By Sylvester Thompson

The African Union Development Agency(AUDA-NEPAD) Centre of Excellence in STI, hosted a two-day workshop geared towards advancing genome editing technology as a tool to drive agricultural productivity in Nigeria.

The workshop organised for Chief Executives and Experts in Research and Academic Institutions, declared open by Dr Adeleke Mamora, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), ended in Abuja on Thursday.

Mamora said Nigeria’s agricultural sector was facing many challenges such as poor land tenure system, low level of irrigation farming, climate change and land degradation, among others,  impacted on its productivity.

“All these challenges have stifled agricultural productivity and affected the sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP),’’ he said.

Represented by Mrs Monilola Udoh, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mamora stated that genome editing technology had the potential to revitalise agricultural productivity, promote food security and sustainable environment in Nigeria.

He said that the AUDA-NEPAD initiative on genome editing technology focused on innovation, building research and development capacities towards commercialisation of genome edited agricultural products for improved livelihood was timely.

“The hosting of an AUDA-NEPAD genome editing research project in NABDA will position Nigeria to take a leading role in driving the technology while building required manpower and infrastructure,’’ the minister said.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency(NABDA), said the workshop was another important step by the centre in addressing the problems of different sectors of the economy  particularly agriculture.

Mustapha said: “As you may be aware, AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in STI (CoE-STI), had embarked on awakening the consciousness of the continent to the latent potential of this revolutionary tool in the last few months.’’

He disclosed that precisely, formal engagements with NABDA started in Oct. 2022 and that the agency was pleased with the level of engagement and commitment of AUDA-NEPAD in STI in Nigeria and across the continent.

The NABDA D-G said that as Captains of various institutions, the meeting would afford the opportunity to share experiences and compare notes, appreciate strengths and challenges in order to chart a clear road map.

Mrs Florence Nazare, acting Director of Knowledge Management and Programme of the AUDA-NEPAD, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the workshop, said research and development required adequate resources.

She said the project basically looked at a sustainable financing model, urging that governments should commit more resources from their budgets to drive research and development.

Nazare said that it was important for Africa to domesticate genome editing technology which was important for industralisation and improved livelihoods of African citizenry.

The Director added that apart from government and scientists, they were also working with the private sector and also looking at the model of carrying out research on products of national interest.

She said synergy as the core contract for good and collaborative partnership between the states, private sector, research institutions and scientists was very important.

Nazare said though the AUDA-NEPAD was advancing biotechnology, but safety of the product was also their concern, hence the issue of bio-security and bio-safety was primary.

“We also need our scientists that work in the regulatory space to be capacitated to be able to ensure that we can guarantee safety for African citizens,’’ she said.

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Supervisor at the Centre of Excellence in STI, AUDA-NEPAD, also in an interview, said that the African Union was working on Agenda 2063 and the focal point was zero-hunger.

He said genome editing technology was an innovation that helped in precision agriculture, adding that the benefits included among others, reduction in time frame to grow or bring up a product.

According to him, genome editing has the ability to address challenges that could not be addressed in conventional breeding, by way of improving agriculture.

Akinbo assured that the technology could provide solution that would meet the teeming population of people, offering benefits that would enhance and get the product to farmers within the shortest time.

Dr Shakirat Ajenifujah-Solebo, acting Director, Genetics and Bioinformatics Department of the NABDA and Desk Officer for the AUDA-NEPAD project, said the workshop afforded CEOs and experts opportunity to define their terms of engagement.

She said this had to do with how they intended to work together in order to ensure that Nigeria benefits from this technology.

“It’s very important that we come together under the platform of the AUDA-NEPAD project which is not only for genome editing in Nigeria but also for the African continent,’’ Solebo said.

The two-day workshop witnessed presentations by various Chief Executives and  Experts in Research and academic Institutions. .(NAN)(www.nannenews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring Ministries, Departments, and Agencies(MDAs) complied with the Executive Order 001(EO1) on Transparency and Efficiency in the Nigerian Business Environment.

Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President, Ease of Doing Business and Secretary, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), said this on Thursday in Abuja.

