News
WHO Raises Alarm over Viral Hepatitis Causing 3,500 Deaths Daily

World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed concern over the increasing number of infections and deaths caused by viral hepatitis worldwide.
According to WHO 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, the number of lives lost due to viral hepatitis is increasing.
The disease is the second leading infectious cause of death globally — with 1.3 million deaths per year, the same as tuberculosis, a top infectious killer, WHO informed in an official release.
Released at the World Hepatitis Summit, the report emphasized that despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment tools, and decreasing product costs, testing and treatment coverage rates have plateaued.
However, the WHO believes that achieving the organization’s elimination goal by 2030 remains feasible if urgent actions are taken.
New data from 187 countries indicates that the estimated number of deaths from viral hepatitis has risen from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022.
Hepatitis B is responsible for 83 per cent of these deaths, while hepatitis C accounts for the remaining 17 per cent. Every day, 3,500 individuals succumb to hepatitis B and C infections globally.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general, WHO, expressed concern over the troubling trend, stating, “Despite global progress in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are on the rise due to inadequate diagnosis and treatment for those affected.” He emphasized WHO’s commitment to supporting countries in utilizing all available tools, at affordable prices, to save lives and reverse this trend.
Updated WHO estimates reveal that 254 million people are living with hepatitis B and 50 million with hepatitis C in 2022.
Half of the burden of chronic hepatitis B and C infections lies among individuals aged 30-54, with 12 per cent among children under 18 years old. Men constitute 58 per cent of all cases.
Although there has been a slight decrease in new incidence compared to 2019, the overall incidence of viral hepatitis remains high.
In 2022, there were 2.2 million new infections, including 1.2 million hepatitis B infections and nearly 1 million hepatitis C infections. Over 6,000 people are newly infected with viral hepatitis each day.
While prevention measures such as immunization and safe injections, along with the expansion of hepatitis C treatment, have contributed to reducing incidence rates, diagnosis and treatment coverage remain inadequate. Only 13 per cent of people living with chronic hepatitis B and 36 per cent with hepatitis C have been diagnosed, with even lower rates of treatment.
The burden of viral hepatitis varies regionally, with the WHO African Region bearing 63 per cent of new hepatitis B infections, yet vaccination coverage for newborns in the region remains low. Efforts to achieve universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in priority countries are essential to meet global targets and combat the epidemic effectively.
Despite the availability of affordable generic viral hepatitis medicines, many countries fail to procure them at lower prices due to pricing disparities and centralized service delivery systems. The WHO report outlines a series of actions to accelerate progress towards ending the epidemic by 2030, including expanding access to testing and treatment, strengthening prevention efforts, and mobilizing innovative financing.
However, funding for viral hepatitis remains insufficient, highlighting the need for increased awareness and investment in cost-saving interventions and tools. The report aims to address these challenges and empower countries to access affordable tools to combat viral hepatitis effectively.
News
Experts Urge MSMEs to Build Strong Partnerships in Solving Problems,

For a business to remain strong and relevant, experts have urged entrepreneurs to engage in solving problems in the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) space and build strong partnerships.
The experts stated at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Business Series with the theme, “Stronger Together: Building Powerful Business Partnerships for Progress.”
Four seasoned business owners including: Beauty Entrepreneur, Dabota Lawson; Real Estate Mogul and Entrepreneur, Wale Ayilara; Journalist and TV producer Peace Hyde and Fashion Entrepreneur, Mai Atafo, encouraged participants to solve problems, invent in products & service and, create value to remain stronger in business and thrive amid competitive business environment.
Ayilara expressed that an entrepreneur must be able to solve problems and build a strong partnership in order to remain relevant in a challenging business environment.
He stressed further that there are a lot of business opportunities in Nigeria and questioned where consumers money is directed into.
Lawson said the inability to find a suitable sensitive skincare that matches her skin tone forced her to start her company.
On her part, Hyde stated that she ventures into media on the backdrop of telling Africa’s stories to international audiences.
Atafo said passion made him venture into fashion, maintaining that being an entrepreneur in Nigeria is tough work.
Speaking earlier, UBA’s Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola, highlighted the critical role of partnerships in today’s dynamic business environment.
“In an increasingly interconnected world, the power of collaboration cannot be overstated. At UBA, we recognise that collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable business success.
“The ‘Stronger Together’ Business Series is designed to inspire entrepreneurs and corporate leaders to forge meaningful alliances that drive progress, unlock opportunities, and contribute to Africa’s economic transformation,” Shamsideen said.
News
FirstBank, NLNG, Shell back QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit

Nigeria’s leading commercial bank, First Bank of Nigeria, has joined forces with Mighty Media Plus Network Limited for the maiden edition of the QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit.
Also supporting the event are Nigeria LNG (NLNG) and Shell Nigeria, two major players in the country’s energy and development sectors.
Chief Executive Officer of Mighty Media Plus Network Limited, Olumide Iyanda, announced the partnerships in a statement on Monday.
Mr Iyanda described FirstBank’s involvement as a strong statement of the bank’s belief in the power of Nigeria’s creative sector.
“FirstBank’s support is a reaffirmation of its long-standing commitment to promoting the creative economy,” he said. “Through First@arts, the bank has become a reliable partner to talents, institutions, and organisations working to grow Nigeria’s cultural assets.”
First@arts is FirstBank’s platform for supporting the arts. It provides financing, advisory services, and exposure for creatives across the value chain. The bank has backed major cultural events and partnered with institutions such as British Council, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Live Theatre Lagos, Freedom Park and Terra Kulture.
Among the projects FirstBank has supported are The Headies Awards, Lagos International Theatre Festival, The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq, Kurunmi, Eni Ogun, and Oke Langbodo.
Iyanda also praised NLNG for its role in promoting excellence in literature and science through The Nigeria Prize for Literature, The Nigeria Prize for Science, and The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.
“NLNG has shown leadership by rewarding creativity and innovation in ways that impact both the literary and scientific communities,” he said.
The prizes, worth up to USD100,000, are among the most prestigious on the continent. They celebrate Nigerian authors, critics, and scientists whose work makes a real difference.
Shell’s support for the summit reflects its ongoing commitment to education and social development. The company focuses on sustainable, community-driven educational projects, ranging from scholarships to infrastructure development and ICT donations.
“Shell’s belief in education as a foundation for long-term progress aligns with our vision for the summit,” Iyanda added.
He further noted that more sponsors will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit, themed “Financing as Catalyst for a Thriving Creative Economy,” will take place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The venue is the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The summit will bring together creatives, investors, policymakers, and business leaders to explore solutions to the funding challenges facing Nigeria’s creative industries.
News
EFCC: Accusations Against Our Chairman Are Baseless and Misleading

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly denied allegations of lack of integrity and transparency directed at its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, by columnist Steve Osuji.
In a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC. the commission described the claims as “worrisome and unjustifiable,” particularly criticizing the personal attacks on Olukoyede.
“More worrisome was his attack on Olukoyede for no justifiable reason. Allegations of lack of transparency, accountability and integrity deficit are wild and clearly off the mark,” Oyewale said.
He questioned the basis for the allegations and defended Olukoyede’s leadership since taking office.
“The question is: in what way has Olukoyede fallen short? Is it by insisting that the right things should always be done? By moving the nation’s anti-graft war forward radically and unprecedentedly?
“By bringing forth a preventive framework to tackle corruption and reaping bountiful gains for the nation?
“By recovering the globally-acclaimed 753 duplexes and other apartments, which are proceeds of fraudulent dealings for the nation?
“By launching the EFCC into a global map of accomplished anti-graft agencies? By handling 50,000 case files in one year?
“By embarking on a courageous internal cleansing system and other progressive initiatives to deepen and strengthen the anti-corruption fight?
“It is cowardly and uncharitable for any columnist to hide under vague and opaque cover to splash mud on Ola Olukoyede, arguably one of the finest breed of anti-graft czars around the world.”
Olukoyede, through the statement, reaffirmed that the EFCC has consistently submitted its annual reports to the National Assembly as required by law.
“Equally preposterous are claims of re-looting of assets by officers of the Commission. For the purpose of clarification, the Commission does not recover monetary assets into its covers and the non-monetary assets that are recovered are disposed of following clear pronouncements by court and proceeds paid into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account account in the Central Bank in line with provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.
“The EFCC does not operate in secrecy. All its operations are regularly communicated to the public, including public auction of assets. To deliberately cast the Commission in the mould of fraudulent engagements or criminality is not only mischievous but also untenable,” the statement concluded.
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