Malaria is a global challenge. More than one million new malaria cases are recorded each year. Nigeria bears a huge part of the burden. An estimated 24 per cent of all malaria cases are recorded in Nigeria, making it the country with the largest burden of the disease.

ABA—Police in Abia State are currently investigating the death of a female househelp allegedly killed by a toddler with his lawyer-father’s gun in Aba.

NO fewer than 9,720 ghost workers in the payroll of Kogi State government, has been uncovered by the committee on staff screening and verification in the state.

UYO—Three suspected kidnappers were arrested by police detectives in Akwa Ibom State as the leader of the gang went to pick up the N3 million ransom from relatives of the kidnapped victim at Olympus Hotel, along Afaha Uqua Road, Eket Local Government Area.

lagos—THE founder, Centre for Values and Leadership, CVL, Professor Pat Utomi has presented business start-up kits and grants to 100 young entrepreneurs in Ajegunle community in Lagos State.

The Customs Area Controller, CAC, of the Ogun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Comptroller Waindu Multafu, going by his recent pronouncement, may have conceded defeat in the war to check smuggling via the area which borders the neighbouring Benin Republic.

ANAMBRA State government says it will partner churches in the state to ensure that intending couples verified their genotype before marriage to avoid issues of sickle cell disease.

The new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru, has affirmed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) statement that Skye remains healthy and strong.

THE Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, has condemned what it described as spirited efforts by faceless political hustlers to drag the names of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Mr. Peter Obi and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, “into their dirty and imaginary dream world.’’

THE Borno Government has advised Muslims to be vigilant as they troop to various Eid grounds to offer prayers at the end of Ramadan.

Nigerian Army, yesterday, said its troops ambushed and killed a Boko Haram spy carrying out surveillance for the group in Borno State.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, among others, yesterday, urged Muslims not to discard messages of love, perseverance, self-denial, almsgiving and others learned during the holy month of Ramadan should not be discarded

Following the financial challenges facing private universities in the country, the Vice Chancellor of Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Prof. Otete Okobiah, has linked the paucity of funds in running private universities to the inability of the various tiers of government to pay workers’ salaries as at when due.

THE crisis rocking Okhue-Esan Kingdom in Esan South- East Local Government Area of Edo State over an alleged letter of appointment issued to one of the claimants to the throne of the Onogieship of the community, one Emmanuel Ehikioya by the state government has taken a new dimension as Esan Traditional Rulers said that they were yet to take a decision on the matter following the absence of Ehikioya at several meetings called on the subject.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom State has inaugurated the transition committee chairmen for the 31 local government areas in the state, saying plans were underway to provide a lifeline for the Local Government system to enable the third tier of government break even in its programmes.