Biofortification can address malnutrition, increase farmers’ income — NABDA
The Director General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, has said that using biofortification in plant breeding can fight the scourge of malnutrition and also increase the incomes of smallholder farmers. Micronutrient-dense maize integrated into regular diets will help counter reoccurring vitamin A deficiencies and protein deficiencies affecting children and mothers while raising farmers’ income. “Overall, mainstreaming such improved varieties across Nigeria’s diverse agroecologies can profoundly impact malnutrition if policies also enable farmers’ adoption and consumption,” he said. The NABDA boss, however, said the generation of micronutrient-dense crops through the use of biotechnology is more cost-effective, sustainable, and realistic. He said the conference will facilitate connections and collaborations among attendees for research projects, resource sharing, and addressing industry challenges.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 04, 2023 09:54 UTC
Former world champion backs Wilder to beat Joshua
A retired fighter who knows what it takes to become a three-time world champion doubts whether Anthony Joshua has the ability to repeat his feat. Should two-time world champion Joshua come through that test, many are hoping that all roads will then lead to a fight with Deontay Wilder in 2024. One man who has already secured his legacy by becoming a three-weight world champion is James Toney, who held multiple world championships including the middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight titles. Speaking to ESNEWS, Toney was asked who would win should Joshua and Wilder come to blows. Should he and Wilder win this month in Riyadh, the a match-up with the hard-hitting American will be the ultimate test of ‘AJ’s fortitude.
Source:Punch
December 04, 2023 08:52 UTC
Stakeholders advise Lagos on building demolition
Stakeholders in the built environment have said the demolition of buildings should be a last resort by the government. If the government earmarked a land area as an industrial or commercial district, it would be unprogressive to advise the government to change the plan to residential. “Sustainability and a circular economy should be the guiding principles of government. A circular economy means that the materials used must be recyclable or that all materials in the system are not wasted and nature can be regenerated. The small amount needed to secure this phase cannot be compared at any level with the eventual cost of construction.
Source:Punch
December 04, 2023 08:39 UTC
Samsung Galaxy A55 Alleged Renders Show Triple Rear Cameras, Hole-Punch Display
Samsung Galaxy A55 could be inching towards its launch as its specifications and renders have surfaced online. The renders suggest that the Galaxy A55 will have a hole punch cutout on the display. The Galaxy A55 will debut as a successor to the Galaxy A54 5G, which was launched in India in March this year. Tipster Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) in collaboration with MySmartPrice shared the alleged renders and specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A55. Samsung Galaxy A55Photo Credit: MySmartPrice/ @OnLeaksAs per the leak, the Galaxy A55 will have a 6.5-inch flat display with full HD+ resolution and up to 120Hz screen refresh rate.
Source:Punch
December 04, 2023 07:33 UTC
47 dead, 85 injured in Tanzania landslides
No fewer than 47 people were killed and 85 others injured in landslides caused by flooding in northern Tanzania, a local official announced Sunday, with warnings the toll would rise. “Up to this evening, the death toll reached 47 and 85 injured,” the regional commissioner in the Manyara area of northern Tanzania, Queen Sendiga, told local media. El Nino is a naturally occurring weather pattern that originates in the Pacific Ocean and drives increased heat worldwide, bringing drought to some areas and heavy rains elsewhere. Scientists expect the worst effects of the current El Nino to be felt at the end of 2023 and into next year. Between October 1997 and January 1998, massive flooding exacerbated by heavy El Nino rains caused more than 6,000 deaths in five countries in the region.
Source:Punch
December 04, 2023 03:23 UTC
Erosion of moral values: A threat to society
Material possessions are glorified while moral values are vilified and less talked about. There is no doubt that moral values form the foundation for a healthy household and in turn a sane society. The erosion of family values is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention and action as the bulk does not stop at the table of government alone. The onus therefore lies on every family to be responsible for its members by preserving and enhancing good moral values. There must be a collective effort from individuals, community leaders, religious organizations and policymakers as they prioritize family values.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 04, 2023 01:18 UTC
Unsafe sex among youths, sexual exploitation worsening HIV sprea
While carrying out her duty one night, Joy, 19, overheard the discussions of four young girls that visited the club about how coded runs secretly yield money for young girls without anyone mistaking their activities for prostitution. Discrimination continuesAccording to data from the World Health Organisation, sex workers face an increased burden of sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne infections. In 2019, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimated a mean HIV prevalence of 36 per cent among sex workers. The global health organisation lamented that sex workers face high levels of stigma and criminalization almost everywhere. “We are seeing a growing problem of drug-resistant HIV in Nigeria, and this is likely being fueled in part by the increasing practice of unprotected sex with commercial sex workers.”
Source:Punch
December 03, 2023 20:55 UTC
Nigeria still asking for deposed Niger President’s release—Minister
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has stated that Nigeria will continue to engage with the government of the Niger Republic to ensure the release of the country’s deposed President, Mohamed Bazoum. But Tuggar said Nigeria, which plays a critical role in the ECOWAS bloc, won’t relent in pressing for Bazoum’s freedom. We are asking them to release President Bazoum so that he will be allowed to leave Niger. “There is no conflict between Nigeria and Niger. We, the people of Nigeria and Niger, are brothers.
Source:Punch
December 03, 2023 17:58 UTC
We’ll continue to consider interest of PWDs – Gov Otti
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has affirmed that his administration will consistently prioritise the interests of persons with disabilities in all its programs and policies. Governor Otti made this commitment in his goodwill message on Sunday as Abia, alongside the entire nation, observed the International Disability Day. “I would like to reiterate our commitment to promoting an inclusive and accessible Abia State, providing for the well-being of persons with disabilities. This commitment will be realized by implementing the Abia State Disability Law. “As a government, we are also dedicated to increasing awareness of the benefits of integrating persons with disabilities into every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 03, 2023 17:17 UTC
Femme review – unbearably tense queer London revenge thriller
But Femme, a savagely sexy queer erotic thriller, explores just how messily complex retribution can be. Jules and Preston are both skilled in slipping into other skins and identities. After the street attack by Preston, Jules no longer feels able to perform. And Preston jealously guards his sexuality from his gang of friends, with their bared teeth, hyena laughs and pack mentality. It’s bold, unflinching and almost unbearably tense.
Source:The Guardian
December 03, 2023 14:30 UTC
Pledges made so far at the COP28 climate talks
The UAE and Germany pledged $100 million each, France $109 million, $50 million from Britain, $25 million from Denmark and $17.5 million from the United States, the world’s biggest historical polluter. That falls vastly short of the $100 billion a year that developing nations — which have historically been least responsible for greenhouse gas emissions — have said are needed to cover losses from natural disasters. G20 nations, which account for nearly 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, paved the way for a deal when they endorsed the renewable energy goal in September. Tripling nuclearMore than 20 countries led by the US called on Saturday for the tripling of world nuclear energy capacity by 2050. UAE Climate Investment fundThe UAE said it is putting $30 billion into a new private climate investment fund.
Source:Punch
December 03, 2023 03:49 UTC
Aisha Babangida, NDLEA calls on parents to curb social vices in children
Babangida, a humanitarian leader made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the 11th annual Al-Habibiyyah Women’s Forum with the theme: ”Parents Role in Curbing Social Vices”. Aisha, who is the first daughter of former Nigerian Military President Ibrahim Babangida expressed concern on the alarming rate of social vices, especially drug abuse among the youth in the society. “Also in our tertiary institutions and even secondary schools, there should be counselling against drug abuse and other vices,” she said. Earlier, Hajia Fatima Abiola-Popoola, Assistant Director, Sensitisation, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abuja, stressed the need for proper parenting to curb vices in the society. He called on parents, the society, relevant government agencies to synergize to curb the rising cases of social vices in the country.
Source:The Guardian
December 03, 2023 03:45 UTC
Youths trained in organic agriculture under work-earn-learn programme
THIRTY-TWO youths have been trained in organic agriculture by the Organic Agriculture Project in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria (OAPTIN) under its Work, Earn and Learn Programme (WELP) scheme. Following the 10th and 11th training cycles of the programme, the graduating students were presented with certificates of completion. OAPTIN was conceived in 2009 as a collaborative project between the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), and the Conventry University, United Kingdom for developing entrepreneurship in organic agriculture among graduates in Nigeria. Earlier in his opening remarks, Prof Aiyelaagbe disclosed that the programme has so far trained 230 youths and four staff members of the university drawn from different departments, adding that WELP has also trained up to 200 students who took some modules of organic agriculture in their Farm Practical Year (FPY). He noted that some of the WELP Alumni have gone on to establish their small-scale organic enterprises using the knowledge and skills gathered, while others work for big organic farms.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 03, 2023 03:34 UTC
Terrence ‘Punch’ Henderson Talks Managing SZA and Her Expectations: ‘She’s Her Own Toughest Critic’
Expectations were high for her sophomore album “SOS,” which dropped last December. 1 debut, SZA was still making minor adjustments to the album, prompting Henderson and the team to re-upload tracks onto streaming services. SZA herself has teed him up on social media, telling her followers to “ask Punch” why her music hadn’t been released. She recently wrapped the second North American leg of the international “SOS” tour and a second overseas jaunt is in the works. With all the success they’ve achieved together over the past year, SZA and Henderson make a point of tending to their professional relationship.
Source:Punch
December 02, 2023 23:28 UTC