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Road Injuries, Heart Disease Kill More Nigerians

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In Nigeria, average life expectancy for men increased to 59.8 years. Women’s average life expectancy increased to 60.5 years in 2013.

Today, fewer people are dying from measles and diarrheal diseases in Nigeria, according to a new, comprehensive analysis of trend data from 188 countries. Mortality from measles dropped 86% between 1990 and 2013.

At the same time, a number of causes, including road injuries and ischemic heart disease, claimed more lives in Nigeria in 2013 than in 1990. Life expectancy improved for both men and women in Nigeria, at an average of 4.7 years gained since 1990.

Published in The Lancet on December 18, “Global, regional, and national age-sex specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013” was conducted by an international consortium of researchers coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.

The leading killers in Nigeria were malaria, HIV/AIDS, and pneumonia, accounting for 35% of all deaths in 2013. HIV/AIDS and road injuries were the top two causes of death for people between the ages of 15 and 49, resulting in 167,942 lives lost in 2013.

Among individuals 70 and older, stroke claimed the most lives that year. The top cause of child mortality was malaria in 2013, killing 235,483 children under the age of 5.

In Nigeria, road injuries and ischemic heart disease took more lives in 2013 than in 1990, with deaths increasing 127% and 94%, respectively. Mortality from neonatal sepsis also increased 80% between 1990 and 2013.

Since 1990, Nigeria saw marked declines in mortality from a number of diseases that used to take a large toll on the country.

For instance, by 2013, mortality from measles decreased 86% and diarrheal diseases caused 59% fewer deaths. In 1990, these diseases killed 231,423 people. Twenty-three years later, they claimed 158,722 fewer lives.

The study also revealed how some diseases and injuries cause different mortality patterns for males and females.

For example, in Nigeria, malaria took a greater toll on men, killing 151,794 males and 108,611 females in 2013. By contrast, hemoglobinopathies and hemolytic anemias claimed 65,270 women’s lives and 54,401 men’s lives.

Globally, people live an average of 6.2 years longer than they did in 1990, with life expectancy rising to just under 72 years in 2013. Women showed a slightly larger average gain (an increase of 6.6 years) than men (a rise of 5.8 years). Improvements in health, reduced fertility, and shifts in the world’s age patterns have driven these global gains in life expectancy.

In Nigeria, the average life expectancy for women was 60.5 years in 2013, with men living an average of 59.8 years. By contrast, women lived an average of 55.9 years and men had a life expectancy of 55 years in 1990.

Out of the 188 countries included in the study, Nigeria ranked 173rd for women and 160th for men for longest life expectancies. In 2013, Andorra had the longest life expectancy for women (86.7 years) and Qatar had the longest for men (81.2 years). Lesotho had the shortest life expectancy for both women (51.2 years) and men (45.6 years).

“The fact that people are living longer in most parts of the world is good news but we must do more to address health disparities,” said IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray. “Only with the best available evidence can we develop policies to improve health and save lives.”

Worldwide, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) claimed the most lives, accounting for nearly 32% of all deaths. Much global progress has been made in reducing mortality from diseases such as measles and diarrhea, with 83% and 51% declines, respectively, from 1990 to 2013.

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2013 is part of an ongoing effort to produce the most timely and up-to-date understanding of what kills and ails people worldwide.

Thousands of collaborators worldwide work together to generate annual estimates of deaths by cause, years of life lost to disability, and rates of premature mortality and illness.

To make these data as useful and relevant to policymakers and country leaders as possible, findings from the GBD study can be used at the global, regional, national, and even subnational levels to track trends in health over time.

Researchers found a widening gap between countries with the lowest and highest death rates from a given disease – a potential sign of increasing inequalities in health. They also emphasize the importance of measuring local disease burdens, as the health challenges found in one corner of a country can widely vary from those experienced a few hours away.

Globally, a number of diseases that have received less attention relative to others are some of the biggest causes of premature death, particularly drug use disorders, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cirrhosis.

The gender gap in death rates for adults between the ages of 20 to 44 is widening, and HIV/AIDS, interpersonal violence, road injuries, and maternal mortality are some of the key conditions responsible. For children under 5, diarrheal diseases, pneumonia, neonatal disorders, and malaria are still among the leading causes of death.


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NRS Debunks Viral Claim of New Tax on Vehicle

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Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has denied reports that the federal government has introduced a new tax on vehicles.

