BREAKING: FG Unveils €4.2m Health Initiative To Boost Disease Surveillance, Emergency Response

The Federal Government has launched a €4.2 million initiative aimed at strengthening disease surveillance, outbreak detection, and emergency preparedness across Nigeria.

The programme, known as the EU Support to Public Health Institutes in Nigeria (EU SPIN), is being implemented in partnership with the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO) to improve the country’s response capacity to public health emergencies.

The four-year initiative, valued at about ₦6.7 billion, was officially unveiled in Abuja and is expected to enhance coordination among health institutions at federal, state, and local government levels.

According to officials, the programme will focus on improving disease outbreak detection systems, emergency response coordination, real-time information sharing, and digital health infrastructure across the country.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the intervention as a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and public health security.

He said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the administration’s commitment to equitable healthcare delivery and improved health outcomes for Nigerians.

“This initiative is designed to strengthen our health institutions and improve the well-being of Nigerians, especially vulnerable populations,” Salako stated.

Nigeria has continued to battle outbreaks of infectious diseases including cholera, Lassa fever, meningitis, diphtheria, and Mpox, alongside the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

Under the EU SPIN initiative, public health institutions are expected to benefit from improved digital tools, enhanced workforce capacity, and better systems for managing health data and coordinating emergency responses.

The programme also aims to train at least 75 per cent of relevant public health personnel in outbreak response and digital health competencies.

European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignon, said the initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare and disease surveillance systems.

WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Pavel Ursu, also noted that improved coordination, skills development, and digital innovation under the programme would help protect lives and improve community health outcomes.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that by 2028, the initiative would significantly improve Nigeria’s disease surveillance systems, strengthen emergency preparedness, and enhance the reliability of public health data nationwide.

Kano Moves To Expand Health Coverage For 6,000 Tuberculosis Patients

The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has announced plans to enrol about 6,000 tuberculosis patients into its vulnerable healthcare scheme as part of efforts to improve access to treatment and reduce the spread of the disease across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Rahila Mukhtar, disclosed the development during an advocacy visit by the Kano TB Network and the Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment, led by its Coordinator, Sunusi Hashim.

According to Mukhtar, the initiative is aimed at strengthening healthcare support for vulnerable groups while addressing the growing burden of tuberculosis in Kano State.

“We have a plan to enrol 6,000 TB patients into our vulnerable healthcare scheme to improve access to treatment and reduce the spread of the disease in the state,” she said.

She explained that the agency had previously integrated people living with HIV into the health insurance programme and would now extend similar healthcare support to tuberculosis patients.

Mukhtar described tuberculosis as one of the major public health concerns in the state, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, and development partners.

She noted that enrolling TB patients into the scheme would help reduce financial difficulties faced by affected individuals while improving access to diagnosis, treatment, and other essential healthcare services.

The KSCHMA boss also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to inclusive healthcare policies targeted at protecting vulnerable residents across Kano State.

Speaking during the visit, Coordinator of the Kano TB Network and the Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment, Sunusi Hashim, commended the initiative, describing it as an important step toward reducing the burden of tuberculosis on low-income families.

He also called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen the fight against tuberculosis and other infectious diseases in Kano and across Nigeria.

According to recent health data, Kano remains among the states with the highest tuberculosis burden in Nigeria, with an estimated 33,961 cases recorded in 2026.

More Life Poetry Announces Resumption Of Poetry In Schools Initiative

More Life Poetry has announced the resumption of its Poetry In Schools Initiative through a new partnership with Butterstone International School, Port Harcourt.

The announcement was made by the Team Lead of the initiative, Ken-Adele Marvellous Oruchi, via his official Facebook handle, where he reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting literary development among students through poetry and creative expression.

According to him, the initiative is designed to equip young students with literary tools that would help improve communication skills, creativity, and self-expression.

“We are glad to announce the resumption of the Poetry in Schools Initiative with our partnership with Butterstone Int’l School, Port Harcourt,” he stated.

Oruchi noted that the organisation believes strongly in the power of poetry and literature as instruments for personal growth and effective communication among young people.

He also expressed appreciation to the management of Butterstone International School for partnering with the organisation to support literary education and creative learning.

The Poetry In Schools Initiative focuses on encouraging reading, writing, spoken word performance, and confidence-building among students through poetry-centered educational activities.

Fresh Court Orders Stall Planned INC Leadership Inauguration

A fresh legal battle has reportedly disrupted the planned inauguration of a new executive of the Ijaw National Congress following conflicting court orders surrounding the organisation’s controversial leadership election held on April 13, 2026.

The dispute centres around the emergence of MacDonald Igbadiwei as president of the congress, an outcome said to have received the backing of the outgoing president, Ben Okaba.

However, the election outcome has since triggered legal actions and counter-orders, effectively halting the planned swearing-in ceremony for the new executive.

Speaking during a press briefing in Yenagoa, the chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders, Bubaraye Dakolo, directed all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo in line with an order reportedly issued by the Yenagoa High Court.

