NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Minister urges youth to remain hopeful for better Nigeria

Minister urges youth to remain hopeful for better Nigeria

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By Patricia Amogu

Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite has urged Nigerian youth to remain hopeful for a better Nigeria in view of the federal government’s commitment to implementing its Renewed Hope Agenda.

Uzoka-Anite said that with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to reviving the economy, the impact of the efforts being made would be felt across all the regions in the country.

The minister said this in Abuja on Wednesday when she received in her office, Mr Kevin Timothy, the National President of Tinubu Young Generation Forum.

She reassured the NGO of President Tinubu’s commitment to creating the environment conducive for young people to excel economically and for the nation to be recognised as a country with the best innovative youth on the global stage.

“The necessary reforms of President Tinubu are reviving the economy and in a short time the reforms will yield results across all regions.

“The President is committed to empowering young people and is working on policies that embrace youth inclusion and engagement in every space and sector.

“He has created a conducive youth-friendly environment and has been supporting programmes that maximise the potentials of every Nigerian youth, giving them the opportunity to thrive economically.” she said.

Speaking earlier, Kevin praised the minister for encouraging the youth.

“As a respected leader and mentor whose expertise and dedication to public service are truly inspiring, you have readily demonstrated strong mentorship and passion for passionate young people.

“We look up to you for strength and support and we know that young people are learning from your wealth of experience and gaining valuable insights for development and growth

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting provided an opportunity for insightful discussions on nation-building.

The Tinubu Young Generation Forum is an organisation aimed at driving capacity building for young leaders, mentorship and empowerment of potentially ambitious leaders in the society under President Bola Tinubu’s guidance. (NAN) 

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

River basin authorities pledge stronger partnerships for food security

River basin authorities pledge stronger partnerships for food security

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By Akpan Glory

The River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) have pledged to boost the Federal Government’s food security efforts by forming stronger partnerships and adopting modern agricultural technologies.

Alhaji Abubakar Malam, who spoke on behalf of the RBDA Boards and Management teams at the close of a two-day retreat in Abuja on Saturday, acknowledged the numerous challenges facing the authorities.

He noted the persistent issues of ageing infrastructure, extreme weather conditions, and insecurity that continue to hinder optimal productivity across their zones.

Malam, who is also the Managing Director of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, noted the dilapidated state of facilities and outdated equipment that limit the full potential of the river basin authorities.

“Our facilities are obsolete, and climate change is exacerbating the situation with flooding, erosion, and erratic weather patterns.

“Yet, we remain undeterred. We are committed to innovating, adopting modern irrigation technologies, and shifting the narrative of the River Basins to a more sustainable and productive future”.

Malam emphasised that these objectives cannot be achieved in isolation and stressed the importance of collaboration.

He stated, “We are committed to building strong partnerships, particularly with state governments, to ensure that local actions are aligned with national priorities.

“Collaboration is key to enhancing extension services, addressing community needs, and improving project outcomes”.

The Managing Directors also assured stakeholders that the river basin authorities will continue to maintain open-door policies under the federal government’s partial commercialisation framework, which aims to encourage private sector investment.

This framework is seen as an essential step in reviving Nigeria’s agricultural sector by providing opportunities for agribusiness development, rural economy revitalisation, and sustainable irrigation practices.

“In alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 2 (Zero Hunger), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and 13 (Climate Action), the RBDAs are focusing on expanding irrigated farmlands, equipping farmers with modern agricultural techniques.

“Others are enhancing value chains to reduce food waste, boost production, and improve market access.

“These efforts are designed to increase food availability and contribute to the goal of achieving food security for the nation by 2027,” he added.

The Joint Appointees Forum further called on development partners, private sector players, and other stakeholders to seize the emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

The forum highlighted the potential for collaboration in revitalising rural economies through sustainable irrigation and agribusiness development, which will ultimately support the government’s food security agenda.

The retreat, which brought together the leadership of all twelve RBDAs, concluded with a renewed commitment to achieving tangible, measurable results. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

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