General
ADF Unveils Initiative to Promote Ogi, Ugba, Kunu, Other Fermented Foods
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
An initiative aimed to promote the production and consumption of locally fermented foods like ogi (pap), iru (locust beans), kunu (sorghum milk), ugba (oil bean seeds), and others has been launched by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).
The organisation said the scheme, Promotion of Production & Consumption of Fermented Foods for Food & Nutrition Security in Nigeria, is in partnership with Sight and Life Foundation (SAL).
At a workshop in Lagos, it was disclosed that the programme highlights Nigeria’s rich tradition of fermented foods as a sustainable solution to the triple burden of malnutrition: undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overnutrition.
By integrating indigenous practices with modern science, ADF seeks to enhance the nutritional value, safety, shelf-life, and market potential of these foods.
Health experts, regulators, and donors gathered to discuss strategies for raising awareness, building capacity, and leveraging technology to promote fermented foods and address micronutrient deficiencies.
“Fermentation has long been a cornerstone of food preservation in Africa. Recent research, including studies by Sight and Life, underscores its benefits. We’re exploring how these findings apply to Nigeria’s context and how we can innovate while preserving traditional flavours,” the chief executive of ADF, Ms Zouera Youssoufou, said.
She emphasized the importance of maintaining the authentic taste of fermented foods, such as the sourness of freshly made pap, while improving their nutritional profile.
“We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of fermented products consumed in Nigeria to inspire industry adoption and innovation,” she added.
The Africa Adviser at SAL, Ms Mairo Mandara, stressed the health benefits of fermented foods, particularly their probiotic content.
“These foods support immune function and nutrient absorption. At a time when global undernourishment affects over 735 million people, fermentation offers a practical, local solution,” she said.
Ms Mandara added that the high post-harvest losses in Nigeria—estimated at 45%—and how fermentation can help reduce waste by extending shelf life.
Also, the Director of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, called for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle malnutrition. “Fermented foods are rich in essential micronutrients like zinc and iron. The revised National Food and Nutrition Policy aims to promote diverse, nutrient-rich diets,” she said.
On his part, the Director of Health and Nutrition at ADF, Mr Francis Aminu, cited the report Fermentation: The Ancient Solution to Modern Challenges as a key inspiration.
“Our goal is to adapt these insights to Nigeria’s unique challenges. With 40% of children—around 12 million—affected by stunting, we must act urgently,” he noted, concluding that, “Through strategic partnerships, we aim to improve nutrition, reduce food insecurity, and empower communities across Nigeria.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it would continue the probe of a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Ahmed Farouk, despite the withdrawal of the petition by Mr Aliko Dangote.
The agency said it had received a “notice of withdrawal” of the petition against Mr Ahmed, submitted by a legal counsel to the petitioner.
Recall that Mr Dangote had alleged that Mr Ahmed, a public servant, spent over $7 million in public funds on the education of his four children in different schools in Switzerland, allegedly paying fees upfront for a period of six years.
In December, the businessman demanded the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the former MD for allegedly living above his means as a public servant.
In the petition, Mr Dangote listed the children and their schools in Switzerland, including the amount paid for each of them to establish his allegations and verification by the anti-graft agency.
Mr Ahmed denied the allegations, describing them as “wild and spurious”.
The ex-NMDPRA boss has since resigned from his position, prompting a withdrawal of the petition by the businessman.
However, the ICPC said in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling law, it would continue to investigate the matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is in receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2026, titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed,” submitted to the Commission by Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, legal counsel to Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” a statement by the spokesperson of the commission, Mr J. Okor Odey, partly read.
“The letter from O. J. Onoja SAN, states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated 16 December, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety, and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that, in line with the provisions of sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, the investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing,” the statement added.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Sim Fubara.
The exercise commenced on Thursday and if successful, it would see the removal of Mr Fubara from office by the state parliament.
This is coming less than less than four months after he was restored as the Governor of the oil-rich state from a six-month suspension on democracy in the state.
In March 2025, President Bola Tinubu suspected Mr Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly over political tension between the Governor and his predecessor, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
A peace deal was reportedly brokered by Mr Tinubu between Mr Fubara and Mr Wike but things fell apart a few months after.
The Rivers Assembly is populated by loyalists of Mr Wike and has lawmakers from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
A few weeks ago, the Governor decamped from the PDP to the APC, in a move described as a masterstroke because it was calculated that it would free Mr Fubara from the grip of Mr Wike, who has been expelled from the PDP but yet to join the APC.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The petition filed by Mr Aliko Dangote to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the former chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, has been withdrawn.
The businessman had accused Mr Ahmed of using his office to enrich himself and living above his means.
According Mr Dangote, the former NMDPRA chief spent about $7 million belonging to Nigerians for the primary education of his four children in Switzerland.
In the heat of this, Mr Ahmed resigned from the position, with the ICPC promising to further look into the matter.
It was gathered that the owner of the Lagos-based Dangote Petroleum Refinery has withdrawn his petition against Mr Ahmed from the ICPC because a similar complaint is already being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ICPC, in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr John Okor Odey, on Wednesday said, “The ICPC is in receipt of a letter dated January 5, 2025, titled ‘Notice of Withdrawal of Petition against Engineer Farouk Ahmed’, submitted to the commission by Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN and Associates, legal counsel to Aliko Dangote.
“The letter states that the petitioner has withdrawn the petition dated December 16, 2025, submitted against Engineer Farouk Ahmed, the immediate past ACE/CEO of the NMDPRA, in its entirety, and that another law enforcement agency has taken over.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that, in line with the provisions of Sections 3(14) and 27(3) of its enabling Act, investigations in the interest of the Nigerian people and the Nigerian state have already commenced and are presently ongoing.
“The ICPC will therefore continue to investigate this matter in line with its statutory mandate and in the interest of transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption for the benefit of Nigeria.”
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn