The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) says its researchers have won over N3 billion grants in 2023 following their applications to donor agencies for research grants.

The Vice Chancellor, UniAbuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the award ceremony for researchers and authors.

Na’allah said that the 2023 grant of over N3 billion was a significant improvement compared to the N1 billion that was won in 2022.

The vice-chancellor urged those leading in research to share their experiences with others, adding that they should support one another in order to bring in more researchers.

“When you hear information on grant, share it around so more people can participate, this will help the university produce more grant winning researchers.

“There is no world class university if there are no world scholars; we must continue to show this nation that a world class university is achievable and we have achieved it.

“We have made over N3 billion in research grants this year; we are making a mark and we are determined as a university that whatever it will take we must move forward.’’

He said there was need for scholars to invest in research because as they were the things needed to solve the problems facing the nation today.

The vice chancellor urged more scholars to apply for grants.

“What gives you joy as a scholar is research grants you get from outside; you have to keep working on getting a grant until you succeed,’’ he said.

Na’allah called on scholars to think of how to solve the problems of Nigeria such as insecurity, bad leadership among others through their research work.

He said that the university was taking the lead in resolving the problem of leadership, adding that the university would soon establish youth leadership clinic.

He said that this clinic would help to train young people and prepare them to take over the leadership of Nigeria.

The don assured the researchers that the university would not disappoint them as they continue to put the university on the map through this research grant.

He advised authors to ensure that originality was their main focus, adding that they should be innovative and create new words in their works.

Reports that under the researchers’ cadre, seven persons won gold, two silver and 45 bronze while in the authors cadre, eight persons won gold, nine silver and 27 bronze.

Earlier, the Director, UniAbuja Centre for Sponsored Projects (CSP), Prof. Obiageli Nnodu, said the centre was introduced in 2020 by the vice chancellor.

Nnodu, while appreciating the vice chancellor, said that the centre which started small, had grown into something big.

She said the researcher category was bringing extra income, adding that researcher income was adding significantly to the revenue of the university.

One of the awardees, Dr Dike Orji, on behalf of other awardees, appreciated the vice chancellor and the university for their support to all scholars and researchers.

Orji said the recipients would continue to put in their best to see that the university grew in terms of research. (NAN)

A cross section of Abuja residents have expressed mixed feelings over the consumption of Fura da Nono.

The residents in separate interviews on Thursday in Abuja, said the unhygienic nature in the preparation of fura da nono put them away from it.

While others are of the views that they don’t mind the preparation process, they enjoy the milk because of its numerous benefits.

Reports says that fura da nono is fermented milk-cereal mix locally.

It is highly nutritious beverage which is a two-in-one product.

Consisting of a cereal, ‘fura’ made from millet and ‘nono’ fermented cow-milk product similar to yoghurt.

Mr Adam Ibrahim, a shop keeper at Area 10, Garki said he takes nono because of it nutritional benefit adding that it was a natural drink.

“ I take nono because it is natural, no preservatives and not refined,’’ he said.

He, however, advised that cleanliness must be the watch word when consuming fura da nono, adding that he buys the product from a clean and a reliable vendor.

“There is a lady that packages fura da nono in containers to sell rather than patronising those who carry it in bowls with flies following around,’’ he said.

Tope Faseun, a cosmetologist at the Nyanya market said that nono is healthy and good to be consumed fresh.

She said that taking nono helps to improve the sperm cells of a male reproductive organ.

Mrs Agada Grace, a roasted plantain and corn seller in Garki, said that   fura da nono  helps to cool her body after staying close to the fire all day.

“Nono is a good drink that refreshes your body after a hard day. For me, the drink helps me to sleep well because it relaxes my body,’’ she said.

Mr Kolade Akin, a cobbler in Garki said that the extraction method, environment and sometimes the unhygienic nature of the persons extracting the milk makes it unhealthy for me.

“The process of extracting nono and also the preparatory method of it, is likely to expose the drink to bacterial and can lead to food burn diseases,’’ he said.

Wale Ridwan, a corps member said that fura da nono irritates him due to the unhygienic method of the extraction and preparation.

“Fura da nono irritates me because of the extraction of the milk and the preparation of the millet which are done manually.

“It is not processed, can be contaminated and can pose a great health challenge to individuals who consume the milk meal and drink,’’ he said.

Some women leaders and entrepreneurs have canvassed for more empowerment and support initiatives to develop rural women in the Federal Capital Territory.

The women made the call in separate interviews on Monday in Abuja against the backdrop of the 2023 International Day for the Rural Woman.

NAN reports that the UN sets aside Oct.

15 annually to celebrate the rural woman whom it said contributes about 40 per cent of agricultural labour in developing nations.

NAN also reports that the theme of the 2023 international day is “Rural Women: Cultivating Good Food for All.’’

Mrs Afiniki Dauda, an entrepreneur and a market leader in Guto community, Bwari District, said that the government and other organisations need to put more efforts to develop women at the grassroots.

According to her, lack of access to finance and other services had been common obstacles for rural women in Nigeria, in spite of their efforts to be productive.

She said: “Gender inequalities, discrimination and social norms have always put women in a less advantage to access agricultural extension service.

“This also happens when they try to access the bigger markets or land and formal financial services in spite their high participation in the agriculture sector in the society.

“Rural women still find it difficult to access loans, insurance on crops, livestock and other productive resources, making it difficult for them to engage in entrepreneurship.

“For me, these limitations are worsened by lack of finance and management knowledge, business literacy and other empowerment strategies.

“This is why government at all levels and private organisations need to intensify efforts to support them if we really want to boost food production and bring about rural development in the process’’.

Dauda added that stakeholders needed to work together with women groups at the rural level to hold regular empowerment workshops that would enrich productivity.

Similarly, Mrs Grace Ojo, Programme Manager, Ruth Foundation Network, an NGO, said that government and local professional organisations play vital role in rural development.

Ojo said that, although the efforts by both government and other organisations have been relentless in supporting rural women, there has been limited progress in addressing the challenges faced by rural women.

“There is a need to reinforce capacities of rural women to increase their income and access to inputs, knowledge, market and decent work.

“We need to also strengthen institutional capacity to implement laws that will help facilitate access to financial services, as well as advance women’s rights to land ownership.

“We must engage them on the go, so as to drive at solving their immediate challenges and not discourage them at their best performance,’’ she said.

Ojo said the rural woman remained an important sector of the society and needed all support to meet up in every aspect of life, especially since they contribute to the economy in various trades.

Mrs Maryamu Barnabas, a women and youth activist also opined that issues affecting the elderly women at the grassroots should also be put into consideration.

Barnabas said that due to the rapid increase in population, there was the need for a health management service for the elderly.

She said: “Rural elderly women experience a low quality of life due to financial difficulties, psychosocial isolation and lack of general support.

“So, in all our schedules towards promoting the rural woman and her trade or business, access to healthcare should be paramount as well. It is indeed a vital support system.

“We all can only work when we are alive and in good health condition’’. (NAN)