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Irrigation agriculture: Experts recommend new land administation method
Irrigation agriculture: Experts recommend new land administation method
As FG sensitizes host communities to deepen participation and ownership of irrigation projects
By: Ameh Ochojila
A report on irrigation agriculture practices in Nigeria has recommended the adoption of a semi-formal land ownership and administation method to boost land use and agricultural production in Nigeria.
The publication which made the recommendation, “Learning by Doing! Action Research Experiences from TRIMING Project in Nigeria’s Public Irrigation Schemes,” was released in Abuja on Monday at a two-day workshop organized by Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria(TRIMING), a World Bank-funded Federal Government initiative.
The publication, compiled by the Research Panel of Experts (RPoE) assembled by TRIMING, is the synthesis and highlight of the research reports and outcomes from the five research projects funded by the TRIMING Project. The action research is aimed at advancing the course of irrigation farming in Nigeria and to address challenges in agricultural production and its value chain. The research projects were carried out between 2017 and 2023 in the five target Schemes, namely: Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme (HVIS); Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Scheme (MRVIS); Bakolori Irrigation Scheme (BIS); Kano River Irrigation Scheme (KRIS); and Dadin Kowa Irrigation Scheme (DKIS).
“The semi-formal land administration method was socially acceptable, transparent, pro-equity, effective, cost efficient, sustainable, and the farmers in both formal-government land area and informal-customary were willing to adopt it; hence a high possibility that it will be adopted for implimentation of land consolidation in DKIS,” the experts said.
“The semi-formalized land administration process was perceived as having the potential to guarantee security of tenure and land use right, support land taxation, provide collateral for credit, develop and monitor land markets, reduce land disputes, facilitate land reform, improve infrastructure development, and support environmental management. Hence it was concluded that the land administration process may promote private investments in agriculture and support sustainable irrigation development.”
The two-day engagement with the theme, “consolidating and sustaining lessons learned from the implementation of the TRIMING Project Participatory Action Research,” is aimed at examinimg the efficiency and to ensure proper delivery of the projects. It was declared open by Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
In her remarks at the occasion, Mrs. Walson-Jack disclosed that the Federal Government had initiated advocacy programmes targeted at enhancing host communities’ understanding of the projects in order to deepen their participation and ownership of completed water projects.
She listed some of the benefits expected from the workshop to include best practices identification, capacity building, networking and collaboration, and policy ecommendations.
She told the participants that the success of the workshop depended on their active participation, engagement, and commitment to the shared goal of enhancing agricultural productivity. “Let us leverage this platform to learn from our collective experiences and chart a course for a more prosperous and sustainable future for irrigation in Nigerian agriculture.
TRIMING’s National Project Coordinator, Engr. Peter Yakubu Manjuk, said the workshop was planned, among other things, to discuss the systainability issues relating to the research finding and recommend action. It was also meant to promote community ownership of the research outcomes and plan for advocacy programmes for upscaling the promising research results by relevant institutions.
Irrigation agriculture: Experts recommend new land administation method
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A local hunters’ group has successfully rescued a kidnapped herder, Alhaji Babawuro, from captivity in Yobe State without payment of ransom, following a coordinated operation with security authorities.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the Babawuro, a resident of Kurbunga village under Shamka District of the Ngelzarma Emirate in Fune Local Government Area, was abducted at about 2:00 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2025, and taken to an unknown location.
The sources said the incident was reported to the Damagum Police Division on Nov. 30, after which the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of N50 million.
“It was the fifth time the victim had been kidnapped, apparently due to his status as a wealthy herder,” the sources said.
They explained that while negotiations were ongoing and the police were making arrangements to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor and the Emir of Ngelzarma held consultations with the Commissioner of Police.
According to the sources, it was agreed that a hunters’ group with proven expertise in kidnap rescue operations should be engaged to assist the police.
“The hunters subsequently took over negotiations, which were reduced to N7 million, while efforts were intensified to trace the kidnappers,” the sources said.
They added that the hunters traced the victim and the kidnappers to Sandi village in Gulani Local Government Area.
“At about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, the hunters stormed the hideout and successfully rescued the victim without paying any ransom,” the sources said.
During the operation, the leader of the kidnap gang, identified as Ahmadu Shuwa, also known as “Sumo,” was neutralised, while another suspect, Mohammed Bello, sustained gunshot injuries.
The sources further disclosed that two other members of the gang were arrested and have confessed to the crime.
The rescued victim, who has since reunited with his family, was treated at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, and later reported the incident at the Damagum Police Station.
Efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons used by the kidnappers ahead of handing over the suspects and exhibits to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.
The hunters’ group were commended for their role in the successful rescue operation.
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
A local hunters’ group has successfully rescued a kidnapped herder, Alhaji Babawuro, from captivity in Yobe State without payment of ransom, following a coordinated operation with security authorities.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the Babawuro, a resident of Kurbunga village under Shamka District of the Ngelzarma Emirate in Fune Local Government Area, was abducted at about 2:00 a.m. on Nov. 29, 2025, and taken to an unknown location.
The sources said the incident was reported to the Damagum Police Division on Nov. 30, after which the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family and demanded a ransom of N50 million.
“It was the fifth time the victim had been kidnapped, apparently due to his status as a wealthy herder,” the sources said.
They explained that while negotiations were ongoing and the police were making arrangements to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor and the Emir of Ngelzarma held consultations with the Commissioner of Police.
According to the sources, it was agreed that a hunters’ group with proven expertise in kidnap rescue operations should be engaged to assist the police.
“The hunters subsequently took over negotiations, which were reduced to N7 million, while efforts were intensified to trace the kidnappers,” the sources said.
They added that the hunters traced the victim and the kidnappers to Sandi village in Gulani Local Government Area.
“At about 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, the hunters stormed the hideout and successfully rescued the victim without paying any ransom,” the sources said.
During the operation, the leader of the kidnap gang, identified as Ahmadu Shuwa, also known as “Sumo,” was neutralised, while another suspect, Mohammed Bello, sustained gunshot injuries.
The sources further disclosed that two other members of the gang were arrested and have confessed to the crime.
The rescued victim, who has since reunited with his family, was treated at the State Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, and later reported the incident at the Damagum Police Station.
Efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons used by the kidnappers ahead of handing over the suspects and exhibits to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.
The hunters’ group were commended for their role in the successful rescue operation.
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
EXCLUSIVE: President approves establishment of new Nigerian Army Depot in Abakaliki, Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the establishment of a new Depot Nigerian Army in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as part of efforts to expand the manpower and operational capacity of the Nigerian Army.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the new Depot would complement existing Army training facilities and ensure a steady stream of well-trained personnel for deployment across the country.
Military source said the initiative is in line with the Nigerian Army’s strategic plan to enhance national security and produce combat-ready soldiers capable of addressing diverse security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and other internal threats.
The new Depot is expected to provide specialist and mission-oriented training, focusing on marksmanship, fieldcraft skills, and operational readiness. It will also incorporate measures to safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of recruits during and after their service.
The establishment of the Depot in Abakaliki follows recent efforts of the federal government to improve manpower of the Nigerian Military.
EXCLUSIVE: President approves establishment of new Nigerian Army Depot in Abakaliki, Ebonyi
Otuaro Hails Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation Boss On Conferment With Honorary Doctorate Degree
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
Hunters rescue kidnapped herder, neutralise gang leader in Yobe
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