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Maymay makes landfall over Magsingal in Ilocos Sur

Tropical Storm Maymay made landfall over Magsingal, Ilocos Sur at 2 a.m. Thursday, the state weather bureau said.

As of 1 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) had raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over:

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

Northern and central La Union (Luna, Caba, Santol, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bagulin, Aringay, Bangar, San Gabriel, Burgos, Naguilian, Bacnotan, Sudipen, Balaoan)

Northwestern Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, Bani)

Western Apayao (Conner, Kabugao, Calanasan)

Abra

Western Kalinga (Pasil, Tinglayan, Balbalan, Lubuagan)

Western Mountain Province (Besao, Tadian, Bauko, Sagada, Sabangan, Bontoc, Sadanga)

Northwestern Benguet (Mankayan, Kapangan, Kibungan, Sablan, Bakun, La Trinidad, Tublay, Atok, Buguias)

Northwestern Cagayan (Santa Praxedes, Claveria)

Signal No. 1 remained in effect over:

The rest of La Union

The rest of Pangasinan

The rest of Apayao

The rest of Kalinga

The rest of Mountain Province

Ifugao

The rest of Benguet

Southern Babuyan Islands (Calayan Island, Dalupiri Island, Fuga Island, Camiguin Island)

The rest of mainland Cagayan

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Northern Zambales (Candelaria, Santa Cruz, Masinloc, Palauig)

Northern Tarlac (Mayantoc, San Clemente, Camiling, Santa Ignacia, Gerona, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria)

Northern Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Cuyapo, Talugtug, Nampicuan, Guimba, Science City of Muñoz, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Bongabon, Rizal, Llanera, Talavera, Santo Domingo, General Mamerto Natividad, Quezon, Licab)

Northern and central Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, San Luis, Maria Aurora)

Earlier, Pagasa said Maymay is expected to weaken into a tropical depression Thursday morning after making landfall, then further weaken into a low-pressure area by Thursday afternoon or evening.

‘However, due to interaction with the rugged terrain, an earlier weakening is possible,’ it said.

Minister Commissions Boreholes, Launches School Projects In North Dayi

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has commissioned two mechanised boreholes for Anfoega Senior High School and Vakpo Senior High School as well as cut the sod for six major educational infrastructure projects in the North Dayi District as part of government’s commitment to improving educational facilities and enhancing the welfare of students in the Volta Region.

The projects form part of government’s efforts to improve access to quality education by expanding educational infrastructure while ensuring a reliable supply of potable water to schools.

The commissioning and sod-cutting ceremonies were attended by the Member of Parliament for North Dayi, Joycelyn Tetteh Quarshie, the District Chief Executive, Ernest Adevor, traditional authorities, education officials, opinion leaders and residents of the beneficiary communities.

The newly commissioned mechanised boreholes, each with a 10,000-litre storage capacity, were constructed under Phase II of the Water for All Project to address water challenges in the two senior high schools.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremonies, Mr. Gunu said the facilities are powered by both the national electricity grid and solar energy to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water, even during power outages.

He noted that access to clean water is critical to improving sanitation, safeguarding the health of students and creating a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.

The Regional Minister urged the management of the two schools to institute proper maintenance measures to ensure the sustainability of the facilities.

The minister also advised students to remain committed to their studies, assuring them of government’s resolve to continue investing in modern educational infrastructure to improve learning outcomes.

Following the commissioning of the boreholes, the minister cut the sod for the commencement of six educational infrastructure projects across the district.

The projects comprise an 18-unit classroom block and a two-storey boys’ dormitory for Vakpo Senior High Technical School, a two-storey girls’ dormitory for Anfoega Senior High School, as well as three-unit classroom blocks for Avevi-Denui D/A Junior High School, Tsrukpe Zanukofe D/A Junior High School and Botoku Bradafornu D/A Junior High School.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Gunu assured residents that funding had been secured for all six projects and that work would commence without delay.

He stressed that the projects would be closely monitored to ensure their timely completion in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to eliminating abandoned public projects while expanding access to quality education across the country.

According to the Regional Minister, the provision of modern educational infrastructure remains a key priority of government as it seeks to reduce classroom deficits, improve teaching and learning, and enhance academic performance, particularly in underserved communities.

