News
Bill Gates Pledges $2.8 Billion to Boost Nigeria’s Health, Nutrition, and Agriculture

On Wednesday in Abuja, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, unveiled plans to invest at least $2.8 billion into Nigeria’s healthcare, nutrition, and agricultural sectors.
Speaking at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Gates stressed the need to focus on Nigeria’s most valuable asset—its people—to address the country’s economic challenges.
As the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates has been a staunch advocate for Nigeria, with his commitment totalling over $2.8 billion—the largest philanthropic investment in Africa.
His address highlighted the pressing issues Nigeria faces, including economic stagnation and rising national debt.
Gates emphasized the necessity of prioritizing primary healthcare, noting that without health, there are limited growth opportunities
He pointed out that despite Nigeria’s wealth, the country spends only N3,000 per person annually on primary healthcare, a situation he believes needs significant change.
He urged Nigerian leaders to increase funding and ensure efficient use of healthcare resources.
He commended recent achievements, such as the HPV vaccination campaign that reached over 12 million Nigerian girls in a month but called for ongoing improvements, particularly in data-driven healthcare decision-making and workforce management.
Addressing nutrition, Gates highlighted the critical issue of child malnutrition in Nigeria, which is linked to nearly half of all child deaths.
He advocated for greater involvement from the private sector in food fortification and urged state governments to enforce nutritional mandates.
Gates also discussed affordable maternal health interventions, such as multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), which could prevent anaemia and save numerous newborn lives.
In the agricultural sector, he expressed concern over Nigeria’s food insecurity, exacerbated by climate change and inadequate agricultural practices.
He recommended increased investment in extension services, fertilizers, and infrastructure to support farmers, as well as the adoption of innovative crop varieties with higher yields and pest resistance, such as new cassava varieties supported by the Gates Foundation.
Reaffirming his long-term commitment to Nigeria and Africa, Gates acknowledged the challenges in transforming the country’s prospects but remained optimistic.
He believes that with smart investments, innovative strategies, and dedicated leadership, Nigeria can achieve a brighter future.
“By putting the Nigerian people first, Nigeria’s leaders can build a better future,” Gates asserted, expressing his continued faith in Nigeria’s potential and the crucial role of its leaders.
News
Pastor Adeboye to Lead National Prayers for Nigeria’s Failing Economy

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, will be leading a national prayer session focused on reviving Nigeria’s struggling economy. The prayer is scheduled to take place during the church’s July 2025 Thanksgiving Service, themed “Divine Intervention”, at the RCCG national headquarters in Oyingbo, Lagos.
Speaking ahead of the event through his Special Assistant on Administration, Pastor Dele Balogun, Pastor Adeboye acknowledged that both Nigeria and other countries are facing tough times. But he believes the current hardship is not beyond repair if people embrace faith and take positive action.
“Our nation is going through serious challenges, just like other parts of the world. But the truth is, we can overcome them with faith, as long as we don’t give room to fear or doubt,” Adeboye said. He encouraged Nigerians to reject negative confessions and instead focus on faith-driven solutions, adding that with God’s intervention, the country’s economic situation can still turn around.
The upcoming prayer session, according to him, is not just about asking for change but about opening doors to new opportunities and paving the way for national transformation.
News
Israel Bombs Southern Lebanon Again with Heavy Airstrikes

Southern Lebanon witnessed one of its most serious attacks in months on Friday, June 27, after Israeli fighter jets bombarded areas around Nabatieh, a city located deep in Lebanon’s south. Eyewitnesses reported hearing several loud explosions as Israeli aircraft targeted hilltops and underground sites in two separate waves of strikes.
The Israeli military later confirmed the operation, saying they aimed at Hezbollah positions they claimed were being rebuilt in violation of last year’s ceasefire deal. According to Lebanese officials, the assault left one woman dead and over a dozen others injured after a residential building in Nabatieh was hit.
Local sources say the woman, reportedly a German national, had been staying in the apartment complex when it collapsed following the blast. Paramedics rushed several other residents, including those in nearby areas, to hospitals with varying injuries. The situation sparked panic across the city, with families evacuating damaged homes and roads filled with rescue teams.
Reason for the bombing
The Israeli army stated that the operation was aimed at dismantling what they described as a “reconstructed underground defense system” controlled by Hezbollah militants. According to them, Hezbollah has been rebuilding tunnels, weapons depots, and launch sites in the region, despite the ceasefire agreement brokered in November 2024, which banned such military infrastructure close to the border.
Israeli officials also claimed that the explosion in the civilian building wasn’t directly caused by their missiles but was triggered by hidden Hezbollah weapons stored in the area, causing a secondary blast.
In response, Lebanon’s government strongly condemned the strikes, calling them a direct attack on Lebanese sovereignty. President Joseph Aoun described Israel’s actions as a dangerous violation of the truce, adding that the attack could drag both sides back into open conflict. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also criticized the airstrikes, warning that Lebanon cannot tolerate repeated breaches of the ceasefire while civilians continue to suffer the consequences.
Business
GTCO Announces Nationwide Early Closure on June 30 for Half-Year Audit

Customers of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) across Nigeria should brace for early branch closures on Monday, June 30, 2025, as the banking group kicks off its routine half-year audit.
In an official announcement shared on their verified X (formerly Twitter) page, GTCO informed customers that all their branches nationwide will stop attending to walk-in customers earlier than usual to allow for internal review processes.
The bank assured the public that this temporary adjustment is strictly for operational reasons tied to their mandatory half-year audit, a common practice among financial institutions to check financial records, processes, and compliance levels.
While in-person services will pause earlier that day, GTCO encouraged customers to make use of their digital banking platforms. Options such as internet banking, mobile apps, ATMs, and USSD codes, which will remain available 24/7 for essential banking transactions.
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