News Agency of Nigeria
Foundation trains media officers, filmmakers, content creators on educational impact

Foundation trains media officers, filmmakers, content creators on educational impact

372 total views today

By Veronica Dariya

World Changers Media International Foundation, an NGO, has trained more than 25 media officers and content creators on production of impactful educational stories and documentaries for humanity.

Dr Janice Collins, the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, urged participants at the Abuja workshop to create narratives with lasting positive difference.

Collins, also the Director, Institute of International Journalism at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University, USA, advised content creators to ground their stories on truth and facts

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised in collaboration with the African International Documentary and Festival Foundation (AFIDFF), for filmmakers and producers.

She emphasised that storytelling should drive social responsibility, spark social change, and deepen audience connection with key social issues.

“We must be able to humanise our stories by bringing attention to an element that is affecting society in order to bring about a positive change.

“Do not forget to enforce your professional ethics and conduct as a journalist or storyteller; seek the truth and report it, minimise harm, be accountable and transparent,” Collins said.

She mentioned that with a creative strategy, business acumen, and diverse funding can generate sustainable income from storyteller and documentary production.

Her foundation, she noted, is committed to empowering media professionals to create positive change, amplify marginalised voices, and improve the lives of the most vulnerable.

She said that her team worked to support and creates platforms for voices and stories that need to be heard and be included in the global narrative.

In her remarks, the Director-General, AFIDFF, Mrs Malame Mangzha, told NAN that the workshop targeted public relations and media officers from partner organisations of the foundation.

She said: “We picked our participants from media departments of organisations we have been working in partnership with for the past few years.

“We deemed it fit and important to empower these officers and our new generation content creators, to create contents that could drive impact in communities and the society at large.

“While they could also be generating income in the process. However, our expectation at the end of the day is to see them tell their own stories with their own voices, in their own narratives.”

Mangzha also said that the two-day interactive workshop was designed to equip participants with practical skills in creative storytelling and production.

She added that it would include hands-on training, collaborative exercises, and real-time feedback to help participants’ crafts and expand their creative vision.

NAN reports that participants at the workshop included personnel from various organisation such as the National Commission for Museums and Monument, National Troupe of Nigeria, National Park Services.

Also present at the event are, National Film and Video Censor Board, social media content producers among others. (NAN)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Halima Sheji

Niger trains 6,000 youths on financial literacy 

Niger trains 6,000 youths on financial literacy 

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By Rita Iliya

Niger government has commenced a financial literacy training programme for 6,000 young entrepreneurs across the 25 local governments in the state.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Minna on Tuesday that the training was part of the government’s efforts to empower youths with skills and knowledge to enhance their businesses and productivity.

 

The training is being conducted by the Niger state government in partnerships with MasterCard Foundation and Enterprise Development Centre.

 

The online and offline training tagged: ‘Transforming Nigerian Youth Programme (TNY), was launched in March.

 

The programme is to train 10,000 youths, particularly young women, between the ages of 18 and 35.

 

Hajiya Hauwa Bako, Special Adviser to Niger Governor on Social Investment Programme, advised the beneficiaries to take the training seriously and make the most of the opportunity to better their lots.

 

“A door has been opened, and they should grab it and better their future,” she said.

 

She urged them to concentrate and be attentive, noting that there were many opportunities coming up with the training session.

 

According to her, human capital development is part of the vision of Gov. Mohammed Bago to build a new Niger, adding that the youths are the drivers of development.

 

Also speaking, Lady Helen Umaru, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Micro-Small Enterprise, emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship in today’s world.

 

She advised the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the programme to empower themselves and better their livelihoods.

 

In her remarks, Mrs Mary Berje, Special Adviser to Niger Governor on Women and Affirmative Action, said the programme was aimed at empowering women to promote economic growth and development.

 

Berje expressed optimism that the programme would provide the youths with opportunities to improve their economic status.

 

Similarly, Malam Ahmed Gwada, Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprise and Micro Finance Agency, explained that the training focuses on women to improve their capabilities on business development.

 

Fatima Rufai and Aisha Bosso, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the state government for the opportunity, adding that the programme would improve their skill on how to start and manage a business. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika

Mahmoud calls for increase investment in primary healthcare

Mahmoud calls for increase investment in primary healthcare

257 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud has called on governments at all levels to increase investment in primary healthcare.

Mahmoud made the call in Abuja on Monday, at an event organised by the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria, FCT/Keffi Chapter, to celebrate the 2025 World Family Doctors Day.

She emphasised the critical need to strengthen primary healthcare systems to address the growing health challenges faced by communities.

She said that the theme, “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World,” underscored the essential role family doctors play in supporting mental health.

She added that family doctors also foster resilience amidst global adversities such as climate change, social instability, and economic uncertainty.

“Family doctors are frontline caregivers, uniquely positioned to deliver continuous and person-centred care that promotes early intervention and holistic support.

“They are the backbone of our healthcare system, providing comprehensive care that nurtures mental wellness and builds resilience in individuals and communities.

“Not only that, family doctors are unsung heroes, working tirelessly in clinics, rural health posts, urban centres and conflict zones to deliver equitable healthcare,” she said.

The minister praised their enduring relationships with patients, describing it as “vital” for proactively managing mental health issues and chronic diseases.

She reiterated that a robust and accessible primary healthcare was more important than ever in addressing the complex health landscape marked by pandemics, chronic illnesses, and mental health crises.

She stressed the need for training, recruitment and retention of family physicians, especially in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

Mahmoud emphasised the importance of recognising and valuing family medicine within health policy and practice frameworks.

This, according to her, will ensure sustainable health outcomes.

The chairperson of the family physicians, Dr Ngozi Mmamelu, said that Nigeria faces unique challenges, including limited access to mental health services, stigma and shortage of mental health professionals.

Mmamelu added that family doctors could bridge the gaps by conducting initial mental health screenings, raising awareness and providing basic psychological support.

She further noted that integrating mental health services into primary care is crucial and family doctors could play a vital role in promoting mental wellness.

She reiterated the commitment of the physicians to the principles of family medicine. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Foundation equips mathematics teachers with 21st century skills in Kaduna  

Foundation equips mathematics teachers with 21st century skills in Kaduna  

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By Sani Idris-Abdulrahman

Emerald-Isle Foundation, an NGO, has taken steps to equip mathematics teachers in basic schools in Kaduna State with 21st century teaching skills to improve learning outcomes.

The Team Lead, Ms Evelyn Ode, said this in Kaduna on Saturday, at a one-day training to empower educators with enhanced strategies for teaching mathematics to young learners in basic schools.

Ode explained that the training, under the foundation’s “Train the Tutor Project”, was supported by Ihifix Innovation Hub, to address the problem of mathematics phobia among learners.

She explained that after the training, the teachers would be able to Identify and evaluate the essential qualities of an effective mathematics teacher.

This, she said, would enable the teachers to reflect on how these traits influence students’ engagement and learning outcomes in their various classes.

She added that the teachers would also be able to recognise and differentiate between various learner types – visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, reading/writing and digital, and adapt teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.

“The teachers will equally apply learner-centred strategies that promote critical thinking and problem-solving in early mathematics education.

“They will also analyse and design effective mathematics lesson plans, using best practices, tailored to young learners’ developmental stages.

“Also, the teachers would be able to demonstrate how to integrate real-life applications and hands-on activities into mathematics lessons to enhance relevance and retention.

Ode said that the training, which began with 12 teachers from Elison Academy, Kaduna, would be scaled up to cover many mathematics teachers across different schools across the state.

The Lead Facilitator, Ms Jane Odeh, said that the training integrates hands-on methodologies commonly practiced in the United States, with the rich teaching practices in Nigeria.

Odeh is a mathematics lecturer at Benue State University and a PhD student in Industrial and Computational Mathematics at Morgan State University, Maryland, United States.

According to her, the hybrid approach holds great promise in improving children’s learning outcomes, making mathematics easier to understand and more relevant and engaging.

“We explored practical strategies to make mathematics more accessible and relatable by connecting it to everyday life.

“This shift from rote learning to real-life application empowers students to develop critical 21st-century skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and analytical thinking that are vital for the future of work.”

