Economy
Loneliness Makes Thousands Of People Sick, Some Pass Away, Says WHO
Loneliness Makes Thousands Of People Sick, Some Pass Away, Says WHO
Loneliness makes thousands of people sick, some pass away, says WHO. The World Health Organisation on Monday says that no fewer than 871,000 people pass away worldwide annually from loneliness.
The World Health Organisation on Monday says that no fewer than 871,000 people d1e worldwide annually from loneliness.
According to the WHO commission, one in six people worldwide is affected by loneliness, which, along with social isolation, can lead to physical illness.
It said that loneliness increases the risk of strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, depression, anxiety and su1cide.
The WHO said that lonely teenagers are 22 per cent more likely to achieve lower grades than their peers, while lonely adults face greater challenges in finding or keeping a job.
The impact is not only individual but also societal, with billions in costs to healthcare systems and losses in employment.
The commission’s co-chair, Vivek Murthy, defined loneliness as “a painful, subjective feeling that many of us experience when the relationships that we need do not match the relationships that we have and social isolation, by contrast, is an objective state of having few relationships or interactions.”
One in three older people and one in four adolescents are estimated to be socially isolated, according to the report.
Causes of loneliness include illness, poor education, low income, a lack of opportunities for social interaction, living alone, and the excessive use of digital technologies.
Mr Murthy noted that humans have communicated for millennia not only through words but also through facial expressions, body language, tone of voice and silence.
These forms of communication are lost when people rely solely on mobile phones and social media.
The WHO highlighted Sweden as a positive example, the country has implemented a national strategy against loneliness, as reported by Swedish Social Minister Jakob Forssmed.
Sweden recognises that loneliness is not just an individual problem but one that affects society as a whole.
Efforts are being made to foster social connections in places such as shops, restaurants, neighbourhoods, and clubs.
Soon, all children and teenagers in Sweden will receive prepaid cards that can only be used to book group leisure activities.
Sweden plans to ban mobile phones in public schools, Forssmed said.
Studies have shown that this increases social interaction and reduces cyberbullying.
Children and teenagers sleep better and find it easier to put their phones aside during their free time.
Loneliness Makes Thousands Of People Sick
Mr Forssmed added that children are often frustrated when their parents are constantly distracted by their phones.
While digital technologies have their benefits, such as enabling previously impossible video calls.
The commission emphasised the importance of creating spaces in life where people can interact face-to-face without technological distractions.
Mr Murthy said, “Having places and spaces in our life where we can interact face to face with other people without the distraction of technology is very important.
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
“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.
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
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
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.
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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