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WHO: Nurses Are Essential Every Day, Indispensable In Times Of Crisis

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Nurses

WHO: Nurses Are Essential Every Day, Indispensable In Times Of Crisis

WHO: Nurses are essential every day, indispensable in times of crisis. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended the commitment, compassion and courage of nurses across Africa and the world. The World Health body noted that nurses who represents nearly 70% of the health workforce are the foundation of the health systems – essential every day, and indispensable in times of crisis.

WHO’s Acting Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu stated this in his message ahead of the 2025 International Nurses Day. International Nursing Day is celebrated around the world every May 12th, the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, considered the pioneer of modern nursing.

“Today, on International Nurses Day, we honour the commitment, compassion and courage of nurses across Africa and the world. Representing nearly 70% of the health workforce, nurses are the foundation of our health systems – essential every day, and indispensable in times of crisis.

“This year’s theme, Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Health Systems and Economies, reminds us that supporting nurses is key to building resilient, equitable and thriving health systems. “The State of the World’s Nursing Report 2025 offers a clear and urgent call to action.

While the global nursing workforce has grown to 29.8 million, up from about 28 million in 2018, this progress conceals dangerous inequities. Nearly 80% of nurses serve only 49% of the world’s population.

“In the African Region, recent investments in nursing education and training are yielding results. The number of nurses has nearly doubled, from 900 000 in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2023, increasing the nurse-to-population ratio from 8.7 to 14.1 per 1000 000 people.

Yet this remains one of the lowest ratios globally, and more than tenfold lower than in high-income countries. “Nurses account for 66% of the region’s projected shortfall of 6.1 million health workers by 2030. This shortage limits access to essential services, from maternal and child health to chronic disease care, and slows progress towards universal health coverage.

“At the same time, while 43% of our nursing workforce is under the age of 35, many lack access to mentorship or clear career pathways. High-income countries continue to recruit nurses from lower-income settings, with foreign-born nurses comprising nearly a quarter of their nursing workforce. “In our region, 42% of nurses also report an intention to emigrate, an alarming trend that risks draining critical talent and undermining our most fragile systems.

“Constrained budgets add a further layer of complexity. On average, African countries face a 43% shortfall in health workforce financing. As a result, nearly one in three health workers, mostly nurses and midwives, is unemployed or underemployed.

“In May 2024, African leaders endorsed the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter, setting the stage for long-term progress. Several countries are now generating data, building consensus through national dialogues, and developing Investment Compacts that align with their specific needs.

“Zimbabwe’s new Investment Compact, for example, is expected to mobilize an additional US$166 million annually over the next three years to strengthen its health workforce.

“Still, more is needed.

The 2025 report outlines a clear path forward:

Nurses Are Essential Every Day,

Nurses Are Essential Every Day,

• Expand nursing education, including digital and clinical training.
• Strengthen regulation and introduce advanced practice roles.

• Improve working conditions, including mental health support and fair pay.
• Close the gender pay gap: still at 7%, despite women comprising 85% of nurses.
• Invest in nursing leadership, including empowered Government Chief Nursing Officers.

“Nurses are more than caregivers. They are educators, innovators and frontline responders, often working in the most remote, under-resourced or crisis-affected areas.

As we mark this day, let us move beyond words to action.

Let us commit to building a future in which nurses are trained, protected, respected and empowered to lead”.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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