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Articles by Justina Auta
Diphtheria: 93% of cases had no full vaccination –NPHCDA
Health Diphtheria: 93% of cases had no full vaccination –NPHCDA The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says 93 per cent of children affected by recent diphtheria outbreaks had not received the complete doses of recommended vaccines. Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPHCDA, disclosed this during the agency’s quarterly media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
TB network seeks sustained community-led monitoring as donor funds decline
Health TB network seeks sustained community-led monitoring as donor funds decline The TB Network has called for sustained investment in Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (I-CLM) as donor funding for HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria programmes declines. Mr Nathaniel Salifu-King, FCT State Chair of the TB Network, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a media roundtable.
FG tasks traditional rulers to tackle vaccine hesitancy, end Polio
The Federal Government has called on traditional rulers to intensify efforts against vaccine hesitancy, misinformation and non-compliance to help reach unvaccinated children and eliminate circulating poliovirus across communities in Nigeria.The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee Quarterly Review Meeting on Primary Healthcare.
Cancer survivors seek psychological support, improved access to treatment
Updating your news feed... NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions.
NYSC corps members must obey social media laws – DG
By Justina Auta/Folasade Akpan The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, says corps members are not exempt from Nigeria’s cyberbullying and social media laws during their mandatory national service year. Nafiu said this during an interview programme with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, emphasising that corps members remained subject to constitutional provisions and laws regulating online conduct.
Children’s Day: FG reaffirms commitment to inclusive child protection policies
News Published By Abimbola Aderinola Date 28th May, 2026 Children’s Day: FG reaffirms commitment to inclusive child protection policies Quick Read The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWASD) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusivity, equal opportunities and strengthening protection mechanisms for all Nigerian children, regardless of gender, disability or background.
FG unveils “FutureNow” podcast to amplify children’s voices
By Justina Auta The Federal Government on Friday unveiled the “FutureNow” podcast, an inclusive space for Nigerian boys and girls to articulate their realities, share their stories, and shape national discourse in their own authentic voices. The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, disclosed this at a high-level intergenerational dialogue with adolescent girls, on Friday in Abuja.
FG orders arrests over alleged sexual assault at Ozoro Festival
News Express | 21st Mar 2026 | 95 By JUSTINA AUTA The Federal Government has ordered the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of alleged sexual assault linked to a local festival in Ozoro community, Delta State. Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, gave the directive in a statement signed by the ministry’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ahmed Danbazau on Friday in Abuja.
Nigeria unveils massive women empowerment drive
News Express | 16th Mar 2026 | 60 Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim at the conference Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim at the conference By JUSTINA AUTA Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, has unveiled Nigeria’s major women empowerment initiatives at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
Lenacapavir: Nigeria to roll out twice-yearly HIV prevention injection - NACA
The Federal Government says Nigeria has recorded significant progress toward the introduction and nationwide rollout of Lenacapavir (LEN) as a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) option to strengthen HIV prevention efforts. This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Toyin Aderibigbe, Head of Media and Publicity at the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), on Monday in Abuja.
FG opens sexual assault referral centre in Abia
News Express | 20th Feb 2026 | 83 The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim By JUSTINA AUTA The Federal Government has inaugurated an additional Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Abia to strengthen Nigeria’s protection framework for women and girls.
NACA urges Nigerians to celebrate Valentine safely, prevent HIV
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has urged Nigerians to celebrate Valentine’s Day responsibly by taking deliberate steps to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Dr Temitope Ilori, Director-General of NACA, made the call in a Valentine’s Day message issued on Wednesday in Abuja, stressing the need for individuals to prioritise their health and that of their partners.
NACA urges Nigerians to celebrate Valentine safely, prevent HIV
News Express | 11th Feb 2026 | 48 Director-General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori Director-General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori By JUSTINA AUTA The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has urged Nigerians to celebrate Valentine’s Day responsibly by taking deliberate steps to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Cardiac Arrest: FG, others begin CPR, basic life support training nationwide
News Express | 6th Feb 2026 | 60 Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako By JUSTINA AUTA The Federal Government has begun Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Basic Life Support (BLS), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training for Federal Ministry of Health staff. This is in a bid to strengthen emergency response capacity to incidents such as cardiac arrest.
