The House of Representatives on Tuesday accused commercial banks of perpetrating illegality by deducting inexplicable monies from customers without remittances. The House Ad-hoc Committee Chairman, investigating deduction of taxes from civil and public servants earnings and bank charges on customers account, Rep. Kelechi Nwogu, said this during an investigative panel in Abuja. Nwogu reiterated the panel’s mandate to ensure that all deductions or charges by banks on accounts of customers must be deducted rightly, fined rightly and used rightly. “Commercial banks are perpetrating illegality by deducting inexplicable charges from civil servants, public servants and other customers bank accounts without remittances,”…
Author: Newsdesk
WaterAid Nigeria on Tuesday launched a project titled “Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery in Lagos — Year III” to expand access to clean water and improve sanitation. The initiative, aimed at enhancing access to clean water, upgrading sanitation facilities, and promoting hygiene behaviors in public schools and communities, focuses on Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the project was unveiled at an event in Ikeja. This marks the third year of a broader programme designed to make water and sanitation services more effective, resilient, and sustainable. Speaking at the…
South Africa recently voted against a United Nations resolution on ‘Agricultural Technology for Sustainable Development.’ The decision defies logic and undermines SA’s own economic interests. While 129 nations, including most of Africa, voted in favour, South Africa joined just 28 states in opposing what developing countries urgently need: climate-smart farming, water-efficient irrigation and agritech tools to build rural resilience. The resolution contained no political clauses, no reference to conflict, and no ideological language. It was a practical, developmental initiative aligned to South Africa’s stated policy objectives of empowering small farmers, women, youth and rural communities. South Africa rejected it for…
Prof. Charles Onyenekwe of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra, has called on Nigeria to strengthen its health security framework to avert potentially severe national consequences. Onyenekwe made the call on Tuesday while delivering a lecture at the Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony of qualified graduates of Medical Laboratory Science at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State. The guest lecturer said the warning became necessary due to evolving disease threats amid Nigeria’s growing population. He noted that the country’s health system was already showing signs of strain and could become increasingly vulnerable without immediate investment in manpower, technology, and training. “The nation’s capacity…
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Value 360 Ventures, an international agribusiness organization, to improve fertilizer quality and soil fertility for enhanced food security. AFAN President, Dr. Farouk Rabiu-Mudi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the MoU signing ceremony. Rabiu-Mudi said the partnership aligns with AFAN’s commitment to easing farming systems and improving the livelihoods of farmers across Nigeria, particularly grassroots and smallholder farmers. “We are very happy to partner with Value 360 today. This is the kind of partnership we always pursue—partnerships capable of bringing positive changes to Nigeria’s…
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says it has facilitated the establishment of 24,000 youth-led agribusinesses in the Niger Delta under the Federal Government/IFAD Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) programme. IFAD Country Director, Dede Ekoue, disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting on Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship in Nigeria for Food Systems Transformation in Abuja. The event is organized by the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the LIFE-ND programme. Ekoue said the achievement was made possible through structured apprenticeship, mentorship, and innovative support for youth and women. She noted that the federal…
Dr. Shakirat Ajenifujah-Solebo, a biotechnology expert, says the multi-stakeholder review and validation workshop to update the National Policy on Biotechnology will address consumer concerns about biotechnology products and services. Ajenifujah-Solebo, Chairman of the Secretariat Policy Review Committee on Biotechnology, made the statement on Tuesday at a two-day workshop in Abuja. She is also the Director of the Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Department at the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA). She explained that the revised policy would directly benefit biotechnology consumers and ensure a robust national framework incorporating contemporary innovations, research, and technology. “The validation workshop will help Nigeria…
The Federal Government says it is scaling up youth agripreneurship in Nigeria to drive food systems transformation. Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made the statement on Tuesday at a youth agripreneurs workshop in Abuja. The workshop, themed “Scaling Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation,” was organized by the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project. Kyari said young people are leading innovations in the agrifood sector, including precision agriculture, AI-powered farm tools, soilless farming, digital marketplaces, agro-processing, and finance platforms. “Our young people, fueled by ingenuity and determination, are taking the lead in…
The Anambra State Government has earmarked N200 million for the procurement and distribution of endangered Igbo traditional fruit tree seedlings in the 2026 fiscal year. The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ifejiofor, disclosed this while briefing journalists after a bilateral meeting with the Finance and Appropriation Committee of the Anambra State House of Assembly on the 2026 budget proposal. Ifejiofor said the programme would include the purchase of 60,000 Ukwa (African breadfruit) seedlings at N1,500 per seedling, amounting to N90 million. He added that 40,000 Udala (African star apple) seedlings and 20,000 bitter kola seedlings would be procured at a…
Education experts have emphasized the need for Africa to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ways that safeguard and promote its cultural and intellectual identity. They made the call on Tuesday at a two-day regional workshop on Open Educational Resources (OER) Practices in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), held in Abuja. The workshop was organized by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), through the Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning (RETRIDOL). The theme of the event was “Emerging Issues in OER Practices in the Age of AI.”…