Economy
Nigeria Health Watch, Stakeholders Seeks Improved Maternal Health
Nigeria Health Watch, Stakeholders Seeks Improved Maternal Health
Nigeria Health Watch, stakeholders seeks improved maternal health. Ms Ihekweazu stated that the gala was an opportunity to find creative ways to ensure that women were heard.
The Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, has called for improved action to enhance maternal health in Nigeria.
Ms Ihekweazu made the call on Friday in Abuja during the organisation’s 2025 edition of the Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala.
The event, organised in collaboration with the National Gallery of Arts and MSD for Mothers, had the theme “Her Strength in Every Story: Creative Expressions for Women’s Health,” marking the third edition of the gala.
Ms Ihekweazu emphasised that maternal health impacted families, communities, and nations, yet disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly in countries such as Nigeria, remained alarmingly high.
“As of today, Nigeria continues to record one of the highest Maternal Mortality Rates (MMR) globally, with more than 1,000 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. This is far off from the UN Sustainable Development Goal to reduce the global MMR to below 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
This stark reality is a reminder of the work that remains to be done to ensure every woman has access to the care she needs to survive pregnancy and childbirth,” she stated.
She added that the gala was an opportunity to find creative ways to ensure that women were heard, respected, and empowered to advocate for their health and well-being.
Reflecting on the role of women in pre-colonial African societies, Ms Ihekweazu, noted that they were not passive figures but were active agents in shaping their societies.
She emphasised that these women advocated the needs of their people and ensured their voices were central to decision-making processes.
The Director of MSD for Mothers, Nigeria and Kenya, Iyadunni Olubode, emphasised the importance of women’s health, stating that women were key contributors to the economy both in Nigeria and globally.
She explained that providing women with access to healthcare enhanced the overall health and well-being of the family, as women served as the primary health caretakers in the household.
“It’s the women that are encouraging and ensuring that the men take their medicines, remember the immunisation dates, and take the children for immunisations.
“This serves as an opportunity to not only enhance women’s health through family planning but also to improve the health and well-being of her entire family,” she said.
The Director of Educational Services at the National Gallery of Arts, Ms. Janefrances Gbujie, highlighted the importance of the theme, noting the powerful connection between art and womanhood.
She explained that art-based interventions during pregnancy and the postpartum period positively impacted maternal health by providing emotional expression, social connection, and stress reduction, potentially improving mental health outcomes.
She said, “The impressive array of artworks displayed in this hall showcases not only the enduring spirit of Nigeria’s creative industry but also reveals the power of art in raising awareness and driving social change.”

Nigeria Health Watch
Wife of the ex-governor of Kebbi State, Zainab Bagudu, also spoke on the impact of art in raising awareness about women’s health.
She commended the gala for empowering women whose artworks were featured and encouraged others to include women’s empowerment in their programmes.
She also emphasised that while women were often marginalised, they bore the burden of the family and community when needed.
The first edition of the Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala was held in 2021, and over the years, it has become a platform where healthcare advocacy and creative expression meet.
Economy
Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki
Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki
Okpebholo threatening me with violence, I’ll fight back says Obaseki. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo, has accused Monday Okpebholo, his successor, of threatening him with violence. Obaseki spoke during the weekend at an event in London, the United Kingdom.
BACKGROUND
Since assuming office in November 2024, Okpebholo has initiated a series of actions aimed at scrutinising Obaseki’s tenure.
He first constituted a 14-member committee to investigate the assets, liabilities, contracts, and financial decisions made under Obaseki.
Okpebholo then expanded the scrutiny to the state civil service, ordering a probe into all recruitments conducted between May and November 2024, alleging a violation of due process.
Last week, Okpebholo asked the federal government to repatriate Obaseki to answer questions over public funds linked to the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.
‘OKPEBHOLO THREATENING ME’
Obaseki said the governor is threatening him with violence and allegedly sent thugs to attack him in the UK.
“Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” Obaseki said. “And to tell the governor, Okpebholo, I don’t know him; I have never met him. When you start with violence, you will reap violence.
“For one year since I left office, I didn’t say one word. I decided to respect myself and allow them to try [in governance] as well. Go and find out, you won’t see one thing I said about his government.”
He accused Okpebholo’s government of being behind the attack on diplomats during the exhibition in MOWAA.
“As if that was not enough, the government paid people to come to Manchester to attack me,” he said.
“Who has started this violence? Is it me? Last week, this governor held a disgraceful press conference in which he threatened me not to come to Benin.

