@NatureNews


The Federal Government is set to increase the agricultural extension workforce to 75,000 across various value chains in line with global best practices.

This is targeted towards the attainment of self-sufficiency in food production.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono disclosed this during the flagging-off ceremony commencing the training exercise for extension agents in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/fg-set-to-increase-agric-extension-workers-to-75000/

@NatureNews


A fertiliser plant worth $1.4bn will be cited in Akwa Ibom State as the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel finalised agreements with OCP Africa, a subsidiary of the OCP Group.

The development is coming days after Governor Emmanuel alongside other delegations led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva visited Morocco to advance steps on the $1.4 bn fertiliser production plant project initiated more than two years ago (June 2018).

Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/1-4bn-fertiliser-plant-to-be-cited-in-akwa-ibom/

@NatureNews

At least 600 South-South women have received federal government agro empowerment through its National Centre for Women Development. Parts of the packages received are seed grants and startup kits, as part of government efforts to cushion the effect of COVID-19 and uplift their living standard.

According to the Director-General of the National Center for Women Development, Mrs Mary Ekpere-Eta, beneficiaries are graduates of the post-Covid training for Innovation and Empowerment in the South-South zone of the Federation and the Kasuk Project organised by her agency.

According to her, the beneficiaries were trained for two weeks on various vocational skills designed by the Federal Government to expose and equip women and youths.

Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/amp/600-south-south-women-empowered-with-agro-startup-kits-fg/

@NatureNews

Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum showed up at Mohammed Goni College of Islamic Legal Studies MOGOCOLIS, in Maiduguri at midnight, where internally displaced persons from Abadam local government area of northern Borno were being camped.

Zulum immediately sealed the entrance and supervised a headcount to identify actual IDPs, in order to put a stop to rampant cases of dubious residents pretending to be displaced, who spend day times at IDP camps to share food meant for IDPs, and towards the night, they return to their homes to sleep, with some benefiting from other means through which the state distributes food to vulnerable non IDPs in communities.
Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/amp/zulum-storms-idps-camp-discovered-650-ghosts-idps/

@NatureNews

Over ten shops with goods worth N30 million were destroyed to ashes as fire engulfed the grocery section of Potiskum Central Market in Yobe State, leaving eight people injured

Chairman United Marketers Association Potiskum Chapter, Alhaji Nasiru Mato disclosed this while giving an account of the sad development, noting that the eight persons who sustained minor injuries from the incident been discharged after receiving medical attention.

On the cause of the inferno, Mato said, “we believe that the fire broke out as result of an electrical spark when public power was restored.
Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/amp/yobe-fire-incident-millions-of-properties-destroyed-chairman/

@NatureNews

House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts and management of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) on Monday revealed the first fully assembled local electric car at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

The event was a fall out of the investigative hearing into the financial activities of ministries, departments and agencies, where the NADDC Director General, Mr. Jelani Aliyu, had appeared and informed the lawmakers of the development.

Aliyu explained the electric............
Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/nigerias-first-local-electric-car-unveiled-in-abuja/

@NatureNews

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has released conditions of the weather in some parts of the country.

The agency via its Twitter page said dust haze condition with visibility range of 2-5km and localised visibility of less than 1000m are expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period.
Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/nimet-forecasts-dust-haze-and-sunny-conditions/

@NatureNews

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will deliver an additional 5,000 megawatts of electricity to the national power grid once the ongoing gas projects throughout the country are completed.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, who spoke during a virtual event organised by the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), themed: “Powering Forward: Enabling Nigeria’s Industrialisation Via Gas,” said the NNPC was committed to fulfilling President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to boost domestic gas supply.

Represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Mr. Yusuf Usman, Kyari stated that progress was being made on several of the projects, including the NLNG Train 7, with a foreign direct investment of between $3 billion and $5 billion.

He listed others as the AKK, which he described as one the largest and most aggressive gas infrastructure that has ever been embarked upon in Nigeria, stretching 614 km from Ajaokuta, Abuja, Kaduna and Kano, and Lot B of the OB3 gas project, which is already producing 125 mmscfd of gas.

Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/nnpc-to-add-5000mw-to-national-grid-on-improved-gas-supply/

@NatureNews

Stakeholders have agreed that all trucks currently lying and littering Apapa must vacate the corridor by 12.00pm on Saturday, February 27 to pave the way for the new call-up system.

Ahead of the flag off of the electronic call-up that will henceforth define the movement of trucks into Apapa, all trucks must vacate the area.

This was part of the resolutions reached in continuation of consultation with stakeholders towards finding a lasting solution to the perennial gridlock and challenging maritime activities that continue to plague Apapa and its environs, during a meeting on Thursday, involving Lagos State government, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Truck Transit Park (TTP) operators, and the police, on how to implement the new e-call up system.

Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/trucks-should-vacate-apapa-by-12pm-on-sat-npa/

@NatureNews

The Ministry of Works and Housing plans to concession no fewer than 12 federal highways to private organization for maintenance and repair in a bid to ensure regular maintenance of its road network across Nigeria.

The arrangement would enable the private companies to introduce tollgates on the 12 highways and collect revenue which they would use and regularly maintain such roads.

This information is contained in a document, which Vanguard obtained, yesterday from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Abuja.

The 12 highways to be concessioned under the ministry’s Highway Management Development Initiative (HMDI) are: Benin-Asaba, Abuja-Lokoja, Kano-Katsina, Onitsha-Owerri, Shagamu-Benin and Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga.
Read more https://naturenews.africa/fg-to-concede-12-highways-to-private-coys-for-maintenance/

@NatureNews


Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced its housing project in Anambra State with call on government for assistance.

The NARD National President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, made the appeal at the foundation-stone laying ceremony for the estate in Awka, Anambra State.

Okhuaihesuyi described the ceremony as the commencement of the journey towards the realisation of the dream that every doctor should own his or her personal house.

He said the project would help reduce the brain drain in the medical sector, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic era when the nation’s health sector is overstretched.

@NatureNews


President Muhammadu Buhari has signed a new directive to slash duty on imported vehicles into Nigeria.

The President ordered the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to immediately comply with the directive as it is targeted at curbing the rising cost of transport and provide a boost for the mass transit industry.

The price reduction would see import duties drop from 35% to 10% and even 5% in some cases depending on the category of the vehicle.

Read more@ https://naturenews.africa/fg-reduces-duty-on-cars-to-10/

@NatureNews

HomeNews
Northern States Take Measures Against Waste Disposal To Keep Environment Clean

By Abdulrahman Abdullahi

North-Central and part of the North-East state governments are taking measures to ensure proper waste disposal, a survey has shown.

The states are Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba.

In Plateau, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Yakubu Idi, said new strategies for waste management were based on the experience his ministry and its agencies had garnered over time.

“We used to have problem of dino bins, some of them were already worn out, and we have put in two strategies, one of which is community engagement.
Read more: https://naturenews.africa/northern-states-take-measures-against-waste-disposal-to-keep-environment-clean/

@NatureNews

HomeHealth


Nigeria Records 28,876 Tobacco Smoking-Related Deaths Annually, Study Reveals

By Abdulrahman Abdullahi

Research conducted by the Abuja-based Centre for the Study of Economies of Africa (CSEA) has reported that 28,876 deaths related to tobacco smoking are recorded annually in Nigeria.

Mr. Marco Castradori, a Research Associate with the CSEA, revealed this on Monday, February 8, 2021, in Kano at the report dissemination workshops on the health burden and economic cost of smoking in Nigeria.

According to Castradori, the number represents around 16 per cent of deaths from smoking-related diseases and above five per cent of all cases of deaths.

“Among the disease analysed, nearly 737,366 events are expected each year, of which 127,859 representing 17 per cent are attributable to cigarette consumption.
Read more: https://naturenews.africa/nigeria-records-28876-tobacco-smoking-related-deaths-annually-study-reveals/

@NatureNews

A Nigeria Laboratory that has been issuing fake Covid-19 test results has been sealed off by the Federal Government.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu, announced the closure of the laboratory, at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing on Monday.
Read more: https://naturenews.africa/nigeria-court-sanction-lab-for-issuing-fake-covid-19-test-result/

@NatureNews

Tanzania’s health ministry is urging citizens to practice hygiene and use traditional medicine to treat Covid-19.
In addition, the country’s health minister, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, is reported to have said: “For now Tanzania has no intention of importing any of the vaccines being reported in other countries until we are satisfied they have been clinically proven to be safe.”
But Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the head of World Health Organisation (WHO) in Africa, has urged the country to ramp up public health measures.
In a tweet, Dr Moeti said: “Science shows that #VaccinesWork and I encourage the government to prepare for a Covid vaccination campaign.”
The country has a controversial history with regard to the novel coronavirus.
Read more: https://naturenews.africa/government-says-no-to-import-of-covid-19-vaccine-urges-for-traditional-medicine/

@NatureNews

Foreign capital flow into Nigeria slumps by more than half in 2020 to $9.68bn, its lowest level in four years, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Friday.

The NBS, in its capital importation report for the fourth quarter and full-year 2020, said the total value of capital importation into the country fell by 59.65 per cent or $14.3bn last year from $23.99bn in 2019.

Foreign capital flow into the country stood at $16.81bn in 2018, $12.23bn in 2017 and $5.12bn in 2016, the NBS data showed.
Read more: https://naturenews.africa/nigerias-foreign-capital-inflow-drops-to-9-68bn-lowest-in-four-years/

@NatureNews Africa

HomeNews
FG Disburses Over N1.3bn To 131,764 Households In Zamfara


The Federal Government has begun the second disbursement of over N1.3 billion to 131,764 beneficiaries in Zamfara State under the Household Uplifting Programme-Conditional Cash Transfer (HUP-CCT).

The HUP-CCT is one of the Four Social Investment Programmes anchored by the Federal Government to reduce poverty level among poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

The HUP-CCT Head of Unit Cash Transfer in Zamfara, Alhaji Sani Marafa, disclosed this in Bungudu town, Bungudu Local Government Area of the state, on Monday, while monitoring the disbursement exercise.

Marafa said the disbursement will be conducted in six benefiting Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the state.
Read more: https://naturenews.africa/fg-disburses-over-n1-3bn-to-131764-households-in-zamfara/

@Naturenews Africa

The Nigeria’s unit of exchange, Naira, at the weekend shed N2 in value against the dollar, dropping to N480/$1.

The new value of naira and the recent fall was recorded on Friday from N478/$1 on Thursday at the parallel market.

Data obtained from “Abokifx,” a website that tracks forex rates on the parallel market, shows that after falling to N487 per dollar in late November, the naira appreciated to N465/$1 during the Christmas festivities.

It, however, resumed its downward trend a fortnight ago, dropping to between N475 and N478 per dollar, due to an uptick in economic activity.
Read more: https://naturenews.africa/nigeria-currency-value-falls-n480-per-1-naira/

@NatureNews Africa


Beyond the Classroom Foundation has announced a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to build ongoing efforts to educate children about the COVID-19 virus.
With support from the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program. 3,000 children in Lagos and Abuja will receive free COVID-19 safety packs containing the educational books, “There is a new virus in town,” written by Raquel Daniel, founder of Beyond the Classroom Foundation.
The world over, even in countries with increased resources for better case management, the number of active COVID-19 infections is rising and many African countries, including Nigeria, are now experiencing the second wave of the pandemic.
Read more: https://naturenews.africa/ngo-partners-mastercard-foundation-to-educate-3000-children-on-covid-19/

@Naturenews Africa

The National Vice President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and current National President of Potatoes Farmers Association of Nigeria (POFAN), Chief Daniel Okafor has urged the government to establish accurate data for farmers who obtain agricultural loans.
Okafor, speaking in an interview with NatureNews reporters lamented that the government and some banks that give agricultural loans give out loans to anybody claiming to be farmers without obtaing proper data documentation.
He said that the government by-passes farmers’ organisations and gives out loans to self-acclaimed farmers who end up spending the loans frivolously.
‘’The loans they are giving are good but they are not giving them to the right people. It is supposed to be monitored by farmers organizations.
‘’They don’t have records and data of the farmers they are giving the loans to. Getting data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is not enough because there is a need to monitor the loans given out."

