馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Kwara State intensifies efforts against teenage pregnancy and child marriage to improve maternal and child health
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Kwara State Government is increasing its efforts to combat teenage pregnancy and child marriage, aiming to enhance maternal and child health outcomes. Dr. Amina El-Imam, the State Commissioner for Health, announced these initiatives during the finalization of the 2026 Joint Annual Review of the health sector in Ilorin. The government, in collaboration with development partners, has launched various interventions, including community sensitization campaigns, maternal health programs, and family planning services, to reduce early pregnancies and improve health indicators. Commissioner El-Imam highlighted that reforms under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's administration have led to significant improvements in maternal health and family planning services, focusing on infrastructure, primary healthcare revitalization, human resource strengthening, health insurance expansion, and disease control. The Joint Annual Review serves as a crucial mechanism for stakeholders to evaluate sector performance, identify gaps, and set priorities. The government is also working to reduce maternal and newborn deaths by strengthening referral systems and building the capacity of frontline health workers. While Kwara achieved high Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy treatment rates for malaria, gaps remain in intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women, facility-based deliveries, and postnatal care utilization. These identified gaps will guide future interventions to improve maternal
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Oyo State Government has initiated a Climate Literacy and Awareness Programme to educate teachers on environmental education and climate action, with over 300 educators expected to participate. This program, a collaboration between the Global Impact Sustainable Development Enterprise, the Oyo State Ministry of Education, the University of the West of England, Bristol, and the Carbon Literacy Project, aims to enhance teachers' understanding of climate change and environmental sustainability. Ademola Aderinto, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, highlighted teachers as crucial for promoting climate awareness among children, emphasizing their role in shaping future generations. He noted that while climate literacy is not yet a standalone subject, teachers can integrate environmental consciousness into their lessons. The Commissioner also warned about various climate threats beyond flooding, such as heatwaves, land degradation, erratic weather, and food insecurity, stressing that education and proper environmental practices can mitigate their impact. The state has also strengthened environmental regulation enforcement and introduced a whistleblower mechanism for reporting violations. Olusegun Olayiwola, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, represented by Permanent Secretary Toyin Oyinloye, described the program as a strategic investment. Lulu Akindele, Chief Sustainability Officer of Global Impact Sustainable Development Enterprise, stat
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria ALTON has urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission FCCPC and the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC to establish a clear framework for regulating airtime and data credit services. ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo made the call following a Federal High Court judgment in Lagos that affirmed the FCCPC's authority to regulate these services alongside the NCC's powers. The court ruled that the relationship between the two regulators is complementary, stating that "concurrency means coexistence, not displacement." The judgment preserved the NCC's exclusive responsibility for telecommunications licensing and technical regulation while affirming the FCCPC's powers under its 2018 Act. Adebayo welcomed the decision, noting it provides clarity for operators, and urged both commissions to engage industry stakeholders through formal consultations before taking enforcement actions. He highlighted that 40 million Nigerians rely on these services and referenced the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council's directive requiring Regulatory Impact Assessments for significant regulatory changes.
Lie Siu Luan, 70, the leader of a baby trafficking ring operating in Indonesia and Singapore, has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Presiding judge Gatot Ardian Agustriono stated that Lie was found guilty of committing crimes for exploitation. The sentence is less than the 10 years prosecutors had sought. Lie had previously admitted to the court that she sent at least 12 babies to Singapore. According to the indictment, she trafficked a baby to Singapore for adoption in 2022, earning approximately S$17,000. Another defendant, Astri Fitrinika, received a sentence of six years and seven months for a similar charge. The arrests occurred last year after a parent reported a baby kidnapping in West Java province. Police rescued several infants held by the syndicate before they could be sold, while other children, rejected by clients in Singapore, were sold within Indonesia, including to adoptive parents in Jakarta.