World Cancer Day: Minister, others call for investment in women-focused research
Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs has called for increased investment in clinical research that prioritises the healthcare needs for women in the fight against cancer. The German and Norwegian embassies also called for investment in women-focused cancer research. They made the call at a walk tagged, “Cancer No Be King” held in commemoration of the 2026 World Cancer Day Awareness, organised by Equitable Medicaid and Clinical Research on Wednesday in Abuja.
NGO unveils $40,000 youth challenge to transform Nigeria’s food system
News Express | 23rd Jan 2026 | 50 By JUSTINA AUTA Heifer Nigeria, an international NGO, has unveiled the 2026 AYuTe Nigeria Challenge, offering 40,000 dollars to support youth-led agritech innovations, transform Nigeria’s food system and improve smallholder farmers’ incomes. The disclosure was made on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of the 2026 annual Agriculture, Youth and Technology (AYuTe) initiative, themed “Catalysing Youth-Led Innovation to Transform Nigeria’s Food Systems”.
VON D-G calls for national emergency status on blood donation
Jibrin Ndace, Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), has urged the Federal Government to treat blood donation as a national emergency, highlighting the urgent need for stronger national commitment. He warned that Nigeria’s current blood supply remained far below the requirements of its population, stressing that inadequate availability continued to endanger lives and strain the healthcare system.
Nigerians at risk of blindness reduce from 41m to 4m -FG
The Federal Government says 41 million Nigerians previously at risk of blindness from trachoma have been reduced to four million following the successful interruption of mass drug administration in 116 endemic Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Trachoma risk falls from 41m to 4m - FG
The Federal Government reports a dramatic drop in Nigerians at risk of trachoma-related blindness, declining from 41 million to four million after mass drug administration ceased in 116 of 134 endemic Local Government Areas. This update emerged during the Trachoma Quarterly Review Meeting, where national and state Neglected Tropical Diseases programmes assessed progress toward eliminating trachoma and shared significant operational developments guiding Nigeria’s elimination strategy.
FG provides free annual liver, kidney tests for HIV patients
News Express | 1st Dec 2025 | 10 Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare By JUSTINA AUTA The Federal Government announced it has begun providing people living with HIV/AIDS access to free annual liver and kidney function tests through expanded health insurance, aiming to improve long-term health outcomes nationwide.
NAFDAC deploys tech strategy to curb fake drugs
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has empowered stakeholders with technology-driven strategies to identify and combat substandard and falsified medical products across Nigeria’s healthcare system. Prof. Moji Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, made this known during a two-day sensitisation and awareness workshop on the Greenbook, Traceability Project, and Paediatric Policy, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Nigeria Among Lobal Leaders in NTD Elimination - FG
By Justina Auta The Federal Government says Nigeria now ranks among the world’s leading nations in efforts to control and eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), reflecting significant national and global health progress. Dr Fatai Oyediran, National Coordinator, NTD Division, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this during a high-level advocacy meeting with health commissioners and FCT officials on Monday in Abuja.
NASS moves to advance legislation on digital innovation, AI for health diagnosis
The 10th National Assembly (NASS) is set to advance legislation on digital innovation, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for diagnosis and surveillance to enhance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. Godswill Akpabio, Senate President and Chairman, NASS, made this commitment at the sixth annual Legislative Summit on Health in Abuja on Tuesday.
Senate committee pledges boost, timely funding release for immunisation
The Senate Committee on Health has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing immunisation efforts, pledging to ensure the timely release of funds to support frontline workers and boost vaccination drives nationwide. The committee’s Chairman, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Barigo, made the commitment on Monday, during an outreach and sensitisation exercise in Galadimawa community, FCT in commemoration of the 2025 World Immunisation day celebration.
Union Charts Paths For Bridging Policy Practice Gaps in Psychology Education - Zamani
By Justina Auta The Pan-African Psychology Union (PAPU) has reiterated commitment to strengthening psychology education across the continent by bridging the gap between policy formulation and practical application in the field. Prof. Andrew Zamani, President, PASU , made this known at a press briefing ahead of the Union’s forthcoming 2025 Higher Education conference on Friday in Abuja.
NGOs Urge Action to Save Pregnant, Breastfeeding Women From Malnutrition
By Justina Auta International NGOs (INGO) providing humanitarian and development assistance in Nigeria have urged expansion of targeted support for 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women at risk of acute malnutrition. They made the call at a news conference to commemorate the Africa Food and Nutrition Day organised by Save the Children (SCI) and other INGOs on Thursday in Abuja.
Sightsavers advocates urgent investment in eye health
Over 4.2m Nigerians believed to suffer from blindness, visual impairment Sightsavers Nigeria, an International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), says more than 4.25 million Nigerians are suffering from blindness and visual impairment. Ms Barbara Marok, the Eye Health Programme Officer of the organisation, disclosed this during a meeting with media partners on Thursday in Keffi, Nassarawa State.
Nigeria: OkapiCCF Donates Over N39m to FCT Hospitals For Children Battling Cancer
By Justina Auta An NGO, Okapi Children Cancer Foundation (OkapiCCF) has donated over N39.5 million to selected hospitals in the FCT to bridge gaps in access to quality healthcare for underprivileged children with cancer. Ms Kemi Adekanye, Founder, OkapiCCF, made this known during the 2025/2026 presentation on Wednesday in Abuja. The benefiting hospitals include: National Hospital; Federal Medical Centre, Jabi (FMC), and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH).
NILOWV Awards Prominent Nigerians Over Reserve Seat Bill, Inclusion Advocacy
By Justina Auta The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has conferred awards on notable Nigerians for championing gender inclusion, supporting the reserved seat bill and increased women’s political participation in Nigeria. Speaking at a dinner and award night in Abuja, Mrs Irene Awuna-Ikyegh, President, NILOWV, said the awards were in recognition of their support and also to encourage others to advocate for the passage of the bill.
Nigeria needs $1.2bn to achieve gender equality - Minister
News Express | 17th Oct 2025 | 109 Minister of Women Affairs, Sulaiman-Ibrahim Minister of Women Affairs, Sulaiman-Ibrahim By JUSTINA AUTA Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, says Nigeria requires 1.2 billion dollars over the next five years to meet its gender equality and social inclusion targets for sustainable development. She said this during the Annual General Meeting and Founder’s Day of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), on Friday in Abuja.
Stakeholders Urge Action Against Food Waste, Hunger
By Justina Auta A coalition of stakeholders in Nigeria’s food sector has called for urgent measures to curb food waste and promote sustainable consumption, as part of efforts to reduce hunger and improve food security in the country. They made the call at the “Table for All” event held in Abuja on Thursday to commemorate the 2025 World Food Day. It was themed “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”.
Nigeria: Women’s Leadership Key to Peacebuilding - U.S.-based Scholar
By Justina Auta An Associate Professor at the University of Florida, Dr Anisah Ari says women’s courage and grassroots leadership are crucial tools for sustaining peace in Nigeria’s conflict-affected communities. Ari stated this in a paper titled “Reclaiming Peace Through Truth Appeal: The Imperative of Tough Conversations in Nigeria’s Fragile Landscape”, shared with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.
Feature: Special Seats Bill For Nigerian Women Polician: Hope or illusion?
Featured, Featured Contributors/Columnists, Latest Headlines (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The clamour for increased representation of women in Nigeria’s political space has once again come to the fore, as stakeholders await the outcome of the Reserved Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly.
Nigeria: Early Marriage Threatens National Growth - Minister
By Justina Auta Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim says early marriage continues to hinder Nigeria’s development, with 44 per cent of girls married before age 18, and 18 per cent before turning 15. She said this during the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) celebration on Friday in Abuja, supported by Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria and Pink Up for Girls Initiative.
UN Women, IOFS Launch Climate-smart Cassava Project for Women
By Justina Auta UN Women and the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) have launched an initiative to equip women farmers with climate‑smart technologies to boost cassava yields and reinforce Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said at the Cassava Value Chain Stakeholders’ Debriefing & Consultation in Abuja on Wednesday that the programme would drive inclusive transformation of Nigerian agriculture.
Expert Cautions Public on Dangers of Unsafe Food
By Justina Auta A leading food systems consultant, Dr. Olapeju Phorbee has urged Nigerians to prioritise safe, healthy, and diverse diets while warning against the dangers of consuming expired or unsafe food products. She issued the warning during a two-day workshop on Nutrition and Food Systems Reporting and Advocacy, organised by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja on Wednesday.
Media Urged to Lead Nutrition Advocacy in Nigeria
By Justina Auta Journalists have been urged to intensify advocacy and public awareness on food nutrition and food systems to help tackle malnutrition and promote healthier eating habits among Nigerians, especially vulnerable populations. This call was made on Wednesday during a two-day training workshop on Nutrition and Food Systems Reporting and Advocacy, organised by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja.
