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World Bank Unveils Project To Upgrade 490 Secondary Schools

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The Nasarawa State Government on Monday commenced the World Bank’s Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning And Empowerment project, aimed at improving 490 public secondary schools across the 13 local government areas of the state.

Speaking while flagging off the project in Lafia, the state capital, Governor Abdullahi Sule noted that the project was approved following the payment of a N150million counterpart fund by the state government.

He explained that with the AGILE project, the state government now has the opportunity to address the challenges of access, retention and quality of girls’ education at the secondary schools in the state.

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While commending the Federal Ministry of Education for considering the state for the School Improvement Grant, Sule reiterated his administration’s commitment towards supporting the World Bank’s AGILE project to succeed in the state.

READ ALSO:Delta Govt, Communities Trade Words Over Infrastructure Deficit

The governor, therefore, appealed to the School-Based Management Committees and other key stakeholders to manage the available resources judiciously in line with the work approved plan, urging them to be transparent and accountable in the discharge of their responsibilities.

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Sule said, “The programme is aimed at addressing the lack of completion of education by adolescent girls, particularly in secondary schools, through providing support to schools, families and communities, and also to empower girls with relevant skills for self-development.

“It is important to state that at the take-off of the programme in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education set out for participants the requirements for the initiative.

“I am happy to inform you that, having met all the requirements, Nasarawa State was selected for participation in the programme.

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“The state government has since released the mandated N150million. We have also initiated the recruitment of qualified teachers to be posted to the new schools that will be constructed under the project in the coming months.”

READ ALSO:World Bank To Nigerians: Don’t Oppose, Reverse Current Economic Reforms

He, therefore, noted that the flag off of the school improvement grant represents the continuation of the state government’s impacts, as funds will be disbursed directly to eligible public secondary schools to upgrade infrastructure, provide essential learning materials, improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities, and create a self-inclusive learning environment for girls across the state.

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On her part, the Nasarawa State Project Coordinator of AGILE, Aishatu Isoga, said the project development objective was to expand secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in targeted areas across 21 states of the country.

She further noted that the project’s main focus is on adolescent girls between the ages of 10 to 20, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds who are at risk of dropping out of school.

Isoga mentioned the project interventions to include construction and rehabilitation of schools to improve access to quality secondary education, social behavioural change and mobilising support for girls’ education and empowerment through advocacies, sensitisations and campaigns to mitigate demand-side constraints, among others.

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READ ALSO:Jim Iyke Reacts To Backlash After Allegedly Sending Sexual Birthday Message To Kate Henshaw

It is worth noting that one of the key deliverables of AGILE is the School Improvement Grant, which we are flagging off today.

“A total of 515 public secondary schools across the state will benefit in three categories: 331 small grants, 159 medium grants, and 25 large grants, which will be disbursed in two phases.

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“The first phase targets small and medium grants (490 schools). This grant is a school-level funding mechanism that empowers school communities to take direct charge of their development priorities. Schools are expected to implement physical upgrades based on the approved School Implementation Plan developed by School-Based Management Committees,” she added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Education, John Mamman, while thanking all the stakeholders involved in the project, pledged the ministry’s commitment to ensure the smooth take-off of the project across the 13 LGAs of the state.

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Eating Takeout Food Often May Increase Heart Disease Risk — Study

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Research suggests that higher takeout food consumption may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease.

In a new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers said eating takeout food too often can influence systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease.

The study of over eight thousand people in the 2009 to 2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who eat greater amounts of takeout food are likely to have various elevated risk factors for heart disease.

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They were interviewed in their homes and also visited a mobile examination centre, where they recalled their food intake, received cardiometabolic health assessments, and had blood collected.

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Mammograms may predict heart disease risk in women — Study

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The researchers found a correlation between the amount of takeout food a person consumes and their likelihood of developing chronic low-level inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular pathology.

Deaths from cardiovascular disease and the consumption of takeout foods are both on the rise, and while that does not prove a causal relationship, the study explores whether there is a connection between the two.

The study tracked degrees of systemic inflammation according to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a scale that quantifies the risk of inflammation related to the intake of specific dietary substances.

