By Oluwabukola Akanni

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), says new seed production techniques could be a major source of wealth and livelihood for women.

Prof. Lateef Sanni, BASICS-II Project Manager, IITA, stated this at a three-day Oyo State Women Entrepreneurship Summit, tagged; Women Rise Up, in Ibadan.

Sanni said that with seed production, women could earn money without necessarily owning a farm or going to one.

Women can make seed production and cultivation of seeds an economic opportunity.

For example, with the high yielding cassava seed varieties, if you invest between N150,000 to N200,000 per hectare, you need about 20 tons of the seed per hectare, it is possible to make up to N800,000 from your investment, he said.

According to him, IITA is willing to train the women, help them to produce, market and give them access to quality seeds.

He further said IITA was seeking to promote the cultivation of improved seed varieties, to address growing demand, and for economically sustainable agriculture.

At the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), we are trying to encourage quality seed production.

How we are planting in the country at present is not sustainable, sustainable seed production has become imperative to meet the demand for certified seed varieties; and this is an economic opportunity for our women.

From new seed production techniques, we can get new clones of cassava varieties, yam, maize and soybeans. These seeds are yielding varieties and also disease-free.

This is how we can increase our productivity, our productivity for maize is currently revolving around two to three tons per hectare, while cassava keeps on moving around eight to 11 tons per hectare.

Whereas with new varieties, you can have up to 20 to 30 tons per hectare for cassava; and maize from five to 15 tons per hectare, he said.

Princess Aderonke Adedoja, convener of the summit, said that if women were financially self-sufficient, they would not only improve their household incomes, but also contribute meaningfully to the countrys economic growth. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Deborah Coker
The Federal Government says it has identified the Atlantique Marine Engineering Services, Edo Inland Container Dry Port (AMES-Edo Inland Container Dry Port) as a potential Domestic Export Warehouse (DEW).

Mr Segun Awolowo, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), disclosed this on Thursday after inspecting the AMES-Edo Inland Container Dry Port facility at Agbonmoba community near Benin.

Represented by Mr Afolabi Bello, an Assistant Director in the council, Awolowo said that the Federal Government Agencies concerned with Agro export and other exports were at the facility to do some inspection and verify the potentialities that exists in the dry port.

It might not be 100 per cent ready, but if the gaps that requires intervention are not enough to stop it as DEW, then it will become qualified.

Because of the strategic position and location of AMES-Edo to the South South and South East, we will also be looking at how we can intervene in filling any gap identified.

We believe that with commitment from the operators and other partners in filling any gap identified, AMES-Edo Inland Container Dry Port can qualify for DEW within the second quarter, he said.

He also explained that DEW was birthed to address and mitigate the constraints and challenges, especially in the area of logistics experienced by Nigerian exporters.

He also said it was to remove the constraints hindering quick delivery of export produce to buyers outside the country.

Earlier, Dr Charles Akhigbe, MD/CEO AMES-Edo, promoters of the Inland Container Dry Port, said that the facility was positioned as both a cluster-based centre, as well as geographical location-based centre.

Akhigbe disclosed that there were 478 catchment local government areas across 23 states for the facility.

He noted that the state was already connected to the trans Sahelian and the ECOWAS trade route, adding every economic index favoured the facility.

He disclosed that the Inland Container Dry Port implementation committee had started work, noting that it showed that the project was one step away from the Federal Executive Council approval.

Akhigbe further said that the desired model for the dry port was the Public, Private, Associate Partnership (PPAP).

He added that the process in the port would be technology driven.

Meanwhile, Mr Kelvin Uwaibi, Head Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), who represented the state government said that the government was anxious to see the dry port commence operations.

He noted that the country could not remain input dependent especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that the state was an agrarian state with lots of produce for export, noting also that the state was lucky as its produce were been sort after globally.

We must get export right; we must begin to think of the future of our kids. We need to start export formally using guided rules, just as we need a rethink to make things work.

We will use AMES-Edo as a pilot to make export work. Export is a business that must be sustained, he said.

Mr Goke Badmus, Head Export Seat, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Edo/Delta gave assurance that the NCS would ensure that the port comes into functioning.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other Federal Government Agencies present at the inspection include the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, Standard Organisation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Shippers Council.

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, has solicited the support and trust of the National Assembly for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies in their task of defending the nation against adversaries.

