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COVID-19: Group donates improved sorghum seeds to 20,000 female farmers in Kano, Katsina
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Adefunke Desh Nigeria Ltd., in partnership with 2-Scale Programme
on Tuesday started the distribution of improved white sorghum seed to female farmers in Nasarawan-Kuki, Bebeji Local Government Area
of Kano State.
The Programme Manager of 2-Scale Programme, Mr Olisa Maxwell, said the distribution was aimed at supporting over 20,000 female farmers with improved
white sorghum seed to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maxwell, who said that sorghum was one of the vital grains needed for good nutrition for women and children, noted that the crop was an arable commodity and could
attract a lot of foreign exchange for the country.
He added that the improved white sorghum seeds was produced by Premier Seed company, mainly for female farmers in the two clusters.
According to him, the two clusters are Kuki Cluster in Bebeji Local Government of Kano State and Funtua Cluster in Katsina State, noting that
“the company targets 1,000 hectares of farm land in the clusters.
“The company is planning to bring Lapo Microfinance Bank to support the farmers with soft loans to enable them to purchase fertilizers.”
Mr Adeshola Michael, the Managing Director of Adefunke Desh Nigeria Ltd., said that the company decided to support female farmers in the area
to cushion the COVID-19 devastating effect on the farmers’ livelihood.
He said: “the company is one of the leading agro-allied companies based in Zaria, Kaduna State, and part of our corporate social responsibilities
is to ensure that the farming season still goes on, hence our partnership with 2-Scale Programme.”
The managing director, who restated the company’s commitment to sustain the gesture enjoined farmers to follow the right agronomist practice while using the seed for best yield.
The District Head of Bebeji, Alhaji Tijjani Kuki, commended the company for the gesture, adding that the efforts would boost food security and reduce poverty in the area.
Represented by Alhaji Magaji Tijjani, the district head said that the gesture was in tandem with the aspirations of the state and Federal Government and
urged the beneficiaries to use the seeds judiciously.
A beneficiary, Mrs Alice John, a resident of Nasarawan Kuki, said there were many female sorghum farmers in the area, adding that some women
cultivate more than five hectares of sorghum.
She said that prior to the intervention by Adefunke Desh Nigeria Ltd. and 2-Scale programme, a hectare of sorghum produced about four to five bags of sorghum.
She explained that the two companies had trained women farmers on how to increase their yield, “and we have now learnt new ways of sorghum culvivation
and can get about 15 bags of sorghum from one hectare of land.”
She commended the companies for the improved seed donation, saying it was timely because they had not finished planting.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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