She expressed concern that performance trends in national examinations, including the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination indicate the urgent need to reform Nigeria’s educational practices, especially in core subjects like mathematics.

“This is not just an academic concern; it is a call to invest meaningfully in Nigeria’s educational sector to build a more competent and competitive future workforce,” she said.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Ihifix Innovation Hub, Mr Emmanuel Adikpe, said that integrating 21st century skills in the classroom strengthens the teaching methods and strategies of educators.

“This in the long run, will prepare learners for future jobs.

“Ihifix is passionate about education and would continue to support programmes that contribute to nation-building,” Adikpe said.

One of the teachers, Blessing James, a Kindergarten II teacher, said the training was her first since she was recruited to teach in the school.

James added that she had learned new methods of teaching mathematics to young learners.

“The training broadened my knowledge on how to teach my pupils, using their curiosity to engage them.

“I look forward to more training like this to learn more,” she said.

Similarly, a primary four and five mathematics teacher, Emmanuel Adawba, equally said that it was his first time participating in such training, which he described as “very educational”.

“I have learned new strategies of making mathematics easier for the pupils, particularly how to adopt play into teaching mathematics to make it more fun,” he said.

The Head Teacher of the school, Mr Enoch Agang, thanked the foundation for the support, toward helping learners to understand and embrace mathematics.

He noted the need to adopt the use of instructional and other teaching aids to make the teaching of the subject more engaging and interesting. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

Egypt trains 13,555 dental interns to enhance oral healthcare nationwide

Egypt trains 13,555 dental interns to enhance oral healthcare nationwide

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In line with Egypt’s national strategy to advance dental healthcare and promote public health, the Ministry of Health and Population has announced the successful training of 13,555 dental interns across all governorates in 2024.

The initiative covered multiple key disciplines, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, conservative dentistry, endodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, and dental technology, as reported by the Middle East News Agency (MENA), a partner of TV BRICS.

According to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the ministry, the training programme was launched under the Ministry of Health and Population with the aim of enhancing the scientific and clinical expertise of dental interns.

It was also launched in order to equip the interns with practical skills to navigate the demands of the healthcare sector through a structured and comprehensive programme.

The ministry confirmed that the trained interns – graduates of public and private universities – were deployed across hospitals and health units affiliated with regional health directorates.

In addition to clinical placements, the programme included scientific seminars, the development of a detailed training manual, and mechanisms to ensure the fair distribution of interns across the country.

This initiative supports the readiness of young dentists to enter the workforce and respond effectively to medical challenges.

MENA further reported that no fewer than 9,950 dentists were officially assigned to duty during the same year.

Alongside training and deployment, the ministry extended community outreach services to more than two million citizens, aiming to promote oral hygiene and prevent infections, tooth decay, and gum disease. (TV BRICS/NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Group trains 30,000 students in environmental sustainability

Group trains 30,000 students in environmental sustainability

515 total views today

By Mercy Omoike

The Foundation for a Better Foundation (FABE foundation) has trained over 30,000 schoolchildren in environmental sustainability skills through its EcoschoolNg project introduced in 2016.

The founder, FABE foundation and convener of the EcoschoolNg project, Mrs Temitope Okunnu, said this at the project’s 2024 closeout ceremony on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EcoSchoolsNG initiative was borne out of a vision to empower young people with knowledge, skills, and mindset to become champions of sustainability, stewards of the environment, and pioneers of the circular economy.

The project is being sponsored by Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation (ACT Foundation) Access bank to promote environmental sustainability.

In her welcome remarks, Okunnu reiterated the importance of collaboration and commitment to raise young eco-conscious leaders of tomorrow.

“It is with immense joy, pride, and gratitude that we welcome you to the EcoSchoolsNG Close-out Ceremony. It marks 10 months of hard work and commitment to sustainability and climate action.

“We are celebrating the completion of a programme and witnessing the birth of a new generation of eco-conscious leaders, climate advocates, green entrepreneurs and Eco-Ambassadors ready to take bold steps in protecting our environment and shaping a more sustainable future for Nigeria and beyond.

“Over the past 10 months, these students have been engaged in hands-on learning experiences, gaining real-world insights into waste-to-wealth solutions, climate action strategies, conservation practices, and eco-preneurial business models.

“20 secondary schools across different communities engaged in sustainability education, with hundreds of students trained in environmental responsibility,” Okunnu said.

She restated the need for commitment to ensuring environmental sustainability,

“Let us commit to being not just spectators but active participants in the fight against climate change.

“The fight against climate change is not something we can put off for the future. The reality is that no one is immune from the impacts of climate change.

“That is why it is no longer enough to simply talk about sustainability—we must act.

“Hence, we want to take this moment to call upon everyone here today—our partners, donors, corporate leaders, and policymakers—to join us in taking EcoSchoolsNG to the next level,” she said.

Addressing the participants of the EcoschoolNg project, Mrs Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, urged the students to be worthy eco-ambassadors.

“Since 2016, EcoschoolNg project has trained and empowered over 30,000 students, youths, and women, a testament to what happens when knowledge meets action.

“You students have learned how to turn plastic waste into useful materials, how food scraps can become rich compost, and how even an old tire can have a second life.

“You are the superheroes our planet needs. Just like how superheroes save the day, you are saving our environment, one recycled bottle, one compost heap, one eco-garden at a time.

“This is what the circular economy is all about, not just reducing waste, but turning it into something valuable.

“The skills you have learned here are tools for life. You can be the generation that makes Lagos, Nigeria, and the world more sustainable,” Oshodi said.

On his part, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, represented by Mrs Bolaji Badru, commended the foundation’s efforts in training the children.

“We are here to celebrate the remarkable success of the EcoschoolNg project, an inspiring initiative of FABE foundation, that has been at the forefront of advancing environmental sustainability in Lagos State.

“This ground-breaking project has not only instilled eco-conscious values in young minds but has also empowered students and teachers with practical skills in sustainable living thereby paving a way for a greener, healthier and more prosperous future.

“We are shaping eco-conscious leaders who will champion sustainability across communities by equipping the next generation with knowledge in conservation, recycling and environmental stewardship.

“Through innovation and dedication the Conchology project has nurtured a generation committed to lasting solutions for climate change and pollution we face today.

“Let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to protect and preserve our environment. Together through collaboration and commitment we can drive lasting change and build sustainable future for generations to come,” Tajudeen said.

Partners and sponsors of the EcoschoolNg project, Mrs Abiodun Owo, Programmes Manager at Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation, commended the innovation.

“We are very proud of what FABE Foundation is doing with young people on environmental sustainability.

“The impact of this training will result in a more, a greener environment, more trees planted, where we have more organic foods being produced.

“ We will no longer have single-use products, but then those products can also be put into other use.

“And at the end of the day, we will be protecting our planet, which is the long-term goal for climate action,” Owo said. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Commission calls for inclusion of PwDs in Nigeria’s renewable energy initiative 

Commission calls for inclusion of PwDs in Nigeria’s renewable energy initiative 

482 total views today

By Ahmed Musa

Mr Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), has urged stakeholders to include Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Nigeria’s renewable energy initiatives.

Gufwan made the call during a meeting with Anita Adeyemi, Vice President of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance (REEEA-A), on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting aims to promote the inclusion of PwDs in the renewable energy sector, with plans to provide training in areas such as solar panel installation.

“This partnership will offer training programmes to equip PwDs with skills in solar energy installation, maintenance, and entrepreneurship,” Gufwan stated.

He explained that the growing population of PwDs required concerted efforts to engage them in various sectors of the national economy.

Gufwan further emphasised that the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector necessitated the representation of PwDs, aligning with the inclusion policy drive of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“This partnership will open new doors for persons with disabilities in the renewable energy space, from access to solar energy solutions to skills development and entrepreneurial opportunities,” he said.

He also mentioned that upcoming national and international renewable energy conferences, including the Brazil Climate Action Summit, would focus on assessing the clean energy needs of PwDs across different disability clusters.

“The transition to clean energy must be inclusive and sustainable, so we call on all stakeholders to join us in making renewable energy accessible to persons with disabilities,” Gufwan added.

