The World Health Organization (WHO) Member States have advanced negotiations on a proposed pathogen access and benefit-sharing system aimed at supporting faster, more equitable responses to future pandemics. The organisation said this in a statement following the eighth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which concluded after five days of negotiations in Geneva. According to the statement, negotiations focused on the Pandemic Agreement’s pathogen access and benefit-sharing annex, with governments and stakeholders working towards an equitable, feasible and implementable system for future pandemics. It said the annex was expected to facilitate rapid sharing of pathogen…
Author: Newsdesk
No fewer than 1,500 indigents of Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara, on Saturday benefited from a medical and surgical outreach. The two-day medical outreach was organised by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. Speaking on the sidelines of the outreach, the minister stressed the need to bring healthcare services closer to the people at the grassroots. According to him, this is to ensure that health facilities are brought to the doorstep of the citizens. Fagbemi therefore called for sustained investment in primary healthcare to improve access to quality medical services in…
The Global Shapers Community, Kano, has urged Nigerians to embrace voluntary blood donation to save lives and support patients requiring urgent transfusion. The community’s Curator, Mrs Sumayya Tofa, made the call during its annual blood drive at the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre (KCTC) on Saturday. Tofa said 108 volunteers donated blood during the exercise, which attracted young people and other members of the community. She said the blood drive, sustained for 13 years, was part of efforts to address blood shortages, particularly during medical emergencies. According to her, beneficiaries include women with complications during pregnancy and childbirth, accident victims, people…
Residents across FCT communities say persistent fuel price hikes have increased transportation, food and living costs, worsening economic hardship for households and businesses. The residents spoke in interviews with reporters on Monday in Dei-Dei, Kubwa and Dutse. They said the increase in petrol prices had pushed up transport fares, food prices and the cost of other essential goods and services. Checks by reporters indicate that petrol now sells between N1,450 and N1,500 per litre at many filling stations in Abuja, compared with about N1,200 to N1,280 per litre before the latest increases. A commercial driver in Dei-Dei, Mr Sunny Peter,…
Dr Abdul Ibraheem, Rector of Yaba College of Technology, has urged Nigerians to revive the culture of walking. Ibraheem made the call during the Nigerian Union of Journalists and News Agency of Nigeria (NUJ-NAN) 2026 Press Week fitness walk. The walk began at Yaba College of Technology and included free medical screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, diabetes and eye conditions. Ibraheem said the event underscored the importance of health, noting that walking and trekking can improve overall wellbeing. “Through this, I want NUJ-NAN to bring back that habit of trekking, that habit of walking. When you walk, you become…
The Lagos State Government has directed residents in flood-prone communities to temporarily relocate to higher ground. The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, gave the directive in a statement made available to reporters on Monday in Lagos. The statement was issued by the Director, Public Affairs, Mr Kunle Adeshina. Wahab said the directive followed a fresh seven-day flood alert issued by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency. He said the alert covered Lagos and 14 other states, warning that rising river levels could cause flooding in vulnerable communities. According to the alert, flooding could affect schools, healthcare centres,…
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecast thunderstorms and rainfall across several parts of Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday. NiMet disclosed this in its weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja, warning that strong winds may precede thunderstorms in some areas. For Monday morning, the agency forecast thunderstorms accompanied by light rain over parts of Taraba and Kebbi states. It predicted scattered thunderstorms with moderate rain over parts of the North-East, Kaduna, Taraba and Kebbi later in the day. “For the North-Central region, thunderstorms accompanied by light rain are expected over parts of Niger State during the morning hours. “Later…
Mr Cyrus Nkangwung, a retired Director of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), has advised young public servants against the pursuit of quick gains. Nkangwung gave the advice in Abuja at his 60th birthday and retirement thanksgiving and book presentation, marking his attainment of 60 years of age and exit from public service. The retired director urged public servants to embrace integrity, self-development and service to humanity. He said his autobiography documented his experiences and years of service, with lessons for younger generations on humanitarian service and the value of contributions beyond financial achievements. According to him,…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has opposed the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, and other Federal Unity Colleges. Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, stated this in a statement signed and issued on Sunday in Abuja. Ajaero said the development had generated protests from various entities concerned about the future of public secondary education and the management of Unity Colleges. He said the initiative by King’s College old students stemmed from years of neglect, underfunding, corruption, indiscipline and deteriorating services. According to him, the old students’ bid to take over the school was motivated by a sincere desire to restore…
The Kwara government has launched a statewide artificial insemination programme targeting thousands of cattle to improve breeds and boost milk and dairy production. The programme is being implemented in partnership with Genex URUS, an American international animal breeding company. The Press Secretary, Ministry of Livestock Development, Mr Ahmed Ajiboye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ilorin on Sunday. The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, said the programme would begin with the insemination of 500 cattle in September. Thomas said the government hoped to inseminate about 1,000 cattle by the end of the year before expanding the programme.…