Key players in Niger State’s agricultural value chain gathered in Minna for the first medium edition of the AGRA–Niger Foods Rice Trade Fair and Exhibition, aimed at strengthening food security and promoting market linkages. The event, organised by Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited in collaboration with AGRA, took place at the Niger Foods warehouse Maikunkele, bringing together farmers, processors, millers, distributors, retailers, and policymakers. The trade fair served as a platform to drive collaboration, showcase locally produced rice, and encourage investment in mechanised farming and modern processing technologies. It also provided free marketing opportunities for Micro, Small,…
Author: Newsdesk
Dr Ozovehe Shehu, a Chemical Pathologist, has been appointed the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Lokoja. The Ebira Doctors’ Forum (EDF) confirmed the appointment in a statement signed by its Secretary, Dr Moses Shaibu, on Monday in Lokoja. The association commended the Federal Government for appointing one of its members as the substantive CMD of FTH Lokoja. The EDF congratulated Dr Shehu and expressed confidence in his ability to transform the health institution. According to the EDF, Shehu’s achievements reflect his dedication to service, advocacy, and the welfare of workers. “The Ebira medical family…
A Non-Governmental Organisation, New Incentives–All Babies Are Equal, says it enrolled 172,265 infants and disbursed N1.594 billion to caregivers in January 2026 to boost routine immunisation uptake across Northern Nigeria. The organisation disclosed this on Monday in its January 2026 Programme Report covering 11 states. The report highlights a significant expansion in reach while drawing attention to persistent systemic challenges affecting programme implementation in the region. The report showed that the programme, implemented across 11 northern states, conducted 43,915 disbursement sessions, supported by 2,287 field officers responsible for payments, coordination, and engagement with caregivers and communities. It added that 9,547…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to compensate subscribers whose network quality of service falls below specified targets in particular locations. The Head of the Public Affairs Department at the NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Ukoha said the commission believes subscribers should not bear the full burden of service disruptions when operators fail to meet prescribed standards of service delivery. According to her, under the new directive, erring operators will directly compensate affected users for breaches of Quality of Service (QoS) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). “Mobile Network Operators…
The Kwara State Government has partnered with Olam Agri to curb post-harvest losses and boost farmers’ profitability across the state. The development was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Ilorin by Ashaolu Omotola, Press Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture. The agreement was signed by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Afees Alabi, and Olam Agri’s Vice President for Procurement, Noel Ferrao. Alabi described post-harvest losses as a major constraint on farmers’ incomes and overall agricultural efficiency in the state. He stressed the need for improved storage systems, describing them as practical tools to preserve produce and reduce…
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze and sunshine from Monday to Wednesday across the country. The agency released its weather outlook on Sunday in Abuja. NiMet said moderate dust haze is expected over parts of Kebbi and Kano States in the northern region on Monday, with horizontal visibility ranging between 2 and 5 kilometres. Other northern states will experience sunny and hazy skies. “For the central region, moderate dust haze is forecast over parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Niger State. The remaining states in the zone are expected to remain sunny and hazy throughout the…
The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise early detection, treatment completion, and increased domestic funding to curb the rise of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Nigeria. Dr. Patrick Dakum, Chief Executive Officer of IHVN, made the call in an interview with reporters on Sunday in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 World TB Day. MDR-TB is largely caused by incomplete or improper treatment of TB, including skipped doses, wrong drug combinations, poor-quality medicines, or interruptions in drug supply. It can also occur when individuals are directly infected with already-resistant strains, especially in…
The National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases (NIPHD), Saye in Zaria, conducted free tuberculosis screening and testing as part of activities marking the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day. The institute also offered free medical consultations, benefiting residents from various communities while promoting early detection, treatment, and awareness of the impact of tuberculosis. World Tuberculosis Day, observed annually on March 24, aims to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social, and economic effects of tuberculosis. The day also promotes global efforts toward prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment of the disease. The outreach programme took place at the Primary…
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to significantly increase budgetary allocation for tobacco control. CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, made the call in a statement signed by Robert Egbe, Media and Communications Officer, on Sunday in Abuja. Oluwafemi said Nigeria’s current budgetary allocation remains grossly inadequate to address the growing public health threat posed by tobacco and emerging nicotine products. He urged the government to raise the annual tobacco control allocation to at least N300 million and ensure sustained increases in subsequent budgets. He noted that current funding levels fall…
Mrs Mary Oritimehin, Provost of Oasis College of Nursing Sciences, Kuje, Abuja, has urged governments at all levels to improve the remuneration of nurses to motivate them to give their best to the profession. Oritimehin made the call during the matriculation of 113 students of the college in Abuja. She also advocated for an improved working environment for nurses to stem brain drain in the health sector. She noted that Nigerian nurses are highly valued abroad because of the rigorous training they receive in the country. However, she lamented that poor remuneration and harsh working conditions in Nigeria are pushing…