Health

Establishment of Virology Centres in Niger Delta Region crucial- Akpabio

The Honourable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), Sen. Godswill Akpabio has stated the readiness of the Federal Government to collaborate the French Government in the production of Virology Centres which will address and tackle the spread of infectious diseases in the Niger Delta Region.

Akpabio made this known when the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jerome Pasquier paid him a courtesy call recently in his office, Abuja.

According to the Minister, “the importance and usefulness of the Virology Centre cannot be emphasized considering the prevalent situation presently experienced in the country and globally”.

He stated that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as child of circumstance was established to quell the agitation of the people of the Niger Delta region and to bring development to the region.

The Minister, who commended the efforts and commitment of the Federal Government in rolling out measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, extended his sympathy to the French Ambassador and his country for their loss.

He further stated that presently, the Ministry seeks to engage the services of consultants who would merge the Regional and National Plan to produce a concised Master Plan that will address amongst others, the infrastructural deficit, youth restiveness and socio-economic challenges in the region.

Akpabio also stressed the need to engage Soil Remediation experts to help in restoring the soil to its natural pollution free state, which will enhance soil usefulness and prevent endemic poverty in the region, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has demonstrated its readiness to expend N90 billion for the 9 States of the Niger Delta region in its integrated Agricultural Programme to train youths in Fishery, Rabbitry, Piggery, etc.

He assured the Ambassador that the Ministry would be prudent and transparent in any financial assistance offered by French Government.

The French Ambassador, who commended the efforts of the Government in putting in place effective measures to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, encouraged the Federal Government to develop vaccines that will take care of infectious diseases and other ailments such as Corona-virus and malaria respectively.

He indicated the readiness of his country to co-operate with Nigeria in the production of vaccine suggesting that Nigeria should also collaborate with other African countries to make the COVID 19 vaccine production a reality.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Announcements Business Culture News Security Society Software Technology Technology Trends Telecoms

Zoracom Nigeria Honored for Cybersecurity Leadership and Telecom Excellence at the Tech Innovation Awards 2024

post-image

 

In an era where cyber threats are growing increasingly complex and sophisticated, Nigeria has found an invaluable ally in Zoracom Nigeria—a company dedicated to safeguarding the nation’s digital borders. At the recent Tech Innovation Awards 2024, Zoracom was celebrated for its extraordinary efforts in cybersecurity and telecom infrastructure, receiving the prestigious title of Auxiliary Telecom Infrastructure Support Provider of the Year.

The award comes as a recognition of Zoracom’s relentless pursuit of quality, innovation, and transformative solutions in an industry that is central to Nigeria’s technological advancement. The company’s state-of-the-art facility, the National Security Operations Center (NSOC), stands as a testament to its commitment to combating cyber threats at a national scale. Established with cutting-edge technology and staffed by a team of skilled professionals, the NSOC is one of the country’s most advanced operations centers, providing real-time monitoring and proactive threat management to mitigate potential cyber incidents.

Read More
Business Economy

The Art of Investment: The rise of African art (By Ngozi Akinyele)

post-image

By Ngozi Akinyele, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Coronation Group (www.Coronation.ng)

 

A diversified portfolio is one of the key metrics of investment success. The greater this diversity, the more likely it will outperform the market, and the savviest investors are often looking for new opportunities: the rising stars among new asset classes. Investment in art is certainly not a new concept, but what makes it unique is that it often has low correlation with other major asset classes, meaning lower overall price volatility (https://apo-opa.co/3UpJknE). It’s the sure bet, sometimes with incredible escalating value, especially for those opting to invest in blue-chip artists (https://apo-opa.co/3Uq6YQQ) renowned artists whose work demands high prices in the art market).

However, not all of us can afford to invest in the works of Picasso, Van Gogh, or Warhol, with many blue-chip pieces only accessible as…

Read More
Business Culture Economy

From Tech Addiction to Surviving Conflict: Global Conference in Doha Explores the Challenges Facing Arab and Global Families

post-image

Policies to protect families in countries affected by conflict, the global impact of population decline, and striking a balance between work and family life were placed in focus at the 30th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family Conference on Family and Contemporary Megatrends.

 

Organized by Qatar Foundations Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the conference brought together more than 2,000 experts and policymakers from around the world to explore key trends affecting families, and policies and programs that strengthen the familys place at the heart of society.