As part of activities marking the visit, Mr. Gunu also donated two footballs and a set of jerseys each to Anfoega Senior High School, Vakpo Senior High School and Vakpo Senior High Technical School to promote sports development and encourage young people to combine academic excellence with sporting activities.

The Member of Parliament for North Dayi, Joycelyn Tetteh Quarshie, commended government for prioritising education in the constituency.

She reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with government and other stakeholders to ensure that educational institutions in the district continue to benefit from critical development interventions.

Ms. Quarshie expressed optimism that the projects, when completed, would significantly improve learning conditions and provide students with the infrastructure needed to excel academically.

The commissioning of the mechanised boreholes and the launch of the six educational projects underscore government’s continued investment in education and human capital development, while addressing critical infrastructure and water supply challenges confronting schools in the North Dayi District.

Boardroom veteran Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne joins Lanka Aluminium Board

Lanka Aluminium Industries PLC has appointed Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne to its Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

De Silva Wijeyeratne has held several leading corporate and other roles across his multi-faceted career spanning over 30 years.

He played transformative roles during his tenures as the MD/ CEO of Teejay Lanka PLC, as MD of the Hemas Consumer Business and as Country Manager of Microsoft for nine years. Sriyan was also a previous Chairman/CEO of the Employees Trust Fund Board, a Marketing Director in telecommunication, a Group CEO in consumer electronics and managing FMCG Brands within Nestles. His current roles include that of Allianz Insurance, where he is an Independent Director and chairs the Audit Committee, and he is a past Chairman of Axion Solutions Ltd.

Sriyan obtained the All-Island No.1 ranking at the AL’s, possesses a First-Class Degree in Business Administration from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and a Master’s Degree from the same university. He is also a recipient of the Pradeepa Pranama Award by the University Alumni association. He is a Fellow member of CIMA, UK, and is also a CGMA. Sriyan has several awards to his credit, had Executive education at many global institutions including INSEAD and CCL, and is a frequent speaker at leading forums locally and globally.

De Silva Wijeyeratne was previously named CIMA Business Manager of the Year, and he was listed on the CIMA Top 50 Business Icons in 2021. He is involved in many chambers and local and global charities. For many years, he was on the International Board of Youth Business International, UK, and he has served on several local Boards. He was President of the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) and is currently Chairman of their PLANT initiative (www.plantsl.org). He presently spends most of his time working on addressing broad conservation issues within Sri Lanka through practical responses on ground. He is a published photographer and passionate about travelling, music, and community work.

Wife named my first car Lubalusewo

Please tell us about your first car?

My first car was a silver 1997 Toyota Raum. When my wife became pregnant, we realised it was a delicate time, so we needed a car to run errands and avoid using boda bodas. I had a motorcycle, but that was no longer a viable option.

Was your first driving experience exciting or frightening?

My first solo drive was the day I picked up the car. I had bought it while I was away, and it was parked at a friend’s place in Wakiso. When I arrived, I went straight for it. That drive represented hope. Our family dream had finally come alive. I drove from Wakiso to Kiwanga in Mukono District, but my mind was all over the place. I pressed every button and opened everything I could touch. I was just excited and hopeful.

Why a Raum? Was it love at first sight or simply what your wallet could afford?

According to my mechanic, it had the best engine among the options available. The sliding doors were also practical, especially in tight spaces. I had initially wanted a RAV4, but I could not afford its fuel consumption. The Raum had a 1.5-litre engine, while the RAV4 had a 2.0-litre engine. In the end, reality chose for me.

What did the car mean to you back then?

I was the first person in my family to own a car, and my wife was too. It felt like we had finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel.

Did owning a car come with extra confidence?

Yes, it made a difference. People respected me more, especially when I was out in the field for work. My clothing choices also changed. When I was using a motorcycle, there were limits to how I could present myself. With a car, I had more freedom to dress differently. I felt more confident, especially when I walked into rooms where I wanted to make an impression.

When did Lubalusewo first show you that you were in a complicated relationship?

The car used to die unexpectedly in the middle of our journeys. Sometimes it would not start at all, and other times different systems would simply shut down. We kept replacing parts, thinking they were faulty. Pumps, motors; you name it. But the real problem turned out to be bad wiring and unstable power running through the vehicle.

