NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Agriculture

Expert calls for youth, women empowerment in agriculture

101 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

The Chief Executive Officer of Shield Africa, Mrs Osenaga Orokpo, has emphasised the need for empowering youth and women to drive sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria and Africa.

Orokpo, speaking at the Shield Africa Summit 2024 in Abuja on Friday, noted that food insecurity and poverty have become major concerns on the continent.

She stressed that Africa must prioritise sustainable agriculture and food security, transforming fields and approaches to prioritise sustainable practices, empower youth and women, and unlock the true potential of African agriculture.

Orokpo envisioned a prosperous Africa where every young person had the tools to become an agri-preneur, transforming farmlands into sources of wealth and opportunity.

According to Orokpo, hunger affects over 250 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, with population growth threatening to outpace agricultural production.

She emphasised the need for more youth involvement in agriculture, citing the average age of farmers as over 60, while the median age of the population is just 18.

Orokpo called on stakeholders to join forces to shield Africa from hunger, poverty, and pain.

She announced that Shield Africa aimed to create 15,000 to 20,000 direct and indirect jobs for young individuals in 2025, contributing to youth employment and reducing poverty.

The Deputy Governor of Benue, Dr Sam Ode, represented by Director-General Benita Shuluwa, emphasised the potential for rural communities to drive economic transformation.

He highlighted Benue’s experiences in investing in rural infrastructure, which he said have boosted agriculture and uplifted communities.

Ode commended Shield Africa for providing agricultural support, empowering youth, and promoting gender inclusivity.(NAN)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola and Abiemwense Moru

Gender

WIMBIZ, stakeholders urge women to dream big, challenge stereotypes

157 total views today

By Joan Odafe

Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and other stakeholders have encouraged women to go beyond dreaming and take concrete actions to unlock their potential.

They emphasised that women need to adopt a positive mindset, avoid distractions, and be bold in pursuing their dreams without limitations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this call was made at the 23rd Annual Conference of WIMBIZ on Thursday in Lagos.

The event was themed ‘Dream. Dare. Do’.

Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Chairperson of the conference and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, stated that the conference provided a platform for women from diverse backgrounds to share experiences and motivate each other.

She said the event aimed to equip participants with the tools to turn their dreams into reality.

Speaking on the theme, Ogunsola stressed the importance of going beyond dreaming to take bold actions, especially in the face of societal stereotypes and constraints.

“We need to dream beyond the limits set by society or even by ourselves. Our country needs us in all areas of development, politics, business, management, public service, education, health, and entertainment.

“It is crucial that we are present when decisions are made and that our voices are heard,” she said.

She also noted that many women hesitate to dream beyond their immediate environments due to societal resistance, fear of failure, rejection, and reputational risk.

She emphasised that women need to pursue leadership roles where they can impact decisions that affect them and drawing on leadership skills developed in their daily lives.

“We learn how to manage people and encourage them to do their best while balancing multiple roles. But often, we don’t put ourselves forward unless we are specifically noticed.

“When it comes to networking or taking up leadership roles, many of us hesitate, saying we are too busy. Busy doing what?” she asked.

Ogunsola urged women to dream big, even if the size of those dreams feels intimidating, and to break out of their comfort zones to challenge strong stereotypes.

Prof. Aisha Maikudi, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, also encouraged women to set goals to achieve their dreams, highlighting the importance of remaining focused.

She stated that many challenges in her career journey stemmed from societal and cultural barriers but that having a strong foundation, support, and mentors were key factors in her success.

Mr John Obaro, Group Managing Director of SystemSpecs, urged participants to cultivate the right mindset, believe in themselves, and maintain faith in God to achieve their goals.

He warned that there would be discouraging voices, even from people with valid reasons, but emphasized the importance of challenging limiting beliefs to stay focused on their aspirations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Economy/Business

Jega advocates good democratic governance for economic growth

349 total views today

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Prof. Attahiru Jega, former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called for the nurturing and entrenchment of good democratic governance to catalyse economic recovery.

This, he said, would help achieve public goals beneficial to the citizens and place Nigeria on a sustainable trajectory of people-oriented development.

Jega made the call at the 2024 Annual Directors Conference by the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference had as its theme: “Good Governance as a Catalyst for Economic Recovery, Growth, and Development.”

He said that governance was a central feature and indeed, the essential pillar and pivot of all modern nation states.

Jega, however, noted that Nigeria, currently has a crisis of governance at all levels.

He said that processes, structures and institutions of governance were essentially weak, or had virtually collapsed, with regrettable consequences on desirable economic growth and socioeconomic development.

He stated that what Nigeria needed was not good governance but good democratic governance.

This, he said, was because good democratic governance was the panacea for national socioeconomic growth and development and human security in countries that are democracies or aspire to be so, such as Nigeria.

“Over the years, the legitimacy of the state has been vigorously contested on grounds of its inefficiency and lack of competence and especially failure to protect and defend their fundamental rights, and to meet their needs and aspirations.

“Consequently, citizens are, on their part, becoming indifferent to political participation and constructive engagement in the governance processes, even losing hope in democratisation and governance processes, which is even more worrisome.

“Nigeria’s elected leaders and representatives need to appropriately recognise and take into consideration recommendations in the striving to cure endemic bad governance,” he said.

Jega stressed the need for the country in providing good quality leadership to predicate it on knowledge, experience, competence, integrity, vision, and selflessness.

He called for transparency and accountability in policies and decision-making processes to engender trust for government among citizens.

Jega said respect for and compliance with rule of law was required to mitigate excessive impunity and executive lawlessness, which was pervasive at all levels of governance.

He added that efficiency and effectiveness in the management of public resources could go a long way to free resources for prioritisation of citizen’s welfare and social justice.

He also called for participation of citizens in discussing what affects them, based on deliberate inclusivity to drive trust and generate additional ideas and perspectives.

“As colonially created African nation-states, countries such as Nigeria have as desirable objectives both democratic development, nation building and socioeconomic development; and have tried to pursue these.

“But, the evident inadequacies of governance and its weaknesses in forging an overarching national identity, amidst a multiplicity of primordial identities, have been obstructive to stable economic growth and socioeconomic development.

“In a transitional democracy, such as Nigeria’s, whatever else governance could be, it must have a democratic content: it must be participatory, with bottom-up processes and it must have inclusivity.

“That is why it is better to focus on good democratic governance, rather than just good governance as conceptualised and promoted,” he said.

Jega posited that for Nigeria to develop as expected, it required visionary, patriotic and people-oriented leaders.

He added that the country needed those with the capacity, competence and ability to appreciate and manage the complexity of its diversity, on the basis of equity, equality of opportunity, fair-play and the rule of law.

He urged citizens to, in spite of the mounting and demoralising challenges, keep hope in Nigeria alive and participate in the struggles to nurture and entrench good democratic governance.

NAN also reports that Jega was presented with the Anofi Guobadia Award for Excellence and Leadership at the event.(NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Metro

Dev’t of Abuja satellite towns sacrosanct, says Wike

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration’s efforts to develop satellite towns and rural areas of the territory is sacrosanct.

Wike gave the assurance during the inauguration of the construction of Asuquo Okon Road (Road CN8), from Obafemi Awolowo Way (Arterial Road N5), to Olusegun Obasanjo Way (Arterial Road N1), in Abuja on Thursday.

The project will also include other adjoining roads within the sector centre, Daki Biyu District.

The Collector Road CN8, the 4th in the series of road projects that were inaugurated for construction in the Abuja city centre this week, is expected to be completed in May 2025.

He said that besides the ongoing construction of roads in the six area councils, the FCTA would inaugurate the construction of four additional road projects in satellite towns beginning from Oct. 28.

According to him, the provision of road infrastructure outside the city center is a key driving the needed transformation of the rural economy.

He added that the measure demonstrates the importance President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda attaches to the development of FCT rural communities.

The Minister said that the efforts would ensure that the people who reside outside the city feel the impact of governance.

He recalled that Tinubu had directed that development of the FCT should not be concentrated only within the city where the big men live.

“Mr President insisted that development should also be taken to the rural areas where those who are considered not too wealthy reside,” he said.

“FCT Administration is committed to ensuring that development reaches all parts of Abuja,” he said.

Earlier, Me Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, explained that the Asuquo Okon Way was an inter-district road connecting the Obafemi Awolowo Way in Jabi District to the Olusegun Obasanjo Way within Daki Biyu District.

Ahmad added that the project, when completed, would open up the sector centers of Jabi, Daki Biyu, Utako, and Wuye Districts and equally increase economic activities within the areas.

Also speaking, Abdurrahman Ajiya (APC-FCT), representing Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalda and Kuje Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, noted the importance of good road networks to the overall development of any city.

He commended Wike for the development strides in the nation’s capital and urged him to do more considering the huge population movement into the city. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Economy/Business

Stakeholders harp on harnessing Nigerian’s non-oil export for economic dev’t

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By Lucy Ogalue

Some stakeholders have urged Nigerians to leverage available opportunities to increase non-oil exports for economic growth and development.

