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“We Need to Think Outside the Box”: UniAbuja Partners With Research Agencies to Advance Solutions
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The University of Abuja (UofA) is taking a significant step forward in research and development by partnering with the National Biotechnology Research Development Agency (NABRDA) and the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO).
These partnerships aim to promote cutting-edge research and development across various fields.
Under the guidance of outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed with these federal research agencies.
The collaboration also extends to the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD).
Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Abuja, Professor Rasak Funsho Atata, shared insights during a press briefing on Monday.
“We were challenged by Professor Na’Allah to think outside the box and find solutions to the numerous problems facing our country using research,” Atata said.
He emphasized that the scope of research should go beyond pharmaceutical departments to address a wide array of national issues.
“The research should be all-encompassing, addressing myriads of the country’s problems to proffer solutions,” he stated.
Professor Na’Allah highlighted the importance of university research impacting the country positively.
“Our universities should do more than teaching and learning; they should engage in in-depth research that directly benefits the country,” he asserted.
He noted the limitations of current resources and funding, stressing the need for additional support from government and donor agencies.
“The time has come to give back to the government in all areas of socioeconomic, political, and infrastructural development through university inputs,” Na’Allah remarked.
He encouraged academics to move beyond relying on research grants and to advance ahead of time.
Professor Atata praised the Vice-Chancellor’s vision, stating, “We are grateful for the challenge of independent investigations, utilizing available science-based government agencies.”
He noted that the heads of these agencies were enthusiastic about the collaboration, showing readiness to assist in various research areas.
The research partnerships align with the university’s capacity, equipment, and infrastructure in the six Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Atata mentioned that the Vice-Chancellor has provided sufficient space to start producing pharmaceutical products for local consumption, including within the university community.
Looking forward, Atata expressed optimism about the new research areas’ potential to address drug discovery and production, utilizing local materials and conducting more clinical work.
He thanked the partnering research agencies for their collaboration and support in advancing these initiatives.
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising junta-led Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have imposed a 0.5 percent import duty on goods from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations.
The move further strains relations between the three junta-led nations and the ECOWAS, which they withdrew from earlier this year following a series of military coups and economic sanctions.
The AES, which began as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries in 2023, has now metamorphosed into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties.
In a joint statement last week, the AES said the levy aims to generate revenue to fund the alliance’s activities.
The tax, which came into effect on Friday, applies to all imports from ECOWAS countries, except humanitarian aid.
The taxes also disrupt the free trade once enjoyed by all countries in the West African region.
The economic implications could be severe, leading to higher consumer prices, supply chain disruptions, and strained regional economic stability.
While it may provide short-term revenue for the junta-led governments, it risks other long-term consequences, including weakened regional integration.
ECOWAS has maintained that it will keep diplomatic channels open with the junta-led states until July, despite announcing their permanent expulsion from the bloc earlier this year.
Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo state, says 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Kano-bound travellers in Uromi LGA of the state have been transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
The suspects were detained after a mob attacked a group of hunters travelling to Kano for Sallah celebrations on Thursday.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during a condolence visit to Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president, Okpebholo condemned the attack and assured Nigerians that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Okpebholo also announced that his government had set up a committee to support the families of those killed.
“It’s unfortunate that it happened in our state. We are here to say, to let you and other people know that we are not happy,” Ismail Mudashir, media aide to Barau, quoted Okpebholo as saying.
“The president is doing something drastic about this. He’s not happy also.
“The IG has swung into action. The DIG CID is in charge. So far, they have arrested 14 suspects.
“So they are bringing them to Abuja for interrogation. We have also set up a committee to see that we take care of the families of the deceased.”
Responding, Barau said the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We cannot undo what has been done. But we all want – all Nigerians, what they are looking forward to is to make sure that these people are arrested and brought to justice. And you are doing well in that direction,” Barau said.
“And I’m also glad you’ve spoken about the fact that your government is ready to assist the families of those affected.
“I want you to continue to pursue the case so that all those who were involved in these barbaric actions are brought to justice. It’s a barbaric action, to say the facts.”
He urged the Edo government to ensure all those involved were held accountable, adding that such attacks must never happen again.