The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Friday, said that Irabor made the appeal when the House Committee on Defence paid an oversight visit to the Defence Headquarters on Thursday.

Irabor urged members of the House of Representatives, particularly, the House Committee on Defence to continue to show understanding and trust to the armed forces and other security agencies, who are burdened with the responsibility of keeping the country safe.

He commended the committee members for their zeal towards ensuring the AFN executes its operational mandates and other engagements.

The CDS assured the legislators of the commitment of the military in actualising the directive of the Commander-in-Chief towards ensuring the country is safe and secured for its citizens.

He pledged to continue to work tirelessly in ensuring the needed security was provided for Nigerians.

According to him, in recent times, the troops have been recording tremendous successes in the various theatres across the country.

The AFN under my watch, will continue to build the combat readiness of its personnel to optimally perform their constitutional role as professional men and women, he said.

The Chairman, House Committee, Mr Babajimi Benson, pledged the readiness of the committee to provide the requisite support for the AFN to succeed in tackling the security challenges bedeviling the nation.

Benson expressed hope that the visit would yield the desired goal of improving security of lives and property, as well as service delivery in the military. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army says troops of Operation Hadarin Daji successfully thwarted a kidnap activity of bandits, by killing scores at Kabasa village in Magami Local Government of Zamfara on Tuesday.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Yerima said that troops of Sector 3 stormed the village following a credible tip-off about the bandits attack on the local residents.

He said the timely arrival of troops forestalled a deadly kidnap and plundering operations by the bandits.

Yerima added that the bandits were swiftly engaged by troops who successfully neutralised scores while others escaped into the forest with bullet wounds.

According to him, one soldier paid the supreme sacrifice while three others who sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter are receiving medical treatment.

Yerima said that the troops had dominated the general area with aggressive patrols as well as further exploitation and pursuit of the bandits into the forest.

The spokesperson disclosed that troops also responded to a distress call that bandits were attacking Gidan Goga village in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

He said that troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the bandits with superior fire power, killing three while others fled with gunshot wounds.

Yerima disclosed that troops conducting fighting patrol in Birnin Gwari area rescued two female victims kidnapped 22 days ago from Kuyallo village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to him, the victims have been given medical treatment while waiting to be reunited with their families.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has already congratulated the gallant troops.

He also charged them to keep up the momentum until the entire North West zone is rid of armed bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers and sundry violent crimes.

He thanked the villagers for the credible and timely information they provided the troops which made their operations successful.

The COAS said the patriotic action of the villagers who saw something and reported to the troops should be emulated by others so that the activities of bandits will be nipped in the bud, Yerima said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have urged stakeholders to implement policies and action plans to ensure more inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for more effective participation in the society.

They advocated for this on Thursday, during the virtual commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, organized by the ECOWAS Commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this years commemoration is titled: From COVID-19 Towards a Sustainable and Resilient ECOWAS for All Persons with Disabilities; Leave No One Behind.

Dr Siga Jagne, ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, said that ECOWAS Commission urged stakeholders to ensure that all areas of their works consider the inclusion of persons with disabilities for their effective participation in communicating.

Jagne said that stakeholders works should also reflect institutional and personal commitments of Persons with Disabilities and further coordinate to guarantee their dignity and rights which are fundamental.

The ECOWAS Commission plays a strategic goal in promoting social inclusion in the region.

It is worth mentioning that the Commission has initiated a Regional Study on disability inclusion in the ECOWAS region which will culminate in the formulation of a Regional Action Plan on Disability.

The rights of persons with disabilities have gained more recognition than ever before in recent times, and especially within the ECOWAS space, particularly in the areas of education and sports, she said.

She also said that the commemoration of Disability Day is one of the platforms the Commission is utilizing to ensure that action is taken to mainstream disability into development planning in the region.

There are areas which need more improvement, such as public transport, public health services and other accessibility services to enable persons with different disabilities to enjoy their human rights the same way as persons without disabilities.

Some of the critical areas of improvement include physical accessibility, usability, personal communication and access to information, Jagne said.

She noted that the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is deepening pre-existing inequalities, exposing the extent of exclusion and highlighting that work on disability inclusion is overbearing.