Oduwole restated PEBEC’s promise to continuously track and keep the business community updated on MDAs performance through its Executive Order report.

She said in the PEBEC’s 2022 EO1 Compliance Report, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) performed the highest with 81.11 per cent.

She said the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) came second and third with 78.68 per cent and 68.37 per cent respectively.

The PEBEC secretary said Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) came fourth with 64.59 per cent and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) fifth with 63.68 per cent.

According to Oduwole, the codification of EO1 directives in the Business Facilitation Act 2022 is a major development in the efforts to entrench EO1 in the psyche of the Civil Service.

She expressed optimism that the legal provisions enshrined in it would serve as a stimulus for a more transparent and efficient public service delivery in Nigeria.

On penalties for noncompliance, Oduwole said there were penalties for public office holders in the public service rule.

She, however, called on the private sector to report cases of corruption or abuse of the act.

She urged Nigerians to explore the Business Facilitation Act 2022 to ensure the reduction in most bottlenecks encountered in doing business in the country.

The secretary also called on the media to collaborate with PEBEC to create more awareness among the public on the benefits of the Order.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EO1 was issued as the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s first Executive Order on May 18, 2017.

It is meant to strengthen the implementation of business climate reforms and deepen collaboration among MDAs by instituting a systemic change management process for reforms.

EO1 mandates MDAs to submit monthly reports to the PEBEC Secretariat, the offices of the Head of Service (HOS) of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and SERVICOM.

The PEBEC, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was established in July 2016 by Buhari to remove critical bottlenecks and bureaucratic constraints to business in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Ismail AbdulAziz

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of the armed forces, nabbed eight political thugs at Okehi in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi during the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Danmadami said the thugs were arrested in an attempt to disrupt the electoral process in the area.

He said the troops recovered three pump action guns, two locally fabricated AK 47 rifles, six locally made assorted guns and two daggers.

Danmadami said the troops of Operation Safe Haven had on Feb. 26, arrested five suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 35 rustled cattle at Lobirin village in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.

He added that the troops also on March 4, responded to an attack on Angwan Lilu in Royom Local Government Area of Plateau and engaged the criminals in a fire fight.

He said the encounter led to the recovery of several weapons from the criminals who fled.

In Benue, Danmadami said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted a raid operation to Utange village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, neutralising two bandits and recovered cache of arms and other sundry items.

“In the same vein, troops conducted fighting to within Zaki-Biam town in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area and arrested seven terrorists.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects have been involved in criminal activities within the local government area.

“Troops also recovered  AK47 rifle, 19 locally made pistol, one dane gun, two machetes and four mobile phones from the terrorists.

“Accordingly, within the weeks in focus, troops in the North Central Zone recovered five AK47 rifles, three pump action guns,19 locally fabricated pistol and three dane gun,” he said.

According to him, six locally made assorted rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 17 empty cases of 7.62mm ammunition, two machetes, two wrist watches, seven mobile phones and 35 rustled cattle were recovered.

“Troops also neutralized two terrorists and arrested seven suspected terrorist as well  as eight political thugs.

“All recovered items, arrested terrorists have been handed over to relevant authority for further action,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters said on Thursday that a total of 1,332 terrorists and their family members surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai across North East in the last two weeks.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known during the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces in Abuja.

Danmadami said the surrendered terrorists comprised 222 adult males, 411 adult females and 699 children.

He added that while eight terrorists were neutralised during the period,  troops also apprehended 35 terrorists’ logistics suppliers and rescued 19 civilian victims.

Danmadami said the troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, one LMG, seven rounds of 5.56 ammunition, one LMG link containing 111 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.

Others are 200 rounds of LMG ammunition, 46 rounds of 7.62mm special and 12 rounds of refilled and 7.62mm special.

He added that troops also recovered two dane guns, four AK47 magazines loaded with 102 rounds of 7.62mm special, 24 other AK 47 magazines, 36 hand grenades and one motorcycle.

“All recovered items, rescued civilians, and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered terrorists and members of their families are being profiled for further action,” he said.

Defence spokesman said the air component of Operation Hadin Kai also eliminated scores of terrorists in their enclaves during several air interdiction operations.

According to him, feedback revealed that the airstrike dealt a heavy blow to the terrorists as several terrorists were neutralised with their logistics destroyed.

In North West zone, Danmadami said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji and other operations had continued to sustain their dominance over the menace of terrorists and other criminal activities in the zone.

He said the troops had within the weeks in review, neutralised 13 bandits as well as rescued 23 kidnapped victims.

According to him, troops recovered seven AK47 rifles, 12 AK47 magazines, 158 rounds of 7.62mm special, one locally fabricated weapon, four Improvised Explosive Devices and two dane guns from the bandits.

He said troops also recovered one motorcycle, one handheld radio, nine bicycles, 39 rustled cows, 74 sheep and N10.5 million cash.

Danmadami said that the recent cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), coupled with the sustained effort of the military had led to reduction in incidences of kidnapping. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugu/Ejike Obeta

By Segun Giwa

A socio cultural organisation, Atunluse Initiative, has inaugurated local government coordinators across the 18 LGAs of Ondo State.

This is as the Chairman of the Organisation, Otunba Akinsola Akinbobola, charged coordinators and members of the organisation to dream big ahead of the coming projects.

Akinbobola stated this on Thursday in Akure, during the inauguration of the coordinators.

He explained that the inauguration would have taken place in the last quarter of 2022 but was postponed till after the general elections.

Akinbobola, who was a former Special Adviser on Political and Mobilisation to the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, urged the coordinators to see the task ahead as a personal assignment and a test of their capacity.

He said that the task ahead was beyond the current political schemes, saying “with hard work and prayers, it’s achievable “.

“Let us dream big and work towards achieving the dream in line with the mission and vision of Atunluse Initiatives.”

“Our mission is to ensure a better life for everybody, a society where affordable and quality education, good health care, good roads, constant electricity with safety of life and property will be available for all.

“It’s important for you to take into cognisance that while you’re building Atunluse, you are also building yourself through the big Atunluse platform,” he said.

Also, the Director General of the Organisation, Elder Sikiru Adetona, while congratulating the coordinators, charged them to be hard working and remain focused in the face of challenges.

“See yourselves as God chosen and endeavour not to disappoint yourselves and the organisation; you are our ambassador in your respective local government areas; I therefore urge you to work assiduously to achieve the set goals.

“Many are called, but few are chosen; once again, I congratulate you all for being among the few that were chosen,” he said.

The Co-ordinator of Atunluse Initiatives, Mr Shalom Olaseni, enjoined others to spread the gospel of Atunluse Initiatives in every nook and cranny of the state.

Olaseni urged them not to hesitate in contacting and intimating him periodically on the progress of their assignment.

“I urged you all to work in unity with other grassroots leaders in your local government areas, to make Atunluse great, urging them to do the job like their personal job.

Akure South LG Co-ordinator, Mr Alaba Asekunowo, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, promised to work hard and spread the gospel of Atunluse Initiatives across local governments.

“We are ready to take the organisation to the nooks and crannies and we are also ready to work for ourselves; we will take this responsibility beyond the expectations of the leadership of group,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Patience Yakubu

Two travel agents, Clement Ekhueorohan, 30, and Courage Chinonso, 38, were on Thursday sentenced to four years imprisonment each by a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for visa fraud.

The duo, both residents of Kabala Coastain, Kaduna, were charged with conspiracy, fraud and theft.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel held that both Ekhurorohan and Chinoso were guilty of defrauding Philip Adetutu and five other victims of N11. 6 million.

The magistrate did not give the convicts an option of fine.

He also ordered the convicts to restitute N2.1million each as compensation to the victims.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the convicts between March and Oct. 2022, in Ungwan Rimi area of Kaduna, obtained N2.1million each from Adetutu and 5 other victims to procure a French, Australian and Malta visa/ tickets for them.

Leo said that after fraudulently collecting the money from the victims, the duo failed to fulfil their own part of the bargain and all efforts made to collect the money from them failed.

The offence, he said, contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Idris Abdulrahman