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Emir Hails ACReSAL’s Poverty Intervention as Jiwa Seeks Climate-Resilient Transformation
Emir Hails ACReSAL’s Poverty Intervention as Jiwa Seeks Climate-Resilient Transformation
By: Michael Mike
The Emir of Jiwa and Paramount Ruler of Jiwa Kingdom, Idris Musa, has welcomed a major poverty-alleviation push by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, describing it as a turning point for a community long challenged by environmental pressures and limited economic opportunities.
Speaking during a high-level engagement with officials of the World Bank-supported initiative in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the monarch said Jiwa stands ready to partner with stakeholders to translate commitments into measurable improvements in livelihoods.
“I thank you for considering my community. We have listened to your promises and we are prepared to cooperate fully to ensure successful implementation,” the Emir said.
The intervention, driven by ACReSAL’s Task Team Leader and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank, Joy Iganya Agene, focuses on expanding income-generating opportunities while addressing climate-related vulnerabilities affecting semi-arid communities.
Agene explained that beyond financial support, the project is designed to build resilience through sustainable agriculture, improved infrastructure, and structured community participation.
“Our engagement with more than 30 community groups has helped us understand their priority needs,” she said. “We have identified critical concerns, including drainage challenges that must be addressed before the rainy season. We will guide the community on the steps required to begin implementation.”
She stressed transparency and collaboration as core principles of the intervention, urging community groups with overlapping objectives to consolidate efforts and develop stronger proposals capable of attracting support under the project framework.
The Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, Abdullahi Suleiman Ango, represented by Ann Ijeoma, said ACReSAL’s footprint is already visible in several rural communities across the FCT.
According to him, the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) is empowering grassroots agricultural enterprises, while infrastructure projects—such as solar-powered boreholes, solar street lights, and improved waste management systems—are helping to raise living standards.
He called on Jiwa residents to take ownership of the projects to ensure sustainability.
“These investments belong to the people. Protecting and maintaining them will guarantee long-term benefits,” he said.
Earlier, FCT ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Caroline Opara, disclosed that consultations in Jiwa revealed urgent needs in flood control, agricultural inputs, solar lighting, water access, and expansion of the Community Revolving Fund.
She noted that residents have been organized into Community Interest Groups (CIGs), with deliberate emphasis on inclusiveness and women’s participation—an approach aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of benefits.
“The enthusiasm shown here gives us confidence. With the World Bank team on ground, we expect to fast-track the processes needed to deliver these interventions,” Opara said.
For Jiwa, a community grappling with drainage deficiencies and limited economic diversification, the ACReSAL initiative represents more than a development project—it signals a pathway toward climate resilience and sustainable poverty reduction.
If fully implemented, stakeholders say the programme could reposition the agrarian community as a model for integrated rural development within the FCT.
Emir Hails ACReSAL’s Poverty Intervention as Jiwa Seeks Climate-Resilient Transformation
News
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation WUTAN DAJI have cleared several bandits’ camps, rescued kidnapped victims and recovered arms during clearance operations in Bauchi State.
Security sources said troops of 33 Artillery Brigade Garrison, in conjunction with elements of the Brigade Headquarters and a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), carried out the operation in Kumbodoro forest and Kumbodoro village.

According to the sources, the operation was led by the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. S.S. Shehu, as part of ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal elements.
They added that several bandits’ camps, including Azuge camps, were cleared during the operation, while a number of the criminals were neutralised.
Items recovered include four skeletal rifles, four dane guns, two pairs of boots, three helmets, a power bank, a Startimes decoder, one FN rifle magazine, one AK-47 magazine, communication links, a jackknife, six mobile phones, arrows, radio chargers, ATM cards, photographs, identity cards, as well as several pairs of security agency uniforms and leg chains.

The sources further disclosed that eight kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation.
They said troops are currently holding position within the Kumbodoro forest to consolidate gains from the clearance mission.
In a related development, the sources said troops deployed at Duguri, in collaboration with local vigilantes, recovered 36 cows at Mushen Kura village following information that the animals were roaming the area.

“The cows are suspected to have fled from bandits’ camps due to the ongoing operations and are currently in custody for further action,” the sources said.
They noted that troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high, while operations continue to deny bandits freedom of action in the region.
Troops clear bandits’ camps, rescue victims, recover arms in Bauchi
News
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint security operatives under the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, have raided a suspected herders’ camp in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, recovering arms and ammunition.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 1:30 p.m. on April 12 along the IPO community axis by troops of 6 Division Garrison in collaboration with personnel of the Air Force, Navy, Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Civil Defence Corps.
According to the sources, the raid targeted identified herders’ and cattle rearers’ camps in the area.
They added that items recovered during the operation include one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, 274 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four mobile phones.
The sources noted that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal possession of firearms and enhance security across the Niger Delta region.
Joint security forces raid herders’ camp in Rivers, recover arms and ammunition
News
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced the establishment of a quarry centre in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area, to accelerate infrastructure development in the state.
Zulum made this announcement on Monday while flagging off the distribution of 70 brand-new Howo pickup trucks to the Ministry of Works and the State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) at the Government House.

The 70 Howo trucks are designed to boost the operational capacity of the Ministry of Works and its supervising agencies. The trucks will enable the swift delivery of materials to sites and faster intervention on distressed roads.
According to the governor, the quarry centre will provide locally sourced materials including granite, gravel and sharp sand to support ongoing and future road projects, reducing dependence on external suppliers and cutting costs.
“We have achieved a lot in health, education, agriculture, security, and road construction among others. However, we still have challenges of constructing roads within the state, especially in rural communities,” Zulum said.
“My administration has established a quarry plant in Pulka with a processing capacity of 120 tons per hour. The State Government spent at least 3 billion to establish the quarry plant”, he added.
According to the governor, due to the prevailing insecurity, most contractors are not willing to work in Borno.

“You know, no serious contractor will take the risk of deploying his equipment to most of the implementing areas, so this is the reason we are here”, the governor reinstated.
“So, we have no option but to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Works, the capacity of Borno State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA), the capacity of special projects, monitoring departments and other MDAs that are responsible for road construction.”
The brief ceremony was attended by the Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Engr Baware, BORMA Chairman, Engr Sadu Auno, the Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation, Engr Bukar Gujubawu and other senior officials.
Zulum establishes quarry centre, procures 70 trucks for infrastructure development
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