By Felicia Imohimi

The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), have reiterated commitment to scaling up Information Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D), to empower smallholder farmers.

The programme will unlock potentials in the food systems and engender robust development in agriculture value chains for sustainable food security.

Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the FGN/IFAD multi-stakeholder Strategic Dialogue on Scaling-up ICT4D, for smallholder farmers in Nigeria.

Umakhihe, represented by Tanimu Ibrahim, Director, Planning in the ministry, said there was need for massive investments in ICT4D to fight against hunger, as well as the inherent food wastage in the value chains.

According to him, this will also widen the gap in adoption of new technologies.

He said mainstreaming ICT4D services in agriculture would also address the significant number of investment gaps, and create farm management solutions in rural areas of low and middle-income earners.

The permanent secretary also said it would find solutions to post-harvest losses and other emerging challenges militating against agriculture development in the country.

“The Nigerian government at all times welcomes technologies and innovations that will aggressively drive the economic diversification of food systems transformation, as well as attainment of export food safety requirement for foreign exchange earnings.

“It is pertinent to know that the widespread use of ICT4D and its importance for innovation and economic growth has been recognised prominently as an easy and convenient fast mode to reach the urban and rural farmers.

“It is aimed as having efficient information on agriculture as a paradigm shift from traditional method of farming to digital economy .”

Umakhihe said the ICT4D programme would largely strengthen National Food and Nutrition Security and National Agriculture Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP 2023 to 2027) in line with the National Development Plan.

He explained that the NATIP policy aimed at promoting digital technologies was to enhance food systems and create business opportunities for economic growth, employment generation for youths and women, and also wealth creation through the agriculture value chain.

According to him, it will give farmers access to a variety of information sources that they can consult for regular agricultural programmes.

Dr Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country Director, Nigeria, called for unanimous collaboration of all stakeholders in agriculture, finance, information technologies, development partners and farmers among others to harness the full potentials of the programme.

According to Ekoue, such collaborations will make agriculture the economic mainstay of the country.

She said incorporation of ICT4D would assist in addressing the impact of climate change, food security gaps, high food prices, global pandemics, connecting farmers to markets, weak supply chains on food systems, and export supply needs of the country.

Ekoue said the workshop was organised to understand some of the best approaches to scaling up the use of ICT4D solutions for small holders’ farmers to achieve a sustainable and inclusive agri-food system transformation in Nigeria.

She said it would  empower smallholder farmers to improve productivity.

“The dialogue on scaling up ICT4D has an agri-food led demand-driven project, aimed at extending digital solutions to farmers, in order to accelerate development on food systems and inject effective response to the far reaching challenges in the supply chains.

“The dialogue is apt and timely, as it prepares farmers to obtain the necessary easy inputs support at the onset of the farming season, where farmers are in need of high-quality agro-services to boost food production and enhance food system resilience,” Ekoue said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports  that the dialogue, organised by IFAD, brings together participants from other government departments, the FMARD, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, development partners among others.

Other participants are development partners, private sector, youth entrepreneurs, project beneficiaries, and key stakeholders working on digital technology for agriculture. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

By Temitope Ponle

Dr Omar Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission said only six out of the 15 member states had the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC).

Touray said this while presenting his address on the Status of Implementation of the Community Work Programmes at the ongoing First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Wednesday.

The commission’s president named the member states as Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Benin, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

He also said through advocacy, other member states were almost set to launch theirs.

He also spoke on innovative measures the community was taking to promote and ensure free movement of persons.

“ECOWAS is introducing innovative measures to facilitate free movement across the sub-region.

“We are working on introducing an ECOWAS Visa, ECOVISA, like that of Schengen VISA.”

Giving a presentation on the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, the commission’s president said enforcement of the court’s decisions, however, remained a challenge.

“Records at the Court show that there are a total of 106 judgments that have not been enforced by member states and another 11 by ECOWAS institutions.”

Moreso, he urged parliamentarians to facilitate the challenges militating against the enforcement of the court’s decisions.

“Even though the Court is engaged with member states to resolve the challenges militating against the enforcement of its decisions, this is hopefully an area that the parliament can help in facilitating the resolution of the challenges.”

Touray lauded the role of the court as a community institution.

He said this was particularly as an important force for the promotion of human rights, regional stability, and peace and security.

“Enforcement of its decisions is a critical component in determining its efficiency.”

He said as at March 24, a total of 641 cases had been filed at the court since 2003, of which 347 judgments and 135 rulings had been delivered.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the ECOWAS first announced the  biometric ID card programme in 2016 after leaders within the sub-region at the Economic Community of West African States proposed to replace residence permits with biometric identification cards.

In 2019, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of Nigeria approved the production of the identity card to replace the ECOWAS certificate by January 2020.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Temitope Ponle

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for investment in conflict prevention in member states, as it put its overall estimated cost at over 2.6 billion dollars.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said this in his address on the Status of Implementation of the Community Work Programmes at the ongoing First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Wednesday.

Touray said that deploying the ECOWAS Standby Force to fight against terrorism and unconstitutional changes of government in the region had expensive options.

“On the regional action against terrorism, we have been advised by experts from the national security agencies to prioritise the deployment of assistance to existing regional arrangements such.

” Among the arrangements are the Accra Initiative, the G5 Sahel, and the Multinational Joint Task Force, all within the framework of the ECOWAS Action Plan.

“The Concept of Operations for the deployment of ECOWAS Standby Forces to fight against terrorism and unconstitutional changes of government has two options.

“Option one provides for a Brigade of 5,000 personnel with its structure, composition, and the necessary logistics to conduct kinetic operations. Its estimated annual cost is USD2,253,862,306.00.

“Option two consists of the deployment of critical capabilities in support of affected member states upon request with an estimated annual cost of USD352,833,334.00. The overall estimated cost is USD2,606,695,640.

“This shows the cost involved in security and reminds us of the need to invest in conflict prevention.”

The president also said the commission was working with the national commissions on small arms in the region’s efforts to tackle the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

He, however, said the Authority of Heads of State and Government gave directive regarding enhancing the role of the ECOWAS Standby Force for deployment to fight terrorism and anti-constitutional changes in government.

In his response to questions raised by some parliamentarians on the security situation, Touray said there were a number of drivers including terrorism, unconstitutional change of government, organised crime, armed rebellion, environmental crisis, among others.

“These drivers account for the food insecurity our region is facing. So,  food insecurity goes hand in hand with general insecurity.

“In my view, certainly, we are not self sufficient in food but our inability to provide food security is mainly related to the insecurity that we are facing in the area of peace.

“To summarise, we have indicated that we are working to revitalise our regional standby force so that they can support member states to respond to the threats of terrorism as well as threats posed by unconstitutional change of government.”

Also speaking on human development and social affairs, he said the key actions undertaken were in the areas of food security, education, voluntary return of migrants, human security.

Moreso, he said ECOWAS, together with all its regional and international partners, had provided responses to food and nutrition insecurity in 2022 and the first quarter of 2023.

He said this was done specifically in seven countries, namely Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Chad.

“In addition to the use of stocks from the Regional Food Security Reserve, nearly 1.1 million dollars, or 66 per cent of the total projected budget of 1.64 billion dollars of the response plans that were prepared by the member states in July 2022, has been mobilised.

“As a result, as of 30 March 2023, unfortunately, despite good production, about 29.5 million people needed emergency food and nutritional assistance.

“If appropriate measures are not taken, this figure could rise to 42.5 million people during the lean season between June and August 2023.

“In addition, 107.5 million people are estimated to be food insecure and could, therefore, fall into crisis in the event of shocks, notably in Nigeria (64 million), Niger (7.3 million) and Burkina Faso (5.1 million).

“The nutrition crisis also persists in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad, where nearly 16.5 million children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition.”

Touray further said the increasing trend of needs and the scarcity of resources to finance these response plans had continued.

He, however, said the situation reminded the region of the urgency of changing the paradigm in the management of food and nutrition issues by all actors.

The commission’s president said this should be done by implementing an intervention approach based on the “Humanitarian-Peace-Development” Nexus in the fragile zone. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Ephraims Sheyin

By Ahmed Kaigama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Wednesday assured that the Nigerian Army has the capacity to contain insurgency and deal with other criminal elements in the country.

The COAS gave the assurance during combat training and exhibition of firing power, organised for Infantry and Armoured Corps personnel, on Wednesday in Bauchi.

Yahaya, was represented by Maj.- Gen. Suleiman Idris, Dean Faculty of Operation Research, Nigerian Army Heritage Centre, Abuja.

