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Supporting women farmers quickest route to attaining food security – Stakeholders
Supporting women farmers quickest route to attaining food security – Stakeholders
The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organization in Nigeria (SWOFON), Gombe State chapter, has called on the state government to support women in agriculture as well as youths to boost food security in the state and country.
The State Chairperson, SWOFON, Mrs. Airudia Mamman, made the call in Gombe on Thursday while commemorating the 2024 World Food Day in the state.
Mamman said that the quickest way to achieving food security efforts of the government was to empower small-scale women farmers in the state to cultivate more farmlands.
She said that with increased investments in line with the Malabo target of investing 10 per cent of their national budgets in agriculture, the state would be better placed to boost food availability.
According to her, since small-scale farmers form the largest population contributing to crops cultivation, supporting them will ensure that more farmers are reached for increased productivity.
Mamman called for more supports to women and youth farmers in the state while also urging government to release budgetary allocations to smallholder women farmers in the state.
She commended the state government for its supports to farmers, adding that with continued support, more women would be empowered and more jobs would be created.
“We urge the government to ensure timely release of funds allocated to smallholder farmers in the state annual budget to SWOFON to enable us implement our work plan towards boosting food security and reducing poverty.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Hope Foundation For the Lonely (HFL), Mrs Sarah Yapwa said that small-scale women farmers held the key to unlocking Nigeria’s potential in agriculture.
Yapwa said with the huge population of women in agriculture, leveraging that number would be the best way out of the threat of food crisis.
She said such farming population in the state, who are also involved in agriculture value-chain the state would not only be boosting food security but empowering women out of poverty and also tackling malnutrition.
She said if the state and Nigeria must have food in the near future, then ignoring women would be threatening to the food security efforts of government.
Other SWOFON members who spoke to NAN urged the state government to revamp irrigation farming in the state as way of mitigating the impact of climate change on agriculture.
On its part, the Gombe State government commended the contributions of small-scale women farmers in the state to boosting food security.
Mr Barnabas Malle, the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives gave the commendation, noting that women farmers form the largest farming population in the state.
Malle said that the state government had initiated several programmes and extension services aimed at supporting farmers to increase food availability in the state and country.
Malle who was represented by Mr Jonathan Bulus, Assistant Chief Principal Superintendent at the ministry said part of efforts to improve the agriculture sector led to the subsidising of fertilisers and other farm implements.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of the 2024 World Food Day which was marked on Wednesday is, “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future”
The event to commemorate the day in the state was organised by the Gombe State chapter of SWOFON, Hope Foundation for the Lonely.
This was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives with support from ActionAid Nigeria.
Supporting women farmers quickest route to attaining food security – Stakeholders
Zulum announces N1 Billion support to UMTH for Kidney Transplant
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a N1 billion financial support package for the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) to facilitate kidney transplants for underprivileged patients from the state.
Demonstrating immediate commitment, Governor Zulum authorised an initial deposit of N250 million to cover transplants for 50 indigent patients.
The governor made the announcement during the 110th General Meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, alongside the commissioning of the epoch-making projects at UMTH.
He confirmed that the remaining N750 million would be disbursed in three instalments.
“I am pleased to announce that Borno State government will deposit the sum of N250 million to support kidney transplant of 50 patients. I am ready to contribute N1 billion as government’s contribution towards supporting the less privileged indigenes of the State ,” Zulum stated.
“The Borno State government therefore pledges to support this initiative and is ready to provide all the partnership required to sustain the provision of kidney transplant to less privileged patients at UMTH. This is only the beginning—I promise to do even more,” he added.
Governor Zulum commended UMTH for its strides in specialised healthcare, particularly its recent successful kidney transplants.
“I was told both the patients and donors are doing very well. Indeed this is a landmark achievement and a great relieve to patients most importantly to those who cannot afford the cost of transplant,” he remarked.
Speaking on the State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services (SEMAS), the governor confirmed that ten new fully equipped ambulances would be deployed across health facilities by the week’s end. This, he stressed, would bolster the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative.
“As a Government, we pledge our full support for the sustenance and scale-up of the Maternal and Newborns Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative programme. We view it not as a standalone initiative, but as a critical complement to our broader health reform agenda,”.
“We are committed to ensuring that Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative succeeds in providing comprehensive antenatal care, emergency obstetric services, skilled birth attendance, postnatal follow-up and routine immunisation to protect our children from preventable diseases,” he stressed.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, lauded Governor Zulum for fostering collaboration between state and federal governments to deliver equitable, affordable healthcare.
“Governor Zulum exemplifies teamwork by working closely with the federal government to enhance healthcare quality and accessibility in Borno,” Pate said.
Chief Medical Director, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo acknowledged the state’s N500 million intervention following the 2024 floods, had helped to restore critical services, including the renovation of Trauma and Kidney Centres, procurement of medical consumables and the reactivation of oxygen plant.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Minister of Health and Social Services Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, National Assembly members, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (GCON), the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, former deputy governor, Hon. Usman Mamman Ndurkwa and over 70 Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors.
Zulum announces N1 Billion support to UMTH for Kidney Transplant
Troops neutralise three terrorists in ambush operations in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised three terrorists and intercepted logistics supplies during coordinated ambush operations in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Tuesday that the operations were conducted by under Operation Desert Sanity IV.
The sources said that the first ambush occurred late on July 28 at Kawuri general area, where troops lying in wait intercepted terrorists transporting logistics. On sighting the ambush team, a firefight ensued, resulting in the neutralisation of two terrorists, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.
Items recovered included packs of salt, Maggi seasoning, detergents, wrappers, brassieres, hijabs, shoes, a solar panel, torchlight batteries, and packs of SIM cards.
The troops returned safely to base early on July 29.
In a separate incident around midnight on the same day, troops on patrol observed suspicious movement ahead of their location in Konduga.
An alert was sent to an ambush team already in position, which swiftly engaged the terrorists at a different axis of the local government area. One terrorist was neutralised, while others fled.
The troops recovered items from both operations and returned to base without casualties.
Troops neutralise three terrorists in ambush operations in Borno
Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno, recover weapons
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised two ISWAP terrorists during a fighting patrol in Aligambari village, near Gajiram in Borno State.
A reliable source told Zagazola Makama on Tuesday that the troops, acting on credible intelligence, launched a swift operation in the area at about 1:00 p.m. on Monday.
According to the source, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them with superior firepower, killing two of them in the process.
He said that the soldiers also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one PKT machine gun and two magazines from the scene.
“The troops are currently dominating the area of responsibility with aggressive patrols to deny the terrorists any freedom of movement.
“All captured items are in the custody of the troops, and further instructions are being awaited from higher headquarters,” the source added.
Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno, recover weapons
Zulum announces N1 Billion support to UMTH for Kidney Transplant
Troops neutralise three terrorists in ambush operations in Borno
Troops neutralise two terrorists in Borno, recover weapons
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