The China-Nigeria partnership is spearheaded by the National Root Crops Research Institute and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences. The initiative aims to teach Nigerian farmers how to produce more with fewer resources.
Monday, September 2, 2024
Video - China's agricultural assistance improves Nigeria's cassava yields
DNA Testing Surge in Nigeria: Yoruba Record Highest Number of Tests
A new report from Smart DNA, a prominent DNA testing center in Lagos, reveals a significant rise in DNA testing across Nigeria. The report, released on September 1, covers data from July 2023 to June 2024.
The findings from Smart DNA show a high rate of paternity uncertainty, largely influenced by the increasing trend of migration, commonly referred to as “japa.”
The report indicates that 27 percent of paternity tests returned negative results, meaning that more than one in four men tested were not the biological fathers of the children in question.
The report also notes that a growing number of parents with dual citizenship are conducting DNA tests as part of the process for their children’s emigration paperwork.
Regionally, the report highlights that 73.1 percent of DNA tests were conducted in Lagos, with a significant disparity between the Mainland (67.5 percent) and the Island (32.5 percent).
Ethnic group data from the report shows that the Yoruba accounted for 53 percent of the tests, followed by the Igbo at 31.3 percent, while the Hausa made up just 1.2 percent.
Elizabeth Digia, Smart DNA’s operations manager, commented on the findings: “The high rate of negative paternity tests and the surge in immigration-related testing are particularly noteworthy. These trends reflect broader societal shifts that require further discussion and research. The concentration of testing in Lagos also raises important questions about the accessibility and awareness of DNA testing services across Nigeria.”
By Halimat Shittu, The News Digest
The findings from Smart DNA show a high rate of paternity uncertainty, largely influenced by the increasing trend of migration, commonly referred to as “japa.”
The report indicates that 27 percent of paternity tests returned negative results, meaning that more than one in four men tested were not the biological fathers of the children in question.
The report also notes that a growing number of parents with dual citizenship are conducting DNA tests as part of the process for their children’s emigration paperwork.
Regionally, the report highlights that 73.1 percent of DNA tests were conducted in Lagos, with a significant disparity between the Mainland (67.5 percent) and the Island (32.5 percent).
Ethnic group data from the report shows that the Yoruba accounted for 53 percent of the tests, followed by the Igbo at 31.3 percent, while the Hausa made up just 1.2 percent.
Elizabeth Digia, Smart DNA’s operations manager, commented on the findings: “The high rate of negative paternity tests and the surge in immigration-related testing are particularly noteworthy. These trends reflect broader societal shifts that require further discussion and research. The concentration of testing in Lagos also raises important questions about the accessibility and awareness of DNA testing services across Nigeria.”
By Halimat Shittu, The News Digest
Eniola Bolaji Clinches Nigeria’s First Medal at 2024 Paris Paralympics
Bolaji captured a bronze medal in the women’s singles SL3 badminton event, defeating Ukraine’s Kozyna Oksana in a dominant 2-0 victory on Monday at the La Chapelle Arena.
In a match that lasted just 24 minutes, Bolaji overpowered her Ukrainian opponent with identical 21-9 scores in both sets.
Her commanding performance in the third-place match marks a historic achievement, as she not only secured Nigeria’s first medal at this year’s Games but also solidified her place as one of Africa’s rising stars in para-badminton.
Bolaji’s journey to the podium has been nothing short of remarkable. On Sunday, she became the first African athlete to reach the semi-final of a badminton event at the Paralympic Games, after defeating India’s Mandeep Kaur 2-0 in the quarter-final.
Despite her dreams of gold being dashed in the semi-final by China’s Xiao Zhuxian, Bolaji’s determination remained unshaken as she stormed back to claim the bronze.
The young para-athlete had dedicated her participation in the Paris Paralympics to her late coach, Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, who tragically passed away in a road accident while Bolaji was preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. Bolaji had vowed to honor his memory by winning a medal at the Paralympics, a promise she has now fulfilled.
As Nigeria celebrates Bolaji’s achievement, attention now turns to other athletes who will compete later in the Games.
Flora Ugwunwa is set to compete in the final of the F54 women’s shot put, hoping to add to Nigeria’s medal tally. Additionally, Kayode Alabi and Isau Ogunkunle are scheduled to take part in the round of 16 in the men’s table tennis event.
With Bolaji’s triumph setting the tone, Nigeria’s athletes continue to demonstrate their resilience and determination on the world stage, bringing pride and inspiration to their nation.
By Chioma Kalu, Arise
NNPC says its facing financial strain over costly fuel imports
Nigeria's state-oil firm NNPC on Sunday said it is facing financial strain making it unable to import petrol into Africa's most populous nation, that has seen weeks-long fuel scarcity across its retail stations.
The news comes after Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the country's sole importer of refined products, in August announced record profits for 2023 but warned that it was covering for shortfalls in government's petrol import bill.
Reuters reported early July that the NNPC's debt to oil traders had surpassed $6 billion, doubling since early April, as the company struggled to cover the gap between fixed pump prices and global fuel costs. The NNPC declined to comment at that time.
It later blamed operational hitches for the long fuel queues.
"This financial strain has placed considerable pressure on the company and poses a threat to the sustainability of fuel supply," NNPC's spokesperson Olufemi Soneye said in a statement late on Sunday.
President Bola Tinubu scrapped a costly but popular subsidy on petrol last year when he took office, to cut government expenditure. But he reintroduced subsidy partly after inflation skyrocketed, worsening a cost of living crisis and stoking tension among the population.
The IMF has said fuel subsidies could cost Nigeria up to 3% of GDP this year as the increases in pump prices have not kept up with their dollar cost.
The West African country expects to likely spend 5.4 trillion naira ($3.7 billion) this year - 50% more than in 2023 - to keep petrol prices fixed, while borrowing to plug gaps in its budget, a draft document had said in June.
"We are actively collaborating with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to maintain a consistent supply of petroleum products nationwide," the NNPC said.
By Ope Adetayo, Reuters
Hounded South African beauty queen wins Nigeria contest
Ms Adetshina cried tears of joy as she was named Miss Universe Nigeria on Saturday.
"This crown is not just for beauty; it's a call for unity," the 23-year-old law student stated after weeks at the centre of an intense media storm.
She was invited to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria after her position as a finalist in the Miss South Africa contest sparked a wave of criticism.
Some people in South Africa had questioned her eligibility to compete in the beauty pageant because despite being a South African citizen, Ms Adetshina's father is Nigerian and her mother has Mozambican roots.
In interviews Ms Adetshina said she was born in Soweto - the South African township next to Johannesburg - and grew up in Cape Town.
The row over her nationality sparked an investigation with the organisers of Miss South Africa asking the nation's home affairs department to look into her eligibility.
After an initial probe, the department announced that Miss Adetshina's mother may have committed "identity theft" to become a South African national.
However, the statement added that Ms Adetshina "could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time".
A day after the announcement, Ms Adetshina dropped out of the contest, saying she took the decision for her and her family's safety and wellbeing.
By now, her ordeal had made headlines around the world.
After hearing of Ms Adetshina's story, the organisers of Miss Universe Nigeria invited her to participate in their contest.
They said she would be able to "represent her father's native land on the international stage".
After winning the contest on Saturday, Ms Adetshina will represent Nigeria at November's Miss Universe competition.
Her success has been celebrated on social media.
"Your story is inspirational - you are stronger than you think and we love you our African sister," one South African woman wrote on Instagram.
Another supporter said: "Trust me guys we Nigerians are proud of her... she’s our very own sister, a very smart, intelligent girl, our Nigerian blood runs through her veins."
However, others alleged the contest was "rigged" in Ms Adetshina's favour - an accusation the Miss Nigeria organisers have not responded to.
"She's undeserving," one Instagram user said.
"She has never lived in Nigeria and was merely invited to compete after the final delegates had been chosen... she arrived in Nigeria for the first time after 20 years last week, only to be given our crown. This organisation reeks of sheer bias."
Another wrote: "In all honesty you won out of pity... feeling very sorry for the other contestants who were there long before you came."
At the Miss Universe contest in November, the law student's rivals will include Mia le Roux, who won this year's Miss South Africa competition after Ms Adetshina dropped out.
Ms le Roux became the first deaf woman in history to win the crown.
Wedaeli Chibelushi, BBC
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