Insecurity in northern and central Nigeria continues to worsen, driven by violent farmer-herder clashes. These disputes, rooted in competition over land and water, are fueled by ethnic and religious tensions. Despite repeated government efforts, the crisis remains unresolved and increasingly deadly.
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Video - Farmer-herder feuds persist in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region
Insecurity in northern and central Nigeria continues to worsen, driven by violent farmer-herder clashes. These disputes, rooted in competition over land and water, are fueled by ethnic and religious tensions. Despite repeated government efforts, the crisis remains unresolved and increasingly deadly.
Over 43m risk river blindness as Nigeria moves toward elimination target
Despite significant progress in eliminating river blindness, also known as onchocerciasis, over 40 million Nigerians remain at risk.
This is as the federal government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, yesterday confirmed that transmission of the disease had been interrupted in at least 10 states, including Kaduna, Nasarawa, Anambra and Abia.
Speaking at NIMR’s monthly media chat in Lagos, the Director of Research at NIMR and a leading public health parasitologist, Dr. Babatunde Adewale, stated that children under 10 were now being targeted for blood sampling in endemic communities where treatment had been ongoing for more than a decade.
If these children test negative, it is an indication that transmission has stopped.
Onchocerciasis, transmitted by blackflies, is a major cause of preventable blindness in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigeria began using Ivermectin through mass drug administration, MDA, in the 1990s to control the disease.
However, due to its effectiveness and growing scientific evidence from countries such as Nigeria, Mali, and Senegal, global focus had shifted from control to total elimination.
“We are no longer just controlling the disease, elimination is now within reach. By 2030, we hope Nigeria will be declared free of onchocerciasis,” Adewale said.
He noted that over 37 million Nigerians had received treatment, adding that using Ov-16 antigen tests on samples collected must show positivity rates below 0.1 per cent to confirm transmission interruption.
NIMR also contributes to public health education and ethics, focusing on neglected tropical diseases that impact rural communities, which are key to Nigeria’s food security.
“These communities are the backbone of our food system,” Adewale said, emphasising that their health must not be overlooked.
He recalled that Nigeria’s success did not happen overnight, stressing that it followed decades of mass campaigns, supported by the World Health Organization, WHO, the federal ministry of health, and other partners, using community-directed treatment with Ivermectin, CDTI. This approach empowers locals to lead the fight by administering the drug themselves.
Onchocerciasis is caused by the Onchocerca volvulus parasite and is the world’s second leading cause of infectious blindness. Nigeria has adopted a phased strategy toward elimination: Phase one is the interruption of transmission; phase two involves post-treatment surveillance for 3–5 years; and phase three, verification by WHO experts.
Challenges remain, particularly insecurity in parts of the country that limit access to some communities. Only Lagos and Rivers States remain officially non-endemic.
Whie expressing optimism about its elimination, Adewale said: “We are doing better than many other African countries. Only Niger has been validated for elimination, and Nigeria is much larger.”
NIMR’s Senior Research Fellow Dr. Kazeem Osuolale, called for stronger community engagement and economic empowerment to improve health outcomes.
“Health interventions must be people-centered,” he said, noting that financially empowered individuals were more likely to comply with treatment.
Also speaking, Mr. Adeniyi Adeneye, a Research Fellow at NIMR’s Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, stressed the importance of health literacy.
He said: “Without public understanding of disease causes and prevention, even the most expensive innovations may fail.’’
By Chioma Obinna, Vanguard
This is as the federal government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, yesterday confirmed that transmission of the disease had been interrupted in at least 10 states, including Kaduna, Nasarawa, Anambra and Abia.
Speaking at NIMR’s monthly media chat in Lagos, the Director of Research at NIMR and a leading public health parasitologist, Dr. Babatunde Adewale, stated that children under 10 were now being targeted for blood sampling in endemic communities where treatment had been ongoing for more than a decade.
If these children test negative, it is an indication that transmission has stopped.
Onchocerciasis, transmitted by blackflies, is a major cause of preventable blindness in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigeria began using Ivermectin through mass drug administration, MDA, in the 1990s to control the disease.