Obaseki
“They have been threatening violence. So if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. “I can’t leave myself empty to be hurt and attacked by deranged people.
“So I am going to fight back. I will fight back. I didn’t start the fight. They are afraid. They know they did not win the election.”
Economy
Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training
Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training
Jigawa: 9,600 teachers register for special training. No fewer than 9,600 teachers under the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) registered for a competency test to determine the specific training required to improve their skills and enhance teaching outcomes in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the Board, Professor Haruna Musa, revealed this while briefing journalists on the purpose of the examination, adding that 12,000 teachers were expected to register for the exam.
He explained that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, was committed to repositioning the state education sector as a key foundation for sustainable development, in line with its “12-Point Agenda.”
Prof. Haruna noted that while the government has been spending significant resources to improve educational infrastructure, meaningful learning improvements cannot be achieved without also enhancing the capabilities of teachers.
“Based on that, the State Executive Council approved for the board to organise a competency test for all teachers. This will enable us to understand the kind of training each teacher requires to improve his or her skills”.
“Out of the 9,600 teachers registered for the exam, over 70% have never attended any capacity-building training since they were employed, including some with over 15 years of service,” the Chairman added.

Teachers Register For Special Training
He stated that after the exam, the teachers will be categorised into three groups: Group A, those with both knowledge and teaching skills; Group B, those with knowledge but lacking teaching skills; and Group C, those lacking both knowledge and teaching skills.
“Each group will be offered specialised training. Those in Group C will undergo intensive training and subsequent examinations for a period to ensure they are equipped with the required knowledge and skills”.
“For those with slower learning uptake, we will attach them to competent teachers within their schools for ongoing guidance and mentorship,” Prof Haruna said.
He further stated that the project is not about retrenchment, but his primary goal is to enhance teachers’ capacity for better learning outcomes within the state’s basic education sector.
Economy
PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery
PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery
PFA: Leadway pensure leverages innovations for quality service delivery. A Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Leadway Pensure said, it is leveraging innovation to escalate quality
service delivery to its retirement savings account (RSA) holders. This milestone marks 20 years of trust, exceptional service delivery, and value creation as it celebrates its anniversary. It highlights two decades of dedication to protecting the financial wellness of Nigerian workers.
Over the last 20 years, the PFA has served thousands of customers across Nigeria and beyond, standing as a clear testament to its commitment to providing financial stability at various stages of workers’ career journeys.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, stated that: “As we celebrate 20 years of Leadway Pensure PFA, this milestone is more than a celebration of longevity, it is a tribute to trust, service and innovation.
From the very beginning, our mission has been very clear, to deliver a pension system without barriersOver two decades, we have transformed this vision into reality by simplifying pension access, embracing cutting-edge technology, and ensuring our services are always within reach. With a nationwide presence, a robust mobile platform, and the AI-powered assistant LISA, we have made pension services accessible to eligible Nigerians.
“We have supported countless customers in achieving life goals, from retirement to home ownership, by ensuring access, clarity and care at every step. This is a testament to the strong relationships and legacy we have built with every customer. Trust is at the heart of our service, propelling us to uphold world-class standards and earning us global certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security, a mark of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ funds. ”

Leadway Pensure
Looking ahead, the company said, it is committed to promoting youth-focused financial literacy, growing personal pension plans and strengthening customer engagement across every stage of the pension journey.
“The next years and beyond will be shaped by the same dedication that brought us this far, a future-forward mindset, a culture of excellence, and an unyielding promise to stand by our customers every step of the way,” Olusakin concluded.
As it commemorates 20 years of service, Leadway Pensure reaffirms its commitment to simplifying retirement planning, delivering consistent value, and driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.
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