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N’Delta Group Marks IWD, Tasks Government On Development Of Region

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The Niger Delta Peoples Movement (NDPM) has called for the promotion of equity in the world and particularly in Nigeria as the world marks the 2023 International Women’s Day, just as its requested for unity towards a more equitable and just world for all especially for the girl child and women.

The group also called on the Federal Government to do more than it is currently doing to bring development to the Niger Delta area in Nigeria which it said despite being the goose that lays the golden egg has been neglected.

The Convener of NDPM, Mr. Ejiro Ineneji in a statement to mark IWD, said it was time for a “huge embrace, it’s time to take action and give equity the attention it deserves. Let’s work together to create a more equitable world where everyone has a fair chance to succeed. We all can play a part.”

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“Embracing equity is the right thing to do. Equity is not just a buzzword, it is a fundamental human right. It is time to embrace equity and make it a priority in our lives and our communities.”

In a related development, the group in its recently concluded Annual General Meeting (AGM) frowned at the slow pace of clean-up in Ogoni land, just as its called for an expedited action.

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It also commended the Federal Government for releasing the arrears of 13 per cent owed to states from the region since 1999.

A communiqué issued by the group at the end of its AGM with the theme: “Bridging the gap between the past, present and future of Niger Delta” held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the group called on the Federal Government to “up its efforts in the region.”

The communiqué Was signed by Mr Emmanuel Enemudo, the AGM Committee Chairman; Andrew Okonzuwa, worldwide President of the group; Edafe Sodje, BoT Chairman; Anthony Osakunih, National President; John Ighedosa, Coordinator; Ejiro B. Ineneji, Convener; Ms Ruth Adedeji, the Public Relations Officer and Collins Azuike, the National Secretary of the group.

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The group said Nigeria belong to all the nationalities irrespective of how they come to be known as a country and therefore have equal stake and must ensure that it remained one country.

It said that: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has not done enough with the clean-up of Ogoni Land and has therefore kept the people in perpetual squalor and degraded environment; the association, as an environmental protection group, calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately mobilize adequate resources and men for the clean-up of Ogoni Lands and its environs affected by bad oil production practices.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria and the State Governments of the States affected need to take urgent steps to compensate victims of the recent flood disasters in the Niger Delta Region and to take deliberate actions aimed at forestalling future occurrence in the Niger Delta as well other parts of the Country, Nigeria.

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“While appreciating the Federal Government of Nigeria for the release of the 13% derivation funds owed the region for many years, the Association calls on government to not only release the monies but also promote measures aimed at ensuring that states that received the money does something tangible towards the development of their peoples and state.”

The group called on the government and all well-meaning individuals “especially those in the corridors of power and men of means and resources and influence within the Niger Delta Region, indigenes and friends to rise above partisanship and parochialism, to run to the rebuilding and Urbanization of the entire Niger Delta Region.”

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The “NCEDO-NDPM is ready to partner and work with the government and her agencies charged with the responsibility of dealing with these issues, in ameliorating the suffering of our people, the grassroot masses of our dear Niger Delta Region.”

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Tinubu Appoints New Heads For Key Agencies

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new leaders for three federal agencies, in a move the Presidency says is aimed at strengthening critical institutions and boosting service delivery.

The announcement was contained in a statement on Tuesday by Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

At the National Biosafety Management Agency, the President appointed Bello Bwari from Niger State as the new Director-General.

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His tenure, which is for an initial four years, took effect from September 18, 2025, in line with Section 5 of the NBMA Act, 2015.

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The agency plays a crucial role in ensuring that modern biotechnology products, such as genetically modified crops, are safe for Nigerians and the environment.

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Bwari, a trained town planner and former lawmaker, studied Geography and Urban & Regional Planning at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He once served in the House of Representatives for Suleja/Gurara/Tafa Federal Constituency of Niger State, where he rose to become Chief Whip. He has also worked as a planning officer in the Niger State civil service and in private practice as a consultant.

In the financial sector, a former Attorney-General of Zamfara State, Barrister Aminu Junaidu was named the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Investment and Securities Tribunal.

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He is to serve for five years, also effective from September 18, 2025.

The tribunal is responsible for resolving disputes in the capital market, giving investors confidence that their grievances can be addressed fairly and quickly.

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For the tourism industry, lecturer and former Deputy Provost at the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Baga, Olayiwola Awakan was appointed as the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.

His four-year tenure started on September 2, 2025.

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The NTDC is saddled with promoting the country’s cultural heritage and tourist destinations.

Speaking on the new appointments, Imohiosen said: “These appointments underscore President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening key sectors and institutions in Nigeria.”

He added that the President has directed the appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them.

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The President tasks the appointees to contribute their expertise in the development of the agencies for the good of the nation,” the statement read.

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The End Of Infertility? Skin Cells Used To Create Fertilizable Human Eggs

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Scientists said Tuesday they have turned human skin cells into eggs and fertilised them with sperm in the lab for the first time — a breakthrough that is hoped to one day let infertile people have children.

The technology is still years away from potentially becoming available to aspiring parents, the US-led team of scientists warned.

But outside experts said the proof-of-concept research could eventually change the meaning of infertility, which affects one in six people worldwide.

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If successful, the technology called in-vitro gametogenesis (IVG) would allow older women or women who lack eggs for other reasons to genetically reproduce, Paula Amato, the co-author of a new study announcing the achievement, told AFP.

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It also would allow same-sex couples to have a child genetically related to both partners,” said Amato, a researcher at the Oregon Health & Science University in the United States.

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Scientists have been making significant advances in this field in recent years, with Japanese researchers announcing in July they had created mice with two biological fathers.

But the new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, marks a major advance by using DNA from humans, rather than mice.

The scientists first removed the nucleus from normal skin cells and transferred them into a donor egg which had its nucleus removed. This technique, called somatic cell nuclear transfer, was used to clone Dolly the sheep in 1996.

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However a problem still had to be overcome: skin cells have 46 chromosomes, but eggs have 23.

The scientists managed to remove these extra chromosomes using a process they are calling “mitomeiosis”, which mimics how cells normally divide.

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They created 82 developing eggs called oocytes, which were then fertilised by sperm via in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

After six days, less than nine percent of the embryos developed to the point that they could hypothetically be transferred to the uterus for a standard IVF process.

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However the embryos displayed a range of abnormalities, and the experiment was ended.

While the nine-percent rate was low, the researchers noted that during natural reproduction only around a third of embryos make it to the IVF-ready “blastocyst” stage.

Amato estimated the technology was at least a decade away from becoming widely available.

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The biggest hurdle is trying to achieve genetically normal eggs with the correct number and complement of chromosomes,” she said.

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Breakthrough

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Ying Cheong, a reproductive medicine researcher at the UK’s University of Southampton, hailed the “exciting” breakthrough.

“For the first time, scientists have shown that DNA from ordinary body cells can be placed into an egg, activated, and made to halve its chromosomes, mimicking the special steps that normally create eggs and sperm,” she said.

“While this is still very early laboratory work, in the future it could transform how we understand infertility and miscarriage, and perhaps one day open the door to creating egg- or sperm-like cells for those who have no other options.”

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Other researchers trying to create eggs in the lab are using a different technique. It involves reprogramming skin cells into what are called induced pluripotent stem cells — which have the potential to develop into any cell in the body — then turning those into eggs.

It’s too early to tell which method will be more successful,” Amato said. “Either way, we are still many years away.”
The researchers followed existing US ethical guidelines regulating the use of embryos, the study said.
(GUARDIAN)

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Why We Named Mandy Kiss Anti-drug Abuse Ambassador – Lagos Commissioner

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Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, has explained the rationale behind the appointment of popular content creator, Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, known as Mandy Kiss, as an ambassador for the Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse initiative.

Ogunlende, in a viral video on Tuesday, conferred the ambassadorship on Mandy Kiss.

He said, “We’re here with Mandy Kiss, and you know, she’s actually agreed to become one of our LASKADA brand ambassadors, Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse.”

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Describing drug abuse as a pandemic, the Commissioner said, “We must work in collaboration with those that can reach as many people as possible, and we know Mandy Kiss has a large followership, 402,000. We’ve had conversations, and we’re trying to do things differently.

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“With the powers conferred on me, I make her one of our brand ambassadors. So, say no to drugs. Say what? Say no to drugs.”

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The decision comes after a 25-year-old influencer publicly announced plans to pursue a controversial Guinness World Record attempt to sleep with 100 men, which had raised concerns over its alignment with societal values.

Taking to his social media accounts on Tuesday, Ogunlende shared pictures of Mandy Kiss’s unveiling in a post titled “A society thrives when it listens, engages, and redirects its future with compassion and purpose.”

He justified the appointment, stating that the content creator wields significant influence among our youth, our future leaders, and it’s vital that she be guided rather than dismissed.

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Ogunlende’s post read, “With the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration being responsive and responsible, earlier today, I had the privilege of meeting with Ayomiposi Oluwadahunsi, popularly known as Mandykiss, a prominent content creator, following her public announcement of plans to pursue a Guinness World Record in a pursuit that didn’t align with our societal values or reflect the standards we uphold as a people and State.

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Mandykiss had initially declared her intent to attempt this record, but as a government that listens, we heard her subsequent expressions and responded swiftly with empathy.

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“In an atmosphere of understanding and responsibility, we engaged in candid discussions, critically assessed the situation, and explored healthier, more constructive paths forward.

“We recognise the importance of mental health and emotional wellness, and we’re steadfast in our commitment to promoting these and crafting inclusive interventions that uplift and safeguard our citizens.”

The Lagos Commissioner added, “Mandykiss wields significant influence among young people, our future leaders, and it’s vital that she be guided rather than dismissed. What was slated to be the start of her controversial record attempt has instead become a pivotal moment of redirection.

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“She has now embraced a purpose-driven cause, standing for something greater than herself. Mandykiss has been appointed an Ambassador of LASKADA (Lagos State Kicks Against Drug Abuse), partnering with us in combating drug abuse and substance misuse among youths in Lagos.”

He said the influencer’s “journey reflects transformation rather than cancellation, a powerful illustration of what is achievable when young individuals are met with love, guidance, and opportunities for positive growth.

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“Mandykiss’s story underscores the impact of compassion and purposeful engagement. It is a testament to redirecting potential towards meaningful impact.”

Recall that this appointment comes after Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, in August, announced plans to engage Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol, after controversy over his alleged misconduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

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