The fate of Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godswill Akpabio, and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is in the hands of President Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari is currently under intense pressure to fire Akpabio and purge the obviously failed NDDC. The battle to get the former Akwa Ibom State governor who did not deliver the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) within 30 minutes as he boasted before the 2019 polls out of the Buhari cabinet is broadening as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP is locking horns with APC on corruption. Since the…
Author: Akanimo Sampson
Preliminary results released by a British biotech firm show that aerosol-based drug treatment could drastically reduce the number of new coronavirus patients dying from the disease or requiring intensive care. In a randomised trial of 100 patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19, those who received an inhaled formula of the protein interferon beta were at 79 percent lower risk of developing the severe disease compared to those who received a placebo. They were also more than twice as likely to make a full recovery compared with the control group. Nigeria however on Wednesday logged eight fresh COVID-19 deaths, thus raising…
For 30 years now, the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s vastly polluted oil and gas region, and the rest of the world has lost 178 million hectares of forest. The global forest area has continued to decrease since 1990. The rate of net forest loss decreased substantially over the period 1990-2020 due to a reduction in deforestation in some countries, plus increases in the forest area in others through afforestation and natural expansion of forests. Deforestation is, however, the conversion of forest to other land uses, such as agriculture and infrastructure. The difference between forest area net change and deforestation is that the former is the…
A seeming fiendish attempt by the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godswill Akpabio, to hoodwink federal legislators to back down from the ongoing probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has landed him in trouble. Akpabio unequivocally claimed that 60% of the massive corrupt deals in the messy NDDC were grabbed by lawmakers of the two chambers of the National Assembly. The minister’s wahala is coming as the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, was busy rubbishing the Presidency. Magu is claiming that some of the vehicles recovered by the anti-graft agency under…
A major step is underway towards a COVID-19 vaccine that is effective and safe for widespread use. This is so because two coronavirus vaccine candidates have proven safe for humans and produced strong immune reactions among patients involved in separate clinical trials, doctors say. The first trial involved more than 1,000 adults in Britain and the second in China more than 500 people. While this is published in The Lancet medical journal, British biotech firm Synairgen says a randomised trial of an aerosol-based treatment shows it could drastically reduce the number of new coronavirus patients dying from the disease or…
Companies are going back to basics in a bid to control costs and maintaining competitiveness in today’s volatile economy. To this end, businesses are leveraging their energy management systems as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce operating expenses and help control costs. The recently updated ISO 50004 is the latest in the International Standard Organisation’s (ISO) energy management suite of standards, which includes ISO 50001 for the development of an energy management system. The new and enhanced ISO 50004, Energy management systems – Guidance for the implementation, maintenance and improvement of an ISO 50001 energy management system, helps an organisation take a systematic approach to its overall…
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is providing high-quality seeds of improved crop varieties to smallholder farmers in Cameroon through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Cameroon station of the Institute was established in 1989 and is located in Nkolbisson, 6 km from Yaoundé, the country’s capital city. The seed legislation in Cameroon classifies seed into basic seeds, certified seeds, and standard (commercial) seeds. IITA, in collaboration with Cameroon’s Agricultural Research Institute for Development (IRAD), has the responsibility of producing basic seeds for major commodities such as cassava, plantain, maize, soybean, and cowpea, which…
The ongoing probe of alleged multi-billion naira squandermania in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by a panel of the House of Representatives was jolted on Monday by a seeming cunning twist of the accused parties. First, the Acting Managing Director of the troubled Commission, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, fainted while the session was on. That forced a brief adjournment of the session. Second, Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godswill Akpabio, fiendishly tried to hoodwink federal legislators to back down from the probe by claiming that 60% of the massive corrupt deals in NDDC were grabbed by lawmakers of the two chambers…
Like COVID-19, the raging African Swine Fever (ASF) is negatively impacting the livelihoods of farmers in countries of Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe. Disturbingly, with no effective vaccine, the disease is not only impeding animal health and welfare but has detrimental impacts on the livelihoods of farmers. Deputy Director-General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) for International Standards and Science, Dr Matthew Stone, says “today, 51 countries are affected by African swine fever. Amid the difficult situation posed by COVID-19, ASF continues to spread, intensifying the current health and socioeconomic crises.” Sadly, many countries that are…
Pro-Niger Delta civic groups and communities have indicted the Legislative arm of the Nigerian government on the alleged massive fraud in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). They are therefore calling for the NDDC Act to be restructured via an amendment, to better define the mandate of the Commission and importantly, imbibe and stipulate penalties for non-compliance with the provisions of the Act. ‘’The National Assembly has failed in its oversight function of conducting regular assessment of the work of the Commission, to prevent the monumental infractions which have occurred already’’, they said. Continuing, they claimed that there are no…
Scripps Research scientists have discovered a common molecular feature found in many of the human antibodies that neutralise SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This is coming as Nigeria on Monday logged 37225 COVID-19 cases and 801 deaths. These tallies are a sequel to 562 new confirmed cases, and 12 deaths recorded in the country within 24 hours. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), ‘’till date, 37225 cases have been confirmed, 15333 cases have been discharged and 801 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.’’ Of the 562 new cases from…
The USAID-funded Feed-the-Future Nigeria Integrated Agriculture Activity (IAA) has concluded the training of 30 youths as spray service providers (SSPs) in Adamawa and Borno States. The first sessions of the training, which began in February, and held in Borno had 15 participants. The Adamawa Agriculture Development Investment Limited Farming Skills Acquisition Centre (AADIL/FSAC) hosted the concluding sessions, with 15 youths in attendance and facilitated by CropLife Nigeria (CLN). The training aimed to equip participants with the relevant skills to become expert SSPs and provide them with income-generating opportunities through the rendering of agrochemical spraying services to farmers in their area.…
Around 20% of all COVID-19-associated deaths are said to be from cardiac complications. This is coming as Nigeria on Sunday recorded 11 COVID-19 deaths which bring the national death toll to 789, and Edo State overtook Lagos in daily records of the virus cases, as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), confirms fresh 556 cases. Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, has contracted the virus. According to him, “I did my fourth COVID-19 test yesterday at the first sign of throat irritation and unfortunately this time it came back positive. That is life! (You) win some, lose some. (I’m) heading…
Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godswill Akpabio, is storming the National Assembly this Monday to launder his badly damaged image in the worsening Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) corruption network. The House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC summoned Akpabio to appear before it over allegations levelled against him on the N81.5billion fraud saga in the Commission under his watch. But, it seems the complexity and scope of the rot in NDDC is beyond a Parliamentary probe. It requires a diligent professional investigation. That perhaps, explains why the oil governors of Southern Nigeria publicly declared that both the forensic audit and…
Four Central Asian countries -Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Turkmenistan – are facing economic challenges common to landlocked developing countries. A study by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) highlights how each can overcome geographical remoteness and transform the structures of their economies, which have become increasingly geared towards exporting commodities to their neighbours. According to the latest statistics, natural gas accounts for 90% of Turkmenistan’s exports, for example, while fuels represent two-thirds of Kazakhstan’s. Bhutan sells 94% of its exports to neighbouring India, while 90% of Mongolian products go to next-door China. Director of UNCTAD’s Division for…
The International Standard Organisation (ISO) has developed a new standard on information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection1. It provides details on the implementation of privacy principles from ISO/IEC 29100. Specifically, it addresses consent and choice (Principle 1), and openness, transparency and notice (Principle 7). For everyone concerned about online privacy, ISO/IEC 29184 is the solution. The world is more connected than ever before. The growth of hi-speed connections in homes and offices has only been outstripped by the number of smartphones in our hands and wearable devices like fitness monitors. Devices such as these collect and process your personal data. That might include geographical and biometric…
A discovery that could advance global effort to limit the community spread of the rampaging COVID-19 is out. Through robust contact tracing, researchers have been able to identify recent COVID-19 cases using 25 micro-litres of plasma from blood samples. It is world-first research by Monash University in Australia. The university has been able to detect positive COVID-19 cases using blood samples in about 20 minutes, and identify whether someone has contracted the virus. This is coming as 28 states in Nigeria on Saturday, shut-up their national tally to 36,107 with 653 fresh positive cases. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control…
Developing countries, the net importers of digitalised products, are fast losing tariff revenues due to the moratorium on such products. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimated that the potential tariff revenue loss to developing countries due to the moratorium was $10 billion in 2017. In March, India and South Africa outlined the adverse implications of the moratorium for developing countries. These, according to UNCTAD’s Senior Economic Affairs Officer, Rashmi Banga, include the loss of policy space together with potential tariff revenues and the possible impact of digital technologies like 3D printing on manufacturing. A decision on continuing with the…
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a UN agency is currently extending its Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) operations in Northern Nigeria in a bid to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This is happening as the killer virus continues to disrupt the health, public life and livelihoods in Africa’s most populous country. A new IOM project will help prevent and control COVID-19 infections in three areas in Borno State with high concentrations of displaced persons; areas also deemed high-risk for disease spread. In Borno, the largest state in the North-East region, about 80 per cent of the estimated 840,000 internally displaced persons…
Communities around the world are already experiencing increased climate impacts from droughts to floods, rising seas to extreme weathers. These pose threats to life, property, economic well-being and to ecosystems. New guidance from the International Standard Organisation (ISO) will help local governments and communities to prepare for such threats and the associated risks. The new ISO technical specification ISO/TS 14092:2020, Adaptation to climate change – Requirements and guidance on adaptation planning for local governments and communities, will help local governments and communities in taking initial action to create a safe, socially and economically secure and sustainable society that is resilient to current and…
Nigeria has joined Yemen as a ‘’hotspot country’’ with food and humanitarian crisis. Yemen is already the world’s largest food and humanitarian crisis. A 35 percent increase in food prices has been recorded in some areas in Yemen since April. A new analysis by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) identifies 27 countries that are on the frontline of impending COVID-19-driven food crises, as the pandemic’s knock-on effects aggravate pre-existing drivers of hunger. Interestingly, no world region is immune from Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Asia, to Haiti, Venezuela and Central America, to Iraq, Lebanon,…
Professionals from Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West of Imo State are frowning at what they described as unprovoked attacks on the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, Gerald Irona, by agents of the state government.They are expressing their displeasure on the platform of their League of Professionals via a statement jointly signed by its Secretary, Nwando Ethel Anyasinti, and Public Relations Officer, Oloko Okwudiri.They are alleging that funds of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), were being diverted, and warned that ISOPADEC funds are statutory and must not be diverted for whatever reasons.“ISOPADEC funds are statutory. Forty percent of thirteen…
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact health and livelihoods of millions, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says 14,633 patients have so far been discharged in the country. This good news is coming out of Africa’s most populous country when there is increasing attention focused on vaccine development. But some experts are saying that effective treatment has a critical role to play—before and after a vaccine is developed—and has the potential to deliver tens of billions of dollars in gains. However, according to the Nigeria disease control agency, by Friday night, the country recorded 600 new cases of…
Experts have said that digital women entrepreneurs in the developing countries of the world need ‘’network and resilience’’ to thrive in a digital economy, and in a post-COVID-19 context. To this end, advocates from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) eTrade for women initiative are working hard to ensure that happens. The first virtual masterclass for East African women digital entrepreneurs, which was held from July 8-10, was well-timed to advance this cause. It brought together women founders of digital businesses from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, reflecting the dynamism and variety of the digital landscape in…
It will no longer be business as usual for functionaries of the Executive arm of the Federal Government who feel they can disrespect the Legislative branch and get away easily with their unruly behaviour. The leadership of the National Assembly has warned that the days of rascality by appointees of the Executive arm are over. The fury of the federal legislators is coming following a recent shouting match of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), with members of the National Assembly over the recruitment of 774,000 youths for the special public works. Similarly, the Acting…
While a country like Nigeria is not yet decided on reopening schools, a global rights group, Human Rights Watch says COVID-19 has revealed the need to improve education systems around the world. Its Senior Researcher at the Children’s Rights Division, Elin Martinez, is currently urging governments to focus resources, attention on inclusive education. This is coming as Nigeria on Thursday recorded 595 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths, which according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has raised the national tally to 34854 cases and 769 deaths. Interestingly, the Centre says 14292 patients have so far been discharged. Of…
A failed abduction bid of the immediate past Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Joi Nunieh, by some armed security forces linked to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, is threatening to harm Nigeria’s economy. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says he rescued Nunieh, an Ogoni, from an attempted abduction, warning that such a sinister motive will not be tolerated in the strategic oil and gas state. In a bid to contain the likely unpleasant consequences of the abduction bid, Governor Wike wants the Police top chief to investigate the circumstances that led…
A political risk consultancy, Menas Associates, has implicated the Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami, on the Magugate scandal rubbishing the Buhari administration anti-corruption fight. In its latest intelligence report on Nigeria Politics and Security, Menas says the ordeal of the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has a political undertone. The troubled anti-graft top cob was accosted by security operatives in front of the old EFCC headquarters on Fomella Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, at noon the previous Monday and compelled to appear before a Presidential Investigating panel chaired…
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has renewed his administration’s determination to complete all ongoing roads and other life-touching projects he initiated before leaving the office on May 29, 2023.He says his administration has made funds available to the contractors, pointing out that funds may be in piecemeal due to the obvious challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and some drastic adjustments in the state budget.Though Udom made this known during a special inspection of ongoing road projects and other infrastructure in the state, there are strong indications that his administration is not likely to complete the abandoned 24-kilometre…
More than half of COVID-19 transmission is due to people with no symptoms, so says a model developed by a professor at University of Florida’s (UF) Emerging Pathogens Institute. A third or more of these cases will need to be isolated, in addition to most symptomatic cases, to quell the pandemic. This is emerging as Nigeria’s COVID-19 infection rate hits 34,257 with the 643 new cases recorded on Wednesday. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that made this known, also reports six deaths last 24 hours that has now taken the country’s death toll to 760. According to NCDC, ‘’till…
