Former Military President Ibrahim Babangida has paid tribute to the late veteran journalist Yakubu Mohammed, describing him as a symbol of integrity, humility, and professionalism in Nigeria’s media landscape. Babangida made the tribute on Thursday in Lagos at the unveiling of the Newswatch 5 Lecture Series/Tribute Session for Mohammed. His speech was read at the event by veteran journalist Malam Mohammed Haruna. Mohammed passed away on January 13. The late Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed, Ray Ekpu, and Soji Akinrinade were the founding Newswatch journalists. The event was organized by the Olori Janet Afolabi Foundation. Janet Afolabi, wife of…
Author: Newsdesk
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says it is investigating an unknown disease outbreak in Burundi, deploying experts to affected communities. Africa CDC stated that preliminary laboratory tests have ruled out major viral haemorrhagic fevers. Dr. Tolbert Nyenswah, Director for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response at Africa CDC, announced this on Thursday during the agency’s weekly high-level press briefing for epidemiological week 16. Nyenswah said multidisciplinary teams—including surveillance experts, laboratory scientists, and public health specialists—were deployed to remote mountainous areas of Burundi to assess the situation and determine the outbreak’s cause. The field teams are working…
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called for increased investment in immunisation, warning that weak funding continues to undermine Africa’s health security and economic stability. Dr. Tolbert Nyenswah, Director for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response at Africa CDC, made the call on Thursday during the agency’s weekly high-level press briefing for epidemiological week 16. Nyenswah said immunisation remains one of the most cost-effective health interventions, noting that every dollar invested yields up to 40 dollars in returns. He warned that underinvestment in immunisation costs Africa between $20 billion and $30 billion annually, stressing that “the…
President Bola Tinubu has been named Chief Host of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, scheduled for November 15–21 in Abuja. Prof. Justin Green, President of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, announced this in a statement via NIPR Director of Public Relations, Stanley Ogadigo. Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema will deliver the keynote address at the forum, themed “Responsible Communication, the Voice of the World.” Green said the participation of two African presidents demonstrates the continent’s readiness to host the “Biggest, Brightest and Boldest” global PR event. He also confirmed that UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communication, Melissa…
The Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) has described Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s elevation to substantive Minister of Foreign Affairs as well-deserved. NICASA President Frank Onyekwelu made the statement in a congratulatory message to the minister on Friday. It was reported that President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday elevated Odumegwu-Ojukwu from Minister of State to the substantive Minister of Foreign Affairs. The appointment follows the resignation of former minister Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, who is pursuing his governorship ambition in the 2027 elections. Onyekwelu noted that Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s distinguished track record in diplomacy, public service, and national representation inspires confidence in her capacity to…
Seplat Energy Plc posted revenue of $840.7 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, up from $809.3 million in the same period last year. Revenue rose 4% year-on-year, reflecting stronger output and pricing support across its oil and gas portfolio. The company disclosed the results on Thursday in Lagos via a statement to investors. Gross profit stood at $370.5 million, while profit after tax surged 62.7% to $37.9 million from $23.3 million in Q1 2025. It declared a dividend of 9 US cents per share, up 96% from the prior year. Average production reached 129,841 barrels of oil…
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) posted a profit before tax of N302.9 billion for the period ended March 31, 2026. The group disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos, in its unaudited consolidated and separate financial statements for the first quarter. Interest income and fee income rose by 17.5% and 7.1% year-on-year, reflecting sustained momentum in banking operations. The loan book grew by 1.3% to N3.17 trillion, supported by a 6.3% rise in deposits to N13.69 trillion. Total assets stood at N18.7 trillion, while shareholders’ funds closed at N3.6 trillion, underscoring a strong capital position. The Capital Adequacy Ratio remained…
The House of Representatives has directed 11 electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to refund ₦55.42 billion obtained under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP). Lawmakers on Thursday adopted a committee report giving the DISCOs a seven-month deadline to repay the loan to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Presenting the report, Chairman Uchenna Okonkwo said the probe, following the committee’s mandate, found that the metering scheme failed to achieve its expected outcomes. Okonkwo explained that the programme, launched in 2020, aimed to close metering gaps, promote local manufacturing, curb losses, and end estimated billing practices. He listed beneficiaries as Abuja, Eko,…
The Delta Government has begun implementing the Federal Government’s N-774 Initiative to reduce child malnutrition in rural communities across the state. State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, disclosed this during a one-day high-level meeting on integrated multi-sectoral nutrition programmes on Thursday in Asaba. Launched in February 2025, the N-774 Initiative aims to extend nutrition programme benefits to grassroots communities in all 774 Local Government Areas of the country. The initiative adopts a bottom-up, multi-sectoral approach targeting children, with the goal of reducing child malnutrition by 50 per cent by 2030. The meeting, themed “Operationalising the N-774 Initiative and…
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has commended the House of Representatives for its efforts to amend the Cybercrime Act. Executive Director Akintunde Babatunde said in a statement on Thursday that the amendment would curb the misuse of the law to criminalise legitimate journalistic activities. He added that the reform would create a safer and freer environment for journalists, free from undue interference, harassment, or intimidation. “This marks the first major legislative effort to address longstanding complaints about controversial provisions used to suppress the press,” Babatunde said. He urged lawmakers to ensure a thorough review with clear intent…