National
Research Advancement ; NIPRD Commends Na’Allah, Joins League of Collaboration with Uniabuja
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has commended the outgone Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah for brokering research collaboration with agencies of government to resolve contentious issues and positive outcomes.
While signing a Memorandum of Understanding MOU on research collaboration in June with the University of Abuja to boost research facilities in production plan in faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, the NIPRD team led by Professor Philip Builders , Head DMU represented the DG/CEO of the NIPRD,
Dr. Peter Obi Adigwue lauded the foresight of the former Vice Chancellor , stating that it will trigger more research development.
Other members of the team from NIPRD included Mrs. Gloria Panya, Head Human Resources,
Dr. Bulus Adzu: HOD Pharmacology & Toxicology,
Bar. Mustapha Ilyasu: Head of Legal Unit,
Dr. Peters Oladosu: Head Pharm. Micro & Biotechnology and
Dr. Shehu Buzu: Head, vaccine Development.
According to Professor Rasak Funsho Atata, the Head of Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology who spoke in behalf of the University of Abuja team said the status of the research institute has added to the previous ones with Sheda Science Technology Complex (SHESTCO), and National Biotechnology Research and Development Board (NARBDA) recently and many more to come.
Other members of the team led by
Prof. M.I. Abdullahi Dean Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences,
Prof Taibat Atoyebi Director of Undergraduate Research,
Dr. Olowokere Ahmed Deputy Dean Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences , and Barrister Samuel Representative of Director of Legal Dept.
“National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) is the biggest research institute in Nigeria, with mandate for Pharmaceutical research and development.”
“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding MOU with NIPRD eventually on 27th of June was another improvement in our quest for partnership and research results .” Atata said.
A total of 92 visually impaired candidates participated in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) at the Kano centre.
Prof. Muhammad Yahuza-Bello, JAMB Coordinator for the Kano centre, made the announcement while monitoring the exercise on Monday.
The examination took place at the School of Continuing Education, Bayero University Kano (BUK), under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) initiative for candidates with special needs.
Yahuza-Bello, a former vice-chancellor of BUK, explained that the 92 candidates were drawn from Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna States.
He added that among the candidates, two had Down syndrome, while two others had autism.
The candidates, both male and female, were provided with specialized gadgets such as typewriters, braille machines, slates, styluses, and paper to facilitate their participation in the exams.
The coordinator also said over 500 candidates with special needs-ranging from visual impairments and albinism to Down syndrome and autism-had registered to take the exam at 11 centres across the country.
He said, unlike regular Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres where candidates interact with screens and keyboards, special needs candidates benefit from adaptive materials to eliminate barriers to education.
Since its introduction in 2017, JEOG has seen positive results, with an increasing number of special needs candidates gaining admission into tertiary institutions.
Yahuza-Bello pointed out that while approximately 25% of regular candidates gain admission, over 33% of special needs candidates are successful in securing placements.
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National
Court Approves Federal Government’s Request to Protect Witness Identities in Nnamdi Kanu Trial
A federal high court in Abuja has authorized the federal government’s request to keep the identities of witnesses in the trial of Nnamdi Kanu confidential.
Kanu, who leads the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony.
On Tuesday, prosecution attorney Adegboyega Awomolo informed the court that he had submitted an ex parte application on April 10 to safeguard the identities of the witnesses. He requested that the court provide screens and masks to ensure their anonymity.
“The purpose of this request is to ensure the safety and security of state officers who will serve as witnesses,” he stated.
Kanu Agabi, the defendant’s counsel, did not contest the application.
The trial is underway, with the first witness, a DSS operative, already called to testify.
Kanu was re-arraigned on March 21 before Judge James Omotosho of the federal high court in Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Aisha Achimugu.
The managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Felak Concept Group was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Achimugu was taken in around 5am on Tuesday after arriving in Nigeria from London.
More to follow…