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Food Security: Statutory Agencies Asked to Mitigate to Adverse Effects of Climate Change
Food Security: Statutory Agencies Asked to Mitigate to Adverse Effects of Climate Change
By: Michael Mike
All relevant institutional and statutory agencies have been asked to adequately respond to and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and food production in order to ensure food security in the country.
Speaking at the First Regional Workshop on Climate Smart Soil in Abuja organized by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in collaboration with African Climate Action Partnership, the Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, Hon. Chris Nkwonta said soils are integral to the functions of all terrestrial ecosystems and to increased and sustainable food production.
He noted that: “Consequently, conscious efforts must be made by relevant institutional and statutory agencies to adequately respond to and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and food production.”
The lawmaker said “climate change is currently disrupting agriculture and food production in every corner of the world, from droughts or floods that damage crops to rising seas and other environmental pollutions that threaten rural and agricultural communities.
“In the context of climate change, agriculture faces complex and unique problems. Crop production is directly dependent on natural resources, weather and climatic conditions. As a result of raising temperatures, variable rainfalls, environmental pollutions, invasive and alien species of pest and other unpredictable environmental factors have invariably exposed farmers and agricultural communities to several challenges that are inimical to increased food production and sustainable food security.
“The aforementioned environmental challenges adversely affecting farmers and food producers tend to worsen as climate change issues accelerates globally, making it most critical to implement mitigation strategies and appropriate responses as soon as possible to curb it’s long-term negative impacts on food production and food security.”
He asked that a blend of climate smart soil and agriculture must be emplaced to transform farming with the aim of delivering positive outcomes on the basis of adaptations and mitigations to support and improve food security under the new realities of global climate change.
Nkwonta said: “It is my believe that this workshop is a catalyst towards achieving improved food security in the country in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
In a goodwill message, the Chairman, Security, Special Intervention and Climate Change, North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sam Onuigbo
said: “Today’s event organized by the National Council on Climate Change in collaboration with the African Climate Action Partnership, is extremely important because it recognizes the critical intersection between healthy soil, climate change, hunger, poverty, and the consequent diseases and insecurity that come from them. As we all know, without fertile soils, we cannot grow food, and without food, there will be hunger, loss of livelihood means for land-dependent people, displacement, forced migration, climate refugees, insecurity and conflict arising from competition for scare resources.”
He noted that: “The United Nations has recognized the critical link between Climate Change and food security. The UN Resolution 68/212 of December 20, 2013, reaffirmed that “Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges of our time…, particularly developing countries are vulnerable to the adverse impacts… including persistent drought and extreme weather events, sea-level rise, coastal erosion and ocean acidification, further threatening food security and efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development and in this regard emphasizes that adaptation to climate change represents an immediate and urgent global priority.”
He noted that: “With an area of 923,769 square kilometers and an ever-increasing population of about 223million people, 70 percent of which depend on agriculture as a means of livelihood, the recurrent issues of losing arable land to desertification, erosion, drought, and unsustainable agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) has opened up the country to the danger of food insecurity. As changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events continue to challenge our agricultural sector, sustainable soil management practices and initiatives aimed at increasing soil organic carbon sequestration hold the promise of addressing food security, mitigation, and adaptation challenges.”
He said “mechanization is absolutely essential, good quality seeds, fertilization, improved agricultural practices, smart agriculture, these are the solutions we seek because the whole mantra is on increase in yield.”
Onuigbo further said: “The degradation of our soils, especially in Africa, is a pressing concern that impacts not only our food security but also our ability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate. According to the World Bank, the consequences of soil degradation have far-reaching effects, particularly for the agricultural sector which employs more than half of Africa’s workforce, and accounts for 30-40 percent of its GDP.
“Increasing the availability of arable land must start from climate-smart and sustainable soil practices which I am happy that this event is about. We can produce enough food to feed our nations, and the continent of Africa, attract foreign direct investment, earn foreign exchange and create employment. So, what we are doing here today, and what the potentialities are, provide an optimistic springboard for addressing some of the most germane challenges we face in the country.”
