SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
Try "researchers"
Home Blog Page 493

Nigeria Receives 11 Citizens Repatriated from Central African Republic

Lateefat Ibrahim
-
0
Nigeria Receives 11 Citizens Repatriated from Central African Republic

The Nigerian Government has received 11 stranded Nigerians from the Central African Republic.

The Nigerian Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency,NEMA, received the returnees who were accompanied by the Nigerian Ambassador to the Central African Republic, Babagana Ahmed.

The returnees arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport,Abuja at exactly 4:50 PM, via Flight Asky B -B 747-200 with registration ET-AXO, on Thursday, 14th August, 2025.

Director General, NEMA, Zubaida Umar while briefing journalists, restated the government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of citizens in distress, as demonstrated in the dignified return of the eleven Miners.

Safe return

Represented by the Director,Search and Rescue in the Agency, Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong, the Director General NEMA also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser to the President, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui, for taking the initiative and ensuring the safe return of the stranded Nigerians.

“The swift action of these agencies is a reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s vision of ensuring that every Nigerian who is in a difficult situation anywhere in the world is of course, attended to, and is brought back home.”

“We in NEMA, immediately we got the instructions, we have provided them with meals upon landing, for refreshment. Subsequently, we are going to provide for them transportation and, of course, lodging. So that by tomorrow, they can safely depart and rejoin with their families.”

The Nigerian Ambassador, Babagana Ahmed was instrumental to the rescue of the Nigerian Miners in CAR, following a plea they made on the 24th of July, 2025 via a video that went viral on the social media.

Abandoned by their employers

Ambassador Ahmed said the Nigerians were recruited to work at mining sites and were subsequently abandoned by their employers in a remote forest area for about 8 months.

According to him, following the sweep intervention by the embassy in collaboration with relevant authorities and their employers, the stranded Nigerians were successfully rescued and evacuated to Bangui, capital city of the Center African Republic, on 28th July 2025.

“Since their arrival, the mission has provided them with accommodation, feeding, medical care and other necessary welfare support.”

The Team-lead for the returnees, Mr Freeborn Igorigo, an indigene of Delta State in South -south Nigeria, while narrating their ordeals, told journalists that the company is owing them eight months wages.

Pay them their wages

Mr Igorigo, therefore, pleaded with the Federal Government to ensure that the company pays them their wages in full to serve as a deterrent to other nationals taking advantage of Nigerians in the human capital management.

“Though it was a very traumatizing experience, we are happy that we are home. But the battle is not yet won,this is just the first step. Because all of us that are here now have left our family, left the country for a year. And as I’m talking to you now, I’m telling you, we don’t know what we are going to meet at home because there was no payment.”

“The company tried their best to just pay some people two months, some people one and a half months.Now imagine having wives and children, old age, mothers and everything to cater for. And you go home empty handed. So we are pleading to the authorities. We are pleading to those involved, DSS or ministers of mining or the federal government to please help us.”

He further disclosed that Some of the returnees have also developed medical conditions due to exposure to hazard and accidents at the mining site.

Another, returnee,Oluyemi Peter, from Kogi State, in North-central Nigeria, who was elated to be back home, commended the Federal Government for listening to their plea.

Thorough enquiries

Mr Oluyemi , however, cautioned young Nigerians who desire to migrate to other countries, to always make thorough enquiries before leaving.

The Miners were evacuated from Senye , a village in Bambari Region in the Central African Republic, which is about 840 Kilometres away from the capital city, where they worked for DENACO ERADO Mining Company.

The reception was conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Custom Service, Nigerian Air Force and Department of State Services.

Lateefah Ibrahim

Kaduna Launches Health Insurance Card Distribution Drive

Manomsi Mallum
-
0
Kaduna Launches Health Insurance Card Distribution Drive

Kaduna State has launched the distribution of Health Insurance Identity Cards to 15,000 vulnerable residents under the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme, aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare.

The flag-off ceremony, held at Hotel Seventeen in Kaduna, brought together senior government officials, development partners, and traditional leaders, including the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli.

Representatives from UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) were also in attendance, alongside beneficiaries from across the state.

Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, representing Governor Uba Sani, described the event as “a day of purpose, promise, and progress.”

She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring that no citizen is denied quality medical care due to financial barriers.

Read Also: Over 1,500 Cholera Infections Recorded in Zamfara – NGO

“This is not just about distributing cards. It is about delivering care, compassion, and commitment—offering health for all, hope for all, and help for all,” she said.

Balarabe highlighted the revitalisation of 255 Primary Health Care facilities and General Hospitals, equipped with modern technology, skilled personnel, and solar power, since Governor Sani took office.

These upgrades, she noted, have improved maternal care, reduced child mortality, and protected families from out-of-pocket medical costs.

She commended CHAI for enrolling over 20,000 vulnerable people—mostly women—into the scheme and praised traditional rulers for mobilising community support for health programmes.

She also urged corporate organisations, philanthropists, and community leaders to sponsor more residents, calling the card distribution a transformative step towards a healthier future for the state’s most vulnerable.

 

Nigeria Promotes Open Governance to Strengthen Citizen Participation

Lateefat Ibrahim
-
0
Nigeria Promotes Open Governance to Strengthen Citizen Participation

The Nigerian Government has called on the government at all levels to work in synergy through open dialogue with Nigerians for meaningful development in the country.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call at a town hall meeting with Enugu State citizens in the state Capital, as part of the South-East citizens’ engagement tour activities.

According to the Minister, the initiative aims to create awareness on the activities of government to ensure a better life for Nigerians.

“We are here to listen, to share progress, and to ensure that government policies reflect the realities of our people.Our goal is simple to bridge the communication gap between government and citizens, block the spread of misinformation, and strengthen participatory democracy through open dialogue,” he said.

Freed up more funds

Idris stated, also highlight key interventions, while maintaining that the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rates have freed up more funds for infrastructure and social investments nationwide.

“In the South-East, these resources are already delivering projects, including the Eastern Railway Corridor, a world-class oncology centre in Enugu, and over 1,000 rehabilitated primary healthcare centres” that the region is benefitting from business support funds, expanded student loans, consumer credit schemes, and electricity market autonomy,” he stated.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji said: “Through the dedicated work of the federal ministry of Innovation science and Technology , And our sister agencies, we have delivered over seventy tangible projects touching every senatorial district of Enugu State. These projects are more than infrastructure, they are life line”, he noted.

The Special Adviser to the president on communication and a strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga said the government is very much aware and so the next phase of the government program is to address those problems that is being raised.

“The government is targeting one thousand people in every ward, to make sure the problem of poverty is addressed,” he noted.

The team is to move to Ebonyi state for citizen engagement and Town Hall meeting with the locals.

The Citizens engagement and town hall meeting was attended by both Traditional and Religious along side women graded.

Lateefah Ibrahim

African Union Calls for Accurate Map of Africa’s Size

Chidimma Anikwenze
-
0
African Union Calls for Accurate Map of Africa’s Size

In a bid to end the use of inaccurate Africa map sizes, the African Union has backed a campaign to end the use by governments and international organisations of the 16th-century Mercator map of the world in favour of one that more accurately displays Africa’s size.

The map, created by cartographer Gerardus Mercator for navigation,  distorts continent sizes, enlarging areas near the poles like North America and Greenland while shrinking Africa and South America.

“It might seem to be just a map, but in reality, it is not,” AU Commission deputy chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi said, adding that the Mercator fostered a false impression that Africa was “marginal”, despite being the world’s second-largest continent by area, with 54 nations and over a billion people.

Criticism of the Mercator map is not new, but the ‘Correct The Map’ campaign led by advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa has revived the debate, urging organisations to adopt the 2018 Equal Earth projection, which tries to reflect countries’ true sizes.

