Women Empowerment in Agriculture Takes Center Stage as Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Launches South-South Agricultural Program

The agricultural support program of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) was launched today in Uyo with a special focus on women empowerment in agriculture.

As part of this program, one hundred women from the South-South geopolitical zone received financial support of five hundred thousand naira each.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was represented by Mrs. Hajiya Nana Shettima, the wife of the Vice President, emphasized the importance of government and non-governmental organizations supporting local farmers for sustainable development. She expressed confidence that this initiative will not only transform the lives of the beneficiaries but also contribute to food sufficiency in the region.

Governor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom expressed his appreciation for the commitment of the Renewed Hope Initiative and praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her efforts to unite and involve the wives of all Governors in the 36 states of Nigeria, irrespective of their political affiliations.

During the event, Pastor Patience Eno, the wife of the Governor of Akwa Ibom, welcomed the First Lady and her entourage, assuring them of their support in the progress of RHI programs aimed at empowering women.

Dr. Mrs. Gloria Diri, the wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State and the Zonal Chairman of the South-South, also expressed her support for the initiative enumerating the success story of RHI in the lives of many women and special groups accross the country

The highlight of the occasion was the formal presentation of cheques to the wives of the Governors in the South-South region, as well as RHI monetary support to one hundred persons with special needs

Women Empowerment in Agriculture Takes Center Stage as Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Launches South-South Agricultural Program

ECOWAS Commends Nigeria’s Commitment to Climate Change Issues

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended Nigeria for taking the issues of climate change seriously, noting that among the 15 member countries of the regional economic bloc, Nigeria alongside Benin and The Gambia are the three counties to have submitted their Strategy to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Speaking at the National Workshop on Socialization of Nigeria’s Long-Term Low Carbon Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS).in Abuja, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse said: “As part of the Paris Agreement, ECOWAS Member States have all submitted their revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the implementation of which calls for the mobilisation of all national actors in each country and the support of regional and international partners.

“Alongside these NDCs, countries are called upon to develop their long-term low- carbon emission development Strategy. To date, out of the 15 ECOWAS Member States, only three (3) countries (Benin, The Gambia, and Nigeria) have submitted their Strategy to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. I would like to commend the Federal Republic of Nigeria for submitting this important document to fulfill its obligations under the Paris Agreement.”

Toure-Litse, who was represented by one of the Commission’s Director, Kofi Bernard noted that: “This achievement is in line with the declaration of the ECOWAS Head of States and Government adopted on Climate Change in December 2021, which also calls on Member States to develop their Long-term low-carbon emission development Strategy.”

She said: “The Commission is delighted to support the socialization of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s long-term low emission development strategy for the socialization with a view to ensuring better ownership and effective contribution of all national stakeholders in its implementation.”

On his part, the Director General of the
National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Salisu Dahiru said: “The LT LEDS is comprehensive and serves as a vehicle for transitioning Nigeria to its Net-zero Pathway by 2060. In particular, it identifies actionable programmes and policies that aim to accelerate the uptake of measures and technologies in and around a climate-resilient development pathway while working towards long-term quantifiable GHG emission reductions across Nigeria’s priority sectors.”

He said: “In November 2021, Nigeria passed the Climate Change Act that seeks to achieve low greenhouse gas emissions, green and sustainable growth by providing the framework to set a target to reach net zero between 2050 and 2070. With this regulatory framework, the Act established the National Council on Climate Change with the sole responsibility for the coordination and harmonization of national climate actions among several roles.

“The journey to net-zero emissions has thus begun, and it is already clear that the road will be rough. Nigeria’s position is balancing its socioeconomics with climate change initiatives. It is to be noted also that in order to mobilize adequate climate finance into the country, there is need for adequate regulatory frameworks and its implementation.”

He noted that: “Today, we have come together to socialize and present this decisive strategy, and so we have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogues, share insights, and build partnerships that will drive the successful implementation of the LT-LEDS. This workshop will serve as a catalyst for change, a space for learning, and a forum for collective action, as we strive to shape a future where Nigeria thrives as a global leader in low-emission development and climate resilience.”

He said: “The demonstrated leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in ensuring the reduction of Nigeria’s carbon footprint can be seen in the launch of several initiatives such as the Electric Buses Rollout Programme, the Carbon Market Activation Programme etc.. The present administration is providing all the necessary support to implement robust, enabling policies and frameworks.”
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Zulum is expanding Borno with a 113-kilometer ring road

By: Yusuf Adamu

The Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has started a project that will put his name in gold. Far beyond his previous achievements, the idea of a ring road will expand and decongest the state, thereby reducing the excess of the effects of heat waves and yearly outbreaks of diseases as a result of congestion in local areas across the state.

According to the governor, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, is experiencing serious challenges as a result of the influx of internally displaced persons, which is putting huge pressure on the resources that we have inside Maiduguri to cater to the needs of the population, especially shelter and housing, among others. 

He said that the government is taking deliberate steps to decongest the city, and I believe that when this road project is completed, there is going to be an increase in the economic sector, especially when the government sets up or plans new outlets along this road by creating or establishing new communities along the road, and naturally, new businesses will spring up, making the state great in the near future.

Through this project, the state government may plan a new layout for the civil servant’s, thereby creating a new GRA for the state where new and modern buildings can be setup to encourage expansion in the state. These new lands that will come as a result of the project will attract new land ownership, especially if the government, after laying out new outlets, also reduces the price of land so that people can afford such lands and creates a number of buyers so that more revenue can also come into play.

I am particularly pleased with the statement by the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Geographic Information Service (BOGIS), Engr. Adam Bababe, which said that compensation of over N1.6b was paid to 732 persons whose farmlands were affected due to the project and also put to note the idea of a residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, and institutional layout that the government plans to establish along the ring road within a land mass of about 2,000 hectares.

I think the idea of the new Ring Road project by the Borno State government is commendable and a sure way to expand Borno State for future generations. If the government will also site new markets, new stations as motor parks, and maintain the maintenance culture, this will bring new development and naturally create employment opportunities for the people of the state.

Yusuf Adamu is the former political adviser to the former governor of Borno State and current VP, Kashim Shettima.

Zulum is expanding Borno with a 113-kilometer ring road