Author: Helen Okechukwu

The Chairman of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Bauchi State Chapter, Abdulahi Ibrahim, has expressed concern over the withdrawal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from HIV/AIDS interventions. According to the Voice of Nigeria publication, Ibrahim noted their withdrawal poses a great risk within the state and asserted that the shortage of treatment centres, lack of clinical support, and essential services can lead to the spread of the disease. While issuing a warning, emphasised the lack of treatment could result in drug resistance and complications. “We have more than 22,000 volunteers in…

Rising temperature witnessed across the country has led the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to issue a warning to citizens to take precautionary measures against the heat surge effect. This was made known due to the increase in several states observing extreme heat conditions. The agency revealed this in a post shared on X on Thursday, alarming that on Wednesday, with temperatures heating 38 and 40 degrees Celsius while Yelwa recorded 40 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature. NiMet acknowledges that the air temperatures might remain at this level, showing the possibility to increase in some notable areas. However, the moisture…

After a violent attack that claimed 20 lives in Mbaa community, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has withdrawn corps members from the area. The attack was suspected to have been perpetrated by herders. On Thursday in a statement released in Makurdi, the NYSC’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations in Benue State, Yahuza Adamu, confirmed the evacuation. Due to the security threat, Adamu said the decision to withdraw corps members was made, reaffirming the NYSC’s commitment to their security and safety. The statement read: “Since the beginning of incessant attacks on…

The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to training 28,000 female students across 70 public secondary schools located in the state’s three senatorial districts. This was revealed in a post shared on Thursday via the state government’s Facebook page. In partnership with the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, the State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development aims to achieve this initiative. The five-day workshop, titled “Digital Literacy Skills Programme for Educators and Secondary School Girls,” was declared open at Bovina View Hotels. While explaining the initiative’s objectives, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, the State Commissioner…

The Defence Headquarters has revealed that over 12,000 ex-insurgents along with their families has surrendered to the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) programme since its launched. The 12-months programme is conducted under the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) initiative. 789 former insurgents are currently enrolled into the programme. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, disclosed this at the OPSC Stakeholders Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday. Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde, Musa stated that the military is preparing to reintegrate 381 ex-Boko Haram fighters back into society. Read Also:…

Health officials in the Gaza Strip are launching an emergency polio vaccination campaign from February 22 to 26, 2025, to protect children from the virus. The campaign will provide the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to over 591,000 children under the age of 10, following the recent detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples. This information was shared today on World Health Organisation (WHO) website. The presence of poliovirus in the environment poses a serious risk to children, especially in Gaza’s overcrowded shelters and areas with damaged water, sanitation, and hygiene systems. With extensive population movement following the current…

Over 345,000 pupils across public primary and secondary schools in Osun State are expected to undergo free eye care screening. The screening exercise will be conducted at the Imole School Eye Health Programme and will commence on 25 February. On Tuesday, Dr. Rasaq Akindele, the Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Agency, noted that beneficiaries will undergo comprehensive eye screening and examinations. Among the services to render during the exercise are treatment for refractive errors, provision of corrective spectacles, and medications. Read Also: NNPC launches free cancer screening campaign, targets 3,000 Nigerians Akindele added, “Those whose conditions necessitate surgical…

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has donated six gunboats to the Rivers State Police Command to strengthen security on waterways. The launching exercise took place on Tuesday, at Abonnema Wharf. Representing the IGP, Deputy Inspector General of Police Operations (DIG), Ali Ali, emphasised that the boats must be strictly used for security purposes and not for private protection services. “the IGP office was inundated with complaints from people of Bonny complaining of sea piracy armed robbery along the waterways,” Ali stated. This came following several attacks on the waterways. He stressed that a safer environment would attract investors, create…

To fulfil his lifelong dream of pursuing higher education, Adedapo Idowu, a 94-year-old man, has reportedly enrolled for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). JAMB is responsible for conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for aspiring students across Nigeria. In a featured JAMB bulletin, Mr. Idowu expressed his excitement about finally pursuing academic excellence after many years of waiting. “Age is just a number when it comes to determination. I can now attain my dream of higher education at an advanced age,” Idowu said. He praised JAMB for its…

Health experts warn that eating food exposed to flies can lead to serious health problems, including infections and diseases. Flies often land on dirty surfaces before touching food, spreading harmful germs that can make people sick. Flies move between garbage, sewage, and other filthy areas, picking up bacteria and viruses along the way. When they land on food, they transfer these germs, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), contaminated food causes 600 million cases of foodborne diseases each year, leading to 420,000 deaths. Children under five are the most affected, accounting for 30%…