She explained that Physical distancing and movement restrictions implemented, including lock downs, gathering restrictions and night-time curfews, meant that different arrangements have to be made for persons living with disabilities.

This, she said, is very necessary, as Persons with Disabilities rely on personal assistants services to continue living their daily lives with the support they need.

Mr Lefhoko Kesamang, Representative of the African Union Commission, said that there will be no sustainable development in ECOWAS unless Persons with disabilities are taken on board.

Kesamang said the African Union, realizing the importance of inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the society, would developed the Africa disability architecture.

He said the framework was developed to drive the issues of disability; Disability rights in Africa and welfare of persons with disability in Africa to the Africa we want and to the ECOWAS of the People.

The African Union developed policies which we have shared with ECOWAS and we are looking forward to ensure that we support ECOWAS to develop their own policies.

The first policy, the African Union Disability Strategic Framework which was adopted in 2019, is the overacting policy of the African Union on how to deal with disability rights and inclusion across the continent.

Almost equivalent of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and we also have the protocol which has been signed in only seven countries and we are looking forward for it to be ratified.

And we are looking forward to the support and collaboration of ECOWAS to ensure that all Member States ratify this protocol so that it comes to force, Kesamang said.

Mrs Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase, President, Deaf Women Association of Nigeria, said that the disability community is faced with a lot of challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic and protocols have even made things more difficult for them.

Beyioku-Alase, however, urged for legislation that would ensure more inclusion of persons with disabilities in the society.

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The Minister of Women Affairs Mrs Pauline Tallen, has urged stakeholders to mobilise resources and establish partnership that will promote gender equality and develop rural women in Nigeria.

Tallen, made the call in Abuja, while engaging with rural women in Karshi community, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), FCT as part of events to commemorate the International Women Month.

Inequality rate in the society has greatly impacted on the development and advancement of rural women thus the need to bridge the gap through intense advocacies and sensitisations.

I urge all stakeholders present to continue to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure that gender equality is achieved in Nigeria.

Especially in the area of creating synergy, strategies of mobilizing resources and establishing good partnership to overcoming challenges of rural women in Nigeria, she said.

The minister also stressed the need for all stakeholders to carry out advocacies on the need for girl-child education, antenatal care and child immunisation and effects of harmful traditional practices.

We want to engage wives of our traditional rulers for our advocacy to talk to women to make sure the girl child education is properly addressed, female genital mutilation is properly addressed and making sure they take their children for antenatal care she said

Tallen, also, advised women to ensure a peaceful and healthy society by inculcating sound moral instruction into their children, which will be reflected in the society.

Also speaking, Mrs Halima Mohammed, wife of the Chief of Karshi, assured the government that the council will sustain the advocacies on the importance of girl-child education, as it was fundamental in realising gender equality.

We have been reechoing what the minister said on the girl child education. You cannot quantify it because once you educate a girl you have no problem she said.

Also contributing, Mrs Grace Sauka, President, Affordable Housing Estate Women Association Karishi said insecurity and low income had affected the number of girls attending school in the community.

Sauka said,because this issues are on ground, this insecurity, some cannot afford to train their children especially the girl child, they prefer the boy child to go school than the girl child.

But with her words encouragement here we will go back home and tell our husbands and children to let them go back to school. she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other highlights of the event were the distribution of food items including vegetable oil, bags of rice, Pasta and some fabric to vulnerable women to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Former Tanzanian President, John Magufuli who died from a heart condition on Wednesday, will be buried on March 25 in his native town Chato in the Geita region.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced the burial date on Friday in Dar Es Salaam.

Speaking for the first time after she was sworn in as President on Friday at State House in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, Hassan said the body of former President Magufuli will lie in state for the weekend at the national stadium where people in the commercial capital can pay their last respects.

On March 22, the body of Magufuli will lie in the capital Dodoma to allow the general public to pay their last respects, said President Hassan.

Hassan appealed to Tanzanians to be patient during this difficult period of losing their brave, visionary, revolutionary and patriotic leader.

We should take over from where President Magufuli has accomplished.

We should stop pointing fingers at each other.

We need to forge ahead as a nation, she said.

Tanzania will remain calm as it has always been, she said before she chaired her first cabinet meeting. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has called on sports stakeholders to support and key into the revived National Principals Cup Competition as it enters the zonal stages.

Dr Ademola Are, the ministrys Director of Grassroots Sports Development, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Thursday in Abuja that this was crucial to bringing back the glamour of the competition.

He said that the zonal finals which kicked off on Thursday in the six geo-political zones of the country would end on March 22, with teams emerging for the grand finale in Abuja.

We want more support from stakeholders as we enter the zonal stage of the competition, because this is the best of our youth in sports and education on display, he said.

Are who is also the Chairman, Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the competition said the expanded competition which now has football, athletics and table tennis was part of efforts to develop sports at the grassroots.

Thirty seven secondary schools are vying for honours at the zonal finals, from where we will have 24 table tennis players, 144 athletes and six football teams qualifying for the finals in Abuja, Are added.

NAN reports that states where the zonal finals are holding include: Kaduna (North West), Bauchi (North East), Plateau (North Central), Oyo (South West), Enugu (South East) and Edo state (South South).

He said the grand finale of the competition will hold from March 26 to March 31 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja with ex-internationals and other dignitaries in attendance.

NAN also reports that the revived National Principals Cup is an initiative of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, aimed at grassroot sports development, especially in schools. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mercy Omoike

Alarm

An aqua-culturist, Mr Eteobong Amah, has raised the alarm over the penchant of some fish farmers to use chemicals to preserve fish.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday, Amah warned that using chemicals to preserve fish would be dangerous to health.

One thing we warn local farmers against is the addition of chemicals for preservation of fish. By adding chemicals to preserve fish you will be endangering human lives.

The only thing fish farmers and processors are advised to add in fish preservation is salt.

Amah said there was need for local fish farmers to embrace modern techniques in preserving their produce to increase value.

The fish farmer lamented that most Nigerian fish farmers usually run into losses, owing to their inability to sell or preserve their produce.

According to him, appropriate preservation of fish harvested in Nigeria will boost value and make the fish harvested locally to be like imported frozen variety.

One major challenge local fish farmers face is their inability to offset or sell off their fish instantly. When they do not see instant buyers, they are forced to sell at a loss.

However, if they can step up their preservation methods, they will improve the value-chain of the fish and get good returns.

The worth of a preserved fish is higher than that of fresh fish. For example, a fresh catfish sells lower than the dried preserved one.

But if our local fish varieties are well preserved, they will sell higher like their foreign counterparts that can spend up to six months to one year on the sea without getting bad.

If our fishes are well preserved, then local farmers will have control over the market and will sell at very good prices.

Amah advised fish farmers to try to understand market demands to maximize their profits all year round.

Local fish farmers should consider the business aspect of fish farming through adequate preservation and improving of the value-chain.

If the fish farmers know the market demands, they can preserve their fish to meet market requirements and increase the value of their stocks.

There are basically two major ways of fish preservation, which is either freezing or drying the fish.

For freezing of locally farmed fish, we usually have challenges with power supply and cannot depend on it to have our fish preserved.

Therefore, farmers can also preserve their fish by drying them at different temperatures, depending on their market value.

There are some markets that want hard texture fish. It simply means the farmer will have to increase the temperature of drying the fish, so that it can last longer. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Nefishetu Yakubu

Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Shehuri has reiterated Federal Governments commitment to improve agricultural extension services in Edo.

The minister stated this on Thursday when he inspected the new one stop extension delivery centre in Iguobazuwa, Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

Shehuri said President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to boosting agricultural production through improved extension services.

He noted that the centre would serve as a training centre for farmers and extension agents in the state.

This centre will serve as a place where our agricultural extension agents will train farmers on modern agricultural best practices

I am aware of the potential of Edo in the production of rice, cassava, maize, oil palm, cocoa and rubber.

The federal government is committed to ensuring that the production of the these crops are sustained through improved extension service delivery, he said

Shehuri, however, explained that the mandate of the ministry is to provide food and nutritional products to guarantee food security, working closely with state governors.

The Programme Manager of Edo Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Mr Peter Aikhuomobhogbe, said that plans had been concluded to move the ADP zonal office to the centre.

Aikhuomobhogbe noted that the centre housed an agro-shop for the sale of fertiliser, chemicals and seeds, adding that the plots of land located at the centre would be used for farm demonstrations.

According to him, experts are already on ground to teach the farmers the modern methods of farming that will positively impact on local farmers. (NAN)

Source: NAN News