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TINUBU ADMINISTRATION MOBILIZES HALF A BILLION DOLLARS FOR NIGERIA’SFOOD SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION – VP SHETTIMA
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
Troops arrest suspected terrorist, recover rifle in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have arrested a suspected terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle during a routine patrol in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources said the arrest was made on April 3 at about 11:30 a.m. by troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kurya.
The suspect was apprehended at Tungan Haki village and found in possession of one AK-47 rifle mounted with a magazine containing 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The sources disclosed that the suspect and the recovered weapon are currently in custody for further investigation and necessary action.
They added that troops have continued to intensify patrols and surveillance operations across the area to curb criminal activities.
Troops arrest suspected terrorist, recover rifle in Zamfara
IED explosion injures two security personnel during patrol in Anambra
By: Zagazola Makama
Two security personnel have been injured following the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) during a fighting patrol in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Security sources said the incident occurred on April 3 at about 12:30 p.m. when troops of Sector 5, Operation UDO KA, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lilu, conducted a patrol alongside Nigeria Police personnel.
It was gathered that the team sighted the IED within the Lilu general area and attempted to destroy it.
However, the explosive device detonated during the process, injuring an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel and a police officer.
The injured personnel were immediately administered first aid at the scene before being referred to a medical facility for further treatment.
Authorities said the situation has been brought under control, while operations continue in the area to ensure safety and prevent further incidents.
IED explosion injures two security personnel during patrol in Anambra
Troops neutralise two terrorists, destroy hideouts in Plateau clearance operations
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), under Operation Wutan Daji, have neutralised two suspected terrorists and destroyed several hideouts during clearance operations in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources said the operations were carried out in conjunction with local vigilantes across Babangida, Adua and Bokayi villages within the Dutsen Zaki forest.
It was gathered that troops made contact with the terrorists along the Babangida–Adua road, leading to a gun battle in which two of the suspects were neutralised, while others fled with possible gunshot wounds.
No casualties were recorded among the troops, and all equipment was accounted for.
During the operation, troops recovered one locally fabricated gun, a belt containing 105 rounds of 7.62mm PKT ammunition, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a cutlass.
In a related development, troops of CSI Battalion XIV, in collaboration with 332 Artillery Regiment and vigilantes, conducted further clearance and raid operations in Dadin-Kowa and Dada villages.
The operation involved 47 soldiers and four vigilantes, supported with motorcycles, gun trucks, a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle and an artillery gun.
The troops established a gun position and carried out fire missions on suspected terrorist locations in Madam Forest to deny them freedom of action.
Subsequent raid operations in Dadin-Kowa village led to the destruction of suspected terrorist hideouts, although no contact was made with the fleeing elements.
Troops neutralise two terrorists, destroy hideouts in Plateau clearance operations
Troops arrest suspected terrorist, recover rifle in Zamfara
Troops recover suspected rustled cattle in Plateau
Troops neutralise kidnapper, rescue victim in Enugu
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