The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have unveiled the Climate-Smart Agribusiness Partnership for Resilience (CSAPR) project to improve the resilience and profitability of Nigeria’s agricultural value chains. Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, speaking at the project launch on Friday in Abuja, said CSAPR would integrate Climate Information Services (CIS) into private sector-led agribusiness solutions. He said the project would also strengthen collaboration between public institutions and private-sector actors. The project would connect climate science with agricultural decision-making through partnerships involving the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), financial institutions, insurers,…
Author: Newsdesk
Nigeria is set to participate with a 120-member national delegation at the 17th World Social Forum (WSF 2026), scheduled for 4–8 August in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. The Chief Host of the WSF delegation and Focal Person of the Nigeria Platform for the 17th World Social Forum Coordination Team, Amb. Zainab Mohammed, disclosed this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja. More than 130 countries are expected to participate in the forum. The event will give Nigeria an opportunity to showcase its cultural heritage, cuisine, investment opportunities and commitment to peace and sustainable development. Mohammed said Nigeria’s participation would…
Member states of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) have elected Kezias Mwale of Zambia as the organisation’s Secretary-General for the 2027–2030 term. Mwale was elected at the just-concluded ATU meeting held in Abuja on Friday night. He pledged to bring unity, serve all member states with impartiality, integrity, transparency and dedication, and promote inclusive digital growth in Africa. It was reported that the election had five contestants. Thirty-four countries voted, and Mwale polled 21 votes, making him the overall winner. In his acceptance speech, the new Secretary-General expressed gratitude to ATU member states for the confidence reposed in him. He…
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported an increase in confirmed Lassa fever cases in epidemiological week 28 after a decline in week 27. This brings cumulative confirmed infections to 963 and deaths to 229 in 2026. According to the NCDC Lassa fever situation report released in a statement on Friday, new confirmed cases dropped from 31 in week 26 to 14 in week 27 before rising to 25 in week 28. The report said this indicated continued transmission across affected states. It also said that the week 28 cases were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo,…
Vice President Kashim Shettima says African nations must take their rightful place in controlling the continent’s resources and global trade. Shettima spoke on Friday in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, during a tour and assessment of the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ). He said Africa must maximise its vast natural endowments by developing industries capable of processing raw materials into higher-value products. The vice president said Nigeria’s renewed industrialisation drive would leave no region behind, with the Federal Government working alongside subnational governments. He expressed satisfaction with Benin’s efforts to achieve mass production and export of locally sourced resources. Shettima regretted that…
The Taraba State College of Health Technology, Takum, has organised a free oral and dental healthcare outreach for residents of Takum Local Government Area as part of activities marking its maiden convocation ceremony. Dr Wama Bongs, Provost of the college, while speaking to newsmen in Takum on Friday, said the outreach was aimed at promoting oral health awareness, providing free dental services to the public, and showcasing the college’s growing capacity in dental education and training. Bongs said the outreach was the institution’s way of giving back to the community and a show of support for the development agenda of…
Former President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, has been nominated for appointment to Ghana’s Supreme Court. The nomination was made by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama alongside two other senior legal practitioners, Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko-Essah and former Ghana Bar Association President Tony Forson. The nominees are expected to undergo parliamentary scrutiny before their appointments can be confirmed. Justice Asante, who previously served as President of the ECOWAS Court, was appointed to the regional court in July 2018 and served as its sixth president until October 2024. He subsequently returned to Ghana’s judiciary. The nominations…
The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, has urged farmers in the state to prioritise the production of nutritious agricultural products capable of improving child health and reducing malnutrition. The commissioner made the call on Thursday during an event tagged “Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Knowledge Sharing Products for Improved Nutrition”. He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among farmers, health professionals, development partners, and communities to address malnutrition among children under five years. Labaran said nutrition plays a vital role in the growth, development, and overall well-being of children, starting from pregnancy, as the nutritional status of mothers…
The United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facility-Small Grants Programme (UNDP/GEF-SGP) says it has empowered more than 600 enterprises nationwide under its Support to Potential and Established Nature-Positive MSMEs (SPENM) project. Dr. Ibirounke Olubamise, National Coordinator of UNDP/GEF-SGP, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Nature-Positive Organisation Online Directory. Olubamise said the project, implemented by the International Trade Facilitators Association (ITFA), had enabled beneficiary enterprises to transition from donor dependence to sustainable, market-ready businesses. She said the initiative supports the Federal Government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive.…
The Ogun State Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) on Thursday distributed 16 tricycles to 16 farmer groups across eight participating local government areas in the state. The tricycles were presented at the Ogun State Agricultural Development Project (OGADEP), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta. Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owotomo, said the intervention was designed to improve the transportation of agricultural produce and enhance farmers’ productivity. Owotomo said the tricycles would reduce the cost of transporting farm produce, improve mobility, and strengthen agricultural value chains across the state. He noted that the IFAD-assisted VCDP has…