As the strike by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) enters its fifth day, the Federal Government has urged the doctors to resume duties. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made the appeal on Wednesday at the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Healthcare and Medical Expo 2.0, themed “Reversing Medical Tourism: Africans Investing in Africa.” Salako said the Federal Government is actively addressing NARD’s 19-point demands, assuring that steps are being taken to reach an amicable resolution. “I want to appeal and assure us that the 19-point demands of NARD are being addressed one by one.…
Author: Newsdesk
The Federal Government has concluded strategic engagements in China, resulting in a major discounted diagnostics deal and renewed investor interest in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing sectors. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed this on Wednesday via its official X page, @Fmohnigeria, noting that the developments signal tangible global gains from Nigeria’s health sector reform agenda. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, secured the commitments during a working visit to PlusLife Diagnostics’ corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Guangzhou, China. “The Minister secured a commitment for heavily discounted mass procurement of Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic…
A non-profit organisation, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), has raised concerns over Tanzania’s election-period internet blackout and the continued suspension of X (formerly Twitter). The Executive Director of PIN, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, said during a virtual media briefing that parts of the country were still experiencing bandwidth throttling despite the restoration of general internet connectivity on November 3. The blackout, imposed after protests erupted on Tanzania’s election day, October 29, lasted five days and six hours (126 hours). According to Sesan, such disruptions are “economically devastating and deeply damaging to digital rights.” Using the NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST), PIN estimated…
Xcene Research, a leading Contract Research Organisation and organiser of the Impact Africa Summit, has stressed the importance of boosting clinical trial capacity through local and global partnerships to advance Africa’s health autonomy. In a statement on Wednesday by the organisation’s Director of Communication, Mr. Dotun Ogunyemi, Xcene Research highlighted that Africa carries approximately 25 percent of the global disease burden but hosts only around 1.1 percent of the world’s clinical trials. The organisation described this disparity as a critical vulnerability that limits access to essential medicines, reduces Africa’s control over local and global health crises, and leaves the continent…
Dr. Felix Tangwami, Commissioner for Health, has reported that a cholera outbreak in Mubi Local Government Area (LGA) has claimed 10 lives, urging residents to uphold strict personal hygiene. Speaking to reporters in Yola on Wednesday, Tangwami revealed that the deceased died at home rather than in health facilities. He added that the state government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), had taken immediate steps to contain the outbreak. “From the beginning, we have been on top of the situation. Our presence has been consistent, and this cannot be denied,” he said. Tangwami noted that patients who visited…
A global technology company, Zoho, has partnered with Babcock University to equip over 50 students with practical digital skills in low-code application development. Mr. Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head of Zoho Nigeria, said on Wednesday that the initiative, part of the Young Creators Programme, trained students from various disciplines, including Computer Science, Business, and Information Technology. “The training enables students to build business-ready applications using Zoho Creator, our low-code development platform,” Ogundare said. “The three-day workshop introduced students to practical problem-solving and the latest advancements in cloud technology, allowing them to design customized business solutions without advanced programming knowledge.” He added…
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for the adoption of Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) as a sustainable strategy to achieve universal access to safe sanitation in Nigeria. Mr. Monday Johnson, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist at UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, made the call on Wednesday during a two-day media dialogue in Ilaji town, Oyo State, aimed at improving urban sanitation in the country. The workshop, organized by the Oyo State Ministry of Information in collaboration with UNICEF, sought to equip media professionals with the knowledge and skills to advocate effectively for WASH services. Participants came from the…
Hon. Saidu Abdullahi, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, has voiced his support for the adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria. Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja, Abdullahi emphasized that GMOs could significantly improve agricultural yields, which remain low in the country. He urged Nigerians to embrace genetic engineering as a means to mitigate risks from pests and enhance food production. “Increasing agricultural yield is critical, and genetic engineering provides a viable solution to challenges like pest infestations,” he said on the sidelines of the 2025 Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Media Awards. Scientists have reassured…
Community-driven initiatives are at the heart of sustainable development, turning global promises like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into tangible local impact. From eradicating poverty (SDG 1) to promoting gender equality (SDG 5) and ensuring good health (SDG 3), grassroots action plays a critical role. The annual August Meeting—a homecoming and convention of Igbo women’s hometown associations in Southeastern Nigeria—exemplifies such action. During these gatherings, married Igbo women return to their rural hometowns, uniting with co-wives (nwunye di) to discuss community development, manage conflicts, raise funds for infrastructure, and drive economic empowerment—all while preserving cultural values. Recognising the potential of…
The Lagos State Command and Control Centre has launched a public sensitization campaign to educate residents on the proper use of its emergency toll-free numbers, 767 and 112. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos, Mr. Kennedy Giwa, General Manager of the Centre, described the initiative as part of the state government’s renewed efforts to enhance public safety. Giwa explained that the campaign aims to strengthen emergency response across Lagos, especially ahead of the busy Ember months. “This is the period when most emergencies and disasters crystallise, and we record high numbers of incidents,” he said.“It is, therefore, important for…