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The House of Representative has urged President Bola Tinubu to allocate part of the fuel subsidy removal savings to funding healthcare service for the vulnerable. This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Bashiru Dawodu (APC-Lagos) at plenary in Abuja. The motion is titled, “Call on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to cover vulnerable Nigerians.” Presenting the motion, Dawodu said that socio-economic development was not achievable without access to quality and affordable healthcare services. He said that the World Health Assembly in 2005 adopted universal health coverage as part of theSustainable Development Goal (SDGs) Agenda 2030. He said that after 23 years, only 5million Nigerians were enroled by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). He s...

The Executive Secretary, National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC), Dr Iyela Ajayi, has appealed for inclusion of the NSSEC Gazette Act. 23 (two per cent consolidated revenue fund) in the 2024 budget. This, he said, was to enhance access to the funds required for the repositioning of senior secondary education in the country. The commission’s Head of Public Relations, Hajia Fatimah Bappare, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday. Bappare said the executive secretary made the appeal during a working visit to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Sen. Lawal Usman and the Chairman, Committee on Education (Basic and Services), Hon. Mark Useini, in their respective offices. Ajayi, while highlighting some o...

A cross section of Nigerians in Abuja says balanced diet is out of their reach due to the rising food  prices  and dwindling household incomes. They told sharpedgenews in separate interviews on Tuesday that the situation was worse especially for low income earners in the country. Some attributed the situation to the current economic situation while others said; they have maintained balanced meals in spite of the dwindling household incomes. Mrs Susan Akpomera, a Healthy Living Consultant, said that maintaining a balanced diet was not a function of abundance of money but proper meal planning, proportioning and discipline. According to her, a balanced diet is a meal or diet that contains essential nutrients needed for optimal functioning of the body. ”Therefore a plate o...

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it had intensified sensitisation programmes  at motor parks and strengthened collaboration with NURTW, particularly in sharing of information. Kabir Tsakuwa, Commander of Narcotics, (CN) NDLEA, FCT Command, said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja. Tsakuwa said that the support of transport union members at one of the motor parks recently, led to an interception of large consignment of tramadol and other drugs. He, however, said that suspects in connection to the siezed drugs were arrested, adding that they had already been charged to court. According to him, NDLEA maintains sustainable raid operations not only at motor parks and road sides, but all the identified black spots within FCT and its...

Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship hopeful, Prince Jimi Odimayo, has handed out cash gift totalling N10 million to peasants in Irele and Okitipupa local government areas of the state, as his contribution to the palliative programme of the federal government, to cushion the biting effect of fuel subsidy removal. He has also launched out various empowerment programmes valued at over N100 million, to support the rural dwellers. Odimayo, a member of the House of Representatives representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency, said on Monday that the gesture was actually beyond the palliative measure, as he sincerely desired to improve on the living condition of his people. The lawmaker, who is an oil and gas entrepreneur, gave out N50,000 in cash, each to 200 b...

By Gami Tadanyigbe President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi as the Mandate Secretary for the newly created Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja on Monday. Ogunleye said that Benjamins-Laniyi would play a pivotal role in the FCTA’s commitment to promoting the well-being and empowerment of women and children in the Federal Capital Territory. He expressed optimism that her appointment would further strengthen the formidable administrative team led by Wike and the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud. Ogunleye added that Benjamins-Laniyi, born in 1965 from Ogu...

Some stakeholders in the health sector, on Monday, called for increased financing of the sector and accountability to address critical challenges. They made the call in Abuja at a Strategic Retreat of the 7 Health Committees of the National Assembly under the Legislative Network for Universal Health Coverage and Health Security (LNU). Dr Olumide Okunola, Senior Health Specialist, World Bank Group, said that the rates of maternal and infant mortality in the country were still alarming. Okunola said that accessing healthcare in the country often required high out-of-pocket expenditure, leading to financial burdens and difficult decisions for families. He said that the responsibility to address high out-of-pocket expenditures lied with decision makers, specifically those in ...

Goals by Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka and Moses Simon steered Nigeria to a 3-2 victory over 10-man Mozambique in their international friendly encounter in Portimäo, Portugal on Monday. The win in the Portuguese city was the first for the Super Eagles in a friendly match in 55 months. The last time Nigeria recorded a win was way back in March 2019. This was when Paul Onuachu’s first minute goal accounted for the defeat of seven-time African champions Egypt at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. The Mambas got in front with a shock goal after only six minutes when Catamo dragged the ball past goalkeeper Francis Uzoho who anticipated the ball in a different direction. France-based striker Moffi ensured parity in the 19th minute, when he had the last laugh as the Mozambican defend...

The Federal Government has proposed the sum of N26.01trillion for the 2024 appropriation based on an oil price benchmark of $73.96 and 21 per cent interest rate. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this to correspondents on Monday at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Bagudu said that the budget would be presented to the National assembly before the end of the year since President Bola Tinubu was already engaging with the legislative arm to get their buy-in. He explained that the budget was expected to consolidate the various economic reforms initiated by the present administration to improve the standard of living of Nigerians and to attract investors. According to Bagudu, assumption of the bu...

