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Protest: Northern Youth Urge States, LGAs, to Review Economic Policies, Palliatives Distribution Structures

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Protest: Northern Youth Urge States, LGAs, to Review Economic Policies, Palliatives Distribution Structures

By: Michael Mike

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals have commended President Tinubu’s administration for the substantial revenue savings achieved since the removal of the fuel subsidy, advising the states, local government areas to review economic policies and palliatives distribution structures.

In a statement signed by the association Chairman, Isaac Abrak said: “The redirection of these funds towards enhancing the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly the less privileged, is a testament to the President’s genuine intention to end the misappropriation of trillions of naira by a select few oil cabals under the guise of paying oil subsidies.”

Abrak said: “However, the recent national protest tagged #EndBadGovernance has highlighted that despite these efforts, state and local governments have not yet efficiently utilized these funds to improve the lives of Nigerians, especially the very poor. This reality calls for state governors and local government chairmen to urgently review the mechanisms they use to administer these funds and distribute palliatives.

“Interestingly, this protest has revealed youth and community leaders who can be integrated into these structures to ensure that the impact of these funds and other forms of palliatives, such as food commodities, reaches those who need it the most.”

He added that: “Last month- July, while protesters were organizing, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed N1.354 trillion, with states receiving N461.979 billion and local governments receiving N337.019 billion. Between January and May this year, a total of N10.13 trillion was shared among federal, state, and local governments, marking a 179% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The breakdown of these disbursements includes N1.88 trillion for the Federal Government, N2.05 trillion for State Governments, and N1.41 trillion for Local Governments.

“To ensure food reaches the tables of ordinary Nigerians, President Tinubu dispatched 20 trucks of rice to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with each truck containing approximately 1,200 bags of 25kg of rice. Additionally, the administration released 102,000 metric tons of grains, including maize, millet, and garri, from the National Food Reserve. This distribution aims to alleviate the food crisis and high commodity prices. Despite these efforts, the desired results continue to elude us, heightening frustrations nationwide.

“It is imperative that state governors urgently review their economic policies and distribution structures to ensure that palliatives effectively reach those in need. While it is easy to blame the state governors, the responsibility also lies with the leadership of distribution networks, including religious bodies such as the Christian Association of Nigeria, Jama’a tu Nasril Islam, traditional rulers, civil society groups, professional organizations, and youth and student unions. These bodies must critically examine and improve their internal distribution mechanisms.

“Government at the sub-national level must avoid politicizing the distribution of palliatives and governance in general, as evidenced by the recent protests that affect us all. Individuals driven by selfishness, greed, and poor integrity must be consciously weeded out from administering government intervention programs, especially at the grassroots level.”

Abrak advised that “President Tinubu should continue to embrace constructive criticism as an opportunity to do more, while we all must also self-examine and strive to improve our characters and roles as followers and citizens in moving our country forward. Members of the National and State Assemblies should reconsider their wages and allowances, which have long been criticized as excessively generous.”

He said: “We, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals, urge the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE Protesters to end the protest and join other stakeholders to work together to ensure that the benefits of the subsidy removal reach every Nigerian, particularly the most vulnerable among us.”

Protest: Northern Youth Urge States, LGAs, to Review Economic Policies, Palliatives Distribution Structures

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Modified seeds safe, key to eradicating hunger- NBRDA tells Adamawa youths

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Modified seeds safe, key to eradicating hunger- NBRDA tells Adamawa youths

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has sensitised Adamawa youth against misinformation condemning genetically modified seeds in the country.

Speaking at the two day sensitisation workshop for youth in collaboration with Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General of the agency Modified seeds are safe.

The theme of the sensitisation is “Empowering the next generation: youth driving the future of Agricultural biotechnology in Nigeria”.

Mustapha said that the workshop is timely considering how some faceless people who do not understand science were condemning modified seeds in the country.

He said the modified seeds are key to eradication of hunger and a key to nutritional value that many farmers were yearning to get.

He said that considering the situation of drought and excessive use of chemicals among other climate change issues, modified seeds change household income and productivity.

He further urged the participants to use the training to facilitate eradication of misinformation and make sure that what they gave is factual.

Prof. Ibrahim Umar, Vice Chancellor MAU Yola said, the sensitisation is significant considering the challenge of food security in the country.

Umar who was represented by Prof. Iliyasu Audu, DVC Academic said, the workshop provided an opportunity for the participants to understand the importance of modified seeds against misinformation on social media.

He added that the university has taken it as its top priority to improve food security in the country.

