The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Royal School of Education Therapy Foundation on Friday called for inclusive healthcare for children with special needs. The appeal was made in Abuja during the second edition of the Free Family Health Fair, organized by the foundation in collaboration with the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat. The fair focused on children with developmental disabilities, maternal health, and preventive care. Speakers emphasized that children with special needs can no longer be overlooked in healthcare planning, noting that gaps in access and awareness continue to put vulnerable families at risk. Dr. Badewa Williams,…
Author: Newsdesk
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has warned newly engaged waste evacuation contractors that contract payments will be strictly tied to performance. Wike issued the warning during an interactive meeting with 54 newly engaged solid waste contractors in Abuja on Friday. He disclosed that a Task Force would be established immediately to monitor the contractors’ operations, emphasizing that payments would only be made for satisfactory performance. “Management of waste is a very difficult job. I want to urge you to see it as an assignment for the development of our capital city. Please help us…
The National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting locally developed agricultural mechanization technologies to reduce drudgery and boost productivity among Nigerian farmers. NCAM Executive Director, Abdulgafar Kamal, told reporters on Friday in Ilorin that the centre has, over the years, developed a wide range of mechanization solutions for small-, medium-, and large-scale farmers. Kamal spoke on the sidelines of the 25th International Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) and the National Agricultural Machinery Exhibition. He said the technologies span crop value chains, including processing, post-harvest activities, and renewable energy applications. Kamal noted…
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Edo State, in partnership with the Florish Foundation for Women and Youths, on Friday mobilized corps members for a voluntary blood donation exercise in Benin City. The drive, held at the Military Hospital to mark World Blood Donor Day, aimed to support sickle cell patients and strengthen emergency care across the state. About 100 corps members donated blood, alongside medical partners including the National Blood Service Agency and Bright Path Development Hub. Speaking at the event, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, Edo State Coordinator of NYSC, said the initiative was driven by the urgent need…
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has warned that more than 33 million Nigerians may face severe hunger and malnutrition in 2026 if urgent measures are not taken. Dr. Abubakar Kende, Secretary-General of the society, issued the warning on Friday in Abuja during the unveiling of the NRCS Nutrition Advocacy Plan. The event also featured the recognition of Ambassador Layla Ali Othman as the organizations Nutrition Ambassador. Kende expressed optimism that the challenges of hunger and malnutrition could be mitigated through the support of philanthropists like Othman. He said the Red Cross looked forward to Othman becoming the face of…
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), an NGO, has called for a national emergency on diabetes care and an increase in the sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax. The organization, supporting the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN), urged the Federal Government to implement urgent and life-saving public health policies. Its Executive Director, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, made the call in a statement issued by CAPPA’s Media and Communication Officer, Mr. Robert Egbe, on Friday in Abuja. Oluwafemi spoke against the backdrop of the 2025 World Diabetes Day commemorations. He described as alarming the recent disclosure by DAN’s president that an estimated 30,000…
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening public-private collaboration, expanding emergency care networks and scaling up community training to save lives across the state. Sanwo-Olu stated this on Friday at the 10th Anniversary and Award Ceremony of the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), a non-governmental organization that provides financial assistance for emergency medical treatment to indigent and vulnerable patients in public hospitals. Represented by Dr Abimbola Mabogunje, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Service Commission, the governor said the state government was ready to deepen its partnership with HEI to extend life-saving interventions to more residents.…
The Association of Resident Doctors, Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (ARD-KWASUTH), on Friday said its members have joined the nationwide strike over unmet demands. Speaking at a news conference in Ilorin, the association’s President, Dr Abdulfatah Abdulazeez, said the doctors had exercised patience for an extended period to allow the state government time to address their concerns. He noted, however, that the issues had lingered for too long without any clear commitment from the government. “We engaged in amicable communication and held meetings with the authorities, yet our demands were not met. “Recently, the National Association of Resident Doctors embarked…
The National Park Service (NPS) has called for urgent action to halt the critical decline of the West African lion population. Dr. Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the NPS, made the call on Friday in Abuja during the presentation of a scientific manuscript titled “Investigation into the Genetic Provenance of a Captive Lion Population in Nigeria: Implications for Conservation and Management.” Goni said the NPS is intensifying conservation efforts through strengthened park security, expanded ranger patrols and targeted programmes to restore depleted wildlife populations. He described the study as groundbreaking, noting that it unveiled crucial findings on the genetic origins of…
The Kogi State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the charity organization Sightsavers, has trained over 1,400 frontline workers on schistosomiasis prevention as part of efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the state. Mr. Musa Momohjimoh, Kogi State Acting NTD Coordinator, told journalists on Friday in Lokoja that the week-long training was conducted at the community level across local government areas to ensure wide participation. He said the participants included 72 health workers, 1,200 teachers, and 200 Community Drug Distributors (CDDs) from Ibaji, Lokoja, and Kogi Local Government Areas (LGAs). The training was designed to support the upcoming…