Author: Maryam Sulaiman

The Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina is facing immense strain as a rising diphtheria outbreak across Katsina State floods its Children’s Ward with a heavy influx of suspected and confirmed cases. The facility revealed the critical situation in a statement provided to News Point Nigeria on Saturday, explaining that a continuous stream of patient referrals from nearby healthcare centers has pushed the hospital past its bed capacity.The surge in admissions has caused severe congestion throughout the pediatric section as cases keep arriving. “The ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Katsina State has placed enormous pressure on the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina (FTH Katsina),…

A sobering new report by risk consultancy firm SBM Intelligence has revealed that no fewer than 7,825 people were abducted in 1,713 separate kidnapping incidents across Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026. The study further detailed that at least 1,142 victims were killed during this timeframe. The publication, titled The Capture of the Kidnap Economy, highlights a troubling surge in financial yields for criminal networks. While total ransom demands dropped from N48 billion to N22.9 billion compared to previous metrics, actual ransom payments collected surged from N2.56 billion to N7.78 billion. This shifted the successful collection rate from 5.35…

The Emir of Daura, HRM Dr. Umar Faruk Umar, CON, has honored the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., with the traditional title of Mairamar Kasar Hausa I. The title translates to First Daughter of Hausa Land and was presented on Wednesday as part of the closing events for the Hausa Day celebrations held in Daura, Katsina State. Reacting to the conferment through a statement issued by her SA Media & Publicity, Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Musawa expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, calling it a personal milestone deeply tied to her roots,…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially confirmed the end of Uganda’s Ebola outbreak following weeks of surveillance. Uganda had declared itself free of the virus last month, marking 42 days since the discharge of its final confirmed patient. The WHO maintained active monitoring beyond the declaration to ensure all transmission chains had been successfully broken. Since May 15, when an outbreak was reported in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda documented a total of 20 confirmed cases. Official statements from Kampala indicated that all domestic infections stemmed from the DRC outbreak, originating from individuals who crossed…

Seven suspects have been apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrimes Centre (NPF-NCCC) for alleged involvement in money laundering, business email compromise, sextortion, blackmail, romance scams, and related internet offences. Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Akaninyene Ezima, who heads the centre, disclosed the details during a media briefing in Abuja. Ezima explained that one suspect was tracked down after the German Federal Police (Bundeskriminalamt or BKA) requested data preservation for an IP address linked to a high-level business email compromise. The joint investigation, tagged “Operation Broken Mask,” was executed alongside the BKA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police under…

The Federal Government has begun reviewing its overseas scholarship and bilateral education arrangements as part of measures to curb unnecessary expenditure and redirect public funds toward strengthening Nigerian tertiary institutions, Minister of Education Dr Tunji Alausa has announced. Alausa stated that the administration can no longer justify spending limited public funds on sending students abroad for academic programmes that are already offered by domestic universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. He explained that the review aims to build local capacity while ensuring better value for government spending. The minister cited a recent proposal involving approximately 100,000 Nigerian students designated to…

Tanzanian Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi has officially tendered his resignation and declared his retirement from active politics, explaining that he believes President Samia Suluhu Hassan wants a new running mate. His resignation will officially take effect on September 4. Nchimbi revealed his decision on Tuesday, August 25, stating that he sent a formal letter to Hassan detailing his exit from both the vice presidency and public life. He noted that he had previously pledged to the president in August 2025 that he would step aside whenever she preferred a different deputy. Nchimbi stated he is now convinced beyond doubt that…

Canada revealed new counter-tariffs on US goods ranging between 15 and 50 percent on Tuesday, marking a sharp escalation in the trade dispute between the two long-standing allies. The retaliatory measures from Ottawa will take effect on September 8, matching the schedule previously outlined by Prime Minister Mark Carney following US President Donald Trump’s implementation of 50 percent duties on Saturday. Canadian officials confirmed Tuesday that the counter-tariffs correspond directly to US tariff levels, impacting key sectors such as steel, dairy, and consumer electronics. The target list spans frozen and fresh fish, household appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, and…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit, popular known as petrol, from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre, taking effect on August 26, 2026. The adjustment was detailed in an official circular sent to customers on Tuesday by the refinery’s Group Commercial Operations, outlining updated depot rates for both coastal and gantry deliveries. The notification, bearing the subject line “PMS Price Change Communication (N1,185 per Litre To N1,200 Per Litre),” informed buyers to adhere to the updated Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals PMS rates starting August 26, 2026. Data provided in the notice…

Nigeria’s Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency have launched a joint investigation into allegations that senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation are collaborating with foreign interests to undermine national security. An anonymous security source revealed that intelligence agencies intercepted concerning communications between the federation officials and foreign nationals, raising concerns over potential security risks. The source clarified that the ongoing inquiry extends beyond financial management and the 17 billion naira intervention fund allocated for national team payments, noting that financial impropriety falls under the purview of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. “It is true that…