Connect with us

News

Food security: Stakeholders committed to scaling up 2025 agriculture budget

Published

8 months ago

on

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector say they are committed to scaling up 2025 agriculture budget and ensure necessary provisions are captured in the allocations.

The stakeholders made the commitment at the ongoing National Stakeholders Consultative meeting on 2025 agriculture budget on Wednesday in Lagos.

The stakeholders at the meeting are state ministries of agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMFS), Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, ActionAid Nigeria, Oxfam, GIZ, Community of Agriculture Non-State Actors (COANSA), ECOWAS Commission, among others

Mrs Elizabeth Egharevba, Director, Economic Growth Department, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said the annual event was to assist the country to achieve the Malabo declaration that 10 per cent of its annual budget be appropriated to agriculture sector.

Egharevba, represented by Mr Olaitan Fatai, Deputy Director in the ministry, said that the meeting was strategic by bringing together relevant stakeholders to contribute their inputs into the 2025 agricultural budget.

She identified the forum as a milestone in the country’s efforts at ensuring that it achieve the Malabo declaration and proffer solutions to the country’s food insecurity.

She said that the resultant effect was to reduce food importation, pressure on external reserve and much needed hard earned FOREX that would be channeled to other vital developmental need.

“This platform facilitates more inputs into the 2025 agriculture budget by creating ownership, linking and integrating programmes that will help Nigeria not only to achieve food security but lead to attain other deliverables.

“I am confident that we are embarking on a landmark journey that will make us tackle food insecurity and enhance synergy between agencies in the agriculture sector.’’

ALSO READ:  APC withdraws from Osun LG poll

Egharevba said the forum had made significant impact in improving the budget of the agriculture since its inception in 2016.

The director said agriculture budget had risen to six per cent as against 1.3 per cent in 2016.

“The appropriation to agriculture at federal level had been increasing steadily although yet to achieve 10 per cent of the total national budget in line with the Malabo declaration.’’

Egharevba said that government had devoted more resources to agriculture in the 2025 budget through the development of the Cassava Bio-ethanol value chain project with a PPP arrangement.

According to her, the project is designed to be implemented in the six geopolitical zones to ensure the development of the entire cassava value chain.

Mr Ibrahim Tanimu, Director, Planning and Policy Coordination in the ministry, said the sector needed diversification through the use of innovation and technology to enhance agricultural production and ensure food and nutrition security.

Tanimu said the ministry at the moment was collaborating with Ministry of Science and Technology for the production of fabricated implement that could assist farmers to increase productivity.

“We need mechanisation not heavy machines but smaller fabricated machine that we can produce locally using our own initiative.

“We are collaborating with the Ministry of Science and Technology on the production of smaller implements that can assist our farmers at affordable price,’’ he said.

Mr Azubike Nwokoye, Food and Agriculture Programme Manager, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), identified the meeting’s objectives as to leverage understanding on the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).

ALSO READ:  NFF Will Focus On Total Commitment Now Pre-requisite For Wearing Nigeria’s Colours - Says Gusau

Nwokoye said it was also to leverage understanding on the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and its connection to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) targets.

“The meeting seeks to strengthen citizens’ participation towards making 2025 agriculture budget responsive to food systems transformation and wealth creation.

“To support effective biennial reporting by Nigeria to the African Union Heads of States and Government in line with the Malabo Declaration and Commitments of 2014,”he said.(NAN

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

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

News

Alleged sexual harassment: Suspended professor closes defence

Published

10 hours ago

on

April 11, 2025

By

Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL) on Friday closed his defence in the alleged sexual harassment case before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter until July 2 for adoption of final written addresses.

after the Ndifon’s lawyer, Joe Agi, SAN, indicated his intention to close his case.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspended professor closes his defence after calling two witnesses to counter the allegations levelled against him and his co-defendant, Sunny Anyanwu, by Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

While Ndifon was the first defence witness (DW-1), CSP Babagana Mingali, a Forensic Analyst, who works at the laboratory of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), was the DW-2.

Justice Omotosho had, on March 6, 2024, dismissed the no-case submission filed by Ndifon and Anyanwu against the ICPC charge.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, held that the evidence led by the prosecution constituted a prima facie case against the duo.

The judge, therefore, ordered Ndifon and Anyanwu to enter their defence.

The ICPC, in the alleged sexual harassment charge, preferred a four-count amended charge against Ndifon and Anyanwu, who was earlier a member of his team of lawyers.

They were accused of alleged sexual harassment, cybercrime and attempt to pervert the course of justice.

