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Agric Varsity Don Bags International Science and Engineering Award
From Vincent Nyinongu, Makurdi.
An international professional organisation based in Chennai, India, has conferred the best researcher award in academic world of science, engineering and medicine on a senior lecturer at the federal university of Agriculture, Makurdi, Dr.
The ceremony, which was recently held at the University, according to the management.
Dr.
Oparaku who studied the gullies of Idah -Ankpa Plateau of the Anambra Basin as his Ph.D research work is the best of its kind.
The umpires considered the quality of the publications in relation to originality, innovation, citation, organization, number, use of English; number of views, downloads and printouts on a global basis.
“The Idah-Ankpa plateau comprises the whole of Igala land in Kogi state and the Ogbadibo local government area in Benue state with the underlying geological formations consist of the highly erodible ajalli sandstones, the more resistant upper coal measures and the most resistant lower coal measures”.
The VDGOOD noted that the researcher’s findings and publications on gully erosion on Idah-Ankpa plateau have been generating global interest among researchers in the field hence his invitation to explain the subject of his research and subsequent merit awards.
Reacting to the award, Dr. Louis Oparaku who is the Senior lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Developmental Engineering at university of Agriculture, Makurdi, said since he innovated a procedure for estimating the volume of solids exuded from a gully, he received more than 20 invitations to international conferences and workshops to shed more light on his work.
Oparaku who in an environmental consultant of repute, however noted that funding of the trips for more research works has been the major hindrance, but expressed the hope that with encouragement from international bodies, more will be done.
According to the university Don, even with some hinderances on the way, he was able to carryout 21 publications in local and international journals and three articles as chapters in edited books, saying out of the 21 journal publications, he was the first author in 12 and the sole author in two.
According to him, at the moment, seven of his papers were being solicited for publication as chapters in edited books, including a publication of his work in an Elsevier journal, which was emblazoned on their website and adjudged the best-written and most – innovative article in the journal.
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Nigerian Military Declares Nigerien Terrorist, Halilu Buzu Wanted
The Nigerian Military has declared Halilu Buzu, a national of Buzu in Republic of Niger wanted for terrorising Nigerian territory, particularly Zamfara.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja, at a media briefing on the operations of the military.
Buba said the notorious suspected terrorist leader settled in Subbubu Forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.
He said that Buzu had a camp for illegal gold mining located at Kawayi, in Anka Local Government Area of the state, and had lots of boys working for him.
According to Buba, the terrorist is also a prominent cattle rustler.
He said that the Buzu’s group had in the last week killed 19 villagers at Farar Kasa.
”He is a High Value Target and we hereby declare him wanted.
”Furthermore, he is a major arms supplier, trusted by arms dealers supplying arms from Libya.
”We have been on his trail and whenever we close in on him, he bolts across the border into Republic of Niger for refuge.
”At this time, we are through appropriate channels calling on the Nigerien authorities, regional and international bodies to support in effecting his arrest to hold him accountable for his atrocities,” he said. (NAN)
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Cooperatives Capable of Boosting Inclusive Growth, Eradicating Poverty-Shettima
Vice -President Kashim Shettima, says cooperative initiatives have what it takes to boost inclusive growth, development and end poverty in the country.
Shettima said this at the 2nd Abuja Cooperative Summit organised by the National Cooperatives Agency of Nigeria (CFAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Shettima, represented by Dr Nurudeen Zauro, the Technical Adviser to the President on Financial Inclusion, said the role of cooperatives in facilitating economic activities was key to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said that Tinubu’s administration had signed the Student Loan Act, set up the Credit Corp to enhance access to consumer credit.
The vice-president said the recent signing of Aso Accord on Economic and Financial Inclusion was also a commitment to support economic and financial inclusion which cooperatives played significant roles in achieving.
”This administration is mindful of the fact that over 30 million of our people do not have access to a broad range of affordable financial services to enable them to fulfill their economic potential.
”A major reason for that is low income.
”This is not just an economic problem but might further lead to insecurity, this is the reason why the conversation on economic inclusion, financial inclusion, and insecurity is of high priority to this administration today.
”This administration believes a strategic approach is important to address the subject of economic and financial inclusion, and as such has elevated the subject to the agenda of the National Economic Council, ” he said.
Ms Nkem Chime, the Head, Strategy Coordination Office, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said that 74 per cent of the populace was financially included while 26 per cent was excluded.
Chime said the CBN would continue to pave the way for innovative programmes to encourage cooperatives.
The Executive Secretary of CFAN, Mr Emmanuel Atama, said the summit was geared toward activating the Cooperative Development Fund.
Atama said the summit was also to have a robust discussion on cooperatives resilience in the face of diverse economic challenges.
He said the agency had also partnered with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Science, Technology and Innovation to build the entrepreneurial capacity of cooperative members.
The Director, FCT Department of Science Technology and Innovation, Mr Olobashola Kolawole, said that cooperatives were the backbone of entrepreneurship.
He said the department would continue to collaborate with cooperatives to establish youths for the development of the country.
Reports says that cooperatives’ members from different states attended the summit. (NAN)
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Edo Guber: Labour Party Unveils Campaign Council
The Labour Party (LP) in Edo on Saturday, announced its campaign council for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for Sept. 21.
The council, led by Rev. Sam Omede as Director-General and Dr Ehikioya Agboga as Deputy, will be inaugurated on May 13.
Other members of the council are Sen.
Ned Imasuen (Edo South) Reps Esosa Iyawe and Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Oredo and Egor/Ikpoba Okha) federal constituencies respectively.Mr Kelly Ogbaloi, State Chairman of the party unveiled the members of the campaign council while addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Benin.
This was after a stakeholders’ meeting of the State Working Committee with senatorial, local government leaders and executives across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Ogbaloi said: ” in preparation for the upcoming election, we have meticulously selected individuals of impeccable character to lead the State Campaign Council and local government campaign committees
He also appealed to members to leverage the forthcoming new voters’ registration exercise to expand the voter’s base as well as ensure broader participation in the electoral process.
“A robust membership drive shall be launched to attract new members and reconcile with disenchanted individuals who have legitimate grievances,” he added.
The LP chairman said that Ken Omusi the party’s youth leader had been suspended from the party for anti-party activities, announcing Dan Ero from Oredo local government as his replacement
He added that the suspension on some members, excluding Ken Omusi, had been lifted.
According to him, a reconciliation committee will be set up to ensure peace among aggrieved party members ahead of the election. (NAN)