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An optometrist, Dr Kingsley Ekemiri, says carrots, water melon, stockfish and fresh fish are important nutrients for improved sight.
“Nutrient is a very important component of our vision in the sense that when we eat properly, we tend to improve our visions said in Abuja.
“Basically carrot has what is called the carotene, a very important component of the retina; when you eat a lot of carrots, it tends to improve the immunity and the healthiness of your retina that makes you see much better.
“Stockfish and also fresh fish are very important nutrients for your vision, so also is red oil which is palm oil because it contains what is called retinol,’’ he said.
He advised people to desist from frying red palm oil, as such destroys the nutrients that aid vision.
Gombe
In a bid to promote aforestation in Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, an NGO, Prof. Abdullah Mahadi Foundation, has presented 500 tree seedlings to the local government council.
Presenting the seedlings in Deba in Gombe State last Monday, Prof. Abdullahi Mahadi, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of the Gombe State University, said the gesture was also aimed at curtailing soil erosion.
Mahadi urged the people to imbibe the culture of planting trees to protect the environment, and said that the foundation was formed to inculcate the love of nature, particularly trees in children.
The vice-chancellor said that some of the trees being presented would soon be extinct, hence the need to preserve them.
Kaduna
The Federal Government has in the last three years spent N120 billion on the implementation of MDG programmes, according to the Director of MDGs, Mr Oluwole Edun.
He announced in Kaduna at the 13th meeting of Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) Focal Persons that more than 30 million people had benefited from the 30,000 projects executed under the MDGs in the country.
“The CGS is one of a number of initiatives, which have in the past years improved planning, projects management, governance and accountability.
“There has also been a major boost in capital investments in key MDG sectors, in particular health, education, water and sanitation,” he said.
Edun noted that a recent evaluation of the programme had shown tremendous success in many projects, but that there were still challenges in implementation, investment branding, monitoring and reporting, maintenance and sustainability of completed projects.
He said that some states did not adhere to the provisions guiding the CGS procurement process and financial management, which had affected the effectiveness of the investments.
Edun said the MDGs had received proposals from states totaling more than N87 billion in addition to other areas of attention, such as education, health delivery, water and sanitation.
He said the states would soon be invited to commence pre-disbursement requirements, while the CGS to local government areas would soon commence in 113 councils.
Kano
Two persons suspected to be hired assassins have killed a prominent Lebanese motor spare parts dealer, Mr. Gaffar Shamsuddeen in Kano.
An eye witness said, that the incident happened on Thursday around 2.30pm at the deceased’s shop located on the popular Ahmadu Bello Way in the city.
According to the eye witness, the hoodlums stormed the deceased’s shop at No. 139 Ahmadu Bello Way on a motorcycle.
The suspects were said have arrived at the shop, but the deceased, who was said to have returned to Kano from Lebanon on Wednesday, was not in the shop.
But just as the men were about to leave the shop, Shamsuddeen returned and as he tried to enter the shop, one of the hoodlum shot him on the chest.
Kebbi
An Islamic scholar, Alhaji Isma’il Diri, has called on Muslims to seek divine blessing through goodwill to mankind on “the Night of Majesty” during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Diri, who addressed a public gathering in Birnin Kebbi urged Muslims to sustain the lessons learnt during the Ramadan for blessing on the special night in the last ten days.
“Any Muslim who seeks God’s blessing on that night needed to do the right things as contained in the Holy Qur’an during and indeed after the Ramadan period.
He enjoined Muslims to pray for peace unity, a God-fearing leadership and peaceful co-existence.
Kwara
Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described the death of former military Vice President Augustus Aikhomu as a great loss to Nigeria.
The former governor of Kwara and senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District said in a statement in Ilorin that Nigerians would remember Aikhomu, a retired Navy Admiral, for his contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
The statement, issued by Saraki’s Media Assistant, Mr. Akintoba Fatiregunm, said Nigerians would miss Aikhomu’s advice in the efforts of the present administration to transform Nigeria.
Saraki described Aikhomuas a detribalised Nigerian, who used his position to improve the lives of the people.
Niger
The Niger State government is to undertake a census of primary health care facilities in the state to determining the physical state of the structures, facilities and staff manning them.
Dr Aliyu Shehu, the Executive Director of Niger State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NSPHCDA), made this known in Minna.
He said 1,530 primary healthcare facilities had been transferred to the agency by the local governments in the state, adding that the agency would undertake their baseline study.
“The baseline study will determine the exact number of PHC facilities, state of the physical structures, equipments and facilities and the staff manning them.
Plateau
The Plateau State Government realised N353.6 million as revenue from vehicle number plates and drivers’ licences in the last three and a half years, Dr Rauta Jat, the Chairman, Plateau Board of Internal Revenue, announced in Jos.
A breakdown of the figures shows that the board generated N116.23 million in 2008; N101.70 million in 2009 and about N99.29 million in 2010.
The board collected N36.34 million between January and June this year, adding that N118.10 million was realised from the sale of number plates, N77.16 million from drivers’ licences, while N58.93 million was raked in as motor vehicle registration fees.
Sokoto
The Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto has embarked on the building of a 50-room hotel in Abuja, its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu has said.
Shehu told newsmen in Sokoto that the project, consisting of 42 double rooms and eight suites, would cost N321 million, while the project had reached 80 per cent completion.
“The major challenge for any university in Nigeria is the desire to achieve high quality with limited resources.
“That is why we have to always explore more ways to boost our internal revenue-generation capacities,” he said.
He explained that although education was expensive, “if you want quality, you have to invest and there are no two ways about this.”
Taraba
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has led a Kenya-based American investor to inspect about 30,000 hectares of marshy land in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State for possible commercial rice cultivation.
Obasanjo, was accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Governor Dambaba Suntai of Taraba State.
The former president described the investor, Mr. Calvin Burgess, as a friend to Nigeria.
Yobe
Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi, Secretary, Mamudo Women Vegetable Farmers Association in Yobe, said the group recorded more than 200 per cent profit in the last six months.
Abdullahi, told newsmen in Mamudo village in Yobe last Monday that the support rendered by Fadama III coordinators assisted the women to increase their profit.
She said that the Fadama III office assisted the group with N280,000 after an initial contribution of N120,000 to expand and improve facilities in their vegetables farms.
“We expanded our farms from 0.8 hectares to 2.1 hectares. We also used the extra funds to construct and rehabilitate concrete wells and procured water pumps for use on our farms,” she said.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor
The Nile University of Nigeria has successfully hosted the maiden National Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) Nigeria Chapter, drawing scholars, policymakers, and media professionals to examine emerging global communication trends and Africa’s positioning within them.
The two-day conference, themed, “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” took place from March 24 to 25, 2026, at Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja. The event marked the first national gathering of the ICA Nigeria Chapter since its inauguration in March 2023, making it a historic milestone for communication scholarship on the continent.
Delivering a welcome address on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Prof. Dilli Dogo, the Head of Mass Communication Department, Dr. Jacob Suemo, described the conference as a “clarion call to reimagine Africa’s place in the global communication landscape,” emphasising the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
The conference convened leading international scholars, including ICA President, Prof Thomas Hanitzsch and REACH Committee Chair, Prof Noshir Contractor, alongside other notable academics such as Prof Srivi Ramasubramanian, Dominique Brossard, and Prof. Raka Shome. Representatives from ICA chapters in India, Indonesia, and Kenya also participated, reinforcing the global outlook of the gathering.
Participants engaged in keynote sessions, panel discussions, and paper presentations addressing critical themes such as artificial intelligence, climate change communication, media systems, governance, and digital transformation. These discussions reflected the broader aim of the conference to interrogate how global communication shifts affect African societies, institutions, and development pathways.
A key highlight of the conference was a strategic panel session titled, “Is Africa Ready for ICA26?” which assessed the continent’s readiness for deeper global engagement ahead of the ICA International Conference scheduled for June 2026.
The event featured over 50 research presentations from scholars across Nigerian institutions, showcasing diverse perspectives on communication research and practice. It also attracted major stakeholders in government and media, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the News Agency of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Press Council. Discussions underscored the importance of strategic communication in national development and Africa-driven narratives in global discourse.
A major outcome of the conference was the leadership transition within the ICA Nigeria Chapter. Professor Desmond Okocha emerged as the new Chair, succeeding the founding Chair, Dr. Ekaete George. The transition was described as a step toward consolidating the association’s growth and expanding its influence across Nigeria’s academic and media landscape.
Organised in collaboration with academic institutions including Bingham University, University of Cross River State, Nasarawa State University, and the University of Calabar, the conference also featured participation from the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) as a partner and sponsor.
The ICA Nigeria Chapter noted that the conference provided a vital platform for intellectual exchange, collaboration, and policy dialogue, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global communication research and practice.
The second edition of the ICA Nigeria National Conference is scheduled for March 2027, building on the success of the inaugural event.
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