Author: Helen Okechukwu

To prevent outbreaks, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has called for improved border surveillance and advanced kits for early detection of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs). This call came following results obtained from research conducted in some part of the country between 2018 and 2022. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday at the monthly institute’s conference in Lagos, the Director of Research at NIMR, Prof. Rosemary Audu, urged improved border scrutiny to prevent impacts that pose a health challenge. VHFs, a group of illnesses caused by viruses that damage the blood vessels and can cause severe bleeding. While sharing the…

As number of people living with HIV/AIDS soar high within Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi has integrated a campaign, “Free to Shine” aims to lessen rising infection rate among women and children. Mrs. Tinubu, during the flag-off ceremony of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development “Free to Shine” campaign held on Tuesday, stressed the significance of this development. The event took place at the North-West zone in Kaduna State. She further highlighted that in the Sub-Saharan region in Africa, Nigeria has the highest number of HIV infections due to its population affecting children, youth, women, and…

To improve the Nigeria education sector, the Federal Government says that over 6,000 teachers are to be trained in an Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pedagogy training programme after its launch. The development aims to aid innovative, technologically driven education and enhance teaching methods across the Nigerian secondary schools. The initiative was organised by the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) with the sponsorship of Google Research and supported by both Data Science Nigeria and Olabisi Onabanjo University Ogun State. During the launching ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday, the event witnessed the revelation of the Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary…

To mitigate the levy charged on car parking within the premises of the private hospitals in Lagos State, the Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) has urged the state government to revoke the fee while highlighting their essential services. The payment of parking fees was initiated by the Lagos State Parking Authority. Speaking with The Punch in an interview, Dr Raymond Kuti, the GMD President described the newly levy imposed as over taxation while stressing on the negative effect it will have on patients bills. The report noted that a hospital (name withheld) in Ikeja was billed N40,000 for a single…

A 35-year-old lady, Blessing Oleru, who resides on OMPADEC Road, Igwuruta Town, Rivers State, has been apprehended by the state police operative for allegedly swapping debit cards. The police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a document shared on Tuesday to journalists, stated that the state command achieved this following a coordinated intelligence operation. Iringe-Koko recalled that the victim, who pleaded to be anonymous, reported to have received debit alerts of the sum of ₦523,600.00 after encountering Oleru at a Bank Garrison axis in Port Harcourt, who had swapped his debit card after pretending to offer assistance. Meanwhile, unknowingly to the victim,…

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has placed at least 1,600 employees on administrative leave as part of a broader workforce reduction plan. The announcement was made on Sunday, at 11:59 pm EST through an official statement titled “Notification of Administrative Leave,” published on the agency’s website. According to the statement, most USAID direct-hire employees, except those assigned to mission-critical tasks, leadership positions, or specially designated programs, have been placed on leave globally. At the same time, USAID has begun implementing a Reduction-in-Force (RIF) that will impact around 1,600 personnel stationed within the United States. Affected employees were…

Indonesia has introduced a free medical check-up programme for all its 280 million citizens. A statement from the chief of the Presidential Communication Office, Hasan Nasbi, said the healthcare initiative was the first of its kind. The ‘Cek Kesehatan Gratis (CKG) programme’ initiative aims to promote preventive healthcare, eliminating barriers to accessing healthcare services. Mr Nasbi said citizens can access the programme through the Satu Sehat mobile app or by visiting the nearest government health clinic. He said the CKG programme significantly shifts Indonesia’s healthcare approach, prioritising preventive care over expensive treatments. Read Also: Nigeria unveils major health sector investment…

In a renewed effort to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Lagos, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has engaged 60 Magistrates in discussions on addressing the issue effectively. The initiative aims to enhance the role of the judiciary in ensuring justice for survivors and holding perpetrators accountable. This was made know via a post shared on the government Facebook page on Sunday. Speaking at the event held in Ikeja, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, emphasized the state’s commitment to reducing SGBV to the lowest level possible. She highlighted that SGBV is a…

The Chief Judge of Rivers State (CJ), Justice Simeon Amadi, has certified two new private Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) centres. The aim of the certification was to tackle the issue of delayed justice and reduce case congestion in courts, These centres, Praeclarus Alternative Dispute Resolution Services and Harmony Arbitration, Mediation, and Peace Building Centre, are both located in Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State. During the certificate presentation ceremony at the High Court Complex in Port Harcourt, Justice Amadi emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in ADR practices. He warned that any violation of the regulations set…

Nigerian authorities have intercepted a 24-year-old Thai lady, Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, for attempting to smuggle 43 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, into the country. The consignments weighing 46.60 kilograms were concealed in her boxes. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Wimonnat on 20 February at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos during an inward clearance of a Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha. She confessed to being hired by a drug cartel (name withheld) who promised to pay her $3,000 after the drug has been delivered successfully. On 21 February, the effort…