The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Tinubu promises more support, as FUT Babura holds 2nd matriculation

    Tinubu promises more support, as FUT Babura holds 2nd matriculation

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised more emphasis on education as well as his administration’s support for all young tertiary institutions to enable them take root and have a sound foundation as they grow.

    The president made the promise in a speech delivered at the second matriculation and investiture ceremony of the pioneer chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Babura in Jigawa State.

    He said: “The federal government on its part, along with its agencies, is leaving no stone unturned to, within the challenges of the times, give as much support as it can to all young tertiary institutions to enable them take root and have a sound foundation as they grow”.

    Represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, President Tinubu noted: “You may recall that two additional Universities of Technology were created in July 2021 by the Federal Government: one in Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State for the South-South geo-political zone and one here in Babura, Jigawa State for the North-West zone”.

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    He added that this brought to six the number of federal universities of technology in the country, one for each geo-political zone, in addition to two universities of Health Sciences in Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State.

    “These initiatives had many policy objectives, including expanding access to higher education to more of our teeming youths, national manpower development to meet the needs of our expanding population and economy, improving delivery of critical medical services to Nigerians, as well as ensuring equity in distribution of educational and professional training opportunities to all parts of the federation.”

    President Tinubu maintained that harnessing science and technology for national development is an objective, going by the fact that science and technology are the new Midas that have touched almost everything and changed human life in all its facets, especially when properly directed.

    According to him: “The entry point of benefitting from the power of science and technology is to develop the intellectual capacity and the critical mass of brainpower to exploit its potential, given our vast endowment of natural and human resources.”

    He enjoined the students and entire teaming youth to contribute positively to the application of science and technology to solve societal problems as they arise.

    “The nation has done its duty by exposing you to a unique opportunity for self-development, professional training and a skilled future career. You need to reciprocate by excelling in your studies and future careers.”

    Prof Mamman noted: “Therefore my call to all the lucky students so far admitted and the generations of others that will follow later, is to urge you to work hard and live up to the dream of your fathers, your community and your nation.”

    Chancellor of the university, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom expressed happiness and enormous appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy of the responsibility of pioneer Chancellor of the university.

    He added: “I wholeheartedly commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for its visionary step in introducing the Student Loan Scheme. This landmark initiative, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on April 3, 2024, seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths”.

    Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Saboda Ibrahim Birninkudu said a total of 550 students have been admitted and are being matriculated, as the second set of students into the 2023/2024 academic session.

  • How we’re empowering Nigerian pastors

    How we’re empowering Nigerian pastors

    Pastor Chuks came to Enugu in 2009 after graduating from a theological college. He joined one of the thriving new-generation churches and became one of its pastors. While he grew in the church, its members contributed money to help him in his wedding to a teacher in a school owned by the church in 2012.

    However, since his posting to one of the rural communities in Enugu State a couple of years ago, Pastor Chuks has been finding it difficult to take care of the basic needs of his family as he hardly makes enough money from the church, where he is a full-time pastor without any other means of livelihood. This situation has since forced him to devise means of making money with the ministry, which included going from motor parks and markets to pray for people and subtly demand money.

    Pastor Chuks’ situation is not different from what is obtainable in society currently, where pastors use false prophecies to make money from their victims. Some of the pastors are equally paid by some politicians, community, or group leaders, to give favourable prophecies for their political future.

    Expectedly, this has resulted in strained relationships among siblings, friends, colleagues, and kinsmen who now suspect one another of being evil. With this also, some youths within parts of the country have jettisoned Christianity and brazenly adopted traditional worship as their main religion.

    Worried by this development Pastor Emmanuel Ukoha, established the Jesus Disciples Bible College (aka Kingdom College), a non-denominational theological institution, with a unique approach to training pastors. It is a place where preachers are made more self-reliant to be able to preach the gospel in truth the way the ancient apostles did without any economic or financial influence.

    Our correspondent, who visited the college, located in Ozu Abam town in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, observed that students not only study theology but also learn practical and technical skills like farming, building, and fabrication to become more self-reliant before graduating from the college.

    This, it was gathered, is the reason there is a multiplicity of activities being embarked on by the students of the college, ranging from cultivation of all farm products to rearing of all kinds of domestic animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, among others in commercial quantities.

     With this, a whole lot of foodstuffs, farm products, meat and fish of all kinds, and fruits litter the host town for good prices. It is no surprise why meat of all types, vegetables, food, crops, grains, and oil of all sorts are sold quite cheaply in the school’s shopping mall where the products are displayed for shopping for non-students.

