WorldStage— The Federal government of Nigeria on Tuesday flagged off the National Grassroots Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Programme in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.
The programme aims to provide cooking gas to 27,000 households in Bayelsa.
It forms part of the government’s effort to facilitate clean energy and reduce the cost of cooking gas.
Speaking during the flag-off of the scheme in Yenagoa, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, said that the Federal Government was ensuring that Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources translated into tangible benefits for citizens.
Ekpo said that the country, endowed with over 215 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, must harness the resource to improve livelihoods, expand access to clean energy and drive sustainable economic development.
He said that the initiative championed by a Decade of Gas policy was targeting 5,000,000 Nigerian households to migrate from firewood to cooking gas by 2030.
According to him, Bayelsa is privileged to host the first State-Level LPG Cylinder Distribution Programme in the country, because of its position as a leading gas producing state.
He said that when the price of gas was high, the Federal Government had to direct the producers to stop exporting gas to have enough for domestic supply, a development that had helped to reduce the price.
“This occasion is not merely an event; it is a landmark moment in our collective journey towards cleaner energy, healthier homes, and a more prosperous nation.
“By taking this pioneering step, Bayelsa State has earned a distinguished place in history as the launch state for this transformative national initiative.
“At the heart of this programme lies a simple but powerful conviction: that the promise of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas must translate into dignity, safety, and improved wellbeing for our people.
“No mother should be compelled to choose between feeding her family and protecting her health. No child should inhale harmful smoke because cleaner energy remains beyond reach.
“No family should spend valuable hours searching for firewood when our nation is richly endowed with gas resources capable of powering safer and more dignified lives,” the minister said.
Ekpo said that the state-level rollout built on the zonal phase previously implemented by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) across the six geopolitical zones, with one state representing each zone.
According to him, those rollouts gave valuable lessons, deepened stakeholder collaboration, and strengthened government’s resolve that access to clean cooking energy must be expanded with urgency, purpose, and compassion to every Nigerian household.
“With Bayelsa State as the starting point, we are now moving from regional implementation to a broader state-by-state deployment designed to reach households more directly and more effectively.
“This marks a decisive step towards ensuring that the benefits of clean cooking are felt where they matter most: in our homes, our communities, and the daily lives of our citizens.
“Nigeria is abundantly blessed with over 215 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, making us one of the foremost gas-endowed nations in the world.
“Our solemn responsibility is to ensure that this national endowment is converted into tangible benefits for our citizens,” he said.
On his part, Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, who flagged-off the distribution commended the Federal Government for the initiative.
Diri said that the initiative would help in curbing the pollution challenges in the state
Minister pledges increased investment in natural medicine research
Research
By Rose Okudaye
Lagos, July 28, 2026 (NAN) The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, has pledged increased investment in natural medicine research to strengthen healthcare delivery and local pharmaceutical development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tochukwu made the pledge during a one-day official visit to the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) on Tuesday in Lagos.
The minister also unveiled seven herbal products developed by the agency during the visit.
The products are Tumerjol, an anti-cancer drug; Namdacid for peptic ulcer; Namdavir, an anti-hepatitis drug; Namgor, a male aphrodisiac; Zea Granules and Zea Tea for hypertension; and Namdarol for cholesterol.
Udeh commended the Director-General of NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, for his leadership, research contributions and recent appointment as Chairman of the World Health Organisation’s advisory body on natural medicine.
He described the appointment as a major achievement for Nigeria and Africa.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the agency through increased funding, improved research infrastructure and modern laboratory equipment.
He said natural medicine remained vital to achieving universal health coverage and health equity in Nigeria.
According to him, conventional and traditional medicine should complement each other to improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
Udeh said captains of industry had agreed to commercialise the agency’s herbal medicines to boost accessibility, create jobs and generate revenue.
He directed that resolutions reached with industry stakeholders be documented with clear timelines to ensure continuity, regardless of changes in leadership.
The minister also called for stronger collaboration with India in research, training and investment, acknowledging the country’s expertise in natural medicine.
He commended the agency’s staff for their dedication, innovation and research efforts, which produced several scientifically validated herbal medicines.
According to him, the products have undergone clinical testing and regulatory certification.
He described the products as a milestone in Nigeria’s drive to strengthen healthcare through locally developed herbal medicines.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, urged the private sector and development partners to support the agency’s research expansion.
Emeje specifically appealed for support towards constructing a clinical research and observational facility.
He said the agency had transformed its research capacity over the past three years in spite of limited funding.
According to him, NNMDA has developed 22 products and expanded collaborations with local and international institutions.
Emeje identified the absence of a clinical research centre for human observational studies as the agency’s greatest challenge.
He said the proposed five-storey facility would support proper clinical evaluation of herbal medicines and accommodate visiting researchers.
According to him, the facility would also eliminate the need for researchers to work and sleep in laboratories during intensive studies.
The DG highlighted achievements including product commercialisation and medicines developed for humans, livestock and plants.
He also highlighted the launch of seven new herbal products and several other formulations.
Emeje disclosed that the agency had developed medicinal products for agriculture, including nanotechnology-based packaging materials protecting stored grains from insect infestation.
He said NNMDA had expanded collaborations with institutions in India, the United States, Ethiopia and the United Kingdom.
According to him, many researchers had received international training, particularly through partnerships with the Indian government.
Emeje said the agency’s College of Natural Medicine was accredited by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria.
He said the college awards National Diplomas, trains pharmacy interns and runs an internationally supported diploma programme funded by the Islamic Development Bank.
Emeje said Nigeria possesses over 23 medicinal plants with anti-malaria potential comparable to internationally recognised species.
He urged greater investment in indigenous research to harness the country’s rich biodiversity.
The director-general also highlighted the agency’s growing scientific output, intellectual property protection and contributions to the African Pharmacopoeia.
He said NNMDA had also recorded significant growth in public engagement through its digital platforms.
Emeje appealed to corporate organisations and investors to support critical research infrastructure.
According to him, government resources alone are insufficient to develop globally competitive indigenous medicines.
He expressed confidence that sustained investment would strengthen healthcare, promote economic growth and enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness in natural medicine.
Also speaking, the Consul General of India to Lagos, Mr Kannan Chockalingam, commended the minister and the NNMDA Director-General for the invitation.
He said the visit would further strengthen Nigeria-India cooperation in science, innovation and international relations.
According to him, both countries possess rich biodiversity, strong cultural heritage and longstanding traditions of healing.
Chockalingam said both nations’ indigenous knowledge systems continue to provide valuable healthcare solutions.
He said India remained committed to advancing traditional medicine through scientific documentation, institutional reforms and international cooperation.
According to him, Nigeria and India have opportunities to deepen collaboration for economic growth and development.
He identified medical practice, scientific validation, quality assurance, biodiversity conservation, entrepreneurship and agriculture as key partnership areas.
Chockalingam also pledged to facilitate stronger partnerships among universities, research organisations, traditional medicine institutions and innovation centres in both countries.
