Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday inaugurated a multi-grain processing facility established by AFCOTT Grains Ltd., a subsidiary of the Kewalram Chanrai Group, in Kano. Speaking at the event, Shettima said the project underscores Nigeria’s commitment to boosting value addition, enhancing productivity, and strengthening the agricultural value chain. Represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Shettima described the facility as a milestone that will improve export competitiveness, increase farmers’ incomes, and create employment opportunities. “Today’s commissioning is not merely the inauguration of AFCOTT Grains Processing Facility, but a clear statement of our national resolve towards food…
Author: Newsdesk
The National Assembly has pledged to improve budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) to support effective post-harvest solutions and related interventions. Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Institutions and Colleges, Rep. Abiodun Akinlade, made the commitment at the 3rd Post-Harvest Connect and Root, Tuber and Banana Conference on Wednesday in Abuja. The conference, convened by NSPRI in collaboration with other stakeholders, was themed: “Scaling Post-Harvest Technologies for Enhanced Productivity and Competitiveness.” Represented by his deputy, Salman Idris, Akinlade said the committee recognizes that post-harvest losses remain one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s food security.…
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, on Wednesday launched a free breast cancer screening for 200 female journalists in Abuja. The initiative, held to mark the 2026 World Cancer Day, aims to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer among women in the media industry. NAWOJ FCT Chairperson, Bassey Ikpang, urged female journalists in the FCT to take advantage of the exercise, describing it as a lifesaving intervention. READ ALSO: Nigeria ramps up cancer prevention, education Ikpang explained that the screening is…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) significantly increased its Open Market Operations (OMO) sales to N18.79 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, representing a sharp 426 per cent rise from N3.57 trillion recorded in the same period of 2025. Latest financial data released by the apex bank show that despite the surge in gross sales, higher repayments moderated the overall liquidity impact, with net OMO sales declining to N1.81 trillion from N2.01 trillion year-on-year. The figures indicate a more active but measured liquidity management approach by the CBN, as it intensifies interventions in the money market while allowing more…
The Society for Family Health has transitioned into a quasi-group structure, repositioning itself as a fully integrated, African-led health systems platform to better address evolving healthcare needs across Nigeria and the continent. The Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, announced the transition in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, describing it as a strategic move aimed at strengthening institutional effectiveness and long-term sustainability. According to Idogho, the transformation represents a shift from a traditional programme implementation model to a coordinated institutional architecture designed to respond more effectively to rapidly changing health system demands and priorities. He explained that…
The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has called on the Federal Government to impose a total ban on gas flaring, arguing that existing penalties are ineffective in curbing the practice. This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI, on Wednesday in Lagos. Jakpor said oil companies operating in the Niger Delta appear comfortable paying fines rather than investing in measures to stop flaring. He said RDI’s position follows recent data from the Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor, covering March 2012 to 2025. He said the data showed that companies paid an estimated $646 million in…
The Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has warned of a prolonged dry spell and possible flash floods during the rainy season in 12 local government areas (LGAs) of the state. Mr Mas’ud Aliyu, the Director-General of the agency, gave the warning at a stakeholders’ sensitization meeting on the 2026 Weather Forecast and Disaster Preparedness, held in Bauchi on Wednesday. He urged stakeholders to adopt proactive measures to safeguard lives and livelihoods. “The preliminary climate data indicate a severe 21-day dry spell expected between June and August. “This could significantly affect agricultural activities across 12 local government areas. “The affected…
Stakeholders in Nasarawa State have commended the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development–Value Chain Development Programme (FG/IFAD-VCDP) for its positive impact on agricultural development and rural livelihoods in the state. The stakeholders gave the commendation during an inspection visit to VCDP project sites in Doma and Lafia Local Government Areas on Wednesday. Mr Umar Tanko-Tunga, the Commissioner for Agriculture, lauded the Federal Government, the Nasarawa State Government, and IFAD for the successful implementation of the programme. Tanko-Tunga, who was accompanied by members of the State House of Assembly, said the intervention had significantly transformed the lives of smallholder farmers and…
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) now forms 60 per cent of Lagos State’s annual budget, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Wednesday. Sanwo-Olu also said that the Lagos State Government generated about N1.3 trillion internally in 2024. The government made the disclosure while declaring open the 159th meeting of the Joint Revenue Board in Lagos. He attributed the feat to sustained investments in digital tax systems, expansion of the tax net, and building trust with taxpayers. The governor described the 2024 IGR figure as modest but significant. “We generated N1.3 trillion in IGR in 2024, which, as modest as it may seem,…
The House of Representatives, sitting as a Committee of the Whole on Wednesday, adopted a report on a bill to amend the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) Act and related matters. The bill, presented by Rep. Fred Agbedi (PDP-Bayelsa), seeks to move the bureau from the Ministry of Aviation to the Presidency to ensure more efficient and robust administration. Presenting the report, Agbedi, Chairman of the House Joint Committees on Special Duties and Aviation, recalled that the bill was referred to the committee on May 14, 2025. He noted that the committee conducted the mandatory public hearing on the same…