All posts by emiola ibukun

Commendation
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan,  Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) The President of the  Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Prof.  Sunday Okeniyi, has commended agencies of the Federal Government on the campaign against substandard as well as fake drugs and chemical products.

Okeniyi gave the commendation at the 41^st Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Society in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The News agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that the forum  had as theme:  ‘Chemical Sciences in an Emerging Economy: Issues, Prospects and Opportunities.’’

Okeniyi also commended the Federal Government for recognising the relevance of chemistry and the involvement of professional chemists to promote inter disciplinary cooperation.

“We wish to publicly acknowledge the good intentions of the office of the National Security Adviser and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on chemical security and safety toward  a secured importation, distribution, storage and use of chemicals in Nigeria.

“The 2018 conference has a significant potential to define the seriousness of  chemists in their avowed role to contribute positively to the issues, prospects and opportunities in utilising chemical science to enhance growth and development of global economies.

“As the world gradually comes to terms with the challenges of global economies downturn and its attendant effects, the onus for the survival of developing countries like Nigeria lies in the ambit of professionals in the areas of Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy Science and Technology,’’ he said.

The keynote speaker at the occasion, Prof.  Eno Ebenso, emphasised the role of chemists in addressing security challenges as well as in standardisation in practices for global competitiveness.

Ebenso, who spoke on ‘Chemical Sciences in an Emerging Economy: What the Future Holds,’ called for standardisation of the university curriculum to meet emerging global needs.

The don, who works with North West University, South Africa, also said standardisation would help address issues of safety and security in Nigeria. (NAN)
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

 
Economy 
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Nigeria can beat all odds, including dependence on generators for power, to become the largest economy in Africa, an expert in electricity generation has said.

Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, the Director, Centre for Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL) University of Ibadan disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ibadan.

He said that the country would achieved more growth and development with improved generation and distribution of electricity for the populace.

Cue-in audio

“We should be growing at seven per cent not 1.5 five per cent, not at three per cent, we should be the economic power house of the whole of Africa because we have the endowment, the population to do that.

“We should cut poverty significantly, we should have our youth working; many of them are enterprising, but when they look at the cost of setting up and the avoidable cost of power, it becomes difficult for them.

“We need to look at this sector again and the value chains and how we can address some of the challenges that we currently have.

“Like how do we lower the value chain so that people can afford to pay; we should have a cost reflective tariff so that those who are in the business can make money.’’
 
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The don added that the country should have vast and effective contract laws that should be applied when such legislations was breached. (NAN)
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Edited by Nyisom Dore/Ismail Abdulaziz

Policy

By Ibukun Emiola

Ibadan, Sept. 8, 2018, (NAN) Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) says the Federal Government policy on ease of doing business has boosted the confidence of manufacturers in the economy.

Ajayi-Kadir said this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Saturday.

“The ease of doing business policy has helped to solve the problem of operating environment; it has also helped to reduce the cost of manufacturing.

“It has also given hope for would-be investors who would want to invest in the economy.

“Generally speaking, the office of the Vice-President has driven this policy well under the able leadership of Mr President; we are looking forward to the expansion in the areas covered under this policy.

“This is necessary so that generally, we will witness an environment that makes our products more competitive in the economy,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein with NAN, Chief Kola Akosile, the Zonal Chairman, MAN South-west  said that zone hoped to record two digits of economic growth with favorable policies in place and through the activities of members of the association.

The zone comprises Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states.

“We expect to continue to have enabling environment for doing business to ensure the ease of doing business, membership commitment and creation of more employment for the youth.

“Going forward, we will attract new manufacturers into the region to expand the economic zone.

“The south-west is mainly agricultural base, the potentialities are there in terms of local sourcing of raw materials, new companies are being set up so that they can source raw materials from our region,“ he said.(NAN)

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Edited by Dada Ahmed

Translating SDGs into local languages will aid it success- Rep

Development

By Ibukun Emiola

Ibadan, Aug. 29, 2018, (NAN)Prof. Mojeed Alabi, member representing Ede North/Ede South Ejigbo Federal constituency at the National Assembly, has said it was necessary to translate Sustainable Development Goals into local languages.

Speaking at 9th Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit (ISDS) on Thursday in Ibadan, Alabi said the translation would facilitate its understanding at the grassroots and aid its success.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the event entitled; “Policy Roundtable: Children, Youth and Demographic Dividend” was organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan.

