Tag: FOOD SECURITY

“Kaduna is driving Nigeria’s food security” – Gov. Uba Sani 

Aminu Imam
Gov. Uba Sani

Governor Uba Sani, of Kaduna State, has unveiled a sweeping vision of agricultural transformation anchored on structured policies, mechanized farming, and youth engagement—positioning the State as a national pacesetter in agri-business development. The Governor made this known on Tuesday, at the official launch of the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism, (NAPM), held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.  Speaking before a high-powered audience that included Vice-President Kashim Shettima, fellow governors, Ministers, and Development Partners, he highlighted Kaduna’s shift from subsistence farming to a market-driven model.  The Governor outlined…

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Food Insecurity: ‘Nigeria ranks 2nd globally’ Bill Gates

Aminu Imam
Food crisis Gates

Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, has highlighted Nigeria as the country with the second-highest food insecurity rate in the world. Gates, who stated this in an interview with media practitioner Lara Adekoro, addressed the severe challenges of nutrition facing Nigeria and the broader African continent, attributing much of the crisis to the impacts of climate change. Gates emphasised that climate change is a key driver exacerbating food insecurity in Nigeria. He pointed out that the degradation of arable land, coupled with the increasing frequency of…

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‘Nigerias food importation policy could destroy countrys agriculture’ – AfFB President, Adesina

Aminu Imam
Akinwumi Adesina

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has said the decision by Nigerias government to allow massive food importation risks destroying the countrys agriculture. According to him, this follows the announcement by Nigerias Minister for Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, on July 10, that the Federal Government would suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through the countrys land and sea borders, for 150 days. Adesina, who stated this while speaking to African Primates of the Anglican Church at…

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Acute food insecurity expected to worsen in Nigeria, 17 other countries – UN

Aminu Imam
UN on food security

According to a recent United Nations (UN) report, acute food insecurity is projected to significantly worsen in 18 hunger hotspots, including Nigeria. The report highlights the urgent need for assistance to prevent famine in Gaza and Sudan and address escalating hunger crises in Haiti, Mali, and South Sudan. The report stresses the ongoing effects of El Nio and the looming risk of La Nia, which could trigger extreme climate events that disrupt lives and livelihoods. It states: Since the previous edition of the Hunger Hotspots report (October 2023), the Central…

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‘Nigeria on track to attain food security’ Tinubu

Aminu Imam
Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, expressed his determination to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production before leaving office. The President stated this in Niger State, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the 84km, N169.7bn Bida-Minna Road construction in the Kakakpagi, Katch local government area of the State. Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, promised that the Federal Government would continue to partner with States that bring development to their people. He said, For governments at all levels to grow, there must be cordial…

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Nigerians bothered about rising food prices, not budget – Rewane

Aminu Imam

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has said that Nigerians are more concerned about the rising food prices and less bothered about the 2024 Budget. According to Rewane, many Nigerians are less interested in the details of the 2024 budget recently presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu but more worried that the rising food prices are making life difficult for them. Speaking during a television programme yesterday, the respected economist said, In the end, budgetary arithmetic, budgetary mathematics in economics…

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Food Security: Wheat seeds arrive Nigeria ahead of dry season farming

Aminu Imam

Hybrid wheat seeds ordered by the PresidentTinubu-led administration have arrived at the Nigerian port in Lagos. Recall that the President declared a state of emergency on food security in the country and made agriculture and food security the number one priority of his Renewed Hope administration.  Acting on this, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security outlined the procedures and processes for the dry season wheat farming. The Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security were at the venue inspecting the imported seeds. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator…

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Food prices still surging amid FG’s stabilisation plan

Aminu Imam

Despite the declaration of a state of emergency on food security and the unveiling of immediate, short and long-term plans for agriculture in July, food prices are still rising at a faster pace in Nigeria. Recall that President Bola Tinubu have said his government’s stabilisation plan will deploy savings from petrol subsidy removal into the countrys food system to ramp up food production and halt surging food prices. However, three months later, prices are still surging and showing no signs of slowing, with food inflation hitting 30.64% in September. A…

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Terrorism, poorly regulated economy threat to food security – Expert

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

A Medical Imaging Scientist, Dr Livinus Abonyi, has identified terrorism and poorly regulated economy as major threats to the realisation of food security in the country. Abonyi said this on Monday in an interview in Lagos as the World Food Day (WFD) is celebrated globally. The theme of this years celebration is, Water is life, Water is food. Leave no one behind. The theme aims to highlight the critical role of water for life and water as the foundation of our food. Abonyi, a Lecturer at the Lagos State College…

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High food prices loom, USAID warns Nigeria, others

Aminu Imam

The United States Agency for International Development, (USAID) has warned Nigeria and other African countries to brace-up for higher food prices, following recent developments that have temporarily halted Ukraines food exports to African countries. USAIDs Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming, Isobel Coleman, who stated this on Thursday at a virtual press conference, said Russias decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative had already begun to trigger higher food prices around the world. According to her, the impact of this food price hike would be more felt in…

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