He said training of army personnel was significant to the efforts being made to restore peace in the country.

“For the insurgents and other criminals, we assure you that the Nigerian Army is capable of containing them.

“We will do everything possible as we are doing to contain and provide protection to loyal citizens of this great nation,” the army chief added.

On the training, Yahaya said it was designed to enhance the professional techniques and build the synergy required in military operations.

“This is important so as to continue to be the professional Nigerian army that can provide protection to loyal citizens of Nigeria,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the COAS inaugurated the Nigerian Amour Driving School, and the Circuit and Tank Maneuver Area.

He also opened an exhibition of combat equipments, including drones, tanks and military trucks. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdul Hassan/Maharazu Ahmed

Dignitaries at the unveiling of a book titled: “The Journalist, The Woman and Her Faith” authored by Mrs Grace Yussuf, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief , News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja. 

By Gabriel Agbeja

Mr Femi  Adesina , the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, has described Mrs Grace Yussuf, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief , News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as an epitome of knowledge.

Adesina, who was represented by Mrs Patience Tilleygyado , the Assistant Director, Information, State House, said this on Tuesday in Abuja  at the launching of a book authored by Yussuf.

He said Yussuf had displayed special skills in writing the book titled “ The Journalist, The Woman and Her Faith“ that really worthy of emulation.

The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle,also described Yussuf as a journalist with difference in her reportage as a journalist.

Ponle, who was represented by Mr Mufutau Ojo , the Director of Special Duties in the Agency , said” Yussuf  is a celebrated Journalist as the presence of the crowd had proved it.”

The managing director pledged to keep promoting such laudable initiative among members of  NAN staff, adding that he would further celebrate NAN Journalists who excelled in their endeavours.

He advised young female journalists to take a lead from Yussuf and put down their experiences in writing.

“Many have put in two to three decades in the profession. The new ones should learn from Grace Yussuf that have put in over three decades in the profession.

” The book is interesting and exciting. I recommend it to others to buy to take cue from there,” he said.

Prof. Joy Ezedo, Women Aid Collective (WACOL) said Yussuf had made herself outstanding among women through her personal efforts.

Ezedo , who was represented by Mrs Ijeoam Ezeude , WACO  Head of Legal Unit, said the author was worthy emulated as she had balanced the roles of wife, mother and journalist.

Mr Joe Bankole, a former Managing Editor, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who reviewed the book said it was a typical story of a typical professional in a typical Nigerian setting spared none from pains and comfort.

According to him, the book titled “ The Journalist, The Women and Her Faith“ is a “Memoirs of a Nigerian Female Journalist“.

Bankole said the uniqueness of the book reflected in the sincerity, passion and candour with which the author told the story.

“It is a beautiful work of art that is good and pedagogical.

“It provides the platform for an enduring litany or lessons for young professionals in the field, working journalists and Christian women who want to stick to their faith no matter challenges in any sphere of life.

“I proudly recommended this book to all of a disciplined life, and one dedicated to the praise of God Almighty,” he said.

Mrs Grace Yussuf, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), thanked everyone that came for the occasion.

The author further thanked everyone that had helped her during service years and those she had leant from to attain the feat.

Yussuf said she had covered many beats, including , Economy  and Industry beat for NAN and visited USA, Spain, Japan, South Africa, Gabon, Cameroon and Gambia to report events. (NAN)

FGA/IAA

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Federal Government with the support of UNDP on Tuesday, launched a project to enhance efforts in countering violent extremism and piracy, as well as enhancing civilian protection.

The ‘Enhancing National Capacities for Counter-Violent Extremism, Anti-Piracy and Protection of Civilians’ project, is designed to be implemented in Nigeria, ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea.

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, said the effort was to achieve more results, to ensure safety in the country and the subregion.

Agba, represented by Mrs Victoria Olulade, a Deputy Director in the ministry, said Federal Government’s policies and investment in the Armed Forces and International community has helped in combatting the menace.

He however said there was an urgent desire to sharpen the capacities of security agencies on counter-terrorism and protection of civilians for more effective response and reduction in civilian casualties.

According to him, the project will build capacities, tactics and strategies of security agencies to combat extremism and terrorism.

“This will go a long way to save lives, avert injuries, improve life expectancy and security,” he added.