    In the building and technical section, students are meant to acquire such skills as surveying, architecture, building technology, mason, block moulding, and such other skills as carpentry, auto and electrical mechanic and fabrication of various machines, painting and production of paints.

    With such knowledge, all gigantic buildings in the college, including three four-storey building hostels, a seven-floor hotel, and other magnificent edifices that grace the community were designed and constructed by the students without buying any materials except cement, rods, wire cables, and roofing sheets.

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     Also, internal roads to both the main campus of the college and its large farms were equally constructed and asphalted by the students.

    Apart from farming and animal husbandry, each student is expected to be very proficient in a number of skills before graduation and being deployed to the place of work if they want to be retained.

    Speaking with newsmen in the school recently, the founder, Pastor Ukoha, said though he received revelations to start the college, he was moved by the plight of the many poor pastors who depended mostly on donations and offerings from church members for survival, with some of them devising dangerous manipulations to dupe unsuspecting worshipers for survival.

    He said the approach was meant to help preachers develop a well-rounded skill set that enables them to serve their communities in a more holistic way without being selfish about it, adding that was targeted at ending what has been described as gospel merchandise.

    “It also helps them understand the value of hard work, self-sufficiency, and stewardship, which are important principles in both religious and secular contexts”, he said.

    Ukoha disclosed that the project started in the year 2000 with the name: Kingdom Age Ministry but relocated to its permanent site at Ozu Abam.

    “So, what happened is that we now entered into many aspects of skills from building to other technical activities people do every day, including painting, mechanics, fabrications, and construction. We also entered into what we call the gospel agronomy. We believe if you can’t be a good farmer, you can’t be a good pastor. We then go in to help to give an industrial shape that can help anyone survive anywhere he goes, doing it like the apostles did.

  • ‘Any church supporting LGBTQ is promoting perversion’

    ‘Any church supporting LGBTQ is promoting perversion’

    At the just concluded 5th Biennial and 118th conference of The African Church, the Primate of the church, His Eminence Julius Osayande Olayinka Abbe, spoke to ADEOLA OGUNLADE on the strides of the church in its over 100 years of existence, the stand of the church against LGBTQ,  and the state of the nation.

    The African Church is one of the oldest in Nigeria, how symbolic is it to the church?

    Without mincing words, The African Church has come a long way, precisely October 13, 2024, the church will be 123 years old, God has been faithful in keeping her to date, no doubt a lot of things have happened that have threatened the existence of the church, but the grace of God has been sufficient

    Can you share with us some of the strides the church has made in its 100 years existence?

    Yes, it’s one of the oldest churches in Nigeria and we are making our mark in every area. When you talk about education, the African church is there, because we have several schools, primary, and secondary schools all over the place. The Church runs several schools, two hospitals, and some social centres and development projects. It publishes a guide for daily Bible reading (in English and Yoruba).

    And in fact, our university is around the corner. We have a vast land in Ifewara, Osun State, where the African Church University is springing up from. So, apart from that, we make our mark in governance, because we make sure that we advise the government from time to time to give us good governance in this country.

    Not only that, but we also make our people very responsible citizens of this country, because, from the Sunday school, the classes, and all the rest of it, we build them up to become better citizens of the country. So, these are some of the things that the African Church is doing that makes it unique. Like I mentioned the other time, the style of administration that we have in the African Church is so unique, very, very unique in that we don’t have a totalitarian government. It’s a kind of democratic government. Everybody is involved. The clergy, the laity, nobody has total power or absolute power. No. All of us must sit down and agree on any issue before it is done.

    What has changed from where the church started and now?

    A lot has changed as the church is moving with time. In those days, we used to have our structures built like the olden days but you can see this church now wearing a modern look, unlike the Victorian structure that we used to have in those days. Also, our ministers are getting training from time to time to update themselves and to ensure that we live up to the dictates of society and the people who are in charge of the church.

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    The church has concluded its 5th Biennial and 118th conference with the theme: ‘Who will ascend the hill of the Lord? What lesson can we learn?’

    The theme of this conference is so deep and awesome as the Lord has not kept us in the dark concerning the burden of His heart at a time like this – “Who will ascend the hill of the Lord?” (Psalms 24:3). This is a rhetorical question the Lord inspired the Psalmist David to ask the nation of Israel. It then means the hill of the Lord is a sacred elevated platform of access unto God that not every Tom, Dick, and Harry can arbitrarily climb. It is not a question of physical fitness and strength. It is not a matter of how well-built and experienced a man is on an ascending hill either. It is a call unto Consecration and Purity. Anyone who wants to step on this hill must know the God he has come all the way to meet. It is a call unto something way beyond Religious Obligations (Hebrews 6:1).It is a call to settle for a divine engagement that can elicit and guarantee the long-awaited revival to shed off every weight: Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”.

