President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially granted the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, a certificate of patent for a groundbreaking technological innovation on the formulation and production of three varieties of tea developed from turmeric rhizomes and leaves. The patent, presented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST), Mr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, was issued under the Patent and Design Act, CAP 344 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, with the following reference details: RP: NG/PT/NC/O/2024/15488Date Issued: 11 December 2024Date of Sealing: 09 October 2025 The achievement underscores NRCRI’s expanding role in advancing scientific innovation, enhancing…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
As the world moves to slow climate change and create a more sustainable future, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has named five climate forerunners as its 2025 Champions of the Earth. These five extraordinary leaders, who work on issues ranging from climate justice to sustainable cooling and forest protection, show that bold action can drive real change for people and the planet. “As the global impacts of the climate crisis intensify, innovation and leadership across every sector of society have never been more essential,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “Young students demanding climate justice, subnational governments and architects…
The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s seed system as it participated in the IMAGE Varietal Monitoring Progress Briefing held on Tuesday in Abuja. The meeting, convened by the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), brought together major stakeholders in the seed and crop improvement sector to review ongoing efforts to institutionalise the monitoring of crop variety adoption using advanced genotyping technologies. Representing the Institute were its Executive Director, Prof. Ado Yusuf, and two of its leading cowpea breeders, Prof. M. L. Umar and Dr. Wajiha Muazu. Their presence highlighted IAR’s…
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has inaugurated the new Board of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF), reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to strengthening agricultural financing and boosting productivity across the country. Speaking at the inauguration, Cardoso underscored the Scheme’s critical role in de-risking agricultural lending since its establishment in 1977. He said the ACGSF has continued to support farmers through guaranteed credit, contributing significantly to food security and rural development. The CBN Governor called for a more innovative, inclusive, and technology-driven approach to agricultural lending, stressing the need to expand access for…
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has given the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) up to December 15 to appear before it and address allegations of massive revenue leakages uncovered in the company’s operations. The committee’s chairman, Rep. Bamidele Salam, issued the directive during a hearing on Monday in Abuja after NNPCL again failed to honour its latest invitation. The company, in a letter read by Salam, attributed its absence to an emergency meeting with the President and requested a 60-day extension. Salam, however, rejected the excuse, noting that the committee had written to the company more…
The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) is transforming the agriculture sector by launching a modern onion cold storage facility in More Area, Sokoto—an investment Governor Ahmed Aliyu says will help farmers reduce losses, improve quality, and earn more from their produce. Speaking at the event on Monday, Governor Aliyu described the visit by the MOFI team as the beginning of “a partnership filled with promise,” especially for thousands of farmers whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. According to him, Sokoto’s long-standing reputation as Nigeria’s leading onion producer is a source of pride, but noted…
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd), has firmly dismissed allegations linking him to individuals accused of terror financing, describing the claims as false, malicious, and entirely baseless. The allegations, purportedly made by retired Maj.-Gen. Danjuma Ali-Keffi, claimed that Yahaya maintained associations with suspected terror financiers during his tenure. Yahaya, in a statement issued on Saturday by retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said the claims were fabricated with the intention of damaging his reputation and undermining his years of service to the nation. ALSO READ Malami reacts to alleged link to terrorism financing ALSO READ Buratai denies terrorism-financing allegations,…
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has denied claims linking him to terrorism financing, describing the allegations as unfounded, misleading and politically motivated. In a statement on Friday, Malami said his attention was drawn to a publication suggesting that he had connections with persons described as terror suspects or alleged financiers. He stressed that at no time had he been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated, or charged by any security, intelligence or regulatory agency in Nigeria or abroad over terrorism financing or related offences. He noted that even the retired military officer whose account was…
An Egyptian member of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Focal Point Committee and Founder of the Global Solidarity Network, Hassan Ghazaly, has submitted the official outcomes of the 5th African Youth Symposium to the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Dada Morero, and APRM Chairperson, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Vilakazi. The handover took place at the close of the two-day conference held at the Pan-African Parliament in Johannesburg. The Symposium, themed “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity,” brought together senior African and international figures, including President of the Pan-African Parliament, Fortune Charumbira; Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Youth, Laila Daahi; Secretary-General…
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has launched the portal for the 2025 Licensing Round, offering 50 oil and gas blocks as the government seeks to attract up to $10 billion in new investments. The available assets comprise 15 onshore blocks, 19 shallow-water blocks, 15 frontier basins, and one deep-water block. The round is expected to add as much as two billion barrels to the country’s oil reserves over the next decade. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Commission Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, said the blocks span onshore, swamp/shallow water, frontier, and deep-water terrains. He noted…