He said the project would also contribute to achieving Nigeria’s long-term goals on humanitarian sector growth, as enshrined in the National Development Plan 2021-2025 and Sustainable Development Goals.

The minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to collaborate with relevant agencies to achieve the objective of the project in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, UNDP, Mr Matthew Alao, said the objective was to improve national capacities of ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea countries to decrease the influence of violent extremists and pirates.

Alao said the project was also designed to improve protection of civilians in armed conflicts, given the challenges posed by the menace of violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.

According to him, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has been detrimental to economic prosperity and socio-economic wellbeing of governments and citizens of the affected countries.

“UNDP and the Government of Japan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, MLAILPKC and the Nigerian Navy formulated this project.

“It is to build and strengthen the capacities of key stakeholders in the targeted regions to curtail the negative impacts of violent extremism and piracy.

“The project equally seeks to ensure that civilians caught up in armed conflict are secured and protected,” he said.

Alao said that the Government of Japan had funded 15 projects in Nigeria since 2015 with over 27.58 million dollars.

He said the launch of the project represented the fourth in the series of anti- piracy and peace support operations projects jointly designed by UNDP, finance ministry and the Nigerian Navy.

Alao the implementation was being done by MLAILPKC since 2020, with funding support from the Government of Japan.

“The continuous funding of development projects by Government of Japan and UNDP at the Centre is indicative of confidence and reliability reposed on the Centre by the International Partners since 2014,” he added.

Alao recalled that the 2022 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report puts Nigeria in 8th position on the table of countries most impacted by terrorism, three places lower than 2021, with Burkina Faso and Mali occupying second and third positions.

He said the situation also reflected similar prevalence in piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, with 115 incidents recorded in 2022 and 132 in 2021.

The Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, said that violent extremism has been driving violence in the society.

He said the project would promote protection of civilians caught in violent environments while trying to reduce violence.

The Japanese Defense Attache in Nigeria, Lt.-Col. Uchiumi Kazuaki, said Japan, in collaboration with MLAILPKC and UNDP, has been implementing projects related to counter-piracy in Nigeria.

Kazuaki said that available data had showed that the security of the Gulf of Guinea had been greatly enhanced by not only this project, but also the tremendous efforts of the Nigerian government.

He pledged that Japan would continue to contribute to the security of the Gulf of Guinea, including the provision of high- speed patrol boats to NIMASA.

He explained that the project focuses on counter-piracy, and strengthening the capacity of security authorities and officials to counter violent extremism and protect civilians in armed conflicts.

“In short, the project will contribute to peace and stability in Nigeria and, by extension, throughout West Africa.

“However, we are also aware that violent extremism has been growing throughout West Africa in recent years and that violent extremism is expanding beyond the Northeast.

“Recently, military operations against terrorists have already resulted in civilian casualties and serious injuries and damage,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Veronica Dariya

Some residents of Bwari Area Council of the FCT on Monday said they stopped using kerosene as alternative means of cooking because of its persistent high cost.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said health hazard was also a major setback to the use of kerosene.

Miss Hannatu Baya, a student, said that kerosene was too expensive and out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians, adding that most times, the product was unavailable for people to buy.

According to her, struggling to get the product made her search for alternative means of cooking.

She said: ” I have a 5kg gas cylinder that takes me almost a month before refilling, and this is because I alternate with an electric cooker once there’s power, it is better for me than a kerosene stove.”

Baya also said that using the product became outdated to her at some point because of the availability of other alternate means.

Madam Charity Okonkwo, who sells charcoal and firewood told NAN correspondent that she once sold kerosene but stopped after the product became too expensive.

” We used to go and queue at the filling station for days before the product was made available.

”When it will finally come, we will fight; it was a struggle, yet, we will buy it at a high cost to sell at a higher cost too.

“After a while, people started to use charcoal, which does not need much kerosene to light up, so the demand for the product from my customers dropped.

“That was how I changed to selling charcoal and firewood and the patronage has been better,” she said.

Okonkwo added that although, both firewood and charcoal were not as cheap as they used to be in the past, it remained an option to some residents in the local communities who cannot afford cooking gas or kerosene.

She also said that kerosene presently costs about N1,180 per litre at the filling stations and is being sold by retailers in the community from N1, 250 to N1,500 per litre.