Then I came across a mechanic known as Pastor Wellbeing. By that point, I was exhausted and honestly willing to try anything. Just the night before, I had been stuck in Kawempe at 11pm. The day before that, the car had suddenly stopped at the traffic lights in Ntinda. Pastor Wellbeing told me that if I gave him two hours, he would redo all the wiring in the car. I was skeptical, but I decided to let him try. He opened everything up, worked on the fuse box and rewired the entire car. When he finished, he asked for only Shs50,000. That man saved me a lot of money.

You once left Kampala to get medicine and somehow turned it into a two-day road trip. What happened?

My wife and I needed to get some medicine during her pregnancy. The plan was simple: drive to Mukono and come back. We had one change of clothes and had not made any serious plans. When we reached Mukono, we were told the medicine was actually in Kangulumira, on Kayunga Road. Since we had a car, we thought, ‘Why not?’

That turned out to be a bad decision.

We hit heavy traffic at Igar Petroleum and moved at a snail’s pace. It took us three hours to reach Mbalala. What started as a trip at 4pm had turned into 7pm by the time we reached Namawojjolo. Then the car started shutting down again. It would die, we would wait for it to cool down, and then continue driving. By 9pm, we were just entering Kampala Cement. Frustrated, we decided to find somewhere to sleep for the night. We first tried Lexus Resort, but it was closed. By 11pm, the car had stalled about four times. Eventually, we found a roadside bar with rooms in Namagunga, took the last available room and went to sleep. The next morning, the traffic was still heavy. We pressed on, got the medicine and eventually made it back. What was supposed to be a quick trip had become a two-day adventure.

Was there a moment when you wished you could simply disappear and leave the car behind?

Yes. My wife, our baby and I had gone to UBA Bank in the city centre. On our way back, we stopped at the traffic lights as usual. Suddenly, the car stopped and refused to start. I got out and placed warning triangles behind the car while people honked. I told my wife to take the baby and wait at the shop as I went to look for a mechanic. He eventually fixed the car, but the way people stared at us that day is something I will never forget.

Apart from dying at the worst possible moments, what else did Lubalusewo do to annoy you?

Those random shutdowns were the biggest thing. That car stressed me. It also had one control for all the windows, so I had to keep adjusting them for everyone. And there was no air conditioning. You either reached home soaked in sweat or covered in dust.

With all those repairs and fuel bills, how did you keep the relationship alive?

Fuel was manageable. Repairs were also manageable because most mechanics knew the car. I always found a way.

Did Lubalusewo teach you anything about being a grown-up?

It taught me that a car is not just a machine. It is a responsibility. The same way my newborn needed formula and diapers, the car needed fuel and servicing. Some things cannot be postponed. It trains you.

Was buying the car a brilliant decision or a very expensive mistake?

It was a necessary mistake.

And who came up with the name Lubalusewo?

My wife did. She called it Lubalusewo because the car would stop unexpectedly. Being in the passenger seat, she had a front-row seat to all the drama.

If Lubalusewo were sitting here today, what would you tell it?

I would thank it for teaching me responsibility. But no, I would not choose it again.

Why do first cars stay in our hearts, even the troublesome ones?

Because of the mistakes. The money you waste on wrong repairs and the lessons you learn the hard way.

You never forget those.

Ezechukwu, Oji lead Team Nigeria to World U20 Championships in Oregon

Team Nigeria has named sprinter Miracle Ezechukwu and shot put silver medallist Jessica Oji among the athletes leading its team to the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, from 5 to 9 August.

Ezechukwu, who reached the women’s 100m semi-final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, will run the 100m and 200m in Oregon and is also listed in the 4x100m relay pool, having been part of Nigeria’s women’s team that made the Commonwealth Games final in that event.

Oji, who won silver in the shot put at Glasgow, will contest both the shot put and discus in Oregon.

They headline a squad spanning sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws.

In the women’s 100m, Ezechukwu is joined by Rosemary Nwankwo and Lucy Nwankwo. Success Oyibu and Tejiri Praise Ugoh join her in the 200m. Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu and Jecinta Lawrence make up the 400m entries, with Chika Bakwunye in the 100m hurdles.

The women’s 4x100m pool comprises Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Nwankwo, Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu and Chika Bakwunye. The 4x400m pool is Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinta Lawrence and Success Oyibu.

On the men’s side, Gift Bright and Tejiri Godwin will run the 100m, with Bright doubling in the 200m alongside Perfect Faye. David Udoh competes in the 400m and Precious Opinion in the triple jump. The men’s 4x100m pool is Gift Bright, Perfect Faye, Tejiri Godwin, Precious Opinion and David Udoh.

Now in its 21st edition, the championship returns to Hayward Field, which hosted the World Athletics Championships in 2022 and the World U20 Championships in 2014.

The National Sports Commission(NSC) said it expects the young athletes to draw on Team Nigeria’s Glasgow performances as the country builds its pathway from junior to senior international competition.

Niger Tornadoes hold Ranchers Bees in entertaining friendly

Niger Tornadoes continued their preparations for the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Ranchers Bees in a pre-season friendly at the Nasara Stadium, Kofar Doka, Zaria.

The visitors took the lead in the 12th minute through Bashir Usman, whose powerful strike gave the Ranchers Bees goalkeeper no chance.

The hosts responded before the break, with Jude scoring the equaliser to send both teams into halftime level at 1-1.

Niger Tornadoes regained the lead in the 70th minute when Nafiu finished off a well-worked team move.

However, Ranchers Bees replied seven minutes later as Mustapha Jibrin found the back of the net to make it 2-2.

The friendly provided another useful test for both clubs as they continued to fine-tune their squads and tactics ahead of the new NPFL season.

Beyond the Numbers: Lessons from SARMAAN for Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria

Yet, 102 deaths per 1,000 is still more than four times the Sustainable Development Goal target of 25. For policymakers and stakeholders gathering to shape the next phase of maternal and child health in Nigeria, the question is less whether progress is possible and more what it takes to make it routine.

One part of the answer lies in how the country has delivered child-survival programmes at scale. More than 16 million children have now been reached through the SARMAAN (Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin in Children) Project across northern Nigeria, a milestone that says as much about system strength as it does about operational scale.

SARMAAN, is a child-survival initiative that delivers supervised azithromycin to children aged 1-59 months in high-mortality communities, through trained health workers and state primary health-care systems, as part of a wider child survival package that still includes immunisation, nutrition, clean water and basic care. Its experience offers practical lessons for the wider maternal, newborn and child health agenda.

The first lesson is that saving children’s lives is a systems task, not just a clinical one. The improvement in under-five mortality and service indicators is happening in a context where Nigeria’s health system remains fragmented, with federal, state and local authorities sharing overlapping responsibilities that can lead to duplicated efforts and disjointed delivery. SARMAAN’s operations show what it looks like when that fragmentation is managed rather than ignored. In the second quarter of 2026 alone, nine states successfully implemented house-to-house administration. Those rounds were only possible because procurement, logistics, financing, data systems, regulatory oversight, health-worker training and state-level coordination were aligned in advance.

The second lesson is that the ‘unseen work’ is as important as the visible outputs. Public-health success is often narrated in terms of bottles distributed or children reached. SARMAAN’s numbers are impressive on those terms, but the deeper value lies in how doses get from a central warehouse to a child’s mouth without eroding trust. Behind each round are state alignment meetings, last-mile route planning, community dialogues, information materials, safety and pharmacovigilance systems, and fast feedback loops on rumours and concerns. Those are the same ingredients required for better antenatal care, safer births and stronger newborn care, which means the systems ‘muscle’ built for one intervention can strengthen the MNCH agenda.

Finally, SARMAAN raises a constructive challenge for all of us: what happens when a child-survival intervention proves it can be delivered at scale? Does it remain a time-bound project, or does it become part of the permanent toolbox? As Nigeria’s under-five mortality continues to decline, and as national plans and guidelines for maternal and newborn health are updated, the experience from SARMAAN suggests three collaborative priorities. First, integrate proven child-survival tools into routine primary health-care and child-health strategies, so they are planned and budgeted for alongside immunisation, nutrition and WASH. Second, strengthen domestic financing so that continuity does not depend solely on external support. Third, keep investing in community trust, safety monitoring and data, so scale never outruns science or consent.

The improvements in child survival, breastfeeding, antenatal care and skilled birth attendance show that change is possible when policy, practice and partnership line up. SARMAAN’s delivery record is one piece of that picture, not the whole answer but a practical example of what coordinated, country-led effort can achieve.

As Nigeria determines its next strategies for maternal and child health, the most powerful signal we can send is that programmes that work, and the systems that support them, are not temporary successes but building blocks for a future where mothers and children survive as a matter of course, not of chance.

EACOP hits 91% completion as Uganda eyes first oil before year-end

Construction of the 1,443-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has reached 91 percent completion, bringing Uganda and Tanzania closer to the long-awaited first oil milestone before the end of the year, the government has said.

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline is a heated, insulated, and buried cross-border export pipeline designed to transport Uganda’s waxy crude oil from Kabaale in Hoima District to the Chongoleani Marine Storage Terminal near Tanga Port in Tanzania for export to international markets.

Of the pipeline’s total length, 296 kilometres are located in Uganda, while 1,147 kilometres run through Tanzania. The 24-inch pipeline is buried approximately one metre below the surface to ensure safety, security, and temperature control required for transporting Uganda’s naturally waxy crude.

Speaking on Wednesday during a visit by a delegation of judicial officers led by Chief Justice Flavian Zeija and the Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, at EACOP Pump Station One in Kabaale Sub-county, Hoima District, EACOP Deputy Managing Director John Bosco Habumugisha said overall construction progress now stands at 91 percent.

He said the project could have reached about 94 percent completion were it not for external disruptions that affected construction schedules and the global supply chain.

‘In terms of overall completion, we are now at 91 percent. We could have been at about 94 percent, but several external factors affected project implementation. Nevertheless, the project remains on track, and we are optimistic that by the end of the year we shall have completed the remaining works and be ready for First Oil,’ Habumugisha said.

According to Habumugisha, the conflict in the Middle East disrupted the movement of critical project equipment and materials, forcing the project to reroute cargo that had been destined through Dubai to alternative ports in Oman, resulting in delays.

He added that international travel restrictions during the Ebola outbreak also slowed the deployment of specialised personnel required for various phases of the project.

‘The conflict in the Middle East affected our logistics because some of our cargo was held in Dubai, forcing us to divert shipments through Oman, which caused delays. The Ebola outbreak also affected us because flights from some countries were suspended, making it difficult for technical experts to travel and support project implementation,’ he explained.

Pump Station One at 83 Percent Completion

Habumugisha revealed that Pump Station One, the first pumping facility along the export pipeline located in Hoima District, has reached 83 percent completion.

He explained that the facility is a shared infrastructure hub serving several upstream oil developments.

The station receives crude oil from the Kingfisher Development Area, operated by CNOOC Uganda Limited, and the Tilenga Project, operated by TotalEnergies EP Uganda, before feeding it into the EACOP export pipeline.

He noted that because the infrastructure serves multiple operators, its management is governed by detailed commercial and operational agreements.

‘Pump Station One is now 83 percent complete. It is a shared facility where crude from the Kingfisher and Tilenga developments converges before entering the EACOP export system. Since it serves multiple operators, its operations are governed by comprehensive legal and commercial agreements,’ Habumugisha said.

Chief Justice Impressed by Progress

Chief Justice Flavian Zeija described the developments in Uganda’s oil and gas sector as impressive, saying the country is now visibly prepared for oil production.

Having toured facilities in the Albertine Graben, Zeija said the completed production wells and ongoing infrastructure demonstrate that Uganda is steadily progressing towards commercial oil production.

‘This is a significant national investment. From what I have seen, the production wells are already completed, and the infrastructure is taking shape. The country is clearly moving closer to First Oil,’ he said.

The Chief Justice also dismissed claims circulating on social media that Uganda has no commercially viable oil reserves or that the country’s oil resources had been stolen.

‘There has been a lot of misinformation on social media suggesting that Uganda has no oil or that the oil was stolen. What we have witnessed here clearly demonstrates that these claims are false,’ Zeija said.

The Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, applauded the pace of work on the country’s strategic petroleum infrastructure, describing the progress as encouraging.

‘Thank you for the excellent work being done. I am very impressed by the progress that has been made on this important national project,’ he said.

The delegation later toured Kabalega International Airport, which is expected to support Uganda’s oil and gas operations, before visiting the Kingfisher Oil Field, one of the country’s two major upstream petroleum development projects in the Albertine Graben on Thursday.