On his part, the Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr. Salisu Dahiru said the workshop was organized with a deep sense of purpose and urgency, recognizing the pivotal role that soil plays in shaping the future of our nation and the world at large.
Dahiru, who was by the Deputy DG, Mrs. Halima Bawa Bwari said: “Soil health, food security, and climate change are inextricably linked, forming a triad that demands our immediate attention and concerted efforts. The state of our soils directly impacts our ability to feed a growing global population, adapt to a changing climate, and mitigate its effects. It is a complex challenge that requires the prioritization of Adaptation and Climate Smart Agriculture in line with Nigeria’s NDCs as well as a holistic approach, collaboration, and unwavering commitment from all stakeholders involved.”
Food Security: Statutory Agencies Asked to Mitigate to Adverse Effects of Climate Change
How DSS, ONSA, Army rescue remaining Kurmin Wali abducted worshippers in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
In the early hours of Thursday, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and backed by the Nigerian Army, recovered 88 captives from bandits’ hideouts in the Kajuru–Kachia axis. The victims included men, women and two toddlers.
It would be recalled that gunmen attacked three churches in Kurmin Wali on Jan. 18 and abducted about 167 worshippers. While 80 were released on Feb. 1, others remained in captivity until the latest rescue.
One member of the rescue team, who spoke with security analyst Zagazola after the mission, described the operation as “purely intelligence-led.
“There was no shooting, no drama. Everything depended on timing, trust, and pressure. We had to move quietly through insecure villages, meet the handlers, and wait in the bush until they produced the victims,” the operative said.
According to him, the convoy left Kaduna city at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday under DSS escort and proceeded through Kachia to Kajuru LGA, navigating narrow and insecure routes to reach Maro and Cibiya villages.
At 11:00 p.m., the team made contact with local intermediaries the kachallas men who sit between communities and criminal groups. Thirty minutes later, they were led to Cibiya village. There was no time for pleasantries. We told them straight: we are here for the victims,” the operative said. “Nothing else.” he said.
For reasons known only to the abductors, the captives were not brought to the meeting point. Instead, the rescue team was asked to wait. In the bush. For an hour and a half.
“Those 90 minutes felt like a lifetime,” the operative recalled. “You are in hostile terrain, with no guarantee of what comes next.”he said.
“At exactly 12:45 a.m., in a dark thicket outside Cibiya village, the waiting ended. From different corners of the bush, shadows began to move first a woman clutching a child, then a man limping, then another, and another. In silence, 88 kidnapped worshippers emerged from captivity. There were no sirens. No gunfire. No cheering. Just relief.
He added that one of the vehicles developed a flat tyre at Maro village, but the passengers were quickly redistributed among other vehicles, allowing the convoy to continue to Kaduna.
“We arrived safely and handed over the 88 rescued persons to the DSS headquarters at about 3:30 a.m. for documentation and profiling,” he said.
The source commended the support of the Army and Navy personnel from the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA), Kachia, as well as the Garrison Commander, for providing escort and coordination during the operation.
Zagazola report that the Kajuru LGA has, for years, been a pressure point in Kaduna’s security map. Its forested terrain, poor road access and proximity to Kachia and parts of Niger State make it ideal for bandit transit and hostage warehousing.
The rescue marks more than just the end of a traumatic episode for dozens of families. It also offers a revealing window into Nigeria’s evolving counter-kidnapping architecture one increasingly driven by quiet inter-agency coordination rather than loud battlefield theatrics.
What stands out in the Kurmin Wali rescue is not just the outcome, but the method. Rather than a large-scale military assault, the operation relied on fusion intelligence, the blending of DSS human intelligence, ONSA strategic coordination, and Army/Navy tactical support from the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA), Kachia.
This reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s internal security playbook:DSS handles negotiations, penetration and tracking, ONSA provides strategic oversight and deconfliction, the military ensures area dominance and safe corridors.
Such layered coordination reduces the risk of civilian casualties and prevents kidnappers from scattering hostages during raids, a recurring problem in previous operations.
The initial police denial of the incident also exposed a familiar gap: the lag between ground reality and official acknowledgment, which often complicates response time and public trust.
The Kaduna State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the operation.
How DSS, ONSA, Army rescue remaining Kurmin Wali abducted worshippers in Kaduna
Marwa Charges Nigerian Youths on Skills Acquisition, Warns Against Drug Abuse
By: Michael Mike
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) has urged Nigerian youths to prioritise skills acquisition and empowerment opportunities as a strategic defence against drug abuse, unemployment and other social vices threatening national stability.
Marwa gave the charge in Abuja on Thursday while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the launch of a youth empowerment and skills acquisition programme organised by Grassroots Bridge Builders, a non-governmental organisation.
He described the initiative as a critical intervention that supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on youth empowerment, job creation, social inclusion and crime prevention. According to him, equipping young Nigerians with practical and employable skills is a sustainable approach to addressing poverty, drug dependency and insecurity.
The NDLEA boss commended Grassroots Bridge Builders for its plan to train and empower 10,000 youths, noting that such efforts go beyond charity to serve as long-term investments in national development. He stressed that empowering young people strengthens their resilience, builds character and reduces their vulnerability to drug abuse and criminal activities.
Marwa emphasised that the fight against drug abuse cannot be left to government alone, calling for stronger collaboration among non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, faith-based institutions, community leaders and the private sector. He encouraged stakeholders to partner with the NDLEA in developing community-driven programmes that provide young people with skills, dignity and a sense of purpose.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Marwa described Nigerian youths as a vital asset to the country’s future rather than a burden to be managed. He urged them to take advantage of empowerment initiatives, reject drug use and invest in their talents to contribute meaningfully to national growth.
He reaffirmed NDLEA’s commitment to supporting credible, non-partisan initiatives that promote youth development, skills acquisition and drug-free communities, describing youth empowerment as the most sustainable pathway to securing Nigeria’s future.
Marwa Charges Nigerian Youths on Skills Acquisition, Warns Against Drug Abuse
NSCDC Boss Charges Personnel on Professionalism, Integrityin VIP Protection
By: Michael Mike
The Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi has issued a stern mandate to officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and commitment in the protection of Very Important Persons (VIPs).
The CG gave this charge during his keynote address at a three-day VIP leadership and management workshop held at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
The intensive training brought together state commandants, VIP commanders, and armorers from across the country.
Audi emphasized that the mandate for VIP protection as conferred by President Bola Tinubu is a sacred trust that must not be compromised. He warned that his administration maintains a zero tolerance policy for any form of misconduct.
He said: “This administration will sanction any personnel found sabotaging the Corps’ efforts in implementing the VIP mandate,” adding that: “This responsibility must be carried out to the admiration of the government and Nigerians to justify the confidence reposed in us.”
The workshop, organized under the Directorate of Training and Manpower Development, serves as a strategic intervention to sharpen the tactical and administrative skills of the Corps’ leadership.
Acting Deputy Commandant General Muktar Lawal, explained that the curriculum focuses on: strengthening leadership capacity and management skills.
Improving interdepartmental coordination.
Reinforcing professionalism in armory management and decision-making.
The CG underscored the importance of excellence by commending the VIP National Commander, Deputy Commandant of Corps Anyor Donald, for his professionalism and loyalty, urging others to embrace similar qualities.
The event featured goodwill messages from the Corps’ top brass, including Deputy Commandants General Zakari Ibrahim Ningi, fdc; Nnamdi Nwinyi; Pedro Awili Ideba; and Professor Tyoor Frederick Terhemba, all echoing the need for heightened accountability in the field.
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