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The three major takeaways from the analysis included that a higher level of takeout food consumption corresponded to an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile consisting of lower HDL, as well as higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance.

Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs in a reaction, who was not involved in the study, explained that “Takeout food raises the cardiovascular risk not because of one ingredient, but because of a predictable combination of nutrients, additives, and preparation methods that adversely affect blood pressure, lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial function.”

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This includes excess sodium that increases blood volume and blood vessel stiffness, and unhealthy fats, usually saturated fats or trans fats, that increase cholesterol level and atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, also not involved in this study, declared, “It is also important to recognise that frequent takeout use often reflects broader lifestyle pressures such as demanding schedules, limited access to cooking resources, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep, all of which can quietly compound cardiovascular risk.”

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How To Identify Fake Kiss Condoms In Circulation

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in major markets across the country.

Contents
Original DKT Kiss condoms
Fake Kiss condoms

In a public alert published on its website recently and referenced as Public Alert No. 042/2025, the agency said the warning followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.

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NAFDAC stated, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is notifying the public about the sale and distribution of fake Kiss condoms in various Nigerian markets.

“The information was received from the MAH-DKT International Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on contraceptive social marketing. Its mission is to provide Nigerians with affordable and safe options for family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“The fake Kiss condoms have been reported to be found in Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, and various markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and others.”

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Kiss condom is a brand of male latex condoms designed to offer sexual protection, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

To help consumers avoid counterfeit products, NAFDAC outlined key differences between original and fake Kiss condoms.

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Original DKT Kiss condoms
The original product comes in a light red box pack with clear instructions printed on the lower part of the pack, including single-use warnings and storage and caution information. The box contains detailed medical device information, including MDSS GmbH, Germany, and a complete Nigerian address at Isolo Industrial Layout, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The condom pack is light red, with the word “Kiss” closely written on six lines. The wallet outer pack is lighter red, carries the Oshodi-Apapa address, manufacturer details, and a clear product description beside the condom image. The hidden flap includes revision dates, medical device details, and caution information, while the wallet inner contains detailed instructions and eight bullet points under important notes.

READ ALSO:Lagos Names Mandy Kiss Anti-drug Abuse Ambassador

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The original condom is large, oval-shaped, well-lubricated, and has a large teat end for semen collection.

Fake Kiss condoms
In contrast, fake Kiss condoms come in darker-coloured box packs with little or no additional information. Some boxes are plain white inside and lack condom images. The address is wrongly listed as 42, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, while the manufacturer’s address is incomplete or missing. Storage and caution information is absent.

The condom pack is darker, with “Kiss” loosely written on five lines and wide spacing. The condom strip is longer than the original. The wallet outer pack is also darker red, carries incorrect or missing addresses, lacks colour wave designs, and shows inconsistencies in barcode lines. Medical device and caution information are missing, and the hidden flap contains no details.

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Inside the wallet, information is summarised with only six bullet points. The fake condom is thinner, round-shaped, less lubricated, and has a smaller teat end.
(TRIBUNE)

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Lagos: Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers On Lekki-Epe Expressway

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Fourteen persons suspected to be involved in traffic-related robbery have been arrested at various points along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos over the past two weeks.

The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, via a post on her official X handle, @AbimbolaShotayo.

According to her, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad based in Elemoro carried out the operations that led to the suspects’ apprehension.

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She explained that the arrests followed sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminal activities associated with traffic congestion and improving the safety of motorists and other road users along the busy corridor.

Adebisi noted that the development reflects the Command’s determination to strengthen security and uphold law and order on the Lekki-Epe axis, adding that the Tactical Squad has continued to proactively identify crime-prone areas and respond swiftly to threats posed by criminal elements.

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She called on residents and commuters to support police efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.

READ ALSO:VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market

Security is a shared responsibility. Members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” she said.

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The police spokesperson further reassured residents and road users of the Command’s commitment to maintaining aggressive patrols and security operations to protect lives and property in the area.

She reiterated the Command’s community policing message, “See Something, Say Something,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the police and the public in sustaining peace and security.

 

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