The Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, has described the lack of recognition and support for research and development by Nigerian industries as a major setback to innovation in the country’s universities. Prof. Iwe expressed his concern in an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Umuahia. He noted that the link between industries and academia had remained weak because most industries in the country were subsidiaries that did not invest in indigenous research and development. “It is worrisome that most industries in Nigeria do not recognize the importance of the academia,” he said. “We are…
Author: Newsdesk
Sightsavers International says more than 4.24 million Nigerians are affected by blindness or visual impairment, mostly from preventable or treatable conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and uncorrected refractive errors. The organization’s Advocacy Coordinator, Ms. Esther Bature, who represented the Country Director, Prof. Joy Shuaibu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Kano. She spoke during Day 2 of a workshop for journalists from North-West Nigeria, aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and Sightsavers on health, disability inclusion, and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Bature noted that access to quality eye care remained poor in Nigeria, with only 4.4 per cent of citizens…
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the suspended Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Delivering judgment in the case with suit number FCT/HC/CV/3384/2024, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme ruled that there was no violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights to personal liberty or freedom of movement as alleged, affirming the ICPC’s authority to invite public officials under investigation. Captain Nuhu had approached the court seeking to stop the ICPC from inviting him over the…
The State Manager of Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML), retired Col. Kenneth Wandate, has called for stronger collaboration with military formations to improve awareness of healthcare benefits under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). Wandate made the call during a courtesy visit to the Commander of 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Tukur, on Tuesday in Kano. He emphasised the importance of engaging officers and soldiers on their entitlements under the scheme, noting that many personnel were unaware of the full range of services available to them. “Our role is to bridge the gap between the scheme and the beneficiaries,”…
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have pledged to deepen collaboration in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria’s basic education sector. ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, made this known when he received the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, and her management team on a courtesy visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja. The meeting, described as a long-awaited step toward institutional synergy, aims to strengthen oversight, improve service delivery, and ensure efficient utilization of public funds meant for basic education. Dr. Aliyu commended…
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has concluded a two-day training for 200 farmers and youths from 10 communities in Maja-Kura, Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State, on sustainable agroforestry practices. The training, which ended on Tuesday, was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment Facility–Small Grants Programme (GEF–SGP) Nigeria and implemented by the Action for Community Foundation (ACF). Speaking at the closing session, Mr. Harry Hanson, the Project Representative, said the training focused on tree nursery establishment, soil conservation, and sustainable agroforestry techniques to help farmers adopt climate-resilient practices. He explained that the project also involved the…
The College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Gidan Waya chapter, Kaduna State, has suspended its three-week-old strike over the non-implementation of an improved salary structure for staff. This was contained in a statement by the union’s Chairman, Dr. Christopher Yerima, on Tuesday in Kafanchan. Yerima said the decision to suspend the industrial action followed the state government’s commitment to meet the union’s demands. “As you are aware, our chapter embarked on an indefinite strike on Sept. 30 in compliance with the directive of the Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions (JUTI) in the state. ALSO READ: ASUU queries delay in…
Nigeria’s security agencies have intensified investigations into an alleged coup plot aimed at destabilising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The probe reportedly involves both military officers and politicians from the southern and northern regions of the country. According to top security sources, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), working with other security units, has been interrogating several officers and politicians suspected of involvement in the plot. The investigation, which began several weeks ago, followed intelligence reports indicating a possible attempt by some individuals to incite unrest and weaken confidence in the government. It was gathered that about 16 military officers have…
Stakeholders in Sokoto State have identified major security implications of the Almajiri system and proposed measures to address the challenges associated with it. The brainstorming session, held on Monday, was organized by the Sokoto Advancement Forum (SAF) to assess the security, social, and economic impact of having thousands of street children across the state. Speaking at the meeting, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu, Vice Chairman of SAF and former Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said the dialogue aimed to develop actionable strategies for both immediate intervention and long-term rehabilitation of the Almajiri system. “We are here to brainstorm practical and implementable…
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Oyo State branch, has raised alarm over the severe shortage of medical doctors in government-owned hospitals across the state. The Oyo NMA Chairman, Dr. Happy Adedapo, disclosed this on Monday in Ibadan, describing the situation as “appalling and dangerous” for effective healthcare delivery. Adedapo lamented that several general hospitals in the state operate with only one or two doctors, while some have none at all. “Out of more than twenty general hospitals reviewed, six — Okaka, Iresa-Adu, Ikoyi-Ile, Sepeteri, Lanlate, and Ayete — currently have no doctors on ground. “Others such as Igbeti, Igboho, Iganna,…