Author: Ifunanya Okafor

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to eliminating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria, a harmful practice affecting millions of women and girls. The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM. Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the alarming prevalence of FGM in Nigeria, revealing that an estimated 19.9 million women and girls have undergone the practice, with a 20% prevalence rate among women aged 15 to 49. She described it as a serious human rights violation, a public health crisis, and a major obstacle to achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We are not just marking another international day; we are reaffirming our commitment to ending one of the most serious violations of human rights, Female Genital Mutilation,” she stated. Government’s Multi-Sectoral Strategy to End FGM To combat FGM, the minister outlined a multi-sectoral approach, including: Strengthening legal frameworks to criminalize and prevent FGM Expanding community interventions to raise awareness at the grassroots level Promoting behavioral and cultural change to shift societal norms Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for collaborative efforts among government agencies, civil society, and local communities to accelerate progress. “The fight against FGM is not the responsibility of one ministry, one organization, or one sector, it is a collective responsibility. FGM is not culture; FGM is a human rights violation. Together, let us #UNITE2ENDFGM and ensure that every girl in Nigeria is free to live, free to dream, and free to thrive,” she urged. Advocacy and Legislative Push As part of ongoing efforts to eradicate FGM, the government has planned:      An advocacy walk to the National Assembly to push for stronger anti-FGM laws and increased funding for prevention programs.     A grassroots campaign in Jigawa State to engage community leaders and mobilize local organizations in the fight against FGM. The minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to amplifying survivors’ voices, enforcing existing laws, and promoting education and economic empowerment for women and girls. With continued advocacy and nationwide collaboration, Nigeria is pushing towards a future free from FGM, ensuring the safety, dignity, and rights of every girl.

At least 17 students lost their lives in a devastating fire at an Islamic school in Kauran Namoda, Zamfara State, on Tuesday night. The victims, aged between seven and 17, were trapped in the blaze, while around 12 others sustained severe burns and were rushed to the hospital for treatment, according to local police. Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. Hussaini Adamu, a grieving parent who lost two children in the tragedy, revealed that the fire began in a nearby house before spreading to the school. Authorities are working to uncover more details about the incident as the community mourns the heartbreaking loss.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, the former Director-General of Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has been appointed as the acting Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa region. His appointment was confirmed on Tuesday during the ongoing 156th session of the WHO Executive Board in Geneva, Switzerland. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed confidence in Ihekweazu’s leadership, emphasizing that Africa will be in “capable hands” for the next four months. This interim period will last until a new regional director is elected in May 2025. Ihekweazu takes over from Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, whose decade-long tenure as Regional Director has come to an end. Dr. Moeti, in her farewell message, expressed her gratitude for the collaboration with member states and partners that helped strengthen Africa’s health systems. She also celebrated the key achievements during her leadership, which advanced health initiatives and universal healthcare access across the continent. Before his new appointment, Ihekweazu served as WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Emergency Intelligence, a role he held since 2021. With more than 20 years of experience in infectious disease epidemiology, Ihekweazu has held significant leadership roles in several international health institutions, including the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the UK’s Health Protection Agency, and Germany’s Robert Koch Institute. His leadership at NCDC was critical in guiding Nigeria’s response to multiple health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Ihekweazu’s appointment marks a new chapter for the WHO Africa region as the organization continues to build on its achievements and work towards improving public health on the continent.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Supernus Pharmaceuticals’ drug-device combination, Onapgo, for the treatment of movement-related symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. Onapgo, which delivers the drug apomorphine continuously under the skin, provides a more convenient alternative to current injectable treatments that need to be administered as frequently as every two hours. This approval marks a significant milestone for Supernus, ending a years-long effort to secure FDA approval. The agency had previously rejected the company’s application in 2022 and 2024, requesting additional information related to product quality and the device. The combination therapy, acquired by Supernus in a $530-million deal in 2020, aims to help reduce “off episodes,” where Parkinson’s patients experience an exacerbation of symptoms as their medication wears off. Onapgo is expected to be available in the U.S. by the second quarter of this year.

