Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition

Published

on

DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended a notorious bandit in Bojinji Village on the outskirts of Bauchi during a surprise raid, recovering millions of naira in cash and a large cache of ammunition.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect had relocated to Bauchi from Zamfara State, claiming to be fleeing persecution, and had settled in the community with his family. Bauchi has been a preferred destination for people affected by conflicts in neighbouring states, but security operatives say some criminal elements exploit this pattern to mask their activities.

The raid, carried out without prior warning, caught residents by surprise. “The DSS traced the suspect’s illicit wealth and movements before executing the operation,” a security source said.

Investigations revealed that the suspect was known locally for his lavish lifestyle, spending entire days drinking at Unguwar Yelwan Angas and buying alcohol for others, but no one suspected him of criminal activity until the DSS intervention.

Security officials have urged community members to assist security agencies by reporting suspicious individuals, particularly those whose lifestyle appears inconsistent with their means, as such vigilance is critical to preventing crimes and exposing criminal networks.

Security sources have confirmed that further investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the bandit’s operations and any accomplices within the state.

DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition

Continue Reading

News

Troops neutralise six bandits, recover rifles as arson attacks escalate in Zamfara

Published

on

Troops neutralise six bandits, recover rifles as arson attacks escalate in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops operating under Project Garkuwan Arewa have neutralised six bandits and recovered seven AK-47 rifles during a security operation in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A security source told Zagazola Makama on Sunday that the operation, conducted in the villages of Gangara, Tsageru and Sungawa, followed credible intelligence on hostile bandit activities in the area.

“Troops neutralised six bandits identified as Musa, Shehu, Nasiru, Yusuf, Mantagora and Siddiq. Seven AK‑47 rifles were also recovered during the operation,” the source said.

He said despite the setbacks suffered by the criminals, remnants of the bandit group resorted to burning farmlands and properties in surrounding communities in a bid to intimidate residents and regain control.

According to the source, local vigilante operatives are assisting troops in tracking fleeing bandits, some of whom have taken refuge within Gangara town, resulting in intermittent gunfire exchanges.

Security authorities described the attacks as retaliatory actions aimed at destabilising rural communities and warned of increased risks of civilian casualties if the criminals are not cleared from the area.

Troops have since intensified ground patrols in Gangara, Tsageru and Sungawa, while coordination with local intelligence networks has been strengthened to provide early warning on bandit movements.

Operations to track and apprehend fleeing suspects are ongoing.

Troops neutralise six bandits, recover rifles as arson attacks escalate in Zamfara

Continue Reading

News

PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING VIPS FOR CORE POLICE DUTIES

Published

on

PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING VIPS FOR CORE POLICE DUTIES

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons in the country.

Henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties.

The presidential directive was issued at the security meeting President Tinubu held on Sunday with the police, Air Force, army chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja.

According to the Presidential directive, VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.

In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.

Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.

Sunday’s meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.

PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING VIPS FOR CORE POLICE DUTIES

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights