Expert cautions on prevention of lead poisoning

NaijaAgroNet:

Nigerian environmentalist, Aisha Okunade, has called for more supervision by regulatory agencies in the production process of consumable products in the country to prevent lead poisoning.

Okunade, who is the Head of Department of Environmental Studies, Kaduna Polytechnic, said in Kaduna recently that it was essential for government to adopt “precautionary preventive policies to ensure lead-safe environment''.

The environmentalist also called for sustained enlightenment campaign to educate Nigerians on necessary measures to avoid lead poisoning.

She said the dangers of lead poisoning have not received the desired attention as a public health issue in the country.

“I believe that no exposure level is safe. Adults exposed to lead are at greater risk of high blood pressure, kidney problems and nerve damage.

“In pregnant women, lead poisoning increases the risk of miscarriage while men may suffer infertility,” she said.

Okunade said people should always eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly and avoid cigarette smoke, to prevent lead poisoning.

She said people must be careful in how they dispose of naturally occurring metals in products, such as batteries, toys, jewelry, imported makeup and paints.

“Refuse needs to be disposed properly to avoid it getting into the ground to contaminate water,'' she added.

The expert advised regulatory agencies to ensure that consumables are tested every day to ensure their safety as healthy products.
NAN
 

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Aisha Buhari in muddy waters over N135m donation to displaced persons

NaijaAgroNet:

The wife of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajiya Aisha Buhari may have entered the muddy waters with the recent donation of materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in parts of Adamawa State last Wednesday, worth N135 million, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This is coming as condemnation trailed the donation with Nigerians calling on Mrs. Buhari to openly explain the source of the fund, which negates the claims by her husband who purportedly borrowed N20m to obtain the APC presidential form among other claims of so-called humble background.

Ike Obodo, a public commentator, told NaijaAgroNet that more facts are expected in the coming days on how Buhari’s wife turned a millionaire in matter of weeks.

Also, Obodo commended the National Independence Electoral Commission (INEC), saying that more truth must surely emerge, which will be good for the Nigerian voting public, mostly for them to take a decision for the forthcoming elections and presidential election particularly.

According to reports by News Express, Nigerians view the donation of such a huge material as contradicting claims by Buhari and his allies of his financial standing in the scheme of things moreso as former Nigerian military head of state.

For a Lagos-based politician, Omobolanle Olusola, wondered where on earth Hajiya Buhari suddenly became a millionaire for her to have donated such amount of materials to displaced places.

 
@Isaac Oyimah, +Naija AgroNet @Hajia Aisha Buhari @APC @ReubanAbati @GMB

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Pix: Mrs. Buhari

AWARD Fellows 2015: 3 Nigerians among top 10 top African women agricultural scientists

NaijaAgroNet:

 

Three Nigerian agro-scientists have been selected among top 10 fellows listed in the 70-people honoured at the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) 2015, reports NaijaAgroNet.

A press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet by the Communications Assistant at AWARD, Judith Olang, hinted that Messrs Ngozi Edoh, Catherine Nwokwu and Juliana Amaka Ugwu.

NaijaAgroNet reports that the trio were among participants who had earlier relationship with AWARD as mentees, but now has grown to make the fellowship programme.

For Ngozi Edoh, a Research Scientist at the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike in Abia State is currently focused on biosafety research and genetic improvement of root and tuber crops.

Catherine Nwokwu, NaijaAgroNet gathered is currently a post-graduate student at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. 

Her vision for agricultural research and development is to develop at least five high yielding and drought tolerant rice varieties.

Equally, Juliana Amaka Ugwu, an entomologist, is also a former AWARD junior mentee, who is on a mission to develop ecological and environmentally friendly approaches to sustainable production of fruits and vegetables in Nigeria. Ugwu is currently a lecturer at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.

Also on the list of top 10 is Zambian Belinda Kaninga, who is a soil scientist  on the other hand is developing appropriate soil fertility technologies in order to improve agricultural production and income for smallscale farmers.

Kaninga is an Agricultural Research Officer at the Zambia Agriculture Research institute.A lecturer and researcher at the Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo, Mozambique, Olivia Narciso Pedro was quoted in a press statement from Africa Press Organisation as saying, “Agricultural research and development in Mozambique is an important tool for increasing production, and consequently reducing household malnutrition and poverty, particularly in children and women.

According to her, “My vision for agriculture-led growth in Mozambique is to design alternatives to mitigate loss of genetic diversity, and ensure conservation of species, while improving household food security.”

This year’s laureates were selected from among an impressive cadre of 1,109 applicants from 11 African countries. These scientists and researchers will benefit from AWARD’s two-year career-development program that is focused on accelerating agricultural gains by strengthening their research and leadership skills.

