The Acting Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Umar Girei, has warned boat operators across the country to strictly adhere to waterways safety regulations during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. Girei gave the warning in an interview with newsmen at the NIWA headquarters on Tuesday in Lokoja. He noted that festive periods usually witness increased movement on inland waterways, especially in riverine communities, making strict compliance with safety measures imperative. Girei outlined key safety directives for operators and passengers, including a ban on overloading, compulsory use of life jackets, prohibition of night travel, avoidance of alcohol consumption while…
Author: Newsdesk
Some food traders and consumers in Lagos State have lamented poor patronage ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. The traders and consumers made this known in separate interviews with reporters on Tuesday in Lagos. They attributed the situation to high food prices and inadequate funds. A foodstuff trader in the Cele area of the state, Mrs. Patience Akpan, described this year’s patronage as unusually low compared to previous Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. “The patronage this Eid-el-Kabir is a far cry from what we experienced last year. “It feels as if many people are more interested in observing the public holidays than celebrating. “I…
The Nigerian foreign exchange market is witnessing relative stability, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals and cautious monetary policy, with the naira strengthening to N1,375 per dollar. Recent trading showed the local currency holding firm within a narrow range against the US dollar, reflecting reduced volatility and improved market confidence. Market analysts note that the naira continues to face resistance around the N1,350/$ level, a key psychological and technical threshold. However, sustained foreign exchange interventions and commercial bank dollar sales have helped contain speculative pressures. A major factor supporting the naira is the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision to maintain…
Dr Nicholas Baamlong, Plateau State Commissioner for Health, has described dementia as a disease, not a curse, and urged greater public awareness, early diagnosis, and improved care for affected persons. Baamlong made the statement on Tuesday in Jos while briefing journalists to commemorate the 2026 Dementia Africa Week. He described dementia as a condition that affects the brain and gradually damages a person’s memory, thinking, behaviour, communication, and ability to perform everyday activities. “A person living with dementia may begin to forget familiar faces, get confused easily, struggle to recognise places, repeat questions, lose direction, or experience major changes in…
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has paid a get-well visit to two officers of the agency who are currently receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Abuja. This is contained in a statement by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja. The officers, Ayegh Zachariah and Shehu Ibrahim, sustained severe injuries after they were attacked by a violent mob. The incident occurred during a raid on a notorious drug joint in the Dawaki area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Friday. During…
African countries have called for stronger unity, trade integration, cultural diplomacy, solidarity, and inclusive development across the continent amid current security and economic challenges. The continent’s leaders and envoys made the appeal during the 2026 Africa Day celebration on Monday night in Abuja, themed “Advancing Africa’s Integration: The Role of Trade and Cultural Diplomacy”. Ashenews reports that Africa Day is observed annually on May 25 to honour the continent’s liberation from colonial rule and promote African unity, cultural diversity, and future progress. The envoys stressed the need for stronger cooperation among Africa’s 55 countries to advance peaceful coexistence, economic integration,…
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are partnering to strengthen maternal health and drive economic growth across Africa. The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on the sidelines of the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on Tuesday. The agreement seeks to position maternal health and demographic resilience as key pillars of Africa’s economic transformation. AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah said both organisations would explore innovative financing and implementation mechanisms to support investments in women and young people. He said the areas of focus include digital training for…
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerian children to remain committed to learning, discipline, patriotism, and moral excellence as they prepare to become the country’s future leaders. The Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, gave the advice in a statement while congratulating Nigerian children on the 2026 Children’s Day celebration. According to the statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the agency’s Deputy Director of Communications and Media, Paul Odenyi, the NOA boss described Nigerian children as the hope, strength, and future of the nation. “Children’s Day serves as an important reminder of the collective responsibility of government, parents,…
The Kebbi Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a Hajj seat scam. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Usman Bashar, confirmed the arrests in a statement made available to reporters in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday. According to him, the prime suspect, Aminu Hassan Zauro, was arrested alongside three others: Tabiu Abubakar, Usman Attahiru, and Mustapha Sani Zauro. Four other suspects identified as Bello Jos, Atiku Store, Umar Gimba, and Usman Bunza are still at large. Bashar said the arrests followed a complaint from the Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Agency after it discovered that the names…
The Federal Government says it will bridge the information gap on ongoing development projects in Northern Nigeria through improved public communication, citizen engagement, and documentation of key interventions across the region. Hadiza Bala-Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, said this at a summit organised by the Northern Project Coordination Office (NPCO) for student union leaders from tertiary institutions across the 19 northern states. Bala-Usman said the initiative would ensure citizens are fully aware of ongoing projects, their status, and areas requiring further government attention. “We seek to showcase what our government has done in Northern Nigeria, not…