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UNICEF launches behavioural research lab in Nigeria

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched the BIRD-Lab Nigeria, a behavioural insights research and design laboratory, to prioritise children and communities in development.

It held at the College of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Idi-Araba, on Friday.

Speaking at the launch, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, described the initiative as transformative, enabling deeper understanding of children’s realities and co-creation of practical responses.

She said the laboratory was not merely an event launch, but an opportunity to reshape UNICEF’s child-focused work and invest in Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.

Saeed recalled that UNICEF’s mandate from the United Nations General Assembly is to help member states ensure children receive the best start in life and fulfil their potential.

“Everything UNICEF does begins and ends with children. This is why BIRD-Lab Nigeria unites experts from psychology, sociology, nutrition, communication and other disciplines,” she explained.

She said the laboratory would serve as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and behavioural research to better understand decision-making by children and their communities.

Saeed added that BIRD-Lab would provide tools to ask the right questions, gather insights, and co-create sustainable solutions alongside children and their communities.

She commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, and the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for hosting the laboratory.

According to her, the initiative will also equip graduate students to work on real-time programmatic challenges, advancing careers while developing meaningful child-focused solutions.

“UNICEF is excited and fully committed. We are contributing ideas and creating real-time opportunities that will transform outcomes for children in Nigeria,” Saeed affirmed.

Prof. Bayo Onajole, Chairman of NETBRECSIN, described the lab as an inclusive hub fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovative behavioural solutions to improve child development outcomes across communities.

He explained the project draws inspiration from Ethiopia’s behavioural insights lab, using creativity and expertise to design and test strategies for measurable, lasting impact.

“No project of this scale succeeds in isolation,” Onajole said, thanking stakeholders, sponsors, and partners for their consistent support and belief in the mission.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunshola, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Afolabi Lesi, expressed confidence in the project’s success, citing three key reasons.

He said it was multi-disciplinary, engaging sociologists, physicians and others; it had a national outlook as Africa’s second such initiative; and it emphasised strong partnerships with government and universities.

On the sidelines, Prof. Ademola Oremusu, Provost of the College of Medicine, said UNICEF and partner support would inspire the university to focus more on communities.

He reaffirmed commitment to behavioural research, stressing that BIRD-Lab would help tackle health challenges beyond hospitals by shaping practices and beliefs that influence maternal and child health.

Oremusu added that 19 Nigerian universities had already joined the consortium, with more expected, urging stronger government involvement and community participation to drive meaningful change.

“We will measure impact using indices such as reduced maternal and infant mortality, improved child survival, and better immunisation coverage — evidence to guide policy and reform,” he said.

UNICEF’s Chief of Social Behaviour Change, Kshitij Joshi, described BIRD-Lab as more than a facility, but an approach uniting universities, civil society, media, and private sector to understand behaviours.

He explained the lab is not restricted to Lagos or UNILAG, but represents a model for similar centres across Nigeria, creating hubs for innovation nationwide.

“The platform brings diverse expertise to address challenges from health to education and sanitation, focusing on behavioural science-driven solutions,” Joshi said.

He noted that student-generated data is being reviewed by professors, shaped into policy briefs, and used by government agencies to strengthen interventions.

Joshi added that the Federal Ministry of Health had dedicated space for integrating BIRD-Lab findings into national policies, aligning services with people’s realities for greater impact. 

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Brazil Beat Haiti 3-0, Boost Knockout Hopes

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Brazil strengthened their chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Haiti today. The South Americans delivered a disciplined performance, combining attacking flair with defensive solidity to secure three crucial points.

From the opening whistle, Brazil imposed themselves on the match. Their midfield trio dictated tempo, recycling possession and stretching Haiti’s defensive lines. Within the first 15 minutes, Brazil’s pressure paid off when striker Gabriel Silva converted a low cross from the right flank, giving his side an early lead.

Despite conceding early, Haiti showed resilience. They tightened their defensive shape and attempted to hit Brazil on the counterattack. Winger Jean-Pierre Louis tested Brazil’s goalkeeper with a sharp effort from distance, but the shot was comfortably saved. Haiti’s determination kept the scoreline respectable through much of the first half.

Brazil doubled their advantage just before halftime. Midfielder Lucas Andrade unleashed a curling shot from outside the box, leaving Haiti’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot. The strike highlighted Brazil’s technical superiority and gave them a cushion heading into the break.

In the second half, Brazil maintained control. Their passing sequences frustrated Haiti, who struggled to regain possession. Brazil’s third goal came in the 70th minute when substitute forward Rafael Costa capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting the ball calmly into the net. The goal sealed the contest and allowed Brazil to manage the closing stages with confidence.

Brazil’s coach emphasized balance, ensuring the team did not overcommit forward. The defensive line remained compact, neutralizing Haiti’s attempts to break through. This tactical discipline prevented Haiti from creating clear chances and underscored Brazil’s maturity in tournament play.

Although Haiti failed to score, their effort was commendable. The team fought hard, pressing when possible and showing flashes of creativity. However, the gulf in quality was evident, particularly in midfield battles where Brazil consistently regained control.

The victory places Brazil in a strong position in their group. With six points from two matches, they are now favorites to progress to the knockout stage. The team’s blend of youth and experience appears to be clicking at the right time, raising hopes among supporters for a deep run in the tournament.

Brazil will face a tougher test in their next fixture against a European opponent. The team must maintain focus and continue refining their attacking transitions. For Haiti, the defeat complicates their path forward, but they remain mathematically alive. Their next match will be decisive in determining whether they can keep their World Cup dream aliv

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bosnia Crushed By A Merciless Switzerland Machine

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Switzerland were in imperious form today as they blew Bosnia away in the group stage game of the World Cup in what was a dominant and uncompromising offensive masterclass from the Swiss. Switzerland played at a frightening speed, executed a crisp passing game and proved ruthlessly efficient in front of goal.

Switzerland began in the ascendancy and looked eager to press and control the game from the start, and after only two minutes had Bosnia backed into a corner of their own half.

They kept the ball well and at speed, and the Swiss looked eager to push the Bosnia defence wider as the game started. Within the first 15 minutes, Switzerland had already tested the Bosnian goalkeeper with two powerful shots.

The breakthrough came after halftime. With an attack moving quickly, the Bosnian back line is open, leaving the Swiss attacker in a clear scoring position.

The ball slides calmly to the net to give the Swiss a much-deserved lead. It was a game where Bosnia was struggling deep in their own territory as they were being pushed to the limit.

A counterattack was their goal, but it fell flat as they tried to do something but couldn’t get it right. They’ve isolated their forwards, and the midfield has failed to connect up the game. A long-range shot was their closest call, but the Swiss goalie wasn’t going to do it then and there.

Their inability to generate consistent pressure against Switzerland made them play from a defensive mindset. The double-goal advantage came just before the half as Switzerland was in top-notch form with another incisive approach that will make all opponents fear them.

With a pass from the left, their winger managed to score an ideal goal and also showing that any of their forwards are available to find the open space and punish you against defensive error.

The Swiss reached the break, well deserved of it, and mentally depleted from the opponent as Bosnia’s score reached 0 goals for their team. The Swiss were ready to continue this show.

They played like nothing was about to change and continued with their forward aggression. Switzerland’s offense began to work relentlessly, generating forced errors and, consequently, chances to create another goal for them.

Three goal came via another header, which smashed Bosnia’s defence to send the ball home. After Bosnia had their fourth goal scored against them, the game became so one sided as the Swiss were simply walking through the Bosnian team’s defence without issue. Bosnia seemed unable to match their opponents for any level of performance.

After the game reached its conclusion and Switzerland was victorious, the Swiss have many good performers to recognize. The team’s captain was influential as he seemed to control the whole pitch from his central midfield role. He was vocal, directed plays, and seemed to pump his teammates up with great performance throughout. For the Bosnia team, the keeper may be recognized. Although there may have been many goals scored against his team he seemed to be playing very well to be stopping every other chance by a Swiss attacking team.

They played from a back foot throughout the game as if all their play was being played as if it were defense but when a chance to attack came, they failed. The Swiss may well deserve the win as they showed a complete game.

The Swiss coach was at his best on the sidelines as he made the appropriate personnel changes and substitutions throughout the game that help Switzerland find success and continue their winning ways in the tournament. The group implications seem fairly obvious. Switzerland have improved their standings and appear to be in a strong position to qualify from their group.

Bosnia’s hopes look a lot less favorable and they really have to pick it up. Overall it seems Switzerland dominated Bosnia and a 4–0 defeat was entirely deserved from the Bosnian team.

Switzerland came ready for this game and put it on display through skillful passing, a powerful forward attack, and some incredible play on both ends of the pitch and as their Coach did in the press conference, this was a statement.

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Judicial Battle Reboots Kwara ADC’s 2027 Election Machinery

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The Kwara State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has converted a recent legal threat into a political launchpad. Following an appellate court victory that halted an attempt to deregister the party, the Kwara ADC has declared its full readiness to contest the 2027 general elections.

A Federal High Court judgment by Justice Peter Lifu originally ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC along with four other opposition parties.

The decision was met with an outcry by opposition coalition who alleged the judicial action was another manipulative scheme to cripple opposition politics in the nation and give an unearned leap to ruling parties for the 2027 election cycle.

The “threat however, disappeared into thin air as the Court of Appeal in Abuja swung into action and delivered a strong rebuff on the lower court. A stay of execution of the deregistration order was issued by the Court of Appeal.

Experts and political leaders in opposition said the lower court’s ruling had contravened judicial hierarchy as courts above had already issued a stay of proceedings. It has returned to status quo, following the successful legal defence as the Kwara State chapter of the ADC has called an emergency State Executive Committee meeting at its State Secretariat, Ilorin.

Party stakeholders have already turned the page from the legal battle to an intensive grassroots mobilisation as party structures have been instructed to get set for the next election cycle.

“This issue, while appearing like a setback, has only united us more than before,” said the Kwara State Chairman of ADC, Babatunde Muhammed, who assured that “

The Court of Appeal intervention in our case has revived my confidence in the country’s judicial system, and that you cannot simply rubbish an existing political movement because you have access to some judges.

We remain unruffled” he added. Consequently, all ADC Candidates and ward executives in Kwara State have been tasked to commence voter outreach immediately with a unit-by-unit grassroots mobilisation plan that aims to put the current ruling party on the defensive by articulating how the ADC platform and agenda contrast with the performance of the incumbent administration.

The new approach of Kwara ADC will focus primarily on local security issues, fiscal and economic management and ensuring a free and fair electoral system in 2027 election.

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