By Ayomide Otitoju A new initiative to accelerate the development and accessibility of human avian influenza (H5N1) mRNA vaccine candidates for manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) was launched today in Switzerland. This effort will be spearheaded by Argentinian manufacturer Sinergium Biotech, leveraging the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP)…
By Ayomide Otitoju A new analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO), published today in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, reveals that nearly a quarter (24%) of adolescent girls who have been in a relationship almost 19 million will have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by the time they turn 20. Furthermore,…
Lagos, Nigeria – LH Telecommunication Limited has successfully acquired a majority stake in Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited, the parent company of 9mobile. The acquisition, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, paves the way for a new board to take control of the struggling telecom operator. The…
Lagos, Nigeria – Wema Bank has unveiled a new payment gateway designed specifically for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. The platform, named ALATPay, offers a secure, end-to-end shopping experience for customers and instant settlement for merchants, all via a unique ALATPay link. The announcement was made recently in Lagos. According to…
By Ayomide Otitoju International rating agency Fitch Ratings has revised its Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) for both FBN Holdings and its banking subsidiary, FirstBank, from stable to positive. This change reflects the recent revision of Nigeria’s outlook from stable to positive, affirming the IDR at ‘B-’. In a commentary published on its website on…
Amid preparations for a nationwide protest scheduled for August, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has urged for calm and patience. In a statement released on Sunday, NCPC Executive Secretary Bishop Stephen Adegbite called on Nigerians to seek alternative methods for voicing their concerns. Bishop Adegbite emphasized that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to the…
US President Joe Biden announced Monday an ambitious reform agenda targeting the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, a high-stakes move as he enters the final months of his presidency. The 81-year-old Democrat is advocating for a constitutional amendment to counter the Supreme Court’s recent endorsement of former President Donald Trump’s claims of presidential immunity, according to the…
The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has firmly upheld the credibility of the 2024 elections that resulted in Afam Osigwe’s election as the new president. This response comes amid complaints from two presidential candidates, Tobenna Erojikwe and Chukwuka Ikwuazom, who have questioned the process and called for an audit. In a statement…
The United States, United Kingdom, and Canada have issued travel advisories urging their citizens to exercise caution amid expected nationwide protests in Nigeria. The demonstrations, set to begin on August 1, 2024, are organized in response to economic hardship and rising inflation. In separate advisories, all three countries warned of potential violence and disruptions associated…