FG to stakeholders: Move from rhetorics to tangible action to empower women, girls
The Federal Government has urged stakeholders to move from rhetoric to tangible, coordinated action for the empowerment of women Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made the call at a discussions at the Presidential High-Level Advisory Council (P-HLAC) on the Support of Women and Girls in Nigeria in Abuja The event attended by Minister’s, traditional leaders, CSOs, and other stakeholders aim to strengthen national dialogue and strategic collaboration to advance women’s...
Early marriage threatens national growth - Minister
News Express | 10th Oct 2025 | 56 Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs By JUSTINA AUTA Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, says early marriage continues to hinder Nigeria’s development, with 44 per cent of girls married before age 18, and 18 per cent before turning 15.
UN Women, NCCC Launch Gender-climate Toolkit
By Justina Auta UN Women and the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) have launched Nigeria’s NDC Gender Integration Toolkit and Strategy to enhance gender equality in national climate governance and policymaking. Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, described the launch as a major step toward inclusive climate governance.
HIV: CSOs Oppose Plan to Shut Down UNAIDS
By Justina Auta A coalition of community networks and civil society organisations in Nigeria has expressed deep concern over the proposed closure of UNAIDS. They warned that such a move could have devastating consequences for the global HIV response. In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the coalition said that shutting down UNAIDS would undermine decades of progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS, potentially putting millions of lives at risk.
Nigeria secures HIV drug deal at UNGA
News Express | 26th Sep 2025 | 59 NACA DG, Dr Temitope Ilori, at the 80th UNGA in New York NACA DG, Dr Temitope Ilori, at the 80th UNGA in New York By JUSTINA AUTA The Federal Government (FG) has secured a price reduction of the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, lenacapavir, from 28,000 dollars to just 40 dollars per person. Mrs Toyin Aderibigbe, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Protocol Division, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
Tinubu, others express support for reserved seats bill
News Express | 23rd Sep 2025 | 8 By JUSTINA AUTA President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders have joined Nigerian women to express support for constitutional reforms that seek to include passage of the special seats for women This is as over one million Nigerian women submitted their signatures in support of the passage of the bill. This bill seeks to have one female senator and one female House of Representatives member per state.
Reserved Seats Bill not an act of tokenism - Kalu
The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, says the Reserve Seat Bill is a commitment to enhance women’s political representation and address gender disparity in governance.
Kaltho Media Lecture: AMDF To Equip Journalists For Challenges In Turbulent Times
By Justina Auta The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) is set to equip journalists with the skills and strategies needed to navigate the challenges and risks they face while carrying out their constitutional duties. This is contained in a statement by Mrs Zhiroh Jatau, Manager of Press Freedom at AMDF, on Tuesday in Abuja, ahead of the 2025 Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture.
Stakeholders Urge Young Innovators to Drive Nigeria’s Renewable Energy
By Justina Auta Stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy sector have called on young innovators to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy. The stakeholders made the call at a Green Skills bootcamp on Thursday in Abuja, with a theme, “Spark the Green Economy: Robovolt Brand Reveal and AI-Driven Micro Grid skills.
ASWHAN Advocates Access to Essential HIV Services for Underserved Groups
By Justina Auta The Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN) has called for sustained efforts to reach women, children, and other marginalised groups with essential HIV services, in order to reduce the epidemic’s impact.
Ex-minister, Others Seek Women Inclusion in Governance
By Justina Auta A former Minister of Aviation, Dr. Kema Chikwe and other stakeholders have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to improve women’s participation in governance ahead of the 2027 political election. Chikwe, also the former Ambassador of Nigeria to Ireland, made the appeal at the eighth anniversary of the conference of Women Leadership Institute on Thursday in Abuja.
FG condemned ‘child spiritual cleansing’ exercise in Port Harcourt, vows prosecution
News Express | 16th Aug 2025 | 24 Hajiya Imaan, Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Imaan, Minister of Women Affairs By JUSTINA AUTA The Federal Government has condemned the inhumane and dehumanised treatment of innocent children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, carried out under the pretense of “spiritual cleansing” exercise.
FG removes tax on sanitary towels
News Express | 16th Aug 2025 | 33 File photo of sanitary towel File photo of sanitary towel By JUSTINA AUTA The Federal Government and stakeholders have validated and adopted the first-ever National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) to tackle challenges affecting women and girls.
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