Day: July 24, 2024

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and Kano Independent Research Centre Trust (KIRCT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the country’s research capacity.

The MoU was signed on Monday in Lagos.

Prof. Babatunde Salako, the Director-General of NIMR, said the partnership would support research into home-grown solutions to addressing the various health challenges in the country.

Salako said it would also create a viable platform for both organisations to harness their different capacities and capabilities in the area of research.

‘This partnership is key because it will support home-grown solutions which can come from products of research.

‘In Africa, most of the solutions we have are not from us; our genetic architecture are not taken into consideration in many drugs and vaccine production.

‘We see this as opportunity to harness our different capacities of and make significant impact in the area of drugs and vaccine production,’ he said.

Also, Prof. Hamisu Salihu,
the Director-General of KIRCT, said the partnership between both organisations would complement the effort of the government on health security.

Salihu said both institutes played significant roles in responding to disease outbreaks in the country, noting that it would expand the bio-medical entity of the country.

According to him, the overall goal of the partnership is to help prevent the next disease outbreak or epidemic in Kano and Nigeria at large

‘This agreement with NIMR will benefit the country greatly because we have realised that NIMR is the foremost and well known research institute in the country.

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‘The KIRCT is also an independent organisation which have the capacity to to expand and it’s supported by the Kano State government and Pfizer pharmaceuticals

‘We see them as a priority partner with the track record to push us forward in terms of capacity building, visionary direction on some of the local challenges we face in Kano.’

H
e explained that diseases including meningitis, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as pregnant women would be given more priority due to their burden in the state and the country as a whole.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) project will create about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in the territory.

Mahmoud stated this in Gwagwalada on Wednesday, at the commencement of the distribution of agricultural inputs to FCT SAPZ project’s beneficiaries to boost agricultural production.

Represented by the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCT Administration, Mr Lawan Geidam, the minister explained that women would constitute 40 per cent of the beneficiaries.

She said that the 50,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created within the five-year duration of the SAPZ project.

Mahmoud identified food as the most essential need for human survival, adding that agriculture plays a vital role in meeting this need.

She also said that agriculture remained the mainstay of the nation’s economy, providing livelihoods to millions of people and ensuring food security.

The minister, however,
said that farmers and agro-entrepreneurs face numerous and complex challenges, ranging from climate change, poor agricultural practices, and access to markets.

She stressed, ‘These challenges require innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to address them.

‘It is for these reasons that the FCT Administration has fully embraced the SAPZ Project, designed in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘The project is designed to inject the much-needed manpower, resources and investments to reinvigorate the agricultural sector for sustainable development.’

Mahmoud expressed optimism that the agricultural inputs would serve as a vital catalyst for building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector in the FCT.

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She identified the inputs as bull calves, animal feeds, improved seeds, fertilisers, crop protection chemicals and equipment.

The minister said that 5,000 crops and livestock farmers have been profiled and cleared to benef
it from the support in the first phase of the SAPZ intervention.

Mahmoud reaffirmed FCTA’s unwavering commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the SAPZ project.

Speaking in his capacity as the mandate secretary of the agriculture and rural development secretariat, Geidam explained that SAPZ was initiated to unlock the potential of the livestock sub-sector in the FCT.

This, he said, was being done by providing critical financing and support to drive the growth, productivity, and sustainability of the sector.

He said that the project would also train various groups and provide funding for the operations of the groups in their respective agricultural ventures.

According to him, the support is expected to reduce high cost of production to enable them to maximise the farmer’s earnings and improve their livelihood.

On her part, SAPZ Project Coordinator in FCT, Hajia Umma Abubakar, said that the project was a flagship initiative designed to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria.

Abubakar added
that the project was also expected to promote livestock value chain and concentrate industrial processing and marketing of beef and dairy products.

‘It also aimed at developing the rural areas, increasing household income, and fostering job creation in rural agricultural communities, targeting youths and women.

‘This in the long run will enhance food and nutrition security in FCT,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has said that the $200 million fine against Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC was based on discriminatory practices and sanctionable offences committed.

The acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the penalty was slammed on the companies after three years of intensive investigations.

Abdullahi said the companies were found culpable of denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self determination, unauthorised transfer and sharing of personal data which was not the practice in other climes.

