Concerns over food safety and the need to improve the quality of rice produced in Niger State have prompted a strategic collaboration between the Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON, Niger Foods, and AGRA. By Anna Moses This collaboration is aimed at helping farmers produce safer, cleaner, and more competitive rice while increasing productivity across the value chain. At a one-day training held at Niger Foods office in Minna, stakeholders introduced rice growers to a Risk Assessment System for Rice Production based on the internationally recognised Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point HACCP system. The training aligns with the Codex Alimentarius…
Author: Newsdesk
The Niger State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Mohammed Bagana has disclosed that the Ministry of Health will organise a large medical and surgical outreach to enable vulnerable communities and a large number of out-of-school children to access critical medical services. By Anna Moses He stated this during the handing over and taking over ceremony at the Niger State Ministry of Health, following his assumption of office as Commissioner for Health. Bagana said the outreach will enable vulnerable communities and a large number of out-of-school children to access critical medical services, particularly in underserved areas of the state. The Commissioner…
Indonesia on Tuesday reported that the country has completely ceased imports of rice and maize, achieving a key goal in ensuring national food security. According to data from the Area Sampling Frame Programme of Statistics Indonesia, the projected volume of rice production from Jan. to Dec. 2025 will amount to 34.77 million tonnes, which is 13.54 per cent higher than the previous year. By mid-year, state rice reserves amounted to around 4 million tonnes a record high in the country’s history. All of this volume was produced domestically, ANTARA reports. In November, the reserves were sufficient to assist the population…
The wife of Plateau governor, Mrs Helen Mutfwang, on Tuesday in Jos distributed N50 million to 250 elderly persons in the state. Mrs Mutfwang said that the intervention, for which each beneficiary would get N200,000, was under the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, to support the elderly. The governor’s wife, who spoke at the third edition of the Elderly Support Scheme, said the intervention would promote dignity, care, and joy for older citizens. She explained that Plateau received ₦50 million to assist 250 vulnerable elderly persons aged 65 and above as part of…
Dangote Group has announced the appointment of renowned economist and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Director, Mr. Mahmud Hassan, as its Group Chief Economist, strengthening the Group’s economic advisory capacity at a time of heightened global and domestic market volatility. In his new role, Hassan will serve as the Group’s top adviser on economic strategy, market trends, and policy implications, reporting directly to the President of the Group, Aliko Dangote. Hassan brings more than 30 years of experience in economic policy formulation, financial sector regulation, and central banking. During his long career at the CBN, he held several senior…
Eleven Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State have been selected for comprehensive upgrades aimed at improving healthcare service delivery in rural communities. The selected facilities were officially handed over to contractors on Monday during a ceremony held at the Polio Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Bauchi. The PHCs selected for revitalisation are Alkaleri Town PHC, Alkaleri West Ward, Alkaleri LGA, Tashan Babiye PHC, Dankade Ward, Bauchi LGA, Kubdiya PHC, Kubdiya Ward, Gamawa LGA,Sabuwar Kariya PHC, Kariya A Ward, and Ganjuwa LGA. Others are Miya MPHC, Miya Ward, Ganjuwa LGA, Kashuri (Mat) Primary Health…
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has urged the Kano State Government to implement initiatives that leverage innovation to reshape the state’s economic future. Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday. She quoted the agency’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, who spoke at the Kano Startup Weekend. Inuwa called on stakeholders to embrace innovation, technology, and collaboration as key drivers of growth in the 21st century. He acknowledged Kano’s long-standing reputation as the commercial hub of northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region, noting that…
UNESCO has urged stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation and utilization of the National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF). The call was made on Monday in Abuja at a three-day consultation workshop on the operationalize of Nigeria’s NRIF. The fund is to be operationalized under the project, Strengthening UK–West Africa Science, Technology and Innovation Partnerships for Sustainable Development, also known as the Sankore Project. Sankore, named after a historic centre of learning in West Africa, is a new accountable grant mechanism supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The project is being delivered through two work streams…
The Association of Resident Doctors, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (ARD-UATH), has urged Nigerians to be more health-conscious and adopt preventive measures to reduce the risk of illness. The President of ARD-UATH, Dr. Adewale-Adeleye Premiere, made the call during a medical outreach organized for police officers at Mopol 44 Barracks, Kuje, Abuja, and their families. Premiere said the outreach formed part of the association’s annual activities to commemorate its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference. He explained that the 2025 edition of the outreach was organized in partnership with the Police Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Limited to reduce out-of-pocket…
The Federal Government has inaugurated Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan (NAP III) for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, reaffirming the country’s commitment to inclusion, gender equality and sustainable peace. The NAP III (2024–2028) was inaugurated on Monday in Abuja by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu. The initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Represented by the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Mrs. Laila Barau, the First Lady said that 25 years ago, the global community, through…