The Governing Council of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), led by Mr. Ekpo Udom, has announced the appointment of Prof. Offiong Offiong as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution. The announcement followed the conclusion of the selection process, which began on Thursday. Prof. Offiong, a Professor of Chemistry, will succeed the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, whose tenure ends on Dec. 1, 2025. Offiong, 62, is an alumnus of the University of Calabar, where he graduated in 1984 with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry (Second Class Division). He obtained his Ph.D. in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry from the same institution in…
Author: Newsdesk
The Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Prof. Enase Okonedo, has urged Nigerian youths to leverage technology to drive leadership, creativity, and positive societal change rather than using it merely for convenience. Okonedo made the call while delivering the keynote address at the Third Annual Dacurate Secondary School Debate Competition held on Friday in Lagos. The competition, themed “Leadership and Technology,” featured 10 secondary schools shortlisted from more than 100 entries across Lagos. Okonedo described the theme as timely, noting that the world now requires leaders who can combine innovation with moral strength and responsibility. “Leadership today is not about titles…
The Pan-African Psychology Union (PAPU) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening psychology education across the continent by bridging the gap between policy formulation and practical application in the field. Prof. Andrew Zamani, President of PAPU, stated this at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja ahead of the Union’s forthcoming 2025 Higher Education Conference. Zamani said the conference aims to foster collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to enhance the relevance and impact of psychology in addressing Africa’s socio-developmental challenges. “The main goal is to bridge the knowledge and skills gap between universities and industry,” he said. “We also seek…
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has urged African countries to strengthen community-based surveillance, expand vaccination coverage, and deepen cross-border collaboration to curb the spread of infectious disease outbreaks across the continent. Prof. Yap Boum, Incident Manager for Health Emergencies at the Africa CDC, made the call on Friday during the agency’s weekly news conference reviewing the epidemiological situation of Mpox, cholera, Ebola, Rift Valley fever, malaria, and other priority diseases in Africa. Boum said that although significant progress had been recorded, particularly with the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) nearing its…
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and Meta Platforms Inc. will on November 3 adopt the terms of settlement in their dispute over a $32.8 million data privacy fine imposed on the tech giant by the regulatory agency. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, fixed the date after Meta’s counsel, Fred Onuobia, SAN, informed the court that both parties had reached an agreement but could not file the necessary processes on time. At the resumed hearing on Friday, Onuobia told the court, “We are happy to announce to my lord that the parties have reached a settlement.”…
A biotechnology expert, Dr. Rose Gidado, has said that Nigeria’s adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops represents more than scientific progress, describing it as a beacon of hope, resilience, and agricultural transformation for the country. Gidado, who is the Director of Agricultural Biotechnology Department at the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), stated this in an interview on Friday in Abuja. According to her, the federal government’s approval of three GM crops for commercial cultivation marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest for food security and sustainable agricultural development. She recalled that Bt Cotton, developed to resist the bollworm…
Nigerian Breweries Plc has restated its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its operations nationwide by 2030. The company’s Corporate Affairs Director, Mr. Uzodinma Odenigbo, disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos during a media engagement, noting that the move is part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and responsible production. Odenigbo said Nigerian Breweries has made significant investments in renewable energy solutions such as biomass, solar, and energy-efficiency projects across its breweries to reduce reliance on non-renewable sources. “We are advancing sustainability outcomes through our Brew a Better World initiatives. Over the past few years, we have made notable…
Dr. Anthony Ajiboye, General Surgeon at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), has advised women to conduct regular self-breast examinations as part of early cancer detection and prevention efforts. Ajiboye gave the advice in Ilorin while delivering a lecture titled “Preventive Strategies for Cancer” during activities marking the 2025 Cancer Awareness Month. He emphasised that early detection through routine self-examination and medical screening remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to reduce cancer-related deaths. According to him, self-breast examination involves visually checking the breasts in front of a mirror for changes in size, shape, or skin texture,…
A Chief Lecturer at the School of Technology, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr. Haastrup Victor, has identified Operational Research (OR) as a strategic tool capable of accelerating Nigeria’s transformation and driving sustainable national development. Dr. Victor, who is also a former Director of the Centre for Information and Technology Management (CITM), made this assertion during the 21st Inaugural Lecture Series of the institution held on Thursday at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, YABATECH. The lecture was themed: “Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice: The Power of Operational Research in Sustainable Development.” During the event, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr.…
For years in Ayamelum Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, the absence of a hospital meant that sickness was often a “death sentence.” Residents endured long, desperate motorcycle rides to the nearest healthcare facilities, with many losing loved ones along the way. One such tragedy occurred when a farmer’s relative died during childbirth en route to the hospital. However, the inauguration of the new Solution General Hospital at Anaku — a major life-saving infrastructure project — has brought renewed hope to the people of Ayamelum, transforming years of fear into peace of mind. Some residents shared their experiences of…