 

The conference was attended by eminent figures from across the Arab world including Her Excellency Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, First Lady of Iraq; Her Excellency Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, Egypt; Her Excellency Dr. Amthal Hadi Hayef Al…

Read More
Business Economy Education Government Investments Technology Technology Trends

Nigeria Secures N2.8 Billion Google Investment to Boost Digital Economy and AI Development

post-image

 

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, announced a significant N2.8 billion commitment from Google, aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy through strategic initiatives outlined in the ministry’s Strategic Blueprint. The announcement was made alongside Google’s President of EMEA Business & Operations, Matt Brittin, as the tech giant pledged to support Nigeria’s technological transformation.

Dr. Tijani highlighted four major initiatives that Google’s investment will fuel:No alternative text description for this image

  1. DeepTech Ready Upskilling Programme: Designed to enhance advanced technical skills, this program aligns with Nigeria’s 3MTT initiative, aiming to equip 20,000 Nigerians with expertise in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
  2. Experience AI Programme: Targeting young learners aged 11-14, this initiative, co-developed with the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind, seeks to introduce AI fundamentals across Nigerian schools. Through this program, Google will train 25,000…
Read More
Business Culture Economy

Sanâa Kiadi Reflects on Participation in IOM Workshop on Migration Data in Rabat, Morocco

post-image

Sanâa Kiadi, a distinguished Global Strategist and International Executive, recently had the honor of representing the African Migration Observatory (AMO) at the Sub-Regional Workshop on Migration Data and Research, which took place on October 16th and 17th in Rabat, Morocco. This significant event was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Government of Morocco, bringing together key stakeholders dedicated to advancing the understanding of migration dynamics in the region.

During her participation, Kiadi presented AMO’s mission, which is focused on enhancing migration data collection and analysis across Africa. Her presentation underscored the importance of establishing robust data systems that inform evidence-based migration policies. “Accurate and comprehensive migration data is essential for shaping policies that address…

Read More
Business Economy Energy Environment Government

Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara Shuts Down NNPC and Oil Companies, Proclaims “No Allocation for Rivers State, No Oil for Nigeria”

post-image

In a bold and unprecedented move, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara has ordered the shutdown of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and all oil companies operating in the state. His declaration, “No allocation for Rivers State, no oil for Nigeria,” reflects a deep frustration over what he perceives as the unfair distribution of oil revenues.

This decisive action has sent ripples through the nation, resulting in Nigeria’s global oil production ranking plummeting from 4th to 24th almost immediately. Governor Fubara’s stance not only puts the spotlight on the importance of Rivers State to Nigeria’s oil supply but also raises questions about the broader implications for the economy and energy sector.

In a heartfelt challenge to influential leaders, including Minister Nyesom…

Read More
Business Economy News Opinion

The business case for automating customer due diligence and FICA compliance

post-image

By Sameer Kumandan, MD of SearchWorks

 

Automation has been labelled as a way to tighten up the corners, without cutting them. An apt description, it’s all about using technologies to up productivity, boost efficiency, reduce errors and save businesses a lot of time without having to make any sacrifices when it comes to quality or performance.

 

Customer Due Diligence (CDD) plays a critical role in mitigating financial crime risks by helping businesses establish that their customers are not involved in illegal activities and that they are who they say they are. In addition, CDD is essential to ensure compliance with South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA). And it’s not a one-time activity. Ongoing monitoring is vital to keep close tabs on how a customer’s circumstances and activities change over time. This is important, because risks evolve over time and because of the rise of what

Read More
Business Culture Economy Health

The Heart of Moppet Foods: How Loyal Customers Like Marian Are Building a Nigerian Brand Together

post-image

 

When Roberta Edu launched Moppet Foods, a locally-produced baby food brand, she hoped parents across Nigeria would find value in a nutritious, homegrown option for their babies. But what she didn’t expect was the level of passion and loyalty she’d see from her customers—people who believe in her brand so deeply that they’ve become its unofficial guardians.

Recently, Edu shared a story about one of her most devoted customers, Marian, who lives in Akoka and buys Moppet baby food from the Justrite store in Bariga. Marian’s dedication goes far beyond simply picking up a carton of baby food; she’s become almost a part of the Moppet team. “The way she looks out for us—it’s something I can’t even describe,” Edu said.

Marian has taken it upon herself to monitor Moppet’s stock levels at the store, as if the brand were her own. Every time she’s at Justrite, she’ll check the shelves,…

Read More