The federal government of Nigeria has pledged to provide an enabling environment for Gum Arabic Farmers in the country and investors in the industry. The Director of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Karima Babangida gave the pledge at a Gum Arabic stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, in Kano, under the theme: “Sustainable exploitation of gum Arabic for economic development in Nigeria”. She noted that the purpose of the meeting was to review the activities of the Gum Arabic value chain with a view to developing a robust road map that would take advantage of Nigeria’s potentials in…
Author: Newsdesk
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on Wednesday signed a virtual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Earth Networks, U.S. to advance weather observation across the globe. NiMet`s Director-General, Prof Mansur Matazu said the purpose of the MOU was to enter into a mutual beneficial collaboration for Network and Data Services Agreement between the two organisations. According to him, the realisation of the MOU is preceded by a formal request for collaboration from Earth Networks Inc. by its International Director, Mr Ari Davidou through a draft MoU to the Agency. “Earth Networks (EN) developed a lightning detection and surface weather monitoring technology…
Nigeria had a bright and fruitful opening to the on-going World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Nairobi on Tuesday, winning a gold medal and qualifying for the finals of four events. While the championships began on Tuesday with an opening ceremony, competition only began on Wednesday morning. Team Nigeria were then quick to get into their stride by winning the gold medal in the 4×400 metres mixed relay event, setting a new African record on the way. They won with the time of three minutes 19.70 seconds, hours after having broken the record earlier with 3:21.66 in their opening round’s heat.…
The Bauchi State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, passed the State Assembly Fund Management Bill, 2021. In his motion for the passage of the bill, the Majority Leader, Mr Tijjani Aliyu, described the bill as crucial for efficient utilisation of legislative funds. According to him, when assented to, the bill will enthrone accountability and transparency in the management of the assembly’s fund. “The bill will empower the house to manage its capital and recurrent expenditures. “It will also create the needed administrative structure to facilitate effective implementation of financial autonomy in the house,” he said Also speaking, the house’s Minority Leader,…
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N1.7billion for acquisition of permanent office for the Nigeria Extractive Industries, Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and purchase of scanners for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made this known when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of FEC meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Wednesday. Adesina disclosed that N537 million of the N1.7 billion was approved for NEITI to acquire permanent office in Abuja, N985 million for procurement of Body Dual Scanners Solution with…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday released a framework to protect Other Financial Institutions (OFIs) against cyber attack. This was contained in a memo by Nkiru Asiegbu, CBN’s Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department, addressed to the OFIs. Asiegbu said that the framework was necessitated by the number and sophistication of cybersecurity threats and attacks against the OFIs. “Due to the recent increase in the number and sophistication of cyber security threats an attacks OFIs, it has become necessary and mandatory for the sub-sector to strengthen its cyber resilience if it is to remain safe and sound. “Consequently,…
By Gabriel Agbeja A report from International Air Transport Association (IATA), shows that the aviation industry, including the airlines and its supply chains, is estimated to contribute about $600 million to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the report, spending by foreign tourists contribute a further $1.1 billion to Nigeria’s GDP, bringing the total contributions to about $1.7 billion. It further says that only 0.4 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP is currently supported by inputs from the air transport sector and foreign tourists coming into the country. The report further shows that if properly harnessed, the aviation industry could…
Trading on the nation’s bourse closed on Tuesday, reversing its bearish trend with bargain hunting in Dangote Cement. Precisely, the All-Share Index inched higher by 44.96 points or 0.11 per cent to 39,550.36 from 39,505.40 recorded on Monday. Thus, month-to-date gain increased to 2.6 per cent, while year-to-date loss moderated to 1.8 per cent. Also, the market capitalisation rose by N24 billion or 0.11 per cent to close at N20.606 trillion against N20.582 trillion on Monday. The positive performance was due to investors’ increased buying interest in the industrial sector, as inflation declined further to 17.38 per cent. The positive…
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that vaccination against Ebola for high-risk populations began on Monday in Côte d’Ivoire, following an outbreak in the country on Saturday. In a statement on Tuesday, WHO stated that the swift response came after the vaccine manufactured by Merck, which WHO helped to secure to fight a four-month long outbreak in neighbouring Guinea, was quickly sent to the country. The deployment from Guinea included 2,000 doses that were being used under the “ring strategy,” where people who have come into contact with a confirmed Ebola patient are given the vaccine, as well as…
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reconstitution of the standing committee on National Honours Award for a period of four years with effect from Aug. 5. Mrs Anthonia Ekpa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, in Abuja. According to Ekpa, the committee chaired by His Royal Highness, Justice Sidi Muhammad (rtd), the Emir of Lafia, has Mrs Farida Waziri (North-West), Muhammed Ja`afaru (North-West), Sale Isa (North-East), Chief Inikio Sam-sele (South-South) as members. Others are: Prof. Lazarus Ekwueme (South-East), Yemisi Shyllon (South-West), Dr Abdullahi Onyekan, Office of the Secretary to…