Prof. Peter Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), on Thursday called for a drastic increase in research and development funding for Nigerian universities. Okebukola made the call in Malete while delivering the 13th Kwara State University (KWASU) Convocation Lecture titled “Universities in the Age of Quantum Thinking: Redefining Quality, Relevance and Innovation through Emerging Technologies.” He said Nigeria invests approximately 0.2 per cent of its GDP in research—far below the African average of 0.5 per cent and significantly lower than global research leaders who invest between 3 and 4 per cent. Okebukola noted that the…
Author: Newsdesk
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Thursday presented Nigeria’s first Gas Trading Licence and Clearing House and Settlement Authorisation to JEX Markets Limited, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The official presentation was done in Abuja by Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Authority Chief Executive, Mr Farouk Ahmed, Oscar Onyema, Chairman, JEX Markets, lawmakers and other dignitaries. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the development, JEX Markets has been licenced to establish and operate a gas trading exchange platform, including clearing and settlement functions, for natural gas…
The Network of People Living With HIV in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), has expressed excitement over the N100.6 million allocation for HIV/AIDS kits, consumables by the Sokoto State Government. The NEPWHAN Programme Officer, Malam Yahaya Sanusi, stated this during a media engagement on Thursday in Sokoto. Sanusi described the efforts as a landmark achievement which was part of the advocacy proceeds made by NEPWHAN at government institutions and other stakeholders’ engagements. ”This will douse the anxiety intensified after the United States Government paused foreign aid funds in January, an action that immediately affected the delivery of life-saving HIV medicines and prevention services…
The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development–Value Chain Development Programme (FG/IFAD-VCDP) says it has created more than 11,000 permanent jobs through its agribusiness support initiatives. Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator of VCDP, disclosed this on Thursday at a media roundtable in Abuja. Aliyu said the programme had generated 11,890 permanent jobs, including 3,128 for women, 2,710 for men and 6,052 for youths, who now run various agribusiness ventures. She noted that the intervention had helped reduce rural–urban migration, especially among young people, while providing income-generating opportunities for vulnerable women and persons with disabilities. “Our main objective at VCDP is…
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare says standardizing the production of Tom Brown will help tackle Nigeria’s high malnutrition rates and improve child nutrition across communities. Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director of the Nutrition Department, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a two-day stakeholders’ meeting to review the Draft National Guidelines on Tom Brown Production, organized with support from Catholic Relief Services (CRS). She said unified standards were urgently needed because current production practices varied widely in composition and safety. “There is a dire need to develop National Guidelines on Tom Brown Production and Implementation to ensure quality,…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned stakeholders in the regulated products sector to comply fully with its guidelines or face legal consequences. The warning was issued by the South-East Zonal Director, Dr Festus Ukadike, during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitization programme on Thursday in Owerri. The programme brought together groups including the Nigeria Agro Input Dealers Association, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, and the National Association of Patent Proprietary Medicine Dealers. Ukadike reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to safeguarding public health, saying: “NAFDAC has the mandate to ensure that all regulated products meet standards…
The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (FG/IFAD-VCDP) has trained 105 rice farmers in Niger State on modern agronomic practices to boost productivity and strengthen food security. The training, held on Thursday in Washi community, Lavun Local Government Area, is part of the FG/IFAD-VCDP Additional Financing initiative, aimed at expanding Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to newly integrated LGAs. Hadizat Isah, State Programme Coordinator of the VCDP, explained that the training equips farmers in Lavun with modern techniques that have already improved rice production in other participating LGAs. “We are here to train farmers, and although the…
The Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) branch of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has distributed relief items to 200 patients and honored 21 retired nurses for their years of service. Mrs. Victoria Samson, Chairperson of NANNM, JUTH branch, said on Thursday in Jos that the initiative marked the 2025 International Nurses Week, themed “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.” Samson explained that the outreach aimed to show compassion, boost patients’ morale, and highlight the vital role nurses play in healthcare delivery across communities and the nation. She noted that the 21 retired members…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Thursday destroyed unwholesome and substandard products worth more than N5 billion in Nasarawa State, targeting items seized across the North-Central region to curb the circulation of dangerous goods nationwide. The confiscated products, seized from Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, and Plateau States, were destroyed at the Angwan Rere dumpsite in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Speaking at the event, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, said the items were confiscated during routine monitoring operations by the agency’s personnel. Represented by the North-Central Zonal Director, Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe, the DG noted that the…
The Society for Family Health (SFH) has supported the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NAPHDA) with medical consumables to strengthen adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services. Mr. Dadong Peter-Andong, Programme Manager of SFH’s A360 Project, handed over the items to NAPHDA on Thursday in Lafia, describing the donation as part of the society’s ongoing efforts to improve adolescent health outcomes. He said the A360 Amplify project aims to reinforce the sustainability of ASRH programmes by equipping healthcare providers with the necessary resources to maintain uninterrupted service delivery. “The partnership between SFH and NAPHDA reflects our shared commitment…