By Bashir Hassan Abubakar Lafarge Africa Plc has graduated 15 female truck drivers alongside five community drivers under its Women on Wheels initiative at its Ashaka Cement Plant in Gombe State. The ceremony, held on April 9, 2026, marked a significant milestone in the company’s drive to promote inclusion and address workforce gaps in Nigeria’s construction logistics sector. The graduates completed a rigorous training programme designed to equip them with technical competence, safety awareness, and professional standards required for heavy-duty vehicle operations. Speaking at the event, Gombe State Deputy Governor,…
Category: Health
Victory for Health Advocates as Bauchi Considers Anti-Home Birth Bill
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar The Bauchi State House of Assembly has recorded a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to curb maternal and newborn deaths. This follows the introduction of a bill seeking to prohibit unsafe childbirth practices and unregulated medical procedures across the state. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, on Wednesday presented the bill during plenary, where it received unanimous support from lawmakers and scaled second reading—signaling a decisive legislative response to a long-standing public health concern. The proposed legislation is aimed at addressing the high rate…
Tackling Maternal Deaths: The Case for Adolescent Health Centres in Bauchi
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar As stakeholders intensify efforts to address the persistently high rates of maternal, newborn, and child mortality and morbidity in Bauchi State, there is an urgent need to adopt innovative, preventive, and sustainable approaches. One such critical pathway that demands immediate attention from the Bauchi State Government, communities, and development partners is the establishment and scale-up of Adolescent and Youth Friendly Centres across the state. These centres are not merely optional interventions—they are strategic investments in the future health and wellbeing of Bauchi’s population. By targeting adolescents…
A Matter of Life and Policy: Confronting Maternal and Child Deaths in Bauchi
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar Bauchi State stands at a critical crossroads—one that will define not just the health of its women and children, but the future of its communities and economy. Behind the statistics lies a painful reality: far too many mothers, newborns, and children are dying from preventable causes. This is not merely a health sector issue; it is a development crisis, a governance challenge, and a moral test for all stakeholders. At the heart of this burden is a complex web of socio-cultural and economic factors. The persistence…
Nigeria’s Lassa Fever Surge: Patient Testimonies Reveal Hidden Dangers
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar Nigeria is grappling with one of its most severe Lassa fever outbreaks in recent years, recording 516 confirmed cases and 135 deaths since January—a 31 percent rise compared to 2025. According a statement issued by MSF, the disease remains difficult to detect early, as its symptoms often resemble common illnesses like malaria and typhoid. In Bauchi State, Musa’s experience highlights this danger.“It felt like I had malaria,” he recalled, after developing headaches and stomach pain. He was treated at a private clinic but discharged after five…
Menstrual Health Outreach: PSI Nigeria and WGRDI Support Women in Post-Conflict Communities with Hygiene Supplies
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, Population Services International Nigeria (PSI Nigeria), in collaboration with Women and Girls Rescue Development Initiative (WGRDI), has carried out a menstrual health outreach for women and girls in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. The outreach, implemented under the Nigerian Economic Empowerment and Menstrual Health (NEEMH) Project, provided dignity kits and essential menstrual hygiene supplies to women and girls, particularly those living in internally displaced persons (IDP) and conflict-affected communities. The initiative was conducted in partnership with the…
‘Too High to Breathe’: NAU Nursing Students Protest 544% Tuition Surge
Nursing students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, have staged a protest following a staggering tuition hike from ₦90,000 to ₦580,000. The “shocking increase” was detailed in a January 23 internal memo signed by Dr. O. I. Ezejiofor, CMAC and Chairman of the NAUTH College of Nursing Board. In the announcement, hospital management defended the upward review as a necessary step toward upgrading the institution’s facilities and standards. “The hospital management and the Board of the College of Nursing, in an ongoing effort towards upgrading the institution to…
Marwa: NDCMP 2026-2030 to Strengthen Nigeria’s Drug Control Measures
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the NDLEA boss, has said that the new National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2026-2030) will strengthen Nigeria’s ongoing drug control efforts. In a statement released on Thursday, February 26, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated this at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja. While receiving the final summative evaluation report on the NDCMP 2021-2025, Marwa said that with the holistic efforts being put into the next master plan, its implementation will have…
Corporate Citizenship in Action: Shippers’ Council Donates Dental Suite to Apapa Hospital
Boosting community wellness to power a sustainable Blue Economy, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has equipped the dental unit of General Hospital Apapa with a modern, adjustable dental chair. This significant donation reflects the Council’s proactive CSR strategy, aimed at nurturing healthy relationships with its host communities while ensuring that local healthcare infrastructure can meet the needs of a productive maritime workforce. This was confirmed in a press release issued by the Council’s Head of Public Relations, Rebecca Adamu. She noted that the equipment was presented to the hospital by the…
Four Days in Bauchi: Inside Canada and UNICEF’s Quiet Development Diplomacy
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar The convoy rolled into Bauchi under a pale Northern sky, but this was no routine diplomatic visit. For four days, meeting rooms, palace courtyards, dusty community squares and innovation hubs across the State became stages for a deeper conversation about development — what works, what endures, and what it truly takes to change lives. A powerful delegation from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and UNICEF Nigeria came visiting. On paper, it was a monitoring visit. In practice, it was something more layered: a test of partnerships, a…