Mr. Godwin Akandu, Vice Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has called on the Federal Government to ensure the timely distribution of agricultural inputs ahead of the dry season farming cycle. Akandu made the appeal in an interview with reporters on Thursday in Port Harcourt, noting that government support remains critical to strengthening the country’s food security efforts. He said food security and sustainability could only be achieved if rural farmers across the country had adequate access to government-backed support schemes. The AFAN official commended the Federal Government for providing subsidized agro-inputs to 2,800 accredited farmers in…
Author: Newsdesk
The 3-day Expo arrives at a pivotal moment for East Africa’s food economy as a part of a growing regional and continental momentum focused on placing young people at the center of food systems transformation. Nairobi, Kenya With more than 70% of East Africans relying on agriculture for their livelihoods and food systems facing intensifying climate and market pressures, regional stakeholders have launched a major push to elevate youth-led innovation across the agri-food sector. The region’s powerful demographic advantage, 60% of the population under 25, positions youth to shape the future of agriculture, especially as new financing models, modern technologies, and…
After one of the strongest El Niño seasons on record brought drought and failed harvests to Mozambique last year, farmers have been finding hope in trials of genetically modified maize that can withstand water stress. In September, farmers in Chókwe, Gaza, participated in a trial of TELA maize, which has been engineered to offer tolerance to water stress, resistance to pest attacks, and other advantages. The new variety includes a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which produces a protein that protects the plant against pests and helps maize tolerate moderate drought. Armando Madeco Bule, a producer with the Josina…
The Senate, through its Ad-hoc Committee investigating the collapse of Safe School Initiative, has summoned the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to appear before it on Tuesday next week. Summoning of the Minister of Finance by the ad hoc committee headed by Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia) for appearance followed the adoption of its work plan during the maiden meeting held on Wednesday. Aside from the Minister of Finance, other critical stakeholders of the collapsed initiatives, slated for summoning are the Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa.…
The Federal Government has reaffirmed plans to expand immunisation programmes and revitalise 8,000 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under the 2024–2028 Medium-Term Framework. Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health, disclosed this after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu. He said the framework places strong emphasis on social welfare and healthcare delivery across the country. “Mr President is committed to human capital development as captured in this 2024–2028 MTF,” Salako said. He added that the ongoing upgrade of more than 4,000 primary health centres will be sustained alongside the planned 8,000 facilities. “It means the revitalised…
An NGO, Women Environmental Programme (WEP), has officially launched the strengthening of peace and resilience through the Climate-Smart Agriculture (SPAR) project in Katsina State. At the inception meeting in Katsina on Wednesday, the WEP Coordinator, Mrs Damaris Uja, said the project is in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and other development organisations. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the project is being implemented in Benue and Katsina States, by Tetra Tech International Development Uja said that the meeting marked a major step in advancing climate-smart agriculture and peacebuilding initiatives across vulnerable communities in northern Nigeria. “SPAR forms a component…
The wife of the Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Zulaihat Radda, has commended the First Lady, Sen. Remi Tinubu for empowering about 100.000 Nigerians in the last two years. The governor’s wife made the commendation during the disbursement of N50,000 each to 250 persons with disabilities in Katsina on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of activities to commemorate the International Day for Person With Disabilities (PWDs). The event tagged ‘Economic Empowerment for PWDs’, is the first lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), under the Social Investment Programme (SIP). Reading the first lady’s speech, Radda…
The First Lady, Sen. Remi Tinubu on Wednesday empowered 250 persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in Ondo State with 50 million naira to improve their livelihood. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that each of the PWDs was presented with N200,000 in cash in Akure. Mrs Tinubu, represented by the wife of the governor, Mrs Seun Aiyedatiwa, said the gesture was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme for PWDs. She said the event was significant because it coincided with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The First Lady said the empowerment programme was being implemented simultaneously across the 36 states…
Health stakeholders have urged stronger financing reforms and the integration of digital health solutions to improve maternal healthcare access in Kaduna State and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage. The call came during the Health Access 2025 Roundtable Dialogue on Health Financing and Digital Health Acceleration, organized by the ACIOE Foundation with support from MSD for Mothers, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA). The dialogue aimed to review state-level health financing initiatives, assess digital deployment, identify policy and implementation gaps, and co-develop practical strategies to expand insurance enrollment and integrate the Nigeria Digital Health Initiative…
The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) has announced plans to collaborate with the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), the Federal Government, and other stakeholders to tackle the impacts of plastic pollution on biodiversity. Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director-General of NCF, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja during the Multi-Stakeholders Dialogue on Inclusive Plastic Action in Nigeria and the National Validation Workshop for the Assessment Report on the Impact of Plastic Pollution on Biodiversity. The event was organized by NCF in partnership with NPAP and the Federal Ministry of Environment. Onoja explained that plastic pollution affects both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,…