General News
FG Mulls ‘Operation Feed Yourself’ to Tackle Hunger
![](https://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Hunger.jpg)
Federal government is considering an ‘Operation Feed Yourself’ initiative to encourage the establishment of urban farms and small home gardens across the country.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo explained that the initiative, to be undertaken in collaboration with states under the auspices of the National Economic Council and the National Council on Nutrition, was part of efforts to address malnutrition and related challenges.
The plan for this initiative is one of three major plans arising from the UN-backed Food Systems Dialogues, to advance the fight against malnutrition, the Vice President stated at a high-level meeting on nutrition on Monday.
Other plans, he added, were providing support to farmers across the country, especially by providing useful weather and soil pattern information that would improve farming yields, as well as encouraging state governments to ensure prompt release of budget for nutrition and related activities.
“There are practical steps that can be taken by the states and Federal Government in the next 12 months,” Professor Osinbajo told the meeting.
“I think that some of the suggestions are important, especially those that have come from the UN Food System Dialogue.”
Boost Food Security
He listed the different stages as the establishment of agribusiness investment hubs or farm settlements, the establishment of urban farms and homestead gardens by individuals and schools, the adoption of weather information to support farming, leveraging the support of the UN agencies and other partners for nutrition activities, and the call on MDAs and states to release funding for nutrition activities.
“States and the FGN will promote what the convener has described as ‘Operation Feed Yourself’. This is more of the establishment of urban farms and homestead gardens,” the Vice President stated.
“This is simply something that we think should be a mass appeal to citizens in the states, and the encouragement we can give them so that individuals and schools develop their own farms or homestead gardens.
“This obviously not only helps individuals and families, but the excess can be sold to others and generally improve food security. The establishment of agribusiness investment hubs or farm settlements or farm estates or any variety of those kinds of integrated farming arrangements will improve food and nutrition security.
“What we are recommending is the sort of model that Oyo State has or any of the variety that states have. That sort is obviously recommended because of the way that it is structured and the obviously good result that they have been getting.”
A file photo of a food trader at a market in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Sodiq Adelakun/Channels Television
Nutrition Budget
Speaking specifically about the funding of nutrition and related activities by MDAs and states, Professor Osinbajo said a point of importance had been made, even at the National Economic Council meetings.
“It is one of the action points as defined in the food transformation pathways which we already have issued and we are hoping that these budget releases will be specifically directed at the action points defined in the transformation pathways because these are ways by which we have identified that we can gain maximum traction in food security,” he explained.
“We urge the states to budget adequately for nutrition. Each MDA and state should adopt the national priority list, make budgetary provisions for those who haven’t concluded their 2022 annual budgets. I think there is still time to make adequate budgetary provision for nutrition in the 2022 budgets.”
Professor Osinbajo urged the state governments to adopt partnerships that can be effective in scaling up nutrition and related activities.
He said “it is also clear that we can leverage on the support of the UN agencies and other partners like the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Bank, as well as our development partners, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Aliko Dangote Foundation.
“The Aliko Dangote Foundation was able to show what they have been doing, especially with de-risking facilities that could be used by farmers in the various localities all over the country.”
The meeting was attended by Mrs Amina Mohammed, United Nations deputy secretary-general, state governors, and representatives of development partners, among others.
Mrs Mohammed, who acknowledged the leadership of Nigeria to the UN agenda 2030 and the Africa Union agenda 2063, believes the solution to many of the challenges associated with malnutrition lie in Nigeria’s recent commitment through the Food Systems Summit process.
“I will like to pay tribute to the leadership of the Vice President, Professor Osinbajo, and to the efforts of the Mrs Olusola Idowu, as the national convener of the virtual engagement by His Excellency at the pre-summit and clear, focused, ambitious national pathways that were published ahead of the Food Systems Summit in September,” she said.
“At the summit itself, His Excellency, the President made decisive and inspiring commitments, and all these efforts of the emerging pathways, Nigeria has demonstrated a holistic approach to the food systems transformation which really underpins that transformation that it is about climate, it is about nutrition and about an inclusive economy.”
On his part, Dr Kayode Fayemi, chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, said despite dwindling financial resources, the states would continue to push on the frontier of improvement in nutritional issues.
General News
TD Africa Unveils Super App Version 2, Transforms Technology Access Across Africa
![](https://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/TD.jpg)
TD Africa, a leading technology distributor in Africa, has launched TD Super App Version 2, an upgraded, feature-rich platform designed to revolutionize technology procurement for individuals and businesses.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Omowumi-Oladele-Project-Manager-TD-Africa.jpg?resize=300%2C187&ssl=1)
Omowumi Oladele, Project Manager, TD Africa
The enhanced App offers seamless access to a wide range of cutting-edge tech products at unbeatable prices, with faster delivery options to improve efficiency and convenience.
Available on both web and mobile, the revamped TD Super App boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface, making it easier than ever for users to discover and purchase technology products.
This latest upgrade reaffirms TD Africa’s commitment to affordability, efficiency, and convenience, ensuring that businesses and individuals can access the tools they need to succeed.
With exclusive deals and discounts, registered users can enjoy significant savings on a vast selection of technology products, including computing devices, smartphones, consumer electronics, and power solutions. Optimized logistics and accelerated delivery times further enhance the shopping experience, ensuring that customers receive their technology essentials quickly and reliably.
“At TD Africa, we are dedicated to delivering value, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology solutions that drive business growth and streamline operations,” said Omowumi Oladele, Product Manager, TD Africa.
“The upgraded TD Super App Version 2 is designed to simplify procurement, enhance productivity, and maximize savings—empowering businesses and individuals across Africa.”