However, due to its effectiveness and growing scientific evidence from countries such as Nigeria, Mali, and Senegal, global focus had shifted from control to total elimination.
“We are no longer just controlling the disease, elimination is now within reach. By 2030, we hope Nigeria will be declared free of onchocerciasis,” Adewale said.
He noted that over 37 million Nigerians had received treatment, adding that using Ov-16 antigen tests on samples collected must show positivity rates below 0.1 per cent to confirm transmission interruption.
NIMR also contributes to public health education and ethics, focusing on neglected tropical diseases that impact rural communities, which are key to Nigeria’s food security.
“These communities are the backbone of our food system,” Adewale said, emphasising that their health must not be overlooked.
He recalled that Nigeria’s success did not happen overnight, stressing that it followed decades of mass campaigns, supported by the World Health Organization, WHO, the federal ministry of health, and other partners, using community-directed treatment with Ivermectin, CDTI. This approach empowers locals to lead the fight by administering the drug themselves.
Onchocerciasis is caused by the Onchocerca volvulus parasite and is the world’s second leading cause of infectious blindness. Nigeria has adopted a phased strategy toward elimination: Phase one is the interruption of transmission; phase two involves post-treatment surveillance for 3–5 years; and phase three, verification by WHO experts.
Challenges remain, particularly insecurity in parts of the country that limit access to some communities. Only Lagos and Rivers States remain officially non-endemic.
Whie expressing optimism about its elimination, Adewale said: “We are doing better than many other African countries. Only Niger has been validated for elimination, and Nigeria is much larger.”
NIMR’s Senior Research Fellow Dr. Kazeem Osuolale, called for stronger community engagement and economic empowerment to improve health outcomes.
“Health interventions must be people-centered,” he said, noting that financially empowered individuals were more likely to comply with treatment.
Also speaking, Mr. Adeniyi Adeneye, a Research Fellow at NIMR’s Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, stressed the importance of health literacy.
He said: “Without public understanding of disease causes and prevention, even the most expensive innovations may fail.’’
By Chioma Obinna, Vanguard
Friday, July 4, 2025
Video - Nigeria-based tech firm, Intron, brings an African voice to AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing communication, productivity, and innovation, but most of these models are not tailored for an African audience. Flawed voice recognition systems often fail to understand African names, languages, and accents. The Africa-centric voice technology platform, Intron, is addressing this with its AI model, Sahara.
Video - Experts say BRICS offers Nigeria a new economic pathway
Nigeria became a partner country of the BRICS economic bloc in January 2025. While it doesn't have the same decision-making power as full members, it can participate in BRICS summits and initiatives. Experts say its status can also help the West African country tap into wider trade and finance networks.
Tributes paid after Nigeria keeper Rufai dies aged 61
Affectionately known as Dodo Mayana, he helped the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and also represented his nation at the Fifa World Cup in 1994 and 1998.
Born in Lagos, Rufai enjoyed a stellar international career, earning 65 caps between 1983 and 1998.
His safe hands, commanding presence and calm demeanour made him a stand-out performer for Nigeria's golden generation of the 1990s.
"We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai - a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 Afcon champion," the Nigeria Football Federation posted on X.
"Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond."
Rufai's death marks yet another loss from Nigeria's celebrated 1994 squad, the team that not only conquered Africa but also announced the country's arrival on the global stage by reaching the last 16 on their World Cup debut in the United States.
He becomes the sixth member of the that side to pass away, following the late Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Thompson Oliha and Uche Okafor.
After starting his playing career locally with Stationery Stores and Femo Scorpions in Nigeria, Rufai went on to play professionally in Benin, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.
Known not just for his reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, Rufai's dedication and professionalism inspired a generation of goalkeepers who followed in his footsteps.
"We lost an African legend Peter Rufai. May his soul rest well," former Nigeria team-mate Kanu posted on social media.
"May your spirit continue to inspire all of us and future generations."
Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa said that the "nation mourns a hero" following Rufai's death.
"Your heroic reflexes and unwavering presence between the posts brought us moments of pride on the world stage," Musa said.
"Though you've left us, your legacy soars higher than any trophy. Fly high, Dodo Mayana."
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