He said the companies gave options to data subjects in other climes to decide whether their data should be shared or not.

‘Only last week, FCCPC issued a final order and imposed a monetary penalty of $220,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Twenty Million USD) against Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC over discriminatory practices in Nigeria.

‘This is an inve
stigation that has taken place for the past three years and I was part of it.

‘We found out that when you register for the first time to join WhatsApp, there is a column that says you have agreed for your data to be shared for research.

‘That is opposed to other climes where you have the choice of saying yes or no so, that is discriminatory at the first instance.

‘Secondly, we found out that they share our data across platforms,’ he said.

According to Abdullahi, the Commission is already getting international accolades for the investigation and sanction.

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‘We are getting international accolades that at last, there is a competition authority in Africa that is standing against all these anti-competitive practices by multi-national agencies.’

On his achievements through his seven months tenure in the Commission, Abdullahi said that FCCPC implemented measures to curb price gouging, promote fair competition and protect consumers.

Abdullahi
said the Commission had also carried out a review of the stand-alone curriculum for consumer education in secondary schools across the country.

He said the Commission introduced sensitisation for traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders, to enhance capacity and empower them as consumer protection agents in their localities.

According to him, the most common consumer complaints in the electricity industry include exploitative billing, unlawful disconnection, non-metering of customers, lack of transformers and other salient issues.

‘Given the relevance of electricity as a critical utility, the Commission prioritised intervention in the industry to tackle prevailing issues and improve service delivery.

‘This we did by implementing various programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the sector,’ he said.

Abdullahi said the Commission would continue to work tirelessly to promote competition and protect consumers to create a vibrant economy that would benefi
t both businesses and citizens.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCCPC published its final order in which it imposed a penalty of $220 million and a reimbursement fee of $35,000 on WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc.

The penalty is for violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), following a joint investigation conducted by the FCCPC and Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has said that the 200 million dollar fine against Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC was based on discriminatory practices and sanctionable offences committed.

The acting Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Adamu Abdullahi, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the penalty was slammed on the companies after three years of intensive investigations.

Abdullahi said the companies were found culpable of denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self determination, unauthorised transfer and sharing of personal data which was not the practice in other climes.

He said the companies gave options to data subjects in other climes to decide whether their data should be shared or not.

‘Only last week, FCCPC issued a final order and imposed a monetary penalty of $220,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Twenty Million USD) against Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC over discriminatory practices in Nigeria.

‘This is a
n investigation that has taken place for the past three years and I was part of it.

‘We found out that when you register for the first time to join WhatsApp, there is a column that says you have agreed for your data to be shared for research.

‘That is opposed to other climes where you have the choice of saying yes or no so, that is discriminatory at the first instance.

‘Secondly, we found out that they share our data across platforms,’ he said.

According to Abdullahi, the Commission is already getting international accolades for the investigation and sanction.

See also Expert backs commission’s move to sanitise digital lending space

‘We are getting international accolades that at last, there is a competition authority in Africa that is standing against all these anti-competitive practices by multi-national agencies.’

On his achievements through his seven months tenure in the Commission, Abdullahi said that FCCPC implemented measures to curb price gouging, promote fair competition and protect consumers.

Abdullahi said the Commission had also carried out a review of the stand-alone curriculum for consumer education in secondary schools across the country.

He said the Commission introduced sensitisation for traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders, to enhance capacity and empower them as consumer protection agents in their localities.

According to him, the most common consumer complaints in the electricity industry include exploitative billing, unlawful disconnection, non-metering of customers, lack of transformers and other salient issues.

‘Given the relevance of electricity as a critical utility, the Commission prioritised intervention in the industry to tackle prevailing issues and improve service delivery.

‘This we did by implementing various programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the sector,’ he said.

Abdullahi said the Commission would continue to work tirelessly to promote competition and protect consumers to create a vibrant economy that wo
uld benefit both businesses and citizens.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCCPC published its final order in which it imposed a penalty of $220 million and a reimbursement fee of $35,000 on WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc.

The penalty is for violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), following a joint investigation conducted by the FCCPC and Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Michael Obaro, a Consultant Clinical Pharmacologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, says soft gel technology, a new innovative approach to oral drug delivery, will revolutionise malaria treatment in the country.

He explained that soft gel capsules, known for their enhanced bioavailability and patient-friendly properties, are gaining attention in the pharmaceutical world.

Obaro made the remarks during the launch of Coatal Forte Soft Gelatin Capsule produced by Geneith Pharmaceuticals, at the 43rd international conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists Nigeria (ACPN).

According to him, unlike traditional tablets, soft gels can improve drug absorption, ensure consistent dosing, and provide a stable medium for active ingredients.

The expert noted that malaria, caused by the Plasmodium parasite transmitted through mosquito bites, affects millions annually despite the availability of effective treatments.

He said challenges such as drug resistance, poor patient adherence, and
limited accessibility hinder the global fight against malaria.

According to Obaro, over 60 per cent of Nigerians discontinue oral medications while undergoing treatment, which he said remains a significant barrier to effective malaria management.

‘Soft gels facilitate quicker and more efficient absorption of antimalarial drugs, ensuring rapid therapeutic effects.

‘ Their ease of swallowing can lead to better adherence, particularly among children and the elderly. Additionally, they can protect sensitive drug compounds from degradation, maintaining their potency over time.

‘The development of the soft gelatin capsule formulation is credited to Robert Pauli Scherer, an American inventor and entrepreneur who developed the rotary die encapsulation process for manufacturing soft gel capsules in 1933.

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‘ This innovation allowed for the mass production of soft gels, providing a reliable and efficient method
to encapsulate liquid and semi-solid formulations within a gelatin shell,’ he added.

Speaking on the launched product, the pharmacologist stressed that it is the most popular antimalarial gelatin formulation, containing Artemether 80 mg and Lumefantrine 480 mg, known for its high antimalarial safety and efficacy.

Furthermore, he noted that soft gel formulations can be marketed as a premium product due to positive consumer perception.

‘They can be taken without water, offer convenience for patients in areas where access to clean water may be limited.’

He explained that malaria thrived in poor environmental conditions, and large populations, saying medications alone cannot eliminate the disease in a country like Nigeria.

‘Mass treatment and a change in individual mindsets are also required.’

Also speaking, Abimbola Bowoto, Assistant General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Geneith Pharmaceuticals Ltd., explained that the product, which comes in two formulations -Coatal Gelatin Soft Gel 80/480 and 20/120- is
capable of reducing non-compliance with medications by patients.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A Research Fellow at University College London, Dr Michael Odijie, has urged educators across various institutions of learning to enhance research on the abolition of slavery from an African perspective.

Odijie, who is currently part of the European Union-funded African abolitionism (AFRAB) project, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

He said that a proper understanding of local anti-slavery ideas and networks would encourage the abolition of modern-day slavery.

According to him, the history of the abolition of slavery in Africa, both the trans-Atlantic slave trade and local slavery was deeply eurocentric.

He advised that improved research methodologies into the abolition of slavery in Africa should be upheld.

Odijie noted that this was important to ensure that every form of modern-day slavery was checked and gradually eradicated.

Odijie said he was curating an exhibition titled ‘Nigerian Voices Against Slavery’ at the National Museum in Lagos in line
with his advocacy.

He said the exhibition which commenced on July 8 would run till Aug. 10.

According to him, the exhibition is aimed at highlighting the efforts of Nigerians who fought against slavery.

‘It features historical figures like Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745 – 1797) and contemporary activists combating modern slavery and human trafficking.

‘The exhibition opens to the public from 9.00a.m. till 5.00p.m. daily.

‘It is free of charge and provides an opportunity to learn about Nigeria’s historical and ongoing battles against slavery,’ he said.

He added that as an extension of the exhibition, three workshops were scheduled to take place at the National Museum.

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Odijie said the workshops were designed for students, teachers, lecturers, and community stakeholders and would be held on July 25 for students and July 26 for teachers and lecturers.

The researcher added that the workshop would hold on July 27 for community stakeholders and ca
mpaigners.

‘These workshops will extend the exhibition’s impact by offering a more immersive and participatory learning experience,’ he said.

Odijie said his call to action underscored the importance of incorporating African perspectives into the study and teaching of slavery abolition.

He expressed confidence that his advocacy would enrich the understanding in combating modern forms of slavery in Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria