Month: August 2023

The Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) says it has partnered with some Nigerian universities on research into alternative source of energy called renewable energy.

The PTDF’s Executive Secretary, Dr Bello Aliyu Gusau, disclosed this at a workshop on Wednesday held at University of Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop titled: “Agro Waste to Energy: Biodiesel Bedrock of Energy Sufficiency in Nigeria” was organised by PDTF Professionals Chair.

Gusau was represented by the Deputy General Manager, Strategic Planning and Documentation, Mr Olayinka Agboola,

He said the workshop was to expand the frontier of knowledge based on findings of research work on alternative energy sources.

“We have invested funds in this research work, to see how we can make our local materials in renewable energy,” he said.

According to him, the effort became necessary due to the complexity of the energy problem in Nigeria which requires alternative sources.

The D-G pointed out that the fossil fuel used as a source of power by Nigerians is becoming expensive to procure, adding that time has come to harness solar, wind and geothermal as energy sources.

In her welcome address, Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami, commended PTDF for assisting the universities with research funds.

Salami, who was represented by her Deputy Vice Chancellor Ekhewan Campus, Prof. Buniyamin Ayinde, said that the partnership would move the society forward.

Speaking, a scholar Prof. Ikuonase Emovon of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta, said Nigeria is endowed with renewable energy resources capable of easing the power generation problems.

Also contributing, Prof. Kessington Obahiagbon, the PTDF Chair Holder, said biomass fuel is becoming a viable alternative for fossil fuels due to rising demand for clean energy, diminishing fuel stocks and lowering reliance on crude oil.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has urged women in leadership positions to become agents of change in the struggle for women emancipation.

Addressing the Evolution of Women in Leadership Conference at Durban, Dube-Ncube cautioned that it is easy for women to assume that their liberation will come from others, other than themselves.

“Those who are oppressed need not accept a diminished sense of self. This must not be the case with our fight for socio-economic emancipation as women. The evolution of women in leadership is less about celebrating how far we have come, but more about how we re-adjust the lenses of our struggle, such that we usher in a new world,” Dube-Ncube said.

Attended by more than 200 women leaders, entrepreneurs and decision-makers, the main point of the conference was the effect of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and its impact in hampering impactful change in society.

The Premier highlighted a number of interventions that government has implemented to fight the scourge of GBV, these include, amongst others, the Light-Up Inanda Campaign where eThekwini Metro is working together with Mnambithi Group in Public-Private Partnership providing solar-powered streetlights in Inanda Township, which has been identified as the number one GBV spot in the country.

“The Office of the Premier recently secured funding from private sector partners to build the initial foundation of the GBVF App with a panic button. Making the system fully operational requires effective ward- based GBVF Rapid Response Teams integrated to War Rooms.

“The GBVF App will be linked to members of the Gender Based Violence and Femicide Rapid Response Teams which include war room, members of the Executive Committee (EXCO), traditional leadership, and SAPS,” the Premier highlighted.

The Premier also challenged women to be their own liberators and to understand that the change they want to see is not so that they can be like men, but to usher in a new world characterised by peace, equality, justice and prosperity.

She also urged women in leadership positions to lift more women so that the occupation of leadership positions should be seen less as an exception, but “more as a norm”.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) says cinema-goers across Nigeria would enjoy discounted tickets on Saturday, Sept. 2, in commemoration of the International Cinema Day.

The National Chairman, CEAN, Mr Opeyemi Ajayi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ajayi said that the discount was targeted at rewarding cinema-goers, bringing back old customers and encouraging Nigerians to cultivate the habit of going to the cinemas.

“Nigeria’s cinemas join cinemas in the United Kingdom and United States of America to announce “The National Cinema Day” which takes place on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

“The Cinema Exhibitor’s Association of Nigeria welcomes moviegoers to celebrate a day at the movies with discounted tickets of N1,000 to kick-off the first National Cinema Day, on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

“This one-day event will be held at more than 50 Cinema locations across the Federation, with over 100 screens.

“We believe this will bring together audiences of all ages to enjoy a day at the movies and see any movie of their choice at a discounted ticket price of N1,000.

“We are doing this to say thank you to movie-goers and promote the cinema-going culture as well as to remind audiences about the magic of cinema,” the CEAN chairman said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The certificate issued to Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma, Edo, to produce Glucozil herbal capsules for the control of diabetes has expired, NAFDAC declared in Abuja on Tuesday.

Its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that NAFDAC did not give approval of the drug, but only listed it on Nov. 10, 2020.

She explained that the drug was listed for the management of high blood sugar as stated on the approved label and listing certificate issued to the university.

The certificate, she added, expired on Nov. 9, 2022.

“Treatment, curative and preventive claims for diabetes, benign prostatic hyperplasia and detoxification were never approved for Glucozil as claimed by the university and should be disregarded by the public.

“As specified in the Herbal Medicine and Related Products Labelling Regulations (2021), the listing was subject to the inclusion of the mandatory disclaimer.

“This is the regular disclaimer that is used and required for other listed herbal products which have not undergone clinical trials that NAFDAC deem satisfactory.

“The claims on the product’s label have not been evaluated by NAFDAC,’’ Adeyeye stated.

She added that the attention of NAFDAC had been drawn to a news publication of Aug. 24 that NAFDAC had approved AAU’s Glucozil herbal medicine for diabetes.

She noted that the media publication claimed that Glucozil had been scientifically tested with safety established in both humans and animals.

Adeyeye stated that the university ought to have verified the status of the herbal medicine certificate and the approved claim.

She stressed that manufacturing, distribution or marketing of the product was not allowed until the renewal application had been submitted and approved by NAFDAC.

“From our records, Ambrose Alli University was neither the manufacturer nor the applicant for approval of the said product,’’ Adeyeye stressed.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) has appealed to the State and Federal Governments to create special fund for effective waste management.

The President of AWAMN, Mr Olugbenga Adebola, made the appeal on Tuesday in Ikeja, during the Inauguration of the executive committee of the association.

Adebola described waste management as an essential sector of the economy which needed special funds within a single digit interest loan facility, to ensure environmental sustainability.

He said that the waste managers were going to collaborate with government at all levels to transform waste management in the country.

According to him, low interest rate loans will enable waste managers to invest more for sustainable environment.

”We are going with our demands to create a special fund for the environment family, especially for waste management.

”We shall work with the State and the Federal Government of Nigeria to explore access to single-digit loan facilities to our members.

”Our members are essential service providers, supporting environmental sustainability, health and well-being and nationwide aesthetics of the people and country.

“Low-interest-rate will enable our members to enjoy dedicated funding plans like the farmers, aviation industry, healthcare industry, among others.

”It will help our people to invest more, because waste management is highly capital intensive, and you also need to have access to single-digit credit facility like Anchor Borrowers’ Programme for farmers.

”The Federal Government is doing it for health sector, aviation industry and for all critical industries. We are also a critical industry, operating within the space of environmental sustainability,” he said.

The president described effective waste management as pre-health services, that would reduce Lassa fever, mosquitoes, and ensure better environment.

He appealed to the government to sponsor its members to local and international conferences, trainings and study tours, as these would expand their capabilities for better performance.

According to him, it will equally help waste managers to take advantage of newer technological advancements and innovations, which will enhance operational efficiency, reduce leakages and improve their income.

He said it would also help them to remain connected to the global trends within the industry.

”We need to work with researchers and develop even our members, that is why my administration is going to emphasise more on capacity development of our members.

”If you don’t train them, you don’t blame them, and one of our cardinal objectives is to train our members for effective and efficient service delivery,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria