Category: News

FG records 17% drop in maternal deaths, 12% decline in infant mortality — As Nigeria prepares for 2025 Joint Annual Health Review

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Government has announced significant progress in Nigeria’s health sector reforms, reported a 17 percent reduction in maternal deaths and a 12 percent decline in newborn deaths across 172 high-burden local government areas ahead of the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR). Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the upcoming review would evaluate national health performance, renew accountability commitments, and strengthen collaboration among federal, state, and local governments under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative…

Bernard Doro assumes office as Humanitarian Affairs Minister, vows to tackle poverty with renewed hope

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The newly appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, on Tuesday officially assumed office at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, pledging to strengthen teamwork, deepen collaboration, and accelerate poverty reduction in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Dr. Doro, who succeeded Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, now National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was received by the Minister of State, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, Directors, and heads of agencies under the Ministry. In his maiden address, Dr. Doro…

Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation admits 72 new Public Sector Reformers across Africa

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation has expanded its flagship AIG Public Leaders Programme (PLP) with the admission of seventy-two outstanding public servants from seven African countries, in a move aimed at deepening public sector reform and fostering transformational leadership across the continent.   The new participants, drawn from Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, Cameroon, Zambia, Egypt, and Tanzania, form the fifth and largest cohort of the prestigious programme delivered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.   Executive Vice-Chair of the Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, described the new cohort as a…

NAHCON reduces 2026 Hajj fare, scraps slots allocation to states

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a downward review of the 2026 Hajj fares across all zones and cancelled the previous slots allocation to state pilgrim boards, adopting a first-come, first-served system. According to Fatima Sanda Usara, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations at NAHCON, the review followed extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders and approval from the appropriate authorities. She said the new rates now stand at ₦7,579,020.96 for the Maiduguri/Yola Zone (down from ₦8,118,033.67), ₦7,696,769.76 for the Northern Zone (previously ₦8,244,813.67), and ₦7,991,141.76 for the Southern…

North-West citizens hail Tinubu’s reforms in Oil and Gas sector, urge sustained production drive

Emporium Reporters

Stakeholders from Nigeria’s North-West region have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s bold reforms in the oil and gas sector, describing them as pivotal steps toward economic revival and national cohesion. Speaking at the first Citizens Engagement Conference in Kaduna, participants drawn from the seven North-West states — Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara lauded the government’s commitment to deregulation, subsidy removal, and the revitalisation of refineries, saying these measures are already unlocking private investments and positioning the nation for sustainable growth. The three-day conference, themed “The…

NHRC raises alarm over rising rights violations, records 406,000 complaints in October ….. urges decisive action, cautions against foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern over the continued surge in human rights violations across Nigeria, revealed that it received 406,088 complaints and monitored 160 incidents of abuses in October 2025 alone.   Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, disclosed this at the public presentation of the October 2025 Human Rights Situation Dashboard held on Monday in Abuja.   Ojukwu said that while there was a slight decline in killings and abductions compared to September, incidents of violence, sexual and gender-based abuses, and extrajudicial killings…

NHRC, Media chart new course for human rights protection as Commission marks 30th Anniversary

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the media in advancing human rights, accountability, and social justice in Nigeria. This was the focus of a special media parley held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Media Partnership for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria.” The event, which also marked the unveiling of the Commission’s 30th Anniversary Logo, brought together journalists, media executives, members of the diplomatic community, civil society representatives, and development partners.…

NAHCON cuts 2026 hajj fare by up to ₦792,000, sets December 5 deadline

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a substantial reduction in the 2026 Hajj fare, offering significant financial relief to prospective Nigerian pilgrims. The revised fares reflected a drop of up to ₦792,943.83, depending on the pilgrim’s departure zone. The Southern Zone saw the largest reduction, with fares falling from ₦8,784,085.59 to ₦7,991,141.76. Pilgrims from the Northern Zone now pay ₦7,696,769.76, a ₦760,915.83 decrease, while those from the Borno–Adamawa Zone, the lowest nationally, will pay ₦7,579,020.96, saving ₦748,104.63.   NAHCON also set a new payment deadline of December…

FCT Police launches special church patrols to boost security ….. Targets border communities linking Niger ,Kaduna States

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has intensified proactive security operations with a special church patrol aimed at ensuring the safety of worship centres and residents during the ember months. In line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in a joint operation with personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters, and vigilante groups, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, embarked on a comprehensive patrol across forested and border communities linking Bwari–Kaduna State, Bwari–Niger State,…

Nigerian Navy rescues 10 crew from sinking vessel off Calabar waters

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Navy has rescued ten crew members from a distressed vessel, MV SEMA III, which was en route to Calabar from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on Friday, November 7, 2025. According to a statement by Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Information, the rescue operation was executed by personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) IBAKA following a distress call received around 2000 hours. A naval gunboat equipped with a submersible pump was swiftly deployed. Upon arrival, the team found the vessel taking in water and immediately evacuated all ten occupants…