Author: Tosin Kolade

FG, agric donor group partner on food security

Food
By Akpan Glory
Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security says it is collaborating with the Agriculture Donor Working Group (ADWG), a consortium of development partners, to promote food security in the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, made this announcement at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
The theme of the forum was “Strengthening Ministerial Capacity on the Use of Innovation to Catalyse Commodity Value Chain Development.”
Fashedemi was represented by Mr Ibrahim Taminu, Director of Planning and Policy Coordination at the ministry.
“The goal is to engage you to facilitate the necessary technical and financial support that can assist the Department of Reform Coordination, Service Improvement, and Innovation in achieving improved agricultural productivity.
“It is also to accelerate the attainment of ministerial agriculture targets from 2024-2027 to address the food security challenges in the country,” he said.
Dr Mustapha Popoola, Special Assistant to the Minister, outlined the key focus areas driving innovative solutions in Nigeria’s agri-food sector during his presentation.
“The focus areas include the development and delivery of innovative solutions to address post-harvest losses, aiming to reduce these losses in the priority commodity value chains.
“Capacity strengthening of departments and agencies is essential to enhance support for a culture of innovative thinking across the technical work stream of the FMAFS, especially in the commodity value chain.”
Popoola also highlighted other initiatives such as innovation competitions, entrepreneurship development in agro-allied activities aimed at training and certifying retiring civil servants to thrive in the agri-food space.
“We are developing and deploying value chain innovation platforms at research institutes and colleges under the ministry’s supervision,’’ he said.
He listed some of the priority commodity value chains as rice, onions, pepper, mangoes, beans, ginger, plantain, oranges, vegetables and aquaculture.
Popoola said that the summit was specifically aimed at women, youths, and retiring civil servants to educate and train them in the agricultural sector.
In his remark, Koffy Kouacou, the representative of Food and Agriculture Organisation, pledged continued support for Nigeria in the agricultural sector.
Jazmian Allen, Co-chair Donor Working Group, also pledged continuous partnership towards achieving food security in Nigeria. (NAN)

ALEX/ CJ/
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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
June 11, 2024
Women farmers split from AFAN over exclusion, leadership issues
Women farmers split from AFAN over exclusion, leadership issues
By Tosin Kolade/ Bukola Adewumi
Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Women for Agricultural Progressive and Development Initiative (NWAPDI) has announced its decision to dissociate from the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) due to the exclusion of its members.
Ms. Omolara Svensson, the National Coordinator and President of NWAPDI, in a press conference on Tuesday, said this move was necessary following the ongoing leadership tussles within the organisation.
She stated that during her tenure as Head of Women in Agriculture for the Oyo State AFAN chapter, she made several efforts to address these issues.
“After careful consideration and deliberation, we have decided to part ways with AFAN.
“However, despite my initiatives, the persistent lack of meaningful inclusion and recognition of women within AFAN undermined NWAPDI’s core objectives.”
According to her, the continuous leadership disputes within AFAN created an unstable and counterproductive environment, making effective collaboration increasingly challenging.
She noted that NWAPDI, established as Nigeria’s foremost organisation exclusively for women in the agricultural sector, aims to empower and support women across production, processing, trade, and commerce.
She also emphasised that the organisation focuses on ensuring that women have a significant and influential role in shaping Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
“By standing independently, we believe we can more effectively advocate for the interests of women farmers and drive meaningful change within the agricultural sector,” she said.
“NWAPDI will continue its efforts to support and uplift women in agriculture through various programs, initiatives, and advocacy efforts, aiming to contribute to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s agricultural industry.”
Svensson stated that NWAPDI remains committed to its mission of fostering a robust and inclusive agricultural sector where women play a leading and decisive role.
On improving the lives of rural women farmers, the national coordinator mentioned significant strides made in empowering women in Katsina and other geopolitical zones by providing essential resources.
“In Lagos, where aqua farming is prevalent, the organisation supplied women with vegetable seedlings, fish feed, and chicken feed.
“Similar initiatives have been carried out in Kwara State, and plans are underway to reach Ekiti and Osun States soon.
“Additionally, empowering women farmers have been active in Imo State and are preparing to launch programs in Kogi State.
“A key initiative includes a safety training program scheduled for tomorrow, in collaboration with other associations.
“This training aims to address the financial losses women face due to inadequate safety measures on farms and in processing plants.”
She commended the First Lady’s efforts in promoting small home gardens, saying this had encouraged both youths and mothers to engage in home gardening, regardless of their professional backgrounds.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that AFAN has seen series of crises in the past due to leadership tussle involving some members of the board of trustees, leading to the emergence of factions. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
TAK/BOL/EAL
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi
June 11, 2024
Agency trains 18 mechanics on water facility maintenance in Kano
Agency trains 18 mechanics on water facility maintenance in Kano
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, June 9, 2024 (NAN) The Kano State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has trained 18 mechanics and water supply officers on the operation and maintenance of water facilities across seven local governments.
Malam Shamwilu Abdulkadir, Managing Director of the agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that this became necessary to prevent the breakdown of water supply facilities.
According to him, this initiative is part of the ‘Village Level Operation and Maintenance (VLOM)’ strategy, which engages local artisans to manage water facilities in rural areas.
Abdulkadir added that the agency had organised a workshop to review the quality of state rural water and develop a surveillance and implementation strategy.
He said, “We have initiated and executed a number of water supply projects in various communities and institutions where potable water was seriously needed.
“These include the construction of an 8000- litre solar borehole at Babawa General Hospital. In addition to this, the agency also repaired 8 hand pump boreholes in the community.
“It also constructed a 12,000-litre solar powered borehole and reticulation of 500 metres at Kano State School of Health Technology and constructed 4 hand pump boreholes for Sitti communities in Sumaila Local Government.
“We have also rehabilitated many nonfunctional boreholes at Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital overhead tank, handpump boreholes, and the Ministry of Information water facilities at Audu Bako Secretariat.
“We rehabilitated the Office of the Head of Civil Service facilities at Audu Bako Secretariat; Rehabilitation and upgrade of motorised solar-powered boreholes at Hugungumai village in Tsanyawa Local Government , among others.”
Abdulkadir said the agency had recorded 11 open defecation-free local government areas within the last ten months.
He said that the feat was part of the sustained plausible efforts to deliver on the mandate to end open defecation practices.
The managing director said the initiative also aimed to promote hygiene in the state, following the 2025 national road-map.
Abdulkadir said this had added to the eight local governments already declared open defecation-free.
He mentioned that a support mechanism had been established to ensure sustainability.
According to him, upon assuming office, he continued with ongoing programmes related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), the specialised operational focus of the agency with support from the United Nations.
He added, “We have also set up a mechanism to support the eight validated local governments declared open defecation-free for sustainability.
“RUWASSA also embarked on training 24 WASH officials on community WASH facilities management within these local governments.”
The managing director added that various capacity-building workshops had been organised for better service delivery, including the WASH Framework on Measurement and Evaluation in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
TAK/TOA/BRM
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Edited by Taiye Agbaje/Bashir Rabe Mani
June 9, 2024
CSOs push for improved water, sanitation services
CSOs push for improved water, sanitation services
Support
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), has pledged to support tiers of government in holding political leaders accountable for improving access to potable water and sanitation services.
The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Benson Attah, said this at the opening of the sub-national stakeholders’ webinar on ‘Vote 4WASH Campaign’ advocacy efforts and progress on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, the meeting is aimed at tracking political stakeholders’ commitment towards improving access to potable water and sanitation in the country.
He said the WASH Charter of Demand the need for budgetary allocations, institutional strengthening and political will in the sector.
Attah said there was a need for prioritising WASH in the political agenda at all levels and to make WASH everyone’s business.
“Today’s meeting is to enable us review the vote for WASH campaign to see how we’ve been able to engage political stakeholders to support WASH implementation in the country.
“We cannot overemphasise the role of access to potable water and sanitation in the country, undermining WASH services in the country affects human development outcomes,“he said.
Attah urged selected states and their coordinators to continue to work with key stakeholders through advocacy efforts to ensure WASH prioritisation.
Ms. Bibian Ama from the NEWSAN secretariat, urged states to improve on their efforts as the Programme had a timeline that was running out and the need for progress to be made.
Mr Musa Buba, Managing Director of Taraba Water Agency and Sewerage Corporation (TAWASCO), commended the efforts of NEWSAN in promoting advocacy for sustainable water and sanitation services in the country.
He said access to WASH cannot be overemphasised by anyone as it is central to sustainable development at all times.
Buba said the agency would continue to support the CSOs in the state for a cleaner and healthier environment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five states of Osun, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau and Jigawa had representatives who spoke about advocacy efforts with commitment to do more in the coming days. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
TAK/JPE
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Edited by Joseph Edeh
June 6, 2024
Onuigbo seeks urgent climate action on climate change
Onuigbo seeks urgent climate action on climate change
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Former member of House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo has called for unified efforts across society to address environmental and climate challenges in the country
Onuigbo made the call in a statement he issued on Abuja on Thursday in commemoration of the 2024 World Environment Day.
The theme for this year’s edition is: “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience”.
Onuigbo, who represents South-East in the North-East Development Commission, described the theme as timely and appropriate for a secure and sustainable future.
The former federal lawmaker who sponsored the Climate Change Bill which gave rise to the Climate Change Act said desertification and drought had severely impacted 11 northern states, covering approximately 1531 kilometres.
Onuigbo said some of the environmental challenges facing the regions, including the drying up of Lake Chad, forced migration, competition for scarce resources, and security issues.
He linked these challenges to broader climate change issues, underscoring the need for robust environmental and climate change frameworks in Nigeria.
He highlighted the country’s adherence to international environmental mandates, referencing the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Paris Agreement, among others.
These frameworks, he said, are vital for addressing climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, with the ultimate goal of creating a sustainable environment.
Onuigbo praised Nigeria’s legislative efforts, particularly the Climate Change Act 2021, which he sponsored.
The Act aims to achieve low greenhouse gas emissions and promote green growth by integrating climate change actions into national development priorities.
He also noted the importance of community involvement and education in climate action, as outlined in various sections of the Act.
The lawmaker highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership in climate action, noting initiatives like the Africa Great Green Wall and Nigeria’s goal to plant 25 million trees by 2030.
He said Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, the establishment of the National Council on Climate Change, highlighted the country’s readiness to participate in global carbon markets.
Onuigbo said during the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, leaders noted the urgent need to meet the SDGs by 2030, noting that 600 million Africans still lack electricity and 970 million lack clean cooking facilities.
He said clean energy was crucial for reducing emissions and supporting vulnerable communities.
“Nigeria has taken clear steps towards addressing lack of access to electricity and clean cooking through the movement of electricity from the Exclusive List to Concurrent List and the subsequent enactment of the Electricity Act 2023.
“This was signed into law by President Tinubu about ten days after assumption of office. In addition, the Federal Executive Council in early April, 2024 approved a National Policy on Clean Cooking.
“One thing has been established beyond doubt: Climate Change is borderless and affects everybody”, he said.
The World Environment Day is celebrated every June 5 annually to encourage communities to take action towards protecting the environment.
It is also to advocate for policy changes and promote environmental policies at local, national, and international levels.
Meanwhile, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, the Vice Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Alike-Ndufu, Ebonyi State, has commended Onuigbo for sponsoring Nigeria’s Climate Change Act, 2021 in the 9^th National Assembly.
Nwajiuba made the commendation during the 2024 World Environment Day celebrating at the National Roots Crops Research Institute, Umidike, Abia State where Onuigbo delivered the keynote address.
He acknowledged the importance of the Act which he described as Sam Onuigbo Climate Change Act.
He urged Nigerians, both in private and public sectors to join hands and fight climate crisis, adding that it was an existential threat. (NAN)
TAK/KUA
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Edited by Uche Anunne
June 6, 2024