The World Health Organization (WHO) has said countries must not leave people stranded at sea when they have the capacity to safely manage health risks under the International Health Regulations. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus made the remark during an online media briefing on hantavirus, 10 days after the organisation was first notified of the health emergency. Ghebreyesus said WHO requested assistance from Ulisses Silva when the ship approached Cabo Verde, leading to the evacuation of three passengers who developed symptoms linked to the virus. He explained that the situation had exceeded Cabo Verde’s capacity to safely manage the complete disembarkation…
Author: Newsdesk
Dr. Kelechi Nwanchor, a lecturer at the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), has called on the Federal and State Governments to invest in large-scale palm tree plantations. Nwanchor, who lectures in the Department of Crop Production and Landscape Management, made the call on Tuesday in Abakaliki while speaking with reporters at the university’s CAS Campus. He noted that Ebonyi State possesses vast arable land suitable for the rapid cultivation and growth of palm trees. The don described palm trees as highly valuable economic crops with enormous benefits across the agricultural, nutritional, and industrial sectors. “Palm trees are very important across the…
The Lagos State Government says malaria prevalence in the state has declined significantly over the past 15 years, dropping from 15 per cent in 2010 to 2 per cent in 2025. The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2026 Lagos State Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja. The briefing was held to commemorate the third year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office. Abayomi, however, noted that the state is facing a major shortage of healthcare workers. He said Lagos requires an additional 30,000 doctors and 40,000 nurses to meet its growing healthcare…
The naira recorded a mild decline against the British pound at the opening trading session of the week, closing at N1,885.8/£1 in the Nigerian foreign exchange market on Monday. The local currency has largely traded within the N1,825–N1,950/£1 range in recent weeks amid evolving economic conditions in the United Kingdom and ongoing liquidity management measures by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Analysts attributed the latest movement partly to market reactions to the Bank of England interest rate outlook and global risk sentiment. Nigeria’s benchmark monetary policy rate remains elevated at 26.5%, a factor analysts say continues to support foreign portfolio…
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Jimoh Ibrahim, has called for urgent global action to address rising geopolitical tensions, arms proliferation, and emerging security threats. Ibrahim made the call while welcoming participants of the United States Army War College during their visit to the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN in New York. He said the UN must respond proactively to “heightened geopolitical tensions and major power competition.” The Nigerian envoy also highlighted emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, autonomous weapons, and illicit arms transfers. “The challenges brought about by emerging technologies and artificial intelligence…
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has donated foodstuffs to victims of attacks in Ngbrazongo community, Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State. Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister in charge of the ministry, accompanied by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, presented the items to the victims on Monday in Bassa. Gunmen had attacked Ngbrazongo community on May 8, killing some residents and injuring many others. Doro, a native of the area, commiserated with those who lost loved ones and said the Federal Government had put modalities in place to address the security challenges in the…
The Kano State Government has dismissed as false a viral video claiming that the historic Murtala Muhammed Library has been abandoned. The Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi-Waiya, debunked the claim in a statement issued on Monday in Kano. “The library has not been abandoned. It is currently undergoing comprehensive renovation and modernisation to restore its glory and transform it into a modern resource centre for learning, research, and intellectual development,” he said. Abdullahi-Waiya explained that the government awarded the renovation contract to Global Firm Limited. As work commenced, the contractor removed furniture, bookshelves, and other materials…
NEM Insurance Plc has recorded robust balance sheet growth for the financial year ended December 31, 2025. The insurer said total group assets rose to N186.04 billion in 2025 from N124.23 billion in 2024, representing an increase of N61.81 billion. In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, the company attributed the growth to sustained business expansion and a strengthened investment portfolio. Group liabilities increased to N101.58 billion from N58.79 billion, while total equity rose to N84.46 billion from N65.44 billion in the previous year. Group revenue also grew significantly to N173.04 billion in 2025, up from N121.60 billion in…
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching staff unions in Nigerian universities has resumed negotiations with the Federal Government following the suspension of its indefinite strike. JAC comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU). The unions had embarked on an indefinite strike on April 30 over delays in the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, improved welfare conditions, payment of allowances, and rejection of the government’s unilateral salary offer. The strike was suspended on May 11 after appeals and assurances from the Federal Government’s Expanded Tertiary Institutions Renegotiation…
French President Emmanuel Macron has described Africa as the world’s youngest and fastest-growing continent, stressing the need for increased investment to strengthen its sovereignty. Macron made the remarks at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, which ran from May 11 to 12 under the theme: “Africa Forward: Partnerships between Africa and France for Innovation and Growth”. The summit, co-organised by the governments of France and Kenya, brought together more than 2,000 African and European business leaders, investors, and policymakers. The business forum highlighted Franco-African economic partnerships and showcased private sector-driven projects and innovations. Macron said the summit opened with…