Alabi said; “The understanding of the SDGs will drive its implementation , as there are many areas where citizens can key into,  such as ensuring good and healthy environment, education among others.”

The convener of conference, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, said that demographic dividend was about making sure that there was enough resources to take care of the number of people in a population.

“We must have a large number of working population relative to dependent population in an economy; it is the same thing in a family, we must have the large number of people who are working, earning income to be able to support those who are not.

“First action under demographic dividend is to be responsible with family size, the next is the ability to improve human capital of individuals.

“We need to start planning for old age because once you move from your working age, there must be an investment from the surplus years to fall on,” Olaniyan said. (NAN)

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Edited by Ify Omowole

 

 

Development
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan, Aug. 27, 2018  (NAN) Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), says the Federal Government  is capable of surmounting the challenges facing the goals in Nigeria.

Orelope-Adefulire gave the assurance  on Monday at the 9th annual Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit (ISDS) organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV) of the  University of Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CESDEV organised the summit in collaboration with the African Sustainable Development Network (ASUDENT) and Sustainable Development Solutions Network-Nigeria (NSDSN).

The event was entitled: “Mega Trends that will Shape National and Global Prosperity by 2030.’’

Orelope-Adefulire, represented by Alhaji Hamza Yahyah, said crucial data deficit had been addressed by conducting a mapping of existing SDGs statistics followed by the determination of 126 baseline SDGs indicators.

She said that these steps were taken in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the National Bureau of Statistics.

“Nigeria faces many challenges in her efforts to meet the SDGs.

“ Some of these are high prevalence of poverty, insecurity, youth unemployment, low level of social justice and inclusive growth.

“Some other challenges are gender inequality, limited funding and prevalent weak institutional capacities.

“The question to ask is; what remains?

“If I may answer what remains is for each and every one of us across the board to buy into ownership and galvanise necessary human and material resources in order to unleash the required synergy quintessential to quantum leap.

“We all envisage achieving this by 2030 and beyond, socially and economically,” the presidential aide said.

Also speaking, the Director, CESDEV, Prof . Olanrewaju Olaniyan, said that the summit was held to identify the obstacles encountered in creating structures, provision and conditions to facilitate development and implementation of sustainable development policies and practices.

Olaniyan said that the event was to bring together eminent development policy scholars and practitioners from around the world.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the  University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said that the university had continued to provide researchers and practitioners a forum to convene and discuss activities that encourage sustainable development at the national, regional and global level.

“The centre has since 2010 been addressing various dimensions of sustainable development and the way they shaped humanity and the planet that we inhabit,’’ Olayinka said. (NAN)
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Mufutau Ojo)

 

Ibadan
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan, Aug. 23, 2018 (NAN) A professor of History at the University of Texas, Houston, USA, Toyin Falola, has urged  indigenes of  Ibadan  to unite in the task of developing the ancient city.

Falola made the call  at a public lecture held in Ibadan on Thursday to mark the 90th birthday of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was entitled: “Isese, Asa ati Esin: Cultural Bridges to Development and Modernity.’’

Falola said:  “An enormous investment must be made in capacity building in order to implement significant cultural and development programmes.

“It is one thing to create cultural knowledge, it is another to use it in the service of development.”

The historian, who is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland, gave  recommendations for the development and progress of Ibadanland, with emphasis on adaptation and innovation.

He called for  the elevation  of the Okebadan festival into an international carnival and the creation of  an Ibadan Museum to display valuable artefact to give  the town a global perspective.

“In addition, you can have the compilation of a Who-is-Who on an annual basis to list the activities of successful people, remarkable achievements and major events among others.

“With the aforementioned put in place, Ibadan will no doubt  experience a boost of its economic viability,” said Falola.

In his address, the chairman of the occasion and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr Wale Babalakin,  urged Ibadan indigenes to come together to promote  the development of the ancient city.

“Let the indigenes of Ibadan unite to develop their city  because outsiders cannot do it for you.

“Ibadan was once known for its pioneering status as many first landmark developments took off from the city; such should be brought back.

“It is important to vote wisely and not for money,  so that there can be effective leadership to champion development,” he said.

NAN reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was represented at the event by Prof. Bolanle Awe. (NAN)
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(Edited by Moses Solanke/Mufutau Ojo)