In spite of global advances in the fight against malaria, Nigeria continues to grapple with this leading killer disease. With a tropical climate and a vast population, Nigeria carries a disproportionate portion of the global malaria burden. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria accounted for nearly 30 per cent of global malaria cases and an estimated 194,000 deaths annually as of 2021. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, recently called for a review of Nigeria’s malaria strategies. During a visit by Malaria Alliance partners, RBM Malaria Partnership, and the WHO Global Malaria Programme, Mr Pate acknowledged that in spite of over 70 years of efforts, Nigeria still struggles with a high malaria burden.

Nigerians rank among the world’s top social media users, with 2024 data placing the country fifth globally for average daily time spent online. Leading the list is Kenya, where people spend the most time on social media, at 3 hours and 43 minutes daily. Nigeria’s average of 3 hours and 23 minutes places it just behind these countries in social media engagement. Other countries with high social media usage include Colombia (3:22), Chile (3:11), and Indonesia (3:11). Among European nations, Portugal (2:23), Romania (2:20), and Italy (2:17) rank lower on the list, indicating that social media usage varies significantly by region.

The grievances of the protesters stemmed from skyrocketing fuel prices and the never-ending queues, which they argued have driven inflation and plunged millions of Nigerians into poverty. They called for full deregulation in the oil sector to ensure transparency, competition, and fairer fuel pricing. Highlighting the impact of the fuel crisis on the economy, protesters cited inflation surpassing 24% and a 200% rise in fuel prices, factors they say are deepening poverty across the country. “Today, we call for the immediate resignation of the current leadership in the country’s oil sector. “Under their watch, we have seen fuel prices skyrocket without consultation or consideration of the devastating impact on the people.

If Balewa were to come back from the dead today and is asked to pick his army chief, would he still go for Ironsi? He was wide awake, mixing his nationalist broth with condiments of small nepotism here, a little of altruism there. In her review of Adam Bellow’s ‘In Praise of Nepotism: A Natural History’, Joanne B. Ciulla says “nepotism was very much on the minds of America’s founding fathers. But that cautious beginning notwithstanding, America has evolved to mint its own brand of ‘safe’ nepotism. In all these nepotism matters, the peace of the country and the happiness of the people are the casualties.

Marketed and packaged as a “horror-comedy” after the stupendous response to the ‘Stree’ franchise, it lacks the punch of the former and the fizz of the latter. Interestingly, the coming together of Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit Nene has not got the marketing space it deserves. Madhuri has been with Aishwarya, Juhi, Karishma, Shabana and is now with Vidya Balan. Vidya Balan has a very small role in her return vehicle with the franchise. The support cast is a good ensemble including the likes of Vijay Raaz, Rajpal Yadav, Sanjay Misra, Denzil Smith but none have roles worth mentioning.

The latest increase signals a 570 percent increase in petrol prices since President Tinubu’s “subsidy is gone” proclamation on May 29, 2023, when the petrol price was N185 per litre and a dollar was N460. The irony of the fuel subsidy removal and price hikes, coming with the commencement of local petrol refining by Dangote Refining and Petrochemical Company, is not lost on Nigerians. Indeed, the expectations of lower petrol prices, especially with the crude-for-naira sales arrangement for local refiners have quickly evaporated. This means that rising domestic fuel prices negate any global price relief. The implications of petrol price hikes in Nigeria are universal.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Tuesday, stressed the need for synergy among all relevant anti-corruption stakeholders in the fight against corruption and corrupt practices, particularly cybercrime in the country. The governor was speaking when he participated in the National Cybercrime Summit held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaking to journalists after the event, Inuwa Yahaya emphasized the importance of collaboration in combating the growing threat of cybercrime. He also commended the EFCC for organizing the National Cybercrime Summit, recognizing the event as a timely initiative toward addressing the growing challenge of cybercrime. The governor emphasized the importance of multi-level cooperation, including leveraging technology and youth involvement, to promote positive alternatives to cyber activities.

The bill which seeks to create the New Oyo State with Oyo town as the Capital City from Oyo State scaled through second Reading on the floor of the House of Representatives, on Tuesday. “The then National Assembly in 1983 successfully passed a motion on the creation of New Oyo State with Oyo Town as its Capital. “Oyo metropolis was also the divisional headquarters of Oyo division and the District Headquarters of Oyo District. The Erelu Dam in Oyo metropolis supplies water to the four Local Government Areas in Oyo zones as second largest water reservoir in the present Oyo state. There are 14 functional branches of Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies of present Oyo State Government in Oyo metropolis which could be effectively used as take-off officers for the proposed new Oyo State.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, on Tuesday, warned political stakeholders to stop attacking INEC officials without committing infractions or breaking electoral laws. The resident Electoral commissioner who dropped the warning while speaking at the OSUN, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),2024, press week held in Osogbo, maintained that the current trend of personal attacks on INEC officials by political stakeholders is counterproductive. “The political stakeholders should shift their attention from thinking that they can rubbish officials of the commission, perhaps thinking that by doing that, they will have their way is not the way it should be. “This approach is misguided and the stakeholders should focus on monitoring the commission’s activities, modalities, and officials conduct instead”. According to Adefila, vote buying remains a persistent issue in the country’s electoral process, undermining the integrity of democracy.

The House of Representatives Committee on Defense, says it will ensure effective utilization of resources allocated to military colleges and institutions. The institutions are: the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA); Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji. He said the visit was an important part of the process, and expressed readiness to work closely to ensure that Armed Forces were fully equipped to face the challenges ahead. READ ALSO:Pro-masses bills stall at NASS as political motions get priorityHe said that far reaching decisions had been made to move the three institutes and and the Armed Forces forward. NAN reports that members of the committee toured facilities at the NDA and DICON factory.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday tasked the Federal Government to ensure timely registration and renewal of Nigeria’s orbital slots with a view to averting the loss of $400 million worth of investment in the industry. Shagaya observed that Nigeria has been granted three orbital slots by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), essential for satellite placement in geostationary orbit. “The House is also aware that the critical significance of these orbital slots goes beyond technological progress to include national security, disaster response, connectivity, and navigation capabilities. “The House is concerned over Nigeria’s increasing competition with other countries for orbital slots, driven by the rising global demand for satellite services, which could lead to the permanent forfeiture of Nigeria’s assigned positions. “The House recognises that protecting Nigeria’s orbital slots goes beyond technical aspects; it is a critical element for national security, economic empowerment, and global standing.

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has attributed the recurring flooding in Nigeria to fraud, stating that people have deliberately neglected laws and order to promote practices harmful to the environment. He explained that flooding results from an evil conspiracy and the neglect of the essence of physical planning. He explained that the lack of physical planning or poorly regulated urbanisation is the fundamental environmental fraud in Nigeria. Atebije lamented that some of these developments may have obtained permits through bribery or political connections, leading to violations of environmental laws intended to protect flood-prone areas. He said that addressing the problem requires concerted efforts from governments, communities, and international organisations to ensure strict enforcement of environmental laws.

What's New AFRIMA’s vice president passes on By Chinonso Ihekire IT’s a sad time for the entire African music ecosystem as Vice President, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mrs Modupe Temitope Dada kicks the bucket at age 48. In a statement issued from the AFRIMA’s Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, AFRIMA’s President, Mr. Mike Dada, mourned his wife, describing the late visionary as a believer in family values, community service, and inclusivity. READ ALSO: ‘African music needs more collaboration’ – AFRIMA“She had the gift of compassion, and a love for God and Africa. “She was a loving wife, mother and friend, who always put family and Africa first. The deceased is survived by her husband, Mr Dada, two children and several relatives.

The Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, has suspended the pioneer vice-chancellor, Professor Innocent Ujah. In the same vein, Professor Ediga Agbo has been appointed as the acting vice chancellor of the university. Professor Ujah, who was the pioneer Vice Chancellor, was expected to complete his tenure in the next few months. The statement read in part, “Professor Ediga Bede Agbo has been appointed as the acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO).”“Prof. Ediga Agbo emerged as the acting Vice Chancellor of the university during the special meeting of the Governing Council held on the seventeenth of October, 2024, and presided over by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of FUHSO, Engr.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has stated that the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not negotiate with bandits. He emphasised that the ongoing military onslaught against banditry, kidnapping, and rustling will be sustained in the Northwest and other parts of the country until all bandits are chased away. He noted, “You will agree with me that the military onslaught against the bandits has been successful. So, Mr President asked me to come and thank the troops for their professionalism and commitment to duty.”“These troops did a wonderful job. Thus, my visit is to engage stakeholders and to review the current military onslaught to see how we can improve,” he disclosed.