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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
Troops arrest suspected gun-runner in Taraba, recover weapons and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops deployed at Ibi and the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari have arrested a suspected gun-runner and recovered weapons, ammunition, and other items during an intelligence-led operation in Taraba State.
Security sources disclosed that the troops acted on credible intelligence about a suspicious Peugeot vehicle heading toward the Ibi waterside area. The troops swiftly mobilised to intercept the vehicle and apprehended the suspect.
The suspect, identified as Abubakar Ibrahim, 48, from Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested during the operation.
Items recovered from him include six locally fabricated weapons bearing various registration numbers, two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one Peugeot 504 vehicle, a Q Seven mobile phone, seven bottles of perfume with rubbers, seven charms, one mentholatum rub, two small containers of Vaseline, and the sum of N1,400 in cash.
Military sources said the suspect and the recovered items are currently in custody and will be transferred to the Brigade Headquarters for further investigation.
The sources added that the general security situation within the Area of Responsibility remains calm but highly unpredictable, noting that troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain satisfactory.
The arrest is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and criminal activities in Taraba and adjoining areas.
Troops arrest suspected gun-runner in Taraba, recover weapons and ammunition
ISWAP kills professor in targeted abduction on Maiduguri-Damboa highway
By: Zagazola Makama
ISWAP terrorists have reportedly killed Professor Abubakar Mohammed el-Jumma of the Nigerian Army University Biu following a targeted abduction along the Maiduguri-Damboa highway on March 25, 2025.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attackers, described as light-skinned foreigners, specifically targeted Professor el-Jumma, suggesting the abduction was premeditated. The perpetrators were reportedly in possession of his photograph before carrying out the attack, confirming that the operation was deliberate and planned.
Authorities have confirmed that no ransom demands were made and attempts to negotiate his release were unsuccessful. ISWAP later informed the family of Professor el-Jumma’s death and that his burial had been carried out within their enclave.
The incident demonstrates ISWAP’s growing capability to exploit local vulnerabilities with the support of spies and sympathizers.
The group’s targeting of high-profile individuals, including academics and community leaders, reflects a shift towards calculated kidnappings designed to spread fear and disrupt governance and education in the North East.
No official statement has yet been issued by Nigerian Army University Biu authorities regarding the incident.
ISWAP kills professor in targeted abduction on Maiduguri-Damboa highway
News
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
Leaders, stakeholders, women and youths in Bayelsa East Senatorial District has perfected preparations to stage a peaceful protest against Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri over marginalization and neglect in political appointments in the government since inception.
The people of the east also deserves sensitive offices in the government for their resolute support for the government since inception, but they have been marginalized. The office of the deputy governor from the east will balance the political structure.
Marginalization of the east people in sensitive government appointments is an outright disrespect to the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, Gen. Melford Okilo, and other leaders from the east senatorial district.
Even though the speaker of the state house of assembly is not considered, there are other competent individuals eminently qualified to handle the office of the deputy governor for the remaining years of the government.
The governor should consult former president, and other leaders from the east to chose a deputy governor from either Ogbia, Nembe or Brass.
The eastern region planned peaceful protest is a furtherance expression of dissatisfaction in accordance and solidarity with the group, the Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress Grassroot Movement (BSAGM) condemnation of Governor Diri administration over marginalization of appointments.
According to the eastern people, the governor has consciously and deliberately marginalized the east in sensitive political appointments in the government, pointing out that all the top offices in the government are handled by his relatives from Kolokuma-Opokuma and Sagbama.
For instance; all government house appointments are handled by his relatives, the chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, Director of Domestic, Director of Transport, including S.A Political, and other sensitive appointments in the government.
Governor Douye Diri has deliberately neglected and marginalized the east, we will exercise our constitutional right of a peaceful protest to express our dissatisfaction to the world.
Since the creation of Bayelsa State, successive administrations had maintained political conglomeration across the three senatorial district in the state, but Diri administration had neglected the east from inception.
The east is only been marginalized, and neglected in Diri administration. Alamieyeseigha, Jonathan, Sylva, and Dickson carried out fair, equal appointments, infrastructure across the state, in their administrations.
Successive governments since 1999, had fairly and transparently distributed political appointments across the senatorial district, but the contrary is Diri’s administration.
It is absolutely unfortunate that the east had been undermined by Diri, running a one-sided government of Kolokuma-Opokuma, and the whole state is watching the government.
In exercise of constitutional right of a peaceful protest, the east will carry out a peaceful protest to government house next week to publicly express their dissatisfaction to the world over the undemocratic marginalization of appointments in Diri administration.
Signed:
Chief Samuel Azibator – Ogbia
High Chief Nengi Sylvanus -Nembe
Chief Williams Naworio – Brass
Bayelsa East Leaders, Elders, Women, Youths To Protest Over Marginalization In Sen Douye Diri Administration
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