China Reaffirms Commitment to Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The People’s Republic of China has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Nigeria in the area of mechanized agriculture to achieve food security in the country.

This commitment was made at the 2025 Zoomlion Agriculture Machinery Exhibition and New Distributor Channel Fair, held at the China-Nigeria Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center in Ushafa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The event featured the exhibition and demonstration of the RK 754-A and RK 504-A tractors, both manufactured by Chinese company.

Zoomlion Marketing Director, Jerry Wu said the tractors are efficient, durable, cost-effective, and provide easy access to spare parts.

He pledged China’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s quest for food sufficiency through agricultural mechanization.

He said: “China is committed to supporting Nigeria’s quest for food sufficiency through agricultural mechanization. Our advanced machinery is designed to empower farmers, enabling them to achieve greater yields and contribute to the nation’s food security.”

In his remarks, the Principal Agricultural Engineer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Hillary Aroboinosen stated that the federal government remains fully committed to supporting mechanization initiatives through public-private partnerships and facilitating the acquisition of affordable machinery for farmers.

He said: “The role of mechanization in transforming agriculture cannot be overstated. Modern agricultural machinery has the potential to bridge the gap between subsistence farming and commercially viable farming, enabling our farmers to adapt to the challenges of climate change, rising population demands, and global market competition.

“The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security remains fully committed to supporting mechanization initiatives. Through strategic programs like this, public-private partnerships, and capacity-building projects, we aim to facilitate the acquisition of affordable machinery for farmers, especially for small-scale operators and promote training and skills development to ensure the effective use of modern equipment.

“Exhibitions like this one are pivotal in demonstrating the latest innovations, fostering collaborations, and empowering farmers with the tools they need to thrive. ”

Other stakeholders including social critic and politician Buba Galadima emphasized the importance of agricultural mechanization in ensuring food security, creating employment opportunities, and generating revenue in Nigeria.

The exhibition also included the signing of contracts between Zoomlion and new distributors, as well as the presentation of gifts to attendees.

China Reaffirms Commitment to Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria

Deployment of Telecommunication Installations Must Comply with Environmental Laws- NESREA DG

By: Michael Mike

The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor has said the agency will ensure that the environment is given due consideration in the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure in the country and that such installations must comply with extant environmental regulations.

Barikor made the promise on Wednesday when he received two European companies, Consulting & Management and Europe Ltd, who were in his office to brief him on the European Union-funded project in Nigeria titled “EU Support to Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for studies in support of 90,000km Fibre Optic Network and Improved Digital Literacy in Nigeria.”

The NESREA DG stated that the environmental implications of such deployment would be taken into consideration and due diligence carried out before the commencement of the project, while also drawing attention to the need for sensitization of the citizens.

Prof. Muhammad Ladan, who led the delegation assured the Director General that the team was already taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance especially with regards to the Environmental Impact Assessment for the project, adding that the team was in NESREA as part of its Stakeholders’ engagement and consultation on the project.

Deployment of Telecommunication Installations Must Comply with Environmental Laws- NESREA DG

Our Stand on Establishment of Palestinian State, Firm and Unwavering- Saudi Arabia

By: Michael Mike

Saudi Arabia has described its stand on the establishment of a Palestinian state as firm and unwavering, insisting that they won’t be any diplomatic ties with Israel with taking this into cognizance.

A statement from the Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday read: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering.

“His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister clearly and unequivocally reaffirmed this stance during his speech at the opening of the first session of the ninth term of the Shura Council on September 18, 2024. His Royal Highness emphasized that Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that.”

The statement added that: “His Royal Highness also reiterated this firm position during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on November 11, 2024. He stressed the continuation of efforts to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

“His Royal Highness also urged more peace-loving countries to recognize the State of Palestine, and emphasized the importance of mobilizing the international community to support the Palestinian people’s rights, as expressed in United Nations General Assembly resolutions, recognizing Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also reaffirms its unequivocal rejection of any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, land annexation, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land. The international community has a duty today to alleviate the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain steadfast on their land and will not move from it.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasizes that this unwavering position is non-negotiable and not subject to compromises. Achieving lasting and just peace is impossible without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions, as has been previously clarified to both the former and current U.S. administrations.”

Our Stand on Establishment of Palestinian State, Firm and Unwavering- Saudi Arabia