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FG, IITA, World Bank To Partner On Innovative Agricultural Practices
FG, IITA, World Bank To Partner On Innovative Agricultural Practices
*VP Shettima seeks collaboration on improved seedlings, climate-resilient agric
By: Our Reporter
The Federal Government, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and World Bank have pledged to form a formidable partnership on innovative agricultural practices to address food insecurity in Nigeria and the broader sub-Saharan African region.
This was the outcome of a high-level meeting between Vice President Kashim Shettima and a delegation from the IITA, World Bank, and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
Speaking during the meeting, VP Shettima said the whole mantra is focused on increasing yield, and the IITA is in a vantage position to assist not just Nigeria but sub-Saharan Africa in repositioning the agriculture ecosystem through smart agriculture, climate-resilient agriculture, and improved seedlings.
“The IITA is at a vantage position to assist not just Nigeria but sub-Saharan Africa towards repositioning the agriculture ecosystem through smart agriculture, climate resilient agriculture, and improved seedlings,” he said.
VP Shettima noted the significant role of the IITA established in 1967 in shaping Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
“More than ever before, we need the IITA now. By 2050, we will be the third most populous nation on earth,” Shettima stated.
The Vice President also noted the interconnectedness between the economy and ecology, exacerbated by desertification, climate change, and insecurity challenges in the Sahel region.
“In the food basket of the nation, there is an incestuous relationship between economy and ecology because of desertification and climate change. The productivity of our agriculture is poor, and is compounded by insecurity, which might not be unconnected with the challenges in the Sahel,” he explained.
Calling for close collaboration with the IITA, VP Shettima pointed out the importance of investing in agriculture as a business.
He specifically requested the institute’s assistance in providing high-quality seeds for maize and root crops, particularly cassava. The Vice President lauded the widespread adoption of IITA’s improved cassava seedlings in the Southwest region, urging the institute to extend similar initiatives to other sub-Saharan African nations.
Earlier, the Director General of the IITA, Dr Simeon Ehui, thanked the Vice President for his leadership and commitment to the development of agriculture in Nigeria and support to the Institute.
He said the delegation from the Institute was in Abuja for a strategic meeting that aims to review IITA’s partnerships, collaborations and stakeholder engagements, all to support the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing food security in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.
On his part, the Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, IITA, Dr Dashiell Kenton, said the institute is supporting a few initiatives of the Federal Government aimed at creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians in the sector.
According to him, the ‘Youth in Agribusiness’ initiative of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is commendable and should be scaled up to empower more young Nigerians, assuring that the institute, through the initiative, will empower more smallholder farmers with knowledge on improved agricultural practices.
In the same vein, the World Bank Practice Manager for Agriculture and Food Global Practice, Mr. Abel Lufafa, said the IITA, World Bank and other partners were delighted with the level of interest and quantum of support deployed by the Tinubu administration in revamping agricultural productivity in the country.
He said the President and Vice President are demonstrating uncommon leadership in repositioning agricultural production in Nigeria, just as he noted that the World Bank and other partners are impressed with the paradigm shift especially the change to a government-led collaboration in the sector.
Similarly, a senior researcher at the International Food Policy Research Institute, Channing Arndt, said the organization’s partnership with the IITA cuts across diverse areas of agricultural value, noting however that the primary objective is to support ongoing efforts to improve agricultural practices and rapidly boost food production.
The delegation led by the IITA Board Chair, Prof. Roel Merckx, also had in attendance board members, Ms. Rhoda Tumusiime; Dr. Namanga Ngongi; Dr. Ylva Hillbur, and Deputy Director General, Research for Development, IITA, Dr Bernard Vanlauwe, among others.
FG, IITA, World Bank To Partner On Innovative Agricultural Practices
Zamfara: Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in Shinkafi LGA
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised a suspected terrorist and recovered arms during an offensive operation in Shinkafi LGA.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out on March 13 by troops of CT 5, who launched a deliberate clearance mission targeting terrorist camps located at Tubali and Zangon Danmaka.
The sources said the operation followed credible intelligence on the presence of armed bandits and other criminal elements using the locations as operational hideouts.
During the operation at Tubali, troops made contact with the suspected terrorists and engaged them in a brief gun battle, forcing the criminals to flee into nearby forested areas.
“During the engagement, one terrorist was neutralised, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds,” the source said.
Following the encounter, troops conducted exploitation of the area and recovered one AK-47 rifle, a magazine containing two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a motorcycle believed to belong to the fleeing terrorists.
The recovered items were secured by the troops while further search operations were carried out around the camp to ensure that no other threats remained in the vicinity.
The sources added that when troops advanced to Zangon Danmaka, no contact was made with terrorists as the suspects were believed to have fled the area ahead of the troop arrival.
However, troops maintained dominance in the general area while conducting further patrols and surveillance operations aimed at preventing the terrorists from regrouping.
Zamfara: Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in Shinkafi LGA
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP spy in Kanama, Yobe
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of 159 Battalion in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force have arrested a suspected spy linked to terrorists operating in the North-East in Kanamma Yobe state.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Malam Fantami, a native of Dikwa was apprehended during a security operation by troops deployed in the area.
The sources said the suspect was intercepted following credible intelligence indicating that he might be working as an informant for terrorists affiliated with the ISWAP.
According to the sources, items recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest included a mobile phone, a smart watch, prayer beads, a motorcycle key, and a cash sum of ₦7,000.
Preliminary examination of the suspect’s mobile phone by security personnel reportedly revealed several suspicious materials, including photographs of motorcycles, large sums of cash, AK-47 rifles and other items believed to be linked to terrorist activities.
“The discovery of these materials has raised serious suspicion about the suspect’s role as a possible logistics informant or intelligence asset for insurgent elements operating in the region,” the source said.
The suspect is currently in military custody, where he is undergoing further interrogation to determine the extent of his involvement with terrorist networks and to identify possible collaborators.
The military high command said the arrest forms part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by troops in the North-East aimed at dismantling the intelligence and logistics networks that support insurgent operations.
Kanama, located in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State near the border with Niger Republic, has remained an important corridor frequently exploited by insurgent groups for movement and supply activities.
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP spy in Kanama, Yobe
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Bita, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled an attack by terrorists suspected to be members of ISWAP in Bita area of Borno state following a fierce overnight encounter.
Security sources said the attack began at about 1:09 a.m. on Saturday, when the insurgents launched a coordinated assault on troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade deployed in the Bita axis.
According to the sources, the terrorists attempted to overwhelm the troops’ position but were met with stiff resistance from the soldiers who engaged them in a sustained gun battle.
“In a decisive and coordinated operation, gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched a simultaneous land and air assault on terrorist positions in Bita in the early hours of today,” the source said.
The coordinated response involved ground troops engaging the insurgents while aerial support conducted precision strikes and surveillance over the battlefield, forcing the attackers to retreat.
The intense engagement compelled the terrorists to withdraw towards their enclaves after suffering heavy pressure from the combined land and air assault.
Following the withdrawal of the insurgents, troops immediately commenced exploitation operations to pursue fleeing elements of the terrorist group and prevent them from regrouping.
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Bita, Borno
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