Mrs Grace Ishaya, a housewife and mother of five, said that she stopped cooking with kerosene for over four years after one of her children accidentally inhaled the emissions from the cooking stove while sleeping.

“I don’t know if the kerosene was adulterated with something else, but the flames brought out so much black smoke that filled the kitchen and extended into other parts of the house.

“I tried to regulate it but to no avail, until one of my children ran to tell me that they had been trying to wake their brother who was sleeping, to play football, but he was not responding.

“My neighbors heard the chaos and came to help and one of them took us to the general hospital where they confirmed that my son had inhaled so much smoke in his system.

“We thank God because at the end of the day, he was resuscitated.

“Since then, I prefer to use cooking gas and charcoal, even though they both are expensive, we manage to buy according to our means,” Ishaya said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=====================

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Cecilia Ologunagba

New York City Mayor Eric Adams will arrive in Nigeria on Sunday for a two-day visit as part of his tour to Africa.

Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in New York.

Egopija said the mayor would be attending the Nigeria Governors’ Forum meeting in Abuja during the visit.

“He will be visiting the Minister of FCT to commence sister city relationship between the city of Abuja and New York,’’ he said.

A sister city or a twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties.

According to him, Eric Adams will also be paying courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and also meet with business community in the FCT.

NAN reports that Egopija had in January briefed Adams, at a meeting of African Consuls General, on areas of interest on the sister city relationship with New York.

“We have started an engagement on the need to have the sister city relationship between the City of New York and the FCT.

“We want a situation whereby the city of Abuja and New York are able to partner in area of education, fire service, medical support and other social services.

“Also, cultural engagement, the mayor has taken due note of my suggestion and said, the city would be willing to collaborate with the mission, especially as it relates to our desire to promote the “Seki dance”.

“The Seki dance troupe and America Tap dance, which have similarity: the origin of America Tap dance has been attributed to come from Niger Delta region of Nigeria,’’ Egopija told NAN. (NAN) (www.nannew.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Federal Government says it has delivered 8,938 housing units across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and constructed 9,290 kilometres of roads nationwide.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said this on Monday in Abuja while presenting the scorecard of his stewardship in the eight-year administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The theme of the  scorecard is ‘Tour of Duty as HM of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: A Time and Economic Resource Report (2015-2023)”.

Fashola said the eight years of the Buhari-led administration was targeted at improving living conditions of Nigerians and drastic reduction of multidimensional poverty.

He said that upon his appointment as minister, part of his target was to improve human lives by venturing into the construction of long-neglected capital projects inherited from previous administrations.

“When this administration came into being the budgetary allocation for the whole country was N18 billion but within the first year of office, the President was able to put this to N224 billion, today we have 13,000 roads under construction.

“We have created 383,431 jobs, constructed 9,290.34 kilometres of roads, linear metre of lane marking 2,270,319 and number of road signs installed 254,690.

“What this is doing in effect is that journey time are being reduced, improving human conditions and promoting prosperity.

“On housing, we have 46 sites in 35 states with 6,068 housing units and 2,870 housing units in the FCT.

Fashola added that the ministry issued 1,262 building contracts, while 6,685 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) were signed from 2015 to March 2023.

According to him, the ministry generated a revenue of N13.09 billion within the period.

Fashola said the second Niger bridge, which had stayed untouched for about three decades by previous administrations, was one of the mega projects executed by the Buhari administration.

He added that another major project was the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which was given priority by the government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Maharazu Ahmed

By Temitope Ponle

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said 102 evacuees returned home from Sudan aboard a Tarco airliner via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, who gave the update on Monday, said the airline arrive at the airport at about 9:15 a.m.

Earlier, had updated newsmen on a Tarco Airline arriving from Port Sudan International Airport.

“Kindly update you on the following:

“Aircraft :B737-500 CS- MAB. Company: Tarco Airline.

“Left Port Sudan International Airport today, 8th May, 2023, at 12:45a.m. local time, with 124 adult, 5 Infants. Total 129 Nigerian nationals (evacuees).

“Estimated time of arrival Port Sudan (PZU) to Juba (JUB) 2 hrs 50 min.

“Stop over 1 hrs in Juba.

“JUB to ABV = 03:30 min. Total = 7hrs 30min.

“The flight is expected to arrive Abuja around 6:30a.m. to 7a.m. Nigerian time.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim