Month: November 2023

Rep. Princess Ugwu (LP-Enugu South) has advocated for increased financial empowerment of women to increase their participation in politics and governance processes.

Ugwu, representing Enugu South Rural Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly made the call during a virtual meeting with Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting, via zoom, was part of efforts to realise the United Nations 1995 Affirmative Action on women gender policy.

She stressed the need to strengthen the implementation of the affirmative action which advocated for 35 per cent inclusion of women in public service and governance to ensure gender equality.

She, however, observed that the affirmative action may not be feasible if women do not have the financial muscle to compete favourable with their men counterparts in the political space.

She blamed the poor representation of women in governance on lack of financial resources, cultural, social, economic barriers, and mindsets among others.

She noted that contesting for political positions in the Nigeria’s political space requires huge financial resources which most women do not have.

“In spite of the financial waivers given to women aspirants by some political parties, most Nigerian women who seek these positions cannot afford the financial obligations.

“With this financial deficit, the women could do little or nothing to outweigh their male counterparts.

“It is very important, therefore, to empower women to be financially buoyant to enable them to sponsor their election campaigns and other political obligations,” she said.

The lawmaker said that the women could be financially empowered through skill acquisition, trade, career development among others.

She pledged to ensure a gender responsive budget in the state’s 2024 budget to implement more women empowerment programmes.

“I also want to use my office to sponsor women during the 2027 general elections and ensure that they win.” she said.

Ugwu further called for massive advocacy to strengthen women participation in politics and impact the governance process.

She stressed the need to create awareness against gender stereotypes, gender roles biases and educate the public on the importance of women’s participation in politics for inclusive governance.

She added that the awareness campaigns and advocacies should also address the negative attitude towards persons with disabilities.

In her remarks, Ms Grace Ubeh, Communications Officer, GSAI, commended Ugwu for advocating for women empowerment.

Ubeh said that GSAI was carrying out a three-month project tagged, “Gender Advocacy and Inclusion in Nigeria (GAIN) among other projects to ensure women participation in governance.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Emmanuel Igbaukum, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Benue, says insecurity is hampering rice production in the state.

Igbaukum spoke at an advocacy visit to the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Michael Oglegba, on Tuesday in Makurdi.

He lamented that insecurity had prevented Benue from taking its pride of place as the number one producer of rice in the country.

The coordinator reiterated that Benue would have been the number one producer of rice in the country if not for insecurity.

“If insecurity the state is tackled, Benue will take the lead in the production of rice in the country.

“Most rice farmers in the state are living in crisis prone areas.

“Persistent insecurity is hampering good farming practices thereby affecting food security,” Igbaukum said.

He pointed out that through IFAD-VCDP, farmers in the state were experiencing high yield, adding that the organisation adequately trained farmers on Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) which translated into high yield.

Igbaukum said that knowledge on GAP helped in proper application of fertiliser to their crops.

He also stated that the organisation had created several opportunities to encourage the youth to accept and embrace agriculture for the overall good of the society.

Responding, Oglegba assured IFAD-VCDP of a sustained and robust partnership.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP) has called for deliberate measures and policies to address the negative impacts of climate change on livestock production in the country.

NSAP President, Prof. Francis Abeke, made this call on Tuesday at the 12th Joint Annual Meeting of the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) and the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) in Abuja.

He said it was necessary if Nigeria would achieve its vision and mission of providing animal protein food for Nigerians at affordable prices.

Abeke said the negative influence of climate change on animal agriculture could not be over emphasised and called for more science, smart science, and cutting edge technology to reposition the sector.

According to him, the society is committed to meeting the yearning needs and aspirations of Nigerians for adequate animal protein in their diets.

He said collective will and rugged determination was evident among all stakeholders in the livestock industry as it was important to synergise and strategise to achieve a robust livestock industry in Nigeria.

“I want to call on all tiers of government to redouble their efforts in providing suitable production environment through policies, as well as improving the funding of this important sector of the economy.

“The current low scale and almost subsistent production system cannot meet the animal protein need of the vast and growing population of Nigerians and for export.

“I strongly believe that as we put on our thinking caps and brainstorm on the various challenges facing the livestock industry during this conference; we will come out with a workable solution,’’ he said.

On his part, Prof. Baba Yusuf, President, Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, said food and nutrition security was very critical and central to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

He said NIAS as a regulatory body in the livestock sub-sector, would continue to strive to be very innovative, strategic and transformational.

Yusuf pledged the Institute’s commitment to work with all stakeholders from Government, Academia and, particularly, the industry, in order to be more impactful.

“As animal scientists, we must make extra efforts towards building bridges of hope, tolerance, cooperation and unity across our profession.

“This is the only way for Animal Agriculture to fully unleash its potential and relevance towards the economic growth of our country,’’ he said.

Dr Sabi Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, while commending the associations, said the theme, ‘Pathways to Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change in Animal Agriculture,’ was apt.

He said climate change effects in agriculture had ravaged the world with severe impact on lives and livelihood of crop and livestock farmers.

