Author: Lifestyle & Wellness Desk

A federal judge in Boston has overturned the Trump administration’s decision to cut at least $2.6 billion in research grants for Harvard University. US District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled on Wednesday that the administration had used antisemitism as a pretext for what she described as an “ideologically motivated assault on this country’s premier universities.” “We must fight against antisemitism, but we equally need to protect our rights, including our right to free speech, and neither goal should nor needs to be sacrificed on the altar of the other,” Burroughs said. She stressed that the courts must safeguard academic freedom and free speech, ensuring that vital research is not undermined by arbitrary or politically motivated funding cuts. The ruling marks a major victory for Harvard in its ongoing battle with former President Donald Trump’s administration, though the case may not be over as Trump previously vowed to appeal any unfavorable judgment. The dispute stems from the administration’s broader campaign against elite universities, citing opposition to race-conscious admissions and alleged liberal bias. While institutions such as Columbia and Brown reached agreements with the government, Harvard resisted changes to its admissions, curriculum, and hiring policies. Harvard sued after the administration froze $2.2 billion in grants the same day it rejected sweeping demands outlined in an April 11 letter. Officials later declared the university ineligible for new grants and began canceling contracts. In its suit, Harvard accused the administration of retaliation. President Alan Garber reiterated the school’s commitment to combating antisemitism but insisted that no government should dictate what universities can teach, who they admit or hire, or what areas of research they pursue. Federal officials denied retaliation, arguing the grants had already been under review. But Burroughs, in her 84-page ruling, said the administration’s actions were clearly ideological, not tied to antisemitism. “Harvard is currently, even if belatedly, taking steps it needs to take to combat antisemitism and seems willing to do even more if need be,” she added.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has entered into a visa-free travel agreement with St Kitts and Nevis, enabling citizens of both nations to visit each other without visas. The deal was reached following discussions between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew during official meetings in Abuja and engagements with leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. According to the St Kitts and Nevis government, the initiative builds on its long-standing policy of granting Nigerians visa-free entry and marks a step towards deepening transatlantic ties. Officials noted that the agreement underscores the shared commitment of both governments to strengthen cooperation and eliminate barriers between their people. The pact is expected to foster stronger collaboration in trade, education, tourism, and investment, while reinforcing the historical and cultural links between Africa and the Caribbean. Both nations also reaffirmed their dedication to advancing bilateral relations in line with ongoing regional and international development efforts.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line has transported over five million passengers since its launch in 2023, operating without a single accident. In a statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, the governor highlighted the service’s efficiency, noting that trains now run every 10 minutes, making more than 90 trips daily. “In these two years, the Blue Line has carried more than five million passengers safely, without a single accident. Journeys that once took much longer have become faster and easier,” Sanwo-Olu said. He credited the success to dedication and public support, adding that the project represents Lagosians’ collective belief in building a greater city. To commemorate the rail’s second anniversary, the governor announced a 50 per cent discount on fares for Thursday, September 4, 2025. “If you have not yet experienced the Blue Line, I encourage you to take a ride and see what we have built together,” he said. The Blue Line is part of Lagos State’s wider mass transit plan aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving urban mobility.

Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the pan-African banking giant Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, has unveiled its Super Rewards campaign, offering customers a chance to win over ₦61 million in cash and prizes. In a statement released on Tuesday, the bank explained that the initiative was launched to commemorate the Group’s 40th anniversary and to appreciate customer loyalty. The campaign will run from September 2025 to January 2026, rewarding a total of 914 customers nationwide. Announcing the launch in Lagos, Victor Yalokwu, Head of Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, said the promotion is both a celebration of the bank’s four decades of service in Africa and a gesture of gratitude to its customers. “This year’s campaign is a special celebration of Ecobank Group’s 40 years of operations across Africa. It is our way of showing appreciation by rewarding loyalty, even as we deliver first-class banking services. The campaign is open to new and existing customers, including individuals, businesses, SMEs, schools, and students,” Yalokwu said. Rewards include monthly cash prizes, stipends, scholarships, and business funding. A breakdown shows that:• Individual accounts: 420 customers will share ₦16.8m through monthly draws, while eight grand prize winners will take home ₦8m in January.• Business accounts: 420 customers will share ₦16.8m from monthly draws, while four winners will receive a combined ₦16m grand prize to support their businesses.• Student accounts: 50 students will each receive ₦40,000 monthly (₦2m total), while four grand winners will get ₦400,000 education grants each (₦1.6m total). Yalokwu highlighted the simplicity of the qualification process. New individual customers must open an account with at least ₦10,000 and maintain it for 30 days to qualify for monthly draws, while grand prize eligibility requires a ₦40,000 balance over three consecutive months. Business customers must open with a minimum of ₦40,000 and maintain growth of at least ₦400,000 to qualify for grand prizes. All participants are required to transact through Ecobank’s digital channels. “We encourage everyone to join and experience the benefits of banking with Ecobank, while getting rewarded for their loyalty,” Yalokwu added.

