Bold Strategy to Revolutionize Women’s Health Launched

By: Michael Mike

A bold, data-driven, tech-enabled, and financially intelligent strategy designed to revolutionize women’s health across Nigeria has been launched.

The project RenewHER (Renew Health Equity and Reform) is a Presidential Women’s Health Transformation Initiative, led by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health (OSSAP-WH) and championed by Dr. Adanna Steinacker.

The launching was held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja on Thursday evening with the Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Bola Tinubu.

At the Gala, the Women’s Health Digital Media and Communications Hub, a national advocacy and story telling platform was unveiled, which is dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, spotlighting innovations, and driving conversations across six national priority areas: Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Adolescent Health and Menstrual Equity; Nutrition and Preventive Care; Healthcare Workforce and Access; and Coalition Building.

The evening also featured a Presidential Keynote Address, the premiere of the RenewHER campaign film, a cultural showcase, the Health Innovator Awards and a National Pledge Moment to mobilize long-term support for the initiative.

Speaking on the project, the SSA to the President on Women’s Health, Dr. Adanna Steinacker, said: “RenewHER is more than an initiative, it is a national call to action to redefine the future of women’s health and economic equity in Nigeria. Through the Women’s Health Nigeria Hub and Magazine, we a creating a movement that transforms policy, empowers communities, and inspires a new generation of champions for women’s health.”

Key strategic partners of the initiative include the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF), the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), and the Women in Healthcare Network (WIHCN), all supporting RenewHER to deliver measurable health outcomes, while creating economic opportunities for women through financial incentives, digital wallets, microgrants, skills training, and women-led health innovations.

Bold Strategy to Revolutionize Women’s Health Launched

Nigeria Creative Sector Takes Centre Stage with UK partnership

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom has expressed firm commitment to partnering with Nigeria in expanding the creative economy.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, made this known during Nigeria’s Creative Economy Week, themed Building Futures through Creativity. He described the sector as a vital engine for growth and job creation.

Montgomery emphasized that the creative economy is a “real priority for the UK government,” noting that it currently supports 2.4 million jobs in the UK alone. He said the UK is eager to support similar growth in Nigeria, particularly among the youth.

“The creative economy is one of eight sectors that are prioritized in the agreement between the UK and Nigeria called the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership,” he said.

Montgomery praised the vibrancy of Nigeria’s creative sector including Nollywood, Afrobeats, and fashion, noting its global impact and potential for further growth.

He said: “You’ve got a young, capable, innovative, dynamic population,” he said.

“You have already begun to take over parts of the world with some of your creative industries.”

Describing the partnership as mutually beneficial, Montgomery said the UK brings expertise and finance, while Nigeria brings innovation and cultural richness.

“We believe that the UK and Nigeria have a real opportunity for mutual benefit, for a partnership which will benefit both sides,” he noted.

He also acknowledged the Nigerian diaspora in the UK as a powerful bridge between both nations, bringing cultural understanding and collaboration.

Montgomery commended the British Council’s longstanding role in cultural diplomacy and youth development.

“I want to pay tribute to the longer-term work of the British Council,” he said, calling for applause in appreciation of the Council’s efforts.

As Creative Economy Week unfolds, Montgomery expressed hope that the event would spark new ideas and partnerships.

“Let’s hope some more partnerships come out of the week for the years ahead,” he said, marking the start of what many see as a new chapter in UK-Nigeria relations rooted in shared culture and innovation.

British Council Country Director, Donna McGowan emphasized the importance of celebrating creativity and its impact on the wider economy, employability, inclusive growth, and international connections.

She states, “It’s really about celebrating the importance of creativity to Nigeria and the impact that this has on the wider economy, employability, inclusive growth and international connections.”

McGowan further highlighted the huge potential for cooperation between the UK and Nigeria in the creative sector, particularly with a focus on policies, enabling frameworks, and skills development.

She notes, “So much more can be achieved given the huge youth population in Nigeria so there is so, so much potential and so much potential for cooperation between the UK and Nigeria.”

She also pointed to the theme of the Creative Economy Week, “Building Futures through Creativity,” and expressed her excitement about the various events and activities planned.

“So we think there’s lots to celebrate, there’s lots to be very positive about. And this is all under our theme of building futures through creativity, which we feel is very topical for this moment in time,” she stated.

Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mukhtar Muhammad narrated that shared creativity forges strong bonds between nations.

“The most enduring bond between nations are often forged in the fires of shared creativity. They are composed in the rhythm of a song, stitched into the fabric of our fashion, framed in the lens of a film, and brought on the stages of our theatres.”

He noted Nigeria’s creative sector as a source of national pride and global recognition, stating how Nollywood, Afrobeats, fashion, and literature have become symbols of Nigeria’s identity and influence, projecting the country’s image to the world.

He said: “Nigeria’s creative sector is our new national pride, our undeniable global passport.”

Muhammad stressed the importance of partnerships, particularly with the UK, to develop a thriving creative economy. He said: “Together we are not just a combination, we are a collaboration. A fusion that has the potential to set a new global standard for what a creative economy can achieve.”

Nigeria Creative Sector Takes Centre Stage with UK partnership

Billionaire Indimi inaugurated for a second term as Pro Chancellor of the Kashim Ibrahim University Maiduguri

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Nigerian Billionaire Dr Mohammed Indimi has been inaugurated for the second term as Pro Chancellor of the Borno State government owned Kashim Ibrahim University (KIU).

Indimi and his team were inaugurated monday by Governor Babagana Zulum to continue developing the state owned University which has grown massively since he took charge four years ago as pro chancellor.

Speaking after their inauguration, Zulum, tasked the Governing Council of the University to foster the culture of cutting-edge research, innovation and community development to address the challenges and opportunities of the post-insurgency recovery efforts.

The Governor noted that the inauguration is part of the broader effort to reposition the University as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and moral rectitude, not just for the North-East, but for Nigeria as a whole.

He stressed that the challenges before the new council was significant as the opportunities are myriad adding that “we task you with fostering a culture of rigorous research, innovative teaching and community-relevant curricula that addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of our post-insurgency recovery and development”.

Governor Zulum expressed delight that the student population alone had grown from a mere 300 in the beginning to about 10,000 in the last 6 years.

He charged the new council to prioritize the welfare of both staff and students and uphold the highest standards of academic excellence, transparency and prudent management of resources.

“You are now the legal custodians of this university’s destiny, entrusted with a sacred mandate to provide strategic direction, ensure financial prudence, uphold the highest standards of academic excellence and safeguard the welfare of both staff and students.

“This ceremony is a fulfilment of our administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the governance structures of all tertiary institutions in Borno State.

“It is pivotal to repositioning this University as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and moral rectitude, not just for the North-East, but Nigeria as a whole”.

“Section 1(1) (c) of the Third Schedule of the Kashim Ibrahim University Law, 2018, as amended, empowers me to constitute a Governing Council as the supreme governing body of the University charged with the general control and superintendence of the policy, finances and administration of the institution”.

“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you all. Your selection was not by chance. It was a deliberate choice based on your proven integrity, vast experience and demonstrable passion for education and community development.

“In particular, I wish to address our Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi. Your legendary philanthropy and unwavering support for education are well-known,” he concluded.

Responding, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Muhammadu Indimi said he graciously accepted the appointment with the aim of serving his state and promised to provide positive change in the University.

“I accepted this position because I have to support my state. With my able lieutenants, we promise to provide positive change in the University,” Indimi assured.

Billionaire Indimi inaugurated for a second term as Pro Chancellor of the Kashim Ibrahim University Maiduguri