He assured Adeyemi of the commission’s commitment to raising awareness and promoting increased inclusion of PwDs in government-backed renewable energy programmes.

“We are committed to ensuring PwDs are not left behind in Nigeria’s clean energy future,” Gufwan added.

In response, Adeyemi highlighted the lack of representation of PwDs in the clean and renewable energy sector.

She noted that in most climate action and renewable energy discussions, persons with disabilities were either absent or not given defined roles to share their views.

“The situation remains the same in spite of Nigeria’s advocacy for clean energy adoption, and PwDs remain largely excluded from participation and access.

“We must work together to ensure they have access to sustainable energy solutions and economic empowerment within the sector.”(NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu and Abiemwense Moru

Niger, NGOs train 10,000 youths on financial literacy

Niger, NGOs train 10,000 youths on financial literacy

491 total views today

 

By Rita Iliya

Niger Government says it will train no fewer than 10,000 youths, particularly young women, on financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Minna on Saturday that the training is in partnership with two NGOs; Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) and MasterCard Foundation.

 

At the inauguration of the online training tagged: ‘Transforming Nigerian Youth Programme (TNY)’, Mrs Hauwa Bako, Special Adviser to Niger Governor on Social Investment Programme, said the programme would equip youths with entrepreneurial business management skills.

 

Bako said that the programme was aimed at enhancing young entrepreneurs’ mindsets for transformation, employability and management capacity development.

 

“The programme is designed for mostly young female entrepreneurs and aspiring businesswomen offering both online and in-person training sessions to foster entrepreneurial skills to succeed.

 

“The programme provides 60 per cent online and 40 per cent offline training, targeting 80 per cent young female and 20 per cent male entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35,” she said.

 

According to her, the online training is open to all Niger residents, and interested persons can register via the link: bit.ly/tny25niger.

 

She said benefits of the programme include business growth and mentorship, business registration and branding support, job placement and entrepreneurship linkages and certification.

 

In her remarks, the state’s Commissioner for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), Mrs Elizabeth Shaba, noted that “the programme package does not include starter packs, business grants or loans.”

 

Also speaking, Mrs Halima Rabiu from EDC, explained that the programme could also be done 100 per cent online, and participants can learn at their own pace.

 

“The courses are easy to understand, and we also have community physical learning for the state government to bring the women together to learn through zones,” she said.

 

Similarly, Mr Olawale Anifowose, Director Programmes and Partnerships of MasterCard Foundation, disclosed that the programme was designed for 10,000 entrepreneurs in Niger State, focusing on micro enterprises.

 

“The programme promises to build on past successes, offering an enhanced curriculum that covers critical areas such as business planning, financial management, marketing and digital skills,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike/Ismail Abdulaziz

Association empowers 40 dairy farmers to enhance local milk production

Association empowers 40 dairy farmers to enhance local milk production

471 total views today

By lucy Ogalue

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANT) has commenced training for 40 dairy farmers to enhance local milk production in the country.

The training is also aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on milk imports, which cost the country approximately 2.5 billion dollars annually.

Dr Ken Okoha, President of NANT, said this at the association’s two-day capacity building workshop on milk production, handling and business management on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Okoha, the initiative is part of efforts to promote self-sufficiency in the dairy sector by equipping farmers with modern and hygienic milk production techniques.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria statistics from 2020 showed that Nigeria spent about 1.5 billion dollars on milk imports.

”It is a paradox that in spite of being the largest livestock producer in West Africa, we still rely heavily on imported dairy products.

“This training, held at our livestock production facility near the University of Abuja, aims to introduce small-scale dairy farmers to best practices in milk hygiene, processing, and storage,” Okoha said.

According to him, participants will be equipped with essential protective gears like boots, gloves, and nose masks after the training.

He said that this was to ensure that the milk quality met regulatory standards set by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

“In addition to training, we have provided cold storage facilities, motorcycles, and monitoring vehicles to help ensure proper milk handling and transportation from remote communities,” he said.

Okoha said that the project was designed to empower local dairy farmers by providing market access and off-take agreements, ensuring that they had a stable income.

“We are also engaging final-year agricultural students from the University of Abuja to gain practical experience from the factory.

