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FG unveils asphalt testing facilities in Nigerian universities
By Francesca Hangeior
The Federal Government has launched an initiative to boost Nigeria’s engineering and construction sectors by commissioning a state-of-the-art Asphalt Testing and Material Characterization Laboratory at the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute.
The ceremony also included the handover of advanced construction testing equipment to six federal universities across Nigeria.
During the commissioning event held in Abuja on Wednesday the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, emphasised the importance of this investment in enhancing educational infrastructure and research capabilities.
“This initiative is more than just an investment in physical infrastructure—it is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to education, research, and national development,” Nnaji stated.
The minister highlighted that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to empower institutions and foster innovation.
“This commissioning aligns with the administration’s 8-point agenda, particularly by promoting sustainable infrastructure, enabling job creation, and deepening economic growth through knowledge-driven solutions,” he noted.
The new facilities are designed to support research that can lead to more durable and cost-effective infrastructure, crucial for Nigeria’s ongoing development challenges.
“Through this project, we are equipping our educational institutions to nurture a new generation of engineers, researchers, and innovators who will provide homegrown solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructural challenges,” Nnaji explained.
The minister also underscored the initiative’s role in youth empowerment and economic growth.
“By empowering students and researchers, we are creating a future workforce capable of driving innovation and industrial growth,” he stated, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to sustainable development.
In a call to action for the beneficiary universities, Nnaji urged them to maximize the potential of the new resources.
“Utilize this equipment to its fullest potential, not just for academic purposes but as a catalyst for real-world solutions that benefit both the academic community and our nation,” he said.
The event was marked by an expression of gratitude towards the NBRRI for its efforts in advancing research capabilities within the country.
“Today’s achievement would not have been possible without the relentless efforts of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute,” Nnaji remarked.
He said the launch of the Asphalt Testing and Material Characterization Laboratory represents a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s educational and technological landscape, with hopes that it will inspire a new era of collaboration and discovery among researchers and institutions.
The minister called for collective action towards a technologically advanced Nigeria.
“Policymakers, researchers, engineers, and students alike must collaborate to build the Nigeria we envision—a nation where science, technology, and engineeringt are at the forefront of global innovation.
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See Photos of World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
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“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
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The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
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Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
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