FCMB commits ?20bn to finance healthcare businesses

To bridge a critical funding gap, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has committed ?20 billion to finance private healthcare businesses in Nigeria, targeting a critical sector in need of affordable, long-term capital.

The N20 billion Healthcare Fund, announced at FCMB’s inaugural healthcare summit in Lagos, will target businesses including hospitals and clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, maternity homes and other healthcare enterprises.

The financing will support expansion, medical equipment purchases, infrastructure, working capital and technology investments, according to FCMB.

The initiative comes as Nigeria seeks to expand healthcare capacity and boost local production of medicines and medical devices.

The government is targeting local production of 70% of medicines and medical devices by 2030 under its Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain.

‘Healthcare is a social imperative and an economic priority,’ FCMB Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Yemisi Edun, said in remarks delivered by Executive Director, Corporate Services and Service Management, Felicia Obozuwa at the summit.

‘Building a strong healthcare system requires capital that is patient, affordable and long-term.’

The bank said the fund will form part of a broader healthcare financing offering that combines lending with advisory support and partnerships intended to help businesses strengthen operations and attract capital.

Access to finance remains a major constraint for private healthcare operators, according to Njide Ndili, president of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria.

Ndili cited experience from HFN’s partnership with the PharmAccess Medical Credit Fund, which she said showed that small and medium-sized healthcare businesses can achieve strong repayment performance when financing is combined with technical support, capacity building, and quality standards.

HFN will work with FCMB to develop a framework for pre-qualifying healthcare facilities and helping businesses become investment-ready, according to information presented at the summit. The federation has more than 400 member organisations and 4,000 professionals.

The initiative also addresses a broader challenge for lenders: ensuring that healthcare businesses have the governance, financial reporting, management capacity and growth plans needed to deploy capital effectively.

Nigeria’s government has increased public funding for healthcare in recent years.

More than ?339 billion has been disbursed through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund over the past 12 years, including ?235 billion in the last three years under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Iziaq Salako said at the summit.

A further ?32.9 billion has recently been disbursed to support more than 8,300 primary healthcare centres, with plans to expand coverage to about 13,000 facilities nationwide, Salako said.

He called for greater mobilisation of private and public capital and urged healthcare operators to strengthen corporate governance, improve financial reporting and use blended-finance structures to fund growth.

The summit also examined investment opportunities in primary healthcare, diagnostics, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical equipment, digital health and healthcare infrastructure.

FCMB said its healthcare financing proposition is designed to support businesses across the value chain as they expand capacity and improve service delivery.

Why does my reverse gear delay to engage? Should I worry?

Hello Patience, a slight delay of reverse gear engagement could be an early warning sign of possible automatic transmission wear or damage. Whereas it may not always be a case of transmission damage it is worth investigating to rule out that possibility before the problem becomes a costly repair. There are a few factors that can cause automatic gearbox failure to engage reverse instantaneously. Low or ageing Automatic Transmission Fluid level (ATF) will reduce transmission hydraulic pressure, which will delay performance or engagement of the reverse gear or any other gears. A dirty and often clogged automatic transmission filter will prevent free flow of ATF. This will slow the hydraulic response of your gearbox.

A worn-out automatic transmission valve body or sticking valves will prevent quick buildup of ATF pressure. This will slow down the response of your gearbox when you engage reverse or forward gears. If the automatic gearbox clutch bands or clutch packs are worn out due to poor service, ageing or high mileage they are not likely to engage the reverse gear promptly. Electrical faults in your automatic transmission such as broken circuits, damaged wiring harness or bad solenoids and sensors can prevent prompt engagement of the reverse gear. If the reverse gear engages but is followed by a loud thud or thumping noise or even signs of gears slipping, then you need to quickly examine that gearbox for possible failure. Visit the nearest professional garage and have the gearbox checked.

My advice is to not ignore the delay in engagement of your reverse gear. Inspect the transmission fluid level and quality. Should you find the transmission fluid low, dirty or smelling burnt, then it should be serviced as soon as possible to prevent serious mechanical damage of your automatic gearbox. However, should there be signs of metallic debris in the sample of drained old oil, you should consider the likelihood of mechanical damage. You may need to repair or replace the faulty automatic gearbox.