General News
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE TO TACKLE CHILDHOOD HEARING LOSS ON WORLD HEARING DAY
In many Nigerian classrooms, a child struggling to hear may be silently slipping behind, not because they lack intelligence, but because no one detected the problem early enough. On World Hearing Day 2026, the Federal Government took a bold step to change that narrative. Commemorating the global initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare marked the day in Abuja with a renewed commitment to tackling childhood hearing loss across the country.
This year’s theme, “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for Every Child,” underscores the urgency of linking grassroots awareness with school-based health interventions to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind. According to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, preventable factors such as untreated ear infections, excessive noise exposure, maternal infections during pregnancy and limited early screening services continue to fuel hearing impairment among Nigerian children.
Citing global data, the Minister noted that over 34 million children worldwide live with disabling hearing loss, with a significant number in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. He stressed that up to 60 per cent of childhood hearing loss is preventable through timely vaccination, early detection and proper ear care.
In a major policy shift, Dr Salako announced the expansion of the National Eye Health Programme. It will now operate as the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Health Functions Programme, broadening its mandate to coordinate ear, hearing and other sensory health services nationwide. Eye Health Desk Officers across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have also had their responsibilities expanded to cover hearing health. The Ministry is currently developing governance structures, policies and national guidelines to fully integrate sensory healthcare into Nigeria’s health system.
Beyond policy, the government is pushing for practical action. Plans are underway to scale up newborn hearing screening, introduce routine hearing checks in primary schools, train teachers to detect early warning signs and promote inclusive, hearing-friendly classrooms. Dr Salako called on parents, educators, healthcare providers, civil society groups, development partners and the media to join the campaign, emphasizing that simple measures, protecting children from excessive noise, ensuring timely vaccinations and seeking prompt medical attention, can prevent most cases of childhood hearing loss. The Federal Government, he assured, envisions a Nigeria where every child can hear clearly, from the sounds of their communities to the lessons in their classrooms.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has formally forwarded a list of nine commissioner nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Emeka Amadi, directed the nominees to submit their credentials for legislative review as part of the confirmation process.
The nominees are Datonye Alasia, Tonye Bellgam, Temple Nwofor, Peters Nwagor, Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, Lekue Kenneth, Otonye Amachree, and Amairigha Edward Hart.
According to the statement, the nominees are required to submit forty copies of their curriculum vitae (CV), along with photocopies of their academic and professional credentials. They are also expected to provide evidence of compliance with their tax obligations.
“All documents should be forwarded to the Office of the Clerk of the House at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters,” the statement read.
The move comes nearly a month after President Bola Tinubu held a meeting with Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Abuja, amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.
The submission of the commissioner nominees is seen as a significant step in strengthening the state’s executive council following recent political developments.
General News
US-Israeli Airstrikes Reportedly Kill Iran’s Acting Defence Minister Hours After Appointment
Iran’s newly appointed acting Defence Minister, Seyed Majid Eb Al-Reza, has reportedly been killed in fresh U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, less than 48 hours after assuming office.
According to emerging reports on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Al-Reza was targeted in strikes carried out in Tehran. Iranian authorities have yet to issue a detailed official statement confirming the circumstances of his death, but multiple sources indicate he was among the latest high-profile casualties in the escalating conflict.
Al-Reza was appointed on March 2, 2026, by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as interim defence minister. His appointment followed the killing of his predecessor, Aziz Nasirzadeh, who died in earlier U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28.
Those earlier attacks also reportedly claimed the lives of senior Iranian figures, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Pakpour, Army Chief Abdol Rahim Mousavi, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
If confirmed, the killing of two successive defence ministers within days would mark an unprecedented blow to Iran’s military leadership and signal a dramatic intensification of hostilities between Tehran and the U.S.-Israel alliance.
The reported strikes come amid widening regional tensions, with both sides trading accusations over targeted attacks on strategic installations and leadership structures.
Analysts warn that the continued decapitation of Iran’s top command could provoke further retaliation and deepen instability across the Middle East.
The investigation panel of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has suspended the medical director of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital and two other doctors following preliminary findings linked to the death of Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of renowned writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The panel established a prima facie case of medical negligence in the management of the deceased, who died on January 7, 2026, after complications arising from preparatory medical procedures.
Based on its findings, the council suspended Tunde Majekodunmi, medical director of Euracare; Titus Ogundare, an anaesthesiologist; and Atinuke Uwajeg, chief medical officer of Atlantis Hospital.
The affected practitioners have been barred from medical practice in Nigeria pending the outcome of proceedings before the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
The panel’s secretary, Enejo Abdu, disclosed that evidence of professional misconduct was also found against 10 other doctors at Atlantis Hospital after reviewing complaints, written responses, and sworn testimonies.
However, the council clarified that the report remains preliminary and does not represent a final judgment. All affected medical personnel will undergo a full hearing before a tribunal, which will deliver the final decision.
Eight doctors were cleared of wrongdoing during the review of the 21 medical practitioners involved in the case.
The investigation concluded during the panel’s 25th session held on February 17 and 18 in Abuja, while a coroner’s inquest into the incident is scheduled to commence on April 14, 2026.