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Neimeth announces expansion plans, targets youth employment

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Neimeth announces expansion plans, targets youth employment

Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Plc said it is embarking on strategic expansion plans, focusing on its Oregun plant in Lagos state and investing in youth employment.

The Chairman of Neimeth, Ambrosie Orjioko, disclosed this at the 65th Annual General Meeting of the company held in Lagos State on Thursday.

He noted that the company is set to employ more youths to increase its output and profitability.

“One plan we have is to bring young people and experts into the company, either as employees or as graduate trainees. By the time our graduate trainee program is completed, we will need people who will succeed as members of the top management, and the future is brighter than what we had last year. We will also leverage the Oregun plant to improve our output,” he said.

The Managing Director of Neimeth, Valentine Okelu, stated that the board is exploring options to raise money to complete the company’s plants nationwide and launch new products to boost its profitability.

He said, “We have started work on our plant site, and the board is looking at other options to raise more money to complete that plant. We have expanded the Oregun plant, and we have better facilities there to enhance our profitability. We will bring in more products within the next three to six months to help fill the gaps.”

He noted that the company is set to go beyond Ghana and explore other African countries.

He urged the government to revisit its intervention fund while urging the public to patronise the company’s products to enhance its growth.

“The pharmacy sector needs what I always refer to as patient capital. It does not come from individuals who want to invest and get returns. So the intervention fund that the government was doing, I think they need to come back to it. The other part is patronage. You should be able to buy locally made products that also give confidence to other governments; we also need power,” he stated.

In his remarks, a shareholder identified as Adebayo Adeleke urged the management of the company to be focused on delivering higher sales and profits to enable the company to return to dividend payments to shareholders

“Last year was turbulent for the company, and the business was striving to survive. One major concern I have is that the company posted a loss of N2.8bn, and I think there is something fundamental that is wrong. The business has potential, but we have not gotten to the threshold of breaking even,” Adeleke said.

According reports that Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Plc is eyeing N211 million in profit in the 2024 financial year, aimed at solidifying the company’s position as a leading healthcare provider in Africa.

AfDB, WFP help Sudan boost wheat production by 70%

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AfDB, WFP help Sudan boost wheat production by 70%

The African Development Bank and World Food Programme have stated that wheat production in Sudan rose by 70 per cent amid soaring hunger in the country.

According to a statement posted on its website on Thursday to unveil an emergency wheat production project in Sudan financed by the AfDB and executed by the United Nations World Food Programme the development finance institution said the yield of 645,000 metric tonnes of wheat this year accounted for 22 per cent of the total wheat consumption needs of Sudan

The statement added, ” The report has helped to increase wheat production in the country by up to 70 per cent in targeted project locations across five states within the past year.

“The African Development Bank provided a total of $75 million to WFP for the implementation of the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production Project over the course of two years,” the statement read.

“This development comes at a critical time for Sudan, which is facing a looming hunger catastrophe due to the ongoing conflict, that has slowed down production in the past agricultural season.

“Given the great potential that agriculture offers even under circumstances of active conflict, and with famine in Sudan on the horizon, threatening millions of lives, this project has brought a lot of hope.” the Bank’s Director General for Eastern Africa region, Nnenna Nwabufo said.

She added: “This year alone, 22 per cent of the national wheat demand was met through the project. Its impressive performance has demonstrated that there are viable solutions to increasing domestic production to address the rising levels of hunger and acute malnutrition in the country. We are pleased that the scaled-up delivery of certified climate-resilient wheat seed varieties and fertilizers to smallholder farmers in the target areas across the country was timely, and saved a number of lives, under the prevailing challenges of conflict.”

On her part, the Bank’s Country Manager for Sudan, Mary Monyau, explained the scope of the project.

Monyau said, “This wheat production project financed by the African Development Bank became the heart of production at this critical moment in Sudan. It provided food security, yielding 645,000 metric tonnes of wheat this year, and also became a critical crisis response intervention to the internally displaced persons,” she stated, adding, “More than 30 per cent of the beneficiaries in the Northern state are IDPs”.

She went on: “The project was anchored on earlier game-changing wheat production initiatives under the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation project implemented in 2018 to 2021, providing a clear example of how a longer-term development intervention can meet short-term emergency and humanitarian needs with forward-looking resilience building. We thank our development partner, the World Food Program, for implementing this project and ensuring positive outcomes in at least 5 states, namely Gezira, Kassala, River Nile, White Nile, and Northern States, despite the active conflict in the country.”

Summarising the scenario, WFP Sudan Representative and Country Director, Eddie Rowe, said: “The ongoing conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on agriculture. Sudan produced merely half the wheat it would have produced in a typical year. Thanks to funding from the African Development Bank, WFP was able to mitigate some of the impacts of this war on wheat production.”

“The project distributed climate-adapted wheat seeds and fertilizers to over 170,000 smallholder farmers in the five states during the 2023-2024 agricultural season, covering areas largely located in the relatively stable northern and eastern states of Sudan where conflict has not yet spread, as well as conflict-affected areas such as Gezira and White Nile states, ” the statement averred.

Rise in gas flaring hurting climate change efforts, World Bank warns

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Rise in gas flaring hurting climate change efforts, World Bank warns

The amount of gas flared worldwide in 2023 rose by nine billion cubic meters to 148 bcm, its highest level since 2019, a World Bank report has said.

This is contained in a statement by the World Bank, on its new satellite data on Global Flaring and Methane Reduction (GFMR) Partnership, a copy of which was obtained in Abuja on Friday.

The report said the increase resulted in an additional 23 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, an amount similar to adding about five million cars to the roads.

The statement quoted Demetrios Papathanasiou, World Bank’s Global Director, Energy and Extractives Global Practice, as saying: “Millions of people still lack access to basic energy and greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow, while huge volumes of gas continue to be wastefully flared every year.

“Capturing and using this wasted gas could displace dirtier energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and generate enough power to double the amount of electricity provided in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

The statement also quoted Zubin Bamji, World Bank GFMR Manager, as saying, “The increase in gas flaring is particularly disheartening as it comes after a long-overdue reduction in 2022.

“This sets global gas flaring levels back to what we experienced in 2019. We’re hopeful that this is somewhat of an anomaly and the longer-term trend will be dramatic reductions.”

The report showed that gas flaring released harmful pollutants, including black carbon and unburned methane, which contribute to climate change and pose risks to both people and the planet.

It also showed that eliminating gas flaring would avert at least 381 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions being released into the atmosphere each year.

“When productively used, wasted flared gas can help displace dirtier energy sources, increase energy access in some of the world’s poorest countries, and provide many countries with much-needed energy security.”

It added that the World Bank’s annual Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report is a tool for monitoring and understanding the state of flaring worldwide and the progress made towards achieving Zero Routine Flaring by 2030.

It said the World Bank’s GFMR Partnership, together with the Payne Institute at the Colorado School of Mines, had developed global gas flaring estimates based on observations from a satellite.
The satellite, the bank said was launched in 2012 and operated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“The advanced sensors of this satellite detect the heat emitted by gas flares as infrared emissions.
“GFMR is a multi-donor trust fund composed of governments, oil companies, and multilateral organisations committed to ending routine gas flaring at oil production sites across the world.

“GFMR is also committed to reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector to near zero by 2030.”

NAN

Bauchi govt to revive tourism sector

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Bauchi govt to revive tourism sector

The Bauchi State government has announced plans to revitalise its tourism sector, noting that the move is to attract visitors from far and wide.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Abdul Hassan, while speaking with tourism ambassadors of the state who paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Thursday.

He stated that the state is committed to unlocking its vast tourism potential maintaining that key projects are underway including the refurbishment of the iconic Yankari Game Reserve, which has reached a 50 per cent completion rate.

“The installation of solar power is set to resolve the longstanding issue of national grid inconsistencies.

“These developments signal a new era for tourism in Bauchi State, poised to showcase its unique cultural heritage and natural wonders to the world,” the commissioner said.

The Commissioner for Tourism and Culture urged the ambassadors to serve as tourism ambassadors for Bauchi State, sharing their experiences and spreading the word about the wonders of Yankari Game Reserve to the global community.