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has clarified that the Federal Government does not subsidise Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), despite recent pump price hikes by some operators. In a statement on Wednesday, the Initiative explained that pricing is determined by private sector investors, while regulatory agencies will continue to protect consumers from exploitation. “The recent adjustment in CNG pump price was carried out by NIPCO Gas, a private sector operator in the Auto-CNG market. NIPCO, like other players, retains the discretion to set prices in line with business realities,” it said. PCNGI noted that it neither sets nor regulates prices, stressing that such responsibility rests with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Since April 2024, the regulator has maintained an incentive-based pricing framework that ensures CNG remains cheaper than petrol and diesel, while enabling sanctions against price gouging. The Initiative added that since the launch of the domestic gas market in June 2025, it has worked with the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN) and NMDPRA to guarantee supply and long-term stability. Rejecting the return of opaque subsidies, PCNGI said the CNG sector is being built as a transparent, competitive market that will attract investment and drive down costs. It disclosed that over $1 billion has been invested in the sector in the past 18 months under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. While acknowledging temporary supply challenges, it described them as typical of new markets. It assured that operators may adjust prices provided they remain within regulatory thresholds. The Initiative reaffirmed its commitment to expanding supply, driving adoption, and safeguarding investor confidence in Nigeria’s CNG industry.

Public health experts and researchers have raised alarm over Nigeria’s fragile infectious disease surveillance system, describing it as outdated, underfunded, and inadequate for early detection and effective response to outbreaks. At the launch of the AI4OneHealth Research Hub at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, specialists noted that the country’s health data systems rely heavily on manual reporting methods, often resulting in delays that worsen the spread and impact of diseases. With cholera cases on the rise in parts of Nigeria and global concerns about re-emerging infections, the experts urged greater investment in real-time health intelligence systems to prevent future public health crises. The newly launched hub brings together experts in computer science, veterinary medicine, and public health under the One Health framework. Its goal is to develop artificial intelligence-driven solutions to tackle infectious diseases and other health challenges through data innovation. Dr. Jubel Falana, Project Director of AI4OneHealth, described the hub as a critical platform for pioneering disease surveillance technologies. He explained that it is part of a broader AI4Development initiative that also covers agriculture and cybersecurity. According to him, Nigeria’s surveillance and response systems are hindered by low funding, weak infrastructure, and the absence of real-time data. He announced that the hub is developing an Intelligent Early Warning and Response System for infectious disease control, supported by a four-year international grant. Dr. D.O. Aborisade, a research analyst, revealed that pilot projects are already underway in Ogun State to monitor monkeypox and cholera using predictive AI models. Health workers will soon be able to log suspected cases directly via mobile devices, with the system processing the data instantly to map hotspots, forecast trends, and issue alerts. Prof. Adesina Sodiya, Team Lead of the project, highlighted the multidisciplinary collaboration that brought the initiative to life, involving computer scientists, medical doctors, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. He emphasised that the project is not only academic but designed for real-world impact. The Vice Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, represented by Prof. Morenike Dipeolu, commended the team, describing the hub as a major milestone for the university and the Nigerian health system. He noted that the initiative reinforces the One Health principle, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre in partnership with global collaborators, the project places FUNAAB among the pioneering Nigerian universities advancing artificial intelligence for health security and sustainable development.

Heart health specialists have cautioned that persistent weakness and severe difficulty in breathing may be early warning signs of heart failure. They explained that the condition can appear suddenly or develop gradually, often going unnoticed until it begins to interfere with daily activities. While some people may experience abrupt breathlessness, others first notice fatigue and difficulty performing routine tasks. Prof. James Ogunmodede, a Professor of Medicine at the University of Ilorin and consultant cardiologist at UITH, explained that heart failure may progress differently depending on its cause. “Heart failure can occur suddenly, which we call acute decompensation or acute de novo occurrence, where the first episode happens abruptly. But in many cases, symptoms progress gradually,” he said. According to him, individuals may continue with normal life—working, running businesses, or carrying out daily tasks—before gradually experiencing weakness, fatigue, or breathlessness during basic activities like climbing stairs. Others may suddenly wake up at night due to severe difficulty in breathing. Ogunmodede stressed that both sudden and gradual forms can be incapacitating if not managed properly. He listed tiredness, breathlessness, leg swelling, cough, and sudden night-time breathing difficulty as key red flags. He cautioned, however, that not every case of fatigue should be assumed to be heart failure, noting that symptoms are usually considered in clusters, supported by diagnostic investigations such as echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and chest X-rays. Describing heart failure as a growing public health concern, Ogunmodede linked its rise to hypertension and other risk factors. He noted that unlike in developed nations where it mainly affects the elderly, in Nigeria it often strikes people during their most productive years.

