A network of concerned citizens, civil society groups, faith, and farmer-based organisations, Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity (ZAAB) , working together to strengthen the growing movement for agroecology and food sovereignty, has questioned the government’s failure to disclose the proposed new Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) Bill. By Alfonso Kasongo (Lusaka, Zambia) ZAAB maintains that the controversial bill is inappropriate for the country and must not be enacted as it aligns Zambia with the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) 1991 standards. The consortium fears that, if enacted in its current form, the new seed…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
As Copperbelt Energy Corporation Company (CEC) strives to actualize its green energy generation ambitions through Zambia’s first-ever Green Bond, local subscription to the $200 million green loan on the capital market continues to be low. By Alfonso Kasongo (Lusaka, Zambia) Currently, only 10% of Zambian firms have fully subscribed to the first $54 million tranche, leaving the remaining 90% to foreign investors. Zambia is grappling with power deficit challenges due to its dependence on hydropower. The country has an installed hydropower generation capacity of about 3,356.6 MW, which is depleting rapidly due to El Nino factors, creating an estimated 750…
You must enforce DISCIPLINE as a leader. Your new disciple, NYESOM WIKE, has publicly disrespected you in the FUBARA matter. You need to sanction him before he throws Nigeria into total chaos.
A global Information Technology, IT, cyber glitch has affected the operations of banks and airline operators globally. The glitch affected airlines’ operations in countries like Singapore, the United States and Australia. The IT glitch began in the early hours of Friday. ALSO READ [OPINION] Tribalisation of Emirship: The true story of Ilorin princess turned Kano queen , By Yushau Shuaib IT giant, Microsoft confirmed it was investigating an “issue” with its 365 apps and operating systems. Microsoft said it had recovered some services, while warning that the issue was ongoing and users should expect “service degradation,” according to a status…
The newly reinstated Emir of Gaya, Aliyu Abdulkadir Gaya has received his appointment letter to serve as the new Emir of Gaya Emirate. The Emir is the only one among the five deposed emirs to be reinstated by the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf. This follows the assent of a new law by the Kano State House of Assembly, which allows for the creation of three second-class emirs for Gaya, Rano, and Karaye. ALSO READ Dethroned Emir of Gaya accepts fate A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, noted that the reinstatement of…
“It is a shame that the APC Senate Caucus will permit such an act of illegality. By so doing, they have set a precedence that will further erode the independence of the National Assembly.
ASHENEWS reports that the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has called for a partnership between the Federal University Dutse (FUD) in Jigawa State and the Ministry of Defence on conflict resolution and research in military equipment production and repair through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). During a meeting with the Vice Chancellor of FUD, Professor Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed, and the University’s management staff at Ship House in Abuja, the Minister emphasized the importance of partnership in conflict resolution studies and research for defence hardware production. He stated that the Ministry is open to potential collaborations with FUD…
Ajaero confirmed that ₦70,000 was the current agreed amount for the minimum wage. He also mentioned that part of the discussion included an agreement that the minimum wage would now be reviewed every three years, rather than waiting five years for a review. Ajaero stated that the Organised Labour would consult with their members on the ₦70,000 benchmark.
“As an example, we paid $96.23 per barrel for a cargo of Bonga crude grade in April (excluding transport). The price consisted of $90.15 dated Brent price + $5.08 NNPC premium (NSP) + $1 trader premium. In the same month, we were able to buy WTI at a dated Brent price of $90.15 + $0.93 trader premium including transport. When NNPC subsequently lowered its premium based on market feedback that it was too high, some traders then started asking us for a premium of up to $4m over and above the NSP for a cargo of Bonny Light,” Edwin said.
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is a byproduct of biotechnology. In medicine, biotechnology existed many centuries ago as an innovation. Hitherto, biotechnology was a non-issue or, like any other technological breakthrough, until it widened its scope to include the latest globally controversial product: a genetically modified organism, GMO, or transgenic organism. This recent status brought biotechnology to its contemporary limelight with attendant hype and sensationalism and shot it to the global footing of a multilateral agenda. The first stage of biotechnology is breeding crops or animals. Traditionally, breeding plants and animals aim to tailor the plant or animal for a particular…