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Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014. Show all posts

Friday, April 11, 2014

2014 Innovation Prize for Africa name 10 finalists


The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) has named 10 finalists of its prestigious Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2014, reports NaijaAgroNet.

The 10 African innovators, NaijaAgroNet also reports according a press statement by the African Press Organisation (APO), as having created practical solutions to some of the continent’s most intractable problems, from a domestic waste biogas system to a wafer matrix for paediatric antiretroviral (ARV) drug treatment. Chosen from almost 700 applications from 42 countries, the finalists for the IPA 2014 represent Africans’ potential to address the challenges that are unique to the continent.

The winners of the IPA 2014 will be announced at an awards ceremony on 5 May in Abuja, Nigeria, where keynote speaker, the Honourable Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Minister of finance, will highlight the importance of innovation to unlock Africa’s potential for sustainable development and economic growth.

The winner will receive USD 100 000 for the best innovation based on marketability, originality, scalability, social impact and clear business potential.  While a runner up will receive USD 25 000 for the best commercial potential and another winner will receive USD 25 000 as a special prize for innovation with the highest social impact. 

Prior to the awards ceremony, a roundtable featuring innovation experts will take place, to address the theme “A Path to Building Industrial Nation Skillsets in Africa.”

Founder, African Innovation Foundation and the IPA, Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, noted that as global leaders gather for the 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa to discuss approaches to inclusive growth and job creation.


“The IPA 2014 innovators demonstrate that the best way to achieve equitable economic growth for all Africans is to invest in local innovation and entrepreneurship,” Bastos de Morais said.

Isaac Oyimah/GEE
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Sunday, October 27, 2013

FG plans reduction on wheat importation by 20 %




The Federal Government has advanced plans to cut down wheat importation by 20 per cent and save over N127 billion from its annual wheat import bill of over N635 billion as from 2014.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina dropped the hint in Lokoja during a two-day training workshop on cassava bread organised for master bakers from the North Central zone, stressing that government took the stance in order to reduce the bill and  implement its policy of 20 per cent substitution of wheat with cassava flour in bread production.

The Minister who was represented by his technical adviser on cassava value chain, Toyin Adetunji said that the master bakers’ training was part of measures aimed at developing cassava industry, create jobs and boost the income of the people.

NaijaAgroNet reports that Nigeria has become the pace setter in cassava production with a capacity of 40 million metric tons per annum, and being trailed by Brazil, Thailand and Indonesia.

“The challenge to us as a nation is that Thailand, which is the third largest producer of cassava, controls over 80 percent of the world market of cassava starch. Hence, there is need for us to play our role as a leading producer nation,” he said.


He disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan had approved N10 billion as cassava bread development fund while the training of the 770 master bakers cut  across the six geo-political zones with a minimum of six bakers from each local government area of the country.

NaijaAgroNet/RN
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