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Artificially Ripened Fruits May Cause Cancer, Heart Failure -NAFDAC

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The National Agency for Food And Drug Administration And Control, yesterday, said the artificial ripening of fruit, using calcium carbine, can damage vital organs of the body when taken.
Artificial ripening is the process by which ripening is controlled (often by chemical agents) to achieve desired characteristics intended for better consumer acceptance and improved sales.
It is generally done for climacteric fruits such as mango, papaya, and banana, to achieve faster and uniform ripening characteristics.
Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye, warned that the consumption of ‘artificial fruit’ causes cancer, heart and kidney failure that can lead to sudden death.
Adeyeye gave the warning at the flag–off of the North-West zonal Sensitization Workshop on the dangers of drug hawking and ripening of fruits with calcium carbide, organized by the agency for the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists held in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Participants were drawn from the North-west states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.
Adeyeye, who was represented at the event by NAFDAC’s Director of Chemical Evaluation and Research, Dr. Leonard Omokpariola, noted that the process of artificial ripening of fruits, using calcium carbide was illegal and must stop henceforth.
According to her, the ripening of fruits with carbides is another public challenge facing the country today.
She added that the agency has deployed a multifaceted approach to tackle the menace.
She said, “Fruits provide the body with micronutrients that improve immunity and prevent diseases among other benefits.
“Fruit ripening is a unique aspect of plant development, which makes the fruit edible, softer, sweeter, more palatable, nutritious, and attractive.
“However, the consumption of fruits such as mango, banana, plantain, guava, orange, grape, etc or any other fruits ripened with calcium carbide is dangerous to health.
“Consumption of fruits containing these impurities may cause cancer, heart, kidney and liver failure.
“They may also cause frequent thirst, irritation in mouth and nose, weakness, permanent skin damage, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcer and so forth. Higher exposure may cause undesired fluid build-up in lungs (pulmonary oedema).”

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RIVPOLY Warms Staff Against Sexual Harassment, Sorting, Other Vices

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The Management of Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa Polytechnic (KENPLOY) has threatened to discipline any staff who prioritises harassment of female students in the campus.
The Polytechnic also said it would discipline any staff who is involved in sorting and other related vices in the institution.
The Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Ledum S. Gwarah gave the warning at a one-day workshop for administrative, non-teaching staff of the Polytechnic, in Bori, yesterday.
Gwarah said, “Management would not condone acts inimical to the successful realisation of our target goals as discipline measures will be taken against staff who prioritise harassment of female students, sorting and related vices among others.”
The Rector said further that his administration would defend all staff who are unjustly treated by their superiors and ensure that justice and fair play supersede all primordial interest.
He charged the staff of the Polytechnic to be diligent, take their work seriously, and display responsible and credible job ethics.
Dr. Gwarah assured the readiness of the management to prioritize the welfare of all staff, saying the management is working on more practical measures to motivate workers.
He commended the staff and the newly employed for their contributions to the growth of the institution.
Earlier, the Registrar of the institution, Dr. Emmanuel Onwuka, said the workshop was conceived to reintroduce staff to the work ethics of the Polytechnic which has been ignored for some time.
According to him, the workshop is aimed at giving the entire non-teaching staff a new sense of belonging in the chemistry of administrative knowledge.
“When the right tools of instruction is given to a staff, he will enjoy job satisfaction which will inturn lead to greater productivity,” he said.
The Registrar enjoined the non-teaching staff to take their work seriously and avoid any act of indiscipline and disloyalty to constituted authority.

Chinedu Wosu

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Nigeria Partners UK, Germany, Others On Green Industrial Dev’t

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Nigeria is partnering with the United Kingdom(UK), Germany and the World Economic Forum towards the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s plans for a green industrial development of the country.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, Wednesday in Abuja, said that the meeting with the leadership of the UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNAIF) centred on enabling a private sector-led, public sector-enabled programme.
“We (also) hosted a virtual discussion with the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Center for Nature and Climate, Ms Gim Huay.
“We agreed to actionable next steps that will ensure greater collaboration with international investors and DFIs in accordance with our green industrial roadmap.
“On Wednesday evening, we hosted a fruitful session with a delegation from the German Embassy led by its Head of Climate Negotiations, Ambassador Johannes Lehne.
“Specific steps toward deepening collaboration on hydrogen and wind energy development were agreed upon with a follow-up next week,” he said.
The Tide’s source reports that in May, President Tinubu approved the establishment of a committee to oversee the Green Economic Initiative, known as the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.
Tinubu also approved the appointment of Chief Ajuri Ngelale as Special Envoy on Climate Action and will retain his role as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.
The committee was part of a strategic move of the President to ensure the advancement of his administration’s climate and green economic initiatives.
The committee is to coordinate and oversee all the policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.
The UKNIAF is a technical assistance programme (2019 – 2025) that aims to transform Nigeria’s capacity to plan, finance, deliver and maintain climate-smart. critical infrastructure.
It aims to achieve transformation through technical support in two component areas: Power and Infrastructure Finance.
The key counterparts are the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies; selected state governments; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Nigeria (FCDO); the wider development and development finance institution groups.

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Nigeria To Host Africa’s $5bn Energy Bank– Minister

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Nigeria has been granted the hosting right for the African Energy Bank (AEB) after beating Ghana, Benin Republic, Algeria, South Africa and Cote D’Ivoire in a keenly contested bidding.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), told newsmen in Abuja yesterday, that the award of hosting right for the bank highlighted Nigeria’s robust energy sector.
He said “the award of the hosting right also highlights the country ‘s strategic vision for Africa’s energy future.”
Lokpobiri expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the support extended during the course of the bidding.
He also thanked the Council of Ministers of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) for the confidence in Nigeria’s capability.
The minister highlighted the collaborative spirit of the APPO members and their shared vision for a united, energy-secured Africa.
He emphasised that “this decision reflects our collective ambition to create African solutions to Africa’s energy challenges.
“The African Energy Bank will be instrumental to providing the necessary financial backbone for energy projects that will drive growth and development across the continent.
“The decision is a significant step for the continent’s energy sector and underscores Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s energy landscape.”
The minister assured Nigerians and Africans at large that the establishment of the African Energy Bank would mark a transformative era in meeting energy needs.
He said that the initiative aligned with the broader objectives of African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming for a prosperous and self-sustaining Africa.
“We are committed to ensuring that the bank did not only move Nigeria forward, but becomes a beacon of progress for the entire continent.
“Our goal is to foster sustainable energy solutions that are both innovative and inclusive.”
The Tide’s source reports that the bank is expected to facilitate access to funding for energy projects, thereby catalysing economic growth and enhancing energy security.

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