In the intricate world of molecular diagnostics, a tiny signal can speak volumes—but it can also mislead. For decades, real-time polymerase chain reaction, popularly known as real-time PCR, has been one of the most trusted tools in clinical laboratories and research settings. It became a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic, when millions of people submitted to nasal swabs and anxiously awaited the result that would tell them whether they were carrying the virus. But as public health officials and laboratory professionals soon realized, PCR tests are not perfect. They can produce false positives, especially when the genetic material being…

There is a special kind of energy that fills Abeokuta when the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations gathers, especially for an evening that promises as much warmth as it does purpose. The second edition of the Ogun State chapter’s Owanbe Nite, held under the theme “Ariya galore: Celebrating the spirit of oneness,” was more than a colourful social event. It was a meeting of minds, a family reunion of communication professionals, and a moment of reflection on the role they must play in shaping the nation’s future. Set against the rich cultural backdrop of Abeokuta, a city world-famous for its…