The App is now available for download on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Users can also access the platform via web browsers at superapp.tdafrica.com
General News
FG Drops Merger of NCAA, NAMA
![](https://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Festus-Kayamo-Aviation-minister.jpeg)
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has stepped down the merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) as recommended by the Steve Oronsaye report.
He also revealed that the aviation industry was exempted from the foreign travel ban placed on federal government officials last year. The President announced the ban which took effect from April last year.
Keyamo disclosed that the aviation sector was exempted from the ban because President Tinubu is desirous of change and growth in the sector.
The ban was placed following the rising cost of travel expenses by Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government.
The memo released last year stated: “Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr Presideni’s directive to place a temporary ban on all publicly funded international trips for all federal government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three months from 1st April 2024.
“All government officials who intend to go on any publicly funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks before embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed necessary”.
The Minister disclosed the reasons for the exemption in Abuja at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
On the merger of NCAA and NAMA, he said: “From modest beginnings, we have witnessed remarkable transformations in our sector, ranging from enhanced supervisory measures and policies formulation, safety and security oversight, robust legislative and regulatory frameworks, advancements in air traffic management, development, expansion and certification of airports, accurate meteorological services, timely accident investigations, manpower development, and indeed, the growth of indigenous airlines.
“These achievements have not come without challenges. However, with the efforts of past administrations and the total support of the present administration under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the five focus areas of the ministry, we have overcome challenges and reached new heights.
“NCAA is a child of God, and despite turbulent waters and attempts sometimes to kill the NCAA, the NCA has survived 25 years. And I’m sure you know that any child that is born at the age of 25, of course, is undoubtedly an age of maturity.
“The Oronsanye reports also recommended the merger of NCAA and NAMA. And so that was also another attempt to kill the NCAA. That report was passed from Jonathan’s government to Buhari’s government, and then to the present government.
“It was one of the first items we considered in this government. So the Oronsanye reports came up that day, and the president went on and on, considered every item in the Oronsanye report, and asked the council to vote. And for each item, they would listen to the ministers and so the president came to the merger of NCAA and NAMA as one body.
“I raised my hand, I spoke for about five minutes and because we have a wonderful president who listens to good counsel and good arguments, after I finished speaking, he said, an item dropped, the merger of NCAA and NAMA would not remain”.
On the reasons for the exemption, he said: “It is a fact that the aviation sector remains a pillar of national development, facilitating trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. Whilst it is yet to realize its true potential in terms of contribution to our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we must renew our commitment to ensuring a more progressive, sustainable, inclusive, innovative, and prosperous aviation industry.
“This necessitates the continuous adoption and integration of emerging technologies, enhancing infrastructure, and investing in human capital development to keep our skies safer and secure and attain cohesive and efficient air transportation services.
“The President directed that foreign travels should stop, except in exceptional circumstances. Last year, there was a memo around March that said it was for three months, and the President, because of his desire to ensure that we are frugal in our spending; there was another memo again in December reiterating that memo last year we should cut down on foreign travels, except by direct presidential approval.
“But let us also give particular thanks to Mr. President, because despite that memo, since last year, he has made an exception for the aviation industry. I wrote a memo to him after that directive on behalf of the entire agency that says; Sir, we respect your directive; yes, we need to be frugal because the Nigerian people have also tightened their belts in the face of the economic reforms that are taking place.
“However, because of the safety of this sector, Sir, we need to make some exceptions for this sector. And the President graciously granted this for the aviation sector”.
General News
Researchers Develop Innovative Treatment for Malaria
![](https://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/malaria-vaccine.jpg)
An international team of researchers have introduced a groundbreaking drug, known as the covalent kinase inhibitor, which shows promise in combating treatment-resistant malaria.
Developed by chemists and bioscientists from the University of Glasgow, this innovative drug could surpass current medications by effectively targeting and disabling the proteins used by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite to replicate within the human body.
This is according to a report titled “Targeting Pf CLK3 with Covalent Inhibitors: A Novel Strategy for Malaria Treatment.”
The development, led by chemists and bioscientists from the University of Glasgow, was outlined in a November publication in the “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.”
According to the researchers, covalent inhibitors form bonds with proteins, usually irreversibly modifying them, and this new drug could be more effective than current medications at all stages of malaria infection.
The new drug works by permanently disabling a protein that Plasmodium falciparum, one of the mosquito-borne parasites that spread malaria, uses to replicate itself inside the human body.
The drug also has the potential to work as a single-dose treatment, a significant improvement over existing therapies.
This breakthrough marks the first adaptation of an approach from cancer treatments to tackle malaria.
The team expressed optimism that the parasite is unlikely to develop resistance to the new drug, which targets the protein Pf CLK3 and disrupts the parasite’s ability to splice RNA.
The researchers, including Prof. Martins Emeje from the Nigerian Natural Medicines Development Agency and Prof. Oyewale Tomori from the West African Academy of Sciences, emphasise the importance of regular calibration and accreditation for medical laboratories to ensure accurate results and reliable treatment.
- E-Financial1 day ago
SERAP Gives CBN 48-Hour Ultimatum to Withdraw ATM Fee Hike
- E-Financial1 day ago
FG Seeks Fresh $300m Loan from World Bank for Health Security
- News1 day ago
Binance Chief Insists Some FG Officials, Reps Demand $150m Bribe
- General News1 day ago
FG Drops Merger of NCAA, NAMA
- News1 day ago
inDrive Unveils Cashless Bank Transfer Feature in Nigeria
- E-Financial1 day ago
CardinalStone Acquires Radix Pension Managers
- Telecom1 day ago
NITDA Pledges to Foster Innovation with Cloud Infrastructure and AI Applications
- Telecom6 hours ago
Toriola, MTN Nigeria CEO again Defends Tariff Hikes amidst Backlash