NRS Debunks Viral Claim of New Tax on Vehicle

The clarification follows the circulation of a viral message online claiming that all vehicle owners would be required to start paying a new tax from July 1, 2026.

In a statement released on Sunday, the NRS said the information in the message is false and did not come from the agency or any official government institution.Nigeria Travel Guides

According to Dare Adekanmbi, spokesperson for the NRS, the viral message was designed to mislead the public. He explained that it was made to look genuine by using official government logos and formatting.

The message reportedly instructed owners of private, commercial, and corporate vehicles to pay an unspecified fee either online or through approved banks and agencies. It also included a website that was wrongly presented as an official government platform.

Adekanmbi stressed that the website mentioned is not connected to the government and warned Nigerians not to make any payments based on such information.

He said the NRS has not introduced any new vehicle tax and that any official policy or tax change would be properly announced through verified government channels.

The agency urged citizens to ignore the fake message and avoid falling victim to possible fraud. It also advised Nigerians to always confirm such information through trusted and official sources before taking any action.

The NRS further encouraged the public to follow its official communication platforms to stay informed about genuine tax policies, updates, and government directives.

 


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NCC to Intensify Crackdown on Illicit Network to Protect Copyrights

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National Copyright Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed that piracy remains a major threat to the nation’s creative economy, vowing to intensify its nationwide crackdown on illicit networks to protect intellectual property.

NCC to Intensify Crackdown on Illicit Network to Protect Copyrights

Pic credit…soundcloud.com

Dr. John Asein, director-general of the NCC, disclosed this in a statement to mark the 2026 World Book and Copyright Day.

The commission noted that piracy remains a major threat, undermining legitimate enterprise and eroding the economic value of creative works.

Asein lamented that inadequate distribution systems and limited access to books also constrain the growth of readership.

He described the event as an important occasion, which showcased the enduring value of books as foundations of knowledge, instruments of cultural preservation, and drivers of national development.

He described the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Read Books, Respect Copyright,’ as a call on Nigerians to embrace reading as a lifelong habit, while recognising that respect for copyright is essential to sustaining creativity and rewarding authors.

The commission noted that Nigeria’s book industry has evolved significantly, from the post-independence emergence of indigenous publishing to today’s digitally driven ecosystem.

“Nigerian authors continue to gain global recognition, while publishers are expanding capacity. However, challenges persist,” he said.

The commission commended the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, describing it as a bold step toward repositioning intellectual property as a driver of economic transformation.

The policy, according to him, provides a roadmap for revamping the book sector for the benefit of authors and publishers, and is accessible at ippolicy.ng.

The NCC also reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive access through the Marrakesh Treaty, as reflected in the Copyright Act, 2022, enabling accessible formats such as Braille and audio texts.

It urged Nigerians to respect copyright and purchase books only from authorised sources.


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Fusewall Holdings Acquires 100% Stake in Coloplus, Expands Telecom Infrastructure Footprint

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Fusewall Holdings, founded by Azeez Amida, has announced the acquisition of a 100 percent equity stake in Coloplus Worldwide Service Limited, in a move aimed at strengthening its position in Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure space.

Fusewall Holdings Acquires 100% Stake in Coloplus, Expands Telecom Infrastructure Footprint

Fusewall Holdings

The deal marks a significant milestone in Fusewall’s broader strategy to build an integrated and future-ready platform across key sectors, particularly within the country’s fast-evolving digital economy.

The transaction was led by Amida, whose role in structuring and executing the deal was described as pivotal. According to the company, his leadership helped align stakeholders and navigate complex negotiations to ensure a successful close while positioning the business for long-term growth.

A spokesperson for Fusewall Holdings said the acquisition represents “a deliberate step forward” in the company’s expansion strategy, noting that the focus remains on building platforms that combine operational efficiency, resilience, and scale.

Coloplus brings a substantial operational footprint to the deal, including access to about 900 partner locations and roughly 20 owned sites. This combination of reach and infrastructure control is expected to give Fusewall a strategic advantage as it scales operations nationwide.

Fusewall said it plans to deploy capital, strengthen governance structures, and enhance operational execution as part of the integration process. The move is expected to improve service delivery, boost infrastructure reliability, and support expansion into underserved and high-demand areas.

The acquisition also aligns with the company’s broader ambition to help bridge Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure gap by expanding connectivity, improving network resilience, and advancing digital inclusion.

Fusewall Holdings said the deal reflects its commitment to disciplined execution and long-term value creation as it continues to grow its footprint in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.


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