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FG Approves Release of new Maize Variety, ‘Tela Maize’ for Cultivation
The Federal Government has approved the commercial release and open cultivation of a new maize variety, Tela Maize.
The maize was developed by researchers at the Institute for Agricultural Research, IAR, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria that resists fall armyworm, stem borers and tolerate moderate drought.
This decision was made during the 33rd meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF) in Ibadan.
The committee, headed by Prof. Olusoji Olufajo, granted approval for four innovative varieties: SAMMAZ 72T, SAMMAZ 73T, SAMMAZ 74T, and SAMMAZ 75T.
These cutting-edge maize varieties boast drought tolerance and resistance to stem-borers and fall armyworm, promising a yield advantage of up to 10 tonnes per hectare.
Under optimal agronomic practices, it surpasses the national average for similar hybrids at 6 tonnes per hectare.
The suitability of these varieties for Rain Forest, Guinea, and Sudan Savannas positions them as a potential game-changer for maize production in Nigeria.
Reports says that Stem-borers and fall armyworm have been significant challenges affecting maize production in Africa.
The latter is capable of destroying up to 20 million metric tons of maize annually, enough to feed 100 million people.
The approval follows the environmental release granted by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in October 2021.
The development of these groundbreaking varieties was spearheaded by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, under the TELA Maize Public-Private Partnership coordinated by AATF.
Currently implemented in five countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa – the TELA Maize Project signifies a collaborative effort to address agricultural challenges.
Expressing satisfaction with the release, Prof Ado Yusuf, Executive Director of IAR, commended the scientists for their dedication and emphasised the extensive research and testing that went into the development of these maize varieties.
AATF’s Executive Director, Dr Canisius Kanangire, highlighted the contribution of TELA Maize to food and nutrition security in alignment with the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation agenda.
The release in Nigeria is seen as a significant step towards addressing challenges faced by farmers across the continent.
Professor Garba Sharubutu, the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), labeled the approval of the TELA Maize variety as a critical milestone in leveraging biotechnology for ensuring food and nutrition security.
This, he said ultimately improves the livelihoods of farming households in Africa.
Prof. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), emphasised the potential reduction in pesticide usage on maize, benefitting humans, livestock, and the environment.
Dr Sylvester Oikeh, the TELA Maize Project Manager, expressed encouragement by Nigeria’s decision, urging other African countries to follow suit for the benefit of farmers.
The TELA Maize project involves collaboration with various partners, including National Agricultural Research Institutes in Kenya, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and others.
It has funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID. (NAN)
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Man City Strike Twice Late on to Beat Bournemouth
Manchester City scored two late goals to earn Enzo Maresca a win in his first Premier League game in charge – and deny Marco Rose the perfect start as Bournemouth boss.
The Cherries took the first-half lead through Marcus Tavernier, who was left in loads of space to slam in after Evanilson’s incisive low ball across the area.
Erling Haaland, usually at his most prolific in August, missed a host of chances for City as they looked set for a frustrating afternoon.
But Marc Guehi, playing in defensive midfield for only the third time in his career, nodded in Rayan Cherki’s corner with six minutes to go.
And it got even worse for Bournemouth when Josko Gvardiol guided a shot into the bottom corner in injury time.
The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but given after a video assistant referee review.
It was Bournemouth’s first defeat in any competition since January, ending their club-record 18-game unbeaten run.
City showed improvement from the side who were bashed 3-0 by Arsenal in last Sunday’s Community Shield – but for most of this game it looked as if Maresca was going to start with consecutive defeats.
Replacing a legend is always difficult – as David Moyes experienced when Sir Alex Ferguson left neighbours Manchester United in 2013 – and the late comeback will come as a major relief in their first Premier League game without Pep Guardiola in a decade.
City did not exactly promote from within when hiring Maresca, who quit as Chelsea manager at the start of 2026, but the Italian was Guardiola’s City assistant in 2022-23 and would perhaps be seen as something of a continuity candidate.
It was a very shaky start though and they went 1-0 down at home on the opening day of a Premier League campaign for the first time since 1995-96 – the season they ended up being relegated.
Maresca’s team selection confused many, with six players who have played most of their City games in defence starting on Sunday – including Guehi in midfield.
But all’s well that ends well and Guehi looked as if he had rescued a point before defender Gvardiol added two more from another Cherki pass.
Things would have been more comfortable if Haaland had brought his shooting boots.
The Norwegian has scored 22 goals in 14 Premier League games in the month of August – but failed to take any of his five chances.
Bournemouth fans would have feared a dip after enjoying the best season in their history last campaign. Sixth place took them into Europe for the first time ever.
And it was a surprise when boss Andoni Iraola announced in April he would be leaving in the summer – eventually joining Liverpool.
Ex-Salzburg and Leipzig boss Rose was confirmed soon after – replacing Iraola at the end of last season, giving him plenty of time to watch from a distance and get to know his new team.
Only one of the side who started against City was a new signing, with Portuguese defender Antonio Silva the replacement for Marcos Senesi, who left for Tottenham.
The Cherries showed plenty of the aggressive, positive play that they produced under Iraola thanks to such dangerous attackers on the break – including Rayan, Evanilson and Tavernier, who all linked up well for the opening goal.
Letting the lead slip late on will be hugely frustrating and ends their long unbeaten run, but Rose, and Cherries supporters, should still have seen plenty to encourage them from a game they would not have expected to win.
And if they had picked up Guehi from a corner maybe they would have done.
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Edo Assembly Dissolves Standing C’ttees, Constitutes Panel to Probe Ex-Speaker
The Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday dissolved all its standing committees and constituted an investigative panel to probe allegations levelled against the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.
The new Speaker, Yekini Idaiye, announced the decision during the plenary session.
He said that the dissolution became necessary to enable the house to “re-evaluate legislative duties, improve administrative efficiency and give members new committee experience”.
Idaiye subsequently inaugurated a five-member ad-hoc committee to investigate Agbebaku over allegations of corruption, including inflated procurement costs for cars.
The committee, which was mandated to report back in two weeks, is chaired by Bright Iyamu.
Other members are representatives of Akoko Edo II; Ovia North East II; Etsako East; and Esan North East II.
Recall that Agbebaku resigned from office on Monday, August 17, following allegations of corruption and financial impropriety against him.
The house also received and adopted reports on the screening of nominees for key state commissions.
Dr David Osifo was confirmed as a member of the Edo Judicial Service Commission, while Oscar Onaiwu was confirmed as a member of the Local Government Service Commission.
The house also received a letter from Gov. Monday Okpebholo for the screening and confirmation of nominees for the Chairman and members of the Edo Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Shittu Shaibu was named to chair the screening committee for the nominees.
The house later adjourned sitting until August 19, 2026.
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Brain Jotter Cries out after Harassment by Lagos Touts
Nigerian content creator, Brain Jotter, has cried out on social media after being harassed by Lagos touts, popularly known as ‘agberos’.
Brain Jotter lamented the incident in a post shared on his Instagram page.
Expressing frustration, the content creator shared a video showing the moment he was harassed in his car by a group of thugs on a Lagos road.
He was refused free passage by the touts who were demanding settlement from him.
In the video shared by Brain Jotter, one of the touts was heard boasting, “I be lion”.
Lamenting the incident, the content creator wrote, “Lion no dey use eyes see goat. Nigerian zoo keepers are the worst. We lack good wild-life and they let a lion escape from their zoo. This is sad.”


