…New tool shows spotlights little noticed mutation that speeds viral spread As the world has learned to its cost, the Delta variant of the pandemic coronavirus is more than twice as infectious as previous strains. Just what drives Delta’s ability to spread so rapidly hasn’t been clear, however. Now, a new lab strategy that makes it possible to quickly and safely study the effects of mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants has delivered one answer: a little-noticed mutation in Delta that allows the virus to stuff more of its genetic code into host cells, thus boosting the chances that each infected cell…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
Since 1996, the discovery and development of oil and gas have transformed the economy of Equatorial Guinea Since Ireland in 2018 became the first country to say it would divest entirely from fossil fuels, governments, activists, and agencies worldwide have begun reciting the same rallying cry: ban all financing on hydrocarbons development and production. The idea of a blanket ban is intended to help reach net-zero ambitions and quell climate change. Proponents say that by reducing funding for oil, natural gas, and coal, more of it will stay in the ground and the world will be forced to switch to…
By Tina George, Minna The International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) has trained 120 youths from Enugu, Kogi and Nasarawa states in rice seed production technologies. The young seed entrepreneurs were trained for two months in Niger state. The national programme coordinator, Dr Ameh Onoja said at the closing ceremony in Badeggi, Niger state that the training was necessary to meet up the demand for quality rice seed by farmers. He said that the youths would become producers of certified seeds which would go a long way to improve the yield of rice farmers. “The farmers’…
Tomorrow’s gubernatorial election in Anambra State is an important litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy. Specifically, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) movement has made a public declaration that it would not allow the election take place. In recent months, there has been an intensification of the agitations of IPOB backed by a brutal enforcement of repeated sit-at-home orders as part of the campaign to get their leader, Nnamdi Kanu released from detention. This has led to a deterioration of the security situation in Anambra and across the Southeast resulting from the eruption of recurring and brazen attacks undertaken by supposedly…
The Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, has canceled the one week sit-at-home order earlier announced by it to prevent the scheduled Anambra governorship election on Saturday. This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful and made available to newsmen on Thursday. According to the statement, the development followed intervention of various interest groups, including traditional and religious leaders. Read IPOB’s statement below: Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional institutions /rulers and religious leaders, and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that our…
The Nigerian humanitarian fund (NHF) has approved $23.8 million to The Northeastern states, to provide essential assistance to people affected by conflict, food insecurity and disease outbreaks. A statement tilted, ‘Nigeria Charitable Fund: $23.8 million to address the greater needs in Northeast Nigeria,’ said the fund will be allocated to 75 qualified humanitarian partners, including national NGOs, to assist in addressing basic humanitarian needs. The fund will also ensure that assistance is provided required for people suffering from conflict, malnutrition, poor weather, and outbreaks of disease in northeastern Nigeria.” The Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of…
Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello on Wednesday, presented N198.2 billion budget proposal of 2022 to the House of Assembly. The budget is made up of N124.08 billion, representing 62.59% for capital expenditure and N74.1 billion, representing 37.41% as recurrent expenditure. The 2022 budget estimates tagged, “Budget of Consolidated Development” are marginally higher than the 2021 original budget with 12.75% (N44.8 billion) N153.4 billion budget for 2021, respectively. The capital expenditure for 2022 budget proposal is an improvement on the 2021 initial budget with 21.11% while the recurrent expenditure for 2022 is also more than the 2021 initial budget with 1.07%…
The Police Command in Niger on Thursday confirmed the abduction of four women by gunmen at Haske Dabara community, Agwan Gwari Kwamba of Suleja local government area of the state. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Kuryas, confirmed the incident in an interview in Minna. “Yes it has happened at about 1 a.m. last night and already anti-kidnapping team, the army and vigilante had been deployed to rescue the victims. “We will do everything humanly possible to apprehend all those miscreants undermining the peaceful coexistence among residents. “I am appealing to residents, especially rural dwellers, to come…
Gombe state governor, Inuwa Yahaya on Thursday, said his administration was borrowing to address development deficits and improve the well-being of the people in the state. Yahaya stated this on the occasion of a public consultation with stakeholders on the state’s 2022 budget preparation. The governor, who also responded to recent allegation that his administration was engaged in borrowing, attributed it to desire to put in place critical infrastructure and bridge the gaps of development in the state. According to him, no government can succeed without borrowing in view of the current state of the economy and the need to…
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced the successful completion of the issuance of its N89.99 billion Series II 10-Year 12.75 per cent Fixed Rate Bonds due 2031. The company disclosed in a notice sent to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Thursday in Lagos. It said that the issuance was under the N200 billion Bond Issuance Programme. According to the notice, the bonds issued this year are in line with the company’s strategy to enable it diversify funding sources and extend the maturity profit of its debt portfolio. It added that the Series II Bond, which was the second issuance…