Author: Press Room

Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, has assured that Nigerian pilgrims will fully comply with Saudi Arabia’s health requirements for the 2025 Hajj. While stressing the commitment of the Federal Government to safeguarding the health of all pilgrims, Pate said it is important for the country to adhere to the Kingdom’s health protocols, particularly in light of global health concerns such as meningitis outbreaks and polio. The minister gave the assurance while inspecting the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON) medical facilities in Makkah. Head of Public Affairs, NAHCON, Muhammad Ahmad Musa, in a…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced the appointment of the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika. In a statement from Government House on Tuesday morning, Ibas said the appointment followed careful consideration of Worika’s credentials, extensive experience, and performance during a rigorous selection process. The former SSG, who served under suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is Dr. Tammy Danagogo. Ibas has also announced the appointment of Dr. Mrs. Iyingi Brown as the new Head of Service in an acting capacity. Brown is the Permanent Secretary, Welfare, from…

Sodiq Ojuroungbe The Lagos State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme Manager, Dr. Olusola Sokoya, has given reasons why diagnosing tuberculosis in children is usually challenging and requires more effort than in adults. Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, Sokoya explained that diagnosing TB in children was far more complex than in adults due to the difficulty in obtaining reliable diagnostic samples. PUNCH Healthwise reports that the 2025 World TB Day was celebrated on March 24, with the theme, ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.’ The World Health Organisation described TB as a communicable disease that affects the lungs and…

After a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Rwanda on Friday, Nigeria’s Super Eagles turn their focus to Zimbabwe in a crucial World Cup qualifier, Soccernet.ng reports. The three-time African champions are strong favourites to secure back-to-back victories, with the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo set to roar them on. A win could lift Nigeria to second place in Group C — provided other results go their way — a scenario the team cannot afford to let slip. However, Zimbabwe will not roll over. A loss would end their slim hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, so expect them to…

Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-Hee died from cardiac arrest on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the South Korean tech giant. Han was 63. Born in 1962, Han had overseen Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses since 2022, according to the company. He was named Samsung Electronics vice chairman and co-CEO in 2022. Han’s co-CEO, Jun Young-Hyun, heads its semiconductor business. In an internal message seen by CNN, Samsung paid tribute to Han, saying he had dedicated more than 37 years of his life to leading Samsung’s TV business to become a global leader. As the head of its…

• INEC receives petition seeking recall as court vacates order• Group claims 250,000 voters signed petition Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi West) has debunked reports that she apologised to the Senate over her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, calling it a desperate attempt to silence her. At last, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, received the petition seeking the recall of the Kogi West senator. This was as a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on March 20, vacated the ex parte injunction granted Akpoti-Uduaghan. In a statement, yesterday, the senator condemned what…

• PHED sensitises customers on unauthorised meter tampering, by-passAn electricity vandal identified as Moses Joel, has been apprehended in the process of stealing some critical power assets worth millions of Naira belonging to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc (PHED). The Guardian gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday, March 15, at about 3:30 a.m., in Eteo, Eleme Local Council, Rivers State. The vandal, who hails from Delta State and in his twenties, was ambushed by indigenes, who have been keeping vigil due to the spike in criminal activities in the community. It was gathered that PHED was undertaking the…

After several months of delay, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) may have a reason to smile as the Federal Government on Monday promised to pay the backlog of the new ₦77,000 monthly allowance. The Federal Government increased corps members’ allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77, 000 in September 2024. Despite repeated promises and backlash since the increment, the new rate is yet to be implemented. However, serving corps members and those in the scheme when the increment was announced in September 2024 will receive a backdated payment. The Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande gave this assurance when…

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has dismissed calls for him to assess President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying he will speak when he feels it is necessary. The renowned playwright, who had previously indicated he would evaluate Tinubu’s government after one year in office, said he was not bound by any timeline. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, yesterday, Soyinka emphasised that he would only offer his evaluation when he deemed it necessary and had substantive observations to share, dismissing the notion that he should adhere to a pre-determined timeline, such as the one-year of Tinubu’s…

Zimbabwe captain Marshall Munetsi has played down expectations on his side ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.  In a bid to revive their World Cup hopes, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions are vying for all points in the remaining games of their campaign. The Wolverhampton player’s insistence is that the pressure lies squarely on the Super Eagles. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Uyo, Munetsi noted that Zimbabwe’s squad, made up largely of Europe-based players, is more comfortable playing away from home. “Not really,” Munetsi said…