Headline

Australia To Train Nigerian Professionals In Solid Minerals Sector

Published

10 months ago

August 29, 2024

The Federal Government’s push to fully harness the country’s solid minerals potential has received a significant boost, with the Australian government offering training to Nigerian professionals in the sector.

Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, announced this during a visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, in Abuja.

The High Commissioner explained that the collaboration is focused on enhancing the skills and knowledge of Nigerian experts to further develop the nation’s solid minerals sector.

The High Commissioner further said her visit was to brief and invite the Minister to the upcoming “African Down Under (ADU) Conference” holding in Perth, Australia next month.

“I am here to extend a formal invitation to Dr. Alake to attend the prestigious African Down Under (ADU) Conference, scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, from the 4th to the 6th of September 2024.

“Australia is renowned for its abundant mineral resources and advanced mining technologies, ranking among the top producers of key minerals such as iron ore, coal, gold, and bauxite. Australia is a critical player in the global mining industry” Bin-Juda emphasized.

Explaining further on the conference, the High Commissioner said, the meeting will introduce participants to a new free platform developed by Geoscience Australia, designed specifically for Africa.

According to her, “The innovative platform leverages satellite data to track and monitor mining activities across the continent, offering free, high-quality training and real-time data access“.

The High Commissioner explained that the potential of the conference will revolutionize the way Nigeria manages and oversees its mining operations.

Bin-Juda, who was accompanied by the Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission, Anto Bouckley, reiterated her commitment to fostering stronger ties between both nations and promised to visit the Minister again after the conference, to consolidate the ongoing collaboration and partnership.

Alake expressed gratitude for the invitation and reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen its relationship with Australia, particularly in the solid minerals sector.

Headline

Putin Says Will Speak With Trump On Phone Today

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2025

Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he would speak with US counterpart Donald Trump on the phone Thursday, their first publicly announced call in over two weeks.

The two have been in regular contact since Trump took office in January and have discussed issues like the Ukraine conflict and economic cooperation.

Putin did not say what the two would discuss in Thursday’s call.

“I will talk to the US president today,” the Russian leader told the media during a visit to an exhibition centre in Moscow.

Trump confirmed the call on Truth Social, saying it would start at 10.00am (1400 GMT).

The two leaders have praised each other in recent weeks, despite Moscow’s ongoing assault on Ukraine.

Putin said last week that he had “great respect” for Trump and that US ties were improving. Trump said Putin’s statements were “very nice”.

AFP

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NAFDAC Warns Against Use Of Excess Hydroquinone In Cosmetics

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned users of bleaching creams to refrain from using products containing excessive hydroquinone to safeguard their health.

NAFDAC Bauchi State Coordinator, Mr Hamis Yahaya, advised in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Tuesday.

Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent used to treat hyperpigmentation, such as melasma and age spots.

Yahaya said that the approved quantity of the chemical substance in cosmetics was only two per cent.

According to him, NAFDAC conducts checks on market products to ensure public health and safety.

“The black colour provides natural protection against harmful radiation due to melanin content.

“Applying creams with hydroquinone contents more than two per cent is harmful. Mixing creams by non-experts is wrong.

“Hydroquinone affects the health of the users gradually, including causing cancer,” he said.

Yahaya urged the media to raise awareness about the dangers of cosmetics that could endanger consumer lives.

Headline

AU Helicopter Crashes In Somali Capital – State Media

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

An African Union helicopter crashed Wednesday at the airport in the Somali capital Mogadishu with eight people onboard, state media said.

The aircraft was part of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), tasked with fighting the Al-Shabaab militant group.

The state media agency Sonna said the AUSSOM helicopter, carrying eight people, “crashed during landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport this morning after departing Balidoogle”.

“The fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation,” it said in a post on X.

Sonna quoted the country’s civil aviation authorities as saying that “flight operations remain normal”.

There were no further details given, but unverified clips and images shared online showed a plume of black smoke over the city.

The AUSSOM mission faces funding difficulties, even as fears of an Al-Shabaab resurgence are stoked by attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.