mPharma Launches Programme to Tackle Hypertension in Nigeria, Others 

By Adedapo Adesanya Scientists Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries enabling the development of COVID-19 vaccines, the award-giving body said on Monday. The prize, among the most prestigious in the scientific world, is selected by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute Medical University and also comes with 11 million Swedish crowns (about $1 million). “The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19,” the

By Aduragbemi Omiyale It was a moment of joy that would not be forgotten for a long time for residents of Rivers State on Saturday, September 23, 2023, as the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation distributed some blood pressure monitors to them. The organisation gave out the items to celebrate its 22nd anniversary. Apart from the items distributed, the company also carried out free screenings and high blood medication. It was gathered that almost 400 persons benefitted from the gesture, including the young and old at the La Sien Pavilion, Old GRA Port Harcourt, the state capital. The Chairman of the O.B.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale From February 2024, a leading pharmaceutical company, Sanofi-Aventi Nigeria Limited, will put a stop to its direct operations in the country, opting to hand over this business to a yet-to-be-named third party. In a statement signed by the Country Lead for Sanofi, Ms Folake Odediran, it was noted that this new business model was adopted for the “commercialisation of Sanofi portfolio of medicines” through a major distributor. This business model is also to be adopted by another player in the sector, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Nigeria Plc, which announced its planned exit from the Nigerian market a few months

By Adedapo Adesanya The federal government has pledged to increase domestic health financing to improve health condition of all Nigerians as part of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s targets. The Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday made the pledge when a delegations from the Global Health Partners, the Global Fund, US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and others, paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The US President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was also part of the delegations. Mr Shettima emphasised that enhancing domestic health financing and improved health outcomes of Nigerians were topmost on the

The dichotomy between holders of Bachelor’s Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) that has caused issues in the civil service in Nigeria has now been abolished. The separation created for holders of the degrees has been stopped by the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board (CDFIPB), which is under the Ministry of Interior. Secretary of the board, Mr Al-Hassan Yakmut, was quoted in a statement as saying that Chairman of CDFIPB and Minister of Interior, Mr Abdulrahman Dambazau, approved the abolition during the board’s meeting held between May 9 and May 10, in Abuja. According to News Agency

By Dipo Olowookere Nine publicly quoted organisations trading their shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited have been suspended. A circular issued by the bourse explained that the affected firms were slammed for failing to file their Audited Financial Statements (AFS) for the year ended December 31, 2021. With this development, shareholders of the nine companies and prospective investors would not be able to buy or sell the stocks of the organisation on the exchange with effect from Friday, July 1, 2022, until the embargo is lifted. The suspended organisations, according to the notice are Ardova, Niger Insurance, C&I Leasing,

By Adedapo Adesanya The prices of oil rose modestly on Wednesday even after crude inventories increased and inflation figures jumped in the United States, the world’s largest oil producer. Brent crude settled up by 8 cents at $99.57 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 46 cents to trade at $96.30 a barrel. US oil inventories rose more than expected despite expectations of the tightness in markets. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), US commercial crude stocks increased by 3.3 million barrels versus expectations for a modest draw in stocks. Also, US consumer prices accelerated to

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Train services on the Kaduna-Abuja route resumed on Saturday after an attack on the rail line on Wednesday by some yet-to-be-identified persons. While returning from a trip in Abuja to Kaduna with a former federal lawmaker, Mr Shehu Sani, onboard, an explosion damaged the rail track and forced the train to stop close to its destination. After the incident, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), which manages the facility, announced the suspension of services on the route on Thursday pending when things are put in place. Today, operations recommenced at the Rigasa Train Station in Kaduna but the

By Dipo Olowookere A new publication by ace journalist, Mr Quadri Olowolagba, High Celebrity Squard Magazine, has finally found its way to the newsstands. Publisher of the softsell journal disclosed that the magazine focuses on celebrating the cream de la crème of Nigeria’s finest citizens and high-profile events. In the maiden edition of HCS, Mr Olowolagba highlighted the entrepreneurial CEO of Sifax Group of Company, Mr Taiwo Afolabi, who commended the initiative as bringing searchlight on the country’s emerging society circuit. To boot, the magazine also featured incisive stories on UBA’s RedTv, Quincy Ayodele, Aare Razak Akanni Okoya, Aare Ona

By Dipo Olowookere The bears maintained grip on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Monday, causing the market to further decline by 0.12 per cent at the close of transactions. Selloffs inspired by weak investor sentiment dominated the local bourse yesterday amid cautious trading as traders watch closely happenings in the political space, which is heating up ahead of the 2023 general elections. Consequently, the market capitalisation shed N29 billion to settle at N23.922 trillion compared with last Friday’s N23.951 trillion, while the All-Share Index (ASI) dropped 55.01 points to close at 44,399.66 points versus the previous 44,454.67 points. Financial

By Dipo Olowookere Oyo State Governor, Mr Abiola Ajimobi, has called for a renewed hope from the country’s citizens on the ability of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to salvage the country from the pervading economic challenges. Mr Ajimobi made the call in his New Year message issued by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka, in Ibadan. Although the Governor said he was not unmindful of the telling effect of the recession on the populace, he, however, said they should continue to trust in the FG’s ability to put the economy back on track judging

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Young Nigerian graduates must be digitally savvy, imbibe uncommon integrity, deep insights, accountability and excellence to compete in the new world order, the Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Patrick Akinwuntan has advised. The reputable banker gave this charge at the historic first virtual graduation ceremony for 2019/2020 Lynx set of Babcock University, Ilishan, Ogun State. During his speech at the event held recently, he noted that in this fast-paced and COVID-19 impacted world, only those who are responsive to change and able to learn, unlearn and relearn will survive. Mr Akinwuntan also said any young graduate