National Institute

The Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Prof. Ayo Omotayo, has called on senior public officers to prioritize the country's interest above personal and sectional considerations. This appeal is aimed at promoting national growth and development. Prof. Omotayo made this statement at a recent event, emphasizing the need for public officers to put the nation's interest first. He urged them to work towards achieving the country's goals and objectives, rather than being swayed by personal interests. This call to action is a reminder of the importance of public servants putting the nation's needs above their own. By doing so, they can contribute to the country's progress and prosperity. The NIPSS is a premier policy research institute that provides training and research services to public officers. Its mission is to promote good governance and policy development in Nigeria.

Indian athletes are preparing for the upcoming Asian Games in unique conditions. To simulate the experience of competing in a container city, they are training in shipping containers at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala. The containers are equipped with basic amenities, including beds, toilets, and a kitchen. This unusual setup aims to help athletes adapt to the challenges they will face during the Games, which will be held in a container city in China.

In week 34 of 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s polio surveillance system logged 115 polio cases, all of which were forwarded to the national laboratory. Ten isolates were sent to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) for sequencing, with results still pending; no isolates were sent to the CDC. Follow‑up examinations at the 60‑day mark were conducted for 17 cases: eight from 2026 (Equateur 3, Haut Katanga 1, Kinshasa 1, Mongala 1, Tanganyika 1, Tshuapa 1) and nine from 2025 (Equateur 2, Lomami 1, Nord Kivu 1, Sud Kivu 1, Sud Ubangi 3, Tshuapa 1). The sequencing outcome will clarify the circulating strain, while the 60‑day reviews confirm case resolution.