Residents of Bugau community in Damau Ward, Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have appealed to the state government for urgent intervention over severe infrastructure shortages and lack of agricultural support. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Ibrahim Adamu of Bugau, a community leader, said the town’s lack of modern social amenities and government backing continues to hinder its socio-economic progress. He disclosed that the ancient settlement, home to more than 6,000 residents, struggles to meet growing demand for adult and female literacy programmes initiated by local community groups and international non-governmental organisations. “Our women are eager to learn, but…
Author: Newsdesk
The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD-VCDP) has lauded Anambra farmers for increasingly turning cassava, rice and other farm produce into value-added products. The Anambra Programme Coordinator of VCDP, Dr Deborah Onyefulu, made the commendation at the opening of a two-day Interactive Commodity Promotion Show and Agricultural Fair in Awka on Wednesday. Onyefulu said the development was creating more opportunities for income generation and job creation among farmers. Represented by the Acting State Business and Market Development Officer, Mrs Mary Obiekwe, Onyefulu said the fair was designed to give farmers visibility, create market opportunities and…
Malaysia’s food security has strengthened, but heavy reliance on imported food and agricultural inputs leaves the country vulnerable to external shocks, MBSB Research has said. The research house said in a report on Thursday that geopolitical conflicts could push up the costs of energy, fertiliser, animal feed, freight and packaging, with possible knock-on effects on agricultural yields, food supplies and prices in 2027. It said climate change, El Niño, export restrictions and currency fluctuations could further increase the pressure on food availability and affordability. MBSB said the combination of adverse weather and high input costs could be particularly challenging for…
The Enugu State Government says skilled birth attendance for expectant mothers in health facilities increased from 40.9 per cent in October 2025 to 59.3 per cent in March 2026 statewide. The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said this on Wednesday in Enugu, noting that the increase reflected the government’s investment in healthcare and efforts to reduce maternal mortality. He said the nearly 20 per cent increase reaffirmed the administration’s increased investment in healthcare and focus on reducing maternal and child mortality under Gov. Peter Mbah. According to him, early service data also showed progress, with first antenatal care attendance…
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, a plant breeder and environmental biosafety expert, says science can accelerate Nigeria’s socioeconomic progress by raising productivity, creating jobs and improving public services. Akinbo said this in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Abuja. He said science could help Nigeria build a skilled workforce capable of developing and adapting modern technologies. He added that stronger scientific capacity would also support economic diversification by strengthening agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and the digital economy. “Science is a multiplier; it makes every sector more efficient, resilient and capable of generating wealth and jobs at scale,” he said. Akinbo said…
Orodata Science, a data and civic technology organisation, has called for stronger safeguards for passengers and drivers in Nigeria’s e-hailing sector. Orodata made the call in a report titled “E-Hailing After Uber: Protecting Consumers, Drivers and the Future.” The report examines the implications of Uber’s departure from Nigeria and the future of app-based transportation in the country. It also reviews the changing competitive landscape involving platforms such as Bolt, inDrive, LagRide, Rida, Shuttlers and SafeBoda. According to the organisation, Uber’s exit provides an opportunity to examine how Nigeria’s e-hailing industry can better protect consumers and drivers. It said the future…
The Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, has warned that misdiagnosis could result in unnecessary costs, prolonged illness and loss of lives if accurate laboratory diagnosis is not prioritised. El-Imam said this on Thursday in Ilorin while declaring open a 10-day training for 44 Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) on malaria and tuberculosis microscopy across the state. The training was organised by the Kwara Ministry of Health to strengthen diagnostic capacity and improve healthcare delivery statewide. El-Imam said the quality of information provided by laboratory scientists significantly influences clinical decisions, underscoring the need for accurate diagnosis and sustained professional capacity…
The Department of Climate Change (DCC), Federal Ministry of Environment, and Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) will unveil the third climate governance ranking on Oct. 8. The Subnational Climate Governance Performance Rating and Ranking (SCGPR 3.0) will be launched in Abuja, according to a statement signed by SPP Policy Analyst Mr Timothy Ogenyi and made available to reporters on Thursday in Lagos. Representatives of Nigeria’s 36 states are expected to attend. Participants will include Commissioners for Environment, Directors of Climate Change and climate desk officers from the states. Representatives of federal ministries and agencies, development partners, climate finance institutions,…
An information technology centre has raised concerns over the increasing risk of personal data being compromised as digital platforms and services expand. The centre warned that the growing volume of personal information collected and processed through digital systems requires stronger safeguards to prevent unauthorised access, misuse and exposure. It stressed the need for individuals and organisations to pay greater attention to data protection, particularly as digital transactions and online services become increasingly embedded in everyday activities. The concerns come amid growing cybersecurity risks globally, with organisations facing threats ranging from phishing and social engineering to ransomware and other forms of…
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has urged journalists to strengthen their digital and data-journalism skills to promote transparency, public trust and national development. NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, made the call in a goodwill message delivered by Dr Deborah Dada of the agency’s Media and Corporate Affairs Unit at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Lagos Chapel, 2026 Annual Strategic Public Lecture and Symposium. The symposium focused on “2027 and Nigeria’s Future: Impact of Politics on Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry and Economy – The Role of Media.” Inuwa said the growing influence of…