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Economy

AHF: 4,000 Girls Contract HIV Weekly Globally

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4,000 Girls Contract HIV Weekly Globally

AHF: 4,000 Girls Contract HIV Weekly Globally

AHF: 4,000 girls contract HIV weekly globally. According to AHF, more than 3,300 of the 4,000 weekly infections occur in sub-Saharan Africa.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has raised alarm over the high HIV infection rate among young women, revealing that approximately 4,000 girls aged 15–24 contract HIV weekly globally.

This is contained in a statement by AHF Nigeria’s senior advocacy and marketing manager,  Steve Aborishade, on Wednesday in Lokoja, to mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl (IDG).

“Globally, adolescent girls and young women face a disproportionate HIV burden.

“In spite of  progress, the numbers remain alarming, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa” the statement read.
According to AHF, more than 3,300 of the 4,000 weekly infections occur in sub-Saharan Africa.
“In 2023 alone, 1.9 million adolescent girls and young women were living with HIV worldwide.

“This compares to 1.2 million boys and young men in the same age group, highlighting a severe gender disparity in global HIV prevalence among youth.

“Education barriers are also a major concern, with 133 million girls globally out of school, cutting off essential pathways to health, independence, and long-term well-being.”

AHF urged greater investment in HIV and STI prevention, testing, and treatment, along with improved access to healthcare, especially for adolescent girls and young women.

The organisation also called for actions to address period poverty, promote comprehensive sexuality education, and combat gender-based violence and child marriage, key drivers of health inequality.

AHF further called on all stakeholders to amplify girls’ voices, celebrate their achievements, and advocate for policies that safeguarded their health, rights, and future opportunities.

“The International Day of the Girl is commemorated annually on Oct. 11 to spotlight challenges facing girls and advocate for their empowerment and rights.

“To mark 2025 celebration, AHF Nigeria will host an educational event on Oct. 10 at Community Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Oku, Ubo, Offort, and Uyo in Akwa Ibom State.”

According to the statement, the event aims to protect girls from HIV, honour their achievements, and reinforce the need to expand educational and health opportunities for them.

Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria country programme director, expressed concern over challenges faced by young girls, including poor menstrual health, gender-based violence, and limited access to reproductive health services.

“The 2025 IDG event will feature menstrual hygiene education, leadership talks, and a platform for girls to present innovative ideas, some of which will be awarded with gifts.

4,000 Girls Contract HIV Weekly Globally

4,000 Girls Contract HIV Weekly Globally

“Free sanitary pads will be distributed during the event, and participating girls will be linked to mentorship and leadership development opportunities.

“The programme will be attended by civil society partners, government representatives, and the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs.”

AHF is the world’s largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider, delivering medical services and advocacy to more than 2.5 million people across 50 countries, including Nigeria.

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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