Dakolo advised members of the Igbadiwei-led executive to stay away from the planned inauguration pending the determination of cases before the court.

According to him, only the chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders possesses the authority to swear in an authentic president of the INC under the organisation’s procedures.

He stated that the Yenagoa High Court had already directed parties to maintain the status quo pending further hearing on the matter.

The traditional ruler further warned that any attempt to proceed with the inauguration despite the court order could create deeper divisions within the Ijaw nation.

Dakolo, however, disclosed that he had also received a separate injunction from a court in Warri reportedly restraining him from interfering with the swearing-in of Igbadiwei and other elected members of the National Executive Council.

The conflicting orders have since raised fresh legal questions over jurisdiction and the future of the disputed leadership process.

Court documents reportedly showed that Justice Anthony Olotu of the Delta State High Court granted an interim injunction restraining the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders from interfering with the inauguration process.

In another suit before the Yenagoa High Court, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Yanga, Alabo Nengi James and Engr. Ebipamowei Wodu were listed as claimants.

Those listed as defendants in the suit include Prof. Ben Okaba, HRM Justice F.F. Tibai and Dr. Olobo Choice Jamaica representing members of the 2026 National Electoral Committee.

Delivering ruling on the matter, Justice Amadise Michael Ekadi reportedly ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of all applications before the court.

The matter was subsequently adjourned for further hearing as the leadership crisis within the Ijaw National Congress continues to unfold.

VIDEO: How Nigeria’s Alleged First Robot Inventor Was Sent For Psychiatric Evaluation Emerges Online

Fresh discussions have emerged online following the circulation of a video recounting the story of Mudashiru Ayeni, a Nigerian inventor who was reportedly subjected to psychiatric evaluation after unveiling what has been described as one of the country’s earliest robotic inventions.

The video, shared by Punch Newspapers, claimed that Ayeni developed a battery-powered “robot office assistant” in 1971 capable of responding to visitors and handling simple office-related requests.

According to the narration in the video, the invention reportedly attracted disbelief at the time due to the level of technology involved during that period in Nigeria.

The report further claimed that after Ayeni attempted to present the invention to former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, he was allegedly referred for psychiatric evaluation because some people considered the innovation unbelievable.

He was, however, later declared mentally sound, according to the account shared in the video.

The story has since generated reactions across social media, with many Nigerians describing it as a reflection of how innovation and unconventional ideas were sometimes misunderstood or poorly received in earlier decades.

Some users also argued that the development highlighted the need for stronger institutional support for inventors, researchers, and young innovators in Nigeria.

While parts of the claims circulating online remain subjects of public discussion, the video has continued to spark renewed interest in Nigeria’s early technological history and forgotten innovators.

Heatwaves, Floods Threatening Learning, Healthcare In State — UNICEF

The United Nations Children's Fund has raised concerns over the growing impact of climate change on education and healthcare delivery in parts of northern Nigeria, warning that rising temperatures, floods, storms, and poor water infrastructure are increasingly disrupting learning and exposing vulnerable communities to health risks.

Speaking during the launch of the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) project in Gombe State, the Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, said climate change had become a present danger affecting schools and healthcare facilities across Gombe and other northern states.

According to her, extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves, sandstorms, rainstorms, flooding, and changing climate patterns are already damaging public infrastructure and affecting daily life.

She noted that some school roofs had reportedly been blown off during storms, further exposing students and healthcare users to unsafe conditions.

Rafique explained that the CRIBS project was designed to provide safer schools and healthcare facilities capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions while also improving water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

The UNICEF official stressed that access to clean water and sanitation remains critical for child protection, quality healthcare, and girls’ education, especially for adolescent girls and pregnant women.

According to her, thousands of children remain out of school partly because some schools lack proper toilets and water facilities, while unsafe healthcare environments continue to pose risks to mothers and newborns.

Under the intervention programme, nine schools and 14 primary healthcare facilities across selected local government areas in Gombe State are expected to undergo rehabilitation and upgrades with climate-resilient features.

The improvements will reportedly include stronger roofing systems, better ceilings, solar power installations, sanitation facilities, emergency exits, and other structural rehabilitation works.

Speaking further, UNICEF education specialist Abdurahman Ado said the intervention followed assessments showing that climate conditions were negatively affecting teaching and learning outcomes.

He questioned how students and teachers could effectively learn or teach in overcrowded classrooms under extreme heat conditions.

According to Ado, the selected local government areas were identified after assessments involving the education, health, and water sectors using indicators such as climate vulnerability, healthcare challenges, and the number of out-of-school children.

He disclosed that enumerators visited facilities across the state to gather data before vulnerable communities were selected for the intervention.

Ado added that contractors are expected to begin work immediately after technical review meetings, with the entire project scheduled for completion by December 2026.

The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Manassah Daniel Jatau, described climate adaptation as a necessity for survival, insisting that governments and institutions must adjust to changing environmental realities.

He acknowledged concerns earlier raised by UNICEF regarding poor classroom conditions in the state, noting that the government had already begun efforts to improve school infrastructure following those observations.