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FG to boost investment in Space science technology, says Onu

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BY: Oliseama Okwuchukwu

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has said that the Federal Government is to boost investment in space science technology because of its tremendous benefit to the nation.

 Dr Onu disclosed this during the commissioning ceremony of the Astronomy Observatory Complex of the Centre for Basic Space Science, in Ebirimiri,Agu Umakashi, Nsukka , Enugu state, over the weekend.

 The Minister stated that the centre for basic science is keying into Astronomy which will enhance the growth of gross domestic products (GDP) in areas such as medicine, manufacturing, education, agriculture and communication.

 Dr Onu said that the Federal Government’s decision to accord priority to space science development was to improve the quality of life of Nigerians, adding that space science technology will boost telemedicine, agriculture, and manufacturing etc.

He also called on the Private Sector to take adequate advantage of these products that are coming out from these research centres for commercialization, that would be market driven across the country.

. He reiterated the tremendous importance of space science technology in the development of our economy, to ensure improvement of everyday life of an average Nigerian.

 He explained that, through commercialization of research findings, new products and services would be created for consumption by the Nigerian public and the world at large.

While saying that the Buhari  administration is committed in making space science technology an important segment of the economy,he called on Nigerians to maximise the highest potentials in the space science technology sector to grow the economy, provide jobs , fight poverty and create wealth for the nation.

Dr Onu commended the National Space Research and Development Centre ( NARSDA)for putting up  a beautiful edifice for office accommodation , and urged it to develop a programme for students of secondary and tertiary institutions to acquire knowledge in space science technology.

 ‘’ we will also encourage all Nigerians at a tender age to develop interest in space science technology’’, he added.

The Minister said the products being produced at the centre  would be useful in the Aviation sector, adding that the collaboration between Research Centres and Universities should be strengthened.

Said he,‘’ When Universities and Research Centres work together, high investments would maximised for the benefit of the country’’,

The Ministry, he explained located the  Centre for Basic Space Science  close to the University  of Nigeria , Nsukka, so as to create a synergy between the two bodies, as well as  build capacity and enhance  positive outputs in the long run.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General / Chief Executive Natural Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA), Professor Saidu Mohammed, said the Centre was established to build capacity that would address the developmental needs of the country in several areas.

He said the construction of the Observatory Complex started 15 years ago, and commended the present administration for seeing to its completion.

In his opening remarks, the Acting Director of the Centre Dr. Bonaventure Okere, said that the vision of the Centre was to play strategic roles in the development of space science and technology as a driving force and engine of economic growth and as a major ingredient for human resource and infrastructural development.

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Math Teacher Accused Of Having Sex With 2 Students And Getting Pregnant For One Tearfully Reveals The Baby Was Taken Away From Her

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The UK teacher who had a baby with an underage student while on trial for having sex with another teenage boy broke down in court after revealing her newborn baby girl had been “taken away” from her.

Manchester math teacher Rebecca Joynes, 30, sobbed to jurors over how her baby was taken “24 hours after being born” this past January — and now she only sees her for nine hours a week, Joynes told jurors on Monday, May 13, according to the Manchester Evening News.

“At the moment I have contact with her three times a week for three hours and that’s it,” she said through tears.

Joynes was arrested and released on bail on orders not to have unsupervised contact with anyone under 18 after allegedly grooming her pupil, known as Boy A in court, by buying him a $430 Gucci belt before bringing him to her apartment for unprotected sex.

She was suspended from school and eventually fired, but soon after, she began having a relationship with a 15-year-old boy, known in court as Boy B, whom she had a baby with in January.

Joynes, who has denied having sex with either boy when they were underage, told the court that when she learned of the allegations against her she had gone to the second boy in a “panic” and he deleted all of her phone’s content.

The former teacher denied having a sexual relationship with the second boy until after he turned 16 and she was already suspended from teaching.

According to her narration,

She said he had added her on Snapchat twice, which she only accepted the second time because she thought he “wanted to tell her something.”

Joynes said a friendship developed and he quickly became her “best friend” even though the boy would make flirtatious and sexualized comments toward her when he was drunk.

She told jurors that it wasn’t until after his 16th birthday that he messaged her saying “I’ve left school now” with a winky face.

After she received notice that she had been dismissed from her job, he went to her apartment, where following an emotional conversation, they had sex.

The two then entered a relationship that Joynes described as “quite toxic” telling the court how the teenager was “very controlling.”

After discovering she was pregnant, Joynes hid love notes for the boy to find around her apartment.

The notes eventually led to a piece of baby clothing that had the words “I love my daddy to the moon and back” written on it.

The court was told that she gave birth to their baby girl in January, but following an emergency court hearing, the newborn was taken away from Joynes.

Joynes has denied two counts of sexual activity with Boy A; two counts of sexual activity with Boy B; and two counts of sexual activity with Boy B while being a person in a position of trust.

Her trial is ongoing.

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First Man To Receive Pig Kidney Transplant Has Died

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The first Man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died two months after the operation.

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), which carried out the procedure in March, announced Sunday, May 12, that Richard “Rick” Slayman, 62, has died.

They said there was no indication his death was a result of the transplant.

Transplants of other organs from genetically modified pigs have failed in the past, but the operation on Mr Slayman, who was suffering with end-stage kidney disease, was hailed as a historic milestone.

In addition to kidney disease, Mr Slayman also suffered from Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

In 2018, he had a human kidney transplant, but it began to fail after five years.

Following his pig kidney transplant on March 16, his doctors confirmed he no longer needed dialysis after the new organ was said to be functioning well.

“Mr Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope to countless transplant patients worldwide and we are deeply grateful for his trust and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation,” MGH said in a statement.

Xenotransplantation is the transplanting of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another.

MGH said it was “deeply saddened” at his sudden death and offered condolences to his family.

Mr Slayman’s relatives said his story was an inspiration.

“Rick said that one of the reasons he underwent this procedure was to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” they said.

“Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever.

“To us, Rick was a kind-hearted man with a quick-witted sense of humour who was fiercely dedicated to his family, friends, and co-workers,” they added.

While Mr Slayman received the first pig kidney to be transplanted into a human, it is not the first pig organ to be used in a transplant procedure.

Two other patients have received pig heart transplants, but those procedures were unsuccessful as the recipients died a few weeks later.

In one case, there were signs the patient’s immune system had rejected the organ, which is a common risk in transplants.

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Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Arrive Nigeria Today, May 10th

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex came into Nigeria for a private visit following an invitation by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.

The Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, DHQ, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, said the founder of Invictus Games will spend three days in Nigeria and would interact with wounded soldiers and their families.

He said the visit scheduled from 10th to 13th May 2024 would help wounded soldiers in their recovery efforts.

Marquis said: “Because we realised that 80 per cent of our soldiers have been involved in this recovery programme, they are getting better.

“Their outlook on life is positive. You know, when you are engaged in, you experience a permanent disability, you know, issues, it affects your mental health and also your outlook on life.”

Prince Harry and Meghan who are already in Nigeria, First made a visit to children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria.

Here are pictures.

Prince Harry and Meghan at Light Academy In abuja

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