“The current size of the map of Africa is wrong,” Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter, said. “It’s the world’s longest misinformation and disinformation campaign, and it just simply has to stop.”

Fara Ndiaye, co-founder of Speak Up Africa, said the Mercator affected Africans’ identity and pride, especially children who might encounter it early in school.

“We’re actively working on promoting a curriculum where the Equal Earth projection will be the main standard across all (African) classrooms,” Ndiaye said.

She hoped it would also be the one used by global institutions, including Africa-based ones.

Haddadi said the AU endorsed the campaign, adding it aligned with its goal of “reclaiming Africa’s rightful place on the global stage” amid growing calls for reparations for colonialism and slavery.

The AU will advocate for wider map adoption and discuss collective actions with member states, Haddadi added.

The Mercator projection is still widely used, including by schools and tech companies. Google Maps switched from Mercator on desktop to a 3D globe view in 2018, though users can still switch back to Mercator if they prefer.

‘Correct The Map’ wants organisations like the World Bank and the United Nations to adopt the Equal Earth map. A World Bank spokesperson said they already use the Winkel-Tripel or Equal Earth for static maps and are phasing out Mercator on web maps.

The campaign said it has sent a request to the UN geospatial body, UN-GGIM. A UN spokesperson said that once received it must be reviewed and approved by a committee of experts.

Other regions are backing the AU’s efforts. Dorbrene O’Marde, Vice Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission, endorsed Equal Earth as a rejection of the Mercator map’s “ideology of power and dominance”.

Golden Eaglets Continue Preparations For WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament

Chidi Uduma Nwoke
-
0
Golden Eaglets Continue Preparations For WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament

Nigeria’s U-17 Boys football team, the Golden Eaglets, have continued intensive preparations for next month’s WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament, with the technical crew led by coach Manu Garba working assiduously to produce a team capable of doing the country proud.

The five-time world champions were ruthless on Wednesday in a 5-0 demolition of Winsome FC in a friendly game played at the FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium.

The Eaglets were two goals better going into the break and the team got more clinical in the second half, scoring three more goals to end the game 5-0. Winsome FC is from Oporoza Island, Warri South West, Delta State.

It was the fourth friendly game by the Eaglets, who are in camp preparing for the WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament taking place next month.

In earlier games, they had beaten Espora Football Academy of Abuja 4-0, pipped GASA of Ilorin by a lone goal and came from behind to defeat Bandex Football Academy of Kebbi 3-2.

Over 1,500 Cholera Infections Recorded in Zamfara – NGO

Manomsi Mallum
-
0
Over 1,500 Cholera Infections Recorded in Zamfara – NGO

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised alarm over the growing number of cholera cases in Zamfara State, reporting more than 1,500 infections from mid-June to early August.

In a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, MSF’s Medical Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr David Kizito, said the cases were recorded from three state Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities supported by the organisation, with high incidence rates also reported in other parts of the state.

“This outbreak is unfolding in a context of insecurity, displacement, and limited access to clean water and sanitation – exacerbated by the rainy season,” Kizito said, noting that cholera outbreaks in Nigeria typically intensify between April and October due to flooding that contaminates water sources.

He warned that cholera can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to rapid dehydration and death within hours if untreated.

Read Also: NCDC Urges States to Intensify Lassa Fever Awareness

In response, MSF has expanded its water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, alongside other humanitarian actors and the MOH, which activated a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre on 3 July.

Hotspot areas such as Shinkafi, Zurmi and Talata Mafara—where safe water access is critically low—have been prioritised.

MSF has also supported the opening of cholera treatment centres and units in Zurmi, Shinkafi and Talata Mafara General Hospitals.

Between 16 June and 5 August, the Zurmi CTC recorded 562 suspected cases, mostly from Yambuki, Kadamusa and Zurmi town. Shinkafi General Hospital treated about 401 cases between 11 July and 5 August, while over 600 cases were recorded in Talata Mafara between 1 July and 8 August.

Some cases were traced to Isa LGA in Sokoto State and as far as Anka and Bakura LGAs.

Kizito expressed concern over a potential rise in infections and called for urgent measures, including decentralised oral rehydration points, enabling primary healthcare centres to treat mild and moderate cases, and an immediate cholera vaccination campaign.

“No one should die from a preventable disease,” he stressed, urging full community participation to curb the spread.

 

 

 

 

NAN

Akwa Ibom Governor Boosts Renewed Agenda, Inspects State Projects

Lateefat Ibrahim
-
0
Akwa Ibom Governor Boosts Renewed Agenda, Inspects State Projects

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the ARISE Agenda, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The governor inspected strategic projects across the state, focusing on accelerated infrastructure delivery, tourism development, and reducing medical tourism outflows.

This move aims to boost the state’s economy and improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Governor Eno reaffirmed his commitment saying “We’re delivering projects with quality, speed, and sustainability under the ARISE Agenda.”

Loss of revenue

At the Medical City project site, Governor Eno urged contractors to speed up road and infrastructure works to meet deadlines, stressing that timely completion will position Akwa Ibom as a regional healthcare hub, curbing the loss of revenue from residents seeking medical care abroad.

During his visit to the “Ibom International Hospital,” he directed immediate commencement of piling works and the clearance of acquired structures to fully open up the site for rapid development. Once operational, the hospital will offer world-class facilities, directly contributing to Nigeria’s goal of retaining healthcare spending within the country.

Trained pioneer staff

Inspecting the Elderly Citizens Centre, the Governor issued directives for a more holistic facility; incorporating a full-scale healthcare wing, expanding the site by 20 hectares, developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and recruiting trained pioneer staff.

This approach reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda’s social inclusion component while ensuring health services infrastructure.

These projects also carry tourism potential, with the Medical City and Ibom International Hospital, potentially leveraging Akwa Ibom’s serene environment and hospitality infrastructure, to attract medical tourists to the State, when operational.

These infrastructure upgrades with service quality improvements drive, will also position the state as a leading destination for both leisure and medical tourism.

These interventions directly complement the Federal Government priority programmes drive under the Renewed Hope Agenda’s, to expand critical infrastructure, develop the healthcare sector to reduce medical tourism, and boost domestic tourism as a pillar of economic diversification through shared prosperity and inclusive growth across Nigeria.

Lateefah Ibrahim

Gusau Commends NFF-FIFA Project Pace

Chidi Uduma Nwoke
-
0
Gusau Commends NFF-FIFA Project Pace

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), has praised the contractors working on the NFF-FIFA Players’ hostel and new training pitches for the pace of work on the project.

On an inspection of the site, which is located opposite the NFF Secretariat inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Gusau, in company with some members of NFF Management, was conducted round the various sections of the project by the lead architect, Gambo Ahmadu.

After the inspection, Gusau expressed satisfaction with the pace of work at the site and expressed confidence that the contractors will be able to deliver on the 24-month mandate given for the completion of the work.

“I am happy with the pace of the work, the seriousness shown so far by the contractors, and the quality of the work as seen so far,” the NFF president said. “They have a 24-month mandate to deliver.”

“And at the pace they are going, they should be able to complete the Players’ Hostel and the Training Pitches on or before that timeline. I am also impressed with the quality of work. For the present NFF administration, it is a legacy project and it is very close to our hearts.”

“I am also happy that the project is located close to the office where members of the NFF Executive Committee (whenever any of them is in Abuja), myself and the NFF Management and Staff can easily monitor what is being done,” Gusau added.

The inspection took Gusau and his team to the site of the new training pitches, the old training pitch which is also to undergo extensive renovation and the two-story Players’ Hostel, which will have several offices and conference facilities on the ground floor. The first and second floors will contain the rooms for the players and officials.

“We need the report of what has been done so far, alongside photographs, for us to send to FIFA so that they know how far the project has gone,” Gusau told Architect Ahmadu.

It will be recalled that at only the second meeting of the present NFF Executive Committee, Gusau tabled the proposal for this legacy project to his colleagues.

It was unanimously endorsed that the NFF’s residual funds from the FIFA 2.0 and the proposed funds from then incipient FIFA 3.0 be utilised for the construction of a befitting hostel accommodation for the National Teams and the construction of two Football Pitches (one natural turf and one synthetic turf) for use by the teams at the Goal Project section of the Package B of MKO Abiola National Stadium.

With Gusau at the inspection were NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire; Deputy Director of Competitions, Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman; AD Protocol, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and’ SA to President, Abubakar Danladi Umar.

Kaduna Government Refutes Claims of By-Election Sabotage

Aisha John-Mark
-
0
Kaduna Government Refutes Claims of By-Election Sabotage

The Kaduna State Government has dismissed allegations by a coalition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of plans to undermine Saturday’s by-elections in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and the state constituencies of Sabon Gari and Zaria.

The coalition, led by ADC National Vice Chairman (North-West) Jafaru Ibrahim Sani, had on Thursday accused Governor Uba Sani’s administration of plotting to rig the polls.

The coalition called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the neutrality of its personnel and uphold the will of the electorate.

But in a swift reaction, the Kaduna State Government, in a press briefing by Commissioner of Information-designate Ahmed Maiyaki, described the claims as baseless, mischievous, and an attempt to discredit the election process.

 

By-Election: Ogun Governor Mobilises Support For APC Candidate

Aisha John-Mark
-
0
By-Election: Ogun Governor Mobilises Support For APC Candidate

Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has urged the people of Sagamu/Ikenne/Remo North Federal Constituency to rally behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Princess Adesola Elegbeji, in the forthcoming Federal Constituency bye-election.

The bye-election, scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, became vacant following the death of the lawmaker representing the constituency, Adewunmi Onanuga.

Onanuga, the then Deputy Chief Whip of the Federal House of Representatives, died on January 15, 2025, after a brief illness.

Governor Abiodun, who led the campaign train of Princess Adesola Elegbeji to Ikenne, Ogijo, Sagamu and some areas, urged the people to rally behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

He said that voting for Princess Elegbeji is a vote for quality representation, effective leadership, and progressive development in their constituency.

“Today, we joined Princess Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the forthcoming Remo Federal Constituency by-election, during her campaign activities in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area.

“We charged our party stalwarts, supporters, and the good people of Remo Federal Constituency to come out en masse and cast their votes for our party’s flagbearer. Doing so will ensure quality, effective, and impactful representation for the constituency at the National Assembly.

We remain confident that with Princess Ayoola-Elegbeji as our representative, the voice of Remo Federal Constituency will be stronger, and the development of our dear constituency will be further advanced,” he said.

Governor Abiodun paid tribute to the late Adewunmi Onanuga, popularly known as “Ijaya”, and assured the constituency that Princess Elegbeji would continue all of the late Adewunmi’s legacy projects across the Remo Federal Constituency.

The Ogun State governor, therefore, urged the electorate not to be discouraged or despair, emphasising the importance of turning out en masse on August 16 to vote for the APC candidate.

Governor Abiodun also emphasised the need for unity among the party faithful to ensure that the party’s candidate, Princess Elegbeji, emerges victorious.

The Independent National Electoral Commission announced the August 16 date to fill vacant seats at the National Assembly and the state Houses of Assembly.

 

1...492493494...3,311Page 493 of 3,311

HEALTH

ENTERTAINMENT & TOURISM

WORLD

NEWS COMMENTARY

NEWS FEATURE

Voice Of Nigeria Mission is “Reflecting Nigerian and African perspectives in our broadcasts, winning and sustaining the attention, respect and goodwill of listeners worldwide, particularly Nigerians and Africans in the Diaspora … making Nigeria’s voice to be heard more positively in the shaping of our world.”

More from CN

Contact

© Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service