President Donald Trump’s surprise proclamation imposing an unprecedented $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas has plunged the U.S. tech sector into immediate turmoil, triggering urgent warnings for tens of thousands of foreign professionals. The policy, signed on Friday, September 19, becomes effective just after midnight on Sunday, September 21, giving visa holders less than 48 hours to return to the United States before facing new, costly visa conditions. The H-1B visa, widely used by technology companies to employ skilled foreign workers, will now require employers to pay $100,000 per year per visa, a stark escalation from the current $2,000 to…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Scientists have announced a major breakthrough in the decades-long fight against HIV, unveiling a CRISPR-based therapy that can completely remove HIV DNA from infected human cells and prevent the virus from returning. The innovative treatment directly targets the virus’s genetic material, cutting it out of the cell’s genome and halting its ability to replicate. In laboratory studies, the treated cells showed no signs of viral rebound, offering hope for what could be a permanent cure for HIV. Unlike conventional antiretroviral therapies, which only suppress the virus and require lifelong use, the CRISPR approach tackles the root cause by erasing the…
For thousands of families in Zamfara State who often struggle to afford even the most basic medical care, relief is on the way. The 14 Local Government Councils in the state have pledged over ₦1.07 billion to fund free healthcare services for 89,232 poor and vulnerable people across 147 wards. The funds, which will be managed by the Zamfara State Health Contributory Management Agency (ZAMCHEMA), are aimed at closing the gap in healthcare access for those most in need — children, orphans, pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and others living in poverty. The commitment was made at a…
Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has won the 2025 Best Corporate Training Partner Award of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN). The award was presented at the 4th edition of the OGTAN Human Capital Development (HCD) Awards, held in Lagos. Dr. Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday. According to the statement, the award recognises NLNG’s longstanding commitment to workforce development, skills transfer, and capacity building within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Receiving the award on behalf of NLNG, Mr. Emmanuel Uleh, Head of…
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday urged political leaders and citizens to embrace reconciliation, stressing that “the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war.” In a statewide broadcast marking the official end of the six-month emergency rule imposed on Rivers State, Fubara reflected on the political turmoil that led to the suspension of democratic institutions in March 2025. He said the period was “enormously challenging” but necessary sacrifices were made to restore stability. “I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr. President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction…
Harvesting rice at the right time is crucial because it directly affects both the yield and the quality of the grains. By choosing the right harvest window where most grains are golden yellow and mature, farmers not only secure higher yields but also preserve grain quality, ensuring better market prices and improved food security. Here’s a clear 7-step guide for harvesting rice 1️⃣ Determine the right time Harvest when 80–85% of the panicle are golden yellow Too early = chalky & immature grains. Too late = shattering, bird damage & lodging. Ideal moisture at harvest is 20–24%. Modern way of…
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has intensified its efforts to strengthen biosafety governance and biotechnology capacity across the continent, according to its Africa Biosafety Watch report for July to September 2025. In Mozambique, AUDA-NEPAD partnered with the Inter-institutional Group on Biosafety (GIIBS) to host a two-day induction seminar for new members. The training, held from August 18 to 19 in Maputo, brought together 31 participants from government institutions, research centers, and regulatory bodies. Discussions focused on policy frameworks for biotechnology, emerging technologies, stewardship, and public perceptions, with emphasis on aligning biosafety practices with socioeconomic realities. Mozambique, which has successfully…
Overview: Pawpaw (Carica papaya) and pepper (Capsicum spp.) are two valuable crops that can be grown together in a complementary farming system. This combination can increase farm productivity, diversify income streams, and promote sustainable agriculture practices. Benefits of combining pawpaw and pepper farming Increased Farm Productivity: By growing multiple crops together, farmers can maximize land use and increase overall productivity. Diversified Income Streams: Pawpaw and pepper have different market demands, providing farmers with multiple income streams and reducing dependence on a single crop. Improved Soil Health: Pawpaw trees can provide shade for pepper plants, while pepper plants can help repel…
Teosinte is the wild ancestor of maize (corn), a group of tall grasses native to Mexico and Central America that were domesticated over 10,000 years ago to create the crop we know today. It differs from maize in its numerous branches, small ears with very few seeds, and hard, protective husks. Teosinte is genetically diverse and provides valuable traits for modern agriculture, such as resistance to diseases and pests, and its study is crucial for understanding maize evolution. Maize, also known as corn in North American English, is a tall stout grass that produces cereal grain. The leafy stalk of the plant gives…
The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to expand their advocacy beyond transparency to include resource governance, social justice, fiscal sustainability, environmental accountability, and democratic freedom. NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, made the call in a congratulatory message to the Resource Justice Network (RJN) on its transition from Publish What You Pay (PWYP). He described the move as a bold reform that strengthens CSOs’ role in advancing justice, equity, and sustainability in natural resource governance. Orji, in a statement by Mrs. Obiageli Onuorah, NEITI’s Director of Communications and Stakeholder Management, urged…