Sweden was rocked by its deadliest gun attack in recent memory on Tuesday, as 11 people were killed in a shooting at an adult education center in Orebro. Swedish police confirmed the tragic event, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson describing the day as “painful.” Authorities stated that the gunman was believed to be among the fatalities, and investigations are ongoing to determine if there are any other victims. The shooter’s motive remains unclear, though police have ruled out ideological motives at this stage. The suspected assailant, who was not previously known to police, appears to have acted alone. Swedish authorities are warning against the spread of misinformation online, urging caution as the investigation continues. This tragic incident marks a somber moment in Sweden’s history, as the country grapples with the shock of its deadliest mass shooting.

Toyota Motor has announced plans to establish a wholly owned company in Shanghai focused on developing and producing electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries for its Lexus brand. The plant, set to begin production in 2027, is expected to produce around 100,000 vehicles annually, marking a significant step in Toyota’s electrification strategy. In the initial phase, Toyota plans to create about 1,000 jobs at the new facility. This development is part of Toyota’s broader commitment to enhancing its EV portfolio to meet growing demand in China, the world’s largest auto market. Additionally, Toyota will collaborate with the Shanghai municipal government on carbon-neutral initiatives, aligning with China’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. The company emphasized that the move is a key part of its long-term sustainability goals. With the new plant, Toyota aims to strengthen its presence in China’s competitive EV market and further solidify the Lexus brand’s reputation for luxury and innovation.

China’s antitrust regulator is reportedly preparing for a potential investigation into Apple’s policies and App Store fees, according to Bloomberg News. The probe comes amid rising tensions between China and the U.S., just a day after Beijing introduced new measures targeting American businesses like Google, farm equipment manufacturers, and the owner of fashion brand Calvin Klein. The State Administration for Market Regulation is reviewing Apple’s App Store policies, including its commission of up to 30% on in-app purchases and restrictions on external payment services. Chinese regulators have reportedly been in talks with Apple executives and app developers since last year regarding these concerns. Following the news, Apple’s shares fell 2.6% in U.S. premarket trading. If an investigation proceeds, it could add to Apple’s growing regulatory challenges worldwide.

Australia has banned DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, from all government devices due to national security risks. The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs issued a directive ordering all government entities to prevent the use of DeepSeek products and remove any existing installations from official systems. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described the AI firm as posing an “unacceptable risk” to government technology, emphasizing that the immediate ban is necessary to safeguard Australia’s national security and interests. However, the restriction does not apply to private citizens. DeepSeek gained global attention last month after launching an AI model that operates at a fraction of the cost of its Western rivals and requires less advanced chips. The move raised concerns about the future of Western investments in chipmakers and data centers, causing a sharp decline in global tech stocks. Australia’s ban follows similar action by Italy, with other European and international governments now reviewing potential risks associated with DeepSeek’s technology.

Ugandan police have arrested nine officials from the Ministry of Finance in connection with the hacking of the central bank’s electronic systems, leading to the theft of 62 billion shillings ($16.87 million). The arrests follow an investigation into reports confirmed in November by State Minister for Finance Henry Musasizi, who acknowledged that the Bank of Uganda’s accounts had been compromised. Among those detained is a top Treasury official, according to statements from both the police and the finance ministry. A post on the ministry’s X account stated that officers from the accountant general’s office were summoned by the Criminal Investigations Department to aid the probe. However, the ministry did not disclose specific names or numbers, while police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed on NTV television that nine officials had been arrested. Local media reports suggest that a group of hackers identifying themselves as “Waste” breached the central bank’s IT system and illicitly transferred funds. Investigations are ongoing.

Thailand has cut electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to five border areas in Myanmar as part of efforts to dismantle scam centers operating in the region, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Wednesday. The move comes amid growing international pressure to shut down illegal online operations, which a 2023 U.N. report estimates have entrapped hundreds of thousands and generated billions in illicit earnings. Myanmar’s state-run Global New Light of Myanmar recently acknowledged that these centers rely on power and internet from foreign sources, indirectly referencing Thailand. The crackdown intensified after the high-profile abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was kidnapped after arriving in Thailand and later rescued from Myanmar by Thai police. Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority confirmed that as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, it had cut 20.37 megawatts of power supply to the affected locations, including Tachileik, Myawaddy, and Phaya Thonsu. The move is expected to result in an annual revenue loss of 600 million baht ($17.84 million) but aims to curb criminal activities that have also threatened Thailand’s tourism sector, particularly visitors from China.