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Nigeria seeks China’s partnership on agriculture, ICT

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Nigeria has sought deeper cooperation with China in water-saving agriculture, soil management and scientific research to address agricultural challenges in the northern part of the country and the Lake Chad basin.

Mukhtar Muhammed, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, made this known on Saturday at the “Seasonal Life and Harmonious China” cultural exhibition at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.

Mr Muhammed said Nigeria could draw lessons from China’s experience in using science and technology to improve agricultural productivity in areas affected by water scarcity and land degradation.

He said his recent technical visit to China, particularly the Yangling High-Tech Agricultural Demonstration Zone in Shaanxi Province, had demonstrated the potential of applying scientific innovation to Nigeria’s agricultural challenges.

“In Yangling, often referred to as China’s ‘Agricultural Silicon Valley’, we witnessed the seamless integration of modern technology with traditional farming.

“For example, we observed advanced water-saving irrigation systems and soil monitoring technologies that allow farmers to cultivate crops in arid conditions with minimal water wastage,” he said.

According to him, the experience was particularly relevant to Nigeria’s efforts to address land degradation and improve agricultural productivity in the northern part of the country.

“Seeing how China has successfully combated land degradation and improved agricultural productivity in the Loess Plateau is a powerful inspiration for our efforts in Northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region,” Mr Muhammed said.

He said the ministry would seek stronger collaboration between Nigerian and Chinese ministries of science and technology, research institutions, universities and industries.

Mr Muhammed said the proposed cooperation would focus on practical areas including sustainable agriculture, water management, agro-processing and scientific research.

He also said Nigeria planned to expand scholarships and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) training for Nigerian scientists in Chinese universities, particularly in sustainable agriculture and water management.

The permanent secretary linked the proposed scientific cooperation to the growing economic relationship between both countries, particularly China’s expanded market access for African agricultural products.

He said Nigeria needed to strengthen its scientific and technological capacity to ensure that increased access to the Chinese market translated into tangible benefits for farmers and the wider economy.

“We must see this as a starting point. The policy does not just facilitate exports; it forces us to level up,” Mr Muhammed said.

He said Nigeria would also seek Chinese technology transfer to strengthen agro-processing and move the country from exporting raw commodities to value-added products.

Mr Muhammed also identified cassava, shea butter and cashew nuts as among the commodities that could benefit from improved processing technology for the Chinese and global markets.

Yang Jianxing, director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, said China remained committed to strengthening people-to-people exchanges with Nigeria as part of efforts to deepen the bilateral partnership.

Mr Yang said cultural cooperation provided an important platform for mutual learning between both countries, noting that the facility would continue to promote exchanges in culture, education, youth affairs, tourism and other areas.

“Cultural exchange is a vital component of China-Africa friendly cooperation.

“It serves as an important bridge for fostering mutual understanding and affinity between our peoples, as well as for promoting dialogue and mutual learning among civilisations,” he said.

He said the centre would continue to implement the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit and agreements reached by the leaders of Nigeria and China.

The director added that it would expand programmes that bring the peoples of both countries closer.

 The exhibition marked the China-Africa Year of people-to-people exchanges and the 55th anniversary of China-Nigeria diplomatic relations.

(NAN)

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NiMet ​‌⁠​‍‍⁠⁠‌‍​‍‍‍​‌​‌​forecasts three-day cloudiness, sunshine nationwide from Monday 

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy and sunny weather conditions across the country from Monday to Wednesday.

NiMet’s weather outlook released in Abuja on Sunday forecast sunny skies with patches of clouds over the northern region on Monday.

The agency predicted thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains over parts of Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna states during the morning hours.

It also forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa and Taraba states in the afternoon or evening.

For the North-Central region, NiMet predicted thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains over parts of Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours.

It forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa states and the FCT later in the day.

According to NiMet, moderate rains are expected over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa states in the morning.

It forecast moderate rains across the entire southern region later in the day.

For Tuesday, NiMet predicted thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains over parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa and Taraba states in the northern region during the morning hours.

The agency forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba and Adamawa states later in the day.

He stated, “For the North-Central region, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains are expected over parts of Niger, Kwara states and the Federal Capital Territory in the morning hours.

“Later during the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated across the region.”

For the southern region, NiMet forecast light rains over parts of Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Rivers states during the morning hours.

It anticipated thunderstorms with moderate rains across the entire region later in the day.

The agency predicted partly cloudy skies over the northern region on Wednesday, with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of Bauchi, Jigawa and Yobe states during the morning hours.

It forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains across the region during the afternoon and evening hours.

NiMet also predicted sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning hours.

“Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over the entire region later in the day. For the southern region, a cloudy atmosphere is expected over the region, with prospects of light rains over parts of Edo, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states during the morning hours,” it said.

NiMet anticipated thunderstorms with moderate rains over the entire region later in the day.

The agency urged the public to take adequate precautions and fasten loose objects to prevent collisions, as strong winds might precede rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.

It warned that continuous rains expected over coastal areas of the South could trigger flash floods.

“Drivers should avoid driving or wading through flood waters. Driving under heavy rain should be avoided.

“Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees,” it advised.

NiMet advised airline operators to obtain airport specific weather reports from the agency for effective planning of their operations.

It also urged citizens to stay informed through its weather updates and visit its website, www.nimet.gov.ng, for more information.

(NAN)

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Tobi Amusan Wins 100m Hurdles at Grand Prix Brescia

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Nigerian sprint hurdler Tobi Amusan continued her impressive campaign with victory in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Grand Prix Brescia in Italy.

Sports247 reports that Amusan clocked 12.56 seconds to take the top spot despite competing into a stiff -1.7m/s headwind, producing a strong performance under challenging conditions.

The Nigerian was pushed by American hurdler Alaysha Johnson, who finished second in 12.62 seconds, while Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent completed the podium after crossing the line in 12.75 seconds.

Amusan’s winning performance underlines her consistency and competitive strength in an event where margins are often decided by hundredths of a second. Her 12.56s was six hundredths faster than Johnson and 19 hundredths ahead of Nugent.

The adverse wind conditions made the achievement even more notable, with the -1.7m/s headwind presenting an additional challenge for all three athletes.

For Amusan, the Brescia victory provides another valuable competitive outing as she continues to build momentum in the 100m hurdles.

The Nigerian has established herself among the world’s leading hurdlers, and performances such as this further reinforce her status as one of Africa’s premier track and field athletes.

Johnson’s 12.62s earned her a strong second-place finish, while Nugent’s 12.75s secured third as the leading trio separated themselves from the rest of the field.

With the season progressing, Amusan’s ability to produce a 12.56s winning time against a significant headwind will provide encouragement ahead of her next assignments.

The victory also adds another international success to the Nigerian star’s résumé, keeping her firmly in the spotlight as the global women’s hurdles season gathers pace.

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