Mohammed Buji, a farmer testified that he planted modified maize on half hectares of farmlands and harvested 3.5 tons unlike conventional seeds that give a maximum of two tons per a hectare of farmland.

He said that the seeds were resistant to drought, pest control free and give good yield that would transform the life of farmers.

Beki Idris a student and a participant said, modified seeds are helpful to farmers and such a seed is safe and has no side effects on the people and he assured to step down the sensitisation to other people.

Modified seeds safe, key to eradicating hunger- NBRDA tells Adamawa youths

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World Bank Commends ACReSAL Project for Massive Restoration of Land in Northern Nigeria

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World Bank Commends ACReSAL Project for Massive Restoration of Land in Northern Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The World Bank has commended the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project for its massive achievement in restoration of land in parts of Northern Nigeria.

ACReSAL, is a World Bank approved project aimed at increasing the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in northern Nigeria and strengthen the country’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management.

Speaking at ACReSAL Stakeholders Engagement/ Marketplace Showcase in Abuja on Tuesday, Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank and Task Team Leader, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Dr Joy Agene, said that marketplace for ACReSAL project have delivered huge investment through land restoration.

She noted that marketplace for ACReSAL is where we have a huge investment that is saving millions of land in targeted watersheds.

She explained that: “Marketplace is also a technology where water is conserved in dryland to ensure that we are able to produce, sell and make income.

On her part, the Practice Manager Environment, World Bank, Mrs Ellysar Baroudy expressed satisfaction with the project saying the project had really been an example within the whole World Bank portfolio.

She said however the World bank was faced with challenges of climate change, degradation, as well as finance.

Baroudy urged ACReSAL to be resolute in spite of the challenges being faced at the point of discharging their work.

The National Project Coordinator ACReSAL, Mr Abdulhamid Umar said that the project is a people-oriented project that would sustain livelihoods.

He added that the project has touched so many lives especially the down trodden in communities.

Director Water Support Services, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr Segun Babarinde said that the marketplace has showcased a collaborative effort within the stakeholders.

He said: “I want to thank all the states for being very, resolute in ensuring the achievement of this glorious idea by the government.”

Director International Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Finance, Mr George Stanley said that there is no doubt that the project has delivered on various aspects of environment, agriculture, water resources and even beyond.

He said: “In special terms, the project has improved the resilience and livelihood of the communities through wide range interventions carefully implemented by institutional partners.”

Etsu Kwali, a prominent traditional ruler with the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr Luka Ayedo, said that the intervention of market place project is already yielding excellent results.

He noted that: “The project has come to terminate hunger in our community the intervention has impacted us for good I want to say the World Bank has invested rightly.”

World Bank Commends ACReSAL Project for Massive Restoration of Land in Northern Nigeria

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Buni urges security operatives to redouble efforts on peace, law, and order in Yobe

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Buni urges security operatives to redouble efforts on peace, law, and order in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON has called on the security agencies to redouble their effort to provide adequate security and proper maintenance of law and order in the state.

Buni made the call today in Damaturu at the commissioning of 47 four-wheel-drive vehicles and 50 motorcycles distributed to security agencies in the state.

He said government efforts towards supporting security agencies to enable them to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently are a means of ensuring the maintenance of law and order throughout the state.

“To achieve this noble objective, it has become necessary to provide adequate support to security agencies in terms of logistics to ease their movements on routine patrols or when responding to distress calls from citizens of the state.” Governor Buni said.

The governor appreciates the federal government and security agencies in ensuring that peace and security reign across Yobe State.

He maintained that our efforts in security agencies since assumption of office have been wide-ranging and inclusive through close collaborations to enhance synergy for a better working relationship to enhance successful operations to reduce crime in the state.

According to Governor Buni, one vehicle will be given to each of the 17 local government area chairmen to enhance their day-to-day operations, while the 50 motorcycles will be allocated with the following ratio: 23 to the Department of State Services, 10 to the Nigerian Army, 10 to the airport security team, and 7 to the vigilante group.

Buni directed the chairmen of the 17 local government areas to maintain the vehicles attached to Divisional Police Officers in their respective local government areas as well as provide them with fuel to facilitate their day-to-day operations.

Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser on Security Affairs to the Governor, Brig. Gen. Dahiru Abdusalam (rtd), commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for supporting security agencies in the state.

Gen. Abdusalam assured judicious use of the vehicles for the purpose intended to improve security across the state.

Buni urges security operatives to redouble efforts on peace, law, and order in Yobe

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