The Akwa Ibom State Government on Wednesday stepped up efforts to integrate women in fishing and fish processing into formal cooperatives, positioning Uruan’s vast aquatic economy as a launchpad for broader agricultural ecosystem development. Speaking at a women’s mobilisation and sensitisation programme in Uruan Local Government Area on February 25, Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi said the push for cooperative-based fishing and hygienic fish processing schemes would enable women to benefit from the state’s N31 billion cooperative fund earmarked for the 31 local government areas. Eyakenyi described Uruan as a strategic fishing hub in Akwa Ibom, with strong trade and cultural…
Author: Newsdesk
A coalition of 19 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Cross River State has described the state’s Forestry Law 2010 as outdated and urgently in need of comprehensive reform to curb deforestation, strengthen institutions, and empower forest-dependent communities. The groups reached this conclusion after a six-month review of the law. They presented their findings and recommendations at a news conference in Calabar on Wednesday. Mr. Ken Henshaw, Executive Director of We the People, identified commercial agriculture—particularly the recent cocoa boom—as a major driver of deforestation in the state. He warned that the rapid expansion of monoculture cocoa plantations is creating “green…
Cybersecurity expert Mr. Oluwafemi Osho has called on Nigeria to embrace a development-first, risk-aware approach to ensure effective governance, regulation, and responsible innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Osho made the recommendation during an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Abuja. He noted that Nigeria has historically been more of a technology consumer than an innovator. He argued that AI presents a major opportunity to reverse this trend by building local capacity to shape the future of technology. He emphasized the need for a governance framework that protects citizens while fostering innovation. “Because AI systems rely heavily on data, Nigeria must…
Nigeria recorded a zero out of 100 score on supportive parenthood policies in the 2026 Women, Business and the Law report released by the World Bank Group, underscoring major gaps in the enforcement of gender equality laws. Mrs. Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters on Wednesday in Abuja. While Nigeria scored 50 out of 100 on the adequacy of legal frameworks promoting gender equality, it achieved only 21.7 out of 100 on policies, budgetary provisions, and institutional mechanisms needed for effective implementation. Globally, the report found that only 4 per cent…
A paediatrician, Dr. Nkechi Nwibo, has explained that Type 1 diabetes in children is associated with genetic susceptibility—particularly involving Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes—and is frequently triggered by viral infections or early exposure to cow’s milk. Dr. Nwibo, a Senior Registrar at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, shared these insights during an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Abuja. She noted that Type 2 diabetes in children is primarily driven by obesity, sedentary lifestyle, maternal gestational diabetes, and family history. Cases are increasingly reported in rapidly urbanizing areas. The paediatrician emphasized that preventive measures—such as exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended…
Wheat farmers in Gombe State are expressing deep concern over the severe impact of climate change on wheat cultivation, with many anticipating significantly poor harvests this season. Mr. Bala Garba, Chairman of the Gombe Chapter of the Wheat Farmers Association, told reporters on Wednesday that numerous members are bracing for disappointing yields. Garba explained that the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly unbearable for most wheat farmers, who typically grow the crop during the dry season (October to March) under irrigation. “Many farmers are expecting poor harvests as harvesting begins, largely due to the delayed harmattan season this year,”…
Lagos State farmers have expressed excitement over the World Bank’s proposed $500 million loan to Nigeria’s agriculture sector, while urging transparent and effective implementation to ensure real impact. Agriculture experts and farmers shared their views in separate interviews with reporters on Wednesday in Lagos. The World Bank is set to approve the $500 million facility in March 2026 (with an estimated approval date of March 30), funded entirely through the International Development Association (IDA)—the Bank’s concessional lending arm for low-interest loans to developing countries. The funds aim to boost agricultural productivity, increase food production, strengthen value chains, and create jobs…
The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Anna Westerholm, has urged deeper Nordic-Nigerian partnerships and long-term ecosystem building as Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation. She delivered the call on Wednesday in Enugu during the ongoing 2026 Enugu Tech Festival (ETF). The festival brought together participants from academia, innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders. Ambassador Westerholm led the Nordic delegation, joined by the Consul-General of Denmark in Lagos and several Nordic companies, to explore investment and collaboration opportunities in Nigeria’s innovation landscape. “The future does not arrive fully formed; it is built by those who dare to imagine it,” she said. Westerholm described…
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, has stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills can help journalists overcome the evolving challenges in modern media practice. Oyelade made the remark on Tuesday during a one-day Google training session in Ibadan. He commended the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for prioritizing AI training for its members. The commissioner stressed the critical importance of continuous training for journalists and urged participants to fully utilize the opportunity provided. “AI can only endanger the jobs of journalists who refuse to learn,” he said. He explained…
South Africa has stepped up its response to Foot and mouth disease with the arrival of one million high potency vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport. The shipment was received under the supervision of John Steenhuisen, Agriculture Minister marking a significant boost to the national vaccination drive already under way in affected regions. The vaccines were supplied by Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina and form part of a broader supply programme. Further consignments are expected in the coming weeks from BVI in Botswana and Dollvet in Turkey. By the end of March, more than five million doses from these three international…