Month: April 2026

Doro Seeks Humanitarian Trust Fund to Drive Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has called for the establishment of a Humanitarian Trust Fund to support sustainable and impactful poverty alleviation efforts across Nigeria. The Honourable Minister, Bernard M. Doro, made the appeal on April 30, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, and a delegation of priests at his office in Abuja. Dr. Doro emphasized that addressing poverty in Nigeria requires substantial financial resources beyond what the government alone can provide. He stressed the need for innovative funding…

Nigeria Launches Nationwide Cervical Cancer Screening, Targets Elimination by 2030

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria has taken a major step toward eliminating cervical cancer, with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare launching a nationwide screening programme in Owerri, Imo State, as part of efforts aligned with the World Health Organization global strategy. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on April 29, 2026, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the country has adopted key measures to meet the WHO’s 2030 targets for cervical cancer elimination. These include vaccinating 90 percent of girls against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) by…

APC Chair Yilwatda Empowers 1,400 Youths with ₦280m Grants, Tools in Plateau

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has launched a major youth empowerment drive, distributing tools and disbursing ₦280 million in grants to over 1,400 beneficiaries under the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme. The initiative, unveiled in Jos, saw the distribution of 727 sets of equipment aimed at supporting small businesses and vocational enterprises across key sectors. Items distributed include tricycles, catering kits, sewing and embroidery machines, welding and carpentry tools, grinding machines, auto mechanic toolboxes, POS machines with startup capital, makeup kits, and phone repair…

CG Adeniyi, UAE Envoy Strengthen Nigeria–UAE Trade, Customs Cooperation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has held a high-level diplomatic engagement with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Abuja, reaffirming commitments to deepen bilateral trade ties and enhance customs cooperation between both countries. The meeting, which took place on April 29, 2026, also highlighted growing collaboration in trade facilitation and customs administration, as both sides explored new pathways to strengthen economic relations. Speaking during the engagement, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed, congratulated Adeniyi on his emergence as Chairman of the World…

Armed Forces of Nigeria Intensify Civil-Military Cooperation to Build Sustainable Peace

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has placed renewed emphasis on non-kinetic approaches by strengthening Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities across various theatres of operation in April 2026. This was disclosed by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Michael Onoja, during the monthly press briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday. According to Maj. Gen. Onoja, the military recognised that lasting peace cannot be achieved through kinetic operations alone. Consequently, troops sustained robust CIMIC initiatives aimed at fostering community trust, promoting peaceful coexistence, and supporting local livelihoods.…

CDS Hails Troops, Mourns Fallen Heroes as Nigerian Military Sustains Anti-Terrorism Campaign

Lukman Laleye Babalola

  The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, has commended the courage, sacrifice, and professionalism of troops across all theatres for their outstanding performance during April 2026 operations.   This was contained in a statement presented by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Michael Onoja, during the monthly press briefing at the Defence Headquarters on Thursday.   General Oluyede praised the troops for maintaining relentless operational momentum while upholding discipline and compassion for civilians. He noted that the AFN recorded significant successes, including the neutralisation of…

Nigerian Military Delivers Decisive Blows Against Terrorism,Banditry in April 2026

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) recorded major operational successes across all theatres in April 2026, neutralising a total of 201 terrorists, rescuing 188 abducted civilians, destroyed numerous terrorist enclaves, and arrested 284 suspects. Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Michael Onoja, revealed this while briefing journalists on the monthly operational update at the Defence Headquarters on Thursday. In the North East theatre, troops of Operation Hadin Kai maintained unrelenting pressure on Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS elements across Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states. The operations resulted…

NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta State, Demands Swift Justice , Police Reforms

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has strongly condemned the alleged extrajudicial killing of 28-year-old Mene Ogidi by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman on April 26, 2026, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. In a statement issued in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu described the incident as “deeply disturbing and a direct assault on human dignity, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the rule of law.” The statement, signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director of Corporate Affairs…

Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu Breaks Silence, Rebuts Orji Uzor Kalu’s “I Made You” Claims

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has responded forcefully to repeated claims by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu that he “made” him politically, describing the assertion as false and damaging to his reputation. In a lengthy private message reportedly leaked to the media, the Deputy Speaker laid out a detailed chronology of their relationship, disputing the senator’s claims and accusing him of repeatedly working against his political rise. Kalu maintained that he was already active and recognised in political circles before his first encounter with the…

Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry Wraps Up Induction for New Ambassadors, Tasks Envoys on Economic Diplomacy, Results-Driven Service

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has concluded a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Ambassadors and High Commissioners-designate, equipping them to advance Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities with a strong focus on economic diplomacy, investment promotion, and national development. The programme, held at the Rotunda House , Headquarters of the Ministry from Monday, 27th to Wednesday, 29th April 2026, provided comprehensive orientation on contemporary diplomatic practices, mission management, multilateral engagement, consular services, and protocol standards. Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD,…