Author: Friday Omosola

In a major stride towards advancing agribusiness in Nigeria, the Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazil’s Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) to foster private-sector investment in fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural finance.   The MoU was signed by Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Temitope Fashedemi, and FGV President Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal during the G20 Leaders’ Summit. This collaboration builds on the Green Imperative Project (GIP), a $1.2 billion agricultural modernization initiative launched in 2018 to leverage Brazil’s expertise in tropical agriculture for Nigeria’s benefit. Over the…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid glowing tributes to two distinguished elder statesmen from Katsina State, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, former Executive Secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), and Ambassador Ibrahim Zakari, former Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), both of whom passed away recently.   During a condolence visit to the families on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Shettima described the deceased as titans of their generation whose contributions to Nigeria’s development remain indelible. Reflecting on Kurfi’s passing, Shettima stated, “He is the last of the great titans. In African folktale, when such an elderly person dies, a…

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s creative economy as a pivotal driver of economic diversification and global influence. Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the launch of the 2024 Abuja International Carnival, Tinubu emphasised the sector’s growing contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil GDP and its role in showcasing the nation’s cultural richness. “We are not here just to celebrate a carnival but to reaffirm the essence of who we are as Nigerians—a people of culture, art, colour, and shared values,” the President said at Eagle Square, Abuja, during the event-themed “Carnival of Renewed Hope: A…

 The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), M.B. Shehu has called for a strategic approach to domestic revenue mobilization as a catalyst for Nigeria’s national development.  His comments came during his presentation at the 2024 edition of the National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACOFED) conference held in Bauchi. Themed “Fostering Economic Growth in Challenging Times: Strategies for Policies and Partnership for Fiscal Sustainability and National Development,” the conference brought together key stakeholders, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, and other top financial and economic leaders from across…

The Federal Government (FG) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving population health outcomes, ensuring financial protection for the poor and vulnerable, and maintaining industrial harmony in the health sector.  This was disclosed by the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, during the 65th National Council on Health (NCH) meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno State. Speaking at the event, themed “Accelerating Pathways to Universal Health Coverage: Strategies for 2030 Success,” Mr Pate emphasised the administration’s dedication to addressing the nation’s health challenges. The event attracted Commissioners of Health from all 36 states, ministry officials, development partners, and civil…

Kwara State is set to embark on a large-scale de-worming campaign aimed at reaching 776,896 children aged 5 to 14 across 15 Local Government Areas. The initiative, focused on combating Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis, will be implemented through the Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM). During the launch of a training workshop for key personnel in Ilorin, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam stressed the importance of the campaign in improving children’s health and preventing the spread of neglected tropical diseases. She revealed that 3,000 teachers, 775 Community-Directed Distributors, and 300 health workers will be trained to facilitate the successful implementation of the…

The Kwara State Government has screened 102,452 individuals across the state as part of the nationwide Project 10 Million.  The initiative, which ran from October 28 to November 10, 2024, aimed to test for hypertension and blood sugar levels, with a target to screen 196,913 Kwarans. The state’s Health Commissioner, DrAmina Ahmed El-Imam, commended the efforts of Kwarans and stakeholders, including local leaders, health workers, and international partners, for their cooperation in achieving this milestone. Dr. El-Imam described Kwara’s performance as exemplary, ranking among the top states in the implementation of Project 10 Million. READ ALSO: Kwara govt commences free…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the federal government’s (FG) dedication to enhancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas.  During a visit by a delegation from the West African College of Physicians, Shettima emphasised the crucial role of healthcare professionals in the nation’s health ecosystem and affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting and retaining medical talent in Nigeria. The Vice President acknowledged the challenges faced by medical professionals, praising their selflessness in serving the nation despite opportunities to leave the country. “Yours is a very noble profession, you stayed not because you lacked options, but because of your…

 Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to fostering a thriving business environment, offering various incentives to investors during the official opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival.  The event, held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome) in Akure, marks a significant step in the state’s efforts to position itself as a hub for innovation and economic growth. Governor Aiyedatiwa, in his keynote address, emphasised the transformative power of entrepreneurship as a means to eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development. “Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of innovation, the catalyst for economic growth, and the driving…

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging international and local investments in Nigeria’s livestock sector to address farmer-herder conflicts, eradicate hunger, and drive economic growth.  Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy in a statement on Friday said he made this declaration on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and JBS S.A., one of the world’s top three meat processing companies. President Tinubu highlighted the transformative potential of this partnership, describing it as a solution to a long-standing crisis in…