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TINUBU ADMINISTRATION MOBILIZES HALF A BILLION DOLLARS FOR NIGERIA’SFOOD SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION – VP SHETTIMA

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TINUBU ADMINISTRATION MOBILIZES HALF A BILLION DOLLARS FOR NIGERIA’S
FOOD SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION – VP SHETTIMA

By: Our Reporter

Nigeria has mobilized over half a billion dollars for innovative, profitable, equitable and sustainable food systems transformation initiative, according to the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima.

The Vice President made the disclosure while chairing a high-level meeting on the first day of the UN Food Systems Summit declared open in Rome, Italy by the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guteress.

Vice President Kashim Shettima said the funds were mobilised “through domestic resources, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, climate funds leading agro-businesses,” and would be used for “Innovation finance for food system transformation; development of Nigeria’s agro value chain and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programmes.”

Explaining further, Sen. Shettima said “in this event, the Government of Nigeria will be showcasing its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) as a unique example of a successful partnership between producers, the public sector and private operators.”

“The VCDP which is co-funded by the of Nigeria and IFAD has empowered vulnerable farmers and youth to engage into commercial partnerships with some of the biggest food processing and marketing firms in the world such as OLAM, a world leading agri-business company operating in over 60 countries with an annual revenue of about $39.8 billion,” the Vice President added.

Stating the government’s vision about ending hunger, the VP added that “building on the success of the VCDP, the Federal Government is determined to capacitate Nigeria’s rural smallholders and operators, youth and women living below the poverty line to take advantage of the new Special Processing Zones.”

On the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), Vice President Shettima said it “brings together local governments, IFAD, AfDB, IsDB, GCF, OLAM and other private actors alongside the government of Nigeria for transformative financing of food systems that leaves no-one behind.”

While featuring in the panel discussion with the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud; Deputy President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua; and Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Ouhoudou Mahamadou, the VP said President Tinubu “is determined to transform the concept and meaning of modern governance” by demonstrating commitment towards the food system in the country.

According to him, “President Tinubu hit the ground running from day one of his administration, which is barely two months in office, and has therefore declared state of emergency in food security and took it as a livelihood item within the National Security Council.”

On removing impediments to economic recovery, he said “we had two albatrosses around our necks: subsidy on petrol and multiple exchange rates system.

“We withdrew the subsidy on petrol from day one, just like President Ruto did in Kenya. To mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal, the government embarked on the immediate release of grains and fertilizers.

“A commodity marketing board has been put in place to continuously review and monitor the prices of food items.”

“Along this way, the President has already approved the infusion of huge quantum of funds towards repositioning of our security architecture because we have similar problems with Somalia and Kenya, especially in the northeast and northwest regions of the country. We are repositioning our security architecture to provide support for farms and farmers.”

In attendance were the President of IFAD, Dr. Alvaro Lario, H.E. Muhammad Suleiman Al Jasser, President of Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Vice President of AfDB, Mrs. Hassatau N’Sele, Vice President of OLAM International Mr. Reji George and Vice President, Commodity Aaliance Forum (Representative of farmers) Mrs Ejim Lovelyn.

Declaring the Summit open, the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guteress commended the participating countries for their commitment to addressing the problems of hunger and malnutrition.

“This is the gathering about food system. It is essentially to fulfill those basic of human rights – the right to food. It is outrageous that people continue to suffer in the world of plenty,” the UN scribe stated.

The Vice President also had bilateral meeting with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. Both leaders discussed issues about the development of the two countries.

The Vice President was accompanied to the meeting by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Italy, Mfawa Abam and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, and other senior government officials.

TINUBU ADMINISTRATION MOBILIZES HALF A BILLION DOLLARS FOR NIGERIA’S
FOOD SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION – VP SHETTIMA

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Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state

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Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state

By: Zagazola Makama

Nine people were abducted and one man killed when armed bandits attacked Macitta village in Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State late Wednesday night, sources confirmed.

Sources said that around 11:30 p.m., a large group of armed bandits entered the community via Kotonkoro District, shooting sporadically. One of the residents, Aliyu Dan Tsohon Soja, 35, was shot dead during the attack. The identities of the nine abducted victims are yet to be confirmed.

Security forces , local vigilantes, and hunters were mobilized to the area, and the body of the deceased was evacuated to the General Hospital, Bangi, for autopsy. Efforts are ongoing to track down the attackers and ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped individuals.

Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and report any information that may assist in the rescue operations and apprehension of the bandits.

Armed bandits kill man, abduct nine in macitta village, niger state

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Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state

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Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state

By: Zagazola Makama

Three children lost their lives after being engulfed by fire while grazing cattle in Tungan-Noma village, Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State on Wednesday, sources confirmed.

According to sources, the children Huzairu (12), Aliru (11), and Kabiru Surajo (12) went out for cattle grazing around 12:30 p.m. and entered a deep gully in the bush.

They reportedly set dried grasses on fire in an attempt to trap small bush animals. Unfortunately, the flames spread rapidly, trapping the children and preventing their escape.

The lifeless bodies were recovered and evacuated to the General Hospital, Mokwa, for autopsy. Authorities visited the scene to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The incident draw attention to the dangers children face in rural areas, particularly when engaging in outdoor activities without supervision.

Parents have been urged to exercise caution and ensure children’s safety during such activities.

Three children die in bush fire while grazing cattle in Mokwa, Niger state

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Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims

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Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims

By: Zagazola Makama

Fourteen passengers, including four juveniles, were rescued after an attempted kidnap by armed gunmen along the Benin–Lagos Expressway at Isiuwa, Edo State, police sources confirmed on Wednesday.

The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m., when about 20 gunmen, divided into three groups, emerged from the bush and opened sporadic fire on moving vehicles.

The assailants attempted to attack policemen stationed at a checkpoint but were repelled by responding officers, who coordinated with the Operation Rescue Team, CP Intelligence Squad (Buffalo Team), and Nigerian soldiers.

Two Toyota Sienna vehicles were targeted. One, with registration number RSH 210 CH, was carrying seven passengers from Imo State to Ondo State, while the second, AME 211 YL, carried six passengers.

Police stormed the bush where the gunmen had taken the victims, successfully rescuing ten adults and four juveniles. The rescued included Frederick God Bless, Prosper Admijom, Oluyemi Bolu, Amoo Muyiwa, Ifoma Uchije, Daniel Chibuzo, Solomon Audu, Samuel Chibuke, Kemi Olayiwola, Ugochukwu Irozuruike, and juveniles Chidera Ochije, Augustine Ochije, Chukwuka Ochije, and Obiakor Chisom.

During the chaos, one Abba Adam, a conductor of a Howo truck with registration DED 638 XB, jumped out of his vehicle and was struck by an oncoming truck, dying on the spot. His body was recovered and deposited at Emiloju Medical Center, Okada Junction.

Three passengers are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing. Some of the rescued victims have since continued their journey safely.

Police foil kidnap attempt on Benin-Lagos expressway, rescue 14 victims

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