The Federal Government says it is adopting a “bottom-up” strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s health emergency response by empowering the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and local governments. The approach, known as the “sub-national capacity framework,” is a key component of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII). The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed this in Abuja during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the 12th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). The meeting brought together state health commissioners and…
Author: Newsdesk
An undergraduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Joshua Christopher, has said that economic hardship pushed him into charcoal production, which has now become his main source of livelihood while pursuing his degree. Christopher, a Chemistry student, disclosed this during a field visit to Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State on Thursday. He explained that he ventured into the business to sustain himself both in school and at home, despite being aware of its environmental consequences. “I am currently running my degree programme in Chemistry at ABU Zaria, and this is what I do to sustain myself both…
The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, has appealed to parents and school authorities to grant access to health workers conducting the ongoing nationwide integrated vaccination exercise for children. Fasawe made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during a news conference, noting that the exercise, which began on October 8, has been extended by one week to ensure wider coverage. She expressed concern that several schools and institutions within the FCT had denied vaccination teams access to children, hindering the implementation of the immunisation campaign. “The vaccination teams are…
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has conducted a trial essay test in preparation for the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates in 2026. The exercise, led by Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, took place on Thursday at the WAEC Training and Testing Centre in Ogba, Lagos. Senior secondary school students participated in the trial, designed to familiarize them with the upcoming computer-based format, which will combine both objective and essay components. Dr. Dangut explained that the initiative aims to prepare candidates for full digital examination participation while gradually bridging technological…
The Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has praised the Wife of the President, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for establishing Digital Economy Centres across the country, including in Abia. Otti made the commendation on Thursday in Umuahia during the inauguration of 10 fully-equipped digital learning centres in 10 states by Tinubu. The ceremony was conducted virtually and simultaneously in Abia, Edo, Delta, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Yobe, and Zamfara. The centres were established under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Social Investment (RHSI) initiative in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and supervised by the Federal Ministry of…
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Hassan Kukah has been put to task following his recent appeal for Nigeria not to be designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged violations of Christian religious freedom In a statement issued in Abuja, a civil rights activist Dr Thompson Udenwa faulted Bishop Kukah’s sudden change of tone, recalling that only a few years ago, the outspoken cleric had been at the forefront of those urging the United States Government to designate Nigeria under the CPC category due to widespread attacks on Christian communities, church burnings, and targeted killings in…
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has warned that introducing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into Nigerian agriculture is not a viable solution to the country’s food insecurity challenges. Ms. Joyce Brown, HOMEF’s Director of Programmes, made the statement on Thursday in Bakassi during a one-day practical agro-ecology training for farmers, themed “Solving the Food and Climate Crisis.” The training aimed to educate farmers on the implications of GMOs and inorganic pesticides while teaching environmentally friendly techniques for producing organic fertilisers and herbicides. Brown emphasized that GMOs threaten Nigeria’s food sovereignty, as farmers cannot save or replant GMO seeds, leaving…
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated a digital learning centre in Yobe State under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme (SIP). The facility, located at Shehu Sule College of Nursing in Damaturu, was equipped in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Speaking at the event, Tinubu, represented by Hafsat Kollere, wife of Governor Mai Mala Buni, noted that nine other digital learning centres had been established across the country, including in Abia, Edo, Delta, Katsina, Lagos, Nassarawa, Kano, Ondo, and Zamfara states. She added that the RHI, in partnership with NITDA, also constructed…
The Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) on Thursday unveiled a roadmap aimed at advancing a sustainable environmental future for Nigeria. The launch coincided with the society’s 40th anniversary celebrations, its National Conference, and the 35th Annual General Meeting in Abuja. The roadmap outlines strategies for national environmental progress, calling for stronger collaboration between government, private sector, and the public. Ms. Sarah Mukherjee, President of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISED), UK, described NES as a “beacon of achievement” and commended the society for its 40 years of dedication to environmental advocacy, policy development, and capacity building. “You should be…
The Kwara Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has launched a sensitisation campaign in partnership with the Media Campaign Against Human Trafficking (MeCAHT) to educate key stakeholders on the dangers of human trafficking and irregular migration. The initiative particularly targets teachers and students across Kwara State. NAPTIP State Commander, Mr. Mustapha Ajara, made this known on Thursday in Ilorin during an inception meeting with representatives from the education and security sectors. Ajara explained that the programme focuses on training teachers, who will in turn educate students on the risks associated with human trafficking…