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IITA, Other Research Institutions Pivotal To FG’s Agric Revolution – VP Shettima
IITA, Other Research Institutions Pivotal To FG’s Agric Revolution – VP Shettima
** Says it’s time to walk the talk on food security
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s avowed commitment to agricultural revolution and food production can be facilitated by partner research and production institutions like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) as well as volunteer partners.
According to him, the Tinubu administration has taken the bull by the horns and is walking the talk by fixing Nigeria’s food security challenges.
Speaking on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, when he embarked on an assessment tour of the IITA, VP Shetttima expressed total confidence in the capacity, expertise and ability of the institution to harness the nation’s agriculture potential.
He said looking inwards has become mandatory, especially with withdrawals of some specialised grants meant for alleviating the plight of Nigerians through the health and agricultural sectors.
“The IITA is an institution that has been at the forefront of agricultural research, food security and economic development across Africa for the past five decades.
“We have some of the best crop scientists working here. The institution has been in existence for over 57 years but the Nigerian government has not fully utilised its potential. But it’s better late than never.
“That is why the President insisted that my humble self, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusinesses and Productivity Enhancement (Office of the Vice President), Dr Kingsley Uzoma, should come here and give him a live account of what we saw,” the VP said.
The Vice President explained why the government is poised to partner with IITA, noting that the institution’s commitment to practical research, impact, local yearnings and robust technological innovations makes it an indispensable ally in Nigeria’s agro-food sustenance policies.
Earlier, the Director-General of IITA, Dr Simeon Ehui, said the institute is spearheading multiple initiatives that have improved access to climate-resilient seeds and agricultural technologies.
“Our innovative systems between IITA-CGIAR and partners, particularly in improving cassava, maize and cowpea varieties have increased farmers’ access to high-yield climate-resilient seeds. The same applies to rice,” he said.
Dr. Ehui explained that IITA’s efforts are creating measurable impacts on both small-scale and commercial farming operations nationwide, noting that in the Northeast, the USAID-funded Nigeria Integrated Agriculture Activity (NIAA) has established community-based enterprises that focus on youth and women’s participation in agriculture.
“Our project in the North East is developing community-based enterprises, creating jobs and increasing yields of staple crops and ensuring nutritionally dense staple food for Nigerians,” Dr. Ehui stated.
He pointed out that a major advancement in the institute’s work is the newly established Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health at IITA headquarters.
“This initiative will serve as a regular catalyst for promoting sustainable fertilizer use, improving soil health and directly supporting Nigeria’s efforts to increase agricultural productivity,” Dr. Ehui said.
He added that the institute has also played a crucial role in crisis response, partnering with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) to address the recent ginger blight epidemic.
The Vice President, accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusinesses and Productivity Enhancement (Office of the Vice President), Dr Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Southwest), Moremi Ojudu, and other senior government officials were taken round the facilities at the institution, including the Seed Multiplication Centre for yam/cassava and the institution’s Business Incubation Platform (BIP).
IITA, Other Research Institutions Pivotal To FG’s Agric Revolution – VP Shettima
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.
The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.
This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.
Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
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