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Nigeria, Currently Dealing with Multiple Layers of Disease- Ministry of Health
Nigeria, Currently Dealing with Multiple Layers of Disease- Ministry of Health
By: Michael Mike
The Ministry of Health has raised the alarm over the changing health challenges in the country, warning that the country is currently dealing with multiple layers of disease at the same time.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the Nuparadigm Health Foundation, which marks a new era of health awareness and n the country, a representative of Ministry of Health, Abraham Emmanuel emphasized the urgent need for prevention, education, and lifestyle interventions to protect public health.
Nuparadigm Health Foundation is a non-governmental organisation committed to raising awareness about non-communicable diseases and the risk factors associated with them. The foundation aims to provide credible health information, educate communities, and encourage healthier lifestyles to prevent the onset of avoidable illnesses.
Emmanuel explained that Nigeria’s health challenges are changing, with the country now dealing with multiple layers of disease at the same time.
He said; “Africa, and Nigeria in particular, is no longer facing only communicable diseases. We are now experiencing a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and some even describe it as a triple burden when pandemics are included.”
He decried that younger Nigerians are increasingly affected, stating that: “Non-communicable diseases are increasing in Nigeria, and the age limit is dropping. Conditions like hypertension, stroke and type 2 diabetes are now affecting people in their 30s.”
Emmanuel noted that lifestyle is the main risk factor. He said: “These are mainly lifestyle-related diseases, which means they can be managed and prevented through increased awareness and better choices.”
He also highlighted alarming national survey findings, warning that many Nigerians are unaware of the silent health threats around them. “The data from our national survey is alarming. Many Nigerians are developing non-communicable diseases without knowing the risk factors, such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, tobacco use and even second-hand smoke,” he said.
Emmanuel, while lamenting that these risk factors which are often overlooked in daily life, are driving a surge in preventable illnesses, creating a hidden crisis that could overwhelm families and the healthcare system if urgent action is not taken.
On her part, the founder of Nuparadigm Health Foundation, Dr. Omolara Olagunju said her experience as a doctor led her to conclude that hospitals mainly treat disease, while true healthcare lies in daily prevention.
She said: “After about 15 years of medical practice, I realised that we don’t really have healthcare in the true sense. Hospitals are not health care systems; they are more like disease parlours. Real healthcare happens outside the hospital, and you should not have to be sick before you start thinking about how to be healthy.”
She explained that many Nigerians harm their health unknowingly because they lack access to simple, trustworthy information.
Olagunju said: “A lot of people are doing things every day that are damaging to their health, and they don’t even know it. When I tell them, they say, ‘Doctor, I didn’t even know.’ That is why we believe that everyone has a right to essential health information — the kind of information you need to maintain the good health that you already have.”
She also acknowledged the harsh realities of daily life, saying many people sacrifice health in the struggle to survive.
“People tell me they are too busy to come for health checks, and I later realised that their reasons are legitimate. People are trying to make ends meet in Nigeria. But sometimes we are working harder, winning the battle financially, and losing the war because our health is steadily deteriorating in the process.” She noted .
She emphasized that the foundation is designed to take health awareness directly into everyday spaces instead of waiting for hospital visits.
“Instead of waiting for people to come to the hospital, we decided to go to them to their offices, their schools and their social media platforms and share this information as widely as possible, because it may be just one piece of information that makes all the difference.” She said.
She also warned that unhealthy lifestyles learned early are already showing consequences in children.
“We were not born liking sugary drinks; these tastes were learned. Today, I see obese children everywhere, and I ask myself what will happen to these children in 10, 15 or 20 years if we don’t do something drastic now.” She warned .
In his keynote address, Consultant Physician and Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Iseko Iseko said Nigeria invests more in treating illness than in preventing it.
“Over the last two decades in healthcare, most of what we do is secondary prevention treating diseases after they have happened and trying to prevent complications. But primary prevention, which is stopping diseases from happening through education and healthy practices, is where we should be investing more of our energy.” He said
Iseko warned that Nigeria’s fragile healthcare system is under strain from both infectious and lifestyle-related diseases
In his words he said “In Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, we are still dealing with communicable diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV, but at the same time we are now seeing increasing cases of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. This double burden of disease is putting enormous pressure on our healthcare system.”
He described Nigeria’s low life expectancy as a reflection of widespread preventable illness and weak preventive care.
He said: “A lot of Nigerians are dying prematurely, and Nigeria is now among the countries with the lowest life expectancy in the world. This is not because we lack potential, but because we have failed to prioritize preventive health and protect our population from avoidable diseases”.
Iseko stressed that everyday habits are driving diseases that drain families financially and emotionally, noting that:
“Many of the diseases we see today are lifestyle-driven and preventable. Treating heart failure alone can cost over ₦1.85 million every month, and when you look at conditions like stroke and kidney failure, the cost to families is catastrophic. This is why prevention, early detection and lifestyle change are far better than waiting to treat advanced disease.”
He further warned about lifestyle-related risk factors, stating that: “Sitting too much, smoking, unhealthy diets and alcohol are silently destroying our blood vessels. These are preventable causes of heart disease and stroke.”
Iseko emphasized the financial and health benefits of prevention, stressing that: “The average cost of treating heart failure is not less than ₦1.85 million per month. Treatment is expensive, catastrophic, and it is far better to prevent these diseases than to manage them.”
The event brought together healthcare professionals, government officials, and key stakeholders, emphasizing the urgent need for prevention, education, and lifestyle interventions to protect public health.
Nigeria, Currently Dealing with Multiple Layers of Disease- Ministry of Health
After Boko Haram’s destructions, Governor Buni built modern markets across Yobe
By: Yahaya Wakili
Yobe State is one of the states whose economic activities were destroyed and suffered from the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeastern part of Nigeria, and in its effort to expand the economic activities in the state and also to provide infrastructure facilities to the citizens of the state after recovery from the Boko Haram insurgency. His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has built modern markets across the state in order to boost the economy and businesses in the state. The Commissioner of Home Affairs and Information, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, said there are two types of markets that His Excellency built. The first one is the ultramodern markets: one in Potiskum, one in Damaturu, the state capital, one in Geidam, one in Gashu’a, and another one in Nguru town. The major towns of Yobe State have one each of these markets. And also, we have the modern markets: one in Yunusari, one in Machina, one in Ngalda, and one in Buni Yadi, an ongoing project.
The commissioner of Housing and Rural Development, Architect Ahmed Buba, said His Excellency has constructed 9 modern markets across the state; we have 5 ultramodern markets completed with one ongoing, making 6; and also we have 4 modern markets, and Potiskum ultramodern markets have 500 shops, 192 stalls, and 12 warehouses large enough to accommodate about 12 trucks each, and also they have about 3 kilometers of roads and drainages as well as an administration block and praying ground. The markets are opening up economic activities in Yobe State, and with these markets the economy of Yobe is now building up, and then with the modern markets the businesses are fully on course.
Bego said, “Yobe State Woven and Polythene Company has been an existing company for a long time, and His Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni is retrofitting and rehabilitating it and making it modern and new.” He starts with the structure, renovating and improving the structure and equipment that are already imported; we are just waiting for the arrival. When they come, they will be installed, and work will start. We produce a lot of grains in Yobe as an agrarian state, so we don’t need to buy all the sacks, all the woven sacks, and all the polythene bags that were used for those grains and other things like that. So this company has existed for a long time but is comatose and dormant. His Excellency has decided to breathe a new spirit into it, retrofitting it, reconstructing it, rebuilding it literally, and then providing equipment. As you can see, the number of people is very few in terms of job creation and in terms of economic activities that will be spanned around this area.
The Mega Motor Park: The former motor park, due to the expansion of that place. His Excellency directed the ministry of housing to identify a site far away from the city; from that roundabout we have a bypass, and henceforth motor vehicles do not pass through Damaturu. They can stop here, and from here other vehicles can transport them to the city center. The commissioner of Housing and Rural Development, Architect Ahmed Buba, said, “This is Damaturu Mega Motor Park, with a capacity of about 500 vehicles. We have a drivers’ lodge, which is going to accommodate up to 150 drivers at a time; we have a terminal building; we have a police station outpost; and we have the clinic, restaurant, and quite a few more.”
Engr. Muhammed Abba Hassan, General Coordinator for the project, said, “This project is awarded to Samsun Nigeria Ltd by the Yobe state government. We started this project about 6 months ago. At this level, we have reached almost over 80 percent, and we expect to complete this project within the stipulated contract agreement. Inshallah, by the end of March, this project will be fully completed.” This Damaturu Mega Motor Park is one of the mega motor parks of its type in Nigeria. We have almost every facility here. We have enough accommodation for travelers and accommodation also for drivers. We have a shop complex, we have a fire service, and we have a comprehensive health clinic that can accommodate not only the passengers but also the environment of this town. We can handle it as far as concern goes; we delivered this project within the stipulated period of time.
Township Stadium in Buni Yadi: This township stadium here in Buni Yadi is transforming sport, which will transform sport in Yobe State. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Alhaji Gidado Abubakar, said this project was awarded at the end of September last year to Damuli Investment Company Ltd. for the award of contract for the construction of a mini stadium in Buni Yadi. This is a post-insurgency project being awarded by the state government through the window of the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Community Development. We signed a 6-month mandate giving the contractor the handing over of the project to the ministry for onward utilization, and about 65% of the project has been achieved. The capacity of the mini stadium is about 5,000 to 6,000 pupils; we have a multipurpose fit, we have badminton, basketball, and the other games, and we have about 78 different games in this project, and it is 250 meters by 200 meters, and 75 thousand square meters.
After Boko Haram’s destructions, Governor Buni built modern markets across Yobe
U.S. and Nigeria Forge Stronger Trade Ties Through New Investment Partnership
By: Michael Mike
The United States and Nigeria have taken a significant step to deepen commercial relations with the U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP), a five-year initiative aimed at boosting trade, investment, and private sector growth.
The partnership was highlighted at a ministerial meeting in Lagos co-chaired by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Commercial Service Bradley McKinney and Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole. The meeting brought together government officials and private sector leaders to review proposed reforms from the CIP Working Groups on Agriculture, Digital Economy, and Infrastructure.
The Working Groups presented strategies intended to improve the business environment, ease trade barriers, and attract investment. McKinney described the proposals as practical measures that could strengthen bilateral trade and create new economic opportunities for both nations.
Oduwole emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to expanding non-oil exports and making local businesses more competitive in global markets. “We are focused on creating sustainable and inclusive opportunities for Nigerian companies to access U.S. markets and beyond,” she said, noting ongoing efforts to implement reforms that make Nigeria’s economy more predictable and investment-friendly.
Senior officials from both countries attended the session, including U.S. Mission Chargé d’Affaires Keith Heffern and Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Rimi.
The partnership is expected to facilitate continued consultations on trade and investment, encourage two-way investment flows, and support economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.
In 2024, bilateral trade in goods and services between Nigeria and the United States reached nearly $13 billion. U.S. foreign direct investment in Nigeria also rose to $7.9 billion, reflecting a 25 percent increase from the previous year, making the U.S. one of Nigeria’s top foreign investors.
U.S. and Nigeria Forge Stronger Trade Ties Through New Investment Partnership
Six killed, others injured, abducted in bandit attack on Tsafe community
By: Zagazola Makama
At least six persons were killed and several others injured when armed bandits attacked Kanbiri village via Kwaren Ganuwa in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara on Thursday afternoon.
Residents said the assailants stormed the community at about 2:50 p.m., shooting sporadically and causing panic among villagers.
“They shot many people. Six were confirmed dead on the spot, while others sustained gunshot injuries,” a local source said.
The attackers were also reported to have abducted an unspecified number of residents and taken them to an unknown destination.
Troops and other responders have since moved into the area to evacuate the corpses for burial and to begin efforts to locate and rescue the abducted victims.
Kanbiri and surrounding communities in Tsafe LGA have experienced repeated attacks in recent months, as bandit groups continue to target rural settlements in Zamfara.
Six killed, others injured, abducted in bandit attack on Tsafe community
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