The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, on Friday in Abuja, outlined the Federal Government’s plan to mandate a 30 per cent value-addition on all raw materials prior to export, describing the initiative as “one of the most significant steps towards the industrialisation of Nigeria.” Udeh stated this at a press briefing held shortly after the one-day National Advocacy and Sensitisation Conference held in Abuja. The conference was organised to raise awareness among stakeholders about the recently passed Raw Materials Research and Development Council 30 per cent Value-Addition Bill, which is currently awaiting Presidential assent. According to Udeh,…
Author: Newsdesk
Africa is grappling with several high-burden health emergencies, including widespread cholera outbreaks, rising Mpox cases, and ongoing viral haemorrhagic fever events, even as the continent receives significant global funding to strengthen pandemic preparedness. Prof. Yap Boum, Incident Manager for Health Emergencies at Africa CDC, made the remarks on Friday during the continent’s virtual weekly press briefing. He described Africa as a “high-threat environment” but commended governments and partners for aligning with the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) agenda. “Progress is only possible when we deliver at scale and keep Africa’s people at the centre of our work,” Boum said.…
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a Biofortified Blending Machine and Biofortified Rice as part of efforts to address growing micronutrient deficiencies in the state. The launch took place on Friday at the Lagos State Rice Mill, Imota, Ikorodu. The biofortified blending machine is the sixth of its kind in Nigeria. Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture, said the achievement was made possible through the governor’s visionary leadership in advancing food sustainability. “Today, we mark another key milestone in our commitment to enhance food and nutrition security for the people of Lagos State and Nigeria.…
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that activities marking the 2025 World AIDS Day will be open, participatory, and focused on FCT communities, aiming to strengthen awareness, inclusiveness, and the overall HIV response across the territory. A statement by Mrs. Bola Ajao, Special Assistant to the Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, confirmed the Administration’s participation in the global commemoration. The theme for the 2025 World AIDS Day is “Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” reflecting ongoing efforts to advance prevention, testing, treatment, and support services despite emerging public health challenges…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that global immunization efforts have reduced measles-related deaths by 88 per cent between 2000 and 2024, saving nearly 59 million lives worldwide. However, WHO noted on Friday that an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children under five, died from measles in 2024, stressing that every death from a preventable disease remains unacceptable. The organization highlighted that measles infections are surging globally, with an estimated 11 million cases in 2024—almost 800,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019—reflecting persistent gaps in vaccination coverage. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus described measles as the world’s most contagious virus,…
Young Nigerians have been urged to leverage digital platforms to intensify advocacy for the passage of the Women’s Reserved Seats Bill, aimed at increasing gender inclusion and representation in governance structures. The call was made during a public dialogue on the Nigerian Reserved Seats for Women Bill, themed “Her Voice, Her Vote, Her Seat,” held on Friday in Abuja to engage youth leaders. The event was organized by Open Minds Young Voices (OMYV), a community of young advocates for social justice and good governance, in collaboration with TOS Foundation and with support from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Ms. Esther Raji, a…
Stakeholders have committed to accelerating actions to conserve nature through the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) to sustain livelihoods in Nigeria. The commitment was made on Friday in Abuja during the official launch of the Nigeria Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), aligned with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The event was held under the theme: “Unlocking Private Sector Engagement for the Implementation of the NBSAP.” Mrs. Halima Bawa-Bwari, Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Environment, said the initiative marked a decisive step toward securing the future of forests, ecosystems, and the invaluable biodiversity that sustains life and livelihoods…
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking Persons (NAPTIP) has called for digital safety education in schools and communities to protect women and girls from online abuse and harassment. The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu-Bello, made the appeal on Friday in Abuja during a road walk marking the 2025 16-day activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). She highlighted the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures across society. Adamu-Bello stressed that capacity building for law enforcement, stronger legislation, safe reporting channels, survivor protection, and secure technology platforms are essential to ensure digital safety for women and girls nationwide. She noted…
Mr. Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, says the organizations 25-year journey has been driven by a commitment to challenge injustice, empower marginalized groups, and promote inclusive, community-led development across the country. Mamedu made the remarks on Thursday during ActionAid’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja, which brought together partners, board members, and community representatives to reflect on the organizations national impact, achievements, and growth since its establishment. “We began with a clear conviction that poverty is not natural and that exclusion must be dismantled,” he said, emphasizing that the organization remains firmly focused on addressing systemic barriers affecting vulnerable…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to make fertility care safer, fairer and more affordable as it released its first-ever global guideline for preventing, diagnosing and treating infertility. The organization announced this on Friday, describing infertility as a major but often overlooked public health challenge that affects one in six people of reproductive age globally at some point in their lives. WHO noted that while demand for fertility services is rising, access remains severely limited in many countries, with infertility tests and treatments largely funded out-of-pocket, often resulting in catastrophic health expenditures. “In some settings, even a single…