Chris Infotainment

The Northern Lights: A Magical Winter Spectacle The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are one of nature’s most mesmerizing displays. These swirling lights in the sky, often seen in shades of green, purple, and pink, have captivated people for centuries. In recent months, they have been particularly active, and experts believe 2026 could be the best year in over a decade to witness this natural phenomenon. John Griffiths, a British meteorologist who has personally experienced the beauty of the Northern Lights, shares his insights on where and when to see them. According to him, the lights are created by solar storms that originate from the sun and travel through space. When these storms interact with Earth's magnetic field, they produce the vibrant auroras we see in the night sky. "The stronger the solar flares, the more intense and visible the aurora becomes," Griffiths explains. "We're currently in a peak period of solar activity, which mean...

A Major Cleanup Effort on St Martin’s Island On December 7, volunteers from across Bangladesh joined forces to remove nearly two tonnes of waste from the beaches of St Martin's Island. This initiative, led by Unilever Bangladesh and Kewkradong Bangladesh, was part of the International Coastal Cleanup 2025. The event took place on the ecologically sensitive island, drawing in hundreds of youth and local residents to help protect its fragile coastline. A total of 500 volunteers, including students from universities and members of local communities, participated in the cleanup. Over the course of the event, they collected 1,850 kilograms of waste, which is approximately two tonnes. The waste included a wide range of items such as food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, bottle caps, plastic bags, utensils, lids, and even abandoned fishing nets. The collected waste was transported to the mainland for safe disposal, according to a press release issued on Sunday. This effort not only ...

Rwanda Explores Malaria Vaccine Integration into National Immunisation Programme Rwanda is taking steps to evaluate the potential integration of a malaria vaccine into its national immunisation programme. This initiative comes as health officials assess various factors, including scientific evidence, regulatory requirements, and the readiness of the country’s healthcare system, in response to a recent increase in malaria cases. According to Dr. Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, the Division Manager for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), the country recorded 114,804 malaria cases in September, compared to 98,000 in August. Among these, 440 cases were classified as severe. This surge in cases has prompted increased attention on malaria prevention and control measures. Hassan Sibomana, Director of the Vaccine Programmes Unit at RBC, explained that the process of introducing a new vaccine is still in its early stages, and no final decision has been made ...

Addressing Food Insecurity Through Innovative Agricultural Strategies The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, has called on the government and agricultural stakeholders to focus on climate-smart, digital, and gender-responsive innovations in agricultural extension. His message is clear: these approaches are essential for addressing food insecurity in Nigeria. Prof. Ahmed highlighted the growing impact of climate change on Nigeria's agricultural landscape. He cited reports from the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) that show erratic rainfall patterns, droughts, flooding, and an increase in pest attacks across various states. These challenges are not only threatening crop yields but also disrupting traditional farming practices. To combat these issues, the Vice Chancellor emphasized the role of extension officers as "frontline defenders." They must translate scientific research into practical, u...

The Power Sector Crisis in Nigeria: A Call for Accountability The Nigerian House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee, tasked with investigating the power sector reforms and expenditures from 2007 to 2024, has raised serious concerns about the performance of electricity distribution companies (DisCos). The committee has accused these companies of significantly undermining the country's power supply system through years of inadequate investment, lack of expansion, and failure to meet their original business commitments. During a recent hearing, the committee chairman, Arch. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, highlighted that most DisCos misled the government during the acquisition process by presenting ambitious business plans but failing to deliver on the necessary infrastructure upgrades. This lack of action has left the distribution networks in a state of disrepair more than a decade after privatization. Aliyu expressed his disbelief at the situation, noting that while the Transmission ...

The Challenges Facing Dry-Season Farming in Nigeria This year's dry-season farming operations have started at a slower pace, with many farmers showing a lack of enthusiasm due to the current decline in prices for key food items such as rice, maize, and wheat. This drop in prices, along with rising production costs and other related expenses, has left many farmers hesitant to engage in the process. In 2023, during the same period, a significant number of farmers left their communities to seek out irrigation land for dry-season production, as grain prices were attractive. However, the recent decline in grain prices—particularly for rice, maize, and wheat—has led to substantial losses for farmers. Many who spoke to Weekend Trust expressed that they are not encouraged by the current situation and may either avoid farming this season or do so on a very small scale. The government has launched a dry-season program targeting 500,000 hectares of land. According to Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdulla...

Introduction to NEST360's Impact on Neonatal Care in Nigeria NEST360, an international alliance dedicated to improving newborn survival across Africa, has made significant strides in supporting critical healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Recently, the organization provided a combined 90-kilowatt solar inverter boost to three key hospitals: University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital; and Oni Memorial Children's Hospital. This initiative aims to ensure stable, round-the-clock power for neonatal care, which is essential for saving lives in these facilities. Solar Inverter Installations at Key Hospitals At UCH, a newly installed 60-kilowatt solar inverter was officially commissioned for the Special Care Children's Unit. This system is designed to provide reliable power for critical neonatal care, ensuring that medical equipment and life-saving procedures can continue without interruption. Meanwhile, Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital and Oni...

Tragic Incident in Bokkos Local Government Area On Sunday, a tragic event occurred in the Kira village of Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State, where a herder named Yakubu Salisu was allegedly killed while grazing his cattle. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about the ongoing violence affecting pastoralists. The State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Jos. He stated that the assailants stormed the grazing field and stabbed the victim to death. According to Babayo, the group has informed all the security agencies responsible for maintaining peace in the state. "The herder was just attacked and stabbed by the assailants," Babayo said. "I called the heads of security agencies including the Police, DSS, and Commander Operation Enduring Peace. I call on security agencies to investigate and arrest the perpetrators of the ...

Pakistan's Leadership in the Energy Transition Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has highlighted Pakistan's significant role in the region by implementing rapid reforms in the energy sector and promoting clean and renewable energy. His remarks were made during the Second Asia Energy Transition Summit, which was held via Zoom on Saturday at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The summit was organized jointly by the Pakistan Renewable Energy Coalition LUMS and the Alliance for Climate Justice and Clean Energy. Global Shifts in Energy and Economic Dynamics Awais Leghari emphasized that global energy diplomacy and economic dynamics are evolving rapidly, profoundly affecting developing countries—particularly those in Asia. He referenced reports from the International Energy Agency and the United Nations, stating that the world is currently at a critical turning point in energy and climate governance. This shift underscor...