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,…
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…
In anticipation of nationwide protests scheduled to start on August 1, 2024, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has instructed university vice-chancellors to implement measures ensuring the security and safety of their campuses. A statement released on Monday by Chris Maiyaki, acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), detailed the minister’s directives. Vice-chancellors…
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has frozen the account of the human rights organization, Take It Back (TIB) Movement, following their call for #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria. According to TIB Movement, the account freeze was ordered by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), also known as the State Security Service. The organization has threatened…
Ghana’s central bank has maintained its main interest rate at 29 percent for the third consecutive meeting, emphasizing the need for a strong monetary stance amid ongoing inflation uncertainties. This decision, announced on Friday, defied economists’ predictions of a 50-basis-point cut. “Although inflation is expected to stay within the target range for the year, risks…
