The Nation Newspaper

Tag: DON

  • Don advises farmers against early planting

    Prof. Charles Igwe, of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has advised farmers not to rush into planting, as this can spell doom for them.

    Igwe, a professor of Soil Science and deputy vice-chancellor (Administration), gspoke yesterday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka.

    He said following the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) prediction, there might be a dry period after the first and second rains.

    The don said lack of water in the soil could make crops planted in the Southeast to roast as a result of heat occasioned by climate change.

    “Based on NIMET prediction this year that there may be dry period after first and second rains in the Southeast, it is not advisable for farmers to start planting crops now, to prevent heat from roasting crops.

    “The happiness of every farmer is to see his crops grow well so that he will have a bumper harvest.

    “They should wait till May to plant their crops when NIMET says steady rain will start,” he said.

    Igwe said farmers can start clearing bush and wait for tillage and planting when there is steady rainfall.

    He said farmers with supplementary forms of irrigation could go ahead to plant vegetables, “as this is the best time to plant vegetables.”

    “Farmers who have pump water, stream or other forms of supplementary irrigation can plant vegetables and crops.

    “With supplementary irrigation, the farmer will supply crops water for growth and good yield.

    “For farmers who have supplementary irrigation, this is the best time to plant vegetables and  make profit, as vegetables cost more now because of their scarcity in the market,” Igwe said.

     

  • Don warns against bird flu outbreak

    Aformer Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Prof Abiodun Adeloye, has  warned about the likelihood of avian flu outbreak with lasting implications for people’s livelihoods.

    H5N1 avian influenza, or bird flu, has spread across Nigeria and some West African countries in the past two years, hitting poultry farms.

    Nearly 3.5 million birds in Nigeria have been killed by the virus.

    Adeloye noted that though  the epidemic had ceased , there is likelihood of  occurrence with  importation of livestock.

    He called on animal health authorities and border agencies to monitor the movement of live livestock in an effort to stop the spread of the disease.

    According to him, there should be successful preventative measure for farmers and breeders.

    H5N1 bird flu first infected humans in 1997 in Hong Kong. It has since spread from Asia to Europe and Africa and has become entrenched in poultry in some countries, causing millions of poultry infections and several hundred human deaths.

    Last year, the Federal Government announced the outbreak  of Avian Influenza, popularly known as bird flu, was in 123 local government areas and 800 poultry farms across the country.

    According to the government, six states and the Federal Capital Territory had reported the disease in 2017, adding that the last reported outbreak was from Kaduna State on May 30 last year.

    The Federal Government explained that aside Kaduna, other states where the cases of bird flu were reported this year include Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa and Plateau.

    Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease, initially of birds but affects other animal species and humans.

    The disease is spread by migratory wild birds and movement of infected birds and products, which can have serious socio-economic, public health, as well as security implications.

    Experts say the disease can kill all birds in a poultry farm and can cause 100 per cent mortality.

    The disease was first reported in Nigeria in 2006 and was successfully controlled and eradicated in July 2008.

  • Don seeks funding for technical colleges

    The Head of Technical Education Department, Enugu State College of Education (Technical), Mrs. Perpetua Aniofogbu, has enjoined the government to increase the funding of technical colleges.

    She spoke yesterday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

    Aniofogbu said if more funds were made available for technical colleges, teachers and students would be exposed to modern technologies through training.

    She said: “Our teachers need training for the impartation of knowledge to students, as this will help to acquire knowledge in technical courses.

    “Enough funding will help the colleges to do away with obsolete equipment because technical schools are in need of modern equipment to meet international standard.”

    The lecturer added that training the students in modern technology would make them to be self-employed and employers.

    “Graduates of technical education are not trained to be job seekers, but rather to be self-employed. They are expected to employ others,” she said.

  • Don cautions against antibiotics misuse in animals

    Project Director Cassava: Adding Value for Africa Phase II (CAVA II), Prof. Kolawole Adebayo, has warned against the misuse of antibiotics in livestock, saying it can also make humans resistant to drugs.

    The food and agriculture industry is relying on antibiotics to secure the supply of food and income to farmers. However, the use of antibiotics for food production has been a major driver of antibiotic resistance, which is  threatening food security.

    Adebayo explained that antibiotics residue in animals could affect humans who   eventually consume the animals.

    He said: “The situation is worsened when there is indiscriminate and incorrect use of antibiotics; each antibiotic has a period to spend in the animal before it is safe to eat by humans.When animals are sold for human consumption before it is safe to do so, the antibiotic will continue in the human blood stream. That could be dangerous.”

    He stressed the need for responsible use of antibiotics by farmers in animals to reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

    According to experts, antibiotic resistance in animal is not only threatening animal health, but also affects human health.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that overuse of antibiotics in animals is contributing to growing drug resistance in humans with serious health implications.

    WHO warned that farmers must be prevented from using powerful antibiotics on animals reared for food, because of the serious risks to human health.

    New guidelines from the global body advised farmers to stop using any antibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in animals that are otherwise healthy, a common practice in some parts of the world, including Asia and the US. Such routine use is banned in Europe, though campaigners fear the rules are sometimes flouted.

    WHO reported that in some countries, as much as 80 per cent of antibiotic use is on farm animals. Even in some countries where routine use for enhancing growth is banned, more antibiotics are used on animals than on humans.

  • Don advises govt on job creation through agri-preneurship

    The Federal Government has been charged to provide employment through agri-preneurship.

    The Dean, School of Agriculture, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Kehinde Olushola Babatunde, gave the charge at a forum organised by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Isolo branch.

    Babatunde, who was guest speaker, said for this to be achieved, government should encourage entrepreneurship in farming by removing all the business regulations and complex bureaucratic procedures that stand in the way of agri-preneurs.

    He said: “The government and stakeholders should continue to encourage entrepreneurship in farming through providing information service to advise and support famers in identifying, preparing, designing and implementing efficient farming business.

    “Improving the provision of basic infrastructure and promoting the capacity of training institutions such as ITF and Leventis Foundation School to provide education and training at the right time and place with the right balance of technical knowledge and practical skills”.

    ITF Director-General, Sir Joseph Ari, represented by the Director Field Services Department, Mrs Adesola Taiwo, said no fewer than 11,100 unemployed Nigerians are to be trained by the Fund as part of Federal Government’s efforts towards solving the problem of unemployment.

    The training, which had already taken off in many states, would expose the trainees to over 30 trades and crafts.

  • Don cautions against antibiotics misuse in animals

    Project Director Cassava: Adding Value for Africa Phase II (CAVA II), Prof. Kolawole Adebayo has warned against the misuse of antibiotics in livestock, saying it can also make humans resistant to drugs.

    The food and agriculture industry is relying on antibiotics to secure the supply of food and income to farmers. However, the use of antibiotics for food production has been a major driver of antibiotic resistance, which is  threatening food security.

    Adebayo explained that antibiotics residue in animals could affect humans who   eventually consume the animals.

    He said: “The situation is worsened when there is indiscriminate and incorrect use of antibiotics; each antibiotic has a period to spend in the animal before it is safe to eat by humans.When animals are sold for human consumption before it is safe to do so, the antibiotic will continue in the human blood stream. That could be dangerous.”

    He stressed the need for responsible use of antibiotics by farmers in animals to reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance.

    According to experts, antibiotic resistance in animal is not only threatening animal health, but also affects human health.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that overuse of antibiotics in animals is contributing to growing drug resistance in humans with serious health implications.

     

    WHO warned that farmers must be prevented from using powerful antibiotics on animals reared for food, because of the serious risks to human health.

    New guidelines from the global body advised farmers to stop using any antibiotics routinely to promote growth and prevent disease in animals that are otherwise healthy, a common practice in some parts of the world, including Asia and the US. Such routine use is banned in Europe, though campaigners fear the rules are sometimes flouted.

    WHO reported that in some countries, as much as 80 per cent of antibiotic use is on farm animals. Even in some countries where routine use for enhancing growth is banned, more antibiotics are used on animals than on humans. This recommendation is likely to be unpopular with farmers, who could risk financial loss, but it is crucial to protect human health, according to the WHO, because the use of such antibiotics in animals is leading to increased resistance even to last-resort medicines, to the despair of doctors. However, the WHO has no power to enforce its guidelines, which are up to national governments to accept or reject.

  • How to lay restructuring agitation to rest, by don

    To lay the restructuring agitation to rest, President Muhammadu Buhari needs to engage in the debate and to assert himself as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a university do has said.

    Prof. Hassan Saliu stated this in Ilorin at the weekend during a roundtable on economy and restructuring organised by National Pilot.

    Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of National Pilot Alhaji Billy Adedamola said the organisation organised the roundtable as part of its social responsibility.

    He described the topic of the event – economy and restructuring – as two issues that have taken the front burner of discussion in Nigeria.

    The event had in attendance academics, captains of industries, members of the civil society, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and media executives among others.

    Prof. Saliu, listed lopsided appointment, nepotism and favoritism and uneven distribution of projects, among others as reasons for the restructuring agitation in the country.

    ”The agitation for restructuring is diversionary to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, stoking ethic tension and engendering mutual suspicion,” he stated.

    “To put the restructuring agitation to rest, the President must assert himself as the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and he should heed the advice of Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi by educating his kinsmen on restructuring. President Buhari should make up his mind on 2014 constitutional conference report.”

    Emir of Shonga Dr. Yahaya Haliru, who was the Chairman of the event, said for Nigeria to rank high among the comity of nations, there is the need to democratise the vision of its founding fathers.

    ”It is so sad that as a nation we are yet to get it right despite the abundance of human and natural resources. As a nation, we need to democratise our vision and we also need to work collectively towards our vision,” he stated.

    Delivering his paper; ‘An Appraisal of the proposals for restructuring in Nigeria’ Prof. Adigun Agbaje of the University of Ibadan, described the Emir’s position on attitudinal change as the only solution to the nation’s problem.

    He said, “You cannot give what you don’t have. Nigeria is yet to have democracy especially with the wide spiral impunity in our system.

    “We need to first get the basis right.  We don’t have federalism in terms of minimal requirement. We should not demonise Nigeria. Restructuring has long being with Nigeria and federalism comes along with restructuring.”

    Speaking on the topic: ‘Understanding the fundamentals of Nigerian Economy and its current challenges’, Prof Israel Olufemi Taiwo, from the Department of Economics, University of Ilorin, said.

    “Human development in Nigeria is improving but remains low by international standard with 0.5 to 0.527 index. It is only Nigeria and Angola that are under the low development indices in Africa.

    “Literacy rate is about 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population with poverty rate more than two-third of Nigerians are living below poverty rates. This shows that Nigeria is lacking in all development indices.”

  • Don canvasses establishment of art galleries in schools

    Don canvasses establishment of art galleries in schools

    A don at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Kunle Adeyemi, has called for the establishment of galleries in secondary schools.

    Adeyemi, who is the Dean of YABATECH School of Arts, Design and Printing, made the call at the unveiling the Queensland Academy’s 2017 of Catch Them Young Art Project, which will come to a close with an exhibition on Saturday.

    According to Adeyemi, the art sector holds the potential of becoming a major revenue earner for the country. He noted that proper funding and infrastructural development  will help develop the sector and its players.

    “Investing in the arts sector is worth every penny. It is a great investment that hold generational dividend. I am looking forward to a situation in this country where the arts and entertainment sector would become a major foreign exchange earner for the nation. This can only happen through government support, funding and infrastructural development.

    “But the government cannot do it alone, it would require collective efforts and support, especially from the private sector, parents and the society to achieve this. I urged all to invest in the arts, buy, collect and give out artworks.  It is a worthy investment.”

    Adeyemi observed that Nigerian artists and their arts have put the country on the world map, but lamented that despite these feats many still see arts venture as a wasteful pastime rather than a profession worth pursuing.

    While praising the school for nurturing the artistic talents in their pupils, he called on parents to encourage their wards to pursue arts as a career. “It is a good thing that the administrators of this school are exposing the pupils to arts. The school is investing so much in the future of the children. You are not just helping to build future artists, but also making our jobs in the higher institution easier as you nurture them. Parents should borrow a leaf from their example and encourage their wards to go into the arts. We need to nurture these ones so as to prepare them for the future.  I urge schools’ administrators to establish galleries in their schools; it would also help with promoting arts among the young and catching them young.”

    At the unveiling, the school showcased some artworks by its pupils, saying the best of all the works would be on display at its exhibition.

    The exhibition, according to the exhibition co-ordinator, Mr Osasame Noserime, marks the beginning of their 30th anniversary celebration, which will culminate in December next year. Mr Noserime, who is also the school’s art department head teacher, the Catch Them Young Art Project, he said, was established in 2013 to discover and promote the talents in their pupils. According to him, the school has raised many outstanding young artists, who are already making their marks in the arts. “One of them is Omoiyola Ayomikun, who won the Youngest Centenary Award for Peace. We are committed to discovering more new talents. We would be showcasing some fresh talents in our primary and secondary schools this Saturday,” he said.

     

  • Don urges citizens to fight against corruption

    The Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State, Prof. Kayode Adekanye, has charged Nigerians to join fight against corruption rather than criticising President Muhammad Buhari’s effort.

    The Deputy Vice Chancellor, who spoke at the maiden edition of debate competition organised by the institution’s College of Humanity, maintained that Buhari has tried and done well in fighting corruption.

    According to him, “To a great extent, corruption has reduced in the country; people are stealing with caution now unlike before. Although we have not recovered 100 per cent, we have been able to move from where we were.”

    Adekanye also advised the executive arm of government not to just sponsor bills against crime but also to exercise the will to implement the bills when they become laws.

     

  • Negative sex appeals killing sales, says don

    Professor of Public Relations and Advertising, Lagos State University (LASU),  Rotimi Williams Olatunji, has said the use of negative sex appeals by agencies and advertising practitioners does not inspire consumers to shop for firms’ goods or services.

    Contrary to the impression that the aforementioned stimulates sales, Olatunji said a research he carried out showed that negative sex appeals put off buyers and create apathy. He, therefore, suggested that virtues, such as loveliness, beauty, attractiveness and fun, among others, should be explored as they have very strong appeal.

    Olatunji of the LASU School of Communications, was delivering his inaugural lecture titled: “Advertising, advertisement and the rest of us”, at the university main campus in Ojo.

    He said:“The research I embarked upon showed that the use of negative sex appeals in advertisement is generally considered demeaning, amoral, and sometimes exaggerated and do not necessarily make advertising interesting or appealing. Respondents agreed that attractive female models and positive use of sex appeals in advertising bring benefits to brands.

    “On the other hand, negative use of sexual images in advertisement do not necessarily guarantee brand loyalty; do not readily sell the advertised brand, and do not significantly and positively influence purchase decision. Therefore, negative sex appeal does not build brand loyalty.”

    Olatunji advised advert practitioners to step up the use of indigenous languages in advertising, adding that consumers identify with language of the locals.

    “The best language of any human being is their mother tongue, and you cannot use a language better than the indigenous speakers,” he said.

    Olatunji continued: “You will discover that the media has been using indigenous language for broadcasting. For instance, there is a radio station, which uses the three dominant languages, so how do you advertise through such a medium without using the language of the people?

    “Second, foreigners, particularly Europe and America, are teaching their children our languages, but here, Yoruba is becoming extinct. There is something in language that talks about the lifestyle and technology of the people. That’s why I advocate the use of indigenous languages in commercials, especially our Pidging English, which cuts across every tribe. Interestingly, advertising messages through indigenous languages catch more attention than the one in English Language.”