The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FIRRO

  • Why we developed sweetener technology, by FIRRO chief

    The Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) has developed a technology for commercial extraction and optimisation of high grade Thaumatin, a low calorie sweetener and flavour modifier.

    FIIRO Director-General, Gloria Elemo, said this midweek in Lagos during the International Conference on alternative sweeteners with the theme: “Harnessing of the economic potential of Thaumatin in Africa.”

    Thaumatin is a low-calorie protein sweetener and flavour modifier extracted from the fruit of a West African plant Thaumatococcus daniellii, and is totally natural with an intense sweetness.

    Elemo said the move was apt considering that the market for global high intensity sweetener, both natural and synthetic, was estimated at about 1.3 billion dollars in 2008 and was expected to quadruple by 2021.

    According to her, there is increasing large segment of the population with special dietary requirements containing non-nutritive sugar, such as the diabetic patients.

    She said attention had shifted to sourcing of alternative sweeteners, mainly non-nutritive phytochemicals, from plants toward bridging the gap between production and consumption of sweeteners, sweetening and flavour enhancers.

     

  • FIRRO: Science, others key to transformation in food system

    FIRRO: Science, others key to transformation in food system

    The Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr. Gloria Elemo, has said science, technology and innovation are key to a robust transformation in the food system, expanded local agro-industry and value addition as well as improved management of resources for sustainable agricultural production.

    Elemo, who said this at the 10th Lecture Series of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences of the Bells University of Technology, Ota, noted that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new global agenda, is positioned to address hunger, poverty and other human issues.

    She said: “They are a follow up to the MDGs after the post 2015 development agenda and they provide another opportunity to successfully tackle issues of human development especially food security and nutrition, but with lessons learned and experience from the MDGs.

    “Countries all over the world are expected to domesticate the agenda and make it work for them, Nigeria inclusive.’’

  • N220b SMEs fund: Youths get slots

    N220b SMEs fund: Youths get slots

    The  Federal  Government has announced automatic  consideration  for  120  youths trained by the  Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos (FIRRO)  for  the N220 billion  bailout  for  small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

    President Goodluck Jonathan announced this yesterday in Lagos in his address at the FIIRO investment and Technology Week.

    Represented by  Vice–President Namadi Sambo, the  President urged FIIRO  management to  present  the  list  of the  youths for consideration  for start-up loans under  the  facility.

    According to him, the government was ready to give the next generation of entrepreneurs the finance and support to start their own business.

    Jonathan said this would enable Nigeria to get ahead in its economic growth.

    The President  expressed  delight  that FIIRO  was taking youth  unemployment  seriously, adding that through its  programme,  the  institute was  empowering  the youth, who want to work hard and get on in life.

    He said the Federal Government would back entrepreneurs with businesses that can drive the nation’s economic growth and equip the country for the current highly competitive era.

    Jonathan said the growth of SMEs was important to any national that aspires for self-sufficiency.

    The President hoped that financial institutions and funding agencies, such as Bank of Industry (BoI), Bank of Agriculture(BoI), NERFUND and the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) would  work with FIIRO to give prospective investors necessary loan facilities.

    He hailed FIIRO for developing 25 cassava-based products.

    One of such products, which he said was of national significance, is the development of high quality cassava flour (HQCF) and its partial substitution of wheat to produce composite cassava–wheat bread.

    Jonathan said: “I am delighted to know that cassava bread has become acceptable to Nigerians. In support of the laudable work on composite cassava and confectionaries baking, which has been upgraded up to 20 per cent cassava-inclusion in wheat, my administration has set aside a fund for the national implement of the cassava bread project.”

    Science and Technology Minister Dr  Abdu Bulama said the FIRRO 2014 Investment and Technology Week, with the theme: Sustainable Job Creation Through FIIRO Technologies,  offered the  opportunity  to explore the cutting-edge breakthroughs achieved  by  FIIRO and other sister-agencies of  the  ministry.

     

  • Landmark joins forces with FIRRO, others for excellence

    Landmark University is collaborating with institutions of like minds to boost students’ performance, its Vice Chancellor, Prof Matthew O. Ajayi has said.

    The institutions, according to him, include:National Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the Federal Institute of Raw Material Research Institute Oshodi (FIRRO).

    “Through this, many of our students were placed in strategic organisations for their six months Students Industrial Work Experience Schemes (SIWES),” he added.

    Prof Ajayi spoke at the university premises in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State where Landmark held its fourth matriculation that saw 581 take matriculation oath for the 2013/2014 academic session.

    Ajayi urged fresh students to shun all anti-social behavior and comply with school’s rules and regulation.

    He said: “Obedience to all the university rules and regulation at all times is the only way by which your stay here can be enriching and fulfilling. Therefore, endeavour to adhere strictly to the guidelines and the general code of conduct that have been designed in your handbook to ensure a blissful experience on campus.

    “As you have observed, the university’s zero-tolerance for every anti-social behavior remains unshaken and I enjoin you to uphold at all times the noble virtues of the institution.”