- 1.13m Nigerians above 40 years are blind, says Federal Gov’t
- Trump picks JD Vance as running mate
- Excitement as UAE lifts visa ban on Nigerians
We have highlighted the five most important developments in the news today, Tuesday, July 16, and present them below.
5 issues in the news that should matter to you today
1. About 1.13m Nigerians above 40 years are blind, says Federal Gov’t: The Federal Government has said that 1.13m Nigerians above 40 years are blind, adding that glaucoma was the second most common cause of blindness, accounting for 16.7 per cent of the burden of blindness.
The national coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Okolo Oteri, stated this at the launch of the glaucoma guideline and toolkit training for health professionals in Abuja.
Citing data from the Nigeria Blindness and Vision Impairment Survey, Oteri said, ” 0.78 per cent of Nigerians of all ages are blind. Blindness increased significantly with illiteracy and age, with 1.13m (4.2%) Nigerians over 40 years blind.
“Glaucoma was the second most common cause of blindness, with a prevalence of 5 per cent and accounting for 16.7 per cent of the burden of blindness. Only 5.6 per cent knew they had the disease in the Nigeria survey, and 20 per cent were already blind.”
2. Trump picks JD Vance as running mate: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his vice presidential pick. Trump revealed his choice through a statement on his social media platform, underscoring Vance’s qualifications and dedication to American values.
“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump affirmed.
Trump expressed confidence in Vance’s ability to champion the interests of American workers and farmers, particularly in crucial states pivotal to electoral success.
3. Court okays Kano emirate law repeal, sacks Bayero, others: A Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu, on July 15, perpetually restrained Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero from parading himself as the Emir of Kano. The court also barred the deposed Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.
The judge ruled in a suit filed against the five deposed emirs by the Kano State government. The suit followed the repeal of the Kano Emirate Law 2019 on May 23, 2024, by the Kano State House of Assembly, abolishing the five emirates created from the old Kano Emirate by ex-Governor Umar Ganduje.
4. Excitement as UAE lifts visa ban on Nigerians: The Federal Government has signed an agreement with the government of the United Arab Emirates to resume visa issuance to Nigerians who wish to travel to the Middle Eastern country.
The government said the issues had been resolved on July 15, It stated: “Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders.
5. N1.5m fuel for six cars to Anambra no big deal, says Minister: The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, on July 15, justified spending N1.5m to fuel six vehicles in her convoy for a trip to Anambra State.
The minister made the statement when she featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today. The development comes five days after her heated argument with members of the House of Representatives, who wanted to know how her ministry appropriated unrelated expenditures, including N45 million for a New Year party, N20 million for sanitary pads and N1.5 million for petrol.
Speaking on the live television programme, Kennedy-Ohanenye expressed surprise that the lawmakers could quiz her for expending N1.5m on fuelling their journey, saying the amount wasn’t a big deal.