The Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has commended the standardization of cassava processing centres established under the International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP) in Enugu State. SON inspected cassava processing centres located at Ako Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area and Umueze Umaga Ezimo-Agu in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Speaking during the inspection on Thursday, the State Coordinator of SON, Mr. Peter Ameh, said the facilities were largely compliant with required standards but still had areas needing improvement. Ameh, represented by the Assistant Chief Standards Officer, Dr. Rita Frank-Makwe, said, “From my…
Author: Newsdesk
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it sealed 18 warehouses in Bida following the discovery of large quantities of expired food and beverage products. In a statement, the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Mr. Olusayo Akintola, said the warehouses were located around Ndazabo White House along Minna Road, behind Bida Modern Market in Niger State. Akintola said the warehouses were shut after NAFDAC’s Investigation and Enforcement team acted on credible intelligence. He stated that items recovered during the raid included expired non-alcoholic beverages, dairy milk, candies, bottled water, and pasta valued at N100 million. He…
Nigeria has been elected to Chair the United Nations Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, known as “UN’s most strategic committee,” for a record 54th time. Charge d’Affaires, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Amb. Syndoph Endoni was elected Chair of the committee also known as C-34 by acclamation at the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the opening of the 2026 Session. Nigeria has a long-standing, recurring role as Chair of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations from 1972 to date and has frequently been re-elected to lead the most critical committee of the United Nations.…
Ghana has paid 10bn cedis ($910 million) in interest obligations under its Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), marking another step in the country’s gradual recovery from its most severe economic crisis in a generation. The payment, confirmed Wednesday by the Ministry of Finance, represents the sixth coupon settlement since the domestic debt restructuring initiative was launched in late 2022. Authorities say the move is intended to reinforce confidence among investors and demonstrate the government’s commitment to honouring obligations following the debt overhaul. In a statement, the ministry said the settlement aims to reassure both domestic and international investors, strengthen Ghana’s credit…
The Chairman of the APC National Congress Committee for Sokoto State, Hon. Lawali Liman Kaura, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the party’s Ward Congresses held across the 244 wards of the state on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Kaura made the remarks after inspecting selected wards alongside the Committee Secretary, Zubairu Muhammad Lawal, where they monitored the exercise. He commended party members for what he described as a high level of discipline, unity and orderliness throughout the congress. According to him, the peaceful conduct of the exercise reflects the true meaning of the party’s symbol — the broom —…
…set to boost farmers’ milk, meat production De Heus Kenya has officially opened one of Africa’s largest animal feed manufacturing facilities, a KSh 3 billion (about USD 23 million) plant in Athi River, Machakos County, aimed at transforming the country’s livestock sector and boosting milk and meat production for farmers. The state-of-the-art facility, inaugurated on 18 February 2026 in a ceremony presided over by Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, signals a significant private-sector investment supporting Kenya’s broader ambitions to enhance food security, industrial growth and regional competitiveness. “With this investment, we are not just opening a factory —…
The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in water bodies around the world has emerged as a pressing environmental and public health concern. From oceans and rivers to lakes and drinking water supplies, these tiny plastic particles are infiltrating ecosystems, threatening marine organisms and potentially entering the human food chain. Now, researchers have identified a promising alternative to traditional detection methods—electrochemical sensors based on metal oxide electrodes—offering faster, more sensitive, and cost-effective monitoring solutions for aquatic ecosystems. Microplastic pollution is particularly alarming in aquatic environments, where plastics degrade into microscopic fragments that are easily ingested by fish, shellfish, and other marine…
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that its subsidiary, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd., is launching the all-new Gravite, a 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). The launch marks a new chapter in the India market and underscores Nissan’s commitment to delivering vehicles tailored to meet the diverse needs of local customers. The Gravite will be manufactured locally in Chennai and be offered with an introductory price of 565,000 Indian rupees. The name “Gravite” draws inspiration from 1.4 billion Indians and their diverse backgrounds. The result is a purpose-built C-SUV that combines versatility, comfort, spaciousness and practicality that supports Indian families on…
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested former presidential aide and lawyer, Okoi Obono-Obla, over alleged offences bordering on forgery and obtaining admission, professional qualification, and entry into the legal profession by false pretence. In a statement issued on Thursday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, disclosed that Obono-Obla was lawfully arrested by operatives of the command. “The Cross River State Police Command wishes to address misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla was kidnapped or taken by unknown persons in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area,” the statement read. “The Command states…
The Health Policy Research Group (HPRG), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is seeking the establishment of urban health units nationwide to improve access to quality healthcare services in urban slums. The group made the call during a policy dialogue on Thursday in Abuja. The theme of the dialogue was: `Developing and Institutionalising Health Systems Linkages Between the Public and Informal Sectors to Improve Equitable Provision and Use of Appropriate Essential Health Services in Urban Slums in Nigeria’. Speaking at the event, HPRG Coordinator Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, said urban slums were often neglected and perceived as needing less intervention than rural areas,…