Niger - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
Nov, Fri, 2024

Navy inaugurates school in Niger village

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By Rita Iliya

The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated Major I. E. Muazu Memorial Primary School in Adunu community in Paikoro Local Government of Niger State.

Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), inaugurated the project in Adunu on Thursday.

Ogalla, represented by Rear Admiral Julius Nwagu, Acting Chief of Naval Transformation, said the project was a civil-military engagement, aimed at fostering harmonious relations between the Navy and local communities.

Ogalla said the project was executed under the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme in honour of Rear Admiral Istifanus Mua’zu -Albara, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command.

“We decided to encourage every Rear Admiral in Nigeria Navy to initiate projects that will benefit their communities; we have over 15 CNS-sponsored projects nationwide.

“The rear admirals are to identify critical quick impact projects that will have maximum impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of grassroots communities,” he said.

He said provision of infrastructure for early educational training was key to emancipating illiteracy and poverty, adding that through the project, children would have access to quality education.

Ogalla added that the renovated school, benefiting over 118 children, symbolised hope and opportunity for youths in Paikoro Local Government.

In his welcome address, Mua’zu-Albara, disclosed that Major I.E. Muazu Memorial Primary School started as a missionary school in the early 50s.

He disclosed that the project was a two new classroom blocks consisting of five classrooms, two offices as well as three renovated blocks of classrooms.

He added that the project included the construction of a perimeter fence for the school, construction of a security post in line with the safe school initiative.

According to him, others are modern toilet facilities, furniture for the classrooms/offices along with provision of solar powered lightning units within the school premises.

Mua’zu-Albara said the project would address infrastructure deficit in the community and elevate its educational standard, foster a deeper connection between the community and the armed forces.

In his remarks, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, emphasised the need for collective support to revamp the educational sector.

Bago, represented by Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, called on council chairmen to take ownership of school properties, given their deteriorated condition statewide.

He said as products of public schools, they should ensure institutions does not fall short of expectation and urged all stakeholders to collaborate and take charge.

The District Head of Adunu, Alhaji Kabiru Bawa, thanked Bago for addressing security concerns in the area enabling residents to sleep peacefully.

He commended the Navy for the new facility and called on the state government to intervene on the deplorable Kafin-koro-Adunu road and the restoration of electricity in Adunu community. (NAN)
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Joe Idika

Ismail Abdulaziz
Nov, Fri, 2024

Agriculture

Niger to host end-of-year nutritious food fair

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By Rita Iliya
The Niger state government says it will host the 10th edition of the Nutritious Food Fair to promote sustainable food systems and nutrition in the state.

Alhaji Musa Bawa-Bosso, state Commissioner for Agriculture, disclosed this during a press conference in Minna.

He said that the event would be in partnership with HarvestPlus and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

He said the two-day event would hold on Dec. 10 to Dec. 11, with the theme, “Sustainable Food Systems: Our Collective Responsibility”.

Bawa-Bosso noted that the fair was part of the state’s efforts to foster a vibrant agricultural sector, and provide supportive environment for investments in nutritious foods.

“This milestone edition will bring together policymakers, researchers, farmers, SME’s and food processors to showcase innovations.

“(They will also) exchange knowledge, and address the latest developments in nutritious foods,” he said.

He disclosed that over 100 exhibitors, government officials, private sector leaders, and over 5,000 attendees were expected.

The commissioner said the fair would serve as a platform for collective engagement, job creation, and business connections in the nutritious food sector.

Also, Dr Yusuf Fuad, Country Director of HarvestPlus, said the fair would address nutrition challenges by bringing together critical stakeholders within the food and agricultural value chains.

He said that the stakeholders would engage and advocate for improve nutrition sector investment across all levels.

He said that the event would add value to the state’s economy and support small businesses and strengthen the value chain.

“Women will receive special attention, with a focus on improving healthy diets.

“A job creation clinic will also be set up, targeting young unemployed individuals to take advantage of suitable job opportunities and become self-reliant,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Matthew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Agriculture, said the event would feature cooking competition across the three geopolitical zones.

He added that the event would have significant impact on the state’s economy and youth employment, with over 6,000 jobs expected to be created for young people.

Also, Mr Lachang Faden, Project Manager Biofortification, GAIN, said that the 2024 national demographic report said that 40 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted.

He added that the event would be used to create awareness on consumption of nutrient foods. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Ismail Abdulaziz
Oct, Fri, 2024

Agriculture

Agric. fund sensitises farmers, herders on peaceful coexistence

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By Rita Iliya

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has sensitised farmers and herders on peaceful coexistence and sustainable agricultural development.

Mrs Elizabeth Isah, Business and Marketing Development Officer, VCDP in Niger, said this at a programme in some local government areas in Niger.

The programme is for promotion and sensitisation on Conflict Resolution through Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF) in Mokwa, Edati, and Borgu Local Government Areas.

She said the initiative was taken by IFAD-VCDP to foster harmonious relationships among farmers and herders in order to enhance agricultural productivity.

“The sensitisation organised by IFAD-VCDP, aims to educate farmers, and herders on effective conflict resolution strategies through CAF,” she said.

Isah noted that development is faster through effective conflict resolution, stressing that IFAD had zero-tolerance towards conflicts because it retards long-term sustainability of its projects.

According to the resource person, Mr Julius Karma, conflicts arise from clashes between economic interests and value systems, particularly among farmers and herders competing for limited land.

“With the growing population, pressure intensifies as farmers seek to produce crops and herders seek grazing land, leading to clashes between them.

“Unresolved issues increases tensions; parties involved in conflict should always seek dialogue for amicable resolution,” he said.

He said that conflicts were inherent aspect of human interaction, but could be destructive as well as beneficial resulting to positive change and growth when resolved.

Similarly, Hajiya Maimuna Abubakar, Rural Institution Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Officer, VCDP in Niger, decried the reports of some farmers exploiting their positions to sexually harass and abuse women and children.

“Cases of men harassing women and vice versa have been received; IFAD-VCDP is against such behaviour as it is a deviation from the project’s objectives,” she said.

She disclosed that farmers would be sensitised and trained on their roles and responsibilities to combat sexual harassment to ensure a safer environment for all.

Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, Village Head of Mokwa, represented by Alhaji Adamu Ndarafi, Magajin Rafi, commended IFAD’s agricultural development intervention, and urged farmers and herders to live in harmony for sustainable growth.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation was attended by stakeholders, village heads, local government chairmen, farmers, Miyetti Allah, divisional officers of police and NSCDC.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ismail Abdulaziz

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Thu, 2024

Environment

NIHSA warns of imminent flooding along Rivers Benue, Niger

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By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued an urgent flood warning to communities along the River Benue and River Niger, following significant rises in water levels due to continuous rainfall.

In a statement on Thursday, NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, urged residents near the riverbanks to evacuate, as water levels in the River Benue have reached critical points.

He noted that water gauge data from key stations such as Lokoja, Umaisha, Makurdi, and Ibbi show consistently high levels, exceeding 9 meters between October 9 and October 15.

“The map shows critical flood-prone zones across Nigeria, particularly around stations along the River Benue and River Niger.

“Makurdi, in particular, has recorded dangerously high water levels, with Lokoja and other stations also nearing flood thresholds,” Mohammed stated.

The agency also warned that the management of the Kainji and Jebba Dams are closely monitoring and controlling water releases to prevent downstream flooding along the Niger.

Mohammed called for full cooperation with emergency response agencies and advised citizens to move to safer areas to avoid the worsening effects of the floods as rainfall continues.

He emphasised the need for collective efforts to build resilience against flooding, which had become an annual challenge for many communities in Nigeria.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru