By Adewunmi Oluwaseun 

In the heart of Kwali Area Council, the only health centre serving over 8,000 residents across five farming settlements stands in ruins; stripped of a roof, water, electricity, beds, or basic equipment.

A recent field visit by civic platform Monitng exposed the Gomani Primary Health Centre as a “death trap,” demanding urgent intervention from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Senator Ireti Kingibe.

The group painted a grim picture: leaking roofs, crumbling walls, no emergency space, and a complete absence of functional medical infrastructure. Yet, pregnant women, sick children, and the elderly still flock to the centre – the only glimmer of medical hope for miles.

“The facility is unfit for humans, let alone healthcare,” Monitng said in a statement. “A complete rebuild is the only option. Health workers here improvise with nothing.”

This reality contrasts sharply with Abuja’s rising health budgets – ₦10.6 billion in 2023, ₦14.8 billion in 2024, and a proposed ₦17.7 billion for 2025 – and the recent approval of ₦1.1 trillion for capital projects.

Despite donor support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and the Global Fund, Monitng insists local authorities must take responsibility. “Rural communities deserve more than abandoned buildings,” the group stressed.

Residents say the centre, once promising, is now a hazard – not a hospital.

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

The Federal Government has launched two new rice varieties, FARO 71 and FARO 72, in a bold move to fight malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, unveiled the fortified rice in Abuja, highlighting its potential to improve health outcomes while boosting food security.

Developed in collaboration with HarvestPlus and the National Cereals Research Institute, the rice varieties are enriched with zinc, supplying up to 40 percent of the daily recommended intake.

Aside from their nutritional benefits, FARO 71 and FARO 72 are designed to deliver high yields, resist pests, and withstand drought — qualities expected to appeal to farmers and improve national productivity.

With Nigeria reportedly losing $1.5 billion annually to nutrient deficiencies, the government hopes these fortified staples will play a critical role in reversing the trend and promoting public health through agriculture.

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

In a major move to tackle Nigeria’s growing healthcare workforce shortage, the Federal Government has increased the annual enrollment of nursing students from 28,000 to 115,000.

The announcement was made on April 28, 2025, by the Federal Ministry of Education, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare and education sectors under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The surge, surpassing the original target of 110,000 students, is the result of collaboration between the Ministries of Education and Health & Social Welfare.

The milestone was achieved thanks to the leadership of Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and support from industry experts, the Nigerian Council of Nurses and Midwifery, and teaching hospitals.