Rep. Mohammed Onawo (PDP-Nasarwa), who led debate on the general principles of the bill, said the bill if passed would provide loans facilities to small and medium scale businesses.
Onawo said that the bill would also create employment opportunities for Nigerians.
He said most developing countries depend on such developing banks in terms of providing loan facilities for people and entrepreneurs.
In his contribution, Rep. Sunday Adepoju (APC-Oyo), aligned himself with the submission of Onawo that the bill would be beneficial to the small scale enterprises.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, referred it to the Committee on Industry for further legislative input.
The house also passed for second reading a bill for an Act to provide for the regulation and effective monitoring of metallurgical activities in the Mines and Steel sector.
The bill was sponsored by the leader of the house, Rep. Mulikat Akande-Adeola (PDP-Oyo). (NAN) ————————————————————————————————
Medical expert says folic acid helps prevent major birth defects (health and feature on homepage)
ABUJA – Women of child bearing age were on Wednesday advised to take folic acid because it helps to prevent major birth defects which could occur some days after conception.
Dr Benjamin Uchegbu, a General Physician at the Minna General Hospital, Niger State, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the defect would result to ‘spina bifida’.
“It is important in women of child-bearing age because it helps to prevent major birth defects which can occur 23 to 27 days after conception (closure of neural tube).
“This will result in spina bifida (poor or defective closure of the covering of spinal cord and nerves) which will result in disabilities in life.
“It can also cause anencephaly (absence of brain tissues) which is not compatible with life,’’ Uchegbu said.
According to him, most times before the women would realise they are pregnant and commence folic acid, the defects would have occurred.
Uchegbu advises that early build up of folic acid was very important before pregnancy occurs.
The doctor said the deficiency of folic acid could also cause anaemia especially with monthly blood losses, that is menstrual blood loss.
He said, “because of poor dietary intake, the women need to build up both before during and after child bearing.
Uchegbu described folic acid as water soluble vitamin B which occurs naturally as folate in green leafy vegetables.
He said the folate is easily denatured or lost during cooking, excessive washing or poor preservation of foods.
“Folate is important in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis that is cell metabolism,’’ Uchegbu said. (NAN) ———————————————————————————————— Passenger remanded in prison for allegedly causing driver’s death over N10 change (Metro)
IBADAN – A 32-year-old man, Seyi Lawal, was on Wednesday remanded in prison custody by an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, for allegedly causing the death of one Olawale Feyisetan.
Chief Magistrate Fatima Badrudeen remanded Lawal at the Agodi Prison pending the duplication of the case file for legal advice.
Lawal was arraigned on a one-count charge of causing the death of a man.
The prosecutor, Insp. Adewale Amos, alleged that Lawal unlawfully caused the death of a driver, Feyisetan, 41, by engaging in a fight with him over a N10 change.
He said that after the intervention of other passengers, Feyisetan slumped and died.
The offence was said to have been committed on May 5 at about 7.30 a.m. at Iwo Road, Ibadan.
The plea of the accused was not taken, even as Amos said that the offence contravened Section 316 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 38, Vol. 11, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The case was adjourned till June 30 for mention. (NAN) ————————————————————————————————Lagos International Badminton Classics serves off with 15 countries participating (sports)
LAGOS – The Lagos International Badminton served off on Wednesday with 15 countries at Rowe Park, Yaba.
A total of 162 athletes drawn from the 15 countries are competing for honours in the competition.
The participating countries are: Botswana, France, Italy, Indonesia, Slovenia, Ghana, Austria, Canada, and Uganda.
Others are USA, Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Israel, Russia and host Nigeria.
The competition is scheduled to end on June 7.
A former national Number One badminton female player, Bridget Ibeneri, who is an official at the tournament, told NAN that she was impressed with the number of entries.