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USAID, Taraba State Commissions Remodeled PCR Laboratory to Increase HIV Testing and Treatment in the Northeast

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 By Gloria Ikibah
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Taraba State government have commissioned the remodeled Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Laboratory at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and other priority diseases testing and treatment monitoring, on Wednesday September 11, 2024.
Naijablitznews.com reports that in April 2023, a devastating fire destroyed the PCR laboratory, which brought life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment to the people of Taraba State.  In response, USAID worked with the management of FMC Jalingo to remodel the virology laboratory in the facility to serve as a PCR laboratory, a specialized lab that tests HIV with high accuracy and precision.
Following the remodeling, USAID also installed a Hologic Panther Plus – a specialized PCR equipment for HIV testing with high output and short turnaround time – in the laboratory to enable resumption of testing.
Speaking at the commissioning, USAID/Nigeria HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Office Deputy Director, Dr. Ezekiel James said, “We hope that the remodeled laboratory will increase HIV testing and treatment for the people of Taraba and Adamawa states.”
Through PEPFAR, USAID provides operational and technical support to FMC Jalingo’s PCR laboratory, which is one of four USAID-supported and 12 PEPFAR-supported PCR laboratories in Nigeria. The lab analyzes HIV viral load in people on antiretroviral therapy and tests infants exposed to HIV.  As part of Government of Nigeria efforts to boost Taraba State’s ability to support HIV prevention, care and treatment programs, USAID improved the technical capacity of healthcare workers and quality of service delivery in the molecular laboratory.
The remodeled laboratory resumed full operations in May 2024 and has tested more than 9,333 viral load samples, enabling people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in both states to follow the progress of their treatment and to live healthy and productive lives.
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Sad! Ex-NFF Chairman is dead

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Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), died on Saturday after a prolonged illness.

His death was confirmed by former Secretary-General of the NFA, Sani Ahmed Toro.

Galadima was a prominent figure in Nigerian sports administration, having led the NFA before it was restructured into the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
He also served as Chairman of the Kano State Sports Council between 1981 and 1983.

Born in 1951 in Fagge, Kano, Galadima had a long-standing career in sports governance.

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He was a member of the National Sports Commission and was elected Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee in 1985, a position he held until 1987.

He was later reappointed as Chairman of the Kano State Sports Council and continued to play key roles at both state and national levels.

Galadima also served on the Presidential Monitoring Committee on the development of sports facilities for the 1995 FIFA World Youth Championship, which was initially scheduled to be hosted in Nigeria but later relocated due to health-related challenges.

In addition, he was a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Youth Championship Organising Committee.

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In 2002, he was elected Chairman of the then Nigeria Football Association, further cementing his legacy as one of the country’s influential sports administrators.
Burial arrangements will be announced later according to family sources.

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11 die, 32 injured in Bauchi tanker crash

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Tragedy struck the Panshanu Hill stretch of the Bauchi-Jos federal highway on Friday evening as a horrific multi-vehicle collision claimed the lives of eleven persons, leaving thirty-two others with life-threatening injuries.

The victims, including women and children, were reportedly burnt beyond recognition when the vehicles involved in the crash erupted into a massive fireball upon impact.

According to a crash report released by the RS12.14
Toro Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps
(FRSC), the accident occurred at approximately 6:40
PM. FRSC personnel, who arrived at the scene within ten minutes of the report, battled to rescue survivors from the mangled, smoking wreckage.

The crash involved a white MAN mini-tanker, identified as part of the Nigerian Police fleet, and a white FIAT J5 Boxer commercial bus with registration number KTU624XY.
Preliminary investigations by the FRSC identified
“dangerous driving” and the use of “worn-out tyres” as the probable causes of the carnage. The impact, which occurred on a single, unpaved carriageway, sent both vehicles off the road and triggered an immediate inferno.

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A breakdown of the casualties paints a heart-wrenching picture of the disaster. Out of the 43 persons involved in the accident, 11 fatalities were recorded, comprising one male adult, three male children, five female adults, and two female children.
The 32 injured survivors, including five male children, 19 female adults, seven female children, and one male adult, were rushed to a nearby general hospital for emergency treatment.

The Bauchi State Command of the FRSC has reiterated its warning to motorists to avoid overspeeding and ensure their vehicles are in roadworthy condition, especially when navigating the treacherous bends of the Panshanu Hill.

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JAMB: See How To Check, Print 2026 UTME Result Slip

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The 2026 UTME, which began on April 16, is expected to continue until April 22 across examination centres nationwide.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Friday announced that it had released the results of 632,788 candidates who sat for the first day of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

A statement by the JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin noted that the results of candidates who sat the 2026 UTME on Thursday, 16 April 2026, have been released and are now available for viewing.
To check their results, he advised candidates to send UTMERESULT via SMS to 55019 or 66019, using the same phone number (SIM) used during registration.
He, however, said that at this stage, candidates may view their results only; printing is not yet available.
The 2026 UTME, which began on April 16, is expected to continue until April 22 across examination centres nationwide.

How To Print Your Official Result Slip
The result slip carries the candidate’s passport photograph, full scores, and details required for admission processing.
It will be made available for printing on JAMB’s e-Facility portal at efacility.jamb.gov.ng and attracts a fee of N1,500.
Once activated, candidates should follow the steps below.

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– Visit efacility.jamb.gov.ng.
– Log in with your registered email address and password.
– On your dashboard, click Print Result Slip.
– Click Continue with Payment and pay the N1,500 fee.

– Select 2026 as the examination year and enter your JAMB registration number.
– Download and print the result slip.

Check Your Score Via SMS
– Make sure you have at least N50 airtime on the phone number linked to your JAMB registration.
– Send UTMERESULT to 55019.
– Your score will be delivered to you via SMS.

Other Tips
– If you have forgotten your password or email address, use the Forgot Password option on the portal or visit a JAMB office with your registration details.
– Keep multiple printed copies of your result slip, as institutions typically request it during screening and admission.
– Use only JAMB’s official websites — efacility.jamb.gov.ng or portal.jamb.gov.ng to avoid scams.

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JAMB Cautioned Against Manipulation
Candidates were strongly cautioned against manipulating the SMS received from the official platform (55019/66019) to fabricate or alter scores with the intent to mislead others, including parents.
“Such actions constitute a serious criminal offence. The Board treats such misconduct with the utmost gravity.”
“Currently, two candidates and one parent are in custody for engaging in result falsification using AI and other electronic means. Any candidate found culpable will face the full consequences of the law”, JAMB warned.
The examination is ongoing, and results will continue to be released as they become available.

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