Dr. Nwamaka Okafor, a Nigerian postdoctoral researcher at Argonne National Laboratory in the U.S., has urged the Federal Government to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to transform agriculture and boost food security. Speaking at the ongoing Heidelberg Laureate Forum in Germany, Okafor said deploying smart and automated systems in farming would help Nigeria move from a consumption-driven economy to a production-focused one. Her project, “Empowering Agriculture through IoT, AI and Citizen Science”, funded by the Heidelberg Laureate Forum Foundation and the Klaus Schirra Stiftung, centred on designing AI-enabled IoT devices for monitoring crop conditions in…
Author: Abdoulaye Kay
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has debunked allegations that his company is attempting to monopolize the downstream oil sector, as the Dangote Group rolled out 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks in Lagos. Speaking at the official launch, Dangote said the group has invested over ₦2 trillion in trucks and logistics to ease fuel transportation and improve energy efficiency across Nigeria. He explained that the introduction of CNG trucks was not designed to edge out independent marketers but to stabilize the energy supply chain, reduce costs, and provide reliable alternatives to petrol and diesel. “We are not here to take…
A member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Abdussamad Dasuki has commiserated with his constituents affected by recent banditry attacks in Kuchi and Jabo districts of Sokoto State. Dasuki, who visited the victims on Monday at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Kuchi (Kebbe LGA) and Jabo (Tambuwal LGA), provided immediate relief materials, including assorted food items and other essentials. Represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Attahiru Danmadi, the lawmaker assured the victims of his commitment to ensuring adequate measures are taken to safeguard their lives and restore normalcy. “We are here today to see things for ourselves, and I want…
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has approved a major redeployment of senior officers across the country, including a new Corps Secretary, four Assistant Corps Marshals (ACM), and several Sector Commanders. In a statement issued on Sunday, FRSC spokesperson, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the postings are part of efforts to reinvigorate the agency’s operations and strengthen its commitment to road safety management nationwide. At the national headquarters in Abuja, ACM G. Ntukidem, formerly ACM Personnel, has been appointed as the new Corps Secretary. Also, ACM J.W. Toby moves from Policy Research and…
The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA) has issued a public alert notifying communities and farmers downstream of Goronyo Dam of an increased release of water following heavy inflows and rising water levels. In a statement signed by Abubakar Bagudu, Technical Adviser to the Managing Director, on Saturday, the agency explained that the decision was taken to safeguard the structural integrity of the dam and prevent large-scale disaster. According to SRRBDA, the inflow surge was triggered by the recent breach of Kankiya Dam in Katsina State, coupled with significant rainfall recorded in the catchment areas. This development pushed Goronyo…
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has explained why it cleared the co-pilot of Air Peace after a runway excursion incident, despite the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report that raised concerns about the flight crew. The incident occurred on June 13 at the Port Harcourt International Airport when an Air Peace aircraft touched down unusually far down the runway — about 2,264 metres from the threshold, well beyond the designated touchdown zone — and eventually came to a stop 209 metres into the clearway. Following the incident, the NSIB carried out medical tests on blood samples of the crew…
Rabbit farming is emerging as a quiet but powerful source of income for Nigerians, according to the All Rabbit Breeders Development Forum (ARBADEF). At a two-day training in Abuja, ARBADEF’s FCT Chairperson, Lois Auta, said the venture offers huge potential for wealth creation, food security, and youth empowerment. The event, themed “Silent Wealth: Why Smart Nigerians Are Turning to Rabbit”, trained participants on modern techniques, market opportunities, and the rabbit value chain. “With the right knowledge and access to markets, rabbit farmers can earn substantial income, especially in rural communities,” Auta said. Agribusiness expert, Ismail Yekini, who manages 1,500 rabbits…
Celebrity chef Hilda Baci is once again making history—this time with a bid to cook the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice. The free event, tagged Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci, kicked off on Friday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, with over 20,000 people registered to attend. Fans, celebrities, and food lovers thronged the venue, forming long queues as security struggled to manage the surging crowd. At the centre of the festival stands a giant custom-made pot, measuring six metres wide and six metres tall, with a capacity of 22,619 litres. Originally designed for 5,000kg of…
Nigeria on Friday joined 141 other countries in endorsing the New York Declaration on a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Applause echoed through the General Assembly Hall as member states backed the declaration, which calls for a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question and the implementation of a two-state solution with Israel. The declaration is the outcome of an international conference convened in July at the UN Headquarters by France and Saudi Arabia, with discussions set to resume later this month. Out of the UN’s 193 member states, 142 voted in…
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has petitioned top security chiefs over alleged plans to destabilize the state through the importation of political thugs, foreign mercenaries, and clandestine arms trafficking. The former AGF, in a petition dated September 10, 2025, raised the alarm to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Comptroller-Generals of Immigration and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). In the petition, Malami alleged that some…