Transformation - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Mar, Wed, 2025

AfDB, IITA sign $27m agreement to boost agricultural transformation in Africa

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By Lucy Ogalue

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on Wednesday signed the 27 million dollars agreement to finance the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Phase II programme.

Dr Abdul Kamara, the Director-General, Nigeria AfDB Group, who said this at the signing ceremony, reaffirmed the AfDB’s commitment to advancing agricultural transformation across Africa.

Kamara said the agreement aligns with its Feed Africa strategy, which seeks to boost smallholder farmers’ productivity and enhance food security.

He said the additional financing built on the 40 million dollars provided for Phase I of TAAT would focus on expanding access to agricultural technologies for over 40 million smallholder farmers across the continent.

According to him, the TAAT programme is not just an agricultural initiative but a transformational effort aimed at enhancing food security, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

”This Additional Financing of the TAAT Programme, is building on Phase I, which the Bank funded with 40 million dollars, and Phase II with 27 million dollars implemented by IITА (as lead implementer), working closely with other CGIAR Centers and National Agricultural Research Institutions in many countries.

“This Additional Financing of the TAAT Phase II Programme is financed with a five million Euro grant from the Donor Contributions Window of the Transition Support Facility (TSF), thanks to the generous contribution of the Federal Republic of Germany.

“TAAT Phase II will focus on empowering low-income African countries by increasing productivity, strengthening food systems, improving farmers’ incomes, and positioning Africa to become a net food exporter.”

The director-general added that the programme would support activities such as farmer capacity building, digital agriculture solutions, extension services, and private sector investment in agricultural value chains.

He reiterated AfDB’s commitment to supporting agricultural research and innovation to drive Africa’s food security agenda, emphasising that TAAT remained a key instrument in achieving the continent’s long-term agricultural goals.

Also speaking, the IITA Director-General, Dr Simeon Ehui, commended AfDB for its sustained partnership and leadership in driving Africa’s agricultural transformation.

Ehui reaffirmed IITA’s commitment to working with CGIAR Centers, National Agricultural Research Institutions, and the private sector to ensure the success of the programme.

According to Ehui, TAAT has already demonstrated the power of science-driven solutions in improving productivity, strengthening food systems, and enhancing farmers’ resilience to climate change.

He highlighted the successes of TAAT Phase I, which included the facilitation of the scaling of improved seed varieties, climate-smart practices, and mechanisation solutions to millions of farmers.

For Phase II, he said efforts would focus on accelerating the deployment of agricultural technologies, strengthening partnerships, promoting youth and women engagement in agribusiness, and enhancing food and nutrition security.

“With this grant, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering impact-driven agricultural solutions. The journey ahead requires sustained investment, policy support, and strong collaboration,” IITA director-general said.

He said that IITA would continue working closely with AfDB and other stakeholders to ensure the programme contributes to reduction of food imports and unlocks Africa’s agricultural potential. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jan, Sun, 2025

Metro

Gwagwalada residents laud Wike’s rural transformation projects

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By Philip Yatai

Some residents of Gwagwalada in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s rural transformation projects.

The residents gave the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gwagwalada on Sunday.

NAN recalls that Wike had on Feb. 1, 2024, inaugurated the construction of nine-kilometre Paikon Kore to Ibwa road in Gwagwalada.

Wike had explained that the project was one of several road projects to be constructed in rural areas across the six area councils of the FCT.

He added that the projects were designed to make rural dwellers comfortable and open rural communities for development.

Eight months later, the Minister, again, inaugurated the rehabilitation of the Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market Road, also in Gwagwalada.

The residents described the projects as “life changing”, adding that the impact on the socio-economic life of the people was overwhelming.

One of them, Mr Ibrahim Makeri, particularly said that the completed Paikon Kore – Ibwa road would impact significantly on agricultural production in the area.

Makeri added that before the road was constructed, most residents along the road corridor were cut off from Paikon Kore during the rainy season, due to flooding water.

He said that pupils who transited primary schools in Ibwa to junior secondary schools located in Paikon Kore were majorly affected.

The resident explained that most of the children do not go to school during rainy season because the rains usually flooded the road.

“With the road successfully constructed, anybody can go wherever he or she wishes to go,” he said.

Makeri appealed to the minister to extend the road beyond Ibwa to connect 70 other communities along the road corridor.

Senior Project Manager, Setraco Nig. Ltd, Mr Senaka Rupanetti (2nd right) and some locals, employed by the company for the execution of Paikon Kore – Ibwa road in Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT

The story was no different for Japhet Adamu, 23, Daniel Gaji, 20, and Yahaya Abdullahi, who were among the 75 locals employed by Setraco Nigeria Ltd, while executing the projects.

They told NAN that the development had transformed their lives for good.

Abdullahi, who held a Higher National Diploma in Quantity Survey, said he was recruited as one of the surveyors, adding that it was his first major job since graduation several years ago.

The Senior Project Manager of the company, Mr Senaka Rupanetti, told NAN that the project was completed in December 2024, two weeks before the delivery date.

Rupanetti explained that the nine-kilometre toad project, with about 17 culverts, was delivered before the delivery timeline because Wike ensured that they get paid on time.

Speaking on the Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market Road project, the affected residents on the market road corridor said that the project has turned things around in the area.

One of them, Mr Charles Eyo, who sells curtains, window blinds and other accessories on the road corridor, said that the road project has revamped businesses in the area.

“I have been paying rent for the past four years without making profit because the road was abandoned, leading to closure of most businesses.

“However, businesses are springing back to life since the commencement of the road project, and we thank Wike for that,” he said.

The ongoing construction of Market Road in Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT

Also, Mr Obi Nicodemus, who sells traveling bags, said politicians have been using the road to campaign for votes only to turn their back once they were voted into office.

“We are happy that Wike has finally wiped our tears and as you can see, businesses are coming back to life due to the ongoing road project,” he said.

Similarly, an Okada rider, Mr Monday Onoja said, “for ten years we have been suffering from this road, even those walking on legs finds it difficult to walk on the muddy road.

“We are grateful to Wike for smiling at us.”

The contractor, Mr Ebere Owhonda, Executive Director, Okmas Nig. Ltd, said that the project, expected to be completed in August had reached 40 per cent completion.

On his part, one of the community leaders, Mr Umar Abubakar, commended Wike for the resilience to improve the quality of life of rural dwellers.

Abubakar said that the Paokon Kore and that market road projects were abandoned by the previous administration.

‘However, in less than two years, Wike has done remarkably well for the people of Gwagwalada,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Wed, 2024

General News

Foundation advocates transformation of rural communities to tackle youth migration

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By Ahmed Musa

Mr Emmanuel Obiabo, Executive Director of Statecraft Foundation, has emphasised the need for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration to prioritise transformation of rural communities to address increasing rate of youth migration.

Obiabo made this appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting with FCT Community Youth Associations in Abuja, focusing on enhancing service delivery in rural communities.

The meeting with the theme, “Promoting Active Citizenship and Leadership Development in FCT,” highlighted the importance of good governance in facilitating development.

Obiabo stressed that providing basic infrastructure in rural communities would significantly address challenges associated with youth migration.

“Some FCT rural communities lack Primary Healthcare Centres, power supply, and access to clean water.

“These gaps must be addressed to ensure the well-being of rural dwellers.

“The objective of the meeting is to facilitate commitments from stakeholders on addressing identified gaps, opportunities, and strategies related to infrastructure and service delivery in FCT rural communities.

“This includes education, primary healthcare, food, water, sanitation, power supply, and economic empowerment,” Obiabo said.

Mr Iliya Philip, Secretary of Ijah-Pada Community in Kwali Area Council, representing the youth, commended the foundation’s efforts in highlighting the community’s challenges.

Philip lamented the deplorable condition of roads and healthcare facilities in the community, appealing to the FCT Administration to expedite action towards revitalising the infrastructure deficit.

“While the FCT Administration has made efforts to improve infrastructure gaps in rural communities, including the inauguration of several roads in Kwali, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Bwari, Abaji, and Abuja Municipal Area Council, more needs to be done.

“This is especially in areas like Abattoir, Naharati, Rafi-Zurfi, Lanto, Kuyami, Sabo-Iddo, Peyi, Pambara, and Jigo”.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Tosin Kolade
Nov, Sun, 2024

General News

Media experts to harness AI for broadcasting transformation

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By Taiye Agbaje

Media experts have converged as part of efforts to revolutionalise the broadcasting industry by harnessing the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Women Radio 91.7FM, Toun Sonaiya, made this known at an AI Radio Summit organised in Lagos and monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) virtually in Abuja.

The summit, titled: “Smart Radio: Leveraging AI for Next-Gen Broadcasting,” also had a sub-theme: “An intersection of AI and Future of Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria.”

The event, which was organised by Women Radio in partnership with Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), was also to unveil an AI generated radio host called, “NIMI.”

Sonaiya, while speaking, said the programme was aimed at unlocking the future of radio broadcasting as the experts explore how AI could enhance audience engagement, streamline audio content production and boost operational efficiency through smart editing and data analysis.

“For me, as I reflect on the remarkable progress of Women Radio 91.7FM, I am reminded of my own journey growing up without mobile phones and the internet.

“And I am trilled by the possibilities AI brings. At Women Radio 91.7FM, we have intentionally embraced this new era with our team, not only welcoming new innovation but leading it.

“We are leveraging AI in presentation, voice overs, news editing, content creation and automation.

“We are re-emerging radio to connect with our audience.

“As a pioneer in AI Radio broadcast, our mission is to inspire others into AI skills.

“AI Radio is the future and the future today is now,” she said.

Sonaiya urged media practitioners to embrace AI for sustainable innovation and growth, and to unlock the future of radio broadcasting.

Adedeji Adekunle, the Programmes Director, Nigeria Media Innovation Programme, who spoke virtually, said AI affects the experience of the staff in an organisation and also provides opportunity for business as media entrepreneurs to be enriched.

“If you are a radio or broadcast professionals here or a business owner, you have to consider what AI can do for you,” he said.

Adekunle urged media practitioners to explore various uses of AI and how they affect the experience of their audience.

He, however, called for an internal, organisational AI policy to guide how the practitioners work due to privacy concerns.

“Let’s put together policy that enhances our work and protects the integrity of what we do,” he added.

Stellamaris Okebu, the Business Programme Manager, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, enumerated the benefits of AI.

She said AI would help to analyse one’s data and to know who the listeners are, their age group and how to serve them best.

“It can also help you to analyse trending topics on radio

“Generally from a technology perspective, AI basically helps us to enhance our jobs.

“It will help us significantly for the next generation to get job done quickly, easier and to be more efficient,” she said.

Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Media and Publicity, said AI radio summit represented a significant milestone in the industry.

“It brings together passionate individuals and organisations dedicated to pioneering advancements in the world of broadcasting

“Women Radio 91.7FM has demonstrated remarkable commitment to harnessing the power of the artificial intelligence for social impact .

“The introduction of ‘NIMI’ AI, Nigeria’s first AI radio host and interactive virtual assistant, is a clear testament to the limitless potential of AI in enhancing how we engage with our audiences and deliver compelling content.

“‘NIMI’ AI not only represents technological innovation but also serves as role model for what can be achieved when creativity meets technology,” he said.

Akosile said he believed that the summit would delve into important discussion surrounding AI ethics and the opportunities that it presents toward ensuring a more inclusive and more innovative radio industry that prioritises the needs and voices of all community members.

He said Lagos State had invested heavily in a smart city project which is aimed at transforming the entire technology ecosystem from what it is today to what everyone desires.

The governor’s side, who commended Women Radio, said the state was ready to partner with the radio station for a better future and development of the ecosystem.

“Therefore, let us leverage AI boundless potential to transform the landscape of Nigeria radio broadcasting for the better,” he said.

NAN reports that the event was attended by many media professionals, including the CEO of CJID, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza