By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The Federal Government says it will enact a legal framework for protecting endangered species in the country to address the risk of extinction.

The Director of the Forestry Department, Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr Ama Moses, said this during a two-day workshop on ‘Reducing Demand for Vultures in Traditional Medicine Practices’, on Friday in Kano.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).

Represented by a staff member in the ministry, Tijjani Zakirai, Moses said the bill had been passed by the National Assembly and would be signed into law soon.

He said when enacted, the legislation would prescribe stiffer penalties for those involved in hunting endangered species to serve as a tool to curb wildlife trade.

Moses said that the Federal Government had taken several measures to address the menace, such as the development of a National Vulture Conservation Plan aimed at reversing the declining population of vultures.

He said that other measures included nationwide awareness, education, and sensitisation campaigns, as well as stakeholder engagement on the ecological importance of vultures.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NCF, Dr Joseph Onoja, represented by the Species Programme Lead, Dr Stella Egbe, said the forum provided an opportunity to promote vulture conservation efforts across the country.

In his welcome address, NCF Northern Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Garba Boyi, said the engagement aimed to bring stakeholders together to strategise on reducing threats to endangered species.

Also, Special Adviser to Gov. Abba Yusuf on Wildlife Conservation, Alhaji Ahmad Sawaba, said the state government was honoured to host the event, which aimed at protecting endangered species nationwide.

NAN reports that the workshop, themed ‘Reducing the Demand for Vultures in Belief-Based Use Practices’, drew participants from traditional healers, herbal medicine practitioners, conservation groups, NGOs, government agencies, and the media.

It also featured paper presentations and discussions on conservation strategies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Alex Enebeli

Some stakeholders in agriculture have urged traditional rulers to end harmful traditional practices that are limiting women farmers access to farmland in rural communities.

They made the call during the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-supported Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) Stakeholders Policy Dialogue meeting held in Enugu on Thursday.

The programme was titled “Gender Action Learning System (GALS) Policy Dialogue with Relevant Stakeholders for Institutionalisation and Scaling Up of GALS Programme in Enugu State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that GALS methodology is a tool developed by IFAD to promote women empowerment through gender-transformation.

Mr Patrick Ubru, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, emphasized the need for traditional rulers to facilitate and make land available for women and youths to enable them embrace agriculture.

Ubru, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Victor Ngwu, called on them to also look into some harmful traditional practices that limit and affect women adversely and make some reforms.

He explained that the state government introduced Land Bank where they acquired land from communities and then give it out to the interested women and youths as well as investors.

“We have also created Farm Estate Initiative, where each ward is to donate 200 hectares of land to government to develop and one hectare each to 200 farmers within the community.

“The state is aware of the challenges women face in acquisition of farmland, that is why we are taking all these bold steps to ensure that our women are great farmers,” he said.

Commending the impacts GALS was creating in families and communities, Ubru pledged to support the programme.

A farmer, Mrs Nnenna Ejim, also urged communities and state government to allocate farmland to women and youths up to 50 and 30 per cent for women and youths respectively.

Also speaking, the Traditional Ruler of Mbu-Akpoti in Isi-Uzo Council Area, Igwe Sunday Agbo, while expressing excitement over the programme, said it would help to correct gender disparity in the country.

The royal father, however, urged women to channel their agitation through political reforms that allow them partake in law making process that override traditional practices that affected them to change the narrative.

He added that with time, all the obnoxious traditional practices that affected women in communities would be addressed, explaining that wealthy women could buy their own land without depending on family land.

Earlier, Mr Humphrey Ubanyi, the Rural Institution, Gender and Youth Mainstream Officer, VCDP, Enugu, said the GALS policy dialogue came as a result of the huge successes that had been recorded on GALS activities.

He explained that the programme was designed by IFAD and pushed by VCDP to teach individuals, households and communities on how to live better as well as to address unequal power relations among men, women, youths, and people with disabilities.

According to him, the programme was introduced to the state in 2021 and has yielded tremendous results as is being confirmed through testimonies from the beneficiaries.

“In 2023, we were able to step down the GALS methodology to all the participating local government areas of our intervention.

“Through this programme, women are now participating in household decision-making, own assets, have control over their income while men assist their wives with house chores to reduce workload on them.

“It has also reconciled couples and restored harmony in broken families.

“Today’s meeting was for stakeholders to see the benefits of GALS and institutionalise it to sustain the gains thereof beyond the life of VCDP programme in Enugu State,” he explained.

He also commended the State Programme Coordinator, VCDP, Enugu, Dr Edward Isiwu, for supporting the RIGYMO department. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Sylvester Thompson

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has called on Nigeria and other member states in Africa to create enabling environment for innovative technologies that would benefit the continent.

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Technical Lead, Genome Editing Initiative of the AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, genome editing, especially through innovations like CRISPR-Cas9, holds substantial promise for addressing agricultural challenges.

NAN reports that genome editing is a technique used in making precise modifications to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of a cell or organism.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing technology that allows scientists to precisely modify DNA sequences in living organisms.

Akinbo disclosed that CRISPR-Cas9 effectively targets traits such as disease resistance, grain quality, and shelf-life areas where conventional breeding often falls short.

Speaking on building capacity of African scientists to drive and foster quick appropriation of genome editing in agriculture, he said African leaders had consistently highlighted critical importance of food and nutritional security.

He said the leaders recognised it as a processing issue that demands focused efforts from all stakeholders across the continent.

Akinbo stated that despite global advancements in crop and animal improvement methodologies, Africa continued to lag in achieving results.

“This has jeopardised milestones such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063,’’ he said.

He said Africa’s lag in achieving results was particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, where insufficient investment in research and development amounted to less than one per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Accordingly, this has led to inadequate research infrastructure, poorly trained personnel, and weak frameworks for training, funding, and collaboration at both national and continental levels.

“However, initiatives must be launched to empower local researchers, particularly youths, with on-going training and resources necessary for establishing genome
editing programmes in Africa,’’ he said.

Akinbo said projects like the African Plant Breeding Academy (AFPBA) played a vital role in this endeavour by providing comprehensive training in genome editing techniques for a variety of crops.

He mentioned these crops to include finger millet, rice, sorghum, soybean, ginger, tomato and maize.

The AUDA-NEPAD Official said that utilising CRISPR-Cas9, the academy focused on critical traits such as disease resistance and enhanced nutritional content.

He said the AFPBA’s programme combined theoretical knowledge with practical applications, exposing trainees to the science and methodology behind genome editing.

He explained that this included regulatory frameworks, intellectual property rights, and commercialisation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Joe Idika

By Chimezie Anaso

Green Revolution Farmers Feed the Nation Foundation (GRFFN) initiative has secured 200.71 hectares of land in Umueje Community, Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra for agriculture purposes.

Amb. Jonathan Okwudiri, Founder and Director General of Royal Ambassadors parent body of GRFFN said this at the inauguration of its corporate office at Amaenyi, Awka on Saturday.

Okwudiri said the foundation had established functional smart farm settlements in Umueje Community and Ugbene Community in Awka North Local Government Area to boost sustainable food production in Anambra and beyond.

He said the project was in partnership and supported by Anambra and Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Through this agriculture project and empowerment scheme, we hope to end hardship, hunger and reduce poverty in Nigeria and Africa by 2030 in line with Sustainable Development Goals.

“We shall provide financial support, technical training, build capacity, give access to markets as well as provide mentorship support to our members.

“We invite individuals and cooperatives who are ready and willing to join this agriculture revolution to come and register with GRFFN,” he said.

On her part, Umennayia Akunnaka, Deputy President Young Women Ambassadors, a subgroup of Royal Ambassadors, said it aimed at Nigeria where every individual had the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and reach their full potential.

“Our mission is to empower women, youth, and vulnerable individuals in Nigeria through advocacy, capacity building, and support services, promoting inclusive development, and enriching lives.

“In Anambra Chapter, Royal Ambassadors Family has a very strong base membership strength with about 30,000 women and youths across the 21 local government areas.

“Our grassroots presence is well-established, with members demonstrating a strong commitment to the visionary leader’s instructions and directives, irrespective of individual political affiliations,” she said.

Speaking at the event, Dr Foster Ifejiofor, Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra, commended GRFFN for their initiative which he said was in tandem with the regenerative agriculture policy of the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo administration.

Ifejiofor, who was represented by Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said the state government was planning irrigation farming which would guarantee all-year-round farming and productivity.

He advised farmers to embrace organic farming for production of organic food as well as plant in short duration crops for economic viability and profit.

“We are happy that the Anambra chapter of your organisation is doing well at the national level. As a government we are ready to support you with technical and administrative capacity.

“We are happy that there are a good number of youths here, we cannot leave farming for the older generations, the government is willing to link you up with buyers,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has released farm inputs to farmers across the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi for increased food production in 2025.

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Uchenna Igwe, made the disclosure at Ezzangbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area during the distribution of the inputs which include fertilisers, rice seedlings and herbicides.

Igwe said that Nwifuru was desirous that genuine farmers access the inputs to ensure bumper harvest in the state.

“Increased food production is a cardinal objective of Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s administration and no effort will be spared in achieving it.

“This exercise is not just about distribution but empowering genuine farmers with required inputs and knowledge.

“There is a possibility that before anyone is given appointment in the state going forward, the person may be required to show his or her farm,” he added.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku, emphasised the importance of developing community-based farms and urged local councils to lead by example.

“Local government areas should inaugurate functional farms which must be replicated in the development centres.

“Individuals should also embrace farming to boost food production in the state.

“The items are not for sale and should not be hoarded in any form,” she said.

The commissioner disclosed that the governor recently announced the siting of a legacy project at Ohaukwu LGA which will create more than 500 jobs for indigenes.

The Executive Chairman of Ohaukwu LGA, Chief Ikechukwu Odono, thanked the governor for prioritising the welfare of rural farmers and promised that the inputs would be given to genuine farmers.

“I urge the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the inputs to boost food production in the council, state and beyond.

“We will not condone hoarding or sale of the inputs to avoid jeopardising the governor’s objectives,” he said.

A resource person at the event, Mr John Nweze, educated the farmers on good agronomic practices to assist them in their farming endeavours.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the distribution was also conducted at Ishielu LGA among other councils of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu

By Rita Iliya

The Niger Ministry for Agriculture on Wednesday in Minna trained farmers on the use of solar-powered bubble dryer for the preservation of perishable farm produce.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was done in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Dare Consultant.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Bawa Musa, said the training was to educate farmers on how to preserve their farm produce, reduce post-harvest losses and increase their income.

Musa, who was represented by Alhaji Maikasuwa Garba, Director, Agric Services and Linkages, said the training was part of a pilot programme aimed at introducing solar powered bubble dryer technology to farmers.

“This training is to equip our farmers on the use of technology to sun their products, instead of sun drying their produce by the roadside.

“This roadside practice is unhygienic, hence the need to embrace technology for safety of the food we all consume,” Bawa said.

He said the solar-powered bubble dryer, which was fabricated by Dare Consultant, would be made available to farmers at subsidised rates.

Alhaji Abubakar Manko, the state’s Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), lauded the organisers for training farmers on use of modern way of sun drying their produce.

Manko, represented by Malam Danasabe Umaru, Organising Secretary of AFAN, said the association would encourage its members to embrace the new technology.

Similarly, Mrs Helen Shaba, the state’s Coordinator of National Association of Women in Agriculture (NAWA), appreciated the organisers for the training, especially to women farmers.

Shaba, represented by Mrs Victoria Alkali, said that the training would enhance the knowledge of women farmers on preserving farm produce to reduce losses.

Representative of Young Farmers Association of Nigeria in Niger, Malam Aliyu Anaba, noted that the dryer would ease the drying process for their members as many of them loose produce due to lack of proper drying facilities.

In her presentation, the Resource Person, Dr Hassana Garba, Director, Extension Services, Niger State Agricultural Mechanisation Agency (NAMDA), highlighted the benefits of the solar-powered bubble dryer.

“The machine preserves farm produce, especially perishable produce like tomatoes, and reduces post-harvest losses,” she said.

She added that the machine would also help farmers to maintain the quality and quantities of their produce as well as increase their income. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Joe Idika