Read more: https://naturenews.africa/farmer-association-urges-for-proper-disbursement-process-of-loan-to-farmers/

@NatureNews Africa

National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has revealed that some National Identification Number holders may be required to pay N15,000 to correct their dates of birth in the commission’s database.
NIMC Regional Coordinator, Mrs Funmi Opesanwo, stated this on Wednesday at the commission’s office in the Alausa area of Lagos State when speaking to Channels Television.
She said NIN holders are also to pay a processing fee of N5,000 for card renewal or card replacement as well as an address modification fee of N500.
According to Opesanwo, NIN enrolment is free but fees are attached for card renewal, correction of date of birth and change of address.

Read more: https://naturenews.africa/nin-holders-may-be-charged-n15000-nimc-official/

@Naturenews Africa


The Benue state Ministry of Health and Human Services has reiterated its commitment to end HIV/ AIDS transmission in the state by 2021 while confirming that over 188 persons are already on treatment.

This information was disclosed by the director of public health in the ministry, Dr. Terna Kur, during the review of the 2020 annual operational plans (AOP) and the development of the 2021 for health sector response in the state by global funds in collaboration with Health Nigeria Initiative with Benue State government held in Oturkpo Local Government Area.

Read more : https://naturenews.africa/hiv-aids-benue-state-intensifies-efforts-to-end-transmission-in-2021/

@ NatureNews Africa
Nigerians are eager to get their National Identity Number (NIN), after the Federal Government announcement on deregistering SIM card network users if NIN is not linked. National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has introduced booking system for enrolment as NIMC centres are beseige by applicants.

It is part of the new guidelines introduced by the commission, which the spokesman, Kayode Adegoke, made known in a statement.

It is part of the new guidelines introduced by the commission, which the spokesman, Kayode Adegoke, made known in a statement.

Read more: https://naturenews.africa/booking-system-introduced-by-nimc-to-uncrowed-centres/[color=#006600][/color]

A coronavirus variant in the United Kingdom has caused alarm because of the possibility that it might spread more easily. But even if that turns out to be true, experts say the COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out will likely still work on the variant.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, said data coming from Britain indicates the vaccines still will block the virus. But the U.S. also will do tests to be sure.
Viruses often undergo small changes as they reproduce and move through a population. In fact, the slight modifications are how scientists track the spread of a virus from one place to another.
But if a virus mutates significantly enough, one worry is that current vaccines might no longer offer as much protection. And although that’s a possibility to watch for over time with the coronavirus, experts say they don’t believe it will be the case with the variant in the U.K.

Fire Razes Shops In Market
No fewer than 37 shops and stalls were razed down by an early morning inferno in Potiskum market, Yobe State.
The Chairman of United Marketers Association of Potiskum, Nasiru Mato said the fire outbreak, whose cause was yet to be ascertained, began around 3:00 am yesterday.
A resident, Bello Musa, said they mobilised people to put out the fire but they could only do little as the inferno intensified beyond their efforts.
Meanwhile, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has commiserated with the victims and directed relevant agencies to take proactive measures.
Buni, in a statement by his spokesman, Mamman Mohammed, said he had directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide the victims with all the necessary emergency support and to take stock of damages caused by the inferno.
Also, Senate President Ahmad Lawan has urged the Yobe State Government to investigate the cause of the fire outbreak with a view to averting the recurrence of the disaster.
Lawan, in a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, commiserated with victims of the fire incident and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured persons.
He also called for public support for those whose means of livelihood has been wiped out by the fire disaster. (NatureNews.africa)