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US, Global Shea Alliance Partners on Boosting Shea Production in Nigeria
US, Global Shea Alliance Partners on Boosting Shea Production in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The United States government, in partnership with the Global Shea Alliance (GSA), the non-profit industry association with a mission to promote sustainability, quality practices and standards for shea in food and cosmetics, held its annual conference in Abuja.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the United States Embassy in Nigeria, this year’s theme ‘Bridging the Gap’ is centered on closing the divide between the visionary goals of the shea industry and the urgent need for practical action. Nigeria boasts the largest population of shea trees and shea collectors, positioning the country as a potential hub for production, processing, and innovation in the food and cosmetics industries across West Africa.
The statement read: “As the shea sector experiences significant growth, today’s conference serves as an opportunity to address challenges that limit market expansion, supply stability, resource management, climate adaptation, financing, women’s economic empowerment and more.
President of the Global Shea Alliance, Mamatou Djaffo, said: “Over 10 years ago the Global Shea Alliance began with a set of structures built to advance women in the industry and we have come a long way by improving our processes with input from shea beneficiaries,” adding that: “At Shea 2024, we will be targeting discussion on park land management, resource conservation, women’s economic empowerment, youth involvement, digitalisation strategies and effective trade policies to further unearth potential in the shea value chain.”
The conference will bring together key stakeholders from across the shea industry to: Examine the challenges and barriers that hinder the industry’s progress toward sustainability, including insufficient investment, new market opportunities, weak policy frameworks and social inequalities; Showcase examples of initiatives and projects that have successfully bridged the gap between the industry’s vision and present reality, emphasizing lessons learned and best practices; Foster partnerships among governments, NGOs, businesses and local communities to align efforts and resources towards a common goal of sustainability.
The three-day day event is expected to attract over 500 participants and will feature presentations from industry professionals on the above themes.
On behalf of the United States government, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires David Greene, in his remark said: “The United States government is proud to support the Global Shea Alliance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID recently invested more than $8 million under its Sustainable Shea Initiative to support the shea industry in seven West African countries, including Nigeria. This investment stems from our recognition of the industry’s potential to bolster the economic landscape and advance women’s economic empowerment.”
US, Global Shea Alliance Partners on Boosting Shea Production in Nigeria
News
Bandit kill police operative, cart away service weapon in Bukuyum in Zamfara
Bandit kill police operative, cart away service weapon in Bukuyum in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
A mobile police operative attached to Operation Restore Peace has been killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Adabka village, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 11:44 a.m. when the officer, deployed from Mopol 15, Ilorin, left his duty location in Adabka en route to Tibis village to purchase essential supplies.
Security sources in Bukkuyum told Zagazola that the operative was attacked at the outskirts of Adabka by armed bandits concealed in the surrounding bushes.
The attackers reportedly opened fire on the officer, killing him instantly before carting away his service riot gun.
“Field teams deployed to the scene recovered the body of the fallen operative, which was evacuated to Adabka Primary Health Care Centre for documentation,” the source said.
Sources said that the mode of attack aligns with operational tactics used by bandit factions linked to the Dan-Karama Gwaska and Dansadau networks, known for precision ambushes and rapid withdrawal.
Bandit kill police operative, cart away service weapon in Bukuyum in Zamfara
News
GSU’s Public Administration Dept hosts maiden int’l conference
GSU’s Public Administration Dept hosts maiden int’l conference
Stakeholders comprising academics, policymakers, security experts and public-sector practitioners have deliberated ways of tackling insecurity in the country through a multi-faceted approach that includes economic empowerment, improved governance, and enhanced security cooperation.
They made the submission during the maiden International Conference organised by the Department of Public Administration, Gombe State University (GSU).
The conference was declared open on Tuesday by Prof. Sani Ahmed Yauta, the Vice Chancellor of the institution who stated that any engagement aimed at proffering solutions to the security challenges of the country was an engagement borne out of the need to fast-track national development and stability.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Danladi Umar, Yauta urged participants to leverage the conference to contribute to ongoing efforts at addressing security challenges so as to enhance peace and development in the country.
In his keynote address, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Secretary to the Gombe State Government, linked good governance to enhanced security and national development.
Njodi stressed that good governance remained a critical tool to earning citizens’ trust needed to maintain peace and to strengthen development across the country.
He stated that discourse around Nigeria’s governance had become imperative in view of the current security challenges confronting the nation and threatening national development.
He stressed the need for subnational governments to drive national development, adding that they have massive roles to play in determining Nigeria’s progress.
“It is the aggregation of subnational experiences—state successes and failures—that ultimately determines Nigeria’s trajectory.”
Njodi cited the Gombe State governance model and how it had contributed to improvement in human capital development as well as the development of the state and therefore resulting in the peaceful status that the state had enjoyed under Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State’s leadership.
“The state’s development trajectory under Gov. Yahaya offers a practical demonstration of how visionary leadership, institutional innovation and participatory governance can transform a subnational entity within Nigeria’s federal system.
Speaking earlier, the Head of Public Administration Department, Prof. Matthew Funsho Bello, described the event as historic for both the department and the university.
Bello said that the conference’s theme, “Governance, Insecurity and National Development in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges,” was timely given the complexities of the nation’s socio-economic and security challenges.
“This gathering of distinguished scholars, public-sector experts, policymakers and practitioners from across the country marks a major milestone in our collective quest to address the vexing issues affecting our national life,” he said.
According to him, the theme reflects “the urgent need for academia, security agencies and public-sector experts to engage in constructive dialogue on how addressing insecurity and governance can drive sustainable development in Nigeria.
Security experts amongst other professionals made their presentations during the conference which are expected to form part of the recommendations at the end of the two-day event.
Dr Lawal Abdullahi Oladimeji, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Conference, lauded all participants and invited guests for the success of the maiden event.
Oladimeji said that recommendations from the conference would be given to relevant stakeholders towards enhancing national security and development.
GSU’s Public Administration Dept hosts maiden int’l conference
News
21 villagers abducted in kano communities as Security forces intensify search operation
21 villagers abducted in kano communities as Security forces intensify search operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Twenty-one persons have been abducted by suspected bandits in three villages of Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the coordinated attacks occurred in Sundu, Biresawa and Masaurari villages.
According to community members, two women were taken from Sundu, while five women and two children were abducted at Biresawa.
In Masaurari, nine men and one woman were reportedly seized, bringing the total number of abducted persons to 21 comprising nine men, eight women and two children.
The Police Command in Kano confirmed the attack noting that efforts had been intensified to rescue all victims unhurt.
The sources added that additional operatives had been deployed to the affected axis, while the area was being combed in collaboration with local vigilance groups and other security agencies.
The command assured residents of its commitment to restoring peace and urged the public to provide credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
21 villagers abducted in kano communities as Security forces intensify search operation
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