President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore in three new ministers during the second Federal Executive Council held at the council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The new cabinet members are Balarabe Lawal from Kaduna State as Minister of Environment, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim from Kwara, Minister of Youths and Ayodele Olawande from Ondo, Minister of State for Youths. The ministers were the three nominated by Mr Tinubu to take charge of the newly created Ministry of Youths and a replacement for former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai. The Ministry of Youth was formerly with the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development. Mr El-Rufai was rejected during the Senate ministerial screening process when a member brought up a petition against him. The council also observed a min...

The federal government has assured Nigerians that it will not trample on their rights and press freedom in the fight against fake news and disinformation. Information minister Mohammed Idris stated this in an interview in Abuja. He called on Nigerians to always “promote the truth and nothing but the truth.” “We must be in the forefront of advocating for truthful information all the time. Everything that is fake should not be promoted. This is because it can lead to anarchy and destruction of lives and properties. And by the way, nobody will want his home, country, state or nation to be in tatters because somebody is encouraging fake news,” the minister explained. Mr Idris stated, “Fake news should be condemned in all its ramifications. I have said that it is important for all of ...

Twenty six countries have requested Cyprus’ assistance in repatriating their nationals from both Israel and the Gaza Strip, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, spokesman for the government of Cyprus, said on Monday. “We are responding to the best of our abilities,” Letymbiotis said. Earlier on Monday, Cyprus’ National Council examined the situation in the region and possible developments that could affect Cyprus. Cyprus has activated a national emergency plan and mobilised government services and non-governmental organisations to provide assistance to thousands of people who are expected to arrive in Cyprus. Portugal, the United Kingdom and Denmark have already evacuated aboard military transport planes from Tel Aviv to Cyprus around 600 people, of whom 447 have already departed from Cy...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has advised the media to be unbiased and avoid fake news in reporting electoral process. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the advice at a two-day workshop on Election Reporting, Ethical Practices, Safety and Conflict Sensitivity in Election Coverage on Monday in Akwanga, Nasarawa State. The workshop was organised by INEC in collaboration with the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) for INEC Press Corps. Yakubu, represented by INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, also called on the media and political parties to be conversant with constitutional mandate of the commission. He said that the commission would deploy its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to authenticate the Permanent Vo...

The newly appointed Registrar-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Magaji, has vowed to increase the commission’s revenue base. Magaji made the pledge while addressing the management staff of the commission upon his assumption of duty on Monday in Abuja. The registrar- general, commended President Bola Tinubu for finding him worthy of the appointment and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him. Speaking on the vision of the commission, the new CAC boss said that increasing its revenue base would be accorded top priority attention in line with Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’. He said, ”Enhanced human capital development will also receive due attention. ”I am therefore soliciting the support and cooperation of the m...

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman has charged Principals of Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) across the country to protect their schools and students from any form of attacks or banditry. This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Ben Goong. Goong quoted the Minister to have said this during a meeting with Principals of the 112 Unity Colleges in continuation of briefings from Departments and Chief Executives under the supervision of the ministry. Mamman described the unity colleges as national treasures which must be protected at all cost. He also charged the principals to be vigilant over security issues, adding that early security warnings must not be taken for granted. ...

The second Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting took up the issues of economy and the agreement reached between government and the labour unions early this month to avert an industrial action. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja on Monday. He said that the issues were significant to the current realities and expectations of Nigerians on the Tinubu-led administration, adding that it was also hinged on the Renewed Hope Agenda. ‘’The issues raised at the meeting include economy, road infrastructure around the country, memo about the agreement reached between government and the labour unions, as well as the export processing zone revitalisation,’’ he said. The minist...

An international NGO, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), on Monday called for effective water management to boost food production, food security and nutrition in Nigeria. Mr Micheal Ojo, the Country Director, GAIN, made the appeal while addressing newsmen in Abuja in commemoration of the 2023 World Food Day, themed: “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind”. Ojo noted that water availability was being threatened by urbanisation, poor management, pollution and climate change, underscoring the need for water management to ensure food security, and by extension nutrition. “With Food Systems activities accounting for about 72 per cent of global freshwater withdrawals, which is required for crop cultivation, animal husbandry and food production. “It has become...

Some women leaders and entrepreneurs have canvassed for more empowerment and support initiatives to develop rural women in the Federal Capital Territory. The Stakeholders made the call in an interview with newsmen Monday in Abuja against the backdrop of the 2023 International Day for the Rural Woman. Sharpedgenews reports that the UN sets aside Oct. 15 annually to celebrate the rural woman whom it said contributes about 40 per cent of agricultural labour in developing nations. NAN also reports that the theme of the 2023 international day is “Rural Women: Cultivating Good Food for All.’’ Mrs Afiniki Dauda, an entrepreneur and a market leader in Guto community, Bwari District, said that the government and other organisations need to put more efforts to develop women at the grass...

A billionaire businessman from the South East, Prince Arthur Eze, has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as fairness in his recent appointments of ministers and heads of agencies. Recall that there has been a series of agitations among power brokers and politicians over the recent appointments made by the President. Some alleged lopsidedness in the appointments, while others said they were not carried along. But speaking at the Holy Mass to mark the 65th birthday of Reverend Father Patrick Alumuku at St. Louis Catholic Church, EFAB Global Estate, Mbora, Abuja, Prince Eze said that President Tinubu’s recent appointments have shown that he is the ideal president for Nigeria. He said the president has been fair in his appointments to the three major regions: th...