At the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany, USAID and the Global Financing Facility (GFF), a multi-donor trust fund at the World Bank, have reaffirmed their strategic partnership. They announced a collaborative effort to enhance primary health care (PHC) systems and bolster health workforces, with an initial USAID investment of $4 million into the GFF. This investment establishes a trust fund focused on strengthening PHC systems, capable of effectively responding to outbreaks and pandemics in GFF partner countries. This initiative aims to empower health workforces to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to global health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic had…
Author: Editor Francis
The President, Joe Biden has expressed gratitude for the enlightening briefings delivered by Assistant Secretary-General Khiari, former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, and former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki. Acknowledging the invaluable research conducted by Dr. Josefina Echavarria on peace agreement implementation and verification, the President underscored the importance of such research in the pursuit of global peace. The President has lauded Brazil’s endeavours to fortify the partnership between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations, including the Organisation of American States. This partnership was emphasised as crucial in addressing emerging global and regional challenges such as climate…
A humanitarian convoy, with the support of the U.S. government, has delivered essential aid to Gaza. This convoy, which includes vehicles from the United Nations, consists of 20 trucks carrying urgently-needed medicine, food, and water to address the grave humanitarian crisis in the region. The suspension of critical supplies like water and electricity has exacerbated the situation, making this delivery crucial. Diplomatic efforts have played a vital role in facilitating this convoy, marking the first such delivery to Gaza since the onset of hostilities. The continuous delivery of assistance is stressed as a paramount concern. Concerns persist regarding the civilian…
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu has named Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha as the new Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN). This appointment was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, which was issued under the title ‘President Tinubu appoints new ECN Chief Executive Officer.’ Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served for over a decade on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. His professional background is rooted in the Energy and Space Technology sectors. Notably, he…
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), says the country’s domestic consumption of petrol has significantly dropped from 66.7 million litres, before the deregulation, to 44.3 million litres per day. Mr Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of NMDPRA said that the reduction represents about 33.58 per cent daily. Ahmed disclosed this in his keynote address at the opening session of the Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) 2023 Africa Week 2023 on Monday in Lagos. The NMDPRA boss said eight wholesale petroleum product suppliers out of 94 licensed oil marketers were issued permits to import into the country. According to…
During his address at the 29th annual Nigerian Economic Summit, hosted by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on Monday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared the impending end of industrial actions in the nation’s academic sector. He revealed that this change would be ushered in with the commencement of the administration’s Students Loans Scheme in January 2024. The president also added that while discussing his administration’s strategies to stabilise the economy through collaboration with all stakeholders, particularly the private sector, emphasized the immediate implementation of a sustainable credit program. “By January 2024, the new…
The Supreme Court has chosen to withhold its judgment in the appeal lodged by Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, contesting the tribunal’s decision that upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election win. The seven-member panel, with John Inyang Okoro at the helm, concluded a thorough review of the arguments presented by all parties involved and declared that the date for delivering the judgment would be conveyed to them at a later time. Notably, the panel included Uwani Aji, Mohammed Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Abubakar Tijjani, and Emmanuel Agim. Livy Uzoukwu, the lead counsel for Peter Obi, urged…
A 500-level veterinary medicine student at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State, has been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bauchi State on charges of allegedly killing a 17-year-old. The suspect, identified as Abdullahi Ibrahim, allegedly lured the teenage secondary student by sending explicit pictures and enticing him to meet for a homosexual activity. Bauchi State’s NSCDC Commandant, Ilelaboye Oyejide, disclosed these details to journalists during a press briefing. According to Oyejide, the incident took place in Misau town, located in Misau Local Government Area of the state. Oyejide revealed that the NSCDC received…
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has taken a significant step in his legal battle, urging the Supreme Court to consider new documents against President Bola Tinubu. Speaking at the court on Monday, Atiku’s lead counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, emphasised the gravity and constitutional significance of the matter, urging the court to accept their application. Uche argued, “The issue involving Mr. Tinubu’s certificate is a weighty, grave, and constitutional one, which the Supreme Court should admit. I urge the court to admit the fresh evidence of President Tinubu’s academic records from CSU presented by Atiku.…
Nigeria’s total public debt may hit N118.37tn in the next three years, findings by The PUNCH have shown. GOVIMA Reports The figure was based on analysing Nigeria’s current debt profile and the debt projections in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper 2024-2026. According to the new MTEF/FSP, the Federal Government plans to take N26.42tn loans between 2024 and 2026. The fiscal policy also indicates that debt servicing will gulp N29.92tn in three years. The data show that the national government plans to borrow N7.81tn in 2024, slightly less than the N8.84tn targeted for the same year in…
In a harrowing incident, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by unknown gunmen on Sunday, October 22. The attack took place as the governor was en route to Abuja for an official engagement, just a few kilometres away from the federal capital. The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, issued a statement confirming the attack, which occurred at approximately 4 pm. Fanwo revealed that the assailants were disguised in military uniforms. The statement from the Kogi State Government reads as follows: “The Kogi State Government wishes to inform the general public that there was…
The Federal Government reopened the Third Mainland Bridge late on Sunday evening, just 24 hours after it was closed for essential palliative work. The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, expressed her satisfaction with the repairs, assuring motorists of a smooth ride until the start of comprehensive rehabilitation in January 2024. The closure, which began at midnight on Saturday, was initiated to facilitate repairs on crucial sections of the bridge and alleviate the hardship faced by motorists. Following the completion of the repair work, the road was reopened to traffic at approximately 7 p.m. During an on-the-spot…