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45th National Council on Agriculture kicks off in Plateau

Published

4 years ago

September 14, 2022

vicky

As part of the agender for the 45th edition of the National Council on Agriculture & Rural Development, stakeholders have converged in Jos the Plateau state capital to brainstorm to strengthen agricultural value chains for economic development.

The event kicked off on Tuesday 13 September, with the theme Strengthening the agricultural value chain development process for food security and economic development.

The Ministry urged the participants drawn from States across the nation to deliberate with a broad mind, add value to all the issues raised for the overall impact of the agricultural sector on the economy, and proffer concrete and practical suggestions that will assist the Council in reaching meaningful decisions.

The permanent secretary, of the federal ministry of agricultural and rural development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe who declared the technical session open, said that the focus of the session is on fine-tuning, developing, and improving the commodity value chain development process.

Umakhihe, who was represented by the director, of agricultural land and climate change management services, Shehu Bello said the value chain approach to developing agriculture was intensified during the Agricultural Transformation (ATA) 2011-2015.

“The present administration has sustained and enhanced it via the successive frameworks of the Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) 2016 – 20220 and the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) 2022-2027.

“The ministry through the launch of NATIP has demonstrated commitment of the sector to address all conceivable challenges besetting the sector with a focus on strengthening and developing the agricultural value chain.”

He added that the foundation to achieving the desired success is the commitment to the provision of incentives to increase the output and quality of agricultural commodities to meet and surpass national requirements and ultimately achieve a diversified economic base with Agriculture leading the way for the non-oil sectors of the economy.

Earlier, the Plateau State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Hosea Finangwai asked that the memos on the request for the upgrade of the Potato Station in Kuru, be given priority on its merit, lamenting that, “As a State that accounts for over 90% of the production of this important crop, the livelihood and income of our farmers were this year again threatened by the monstrous potato blight.”

However, the Ministry’s Director, Planning and Policy Coordination, Ibrahim Bello noted that “the platform provides us with the opportunity to share experiences and good practices on value chain development in the agricultural sector, as it affects food security and economic development for adoption and replication by all stakeholders in the sector along our various ecological peculiarities. It is, therefore, expected that we all continue to provide enabling environment for value chain development across our respective States to engender food security in the country.”

News

Osun 2026: Reject APC over poor workers welfare — Gov Adeleke to voters

Published

1 hour ago

August 6, 2026

Preport

Osun State Governor and Accord governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has called on residents to vote against the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the August 15 governorship election.

This is as Governor Adeleke alleged that the opposition neglected civil servants during its period in office.

In a statement shared on his X account on Thursday, Adeleke urged eligible voters to support his re-election bid, adding that the state should not return to what he described as an era of hardship for public workers.

The governor alleged that civil servants experienced severe economic difficulties under the previous APC administration, claiming many struggled to provide for their families due to the payment of half salaries.

“We will not allow APC to take Osun back to the days when civil servants had to beg their neighbours for food.

“Those who once weaponised poverty by paying workers half salaries, leaving civil servants to struggle to feed their families, and denying our people access to basic necessities are desperate to return to inflict more pain. We must never go back to those dark days,” he said.

Governor Adeleke appealed to voters to participate in the August 15 poll, urging them to endorse what he described as the path of progress and good governance through the Accord Party.

“On August 15, I urge every eligible voter to send a clear and resounding message that Osun has chosen the path of progress, compassion, and good governance. Together, we will protect the mandate of the people and keep Osun moving forward,” he stated.

In a separate message, the governor defended his administration’s record on workers’ welfare, maintaining that improving the wellbeing of civil servants had remained one of his government’s priorities since assuming office.

According to Adeleke, “APC’s disdain for civil servants is well known in Osun State. Since I became governor, I have made the welfare of our workers and the people of Osun State a top priority.”

He also referred to the recent freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts, expressing confidence that the development would strengthen public resolve ahead of the governorship election.

“The unjust freezing of state accounts will only strengthen the resolve of our people to do everything necessary to ensure Osun never returns to the era of darkness.

“The choice is clear: progress over regression, good governance over neglect. Accord over APC,” the governor added.

News

Super Falcons Crush Egypt 6-2 to Reach WAFCON 2026 Quarter-Finals

Published

4 hours ago

August 6, 2026

Preport

The Super Falcons of Nigeria booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a commanding 6-2 victory over Egypt in their final group-stage match, holding on to their title credentials with an impressive attacking display.

The 10-time African champions wasted little time asserting their dominance, opening the scoring through Asisat Oshoala, who calmly converted from the penalty spot after sending the Egyptian goalkeeper the wrong way.

Nigeria continued to dictate proceedings and doubled their advantage through Gift Monday, who made an immediate impact after coming off the bench in the first half.

However, Egypt reduced the deficit just before the break after converting a penalty to keep themselves in the contest.

The Super Falcons responded emphatically after halftime. Substitute Uchenna Kanu restored Nigeria’s two-goal cushion in the 57th minute, finishing off an excellent move created by Rinsola Babajide, who tormented the Egyptian defence throughout the encounter.

With the game firmly under their control, Nigeria continued to press forward and were rewarded with another penalty in the closing stages. Christy Ucheibe confidently dispatched the spot-kick in the 81st minute to make it 4-1.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade then got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, extending the lead to 5-1 before substitute Joy Omewa completed the rout in the 90+8th minute, finishing brilliantly after being set up by Ajibade.

Although Egypt managed to score twice, they were unable to cope with Nigeria’s relentless attacking play, as the Super Falcons showcased their squad depth with substitutes making decisive contributions throughout the contest.

Babajide capped off an outstanding individual performance by claiming the Woman of the Match award after providing two assists and consistently stretching the Egyptian backline with her pace, cretivity and delivery.

The comprehensive victory sees Nigeria advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Cameroon in what promises to be another heavyweight African encounter.

Should the Super Falcons progress, they will meet the winner of the quarter-final between South Africa and Morocco in the last four.

The result further reinforces Nigeria’s status as one of the favourites for the title as they continue their quest for an 11th WAFCON crown, with Justin Madugu’s side displaying both attacking firepower and the depth needed for a successful tournament run.