“This initiative will enable them to transition from theoretical knowledge to becoming agripreneurs and entrepreneurs in the livestock sector.

“This collaborative effort seeks to transform Nigeria’s dairy industry, reduce import dependency, and promote economic growth within the agricultural sector,” he said.

According to the NANT president, each participant is expected to train at least 25 other farmers after which the trainer will be certified.

As part of the sustainability plan, he said that NANT had set up milling facilities for maize, rice, and sorghum processing, allowing farmers to produce animal feed locally and reduce reliance on external sources.

Also speaking, Ibrahim Jibrin, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Zuba Zone, described the programme as a transformative effort for dairy farmers.

“This is something we longed for but have never seen before.

“With the training and modern equipment, our people can now produce quality milk that meets industry standards and companies will buy from us. We appreciate this support,” he said.  (NAN)

Edited by Franca Ofili/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Coy trains 100 almajiris on skills in Kaduna

Coy trains 100 almajiris on skills in Kaduna

396 total views today

By Sani Idris

A firm, Nutriment Investment Hub Ltd, on Thursday began a three-month training of 100 teenage Almajiris on various skills in Kaduna.

Amlajiris are children who leave their families to study Islam in Qur’anic schools, mostly in the northern part of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company is a subsidiary of Nutriment Feeds and Nutriment Holdings.

The Almajiri children would be trained on alternative farming, which is sack farming and gardening, livestock, poultry farming, shoe cobbling, soap and pomade making, among others.

Mr Dauda Oche, the Group’s Head of the company, said they organised the programme tagged, “Almajiri Lets Farm”, as a corporate social responsibility.

Oche said that the firm had realised that there were a lot of things that they needed to do as a company.

He explained that the programme was a community-based initiative designed to empower the almajiri children with practical agricultural and life skills through practical training.

According to Oche, the programme seeks to provide the almajiri children with sustainable
skills that could enhance their food security, self-sufficiency and long-term livelihood opportunities.

He, therefore, said the programme was aimed at introducing the children to agriculture and enhancing their self-sufficiency.

This is by providing life-long skills, encouraging environmental sustainability and
fostering community involvement.

Oche emphasised: “The aim is not for people to come as aid to support the Almajiris, but to collaborate with the stakeholders for a sustainable outcome for the future of the Almajiris.

“For us, we are not saying that philanthropists should come and give us money for free, that era is over.

“We want to see an era of collaboration, because we believe that the almajiris have dignity, talents and intelligence.”

Speaking further, Oche said they met some institutions like the Kaduna Polytechnic where they sought for 70 hectares of land for cultivation based on the training of the almajiris.

He said that they have had some training on precision agriculture where they could farm sorghum, maize, millet and soybeans.

Oche disclosed that the organisation was looking for the possibilities of empowering about 10, 000 almajiris in the nearest future.

He said, according to the World Health Organisation, about 8.5 to 10 million almajiris constitute 70 per cent of the out-of-school children.

Oche said, “If you empower that number, you can imagine the food security that will come instead of running about in the streets going from one place to the other.

“We realised that they will be more productive to the society and to themselves.

“If an almajiri can farm 22 tubers of yam, it could take care of the carbohydrate requirements for 365 days which is sufficient for the almajiri.

“If we put eight to 10 million Almajiris into such production, it will solve 10 to 20 per cent of carbohydrates requirements of the nation,”he said.

Oche said that a country like Brazil that has a population of 220 million people, earns about 100 million metric tonnes of grains from farming.

He, therefore, said Nigeria, which has a population of about 230 million people and an average of production of 11.5 million metric tonnes, showed a lot of deficits.

“The size of arable lands that we are utilising is less than 50 per cent. with this initiative, I believe we can do much more,”he explained.

Earlier, the Chairman, Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Mahmoud Lawal, commended the organisation for empowering the almajiris.

He restated the government’s commitment to supporting such programmes, ensuring that almajiri children acquired skills for self-sufficiency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the training’s duration is for three months.

It will take place simultaneously at Unguwar Rimi, Badarawa, Babban Saura, Rigasa and Badiko.(NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

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