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Nigeria Earns Recognition For Hypertension, Typhoid, Sickle Cell Drugs, Others

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Nigeria is now recognised by global health organisations for its breakthrough in the production of drugs for hypertension, typhoid, sickle cell anaemia snake bite and other ailments using local substances, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, announced in Abuja, yesterday.
The minister made the revelation while presenting the scorecard of the ministry of STI showcasing the achievement of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in that sector of the economy from 2015 to 2022.
Although the minister did not list the global bodies that have given their stamp of approval to the drugs developed by Nigeria, he also indicated that the country has made tremendous progress in its effort to produce bread from cassava, a staple in the country.
Mamora said, “These inventions have taken the centre state globally. The ones I remember very well is the sickle cell drug. Nigeria has a very large number of sicklers or carriers of sickling cells. The drug developed by Nigeria has been acknowledged globally. There is also the anti-snake venom that has also been acknowledged globally.
“There is also the typhoid vaccine that Nigeria has produced and has been globally acknowledged. We need to focus on what Nigeria has been able to do, especially in the area of health care because outsiders will not come to help us. Nigeria has also developed a payment platform that has been given international recognition,” he said at the briefing coordinated by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Mamora acknowledged the increased funding which the Buhari administration had given to the STI sector since coming into power, saying that the gesture had enabled the ministry to explore new frontiers in Nigeria’s Research and Development and achieve some breakthroughs that have made Nigeria to stand out.
On what the STI sector had contributed to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product in the last eight years, Mamora indicated that no fewer than 5.7million jobs had been created by STI-induced projects and programmes, relying on figures made available by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The minister, who was flanked by his Minister of State, Chief Ikechwukwu Ikoh, and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Monilola Udoh, said that the jobs came from mining, manufacturing, transportation, ICT, health services and other professional activities spurred by STI.
He announced that the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIR), has been able to gradually produce bread from cassava, replacing flour use up to 10percent level at the moment and making more inroads into achieving more in that area.
The minister also listed other breakthroughs recorded by the ministry to include the production of Jet Engine; collaboration with a Belgium Helicopter Company, on Made-in-Nigeria H3 Ultralight Helicopter, developing and producing Rotary furnace; Bricks Moulding Machines, acquiring Advance Manufacturing Technology Equipment for the production of Industrial Machine parts and components; and development and Production of Non-Metallic Vehicle Parts Using Kenaf Fibres Reinforced Polymer Composite.
He boasted: “Our future is full of optimism as long as we keep faith and leverage the enormous power of science, technology, and innovation (STI) coupled with demand-driven research and development programmes, projects, and activities for advancing the frontiers of industrialisation; nutrition and food security; energy and power self-sufficiency; and maintenance of national defense and internal security.
“The fourth industrial revolution will register Nigeria’s presence and effective participation if we escalate and sustain current commitment and interest in research and innovation as principal push factors for technological advancement. But we need courage, discipline and focus on fundamental principles of the culture of result-based management logical framework where all policy implementation efforts will produce outcomes with a positive impact on our collective mandate, vision, mission, and core values.
“A new paradigm shift of ensuring that all stakeholders within the STI ecosystem are in strategic alliances, especially between the academia/R&D institutes and the organised private sector establishments to facilitate commercialisation and innovation breakthroughs and funding as well as enhanced global standards of made-in-Nigerian products and services.
“The ministry is taking STI and research to the sub-national levels of governance in Nigeria by establishing the technology and innovation centres for global competitiveness in the six global competitiveness Hubs in Nigeria where all stakeholders in the STI ecosystem will remain in constant touch and relate appropriately to advance knowledge and modernise existing traditional technologies for enhanced productivity and poverty alleviation.
“We shall deploy scientific research and innovative thinking for the exploration, exploitation, and harnessing of abundant natural resources and human potential of Nigeria in creating our common wealth for the wellbeing and good of our people,” Mamora stated.

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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