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FG inaugurates committee on farmers’ soil health card scheme
The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Executive Technical Committee on the implementation of the Nigeria Farmers’ Soil Health Card Scheme (NFSHCS) to promote sustainable soil management practices.
The scheme seeks to enhance agricultural productivity in the country and to ensure a food-secure future for Nigeria.
Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi , Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, while inaugurating the committee on Wednesday in Abuja, said the scheme would shape the future of Nigeria’s agriculture.
He said the project stood as a pivotal initiative aimed to integrate principles of agro ecology, and regenerative agriculture in line with the vision of President Ahmed Tinubu.
“This committee will represent a significant milestone in the ministry’s efforts to prioritise soil health, enhance agricultural productivity and ensure a food-secure future for our country.
“The scheme emphasises the promotion of site-specific and crop-specific sustainable soil health management practices, along with the careful application of fertilisers,” he said.
He said that the objectives of the initiative includes, defining appropriate soil fertility management practices, improvement in soil health and fertility like cropping system/crop rotation, fertilisation and mulching.
Abdullahi said it will generate employment for rural youth, improve timeliness in analysis of soil samples, online delivery of soil health cards to the farmers using Soil Health Card Portal.
The minister said the soil health card portal provided all the information regarding nutrient deficiencies for fertiliser recommendations.
He said that another objective of the initiative was to provide soil testing facilities to farmers at their doorstep, and build a database on fertility status of Nigerian soils.
Abdullahi urged the committee to work collaboratively to achieve the goals of the scheme, engage stakeholders, foster partnerships and drive innovation and knowledge sharing.
” I charge this committee to ensure inclusivity and equity for a successful Soil Health programme under the Renewed Hope Food Security initiative,” he said.
The minister said that the programme was expected to span over a period of four years in the first instance.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Committee, Mr Oshadiya Olanipekun, said soil health was one of the important interventions under the Federal ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Olanipekun, who is the Director, Department of Agricultural Land Climate Change Management Services in the ministry, said the scheme aimed to take soil testing analysis to the door steps of the farmers.
Olanipekun said that under the scheme, the ministry would establish soil testing laboratories across the 774 Local Governments Areas in the country, create employment and prevent rural and urban migration.(NAN)
A coalition of civil society organisations in Zamfara Central has publicly called on philanthropist Yazeed Danfulani to contest for the senatorial seat in the National Assembly in the 2027 elections, citing his extensive humanitarian contributions and commitment to community development.
In a statement released on Sunday, the group’s spokesperson, Nuraddeen Garba Gusau, emphasised that the growing support for Danfulani transcends mere political sentiment.
“This is about Yazeed Danfulani’s proven dedication to the welfare of our people, demonstrated consistently without ever holding elected office,” Gusau said.
Danfulani, a prominent figure in Zamfara Central, has earned widespread admiration for his charitable initiatives.
He has funded the education of numerous children, offering opportunities to those who previously faced bleak prospects.
” His generosity also extends to providing financial and material aid to the less fortunate, helping families meet their basic needs.”
He said “Beyond individual support, Danfulani has bolstered small-scale entrepreneurs by distributing cars, tricycles, and financial capital, enabling many to achieve self-reliance.
“His efforts have significantly improved livelihoods across the region. Additionally, as a key supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Danfulani has played a vital role in strengthening the party’s unity and presence in the state.
The coalition believes Danfulani’s track record as a private citizen is a testament to his potential as a legislator.
“His selfless contributions are merely a glimpse of what he could achieve with the authority to legislate and attract development at the national level,” Gusau added.
News
Kaduna: Group calls EFCC, National Assembly, Kaduna state government’s intervention on alleged diversion of public funds
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Executive Director of a non-governmental organization, Eagle Brain Youth Transformative and Development Initiative (EBYTDI), Mr Daniel Ejembi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Assembly and Kaduna state government to intervene on alleged hijacking of a federal constituency project intended for public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A statement issued by the Executive Director described the alleged diversion of the public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a.
According to him, “This diversion of public resources to a private entity is a grave injustice to the children of Dokan Mai Jama’a. We demand swift intervention by the Kaduna State Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Assembly to recover misused funds and prioritize education for all.”
The statement stated that investigation reveals that a federal project sponsored by Yakubu Umar Barde, former member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, was alleged to have been unlawfully diverted to Fatima Academy, a private school owned by Abdulhadi Abubakar.
Ejembi explained, “The project, initially earmarked for constructing a public school, was instead executed at Fatima Academy, which lacks registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).”
He added that the contractor, Amrah Farms Nigeria Limited (RC-1523474), with directors including Abdulyekin Bello Tahir and Bello Halimat Sadiq, executed the project in violation of its original mandate, lamenting that public schools in Dokan Mai Jama’a faced severe deficits, including dilapidated classrooms, lack of sanitation facilities, and inadequate learning resources, exacerbating educational inequalities.
The Executive Director called for immediate probe into the alleged diversion of funds by relevant anti-corruption agencies and also called for urgent construction and renovation of classrooms, toilets, and perimeter fencing in the public schools.
He also appealed for the provision of desks, learning materials, and safe water systems for students and advised for legal action against unregistered institutions like Fatima Academy and accountability for involved parties.
Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Easter Monday morning.
Late Pope had been in and out of hospital in the last few weeks. He made a surprise appearance at the Easter Sunday service at Vatican on Sunday.
Details Later…