A veterinarian in Bauchi, Dr Abdulkadir Baba, has warned that the ongoing harmattan season in the state could increase the risk of zoonotic diseases. Baba gave the warning on Monday in an interview with reporters in Bauchi, attributing the heightened risk to dry and dusty weather conditions that favor the spread of infections from animals to humans. He explained that rodents such as rats often migrate into homes during the harmattan in search of food, thereby increasing the risk of diseases such as Lassa fever, leptospirosis and Q fever through contact with rodent urine, droppings or contaminated dust. Baba added…
Author: Newsdesk
Up to 300,000 smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda are set to benefit from a $2 million technical assistance programme aimed at raising cotton yields, strengthening value chains and increasing rural incomes in a region where the crop is a key source of livelihoods. The funds, approved on 9 December by the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group, will support the Cotton Value Chain Project in Northern Uganda. The programme is financed by the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance, a Bank-hosted multi-donor trust fund that provides grants for technical support to boost Africa’s private sector. It will…
Norway has assumed joint leadership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on the “Call to Action” against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in emergencies. The Communication Analyst of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Mr Adewole Ajao, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja. According to Ajao, the development was announced at a symbolic handover ceremony held at the residence of the Norwegian Ambassador in Abuja. He said the handover marked the end of Germany’s tenure as joint lead alongside the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development from 2023 to 2024. Ajao added that…
The Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (IPEMA) hosted the 17th edition of Poultry India Expo 2025 from 25–28 November at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, reinforcing the event’s status as a leading global hub for poultry innovation and trade. The expo which concluded on a high note, drew strong international participation and fostered major industry collaborations, underscoring its growing influence as a premier platform for knowledge exchange and business in the global poultry sector. India’s Rise as a Global Poultry Leader India strengthened its global standing in poultry—ranking 2nd in egg production (142.77 billion, 2023–24) and remaining among the…
The government of Senegal, in collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and CGIAR partners, has commissioned a state-of-the-art greenhouse at the ISRA–CNRA research station in Bambey to accelerate advanced research and breeding for key dryland crops, enhancing resilience and driving nutrition-focused innovations across West and Central Africa. The new facility, covering 1,384 m² and comprising six independent, fully controlled compartments, will significantly accelerate crop improvement efforts for key dryland cereals and legumes across the region. Designed for phytopathology and plant breeding, the greenhouse enables up to four rapid generation cycles per year, dramatically reducing the time needed to deliver improved…
The government of Ethiopia’s National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy is set for a major boost following an exclusive distribution deal between Italy’s McCormick Tractors and the Kerchanshe Group, a partnership expected to accelerate the country’s mechanisation drive. The agreement, formally launched at an event this week at Sheraton Addis in Addis Ababa, designates Kerchanshe as the sole distributor of McCormick agricultural machinery across Ethiopia, including after-sales support and operator training. Under the pact, Kerchanshe will lead nationwide sales and support services for McCormick — a prestigious Italian tractor brand under Argo Tractors — marking the brand’s official entry into Ethiopia’s agricultural…
The National Universities Commission (NUC) said it has introduced a code of governance for private universities in the country to ensure greater uniformity in the running of such institutions. This comes as NUC lauds Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia State, for its high academic standards. Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Abdulahi Yusufu Ribadu, who made this known while speaking during the 10th convocation ceremony of Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), said the introduction of the code was part of the sweeping and far‑reaching reforms undertaken by the Commission to make Nigerian universities globally competitive. Represented by Offor Chukwuemeka, an official…
A faith-based group, Becoming the Greatest You Christian Community (BGYCC), has donated food items and other materials to an orphanage, encouraging Nigerians to always lend a helping hand Speaking during the outreach to the Heritage Home Orphanage, in Abuja,Pastor Alex Jonah, who led the BGYCC team on the visit, on Sunday,said the aim was to extend love and make positive impact. Alex said, “We have been on virtual meetings, so we decided to come to the orphanage at least to show love to the less privileged. That is why we are here. “As a group we have been able to…
Kogi government has strengthened non-formal education as 130 facilitators undergo intensive AGILE training to raise standards, widen access and improve learning outcomes. The two-day capacity-building programme was organised by the Ministry of Education for facilitators from centres across Kogi’s three senatorial districts. The training focuses on improving teaching quality in second-chance and alternative education programmes for adolescents and adult learners. AGILE State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Ahmed Oricha, said on Sunday in Okene skilled facilitators are critical to achieving the project’s education and empowerment objectives. “Without competent facilitators, second-chance education cannot deliver meaningful literacy, numeracy and life skills,” Oricha said. He…
The Lagos State Government has hosted the 5th edition of the annual Food Festival to foster growth across the various food spaces and the entire agro value chain. The event hosted by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, held at the Muri Okunola Park , Victoria Island Lagos on Sunday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had in attendance food vendors and caterers across the Lagos agric space. In his address, the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended the ministry’s effort to ensure all within the agriculture space thrive. “You have all been part…