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NCSP, PICTT Sign MoU to Boost Technology Transfer, Industrial Growth

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NCSP, PICTT Sign MoU to Boost Technology Transfer, Industrial Growth

The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership, NCSP and the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, PICTT have formalized a new collaboration.

This is aimed at advancing technology transfer, industrial development, and strategic investment facilitation in Nigeria.

The Memorandum of Understanding, MoU signing ceremony brought together top officials, including NCSP’s Director-General, PICTT Chairman Dr. Dahiru Mohammed, and the Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mr. John Uwajumogu, alongside their respective leadership teams.

Addressing attendees, Dr. Mohammed emphasized the critical role of technology transfer and strong local content in executing national infrastructure and industrial projects. “While this MoU represents a major milestone, the true impact will be measured by our coordinated and immediate implementation efforts,” he said.

Mr. Uwajumogu highlighted China’s status as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and underscored the importance of structured frameworks to attract high-value investments capable of driving industrial growth and job creation.

Ms. Judy Melifonwu, Head of International Relations at NCSP, noted that the MoU is expected to unlock significant benefits, including access to advanced Chinese technology, expanded STEM-focused scholarships, technical training opportunities, and sectoral collaboration in areas such as steel development, agriculture, automotive industrial parks, and cultural–industrial initiatives.

The NCSP Director-General also stressed the need for measurable indicators and accountability frameworks to ensure the partnership delivers tangible national impact.

He described PICTT as a partner “driven by passion, expertise, and shared purpose,” essential to the success of the collaboration.

Lagos Empowers 2000 NPFS Famers with Mechanized Tools, Cash Grants

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Lagos Empowers 2000 NPFS Famers with Mechanized Tools, Cash Grants

Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems has rolled out a wide range of farm inputs, tools and cash grants to farmers across nine sites of the National Programme for Food Security, NPFS in the State.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, stated this the 2025 Farmers Field Day/ Appreciation with the theme: ” Transitioning from Simple Tools to Mechanised Equipment”

She explained that Lagos, with a population of over twenty-four million people, cannot continue to rely on manual, labour-intensive farming methods if it must meet its rising food needs.

Olusanya, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Emmanuel Aoudu, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to transforming agriculture through mechanization and increased youth participation.

“This programme is about showing the transition in agriculture from simple handheld tools to mechanized farming, which is the way forward for agricultural productivity in Lagos State,” he said.

According to her, the state is empowering farmers across all NPFS sites with mini-tractors, power tillers, solar-powered sprayers, fish-smoking kilns, fish feed, poultry feed, deep freezers for artisanal fish processors, and other equipment.

In addition to tools, he noted that cash grants are being provided to enable beneficiaries to purchase agrochemicals and other essential inputs.

The Commissioner said the intervention will benefit “about 2,000 farmers across nine sites,” adding that the support aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to boosting food production and strengthening livelihood opportunities in farming communities.

He urged beneficiaries to put the tools to productive use, noting that the distribution is only the beginning of sustained government backing.

“Mr Governor is committed to growing agriculture through continuous support for our farming communities. Let them go and put these equipment to productive use and bring the desired results,” he added.

Earlier, Chairman of the Lagos State House Committee on Agriculture, who was represented by the Secretary, Mr. Babatunde Olajide, pledged the committee’s readiness to provide legislative support for programs that improve farmers’ welfare and strengthen food security.

“The chairman and the entire committee are willing to assist in terms of legislation to back up all these processes,” he said.

The National Coordinator of the NPFS, Dr. Suleman M. Salisu, praised Lagos for its impressive achievements and expansion of programme sites. “Honestly, what Lagos has done is marvelous,” he said. “When I return to Abuja, I will tell my minister what I have seen here.”

His Head of Operations, Mr. Idris Sewu, added that Lagos continues to set the pace in agricultural development, noting that the NPFS consistently records success stories because it works through Agricultural Development Programmes that reach grassroots farmers.

Coordinating Director of the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, Mrs. Adironke Toju-Tubi, described the NPFS as a federal initiative launched in 2002 and adopted by Lagos in 2011, with a mission to support the poorest farmers and enhance food security.

She noted that the programme, which started in Lagos with three sites, has expanded to 10 due to its success. The goal, she said, is to help farmers move from manual tools to mechanized equipment to improve their livelihoods.

