From Francis Sadhere, Delta

Women in Chemistry (WIC) have called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to urgently intervene in what they described as the worsening state of science laboratories in public secondary schools across the country.

The call was made on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, during the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) 2026 Global Women’s Breakfast, held at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State.

Speaking at the event, which brought together scientists from different parts of the world under the theme “Many Voices, One Science,” the outgoing Coordinator of WIC, Dr.

Sarah Nwinee, lamented that the absence of functional laboratories in many state-owned schools was discouraging students—especially young girls—from pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Dr. Nwinee noted that meaningful chemistry education could not be achieved through theory alone, stressing that the lack of practical exposure had weakened students’ interest and performance in the subject.

She urged intervention agencies and other relevant stakeholders to prioritise education by equipping schools with standard laboratories, describing such investment as critical to national development.

She said the annual Global Women’s Breakfast, coordinated in Nigeria by the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), had over the years served as a platform for advocacy, mentorship and collaboration aimed at promoting the participation of women in science.

According to her, the 2026 edition was particularly significant as it reflected years of sustained engagement, partnerships and increased support for programmes targeting young scientists.

Chairman of the CSN Delta Chapter, Professor Ellas Elemike, also stressed the need for deliberate efforts to nurture the next generation of scientists, noting that sustainability in the profession depended on inspiring and properly training younger minds.

He highlighted the Society’s “Train the Trainer” initiative, which is focused on improving science teaching methods and making science more relatable and practical for students.

The issue of gender disparity in science was also highlighted at the event. A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor and facilitator of the programme, Professor Doris Ogeleka, decried persistent gender bias against women in scientific careers. She called for greater confidence, assertiveness and inclusiveness to ensure that women’s contributions in science are recognised and valued.

As part of activities marking the event, a chemistry quiz competition was organised for secondary schools in the area. The College of Education Demonstration Secondary School emerged winner, clinching the top prize of ₦250,000. The winners, Ezimadu Emmanuella and Chukwuka Ngozi Favour, said the competition had increased their interest in chemistry and strengthened their preparation for external examinations.

Participants at the event agreed that without urgent and sustained investment in practical science education, Nigeria risks undermining the development of future chemists, innovators and researchers, particularly women, whose participation remains crucial to the nation’s scientific and technological advancement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says its Executive Board has directed the agency to convene discussions on reforming the global health architecture.

‎The Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, disclosed this on Wednesday during an online media conference on global health issues.

‎Ghebreyesus said that it was vital that all global health bodies work together to leverage their comparative advantage, avoid overlaps and duplication, and deliver value and results for the countries and people they serve.

According to him, the board also considered proposals for reforming the governance of WHO, and the notification of withdrawal from WHO of Argentina and the United States of America, which the World Health Assembly would consider at its meeting in May.

‎The WHO boss said that in 2013, the organisation and a coalition of partners established a stockpile of cholera vaccines for two purposes.

‎He said that it was basically to conduct reactive vaccination campaigns in response to outbreaks; and preventive campaigns in areas at risk of outbreaks, to stop them before they happen.

”Since 2021, the world has experienced a significant increase in cholera outbreaks, cases and deaths.

‎”In 2025 alone, more than 600,000 cases and 7,600 deaths were reported from 33 countries.

‎”This increase put heavy demand on the stockpile, which meant that preventive campaigns had to be stopped to ensure enough vaccines were available for reactive campaigns,” Ghebreyesus said.

According to him, following sustained efforts by manufacturers and partners, the annual global supply of oral cholera vaccine has now doubled, from 35 million doses in 2022 to nearly 70 million doses in 2025.

”Thanks to this increase, we have now been able to resume preventive vaccination campaigns against cholera after more than three years.

‎”This is important because cholera is a highly contagious disease that can spread rapidly in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

‎”The resumption of preventive campaigns will help protect vulnerable populations and reduce the risk of outbreaks,” he said.

‎Ghebreyesus also said that the increased supply of vaccines was a result of collaboration between manufacturers, WHO, and other partners.

‎”The goal is to continue increasing the global supply of cholera vaccines to meet growing demand and prevent future outbreaks,” he said.

‎On cataract, Ghebreyesus said it was the most common cause of blindness globally, and a leading cause of vision impairment, affecting more than 94 million people.

According to him, in addition to impaired vision and blindness, cataracts can contribute to reduced mobility, unemployment, social isolation, depression and anxiety.

‎”Cataract is a major public health problem with a simple, cost-effective solution: it can be resolved with a 15-minute procedure, providing immediate and lasting restoration of sight.

‎”Cataract surgery is life-transforming, giving the gift of sight to people who had lost it, and reopening a world that had closed,” he said.

‎Ghebreyesus said that in 2021, the World Health Assembly adopted a global target to increase access to effective cataract surgery by 30 percentages by 2030.

‎He said that many countries have made impressive progress, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal and Qatar.

”However, globally, half of all people who need cataract surgery still don’t have access to it, according to new research involving WHO published today in The Lancet Global Health.

”In Africa, three-in-four people with cataract lack access, and in all regions, women are disproportionately affected,” he said.

According to him, the research estimates that coverage will increase by 8.4 percentage points by 2030, less than one third of the pace needed to reach the 2030 target.

‎He urged governments, partners and donors to invest in the cost-effective and life-changing intervention, to prevent blindness and give people back the gift of sight.

‎”The new research published on Wednesday was led by the International Centre for Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which is in the process of becoming a WHO Collaborating Centre.

‎”It is an example of the valuable contribution that WHO’s network of over 800 collaborating centres can make to research and global health,” he said.

Ecobank Nigeria has launched the Ecobank Business App, a new digital banking platform designed to strengthen the growth and sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria.

The app allows business owners to manage payments, monitor transactions, oversee cash flow, and run day‑to‑day financial operations directly from their mobile devices.

This will eliminate delays, queues, and operational inefficiencies.

According to a statement by the bank, the new application is now available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Kola Adeleke, Executive Director, Consumer and Commercial Bank, said that the bank’s Business App was developed to address the unique challenges confronting Nigeria’s diverse SME landscape.

He explained that the platform caters to traders, retailers, tech start-ups, online businesses, hospitality operators, farmers, agro‑processors and manufacturers.

He said it would also be of immense use to construction firms, professionals, social commerce entrepreneurs, schools, associations, and organisations that require transparent and efficient financial management.

Adeleke noted that the app delivers faster payment collection for merchants and retailers, seamless digital transactions for online businesses, efficient vendor and staff management for hospitality players, timely payment solutions for agriculture value chains, and secure handling of bulk.

He said it would also deliver high‑value transactions for manufacturers and construction firms.

He noted that professionals such as lawyers and consultants could issue invoices and receive payments easily, while schools and associations could streamline fees, dues, and reporting from a single platform.

The launch reinforces the bank’s broader commitment to empowering SMEs through digital innovation, sector‑specific value propositions, and financial solutions such as structured loans, trade support, guarantees, and equipment financing.