    Naturally speaking, it is a journey fraught with a lot of struggles when you carry weights in a bid to climb a height. Why not do away with the weights of sins, unrighteousness, bitterness, unforgiveness, unnecessary ego, worldly cares and their affections, pride of life, and the likes? Until these weights are completely shed off, the bearer CANNOT ascend the hill of the Lord to see Him. Have a deep hunger that only being with the Lord on His hill can satisfy: Anyone who is genuinely interested in engaging in this adventure must have a deep longing for God. He must be able to declare like David – the Psalmist that, as a deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for God (Psalms 42:1).

    The menace of LGBTQ is sweeping around the church, and you stated that the African Church is against it?

    I wish to state categorically here that The African Church affirms its total rejection of LGBTQ and other homosexuality; we will always stand to defend the truth of the gospel based on the injunctions and ethical principles of the Holy Bible. The church that is promoting the legistimising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning LGBTQ is promoting perversion around the world and they should remember the day of reckoning is coming.

    The rising effects of this perversion cannot be overemphasized as we now have many individuals who are confidently coming out to be identified under the umbrella of LGBTQ as lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and we also have now many countries of the world where LGBTQ community has been legitimized and this is gradually spreading like wildfire into other continents of the world. Lately, the stance of some Western church leaders has been of supportive position to this menace to the point where some denomination leaders have given permission to their priests to bless homosexual marriages. This is highly worrisome to us as this is an express violation of the standard of the Holy Bible and also contributes to fast moral decadence in our society. Without any doubt, the involvement of the Church in a supportive position is going to be a big blow and a serious setback in the fight against this menace and we must vehemently stand against it.

    Romans 1:14 & 32 admonish us saying; “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who are using the truth to practice sexual perversions… and we know the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only those who do the same, but also those who have pleasure in them that do them.” Our God is crystal clear with His stand against all forms of perversion and we must not condone it in any way.

    There is so much hunger in the land and fuel scarcity has added to the woes of Nigeria, what is your advice to the federal government?

    Most people who are involved in farming are in the communities. But what is their problem? Their single problem is insecurity. People are unable to go to their farms and harvest whatever they have there. So, this government has tackled the issue of insecurity and if they can resolve this challenge, I can assure you that there will be much more food in our country. Our environment is very, very attractive for farming. Nigeria is so blessed and our soil is so fertile. Our youths are not lazy; they are agile and are ready to work. The government should encourage small- and large-scale farmers. There is a need for more storage facilities for our farm produce.

    We thank God that in a few months, the government released some grains from the silos across the country to feed the people. Farmers should have more storage centers so that when we have similar challenges; such grains can be released to cushion the hunger and rising inflation in the land. We depend so much on fuel in this country. And they have assured us that all will be well once the subsidy is removed. The subsidy has been removed, yet we are still groaning, we are still having problems. You see, and I want to tell you that the problem is not from the government, it’s from the people, who are these marketers, are they not Nigerians? They are Nigerians, but they prefer to exploit the people rather than make life easy for everyone. I don’t know if after gathering all the wealth in this world, they will go with it when they are gone. Why don’t you make this world a better place for everyone to live in? So, my advice, the government knows these people, they know them and they know how they deal with them. We are all trying, struggling to survive and we shall survive it in Jesus’ name.

  • SiBAN mulls agenda for growth of blockchain industry

    SiBAN mulls agenda for growth of blockchain industry

    The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), Nigeria’s foremost self-regulatory body for the blockchain and digital assets industry, has warmly congratulated Dr. Emomotimi John Agama on his recent appointment as the new Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

    In a press statement signed by SiBAN President, Mr. Obinna Iwuno, the association expressed confidence that Dr. Agama’s wealth of knowledge and exemplary leadership in the Nigerian capital markets make him the perfect fit for the pivotal role.

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    “On behalf of SiBAN, we extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Agama on his recent appointment as the Director General of the SEC. We look forward to the positive developments that will undoubtedly unfold under his guidance,” Iwuno stated.

    SiBAN represents a dynamic and collaborative community of blockchain and digital assets industry players in Nigeria. As a key stakeholder, the association has reiterated its commitment to the safety and advancement of the industry, fostering innovation and growth in the digital ecosystem.

  • ADVAN, SMC to dialogue on effective PPP

    ADVAN, SMC to dialogue on effective PPP

    The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) through its Nigerian Marketing Development Team is partnering with the prestigious Pan Atlantic University (PAU) School of Media and Communication (SMC) to host a major industry dialogue on May 10, 2024, at the Sheba Centre Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way Maryland, Lagos.

    In a statement made available to The Nation, the organisers said the event is focused on fostering public-private collaboration to drive sustainable economic growth through the marketing and advertising sector.

    Themed “Public/Private Collaboration in the Marketing Industry: The Path to Economic Viability”, the event is expected to bring together key stakeholders from the Nigerian government, multinational corporations, local conglomerates, and the digital marketing industry.

    Lead Speaker for the event is Prof Olufemi Saibu -the Director, of the Quality Assurance and Servicom Unit, and pioneer Director of the Institute of Nigeria China Development Studies at the University of Lagos

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    The upcoming dialogue aims to address recent challenges faced by the marketing industry in terms of regulation and government policy implementation. It will provide a platform to foster collaboration, drive industry innovation, and build trust among all stakeholders.

    In a related development, a research paper that was written by ADVAN’s Nigerian Marketing Development Team in collaboration with PAU’s School of Media and Communication will be presented at the Dialogue. The research paper titled, “Collaboration, Sustainable Businesses, and the Nigerian Experience.

  • Excitements galore at GTCO Food/Drinks festival

    Excitements galore at GTCO Food/Drinks festival

    It was exciting, exhilarating, entertaining, fun as food/drink lovers, windowshoppers, contact seekers, networking lovers, schmoozers, business entrepreneurs trooped to the venue of what is fast becoming the biggest food/drink festival in Africa: GTCO Food and Drinks.

    For the three days the festival which was organised by the Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc lasted, the roads leading to Oniru waterfront, GTCentre Victoria Island, Lagos, the venue was jam packed with cars, human beings as they eagerly and expectantly thronged to the venue to experience and celebrate the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Africa with a vibrant display of flavours, aromas and culture.

    As celebrity chef Gale Gand who featured in the popular American food network captures it “First of all the size, this is a really large food and drink festival and the fact that you have vendors here, that is a little different from the ones we do in the states.

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    “There was not only an emphasis on wine but also on other beverages as well, so I feel this is really interesting. I am so interested in the street foods and some of your local foods. It is really exciting,” noted Gand who taught ‘Mastering creamy chocolate desserts’ in one of the Masterclass.

    From the small business woman that roast yams, plantain, potatoes by the roadside to eateries, restaurants, dealers in all manners of food products, the GTCO festival presented an opportunity for them to display their culinary expertise.

    It was a three days event that showcased the best of African culinary experiences. The inclusion of local dishes like abacha, ukwa, nkwobi, akara, asun etcetera is a testament to the festival’s commitment to promoting African cuisine and satisfying the taste buds of visitors from all over the world.

    Moving round the different vendor shades both within and outside the main hall, you could find locals savouring the tastes and flavours of global cuisines with all its attendant thrills and frills even as the cultural artifacts and symbol such as gourds and calabashes strategically displayed were used to serve palm wine, other fruit juices reminiscent of days of yore when kids sat under the moonlight to hear folklores.

    Interestingly, over 209 food and wine vendors, most of whom would have remained in obscurity, had the opportunity to expose their wares to the over 5000 people who were trooping into the venue daily.

    Madam Eby, who sells roasted yams, corn, groundnut, potatoes at Adeyemo Alakija street in Victoria Island Lagos, said the festival has given her the opportunity to meet and sell to people she would not have otherwise encountered.

    “The sales I make in the three days of this event is not up to what I make in three months in my little stand at Adeyemo Alakija. I was allowed to participate last year, and I can tell you that the result gave my business a financial boost.”

    The woman who had her three grown up sons roasting and attending to customers while appreciating the organisers said she is sustaining her family with the proceeds from the business and the little income that comes from her children.

    Now in its 7th edition, for the first time the organisers introduced a children’s baking masterclass which was the first master class out of the total classes to be held.

    At a press event held prior to the event the organisers revealed that each year the festival evolves to accommodate what people need and for inclusion.

    The children’s baking class, which was held the first day, provided young aspiring chefs with a wonderful opportunity to discover the joys of baking, while also fostering creativity and confidence in the kitchen. From decorating cupcakes to crafting their signature treats, children unleashed their culinary genius and developed valuable cooking skills in a fun and supportive environment under the steady eyes of the several award winning Chef, Uche Annie Ugoka.

    This is just as they paraded a healthy selection of masters from all over the world for masterclasses, live cooking demonstrations, and tasting sessions, along with hundreds of food retailers showcasing a diverse range of mouth-watering offerings.

    While on day three, award winning chefs showed how to cook foods like Southern Coastal Cuisine, Indian Cuisine; Beyond Curry, Mexican Cuisine, Mestizaje and Culture; Je ne sais quoi – The Classic French Masterclass with a Twist, The Art of Whole Hog BBQ, and Tom Parker Bowles focused on the topic, ‘Exploring the Role of a Food Writer and Critic in the Culinary World’. 

  • Consumer Credit Scheme: Credit Corp warns against fraudsters

    Consumer Credit Scheme: Credit Corp warns against fraudsters

    Following the nod by the Federal Government for the takeoff of the Consumer Credit Scheme, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDITCORP) has raised the alarm over Ponzi schemes set up to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

    The Federal Government body, CREDICORP, that is facilitating the scheme stated that eligible consumers do not have to pay money to access the portal or even the loan.

    “There is no place in which it was stated that Nigerians would have to pay to gain access to this portal or access the loans. Nigerians are advised to take note as many fraudsters might try to take advantage of this scheme and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians,” said Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity.

    According to Ngelale, the Consumer Credit Scheme serves as the lifeblood of modern economies, enabling citizens to enhance their quality of life by accessing goods and services upfront, paying responsibly over time,

    It was also said to facilitate crucial purchases, such as homes, vehicles, education, and healthcare, essential for ongoing stability to pursue their aspirations.

    Pressed further, Ngelale said the credit scheme which is only for working Nigerian’s was put together by Nigeria’s CreditCorp, and has been initiated in line with the organisation’s mandate to accelerate consumer credit access to 50% of working Nigerians by 2030.

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    “To achieve this, CrediCorp, a company owned by the Federal Government will fix the structural barriers to accessing consumer credit in Nigeria, and catalyse the market with capital, guarantees, and policy.”

    Explaining how it will work he said, “As with every other loan scheme, working Nigerians through responsible repayment will build credit histories, unlocking more opportunities for a better life.”

    To obtain the loan, interested working Nigerians will have to visit the portal that CREDICORP has created for the scheme to express interest in receiving the consumer credit. “In line with the President’s directive to expand consumer credit access to Nigerians, CREDICORP has launched a portal for Nigerians to express interest in receiving the consumer credit. Working Nigerians interested in receiving the consumer credit can now visit www.credicorp.ng to express interest,” stated Ngelale.

    According to a statement on its official website, as to how it makes loan available to consumers, the CrediCorp including its consumer credit guarantee fund, works closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the financial sector, identity management, credit registries, fintechs, consumer protection, and policy makers on the mission to avail loans to qualified Nigerians.

    Information from the website explains that as part of the plans to ensure a smooth running, the scheme will be rolled out in phases, starting with members of the civil service and cascading to members of the public.

    For this first phase of the exercise, there is a deadline and that is Wednesday, May 15th, 2024. All who are eligible and are seeking to benefit from this scheme should have registered on or before this date.

    There is no place in which it was stated that Nigerians would have to pay to gain access to this portal or access the loans. Nigerians are advised to take note as many fraudsters might try to take advantage of this scheme and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

    According to the CreditCorp, this scheme will help strengthen Nigeria’s credit reporting systems, ensuring every economically active citizen has a dependable credit score. “This score becomes the personal equity they build, facilitating access to consumer credit.”

    Also under this scheme, credit guarantees will be offered, and wholesale lending to financial institutions dedicated to broadening consumer credit access will be attained.

  • News Central TV, U.S. Consulate to drive development journalism

    News Central TV, U.S. Consulate to drive development journalism

    In a dynamic move to bolster U.S.-Nigeria relations, Julie McKay, the Public Affairs Officer from the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Lagos, made a strategic visit to News Central TV on Monday, April 15, 2024. This significant outreach is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Consulate to strengthen ties with key Nigerian media outlets and institutions.

    Since her arrival in Nigeria in September 2022, McKay has been at the forefront of enhancing U.S. diplomatic engagement in the region. Her tenure in Abuja and Lagos has been marked by pivotal roles, including leading the Public Diplomacy Section to new heights.

    Accompanied by Muhammad Abba, the Nigerian Representative of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the visit spotlighted potential partnerships with the Voice of America’s multi-media network, promising expansive benefits for News Central. Abba’s presentation detailed innovative programs that could greatly enrich the station’s offerings.

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    Expressing enthusiasm over News Central’s commitment to accurate and robust reporting, McKay highlighted the station’s pivotal role in portraying authentic African narratives. “Africa has shaped the past, its shaping the present and it will actually shape the future. Nigeria as the biggest democracy and economy is a natural partner for the United States” she said.

    News Central TV’s Managing Director, Kayode Akintemi added: “We’re thrilled by the U.S. Consulate’s recognition of our work. This renewed collaboration will empower us to raise the bar for local journalism, reinforcing our shared commitment to accurate, cutting-edge reporting, a cornerstone of our mission to serve Nigeria and Africa.”

    The delegation also toured the station’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the bustling NewsRoom and the high-tech Live Studio, gaining insights into the innovative methods and unique style that set the station apart in the landscape of global journalism.

  • LASU students top 2024 Cavista hackathon

    LASU students top 2024 Cavista hackathon

    The 2024 edition of the Cavista Hackathon, a prestigious competition aimed at fostering innovation and creativity among Nigerian youths, has concluded with resounding success.

    Students from Lagos State University (LASU) emerged as the champions, showcasing groundbreaking solutions in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with their project “Eternal AI” withTeam Jupiter, comprising Dauda Yusuf, Akinyemi Temiye, and Eziamaka Michael, receiving the top honour and a prize of N1 million for their innovative approach to using AI in dermatological care. In a closely contested competition, Team Techmed from LASU secured the second position with their project “Rescue Link,” earning them a prize of N750,000. The team, consisting of Nelson Nana Onuoha, Fadeyi Abiola, and Balogun Ayodimeji, impressed the judges with their solution focused on leveraging AI for emergency medical assistance. Team Farmceries from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), claimed the third position with Saka Suliat, Balogun Basit, and Fadeyi David, earning N500,000 cash prize for their commendable efforts.

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    Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, applauded Cavista Technologies for organising the Hackathon and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting youth initiatives.

  • Cardiologists explain why some cooking oils freeze under refrigeration

    Cardiologists explain why some cooking oils freeze under refrigeration

    Cardiologists and other experts have given reasons why some cooking oils freeze when  refrigerated.

    The buzz surrounding the “Freezing Oil Challenge” has been a source of constant worry as several experts have noted with dismay  the intractable problems associated with bad oil.

    A journalist asks, “What exactly does this challenge entail, and what deeper insights lie beneath its surface? Armed with questions and a thirst for knowledge, I embarked on a journey to uncover the truth behind this viral sensation. During the investigation, I came across Aproko’s video content on social media where he explained why certain cooking oils freeze.”

    According to him, some oils have high levels of saturated fats, while others have high levels of unsaturated fats. Oils with high levels of saturated fats tend to freeze when kept in the fridge.

    He further clarified that oils with high-unsaturated fats like Soya oil & Olive oil do not freeze in the fridge. He advised consumers to read product labels and check the nutritional information to make the right choice when selecting cooking oils.

    “This information led him to more unanswered questions about Saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and trans fats. To paint a comprehensive picture, I knew I needed more expert insights. I reached out to Dr. Monisola Adanijo, a respected cardiologist whose expertise in cardiovascular health could offer invaluable perspectives,” he said.

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    Dr. Adanijo, like Aproko Doctor, also highlighted the importance of being cautious about trans fat. However, she also explained the harmful effects of oils rich in saturated fats, as these fats increase cholesterol levels in your body, leading to health issues like heart disease, stroke, etc.

    Whereas, unsaturated fatty acids reduce cholesterol levels in your body hence they are good for your health.

    She pointed out that many unhealthy cooking oils are rich in saturated fats available in the Nigerian market. How can a consumer understand that your cooking oil contains a high level of unhealthy saturated fats?

    She suggested a simple test: if an oil turns solid when in the fridge, it most likely contains high levels of saturated fat. Whereas, oils rich in healthy unsaturated fat will not freeze.

    She urged consumers to be mindful while selecting their vegetable oil. Dr. Adanijo advised to check the product level very well, in order to choose the right healthy oil. The oil with high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and low saturated fats is the best choice.

    This is because polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is good for heart health and lowers cholesterol, while ones with high saturated fats are bad for health.

    Other experts said that oils such as Olive oil and Soya Oil are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) which are good for your heart health and low in saturated fat. A good example is Golden Terra Soya Oil, which is available in our market.