🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
President Tinubu establishes National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office, appoints Dr. Obi Adigwe as pioneer coordinator
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office NHTDAO to coordinate Nigeria’s digital health agenda. Dr. Obi Adigwe, Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, has been appointed as the pioneer National Coordinator. The office will be housed within the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and aims to reinforce existing health institutions, harmonize public and private health entities, and operationalize the National Digital Health Architecture. A steering committee co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Olaniyi Yusuf, will oversee the NHTDAO. The President expects the NHTDAO to accelerate Nigeria's transition to a secure, interoperable, and data-driven health system, aligning with his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Nigerian singer Chimamanda Chukwuma, known as Qing Madi, surprised young TikTok sensation Dolapo Ezieke with gifts and cash. This surprise follows Dolapo's viral performance in the "Come Slide" challenge, which garnered widespread attention and a reaction from Qing Madi. The singer shared a video on her Instagram Story showing her presenting Dolapo with a Frozen-themed backpack, toys, and a red gift box. During the interaction, Qing Madi revealed a box containing multiple stacks of Nigerian naira notes in ₦500 denominations. Dolapo gained prominence through classroom videos posted by her teacher, Imikan Inyang, known as Backhat Dude, featuring primary school pupils participating in dance challenges and trending videos. Dolapo's performance in Qing Madi's "Come Slide" challenge was a standout, leading the singer to jokingly comment about getting her song back. Dolapo has since become a prominent figure of the classroom group, attracting a growing fan base for her confidence and expressive personality, with her personal TikTok account, managed by her mother, nearing 50,000 followers.
Must ReadSix players of Nigerian heritage were selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, highlighting Nigeria's growing presence in global basketball. The draftees include Ebuka Okorie, Zuby Ejiofor, Otega Oweh, Felix Okpara, Tobi Lawal, and Ugonna Onyenso. Ebuka Okorie, a Stanford guard, was the 17th overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder, though he is expected to join the Detroit Pistons. Zuby Ejiofor from St. John's University was selected 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks. Kentucky's Otega Oweh was picked 41st by the Miami Heat, with his rights likely transferring to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oweh averaged 18.6 points and 1.8 steals per game in his final college season. Felix Okpara, a former Ohio State and Tennessee center, was the 46th pick by the Orlando Magic. Tobi Lawal, a forward from Virginia Tech, was selected 48th by the Dallas Mavericks; he began playing basketball at age 16 in London before moving to the United States. Ugonna Onyenso, born in Imo State, was the 53rd pick by the Houston Rockets. Onyenso, who previously played football, moved to the US in 2018 and later attended the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal. He was the youngest player to represent Nigeria's senior men's basketball team at 17.
Must ReadThe African Democratic Congress ADC has criticized the Bola Tinubu-led government's push for state police, describing the proposed legislation as a hurried response to Nigeria's worsening insecurity rather than a carefully planned constitutional reform. In a statement, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary, said that while the party consistently supports state police, the reform requires institutional safeguards for professionalism, accountability, and oversight. The ADC argues that state police should not be presented as an immediate solution to terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping. The party views the government's effort as a "hurried response to a worsening security crisis" rather than careful institutional planning. The ADC also rejected the portrayal of state police as a new initiative, noting its long history in Nigeria's constitutional debate. They stated that state police is a structural reform whose benefits will be realized over time and cannot solve today's emergency. The party criticized the speed of the National Assembly's processing of the legislation, insisting that such constitutional amendments require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement. The ADC questioned the timing, asking why the administration waited almost until the end of its tenure to rush the amendment. They also raised concerns about the significant investments needed for functional state police services and the absence of clear safeguards against political in