He also praised the general manager of Yankari Game Reserve for his visionary leadership, and dedication to preserving and promoting the reserve’s natural beauty and cultural significance.

On his part, the General Manager of Yankari Game Reserve, Muhammad Yusuf, who led a delegation to the commissioner’s office emphasised the crucial role of tourism ambassadors in ensuring the smooth operation of Yankari Game Reserve and other tourism attractions in the state.

He expressed optimism that with the current intervention by the state government, Yankari Game Reserve would generate more revenue for the state than any other sector.

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Lagos Cholera death toll rises to 24

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Lagos Cholera death toll rises to 24

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi said the cholera death toll has risen to 24.

Abayomi disclosed this in a post on his Instagram handle on Friday.

He also has confirmed 35 cases out of the 417 suspected cases across 20 Local Government Areas in the state.

The Commissioner said the situation report as of June 19, 2024, indicated, “417 suspected cases, 35 confirmed cases, and 24 recorded deaths.”

He advised residents to ensure personal and environmental hygiene.

He advised, “Let’s adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene. Let’s stay safe #ForAGreaterLagos”

The cases were reported from Agege, Badagry, Ikeja, Mushin, Ajeromi-Ifelofun, Epe, Ikorodu, Ojo, Alimosho, and Eti-Osa.

Others were Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Shomolu, Apapa, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos mainland, and Surulere.

Cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by ingesting the bacteria— Vibrio cholerae — in contaminated water and food. Cholera can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea, and the severe forms of the disease can kill within hours if left untreated.

In Nigeria, cholera is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more frequently in areas with poor sanitation.

The World Health Organisation on Thursday announced a spike in cholera in several regions of the world, with almost 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths reported in 24 countries since the start of 2024.

WHO said the Eastern Mediterranean Region reported the highest number of cases, followed by the African Region, the Region of the Americas, the Southeast Asia Region, and the European Region.

The global health body, however, noted that there are no reported cases in the Western Region, according to its bulletin released on Wednesday.

It said it exhausted its global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines by March but was able to exceed “the emergency target of five million doses in early June for the first time in 2024.”

Wales FA sack Rob Page after Euro 2024 qualifying miss

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Wales FA sack Rob Page after Euro 2024 qualifying miss

The Football Association of Wales has announced the termination of Rob Page’s contract as the men’s National Team Head Coach.

Page, who took over as interim manager in November 2020 and was later appointed permanently in September 2022, led the team to significant milestones, including the UEFA EURO 2020 finals and Cymru’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1958.

Chief Football Officer, Dave Adams praised Page for his achievements, including the promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League and the integration of 18 pathway players into the senior squad.

FAW CEO, Noel Mooney and President, Steve Williams expressed their gratitude for Page’s dedication and his role in creating unforgettable moments for Welsh football.

The FAW is now looking ahead to future opportunities and remains committed to its value of ‘Excellence’ for Welsh football.

Football Association of Wales disclosed this on Friday in a statement obtained from its X and website.

“Prior to taking on the role of Men’s National Team Manager, Page was the U21 Head Coach since 2017 and oversaw the development of several players into the senior team environment, including Dan James, Harry Wilson and Joe Rodon amongst many others,” it read.

Adams said, “I would like to thank Rob for his work with the Association over the last seven years, firstly as the U21s Head Coach and then onto the role of Cymru Head Coach.

“Rob’s work has delivered success reaching the Round of 16 at EURO 2020 and qualification to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and during his period we also integrated 18 pathway players into the senior squad.

“As we move forward this experience will support our objective to consistently qualify our Men’s National Team to major tournaments.”

On the other hand, Mooney, said, “On behalf of myself and the entire FAW, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rob for his commitment and dedication to his roles for the National Teams.

“Under Rob Page’s leadership, our Cymru men’s team has achieved significant milestones and victories which have created many incredible memories for our nation, most notably our first World Cup in sixty-four years.”

“We remain focused on our FAW value of ‘Excellence’ and look forward to the opportunities for our national teams and Welsh Football.”

FAW President, Steve Williams commented: “I am incredibly grateful for all that Rob has done in his role as Cymru Men’s National Team Manager and I want to put on record my gratitude for taking Cymru to EURO 2020 and the FIFA World Cup.”

“Rob’s passion for the country shone through in his visits to schools, clubs and communities across the breadth of Wales. I know Rob was incredibly proud of taking the World Cup squad announcement to his hometown of Tylorstown.”

According Online reports that the announcement comes after the Dragons failed to qualify for the ongoing Euros 2024 in March.

Obi challenges Tinubu to provide solutions to Nigeria’s many challenges

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Obi challenges Tinubu to provide solutions to Nigeria’s many challenges

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to stop giving excuses but rather proffer solutions to the myriads of problems facing the country.
The former Anambra State governor who gave the charge in a series of tweets on his official X handle on Friday, said the problems facing the nation were well-known to all Nigerians and needs leaders who have a thorough plan of action to tackle its unique struggles.
Obi called on those in leadership positions to offer tangible solutions, not mere reminders that others face similar challenges, adding that it was disheartening to hear those in charge, who were hired to address problems, say that Nigerians are not the only ones struggling with poverty and hunger, instead of providing direction, guidance, solutions, and reassurance in times of crisis.
He said, “The problems facing Nigeria are well-known to all Nigerians,” he wrote.
“We are the poverty capital of the world, among the most insecure people on earth, among the hungriest, have poor education quality and the highest number of out-of-school children, high infant mortality, corruption, unemployment, the highest income gap between the poor and the rich, high corruption perception index, infrastructure and healthcare challenges, and more.
“It is disheartening to hear those in charge, who were hired to address our problems, make statements like ‘we are not the only ones struggling with poverty and hunger.’
READ ALSO:Peter Obi may return to PDP, if…, former LP campaign DG, Osuntokun, reveals condition
“Instead of merely acknowledging that other countries face similar challenges, we need to hear a thorough plan of action to tackle our unique struggles.
“We require concrete solutions and a clear vision to address these issues, not comparisons that downplay our circumstances.
“I urge those in leadership positions to offer tangible solutions, not mere reminders that others face similar challenges.
“We need a comprehensive approach to tackle our specific challenges, not generalizations that dismiss our experiences. A true leader provides direction, guidance, solutions, and reassurance in times of crisis.
“This is the hallmark of visionary leadership and a trait of nations that are making progress and advancing their development. They don’t simply state the obvious but offer a roadmap for overcoming obstacles.
“Just like a pilot who doesn’t just announce turbulence, they assure passengers that they will do everything possible to ensure a safe journey.
“Only then can we begin to trust that our country is in capable hands, working towards a brighter future for all Nigerians,” he concluded.
The post Obi challenges Tinubu to provide solutions to Nigeria’s many challenges appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Nigeria needs solutions, not comparisons

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Nigeria needs solutions, not comparisons

Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent comment downplaying Nigeria’s struggles by comparing them to other countries.

While receiving a delegation from the national assembly who came to felicitate with him on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, President Tinubu had on Monday said Nigeria is not the only nation in the world grappling with poverty.

The president who spoke in Lagos said, “Yes, there is poverty; there is suffering in the land. We are not the only people facing such, but we must face our challenges.”

Reacting to the statement on X.com on Friday, Obi called on Nigeria’s leaders to move beyond acknowledging the country’s numerous challenges and instead offer concrete solutions to address them.

Obi lamented that Nigeria is plagued by poverty, insecurity, hunger, poor education, high infant mortality, corruption, unemployment, and a wide income gap between the rich and the poor.

He expressed disappointment that instead of providing a clear plan to tackle these issues, those in leadership positions often downplay the situation by comparing Nigeria’s struggles to those of other countries.

He said, “The problems facing Nigeria are well-known to all Nigerians. We are the poverty capital of the world, among the most insecure people on earth, among the hungriest, have poor education quality and the highest number of out-of-school children, high infant mortality, corruption, unemployment, the highest income gap between the poor and the rich, high corruption perception index, infrastructure and healthcare challenges, and more.

