Author: Helen Okechukwu

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has warned House of Representatives that smoking-focused law could spike tobacco-related deaths in Nigeria. Presenting a memorandum on Friday to the Hon. Bassey Akiba-led House Committee on Healthcare Services in Abuja, CAPPA’s Zikorah Ibeh criticized the proposed National Tobacco Smoking Bill (HB 1151) as fundamentally flawed. The Guardian report noted that CAPPA pointed out that the Bill incorrectly refers to a non-existent “National Tobacco Smoking Act of 2015,” raising concerns about its credibility and understanding of tobacco control laws. If the intended reference is the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) 2015, CAPPA argued…

The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called for collaborative efforts from government stakeholders to fight against the spread of NOMA disease in Sokoto State. Samuel Joseph, a health expert with MSF, said NOMA is a preventable condition. He urged the government and community leaders to prioritise hygiene awareness and improve living conditions to protect citizens from the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NOMA is a severe gangrenous disease of the mouth and face. Children at age 2 to 6-year-old are majorly affected, and NOMA health conditions are predominantly found among those living in poor communities. Research has…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that the ongoing repairs of the transmission line of Ahoada-Yenagoa has been disrupted by vandals. The announcement noted that about three towers were pulled down and one-third of conductors were equally stolen. Local security personnel have been deployed to Ula Ikata in Ahoada East Local Government Area to secure the site until repairs are completed. According to TCN, efforts to replace the stolen conductors are ongoing as the transmission line will be energized from the Ahoada end for further theft. TCN revealed that despite the climate effect and environmental terrain, the repair…

To tackle the rising cancer rate in the country, the Kenyan Ministry of Health has announced plans to expand the cancer care network within four regions to boost treatment. Dr. Deborah Barasa, the Cabinet Secretary for Health at the 8th Kenya International Cancer Conference in Kisumu, announced this development on Friday. The conference was hosted by the Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO) with the theme “Advancing Cancer Care in Africa in a Rapidly Changing World.” The regional cancer centres are to be established in Kisumu, Kakamega, Meru, and Nyeri. The aims of the four centres are to assist…

The Kwara State Government has directed all staff under its local government payroll to register with the Kwara State Residents Registration Agency (KWASRRA) at designated centrer across the 16 local government Council secretariats. The statement was shared on Thursday via the Facebook page of the state government. In a statement signed by Alhaji Umar Danladi Shero, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Local Government Service Commission and the Local Government Pension Board, he clarified that the exercise is not aimed at targeting or punishing any staff member. Instead, it is intended to accurately document staff numbers and gather necessary…

The Health Commissioner of Borno State, Prof. Baba Mallam Gana has called for collaboration among public ministries across Nigeria with the aim of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for its citizens. Prof. Gana made this call during their 65th National Council on Health (NCH), organized by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Borno State Ministry of Health. The theme for this 65th NCH was “Accelerating Pathways for Universal Health Coverage: Strategies for 2030 Success.” This development was made known via a statement shared on X on Thursday, noting the urgency to achieve this health scheme and Sustainable…

Ladies who are diagnosed with hirsutism have excessive facial, chest, along with back hair growth. While the presence of body hair is normal for all genders, hirsutism is often associated with underlying hormonal imbalances or medical conditions. Research from International Journal of Women’s Dermatology tilted ‘Endocrine Evaluation Of Hirsutism’ revealed that hirsutism is an endocrine disorder that affects 5 to 10% of reproductive-age women in the population. Although hirsutism affects but is difficult to be noticed, it is noted that this medical condition is common among dark-skinned individuals. However, in children, hirsutism is a sign of precocious puberty, which means…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday announced the uncovering of illegal alcohol packaging operators at Article Market in Abule-Osun, Lagos State. The regulatory body revealed that during raiding, about 50,000 counterfeit branded labels and packaging materials for fake alcoholic beverages were seized. The information disclosed that approximately ₦2 billion worth of goods were confiscated. The anti-food agency said the seized items in the shared documents was used for the production of unapproved and hazardous alcoholic products for the public. “During the raid, over 50,000 counterfeit branded labels and packaging materials for fake alcoholic…

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has ramped up enforcement across the state, sealing off Ile Iyan, a business place located on Herbert Macaulay Way, Sabo, Yaba, for violating waste disposal rules. The agency has also launched a major crackdown on illegal cart pushers to address growing environmental concerns. Speaking on the action via their X page on Wednesday, LAWMA’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, revealed that the facility was shut down due to reckless waste disposal practices. Gbadegesin said, “Our operatives discovered evidence of Ile Iyan’s waste disposal at an illegal dumpsite near Aje Comprehensive High School’s…

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has issued a dismissal letter to Ohieku Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences (FUHSO), Otukpo, Benue State over misconduct. This decision came after Salami allegedly took illegal actions, “including the suspension of the Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures.” The announcement of the sacked lPro-Chancellor was dated on Wednesday. According to Punch, the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folashade Boriowo, noted that despite calls for the unlawful suspension to be revoked, Salami refused to comply. Moreover, Salami resorted to…