General News
Zipline Boosts Access to Primary Healthcare in Cross River State
Cross River State is experiencing a significant transformation in healthcare logistics, all thanks to the innovative drone technology provided by Zipline. Local health facilities in the Ogoja local government area have praised the government’s partnership with Zipline as a crucial step in revolutionising the distribution of medical supplies in remote regions.
Healthcare professionals from facilities serviced by Zipline have expressed their satisfaction with the positive impact of this collaboration on their communities. The difference is most noticeable in the Ijiraga and Mfuma Primary Health Centers, which had previously struggled with frequent shortages of medications and delays in restocking, leading to compromised patient care. However, since joining forces with Zipline, these centres have been able to provide efficient and reliable healthcare services to their patients.
Mr. Augustine Okpotu, the Director of the Ijiraga Primary Health Centre, shared his experience, stating, “Zipline’s drone technology has been a game-changer. It addresses the fundamental aspects of primary healthcare: affordability, availability, and accessibility. The Zipline drones have significantly reduced the cost of procuring drugs and have made it convenient for us to access the required medical products, even amidst challenges like fuel scarcity and transportation restrictions. We no longer need to travel; a simple phone call or text message ensures prompt delivery of the necessary drugs, reducing wastage and drug expiration.”
Mr. Augustine added, “Previously, people were hesitant to visit our primary health facilities due to long wait times and frequent drug shortages. However, now we compete with higher-level healthcare facilities in terms of drug availability, thanks to this advanced delivery system.”
Beyond improving logistics, Zipline’s services have instilled hope and trust in the health facilities they serve. A notable example is a life-saving intervention at the Ijiriga Primary Health Facility, where a patient with severe vomiting and diarrhoea received necessary drugs within minutes through Zipline, drastically reducing wait times and potentially saving their life. Such efficiency not only saves lives but also enhances the reputation and trust of these remote health facilities, giving them a competitive edge.
Mr. Raphael Ochim, the Director of the Mfuma PHC, also praised the transformative impact of Zipline, saying, “Since Zipline’s operations began here, their drone technology and service have been highly beneficial. It is cost-effective, fast, and accurate. We no longer have to worry about transportation costs or travelling long distances to acquire drugs; we simply make a call, and they deliver promptly.
“Patients are happier, and the number of visitors to our facility has increased. Many are impressed by the sight of drones delivering drugs, which has boosted their trust in the quality of our medications.”
Zipline’s commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of its operations. Their robust feedback system ensures that healthcare providers stay informed with regular updates on delivery statuses. This meticulous attention to detail and alignment with healthcare facilities’ needs reflect Zipline’s dedication to improving healthcare accessibility.
Currently serving over 13 million Nigerians in Kaduna, Cross River, and Bayelsa States, covering more than 46,000 square kilometres and supporting over 1,000 healthcare facilities, Zipline’s pioneering drone technology has transformed the skies over Cross River State from mere backdrops into active conduits of health and hope. With over 100,000 healthcare product deliveries and nearly 7 million products delivered globally, Zipline’s impact is undeniable.
Police in Abuja have uncovered a criminal group making fake diplomatic and government number plates.
Ahmed Sanusi, commissioner of Police FCT, stated this during a press briefing on Friday.
He explained that criminals use these fake plates to dodge security checks and enter restricted areas.
The investigation started soon after Sanusi took office.
He noticed too many unauthorized cars driving around with official government and diplomatic tags.
“I immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation into this disturbing trend,” Sanusi said. He noted that these individuals use the plates as a cover to commit crimes and avoid arrest.
The police have already arrested several people caught using the fake plates.
They have also figured out who is making them.
The manufacturers operate outside Abuja, and police are actively hunting them down.
Sanusi kept their names secret so they would not flee.
He stressed that this is a highly profitable illegal business.
Buyers pay between N500,000 and N1.7 million for a single fake plate.
“This will tell you that they are making such huge expenditure because they have an agenda,” Sanusi explained.
“Now they will face punishment that is bigger than both the cost they incur and the agenda they are planning.”
The commissioner urged residents to report any cars with suspicious diplomatic plates.
He reminded the public that real diplomatic tags follow a very specific format.
A diplomatic number plate in Nigeria is a special vehicle identification tag issued to foreign embassies, high commissions, and accredited international diplomats.
Gavi has approved $500 million to strengthen Nigeria’s immunisation programme, primary healthcare services and long-term vaccine financing.
The move followed high-level discussions between Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, ]and Dr. Sania Nishtar, chief executive officer, Gavi in Abuja.
The funding, approved under the Gavi 6.0 programme, will support Nigeria’s efforts to accelerate routine immunisation, sustain polio eradication, expand HPV vaccination, strengthen primary healthcare services, and improve long-term vaccine financing.
Speaking during the meeting, Pate said Nigeria was strengthening its partnership with Gavi to accelerate immunisation, expand primary healthcare services, and ensure sustainable financing for vaccines.
He welcomed Gavi’s country-focused reforms, including the introduction of a predictable five-year funding envelope.
Pate said the US$500 million allocation will enable Nigeria to plan more effectively and deliver life-saving vaccines to more children and vulnerable populations.
The minister also revealed that quarterly visits to primary healthcare centreshad increased from about 10 million in 2023 to more than 45 million, reflecting significant progress in revitalising the country’s primary healthcare system.
Pate welcomed the announcement of a US$600 million pledge by the United States government to Gavi, describing it as a strong endorsement of the alliance’s leadership and the global value of vaccines.
He also commended Nishtar for prioritising Nigeria and praised the closer coordination among Gavi, World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, World Bank, Gates Foundation, and other development partners, describing it as a model that has improved efficiency and aligned support with Nigeria’s health sector reforms.
The minister expressed appreciation to Gavi and its partners for their continued technical and financial support, while calling on state governments to invest more in healthcare and immunisation to complement federal efforts.
For many women, financial independence means the freedom to provide for their families and build a better future. Yet, this remains out of reach due to limited access to opportunities, business support, and secure payment solutions.
Like millions of women in Nigeria determined to be financially independent, Pricillia started with a single PalmPay POS terminal, and as an agent, every successful transaction provided a commission which brought her one step closer to achieving her dream.
Through consistency, discipline, and support from the payment platform, she reinvested her earnings and eventually opened her own provision store.
“I started as just a PalmPay agent with one POS. The consistency of the platform gave me the confidence to expand. With the income I earned, I was able to open my own provision shop.” Priscilla said.
For Priscilla, PalmPay was more than a payment platform. Its secure payment infrastructure gave her the confidence to serve her customers, build trust, and grow her income.
Today, Pricillia has joined the statistics of SMEs powering Nigeria’s economy and PalmPay continues to support her daily operations, helping her receive payments, as she works towards her next business milestone. Her journey is a reminder that when women have access to secure financial tools and opportunities, they can build lasting economic independence.
Speaking on Pricillia’s journey, Femi Hanson, Head of Marketing, PalmPay said: “Providing a secure platform that users can trust, whether for everyday payments or high-value transactions, is central to our vision of advancing financial inclusion. Priscilla’s story reflects our commitment to supporting the ambitions of Nigerians by providing a platform they can rely on to grow their finances. After all, seamless banking begins with security, and every successful transaction reinforces the trust our users place in us.”
Priscilla stands among thousands of PalmPay agents nationwide who are helping to expand financial access across Nigeria while earning commissions to create sustainable sources of income for themselves.
Every payment tells a story. It begins with trust, the confidence that your money is secure and that financial services are accessible. And when that opportunity reaches women, it creates ripple effects that transform families, strengthen communities, and drive economic growth.
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