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Food security: Rethinking agriculture budget

Michael Simire
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Food security: Rethinking agriculture budget

The current cost of living crisis vis-à-vis attendant agitations has accentuated the need to scale up agriculture budget.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

Policy analysts hold that the N362.9 billion appropriated to the agriculture sector in the 2024 budget fell short of the 2014 Malabo Declaration that African countries should allocate at least 10 per cent of their national budgets to the agricultural sector.

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector are taking proactive measures to ramp up agriculture budget in 2025 in order to bolster food production.

The stakeholders converged on Lagos recently under the aegis of the National Stakeholders Consultative meeting on 2025 agriculture budget.

They comprised state ministries of agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMFS), Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, ActionAid Nigeria, Oxfam, GIZ, Community of Agriculture Non-State Actors (COANSA) and ECOWAS Commission.

Underlining the thrust of the event, Mrs Elizabeth Egharevba, Director, Economic Growth Department, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said the annual event was to assist the country to achieve the Malabo declaration.

Egharevba, represented by Mr Olaitan Fatai, Deputy Director in the ministry, said that the meeting was strategic by bringing together relevant stakeholders to contribute their inputs into the 2025 agricultural budget.

She identified the forum as a milestone in the country’s efforts at ensuring that it achieved the Malabo declaration and proffered solutions to the country’s food insecurity.

Egharevba said that the result was to reduce food importation, pressure on external reserve and much needed hard-earned FOREX that would be channeled to other vital developmental need.

“This platform facilitates more inputs into the 2025 agriculture budget by creating ownership, linking and integrating programmes that will help Nigeria not only to achieve food security but lead to attain other deliverables.

“I am confident that we are embarking on a landmark journey that will make us tackle food insecurity and enhance synergy between agencies in the agriculture sector,” she said.

Egharevba said the forum had made significant impact in improving the budget of the agriculture since its inception in 2016.

The director said agriculture budget had risen to six per cent as against 1.3 per cent in 2016.

“The appropriation to agriculture at federal level had been increasing steadily although yet to achieve 10 per cent of the total national budget in line with the Malabo declaration,’’ she said.

Egharevba said that government had devoted more resources to agriculture in the 2025 budget through the development of the Cassava Bio-ethanol value chain project with a PPP arrangement.

According to her, the project is designed to be implemented in the six geopolitical zones to ensure the development of the entire cassava value chain.

Sharing similar opinion, Mr Ibrahim Tanimu, Director, Planning and Policy Coordination in the ministry, said the sector needed diversification through innovation and technology to enhance production and ensure food and nutrition security.

Tanimu said the ministry at the moment was collaborating with Ministry of Science and Technology for the production of fabricated implement that could assist farmers to increase productivity.

“We need mechanisation not heavy machines but smaller fabricated machines that we can produce locally using our own initiative.

“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Science and Technology on the production of smaller implements that can assist our farmers at affordable price,’’ he said.

Mr Azubike Nwokoye, Food and Agriculture Programme Manager, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), identified the meeting’s objectives as to leverage understanding on the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).

Nwokoye said the meeting was also to leverage understanding on the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and its connection to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) targets.

“The meeting seeks to strengthen citizens’ participation towards making 2025 agriculture budget responsive to food systems transformation and wealth creation.

“To support effective biennial reporting by Nigeria to the African Union Heads of States and Government in line with the Malabo Declaration and Commitments of 2014,” he said.

Mr Andrew Mamedu, Country Director, AAN, said such budgets should provide line items for the implementation of the National Gender Policy in agriculture that addressed specific challenges affecting women farmers.

Mamedu urged governments to avoid lumping up budget for women farmers and other groups like youths.

He said that recent survey conducted by AAN on the capacity of smallholder women farmers to contribute effectively to agricultural development revealed that they were challenged with poor access to credit and inputs.

The country director listed other challenges as post-harvest losses, reduction support, insecurity, lack of access to irrigation support, training, market access, among others.

Mamedu said that the challenges contributed to the current high cost of food in the country.

According to Mamedu, smallholder farmers contribute 70 to 80 per cent of agricultural production in the country.

He regretted that challenges confronting smallholder farmers were not prioritised in spite of their huge contribution to national food security,

“The Federal and State Ministries of Agriculture should scale up yearly budget lines for support to smallholder women and youth farmers; reflecting on what should be prioritised especially in 2025 budget based on realities on ground.

“National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGSAP) should be well funded and executed to address the inputs gaps experienced by smallholder farmers, especially women and youth,’’ he said.

Memedu tasked federal and state governments on more investment in agriculture to address the strategic areas of investment that would increase agriculture Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to at least six per cent.

He listed the strategic areas as extension services, access to credit by women and youth in agriculture and appropriate labour-saving technologies inputs.

Memedu said post-harvest losses reduction support such as processing and storage facilities, training and market access, Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA), agroecology, research and development, monitoring and evaluation also needed attention.

The stakeholders, therefore, urged both the federal and state governments to ensure that the 2024 budget and subsequent budgets were gender sensitive.

It is experts’ opinion that massive and expeditious funding is required for a turnaround in the agriculture sector.

They say that conscious and pragmatic budgeting and its effective implementation will go a long way in boosting food security.

By Chijioke Okoronkwo and Felicia Imohimi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

WHO convenes emergency committee amid international mpox outbreak

Michael Simire
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WHO convenes emergency committee amid international mpox outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said cases of the infectious viral disease mpox are on the rise around the world, adding that it has convened its Emergency Committee to discuss the outbreak.

Tedros Ghebreyesus
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO)

The WHO reported this on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from Geneva Switzerland.

Confirmed cases of the disease, formerly known as monkeypox, declined slightly in June to 934 from 963 in May, but the WHO is assuming incidence is probably higher, as not all cases are being recorded and testing has declined.

The committee is to discuss the spread of a new clade, or variant, on Wednesday as they deliberate on whether a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) should be declared.

Emergencies of this kind were declared in 2020 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and in 2022 on account of an earlier mpox outbreak.

The aim is to alert health authorities to a rise in cases.

Mpox can cause a rash and can be dangerous for children, pregnant women and those with suppressed immune systems.

In June, 100 cases were recorded in Europe, 175 in the Americas and 567 in Africa, where 96 per cent of the cases were in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The lack of testing meant that only a quarter of suspect cases were tested, with two thirds of the tests being positive.

“The confirmed case counts are, therefore, underestimates of the true burden,” the WHO said.

Full data are available only to the end of June, since when mpox cases have for the first time been reported from four more African countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

Since the beginning of 2022, 99,176 confirmed cases from 116 countries have been reported to the WHO up to the end of June, with 208 people dying from the disease.

The WHO assesses the risk of infection with the clades I and II of the viruses as high in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A new variant was found there in 2023 that could be more infectious.

World Elephant Day: Wild Africa urges better elephant protection in Nigeria

Michael Simire
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World Elephant Day: Wild Africa urges better elephant protection in Nigeria

Wild Africa has called for better protection for the remaining and declining elephant population in Nigeria.

Elephants
Elephants

Mr Festus Iyorah, Wild Africa Representative, who said this in a statement on Monday, August 12, 2024, in Lagos, said elephants in Nigeria were facing growing survival threats.

“Over the past 30 years, the population has declined from an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 elephants two decades ago, to about 300 to 400 elephants today,” Iyorah said.

Iyorah quoted Dr Mark Ofua, Wild Africa West Africa Representative, as saying that these majestic animals were being lost.

“On World Elephant Day, we acknowledge how sad it is that we are losing these majestic animals that once roamed freely across our savannas and forests.

“Poaching for ivory and habitat destruction have reduced their population and are pushing them to the brink of local extinction in Nigeria.

“But if implemented, the National Plan should stabilise their numbers,” he said.

He said that habitat loss could lead to human-elephant conflict, which occurred when people clashed with elephants due to crop raiding or property damage.

According to him, Elephants are predominantly found within or near protected areas in Nigeria, with only 10 per cent of them residing outside of these spaces.

He noted that two species of elephants, savannas and forest, are found in Nigeria, with the largest herd, about 100 individuals in Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State.

He added that Elephants exist across several sites in the southern region, including the Cross River National Park.

Iyorah expressed Wild Africa commendation on Nigeria’s first-ever National Elephant Action Plan for 2024 to 2034.

He explained that NEAP was prepared by Wildlife Conservation Society and the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation oon behalf of the Federal Government.

He said that NEAP if implemented would reduce the dramatic rate of decline of elephants in the country.

According to him, this will be achieved by boosting monitoring while combating illegal ivory trade through harmonised state and Federal wildlife laws and enhanced law enforcement.

He added that NEAP would maintain elephant habitats through land-use planning.

He said it would create wildlife corridors to mitigate conflicts with communities, increase public awareness and community-shared economic benefits generated by tourism.

He said the plan would enhance scientific knowledge and understanding of elephants to better inform efficient strategies and strengthen regional cooperation with neighbouring countries.

He said that Wild Africa had been actively supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts to fight illegal wildlife trafficking and improve its wildlife laws through the following.

“The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill alongside Africa Nature Investors Foundation.

“Others included the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency with support from the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund and the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.”

He noted that the bill (NEAP) passed its second reading in May in the Nigerian House of Representatives.

“It is scheduled for a public hearing and later a third reading.

“The bill will further disrupt and deter illegal wildlife trade, including elephant ivory, within the country.

“By enhancing law enforcement capabilities, increasing investigative powers to include financial enquiries and intelligence-led operations, and expanding courts’ ability to expedite wildlife cases and recover assets,” he said.

He added that it would create corporate liability, support international cooperation, and impose stringent penalties for traffickers and poachers.

He quoted Peter Knights, Wild Africa Chief Executive Officer, as saying that it would be tragic and harmful to develop wildlife-related tourism with the loss of elephants.

“Passing the new Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill currently awaiting hearings, would be the first step to ensure this doesn’t happen,” he said.

August 12 is set aside annually to mark the World Elephant Day.

By Fabian Ekeruche

Heat caused more than 47,000 deaths in Europe in 2023 – Study

Michael Simire
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0
Heat caused more than 47,000 deaths in Europe in 2023 – Study

Experts estimate that more than 47,000 people died as a result of high temperatures in Europe in 2023, the world’s warmest year since records began.

heat wave
Above-danger heat stress: A man cools off amid searing heat wave

The figure is revealed in a modelling study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, published in the journal Nature Medicine on Monday, August 12, 2024.

However, the international research group also reports that society appears to have adapted to the heat.

The team used mortality data from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) on 96 million deaths to estimate the heat-related mortality burden in 2023 for 823 regions in 35 European countries.

According to these estimates, there were 47,690 heat-related deaths in Europe last year.

This is the second-highest mortality rate since such calculations began in 2015, with the highest rate recorded in 2022.

The researchers found that the countries with the highest heat-related mortality rates are in southern Europe.

Greece (393 deaths per million inhabitants), Bulgaria (229), Italy (209), and Spain (175) occupy the top four places in the estimate.

In comparision, Germany’s rate was 76 deaths per million inhabitants in 2023.

In absolute figures, the research group estimates the number of heat-related deaths for 2023 at just under 12,750 in Italy, and 6,376 in Germany.

In almost all of the countries analysed significantly more women than men died from the effects of heat, with older people particularly susceptible.

The Barcelona team, led by Elisa Gallo, also modelled the effects of heat-related mortality without adaptation measures.

These include, for example, improvements in healthcare, social protection and lifestyle, progress in occupational health, greater risk awareness, and more effective communication.

Without these measures, heat-related mortality in 2023 is likely to be 80% higher in the general population and over 100 per cent higher in the 80+ age group.

“Our results show how there have been societal adaptation processes to high temperatures during the present century, which have dramatically reduced the heat-related vulnerability and mortality burden of recent summers, especially among the elderly,” said Gallo.

She said the minimum mortality temperature – the optimal temperature with the lowest mortality risk – has gradually increased on average across the continent since 2000, from 15 degrees Celsius in the period 2000 to 2004 to 17.7 degrees Celsius in the period 2015 to 2019.

“This indicates that we are less vulnerable to heat than we were at the beginning of the century, probably as a result of general socio-economic progress, improvements in individual behaviour and public health measures such as the heat prevention plans implemented after the record-breaking summer of 2003,” added Gallo.

Just recently, the same research group also presented “Forecaster.health,” an online early warning system that provides forecasts of cold and heat-related mortality risk by gender and age for 580 regions in 31 European countries.

The free tool provides forecasts up to 15 days in advance and is not only based on meteorological data, but also incorporates epidemiological models.

Nigerian teenager wins international award for innovative plastic waste solution

Michael Simire
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Nigerian teenager wins international award for innovative plastic waste solution

A 16-year-old Nigerian teenager, Manasseh Aluga, has won an international award for transforming plastic waste into eco-friendly building bricks.

Manasseh Aluga
16-year-old Manasseh Aluga

The Action for Nature (AFN), a United States-based environmental organisation, announced Aluga from Jos, Plateau State, as second in its International Young Eco-Hero Award for his groundbreaking Kundu Waste Management Project.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 12, 2024, the AFN’s spokesperson, Kelly Carnes, said Aluga’s project earned recognition as a leading environmental innovator in Nigeria.

“We are impressed by Aluga’s determination to create a cleaner environment, despite facing financial constraints and personal challenges,” Carnes said.

She said Aluga’s project was inspired by the devastating impact of plastic pollution in his community.

According to her, since its inception in March 2022, the Kundu project has made significant strides with successful production and distribution of eco-bricks to local construction sites.

She said this effort had diverted more than 800 kilogrammes of plastic waste from landfills and waterways.

“Aluga’s innovative approach earned him a $100 grant from the Goodwall #GoodImpact pitch competition in 2023.

“He has also established the Kundu Waste Management Corps, engaging fellow students in waste collection and recycling efforts,” said the AFN official.

Carnes noted that the AFN praised Aluga’s perseverance and commitment to his project.

“Despite losing his father in 2020, Aluga has continued to pursue his passion for creating a sustainable future,” the spokesperson said.

By Usman Aliyu

Kwara inaugurates task force on indiscriminate refuse disposal

Michael Simire
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Kwara inaugurates task force on indiscriminate refuse disposal

The Kwara State Government has inaugurated a 300-member task force with the mandate to ensure proper refuse disposal and clean environment across the state.

Hajia Nafisat Buge
Kwara State Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge

In a speech at the inauguration, the Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge, said that the task force team comprised staff members of the ministry, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel and members of vigilance groups.

Buge said that the task force would run three shifts: morning, afternoon and night, addung that they were expected to work in synergy for good result.

She said that the ministry’s investigation showed that there was more indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the early morning and evening hours.

“The fine for indiscriminate dumping of refuse is N50,000 for individuals, while roadside shop owners is N100,000 and corporate organisations is N250,000.

“However, an option of fine is six months in correctional centre or community service for a number of days,” she said.

The commissioner also spoke on the problem of flooding in some parts of the state, saying that measures were being put in place to check it as well as its impact on roads.

According to her, some drains need to be expanded, while others need to be desilted to allow for unhindered flow of water.

She also said that government planned to construct more drains to further tackle the menace.

The commissioner promised to sustain the ongoing community engagement and media sensitisation in order to disabuse unacceptable practices and popularise the new strategies.

The Chief Magistrate, Ibrahim Dansuki, administered the oath of allegiance to the task force.

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Nigeria’s biodiversity imperative to biotechnology, transformative growth – NABRDA D-G

Michael Simire
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Nigeria’s biodiversity imperative to biotechnology, transformative growth – NABRDA D-G

The Director-General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, says Nigeria’s biodiversity, dynamic population, and growing technological capabilities remain strong indicators to leverage biotechnology for transformative growth.

Mustapha Abdullahi
Director General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABRDA), Prof. Mustapha Abdullahi

Mustapha, a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, who said this on Monday, August 12, 2024, in an interview in Abuja, described biotechnology as vehicle for economic growth. He emphasised the role that science and technology played in shaping the future of a country.

According to him, biotechnology, in its various forms, revolutionalises industries across the globe and offers innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity.

“From agriculture to health care, environmental management, and industrial processes, biotechnology holds the key to unlocking sustainable development and economic prosperity.”

Mustapha added that Nigeria’s agriculture sector would benefit immensely from biotechnological advancements.

“With a significant portion of our population relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, the adoption of genetically modified crops, improved pest resistance, and enhanced nutritional content can lead to increased yields and improved food security.

“We can also transform Nigeria into a breadbasket for the continent and beyond, reducing our reliance on food imports and boosting our export potential by embracing these innovations.”

The D-G noted that healthcare sector was another critical area where biotechnology could make profound impact.

He said the development of new vaccines, diagnostic tools, and therapies could address endemic diseases that had long plagued the nation.

“Biotechnology offers the promise of personalised medicine, ensuring that treatments are tailored to individual patients, thereby improving outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

“There is need for investment in biopharmaceutical research and development to create a robust healthcare industry that not only serves our population but also becomes a hub for medical tourism and pharmaceutical exports,” he said.

Mustapha, who said that biotechnology could provide innovative solutions to waste management, added that environmental sustainability was paramount for Nigeria’s economic growth.

According to him, biotechnology has provided innovative solutions to pollution control, and renewable energy production.

“We can reduce our carbon footprint, project our natural resources, and create green jobs through development of biofuels, bioplastics, and bioremediation techniques,

“This will help in aligning with our commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.”

By Sylvester Thompson

Stakeholders laud regulations as cornerstone for addressing environmental challenges

Michael Simire
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Stakeholders laud regulations as cornerstone for addressing environmental challenges

Experts have described the 2009 National Environmental (Permitting and Licensing Systems) Regulations as a milestone achievement in Nigeria’s quest to provide a framework for regulating activities that adversely impact its environment.

NESREA
Participants at the validation workshop held on Monday, August 12, 2024, in Abuja

The group made the statement on Monday, August 12, 2024, at a workshop organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Abuja.

They said that once the new rules are validated, they will guarantee environmental sustainability and compliance across all sectors of the country’s economy, as well as consistency in the application of environmental laws and standards.

“We are at a pivotal moment,” Dr. Innocent Barikor, NESREA’s director general, said.

According to him, the event marks a significant step forward in “our collective journey towards a more sustainable Nigeria,” highlighting the numerous stakeholders and their contributions in refining and improving this amended legislation. These inputs, he admitted, have repositioned the laws so that they are both effective and practicable.

As the process entered its final stage, the agency’s chieftain urged participants, particularly those from the Federal Ministry of Justice, to play an active role in ensuring the finalisation of these robust and transparent regulations. This is crucial, he added, because their insights have been invaluable and helpful in paving the way and shaping the regulatory landscape and, by extension, the country’s environmental future.

Dr. Barikor applauded the stakeholders for their efforts and dedication to achieving environmental sustainability in Nigeria, telling them that “together, we can make a difference and set a precedent for responsible environmental stewardship.”

Michael Olufemi, a representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), hailed the meeting as timely because it aimed to resolve global concerns affecting environmental and human health.

He underlined that the new standards would guide manufacturers in operating more carefully because, in a world without laws, sin does not exist.

“But now every manufacturer knows that there is a law, so they will carry out their activities diligently and with care,” he said.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

We’ll inspire Nigerians to plant trees, cultivate food – Army

Michael Simire
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We’ll inspire Nigerians to plant trees, cultivate food – Army

The Nigerian Army says it is now pioneering a role to help and inspire Nigerians to embark on massive tree planting and food cultivation.

Nigerian Army
R-L: The Chief of Special Service and Programmes, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Henry Wesley, Commander, Infantry Corps Maj-Gen Olufemi Oluyede in the middle the GOC 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso and left, the Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, during a tree planting exercise at Infantry Zoological Garden on Sunday in Jaji Military Cantonment Kaduna State

The Chief of Special Service and Programmes, Nigerian Army (NA), Maj-Gen. Henry Wesley, stated this on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at a tree planting ceremony in Infantry Zoological Garden, Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna.

Wesley said: “The tree planting ceremony is symbolic and significant, being an opportunity to project the structure to the world and the idea behind it.

“It’s significant we inspire all of them to begin the task of tree planting because felling trees poses dangers to humans and food security in the country.”

He explained that the idea came long before the sustainable development goals had evolved.

Wesley said: “We have not heard of it or seen it before, the initiative is not common in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“We are lucky that the Army itself has established a department called the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches that is involved in crop development and animal husbandry.”

He, therefore, said the effort was one leg of the Army’s effort to expand the scope of the department and also increase awareness.

According to him, this is education of students so that the younger generation would grow to imbibe the vital culture.

Also, the Commander, TRADOC, Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, said they were inspired to initiate the development of the currently known Infantry Zoological Garden.

He said: “This will soon be changed to the Nigerian Army Conservation Education Centre.

“In 2020 when I was the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, we set up the place because we wanted to create an environment that would be therapeutic and to meet the needs of not just entertaining families that are resident in Jaji.”

Aligbe said it was set up also to provide a different prism from which the Nigerian Army could be seen in terms of conservation advocacy.

“We set up the place with specimens of all the mascots of the Nigerian Army.  Instead of traveling to all the units, we have all their mascots here.

“Therefore, this place represents a library of mascots for the Nigerian Army.

“Primarily, this is the essence, and we hope it continues to grow as its affiliate with global conservation and wildlife bodies,” Aligbe said.

By Mohammed Tijjani

Delta Poly seeks patent to produce fuelless generators

Michael Simire
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0
Delta Poly seeks patent to produce fuelless generators

Rector, Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe, Ughara, Prof. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, says the institution needs a patent for the mass production of its fuel less generator innovation.

Delta State Polytechnic
Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe, Ughara

He said that this would contribute to resolving the energy supply challenges facing the country.

The rector stated this at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta Council, Journalists Hangout on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in Asaba, the state capital.

He said that the innovation was safe, cost effective and would complement the ailing power supply in the country.

He said that innovation has been tasted and passed several processes before being presented for use by the school management.

He said that the 2.5kva generating set was environmentally friendly, safe and has the capacity to run for 21 hours.

According to Ufuophu-Biri, the two-year old project came to fruition this year after spending huge sums for the research.

“Recently, we partly showcased the innovation because we are yet to officially present it to His Excellency, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of the state.

“However, we did the presentation before the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, during our second serial inaugural lecture on July 25.

“We will officially present it to the governor and government so that it becomes an invention not by the polytechnic but a product of Delta state and by extension a product of Nigeria.”

He noted that the idea was first muted when he was selected on a tour of certain energy facilities in the United States of America.

“When I assumed office as the rector, during the first matriculation I held, I noticed a power shortage, and the costs of maintenance.

“I declared that there was the need to commission a body of experts, innovators from the school of engineering and I gave them a simple task. That in short time we should not be relying on public power supply.

“Get us an alternative source of power which should deviate from the convention, not biofuel, solar, gas or hydro driven but a rare system with working symbiotic mechanism, effortlessly and reliable,” he said.

Ufuophu-Biri said that the research work was funded by the school management with the support and encouragement from the state government.

According to him, the generator is effective, efficient, and noiseless with a remote system to switch it on and off.

The rector added that certain individuals have shown interest to buy the patent of the technology.

He said that all relevant stakeholders would be engaged at the state levels including the state Ministries of Justice, Trade and Investment, and Science and Technology.

He said that this would ensure the right things were done in arriving at a decision on this.

According to him, the polytechnic has other innovations like the water pumping machine and a digital signboard which were being funded by the institution.

Earlier, the State NUJ Chairman, Mr Churchill Oyowe, lauded the rector and the polytechnic for the innovation geared towards solving the challenge of power shortage in the country.

He also challenged institutions of higher learning in the country to provide solution to the many challenges bedevilling the nation rather than producing graduates without innovative skills.

By Ifeanyi Olannye

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