Farmers in Tanzania are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose crop diseases quickly and inexpensively, thanks to a locally developed mobile application that experts say could significantly reduce harvest losses and improve rural livelihoods. The KilimoAI app, created by computer scientist Dr. Neema Mduma and her colleague Hudson Laizer, uses machine-learning technology to analyse photos of affected leaves and immediately identify likely diseases. The tool is freely available on the Google Play Store and works on basic Android smartphones – devices already in widespread use by farmers across the country. Mduma, a lecturer at the Nelson Mandela African Institution…
Author: Newsdesk
The Nobel Foundation once again reiterated that Nobel Prizes cannot be passed on or further distributed, days after the Institute issued a statement saying that a laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced. On Sunday, in a post on X, it said that one of the core missions of the Nobel Foundation is to safeguard the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and their administration.The post noted, “The Foundation upholds Alfred Nobel’s will and its stipulations. It states that the prizes shall be awarded to those who “have conferred the greatest benefit to…
The Nigerian music industry is mourning the loss of Afeez Adeshina, known professionally as Destiny Boy. Ashenews reports that the Afrobeats singer was 22 years old. Reports of his death began to circulate on Sunday, January 18, 2026, after a social media update from a prominent journalist, Temilola Sobola. Announcing the singer’s demise, Sobola wrote, “Singer Destiny Boy has passed away. May his soul Rest In Peace🕊️.” Details surrounding the cause of Destiny Boy’s death have not been confirmed. Neither his family nor his management team has released an official statement to explain what led to his passing. Destiny Boy…
Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, has announced the donation of Nine million naira to nine widows of fallen soldiers during the West African Social Activities (WASA) 2025 festivities. The ceremony, held at the 12 Brigade headquarters, Chari‑Maigumeri Barracks, Lokoja, brought together military personnel, community leaders, and families of service men, who have paid the ultimate price for Nigeria’s security. Represented by the State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara the governor reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to supporting Nigerian Army and security agencies. He described the initiative as a moving gesture underscoring the state’s gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice made by its military…
The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has assured Seyi Makinde that members of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs will give full support to its newly inaugurated chairman, Rashidi Ladoja. Alao gave the assurance in a statement released in Ibadan on Sunday, following the governor’s visit to his palace in Orile-Igbon, Surulere Local Government Area, on Friday. He thanked Makinde for the visit and declared that council members across the five zones of the state, Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa, were solidly behind the new leadership. Governor Makinde had on Thursday inaugurated the council after a 15-year hiatus,…
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has congratulated the Super Eagles for securing a third-place victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Akpabio commended the Eagles on Sunday in Abuja, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Eseme Eyiboh. “On behalf of my family, constituents and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Super Eagles on their outstanding achievement in securing the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations,”he said He said that the match against the Pharaoh’s of Egypt was…
The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Zamfara Chapter, on Saturday sensitized representatives of farmers’ associations in the state on the utilization of agricultural insurance. The sensitization programme was organized in collaboration with a political organization in the state known as the Yazeed Project. The event, themed “Securing the Future of Agriculture through Partnership and Protection,” was aimed at promoting insured and resilient agricultural practices among farmers. The Manager of the NAIC office in Zamfara, Mr. Auwal Haruna, said the programme was designed to shift farmers from traditional practices to insured operations, providing a safety net against inherent agricultural risks. Haruna…
Stakeholders have intensified efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change through sensitization and demonstrations of clean cooking technologies at a market fair in Abuja. The Sensitization and Demonstration of Clean Cooking Technologies was organized by the Nigerian Alliance for Clean Cooking in collaboration with other partners on Saturday. The Country Director of Nigeria Solar Sister, Ms. Chioma Ome, said eliminating unhealthy cooking practices was crucial to protecting public health and reducing the impact of climate change. According to her, the adoption of efficient cooking stoves significantly reduces environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. “The use of efficient cooking stoves…
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has tightened rules on the use of photographs in immigration applications. Thus, ending the reuse of older images and eliminating self-submitted photos to strengthen identity verification. Under the new policy, USCIS will no longer reuse photographs taken more than three years ago. This sharply reduces a previous allowance that permitted photo reuse for up to a decade. The agency has also stopped accepting photographs uploaded directly by applicants. Requiring instead that images be captured by USCIS or authorized biometric service providers. USCIS said the change reflects concerns that older photographs no longer reliably represent applicants’ current…
The Anambra State Government has introduced 15 entrepreneurial subjects into the Junior Secondary School (JSS) curriculum to boost students’ practical skills and foster an entrepreneurial mindset. According to the government, the subjects include solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs, agriculture, plumbing, digital literacy, and robotics. This move is part of the state’s broader strategy to align education with 21st-century demands by equipping students with real-world skills that can enhance their employability and innovation capacity. At the launch event in Awka, Chairperson of the Post-Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, said the new curriculum reflects a shift towards more…