The Community of Agrifood Systems Non-State Actors (COANSA) has urged all tiers of government to increase public investment in agriculture, improve budget implementation and strengthen accountability. COANSA made the call on Monday in Abuja at a news conference to mark the 2026 World Food Day, themed “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”. The African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration, covering 2026 to 2035, aims to accelerate sustainable food production, promote agro-industrialisation and trade, and strengthen food and nutrition security. Dr Nkiruka Okonkwo, Co-Founder and Financial Director of COANSA, said agricultural capital budget implementation remained low between 2023 and…
Author: Newsdesk
Sen. Kenneth Eze, representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, has distributed 10,000 bags of fertiliser to farmers in his constituency. Eze, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, flagged off the distribution on Monday in his hometown of Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Speaking at the event, Eze said the initiative was aimed at boosting agricultural production and ensuring food sufficiency in the state. He explained that although President Bola Tinubu had also distributed fertiliser across the country, his intervention was intended to ensure effective grassroots coverage, particularly because most residents of his constituency…
The summit was convened by the Africa Hub for Innovation and Development (AHFID) under the theme, “Catalyzing Country AI-in-Health Frameworks for Transformative Healthcare Systems”. The session examined why vaccine misinformation resonated with communities, how it spread, and how artificial intelligence (AI) and community-led interventions could support accurate health communication. Mr Kshitij Joshi, Chief of Social and Behavioural Change at UNICEF, highlighted the importance of local innovation and collaboration in developing AI solutions to address Nigeria’s health information challenges. Joshi contributed to discussions on a proposed hackathon to encourage young Nigerian developers to create applications and AI models that respond to…
The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and its partners have called for reliable climate data, improved project preparation and coordinated investment to help Nigeria secure funding for its climate commitments. They made the call on Monday in Abuja at a technical workshop on greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) tracking platform. The workshop, organised by the NCCC in collaboration with the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI), was supported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) under the UK PACT Nigeria project. It focused on developing investment-ready agricultural projects capable of attracting domestic and international climate finance.…
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River Chapter, has urged the state government to recruit at least 200 doctors to address manpower shortages in the health sector. Dr Pius Agweye, chairman of the association, made the call while briefing newsmen on Monday in Calabar as part of activities marking the 2026 Physicians’ Week, themed “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria.” Represented by the association’s secretary, Dr Ukam Edadi, Agweye said the recruitment would reduce doctors’ workloads, prevent burnout and improve access to quality healthcare in urban and rural communities. The chairman commended Gov. Bassey Otu for approving the full…
The Federal Government says it remains committed to transforming Nigeria’s industrial landscape by promoting the use of locally sourced raw materials. Dr Kingsley Udeh, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said this on Monday in Abuja at the second Africa Raw Materials Summit (ARMS 2026), holding from Oct. 19 to Oct. 20. The summit’s theme is “From African Feedstock to African Factory”. Udeh said the summit reflected the Federal Government’s drive to transform the continent from a raw material exporter into a manufacturing powerhouse. He said the summit was central to the government’s broader industrial transformation agenda. “We are not…
Experts in leadership and youth development have urged Nigerian youths to develop relevant skills, demonstrate integrity and embrace mentorship to maximise opportunities and contribute to national development. They made the call at the Next Generation Summit on Monday in Abuja. The event brought together young professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders and other stakeholders to discuss leadership, career development and Africa’s future. Dr Offiong Archibong-Anyiawu, an international development expert and strategy adviser, said Africa’s future depended on the quality of people prepared to lead its businesses, industries and institutions. Archibong-Anyiawu said technology, manufacturing and energy offered significant opportunities for young Africans to…
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kwara Chapter, has expressed concern that doctors in the state are among the least paid in the country. The Chairman, Dr Suleiman Rotimi, stated this on Monday in Ilorin at a news conference organised as part of activities marking the 2026 Physicians’ Week. The theme of the week is “Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria.” Rotimi raised concerns over manpower shortages, poor welfare, excessive workloads and alleged unauthorised salary deductions affecting doctors in the state. According to him, some general hospitals have only a few doctors, forcing them to work long hours and increasing…
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has urged Nigerians to adopt water-saving and climate-smart handwashing practices. Lawal made the call during the commemoration of the 2026 Global Handwashing Day, themed “Be a Handwashing Hero”, on Monday at Police Day Secondary School, Area 11, Abuja. Global Handwashing Day is an international campaign launched in 2008 to promote proper handwashing with soap at critical times to prevent diseases and save lives. It is observed annually on Oct. 15. Lawal, who was represented by Dr Salihu Usman, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, urged young people to use digital platforms, videos and social…
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State Branch, has presented a 10-point healthcare agenda for the incoming state government in 2027, urging political parties to prioritise healthcare delivery. The association’s Chairman, Dr Sunday Enimola, disclosed this at a news conference in Abeokuta on Monday to commemorate the 2026 Physicians’ Week. According to Enimola, healthcare should be treated as a strategic investment in the security, productivity, prosperity and future of the state. He urged political parties, governorship candidates, legislators and other political office seekers to present clear, measurable, adequately funded and time-bound healthcare policy proposals. He identified sustainable healthcare financing, improved…