The building blocks of DNA have been found in samples returned to Earth from an asteroid, suggesting life rained down from space and could have formed elsewhere.

In 2016, Nasa sent its Osiris-Rex mission to drill down into the asteroid Bennu, with the cargo returning to Earth in 2023.

The first analysis shows that the four nucleotide bases of DNA – adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine – which form the rungs of the double helix, were all present.

Every living thing on Earth contains DNA, which stores the genetic information needed to build and maintain an organism.

It is the first time that all four nucleotide bases have been discovered together on an asteroid, and the samples were also found to contain 14 of the 20 amino acids that life on Earth uses to make proteins.

Nasa said the findings not only suggest that space rocks sparked life on Earth, but that the conditions for life were widespread across the early solar system.

Nicky Fox, the associate administrator for the Nasa Science Mission Directorate, said: “Bennu contains many precursor building blocks of life along with the evidence it comes from an ancient wet world.

Edo has recorded 56 Lassa fever cases and eight deaths between Dec. 30, 2024 and January 2025, says the Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole.

Oshiomhole confirmed the incident on Friday in Benin while formally declaring the situation of Lassa fever in the state.

“The 2025 epidemic year began on Dec. 30, 2024. Since then, 336 suspected cases have been reported, with 56 confirmed and eight resulting in death,” he said.

He said the outbreak posed significant public health risks due to its rapid transmission potentials and severe outcomes if not effectively managed.

Oshiomhole revealed that 14 patients are currently receiving specialised care at the Lassa Fever Treatment Center in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).

He also noted that “In 2024, the state recorded 3,270 suspected cases, 292 confirmed cases, and 41 deaths, showing a decline from 2023 which recorded 65 deaths from 372 confirmed cases.”

According to him, the state has activated its Public Health Emergencies Response Management Team, collaborating with healthcare facilities, community leaders, and stakeholders to contain the outbreak.

As part of the response, measures include “enhanced surveillance, expanded treatment centers, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with health organisations.”

He urged residents to report anyone with symptoms like fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting, or bleeding to the nearest health facility for early detection.

The commissioner also tasked the response team to reduce the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and assured of government support to enhance Lassa fever management efforts.

He further said the molecular laboratory at UBTH had been optimised for Lassa fever testing, increasing the state’s capacity with two testing centers at UBTH and ISTH.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dr Ekaete Tobi of ISTH has been appointed as the state Lassa fever Incident Manager to coordinate outbreak control activities.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently sealed a warehouse in Kaduna for storing expired food and cosmetic products valued at over N75 million.

The agency announced the development on its official X handle, identifying the warehouse’s location as PP2A Bayajidda Street by Kano Road, New Ogbomosho Road. The operation was prompted by a tip-off from a concerned citizen, leading to a raid by NAFDAC enforcement officers.

During the operation, workers were caught repackaging expired biscuits into sacks. Other expired items, including dairy milk, vegetable oil, soft drinks, and detergents, were also uncovered, underscoring the severity of the malpractice.

The warehouse’s managing director was apprehended for interrogation. NAFDAC assured the public that strict regulatory actions would follow the investigation to deter others from engaging in similar illegal practices.

The agency encouraged citizens to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities or products to the nearest NAFDAC office, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in ensuring safety standards.

In a related development, NAFDAC recently shut down a pharmacy on Onitsha Crescent, Area 11 – Garki, Abuja, for selling expired and unregistered drugs. Among the discoveries were expired products worth over N7 million, including “H-Pylori” test kits, which pose significant health risks. The pharmacy’s Managing Director and Superintendent Pharmacist were arrested as part of the investigation.

Since November 2024, NAFDAC has established comprehensive guidelines for the handling and disposal of unwholesome products. These include food, medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics. The agency has reiterated that no regulated product can be manufactured, imported, exported, sold, or used in Nigeria without proper registration.

Unwholesome products, as defined by NAFDAC, include items that are expired, counterfeit, substandard, improperly stored, incorrectly labeled, or unauthorized. Facilities are required to maintain an inventory of such products and follow disposal guidelines to ensure compliance.

NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has emphasized the agency’s commitment to upholding safety and quality standards. She highlighted that enforcing best practices, ensuring supply chain integrity, and monitoring regulated products remain core pillars in safeguarding public health and fulfilling NAFDAC’s mandate.

Through these efforts, NAFDAC continues to prioritize the health and well-being of Nigerians while sending a strong message to perpetrators of such illicit activities.