“My advice is that they should make good use of it. Some people dispose of government inputs for peanuts. This is meant to improve their lives,” she cautioned.

Front-of-Pack Labelling to Curb Nigeria’s Rising Non-Communicable Diseases- Experts

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Front-of-Pack Labelling to Curb Nigeria’s Rising Non-Communicable Diseases- Experts

Public health advocates have renewed calls for the adoption of clear Front-of-Package, FOP nutrition labels on processed foods, insisting that the measure has become critical to tackling Nigeria’s escalating burden of Non-Communicable Diseases, NCDs.

Nigeria currently faces rising rates of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and obesity, conditions strongly linked to the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.

According to health data, NCDs now account for 29 percent of all deaths in the country, a trend experts warn is being fuelled by aggressive marketing and widespread availability of unhealthy processed products.

In a recent commentary, Bukola Olukemi-Odele, Programme Officer for Cardiovascular Health and Food Policy at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), stressed that consumers urgently need clearer and more accessible nutrition information at the point of purchase.

She noted that existing back-of-pack labelling is often confusing, printed in small fonts, and difficult for the average shopper to interpret, especially in crowded markets where decisions are made quickly.

“Front-of-Pack labels offer quick, visible guidance that helps people identify foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats,” Olukemi-Odele said. “A simple, bold warning like ‘HIGH IN SUGAR’ can cut through marketing tactics and help families make healthier decisions.”

FOP labels, already adopted in several countries, present simplified symbols, colours, or text—such as black warning octagons, the red-amber-green traffic-light system, or Nutri-Score scales—to communicate health risks instantly, even for consumers with low literacy.

Advocates say the system does more than guide shoppers; it also pressures manufacturers to reformulate products by reducing unhealthy ingredients to avoid negative warnings on their packaging, ultimately improving the national food supply.

Olukemi-Odele argued that FOP labels are particularly important for lower-income and less-educated consumers, who often face the steepest barriers in understanding complex nutrition tables.

“Clear and visually striking labels can promote health equity by empowering all Nigerians—regardless of background—to make informed choices,” she added.

She urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC to prioritise a WHO-recommended, evidence-based FOP labelling policy as part of Nigeria’s strategy to combat diet-related diseases.

EGO Foundation Empowers 1,570 Women Traders in Asaba Through “SheEnabled Project”

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EGO Foundation Empowers 1,570 Women Traders in Asaba Through “SheEnabled Project”

The EGO Foundation, in partnership with Access Holdings, has empowered 1,570 women traders in Asaba through the SheEnabled Asaba Project.

The project is a large-scale, market-based initiative designed to boost financial literacy, digital skills, and business capacity among women in the informal sector.

The event, held on November 5, 2025, at Midwifery Market along Okpanam Road in Asaba, provided practical training for indigent women and female micro-entrepreneurs on financial inclusion, bookkeeping, digital literacy, and environmental sustainability.

Designed as a “field-first” intervention, the SheEnabled Project delivered hands-on learning directly to the business spaces where participants operate daily. Through interactive sessions and community-focused engagement, the initiative addressed persistent gaps in business knowledge and digital awareness that limit economic growth for women traders across Nigeria.

Executive Director of the EGO Foundation, Toluwase Olaniyan, said the programme had significantly improved participants’ financial confidence and business management capacity.

“The SheEnabled Asaba initiative has strengthened financial confidence among women traders, enabling them to keep accurate business records, separate personal and business finances, and make informed financial decisions,” Olaniyan said.

“These enhanced capabilities better position them to access grants, leverage economic opportunities, and build sustainable businesses that uplift their households and communities.”

In addition to business development training, participants received sensitization on environmental sustainability practices, including waste management and routine market clean-ups. The foundation also distributed palliative support packages containing essential food items to help ease economic pressures on the women.

To ensure sustained impact, the EGO Foundation has established a Women’s Support Group that will provide continuous peer mentorship, follow-up learning, and accountability to reinforce the skills gained during the programme.

The SheEnabled Project is part of the EGO Foundation’s broader commitment to strengthening women-led enterprises, promoting economic resilience, and expanding financial and digital inclusion across underserved communities in Nigeria.