The Stakeholders spoke at the Nigerian Exporters Hub (NEXHUB) Abuja Export Conference 2024 in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference was “Navigating the Future of Non-oil exports”.

The event was organised to mark the NEXHUB Abuja Subscribers’ inaugural shipment of 10 containers to China.

The products to be shipped include Cassia tora, sesame seeds, ginger and mica (solid mineral).

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, emphasised the need for the country to leverage on its numerous resources to grow its economy.

Uzoka-Anite, represented by Mr Dafang sule, Director, Federal Produce Inspection Service at the ministry, said that there was the need to develop and export all resources in the country.

She commended Zeenab Foods Limited,  a food processing and agro-commodity trading company, for  its efforts in promoting exports.

“This is the time to export, we need to take advantage of the moment. And the Federal Government has continued to ensure ease of doing business in Nigeria.

“We are urging Nigerians to play their part, give this administration a helping hand , just as Zeenab is doing today so we can make Nigeria better for us all,”she said.

Mr Dele Oye, President Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said that  there was the urgent need for an organised solid mineral market system.

“The lack of a structured market has been identified as a significant barrier to the sector’s growth.

“Unlike Ghana, where a government office efficiently processes mineral sales, Nigeria’s informal market leaves many miners without immediate access to cash.

“This system leads to long delays, with miners sometimes waiting decades to monetise their resources,” he said.

Oye said that NACCIMA was collaborating with NEXHUB to establish a more robust framework for mineral trading, thus processing basic minerals like mica locally before exporting.

“This initiative not only ensures compliance with government regulations,  it also aims to stimulate local economies by providing miners with quick access to cash.

“The commitment to creating a transparent market is essential for reducing criminal activities associated with unregulated sales.

“By offering direct access to international markets, NACCIMA aims to eliminate third-party intermediaries and significantly diminish the risks and uncertainties that have long plagued the sector,” he said.

Oye said that NACCIMA had established 73 locations across Nigeria, employing aggregators to connect local producers with markets.

According to him, this strategy allows even those in remote areas to engage in international trade, fostering economic independence.

He called on stakeholders from various sectors, including the media, to spread awareness about these opportunities, and a new era of prosperity and equity in the solid minerals sector.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director, Zeenab Group , Dr Victor Ayemere, said that the conference was organised to sensitise exporters to bring their commodities for easy export to the trade house in China.

According to Ayemere,  who doubles as Chairman of NEXHUB, the Federal Government, through the Export Promotion Council, has set up export trade houses across the globe.

“We were the ones assigned to handle the export trade houses in China and other Far East countries.

“So, Zeenab Foods set up the Nigerian Exporters Hub to enable the exporting public to export their commodities easily to the trade house in China.

“Zeenab has chosen the part of agro export. This is a laudable project,which tells us that we can survive as a nation.

” This is the time to export; we need to take advantage of the moment. And the Federal Government has continued to ensure ease of doing business in Nigeria.

” We are urging Nigerians to play their part, give this administration a helping hand, just as Zeenab is doing today so that  we can make Nigeria better for us all,” he said.

Also, the Managing Director of NEXHUB, Mr Babatunde Faleke, urged producers to look beyond insecurity challenges to tap the  benefits of exports and increase their production.

“What we need is even more engagement, let us scale up production so that we can have more to export,” he said.

Faleke,  who said that  infrastructure and logistics remained a challenge to movement of goods, however said that  the challenge was being addressed by the government.

NAN reports that the conference was attended by government officials, heads of agencies, various stakeholders and partners.(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Environment

FG to harness Kogi’s natural resources for sustainable dev’t  

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By Emmanuella Anokam

The Federal Government has pledged to partner with the Kogi government to harness its natural resources for sustainable economic development.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), stated this on Thursday in Abuja when Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, paid him a courtesy visit.

He restated the federal government’s commitment to mobilise investments to stimulate mineral exploration activities in the state in view of crude oil deposits for overall strategic national interest.

According to Lokpobri, the Petroleum Industry Act mandates the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to explore frontier basins in the country.

“We are doing a bid round currently, and as a policy, states are encouraged to participate in the upstream, all you need to do is to do the requisite exploration work towards getting oil in the substantial quantity.

“As a confluence state, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources will partner with the state government to provide necessary support to extract its resources to the markets,” he said.

Lokpobiri, who commended the governor for his good governance to the people and foresight, expressed optimism that crude production would hit 2.5 million barrels soon through concerted efforts.

Earlier, Udodo solicited the support of the ministry to harness its untapped natural resources, and to advance oil exploration.

“Kogi state is so blessed with many natural resources and in abundant quantity, hence we have been boasting about it.

“We need your support and guidance to unlock our potential to ensure that the natural gift bestowed upon us by the Almighty God starts working for us,” he said.

Also speaking, Asiwaju Idris, the Kogi Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, said the governor was consolidating on the development plan developed by his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.

He said it was paramount to fast track the blueprint, adding that the governor took it upon himself to gear a lot of investment towards securing the citizens, resources and investors.

Idris advocated establishment of a gas industrial park in view of the ongoing construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, which passed through the state.

This, he said, would encourage more industries and investors in the state to take advantage of the gas expansion plan.

“In Kogi state, we have more upcoming companies in the area of solid minerals, we have Dangote company expanding, and many other companies across the state because we are blessed with solid minerals.

“We know that the NUPRC has a lot to do to develop the frontier basin. We need to tap other minerals God blessed the state with under the Anambra frontier basin”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor was accompanied in the visit by his Chief of Staff, Ali Bello and other top government functionaries. (NAN)

Edited by Rabiu Sani Ali

Environment

Nigeria to integrate hand hygiene practices into national development plans

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By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government on Tuesday announced plans to incorporate hand hygiene into Nigeria’s national response and long-term development strategies.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said this during the 2024 Global Handwashing Day event in Abuja, themed ‘Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?’

Utsev was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah.

He noted the government’s commitment to embedding handwashing practices into national resilience plans and called on institutional actors to support efforts to scale up hand hygiene initiatives across communities.

The minister emphasised the importance of a multi-faceted approach, including public campaigns, accessible hygiene facilities, regular monitoring, and behavior reinforcement.

He stressed that handwashing facilities should be made available in all households, schools, healthcare facilities, workplaces, and public spaces and must be accessible to people with disabilities to ensure equitable access.

“Nigeria has recently faced a resurgence of cholera outbreaks, exacerbated by inadequate hygiene practices and poor access to safe water and sanitation facilities.

“Cholera, a water-borne disease, thrives in environments where sanitation and hygiene are compromised, leading to widespread illness and fatalities, particularly in underserved communities.

“This underscores the urgent need for a balanced approach that promotes hygiene alongside improvements in water supply and sanitation”.

Utsev added the need for sustained policy advocacy and programme implementation to foster long-term behavior change regarding hand hygiene.

He stressed that continuous efforts from all levels of government and civil society are essential for success.

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to advance the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Nigeria and pledged to collaborate with stakeholders on the Hand Hygiene for All Roadmap.

He stated that increased awareness would lead to a healthier, more prosperous nation.

Dr Jane Bevan, UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), raised concerns over Nigeria’s low handwashing rates, with only 17 percent of the population practicing proper handwashing at critical times.

Bevan emphasised the importance of establishing handwashing as a social norm, highlighting its significance in public health.

“We need to move beyond simply expecting everyone to wash their hands and start holding people accountable when they don’t.

“If you see someone eating without washing their hands, call them out, such behavior can lead to illness”.

She urged individuals to become “ambassadors for handwashing,” encouraging others to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.

The Director of Water Quality Control at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, stated that the event aims to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap as an affordable way to prevent hygiene-related diseases.

She added that the NTGS, under the Ministry’s leadership, actively promotes and advocates for increased hand hygiene practices nationwide.

Dr Edwin Isotu-Edeh, representing the World Health Organisation (WHO), highlighted efforts to combat the cholera outbreak in Lagos, including the installation of handwashing stations and the donation of hygiene materials to 10 healthcare facilities.

He also noted that WHO is implementing Sanitation Safety Plans (SSP) in five states, underscoring the importance of protecting healthcare workers before responding to emergencies.

Isotu-Edeh encouraged Nigerians to make hand hygiene a daily habit for disease prevention, particularly after using the toilet, preparing food, changing diapers, or handling animals, and to promote the practice to others.

Mr Nanpet Chuktu, a representative from WaterAid, emphasised the effectiveness of handwashing with soap and water in preventing diseases and saving lives.

He acknowledged progress made since the COVID-19 pandemic but pointed out a significant gap between awareness and actual practice.

Quoting the 2021 WASHNORMS survey, Chuktu noted that while 99 per cent of households are aware of at least two critical times for handwashing, only 8 per cent practice it correctly.

He stressed that recent cholera outbreaks highlight the continued importance of this year’s theme and called for greater efforts to promote handwashing through behavior change and education.

Chuktu also urged a review of the National Hand Hygiene Roadmap, launched in 2022, as its 2025 target date approaches.

The event featured goodwill messages from development partners, private organisations, and other ministries, as well as a panel discussion, symbolic handwashing activities, and the presentation of recognition awards to development partners.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

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