Kaduna State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare and empowering young people. Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, Deputy Governor, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the 2025 National Health Dialogue, organized by CJID Africa and PremiumTimesng under the theme, “Evidence, Innovation, and Financing for a Healthier Nigeria.” Highlighting Nigeria’s pressing health challenges, she said the nation requires renewed collaboration, credible data, innovation, and sustainable financing to meet the realities of 2026 and beyond. She stressed that every sector must take deliberate action to improve the country’s healthcare system. The dialogue convened high-level government officials and global health leaders to…
Author: Newsdesk
The Society for Family Health (SFH), through its affiliate, SFH Access to Health (SFH Access), on Thursday inaugurated the CoElevate Catalytic Fund to strengthen health innovation and support startups across Nigeria. Developed with support from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the fund will provide financial and technical assistance to early-stage companies working in health technology, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), pharmaceutical research, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Chairman of the SFH Access Board, Ahmed Yakasai, described the programme as a milestone investment in Nigeria’s health ecosystem. “This initiative reflects our commitment to the future of healthcare and the needs of…
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health and development sector say the institutionalization and scale-up of the Adolescent 360 (A360) Amplify project have significantly improved adolescent sexual and reproductive health outcomes in participating states. The announcement was made during a dissemination meeting on the project held on Thursday in Abuja. Implemented by the Society for Family Health (SFH) and partners, the A360 project was later adopted into government systems following documented successes. Launched in 2020, the initiative provides adolescent girls with access to sexual and reproductive health information, youth-friendly services, and economic empowerment opportunities. The programme has been implemented in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna,…
The Center for the Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating exploitative child domestic work in Nigeria. The centre made the announcement on Thursday in Lagos during the inauguration of its maiden Child Rights Champions’ Forum at Alimosho. Supported by the Freedom Fund and funded by the United States Department of State, the initiative provides a safe and empowering platform where students are equipped to advocate for children’s rights within their schools and communities. Following the successful launch at Alimosho Grammar School, the programme was extended to Havanah College in Igando…
Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sierra Leone’s Digital Economy Bilateral Trade Mission to deepen cooperation on public digital infrastructure. The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Isime Esene, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. Esene said the MoU would also cover digital trade, cybersecurity, youth innovation, and technology transfer. It is expected to establish structured cooperation on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, talent development, digital skills, broadband expansion and spectrum collaboration. He said the agreement was signed during a…
The Bauchi state government has allocated N132 billion for health sector in the 2026 proposed estimate. Hajiya Mariam Katagum, Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, said this while presenting the breakdown of the proposed 2026 budget, on Thursday in Bauchi. Gov. Bala Mohammed earlier on Thursday, presented N878 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the state House of Assembly for approval. The budget tagged: “Budget of Consolidation and Sustainability,” consists of N567 billion capital expenditure representing 65 per cent and N310 billion recurrent expenditure, representing 35 per cent of the total budget size. Katagum said that health and education…
A non-governmental organization, Earth and Sustainability Initiative (ESI), has intensified its community advocacy campaign to promote clean cooking energy among women in low-income and rural communities across Lagos State. The NGO held an outreach programme on Thursday at Agboju Market in Lagos. ESI Programme Director, Mrs Ebere Akwuebue, said the organization has been educating women on the dangers of unsafe cooking practices. She noted that many households still rely on charcoal, firewood, sawdust and other solid fuels that pose serious health risks, while also contributing significantly to environmental pollution and climate change. She said the campaign aims to simplify information…
In a recent webinar hosted by the UN Industrial Development Organization, the Small Enterprise Development Foundation Agency (Sedfa) and the South African Essential Oils Producers’ Association, speakers highlighted common mistakes that frequently lead to finance applications being declined. Zolisanani Ngxobongwana, finance and lending support manager at Sedfa, said a finance application needs to include accurate cash flow projections so the agency can determine if the business is viable. “One of the biggest mistakes we see in applications is that applicants apply for the maximum amount available through Sedfa. This is often far more than what the business requires and does…
The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) says agriculture contributes more than 35 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs over 35 per cent of the national workforce. FACAN President, Mr Sheriff Balogun, stated this on Thursday at the 2025 National Agricultural Show in Nasarawa. The theme of the event was: “Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Restoring Value; Ensuring Productivity for the Attainment of Food Security in Nigeria.” The annual agricultural show is organized by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and other…
Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving sanitation in communities across Nigeria. Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, said this at the 2025 World Toilet Day Commemoration, Community Engagement/Sensitisation Campaign and inauguration of Smart Toilet held at the Orange Market Mararaba, Nasarawa State on Thursday. Lawal, who was represented by Mr Mahmud Kambari Permanent Secretary in the Ministry said access to clean and safe toilets is a fundamental human right essential for public health and environmental protection. He said globally, about 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation systems, while 892 million continue to practice open defecation. Environment sanitation,…