The ICPC alleged that Ndifon, while serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNICAL, asked the female Diploma student, identified as TKJ and a star witness, to send him “pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself” through WhatsApp chats.

ALSO READ:  No explosion at Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Station – Police

Anyanwu, one of the lawyers of the defence, was joined in the amended charge filed on Jan. 22, 2024, by the commission on the allegation that he called the star witness on her mobile phone during the pendency of the charge against Ndifon to threaten her.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

The anti-corruption commission had, on Feb 14, 2024, closed its case against the suspended professor Anyanwu.

ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told Justice Omotosho after Bwaigu Fungo, the 4th prosecution witness, a Forensic and intelligence Analyst with the commission, was cross-examined by the defence lawyer.(NAN)

Continue Reading

News

Taraba Socio-cultural Group Condemns Threats Against Sarkin Hausawa in Takum, Urges Government Action

Published

10 hours ago

on

April 11, 2025

By

By Nahum Sule, JALINGO

The Takum Samba Socio-Cultural Development Association has raised alarm over a live broadcast by Japhet Kwabche on his online platform, True Comrade TV, which they claim threatens the life of Sarkin Hausawa Takum, Alhaji Hudu Ismail Madugu, and endangers the peace of Takum.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the chairman of the association, Comr. Victor DanUsman said the association described Kwabche’s statements as inflammatory, alleging they imply intent to harm the Sarkin Hausawa and destabilize the town.

The association highlighted that Takum has enjoyed relative peace, attracting development projects, and such threats risk reversing progress.

They noted Kwabche’s declarations suggested he has the authority and capacity to act against the Sarkin Hausawa, raising concerns about planned actions that could affect the entire community. The group also questioned Kwabche’s motives, pointing out he is from Ussa LGA and not a resident of Takum.

Citing recent incidents of violence, including kidnappings and killings in the region, the association warned that Kwabche’s broadcast could incite further unrest. They called on the Taraba State government, led by Governor Agbu Kefas, and security agencies to intervene urgently to protect the Sarkin Hausawa, his family, and Takum residents.

The group urged the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and investigate Kwabche, emphasizing that his statements constitute a criminal threat.

The association reaffirmed its support for the state government and the rule of law, appealing for swift action to prevent any planned attacks and maintain peace in Takum.

ALSO READ:  Humanitarian Crisis: CSOs Decries Inactivity of Ministry Calls For Appointment Of Minister To Take Charge
Continue Reading

News

Kachia APC Stakeholders Back Tinubu, Gov. Sani For Continuity Beyond 2027

Published

11 hours ago

on

April 11, 2025

By

By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have thrown their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, pledging their unwavering support for the duo’s continuity beyond 2027.

The declaration was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday at the Kachia Council Secretariat.

PUNCH reports that the meeting was convened to receive briefings on security and developmental updates in the area.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Executive Chairman of Kachia Local Government and Chairman of the APC Stakeholders Forum, Dr. Manzo Maigari, said the forum serves as a platform for regular feedback and coordination between the Government and the grassroots.

“We briefed stakeholders on the progress regarding security, the new Federal University of Applied Sciences, and other developmental milestones,” Dr. Maigari said.

“After reviewing the political landscape in Kachia, the stakeholders unanimously endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for their achievements and leadership, and called for their continuity beyond 2027.”

Dr. Maigari also addressed the emerging political opposition, particularly the Social Democratic Party (SDP) being championed by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. He dismissed the SDP as a fleeting political movement with little long-term relevance.

He described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a more formidable opposition due to its longstanding presence, but expressed confidence in the APC’s hold over Zone 3 and Southern Kaduna.

“I can assure you that Zone 3 and our allies will return both the President and the Governor to power in 2027,” he said.

ALSO READ:  APC withdraws from Osun LG poll

“Given the gains we’ve made as a region, it would be difficult for anyone to convince the people of Southern Kaduna to abandon this path.”

Dr. Maigari highlighted security improvements under the current administration, particularly crediting the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) for reducing insecurity in Southern Kaduna by over 80 percent.

He emphasized the transformative impact of the newly established Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, noting its potential to spark massive economic and social development.

“Within 24 months of commencement, we expect the University to attract at least 30,000 people to Kachia. In 3 to 4 years, that number could exceed 100,000, stressing the resulting growth and opportunities will elevate not just Kachia but all of Southern Kaduna,” he stated.

He concluded by saying that many in Southern Kaduna now feel a sense of fulfillment, as long-held prayers for federal presence and development are finally being answered.

Continue Reading