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said that ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was not part of Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle. Sani made the remarks amid the ongoing war of words between El-Rufai and the Kaduna State Government over the violent disruption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) transition committee inauguration in the state. El-Rufai, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, had alleged that the state government sponsored the attack and accused security operatives of failing to protect citizens. He dismissed the police claim that the gathering was disrupted due to lack of prior notification, insisting he did not need police permission to exercise his constitutional right to freedom of association. In response, the Kaduna State Government accused El-Rufai of attempting to destabilise the state through “provocation, manipulation, and lies.” A statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Suleiman Shuiabu, described his recent political meeting as “illegal and chaotic,” alleging it was an attempt to drag Kaduna back to its “dark and violent past.” Speaking on TVC’s Politics Tonight, Sani contrasted his own political journey with El-Rufai’s, stressing that while he endured arrests, imprisonment, and persecution as an activist during the fight against military rule, El-Rufai rose to prominence after 1999 through party politics and public office. “For people like Nasir, when they found themselves in a position or office, they don’t know what democracy is all about because they didn’t fight for it,” Sani said. He recalled wearing prison uniforms, handcuffs, and leg chains as a political prisoner, underscoring his sacrifices for Nigeria’s 25-year democracy.

The Edo State Government has refuted claims that teachers in public schools were directed to cut grass or perform menial maintenance duties. In a statement issued on Monday in Benin, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, clarified that any teacher found engaging in such activities may have done so voluntarily, stressing that the government never issued such directives. Iyamu dismissed the allegations made by a civil society organisation, describing them as “unfounded” and potentially damaging to ongoing efforts to restore the dignity of teachers in the state. “The attention of the Edo State Ministry of Education has been drawn to a publication alleging that teachers are being instructed to cut grass and carry out menial jobs in schools. Information available to us suggests that this was a voluntary CSR initiative by some teachers. We have, however, ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter and will correct any abnormality in whatever form,” he said. The commissioner stressed that teachers should not be distracted from their core responsibility of imparting knowledge. “Teachers’ priority is teaching. We strongly discourage any practice that compels or diverts them into tasks unrelated to improving learning outcomes,” he added. Iyamu further urged the public to disregard attempts to discredit the ministry, noting that the reforms currently being implemented are meant to eliminate unwholesome practices and protect the interests of children, particularly those from humble backgrounds. He reiterated that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remains committed to elevating the teaching profession in the state. Among recent interventions, he listed the upward review of minimum wage, the regularisation of casual teachers after three years of service, construction of teachers’ quarters in some schools, and consistent training and retraining programmes. “The Senator Monday Okpebholo administration is fully committed to ensuring that every Edo child receives quality education and that every teacher is proud to be called an Edo Teacher,” Iyamu said.

The immediate past chairman of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos Chapter, Dr. Atinuke Owolabi, has reiterated the commitment of engineers in the state to strengthening hands-on skills, closing the gap between theory and practice for young practitioners, and enhancing the relevance of senior professionals. Owolabi made this pledge during the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, awards ceremony, and election of new officials in Lagos. Reviewing her two-year tenure, she highlighted several milestones, including the successful hosting of workshops, trainings, and hackathons. Among them were the APWEN Lagos Skill-Up Initiative with AUTO-GIG, which trained 25 engineers in Auto-CAD; digital manufacturing training for 38 members in collaboration with Microsoft; and the Cybersecurity Workshop Series 1.0 & 2.0. She also cited 102 submissions received during the SHEnovation Hackathon, the launch of SECAP with 200 young female engineers, and practical sessions held in mechanical, solar, and civil engineering. “Inspired over 1,500 girls through STEM-focused education and awareness programmes, trained over 50 senior engineers in AI tools, engaged multiple schools during International Day of the Girl Child, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and International Girls in ICT Day, and mentored 120 girls on health and hygiene,” Owolabi said. She added that the chapter also hosted a STEM holiday camp in Makoko in honour of Dr. Felicia Agubata and provided scholarships and support for the She Creates and Robotics Demos at Pan-Atlantic University. According to her, APWEN Lagos has built stronger systems, empowered more members, and positioned itself as a forward-thinking force in engineering. She stressed that the chapter has expanded visibility, built capacity, and inspired impact among female engineers, thereby motivating younger generations to pursue excellence and innovation. The chapter also facilitated job placements with Tranos, Covenant Plus, and secured 20 placements with Dangote. “Although I am stepping down as chairman, I will continue to be actively involved in APWEN Lagos. As a Board member of the North Central Development Commission representing the South-West, I am committed to empowering future engineers and creating opportunities for all APWEN members,” she assured. She further disclosed that the association had opened the APWEN Lagos Innovation & Resource Hub at the University of Lagos, donated engineering equipment to the Faculty of Engineering, and achieved membership growth of about 120 new members, including students, professionals, and retirees. Student chapters were also established at UNILAG, YABATECH, and LASU, with stronger support for student-to-professional transitions.