The minister said all stakeholders must collaborate not only to mitigate the impact, but raise preparedness level by putting in place policies and strategies that support climate-smart agriculture.

“With the huge potentials in livestock resources alongside low intake of animal sourced protein, the present administration has set its focus on ensuring that all Nigerians have access to balanced and wholesome diet.

“This can be realised only by making the livestock sub-sector of the economy viable enough not only to provide affordable source of protein but create employment and earn foreign exchange for Nigeria.

“This is the essence of State of Emergency on Food Security as declared by President Bola Tinubu on July 13,’’ he said.

He said his ministry, in recognition of the significance and strategic importance of the livestock sub-sector in Nigeria’s quest for sustainable economic development, had begun implementing the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).

The plan, he said was to create a robust, vibrant and competitive livestock sector capable of meeting the national demand for animal protein and place Nigeria among top players in the global livestock economy.

Earlier, former Governor of Kano State, Dr Umar Ganduje, said livestock played major roles in the entire food system; as manure was a critical source of natural fertiliser and also used as draft animals to boost productivity in low mechanisation regions.

According to him, livestock are important assets for vulnerable communities.

He said that globally, no fewer than 500 million pastoralists relied on livestock herding for food, income, and as a store of wealth.

“Locally, livestock production systems have the potential to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and to carbon sequestration in soils and biomass.

“Livestock farming is one of the most profitable businesses in the agricultural industry.

“As long as meat, leather products, milk, etc. are in demand, livestock production will always remain a profitable business,’’ he said.

Ganduje, however, called for more attention and commitment to research and innovation as twin tools for the development of livestock.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

179 Nigerians have been awarded scholarship to study different programmes in Russia, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman has said.

Mamman, who said this at the 2023/2024 Pre-departure briefing of Bilateral Education Agreement Scholars to Russia in Abuja on Tuesday, noted that the first batch of students were already on their way to the airport for departure.

According to him, the second and third batches will depart on Nov.15 and Nov. 17 respectively.

Represented by the Director of Universities Education in the ministry, Mrs Rakiya Ilyasu, Mamman advised the scholars not to see the opportunity as uncontrolled freedom to do things that would be to their disgrace.

He explained that the country had invested a lot in them and as such required the returns of investment on their return to the country.

“Note that you are few out of thousands who secured this opportunity which you must not take for granted. Your parents and teachers would also be happy with your succor.

“Your selection is part of a broader plan which ensures that brilliant Nigerians, especially those that cannot afford to study programmes that are not readily available in Nigeria, are supported to get necessary knowledge, skills and competence that would be useful in Nigeria’s development agenda.

“I am happy to inform you that in spite of the global economic meltdown, the number of our development partners have increased and many of them now offer scholarship to Nigeria.

“As you prepare to travel out, ensure to uphold and eschew good values, focus on your studies and be a good ambassador of your country,” he said.

The Minister also charged the scholars to always strive to abide by the laws of their host country and as well remember to be their brother’s keeper in their new environment.

“Most importantly, you need to make your presence known to the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow. This is very necessary based on our experiences from Ukraine.

“Your parents are also spending a lot of resources on you. Note that we all expert you return to our dear country at the end of your studies to assist Nigeria to become a better place by contributing your quota to its development, using your new knowledge and skills,” he added.

Also speaking, the Director, Federal Scholarship Board, Asta Ndajiwo said the journey began in November 2022 with applications from thousands of Nigerians which later translated to the nomination of the candidates.

Ndajiwo commended the Federal Government efforts especially in the payment of the scholars allowances from September to December.

She also advised the scholars to do away with any extracurricular activities that could take their lives, recalling an incident where two scholars lost their lives while swimming in a pool.

“We regret loosing two Nigerian scholars in Russia in the past that went to swim and in the process got drowned. We don’t want to loose anyone again and so we advise you stay away from water if you cannot swim.

“We want you to be your brother’s keeper, work hard and face your studies as you also be a good ambassador of the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Army has alerted the public that it has not commenced recruitment for Direct Short Service course.

It said the online `Nigerian Army Direct Short Service (DSS) Recruitment Portal for 2023′ is fake, and warned the public not to fall victims of fraudsters.

This is contained in a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said the fake online was created by unscrupulous persons to defraud and mislead the public, as such Nigerians especially applicants should avoid it.

According to him, the Nigerian army has already set measures in motion to apprehend those behind the fraudulent portal.

“Accordingly, members of the public are enjoined to report any suspicious recruitment portal or activities to the NA.

“The army will continue to remain committed to ensuring a transparent and credible recruitment process through its established official channels of communication.

“These channels include, the official Nigerian Army website and social media platforms https://army.mil.ng twitter @HQNigerianArmyFacebook, Headquarters Nigerian Army and other reputable media outlets.

“It is important to rely on these official sources for accurate and up-to-date information, rather than fall victim of fake recruitment online advertisements.

”Fake recruitment advertisements will inevitably mislead potential candidates and expose them to the vagaries of fraudulent activities of scammers.

“Potential Candidates are particularly urged to take this rebuttal cum advisory seriously,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria