The Kogi State Government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development through its Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), has distributed farm inputs and cargo tricycles to 572 rice and cassava farmers. Inaugurating the distribution in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, described the intervention as a major step towards strengthening food security, increasing agricultural productivity and promoting inclusive economic growth. Ojomah said the initiative reflected the commitment of Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s administration to empowering farmers, improving rural livelihoods and driving sustainable agricultural development across the state. He commended the governor for…
Author: Newsdesk
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, has donated security vehicles to support the construction of the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway. ASHENEWS reports that the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, received the Hilux vans on behalf of the Federal Government on Wednesday in Sokoto. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Aliyu said the donation fulfilled the state government’s pledge to support the project in recognition of the importance of road infrastructure linking states across the country. He commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the project, noting that it would stimulate socio-economic development and enhance connectivity nationwide. Earlier, Goronyo described the 1,068km…
Mr Oyeleke Bola, National President of the Tomato and Orchard Producers Association of Nigeria (TOPAN), says low harvests due to rains and rising production costs are responsible for the current high prices of tomatoes in Nigeria. Bola disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Monday in Abuja. He explained that factors affecting tomato production include high costs of pest control, fertilisers and other sustainability challenges. He noted that these issues have caused a seasonal rise in tomato prices, especially during the rainy season. Bola also attributed the sharp increase in prices to rising costs of seeds and other farm…
An agronomist, Prof. Salihu Abubakar, has called on relevant government agencies to intensify public awareness of Genetically Modified (GM) and hybrid crop technologies to address misconceptions among farmers. Abubakar made the call in an interview with reporters in Maiduguri. Hybrid crops are developed through traditional cross-pollination of related plant varieties, while GM crops are produced by modifying a plant’s DNA using modern biotechnology. The technology has generated global debate over its potential health, environmental and regulatory implications, although approved GM crops undergo rigorous safety assessments before commercial release. According to Abubakar, increased awareness will help dispel misinformation, encourage the adoption…
The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Lagos State Chapter, has urged the Federal Government to channel agricultural interventions through farmers’ associations to ensure they reach genuine farmers and boost local rice production. The Lagos State Chairman of RIFAN, Mr Raphael Hunsa, made the call in an interview with reporters on Tuesday in Lagos. Hunsa commended the Federal Government for supporting the rice sector but said the interventions were insufficient and often failed to reach the intended beneficiaries. He alleged that some politicians hijacked farm inputs by presenting non-farmers as beneficiaries during distribution exercises. “We appreciate the Federal Government’s efforts…
The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted its first-ever resolution formally recognising the link between human rights and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The landmark move is expected to strengthen global efforts to eliminate the diseases and improve the lives of more than one billion affected people. This is according to a statement made available to reporters on Tuesday by APO Group on behalf of the Anesvad Foundation. The statement said the resolution marked the first time the council had adopted a dedicated resolution on NTDs. It elevates the diseases beyond the health sector, recognising them as issues of dignity,…
The Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) has urged the Federal Government to strengthen industrial support alongside the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures. The association said this would protect local investments and promote growth in the automotive manufacturing sector. The call is contained in a position paper signed by NAMA Chairman, Mr Bawo Omagbitse, and Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Harpreet Singh. The document was made available to journalists on Tuesday in Lagos. Omagbitse said Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing sector could face setbacks if tariff liberalisation is introduced without adequate measures to protect local vehicle assembly. He said the position paper was submitted…
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has announced a new strategic regulatory framework aimed at improving public safety, strengthening enforcement, and tackling unqualified engineering practice. COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, disclosed this at a news conference ahead of the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly, scheduled for July 13 to 15 in Abuja. Abubakar said the Assembly, themed “Advancing Public Safety in Nigeria through Strategic Engineering Regulation, Enforcement, and a Tiered Sanctioning Regime,” remains the foremost policy and professional gathering of engineers to address national issues. He said engineering remains central to Nigeria’s economic transformation, noting that the…
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned that actions capable of reducing its statutory revenue could weaken its operations and compromise aviation safety oversight. The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu, gave the warning at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday. Achimugu said the concern arose from moves to reduce the NCAA’s share of the Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) in favour of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). He said the NCAA was established as a self-sustaining regulatory body, adding that a bill on the matter was already before the National…
The Malaria Consortium has commenced the 2026 Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign in June, targeting 1,007,652 children aged 3 to 59 months across Plateau State’s 17 Local Government Areas to reduce malaria cases and deaths. Dr Mashor Mbwas, State Project Manager of Malaria Consortium in Plateau, disclosed this on Tuesday in Jos during a media parley organised to strengthen awareness and media support for the campaign. Mbwas said the intervention, implemented in partnership with the Plateau State Government, was designed to protect children under five from malaria during the peak transmission season. He added that studies by the World Health…