“It is disheartening to hear those in charge, who were hired to address our problems, make statements like “we are not the only ones struggling with poverty and hunger.”

Obi emphasized that what Nigerians need is a comprehensive approach to address the country’s unique challenges, not generalizations that dismiss their experiences.

He stressed that a true leader provides direction, guidance, solutions, and reassurance in times of crisis, citing the example of a pilot who not only announces turbulence but also assures passengers of their safety.

He said, “Instead of merely acknowledging that other countries face similar challenges, we need to hear a thorough plan of action to tackle our unique struggles.

“We require concrete solutions and a clear vision to address these issues, not comparisons that downplay our circumstances. I urge those in leadership positions to offer tangible solutions, not mere reminders that others face similar challenges.

Obi urged leaders to offer tangible solutions, not mere reminders that others face similar challenges.

He called for a clear vision and a roadmap to overcome obstacles, emphasizing that this is the hallmark of visionary leadership and a trait of nations making progress.

“We need a comprehensive approach to tackle our specific challenges, not generalizations that dismiss our experiences. A true leader provides direction, guidance, solutions, and reassurance in times of crisis.

“This is the hallmark of visionary leadership and a trait of nations that are making progress and advancing their development. They don’t simply state the obvious but offer a roadmap for overcoming obstacles.

“Just like a pilot, who doesn’t just announce turbulence; they assure passengers that they will do everything possible to ensure a safe journey.

“Only then can we begin to trust that our country is in capable hands, working towards a brighter future for all Nigerians.”

Namibian court overturns law criminalising same-sex relationships

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Namibian court overturns law criminalising same-sex relationships

A top Namibian court on Friday struck down the African country’s colonial-era laws criminalising same-sex relationships, in a victory for the LGBTQ community.

The high court in the capital, Windhoek, declared the crimes of “sodomy” and “unnatural sexual offences” as “unconstitutional and invalid” in a ruling hailed by LGBTQ rights groups.

“We are not persuaded that in a democratic society such as ours… it is reasonably justifiable to make an activity criminal just because a segment, maybe a majority, of the citizenry consider it to be unacceptable,” the judges wrote.

The judgement overturns rarely enforced laws dating back to 1927, which Namibia inherited from the colonial era but maintained after gaining independence from South Africa in 1990.

“Because of this decision, I no longer feel like a criminal on the run in my own country simply because of who I am,” said Friedel Dausab, the activist who brought the case.

London-based Human Dignity Trust called the ruling “historic”.

“LGBT Namibians can now look to a brighter future,” said its chief executive, Tea Braun.

The verdict comes against a backdrop of growing intolerance towards LGBTQ rights in southern Africa.

While a handful of African countries have legalised same-sex relationships, South Africa remains the sole African nation which allows gay marriage, legalised in 2006.

The United Nations AIDS program, UNAIDS, said the ruling marked a “significant victory for equality and human rights”.

“This decision… is a powerful step towards a more inclusive Namibia,” said Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS regional director for East and Southern Africa.

AFP

Abiodun mourns Ogun monarch, Ogunleye

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Abiodun mourns Ogun monarch, Ogunleye

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has described the late Towulade of Akinale, Oba Femi Ogunleye, as a great leader who lived an eventful life and put his community on the world map during his reign.

Oba Ogunleye, one of Nigeria’s topmost journalists, died on Wednesday in the United Kingdom, at the age of 79.

Abiodun, in a condolence message to the Ogun Council of Obas and Akinale community, said the late traditional ruler contributed his quota to the development of the state after an illustrious career as a journalist.

“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Oba Femi Ogunleye, a revered journalist and traditional ruler who passed away in London on Wednesday at the age of 79.

“Oba Ogunleye was a titan in the media industry, known for his unwavering commitment to journalism and his quest for truth and accountability.

“As the Towulade of Akinale, he was a respected man who worked tirelessly to uplift his people and foster development in Ogun state.

“His distinguished career and selfless service have left an indelible mark on our society. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Ogun council of Obas, his family, friends, and the entire Akinale community,” he said.

The governor prayed for the repose of his soul while hoping that his legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

NAN

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