discussion on how the work should be done between us, the directors, and the contractors,” Ogbonna said. “You should know your demarcation and…
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, says soil remains the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The minister stated this on Thursday in Abuja during the 2025 World Soil Day celebration, themed “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities.” Abdullahi noted that soil supplies 95 per cent of the country’s food and provides 15 of the 18 essential elements required for plant growth. “Soil supports crop growth and livestock production, purifies water, regulates climate, sequesters carbon, mitigates greenhouse gas emissions and provides habitat for beneficial microorganisms, thereby supporting ecosystem services and biodiversity. “However, our soils are currently…