AWARD Fellowships are granted on the basis of each scientist’s intellectual merit, leadership capacity, and the potential of her work to improve the livelihoods of African smallholder farmers, most of whom are women.

AWARD Fellows share a common vision: they want to translate their research and knowledge into tangible action, tangible action that will benefit smallholder farmers—especially laudable in 2015, the African Union’s Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.

AWARD Director, Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg noted that they have a long journey ahead with women still under-represented in agricultural research and higher education in Africa.

“AWARD is at the forefront, working to increase the numbers of professional women at the decision making table in Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) across Africa.  We are committed to Africa's prosperity with this year's cohort of AWARD fellows joining our vibrant Pan- African community that is building the capacity of Africa’s women researchers to contribute to the continent’s food security,” Kamau-Rutenberg said.

Emphasising that they congratulate the 2015 winners of the AWARD Fellowship, noting that this special year, there were empowerment of women in all areas of development and these are being highlighted by the African Union.

“We are proud of the impact these women are making in their different areas, and the contribution that the fellowship will make in fast-tracking their innovation,” Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg said.

According to an AWARD benchmarking study, the majority of those who produce, process, and market Africa’s food are women, but only one in four agricultural researchers is female. Even fewer—one in seven—hold leadership positions in African agricultural research institutions.

In order for African agriculture to become an engine for prosperity and well-being, it is critical to cultivate a new generation of African leaders in food and agriculture, including technically competent, confident, and influential women.

This year’s AWARD laureates represent a wide range of agricultural disciplines and cutting-edge research—from evaluating aquatic pollution, climate smart agricultural practices, aflatoxin mitigation, capacity building and empowerment of rural women, to biotechnology.

 
+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @AWARD2015, @Nigeria @FMARD
 
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Aero dangles Mexican Tortilla on Business class

NaijaAgroNet:

Remember Aero Airline, which is hitherto known for its sell of refreshment on board in Nigeria, as it turned a new leave entirely with its business class passengers now to enjoy Mexican Tortilla on air, reports NaijaAgroNet.

A tortilla, mostly refer to as flour tortilla differentiate itself from other uses of the word as a type of soft, thin flatbread made from finely ground wheat flour. 

Originally derived from the corn tortilla which means a small cake in Spanish; made up of a bread of maize which predates the arrival of Europeans to the Americas’ wheat flour tortilla, but made with unleavened, water based dough, pressed and cooked like corn tortillas.

Flour tortillas are known to be prepared with meat, mashed potatoes, cheese and other ingredients to make dishes which originated from northern Mexico.

Reports reaching NaijaAgroNet indicated that meals on the one-hour intercity flights across Nigeria have taken a new turn with Aero offering on its Business Class a new class of service. 

These include tortilla wraps, a popular alternative to sandwiches. Quick, light and nutritious, the tortilla and wraps are surprisingly filling. Apparently, wraps of various kinds are some of the new offerings on the inflight menu of Aero Business. 

Also, NaijaAgroNet gathered that there were on offer spicy chicken wraps, caesar chicken wraps as well as chicken and steak wrap. 

In addition, NaijaAgroNet reports that these taste are very succulent and rich, even as Aero economy, comes as a meal pack actually better with varied pastries.

What is interesting is how Aero has experimented. It tried in the immediate period of its crisis to sell meals on-board. That did not fly with passengers particularly as there was no discernible improvement on the pre-sale offering to justify paying for inflight meals on the one-hour flight. Most passengers demurred. 

Aero, NaijaAgroNet further gathered may have struck gold since last year on the Business Class with the meal wraps as well as the hot meals. 

The airline, therefore advised passengers to look out for the croissant sandwich pockets or at best ask for any of the wraps when next they fly Aero Business class. 

+Naija AgroNet @Abiod
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IITA Empowers African Youth through Agriculture

NaijaAgroNet.

 

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has hosted more than 60 youths all over Africa to a three-day training on “Empowering Agripreneurs on Agripreneural and Business Management” reports NaijaAgroNet.

The training, NaijaAgroNetreports, was held at the headquarters of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria from the 3^rd to 6^th February 2015 is targeted in training youths from different African countries with diverse discipline and giving them the opportunity to engage in agriculture business.

NaijaAgroNet also reports that Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, the Director General of IITA, urged participants to use their combined effort in participating to get what is needed in the development of youth and agriculture.

“The African Development Bank has declared a big interest in partnership engagement for youth and agriculture, which is the reason why I call upon you for your ideas and support” he charged. Participants, 

adding that is not possible to have a develop country without employed youths.

Chidozie Anibueze/ED, Ops

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