LNSA Receives Distinguished Service Award as Dignitaries Honour Oyekan

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LNSA Receives Distinguished Service Award as Dignitaries Honour Oyekan

The Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, LNSA has been honoured with the Distinguished Service in Public Safety and Community Engagement Award in recognition of its outstanding contributions to Lagos State’s security architecture under the leadership of its General Manager, Prince Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, FISN.

The award was presented at the 2025 Tourism Transport Summit and Award ceremony, organized by the Institute of Tourism Professionals of Nigeria and hosted by its National President, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo.

The event attracted an impressive lineup of dignitaries who gathered to celebrate Oyekan’s leadership and the agency’s strides in strengthening grassroots security.

Among those present were Hon. Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroot Sports Development; Hon. Wale Abdulsalam, Commissioner at the Code of Conduct Bureau; and Hon. Kayode Akiolu, Member of the House of Representatives (Lagos Island II). Others included Barr. Wasiu Ajiboye, Mr. Yemi Akiolu, Mr. Abdul Abiola, as well as members of the LNSA management team.

Receiving the award, Prince Oyekan expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for providing the opportunity and platform to advance community safety. He also thanked the organisers for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing public safety, boosting community engagement, and strengthening collaboration with residents across the state.

The honour further solidifies Oyekan’s reputation as a transformational public safety leader and reinforces LNSA’s pioneering role in community-focused security initiatives in Nigeria.

CONMMEP Targets Maritime Host Communities With 2025 Annual Workshop

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CONMMEP Targets Maritime Host Communities With 2025 Annual Workshop

The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners, CONMMEP has announced that its 2025 Annual Workshop will hold on December 10, 2025.

Holding at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, the workshop with the theme; “Empowering Host Communities through Strategic Partnerships,” will focus on strengthening the capacity of host communities through strategic collaboration.

It is expected to bring together policymakers, industry experts, traditional rulers, and stakeholders from across Nigeria’s maritime sector to discuss new approaches for sustainable community development and industry–community synergy.

The Royal Father of the Day, Oba Oyekunle Amodu Tijani Oluwa, the Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, will lead the opening of the event, underscoring the importance of traditional institutions in ensuring harmonious maritime operations and community engagement.

Key contributions will come from the Keynote Speaker, Hon. Dr. Kalejaiye A. Paul, who will deliver an address on how strategic partnerships can unlock shared prosperity for host communities. The Guest Speaker, Dr. Eugene Nweke, will also provide insights on building mutually beneficial relationships between maritime operators and community stakeholders.

The event will further host an array of high-profile dignitaries, including Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who will serve as Special Chief Guest of Honour. Other Special Chief Hosts include Hon. Sabur Oluwa, Hon. Lookmon Olumoh, and Hon. Olalekan Olu Akindipe, the Executive Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government.

Additional notable guests expected are Dr. Azeez Mustapha, Metu Augustine Ejike Esq, Chief Amb. (Dr.) Afam Chukwuma, and Nze Chidiogo Okpara, among others.

IGP Appoints DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi as New Ogun Police Command Spokesperson

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IGP Appoints DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi as New Ogun Police Command Spokesperson

The Inspector-General of Police has approved the appointment of DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi as the new Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO of the Ogun State Police Command.

DSP Babaseyi, a lawyer and accomplished police officer, brings a rich blend of academic excellence and operational experience to his new role.

He holds an LL.B in Law from the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano; a Barrister-at-Law (BL) qualification from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus; and a Diploma in Law from Osun State University. He is also a proud member of the pioneer 1st Regular Course of the Nigeria Police Academy.

Over the years, Babaseyi has served in key operational, investigative, administrative, and strategic communication positions.

He previously worked as Divisional Crime Officer at Monatan and Kajorepo Divisions and headed Ilaji and Lagelu Police Posts in Oyo State, where he led criminal investigations, coordinated personnel, and implemented crime prevention strategies.

His operational competence was further enhanced through his three-year deployment with the Police Mobile Force (22 PMF) as Unit Commander. In 2023, he trained at the Nigeria Army School of Special Forces in Buni Yadi and later participated in joint military operations under Operation Hadin Kai across Yobe and Borno States.

DSP Babaseyi also brings strong administrative and communication experience, having served as Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command as well as Secretary to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State. In these roles, he was responsible for media relations, command correspondence, and high-level coordination.

