A Professor of Food Biochemistry and Functional Foods at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ola Salawu, has highlighted the potential of indigenous foods, spices and medicinal plants to support liver health, combat oxidative stress and help manage chronic diseases. Salawu stated this while delivering FUTA’s 209th inaugural lecture on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, titled “Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods: Nature’s Answer to the Trilogy of Man.” He identified tropical foods as important sources of functional foods and nutraceuticals, citing research findings that demonstrate the potential health benefits of plant-derived foods and beverages. According to him, ethanolic extracts of several…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is upgrading its digital security systems, access controls and incident-response capabilities to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber-enabled financial crimes. EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, represented by Nwanyinma Okeanu, Deputy Director, Public Affairs Department, disclosed this at the second edition of the International Cybersecurity Conference (ICSC) 2026 in Abuja on Tuesday. The two-day conference is themed “Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks and Nations”. Olukoyede said criminals were increasingly exploiting digital technologies to target thousands of victims, move funds across borders and conceal illicit activities. “For us in law enforcement, the message…
The World Health Organization (WHO) and three United Nations agencies have launched a global framework to help countries monitor and respond to the growing health risks extreme heat poses to pregnant women, newborns and children. The framework, developed by WHO, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), introduces the first set of priority indicators for tracking heat-related health impacts on these vulnerable groups. It aims to strengthen preparedness, improve health monitoring and accelerate responses as extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe worldwide. Evidence cited by the agencies shows that exposure to extreme heat…
The Vice-Chancellor of Northwest University, Sokoto (NWUS), Prof. Mukhtar Umar Bunza, will deliver a paper at the Public Lecture Series of the 13th Sheikh Usmanu Bn Fodiyo Week (SUBFW) 2026, as well as review a new book on the Sokoto Caliphate at its unveiling during the 2026 Danfodiyo Week. The invitation is contained in a letter dated 20th October, 2026 (9th Jumādā al-Awwal, 1448 AH), and signed by Muhammad Lawal Maidoki, who is Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 13th SUBFW 2026. Prof. Bunza will speak on “Leadership, Justice and Public Trust: Sultan Muhammad Bello’s Legacy in Theory and…
The Africa Intelligence Report (AIR) is positioning itself as a specialised intelligence publication that helps policymakers, diplomats, investors, security professionals, and businesses understand Africa’s evolving security threats, political risks, and geopolitical developments. Fidel Amakye Owusu leads the publication and is listed on its website as publisher of the Africa Intelligence Report. Its current offerings include the weekly intelligence report and the mid-week political economy, resource and technology update. The publication, which is inviting prospective subscribers to join its waiting list ahead of the launch of subscriptions, promises independent analysis of political risk, defence developments, security threats and geopolitical trends across…
BY ABDALLAH EL-KUREBE | The United States has deregulated a genetically modified (GM) African marigold engineered to produce red flowers, while the European Union is advancing regulatory decisions that could accelerate approvals for stacked genetically modified crops. The developments highlight continuing differences in agricultural biotechnology regulation, with the US taking a decision on a specific genetically engineered ornamental plant and the EU reviewing existing authorisations and considering a more streamlined approach to assessing crops carrying multiple genetic modifications. The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) announced on October 13 that the modified African marigold was…
The Female Drivers Association of Nigeria (FEDAN) has called on the government for greater gender inclusion and targeted Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) support to help female drivers navigate the severe economic impact of the ongoing fuel crisis. Speaking in an interview on Wednesday in Abuja, FEDAN Founder and President Eunice Odeghe highlighted the severe challenges women in the transport sector face and urged authorities to integrate female commercial drivers into ongoing national transport reforms. Key concerns & calls to cction 1. CNG conversion support & infrastructure While describing the government’s CNG initiative as a welcome, cost-effective alternative to costly petrol,…
The Federal Government has directed Nigerians who may have been exposed to Ebola to report immediately to public health authorities, warning that even those without symptoms must disclose possible exposure as investigations continue. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also urged anyone who develops fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting or diarrhoea to avoid close contact with others and seek public health guidance before visiting a healthcare facility. In a public health advisory, Pate called on Nigerians to maintain strict hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of suspected Ebola cases and cooperate with…
Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has praised Dadin Kowa Pharmacy in Sokoto for offering free delivery of medicines to customers across the state, describing the initiative as a practical response to the rising cost of living. Tambuwal gave the commendation on Sunday while unveiling the pharmacy, established by Usman Idris, an Islamic scholar, entrepreneur and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Sokoto South Constituency I in the Sokoto State House of Assembly. He said the service demonstrated how private businesses could support community welfare and ease the burden on citizens struggling with the rising cost of essential goods…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is seeking more efficient cross-border payment systems with China to facilitate trade, investment and financial transactions between businesses in both countries. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso disclosed the plan after meeting with Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand. Cardoso said the discussions focused on cross-border payments, settlement arrangements, financial technology and trade finance, adding that Nigeria would build on the engagements during an upcoming visit to Beijing. According to him, the…