The Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN) says it plans to train and equip 500 youths in aquaculture and fish farming before the end of 2026. LASCAFAN Chairman, Mr Olatoye Fajimi, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Lagos. Fajimi said the association has intensified efforts over the past three years to attract young people into aquaculture in order to address the ageing workforce in the sector. “As a business and as an association, we have prioritised training young people in aquaculture because we have identified a significant skills gap among the younger…
Author: Newsdesk
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abia State to formalise its partnership as host for the commission’s Agro Development Programme. Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, who spoke at the signing ceremony in Umuahia, said the journey began in 2025. “This vision, captured in the Abia Ministry of Agriculture’s strategic documents, focuses on large-scale agricultural development. It aims to transition the sector from subsistence to commercial farming, empower the economy, and create a sustainable agricultural industry that will significantly contribute to the state’s GDP, generate employment, and boost Internally…
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says plans are underway to equip rice clusters with modern milling machines to improve the production of high-quality rice. The Kano State Manager of the agency, Bashir Ja’afar-Aminu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a training programme organised for Kura Rice Cluster farmers in Kano. The training, themed “Enhancing Clusters Competitiveness for Prosperity,” aimed to build the capacity of rice processors. Ja’afar-Aminu explained that the intervention was necessary to help rice clusters transition from outdated machines to modern rice milling equipment. READ ALSO: Katsina farmer calls for lower fertiliser prices, better…
An audiologist, Akanchawa Emmanuel, has cautioned Nigerians against using cotton buds and other unsafe ear-cleaning methods, warning that such practices can cause infections, ear injuries, and permanent hearing loss. She gave the warning in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Benin, advising the public to avoid inserting any objects into the ear canal or attempting internal cleaning. According to her, earwax (also known as cerumen) is a natural substance produced by glands in the outer ear canal. It serves protective functions by trapping dust, lubricating tissues, and preventing infections. She explained that the ear is self-cleaning and does not…
A major international clinical trial seeking effective treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a rare form of Ebola, has begun in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the development in a statement on Thursday, raising hopes for better survival rates during the country’s ongoing outbreak. The Platform Adaptive Randomised Trial for New and Repurposed Filovirus TreatmentS (PARTNERS) started enrolling patients on Thursday. The trial aims to assess whether the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir can reduce deaths among people infected with Bundibugyo virus. The trial is sponsored by WHO and…
Nigeria’s foreign exchange market recorded a significant improvement in liquidity during the first half of 2026, with daily trading volumes edging closer to an average of $1 billion, reinforcing expectations of greater stability for the naira. Market data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that official foreign exchange turnover consistently exceeded $500 million on many trading days, while several sessions surpassed the $900 million mark. The highest daily turnover reached a record $1.82 billion under the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) framework. The stronger market liquidity coincided with an appreciation of the naira, which gained about 3.8 per…
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has held a two-day workshop in Umuahia to strengthen stakeholders’ commitment to disability-inclusive climate change action in Abia State. The event, tagged “Strengthening Stakeholders’ Commitment to Disability-Inclusive Climate Change Action in Abia,” ended on Thursday. It drew participants from various state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the National Orientation Agency, and other organisations. In his speech, the Acting Director of CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, said the workshop was organised to move the state from policy formulation to implementation, following the development of the Abia State Climate Change Policy.…
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to Ebola preparedness, reporting 80 per cent readiness in Risk Communication, Community Engagement (RCCE) and Infodemic Management, even though it has no confirmed Ebola case. Dr Jide Idris, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), made this known on Thursday during the second Ebola RCCE+IM preparedness webinar. Idris said the webinar focused on strengthening infection prevention, risk communication, and community readiness at points of entry, health facilities, and communities before any outbreak occurs. He emphasised that Nigeria must prepare before detecting the first Ebola case rather than responding after infections emerge.…
The Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, says it has intensified efforts to diversify its revenue base and strengthen practical learning through commercial agriculture. This follows the institution’s maiden cassava harvest, aimed at boosting food security and entrepreneurship. The Rector, Dr AbdulJimoh Mohammed, made this known on Thursday in Ilorin during the first cassava harvest at the polytechnic’s commercial farm. Mohammed said the initiative is designed to boost the institution’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), equip students with practical agricultural skills, and create long-term investments for future generations. He described agriculture as a critical sector capable of creating jobs, improving food production, and…
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, on Thursday, commissioned the 14.5-kilometre Zawaiyya–Unguwar Maidaji–Gwangwan Dikko Road in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The road was constructed by the Sokoto State Government at a cost of about N4.53 billion under Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto’s 9-Point Smart Innovative Agenda. Idris laid the foundation for the construction of two other roads in Shagari Local Government Area as part of his one-day official visit to Sokoto State. The roads are the 7.5-kilometre Kajiji–Sanyinnawal Road and the 13.5-kilometre Mandera–Darin Guru–Jabo Road.Speaking at the event, Nasir Idris expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto for inviting…