Until his new appointment, he continued to distinguish himself in information management, strategic communication, and public engagement.

DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi is happily married with children. He can be reached on 08162382281.

CREDICORP Launches National Digital Device Credit Programme to Empower Nigerians

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CREDICORP Launches National Digital Device Credit Programme to Empower Nigerians

CREDICORP has announced the launch of a national digital device credit programme designed to make smartphones, laptops, and other essential digital tools more affordable for working Nigerians.

The initiative aims to enhance productivity, income potential, and digital participation across the country.

Speaking on the rollout, Uzoma Nwagba, Managing Director of CREDICORP, highlighted the transformative power of access to credit for everyday tools.

“From mobility solutions to renewable energy, we have witnessed the profound impact that access to credit can have on people’s daily lives. Digital devices now sit at the center of learning, earning, and productivity. Expanding access to them is a critical step in building a more digitally ready nation,” Nwagba said.

The programme builds on a successful pilot phase conducted in partnership with E-Finance Company and supported by Credlock, which enabled over 1,000 Nigerians to acquire smartphones through affordable credit.

The new national rollout targets over 15,000 participants, providing secure, responsible, and efficient access to smartphones and laptops.

Dayo Fabayo, CEO of Credlock, emphasized the potential of digital devices to drive opportunity and progress:

“Every smartphone represents potential to learn, to work, to access opportunity, and to live with dignity. Partnering with CREDICORP and E-Finance allows us to scale that vision to millions of Nigerians.”

Through the programme, participants can apply for, finance, and collect digital devices without the burden of upfront payments, leveraging CREDICORP’s Participating Financial Institutions and Credlock’s intelligent device-collateral system.

CREDICORP’s digital device credit initiative forms part of its broader mission to expand consumer credit and improve quality of life in Nigeria, supporting a more connected, productive, and future-ready society.

Interested Nigerians can participate by visiting www.credicorp.ng/apply to access financing for their digital devices.

LNSA Boss Bags Recognition Award for Contributions to Lagos Security

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LNSA Boss Bags Recognition Award for Contributions to Lagos Security

General Manager of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, LNSA, Prince (Dr.) Ifalade Oyekan, FISN, has been honoured for his remarkable efforts in strengthening community safety and enhancing security architecture across Lagos State.

Oyekan received a Recognition Award at the 7th Prime Excellence Recognition Award, PERA, ceremony, held at the Oranmiyan Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Organisers of the award described the LNSA boss as a dedicated public safety professional whose “time-tested achievements” have contributed significantly to improved neighbourhood policing and citizen-led security initiatives in Lagos.

They expressed confidence that his track record positions him for even greater responsibilities in service to the state and the nation.

In his remarks, Oyekan dedicated the recognition to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, stressing that the award was a testament to the Governor’s unwavering support for security reforms.

“Everything we have achieved at the Agency is possible because Mr. Governor provided the platform, encouragement, and resources needed to deliver a safer Lagos,” he said.

Oyekan reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening community safety partnerships and expanding proactive, technology-driven security measures that keep Lagos residents safe.

Ogun Police Debunk Viral Security Alert, Warn Against Spreading Panic

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Ogun Police Debunk Viral Security Alert, Warn Against Spreading Panic

Ogun State Police Command has dismissed a viral security advisory being circulated online alongside a photograph of the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, describing it as misleading, unauthorized, and capable of causing needless panic among residents.

In a statement, the Command expressed concern over the increasing spread of unsolicited “security tips” on social media, some of which falsely suggest a breakdown of law and order or the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

According to the police, the latest viral message, featuring the CP’s image, was neither issued nor approved by the Command.

“It has been observed that certain individuals and groups are recycling old videos, publishing alarming content, and using divisive language intended to heighten fear among citizens.

”These mischief-makers are warned to desist from posting frightening videos, voice-overs, or unverified claims, the majority of which are false,” the statement said.

The Command urged residents to rely only on official communication channels for credible security information.

Reassuring the public of its readiness to maintain law and order, the police noted that all areas flagged by concerned communities have been placed under close watch. It added that additional personnel and operational assets have been deployed to strengthen safety in affected locations.

The statement emphasized that Ogun State remains stable and secure, and encouraged stakeholders and residents to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information capable of causing unnecessary tension.

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