News
Makinde Commends Institute On Innovative Solutions To Food Security
The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Oluseyi Makinde, has commended the efforts of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) for development of various innovations to boost food security.
The Governor who was represented by Commissioner for Agriculture, Oyo State, Mr Adeniyi Adebisi, stated this at the 2022 Farmers’ Field Day organised by CRIN on Tuesday in Ibadan.
The Farmers’ Field Day 2022 had the theme: “Dissemination of CRIN Developed Technologies to Boost Nutrition and Food Security.”
Makinde said that the theme and initiative of hosting the farmers were crucial as it gave opportunities for farmers and relevant institutions to showcase their discoveries to the world.
This, he said, would bring collaborations to push food production and value additions to the next level.
Makinde said that CRIN developed technologies on its mandate crops namely cocoa, cashew, coffee, kola and tea would invariably have positive impacts on the prevailing economic situation of the country.
He added that it would improve the livelihood of the farmers and other stakeholders.
Makinde said that his administration would continue to build on good relationship between the CRIN and Oyo State Government in the areas of tree crop seedlings supply and other CRIN developed technologies.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, CRIN, Dr Patrick Adebola, said that the Farmers’ Field Day was an annual event organised by the institute to interact with farmers growing its five mandate crops.
Adebola said that the event was organised to show the farmers the results of the institute’s research and to know the problems and challenges they were facing in growing the crops.
He added that the event was aimed at displaying some of the innovation in nutrition developed by the institute.
“We don’t do research in isolation and we don’t do research for the sake of doing it, this event gives us opportunities to align our research to solve the challenges that farmers are facing,” he said.
He added that CRIN technologies were also developed for entrepreneurs to buy into it for commercialisation which would translate to economic development of the country.
He urged government to focus more on agricultural sector to proffer solutions to the current food shortage facing the nation by providing necessary farm inputs to farmers directly and not through intermediary that are not real farmers.
Adebola also called on government to earness huge opportunities in the cashew industry.
He said that cashew could grow in all states in the country, noting that its juice and nuts could generate huge economic benefits for the nation.
In his goodwill message, the National President, Cashew Famers Association of Nigeria, Mr Joseph Ajanaku, represented by a member, Mrs Adijat Asifa, called on government to do more in provision of farm inputs and training to the farmers.
In the same vein, Mr Osifeso Sunday, the National President, Kolanut Farmers Association, said that the growth of sector was not encouraging.
Sunday called on government to invest more in tree crops farming considering its economic benefits.
Earlier, the Head of Extension Section, CRIN, Mr Anthony Agbongiarhuoyi, called on cooperative societies and other small groups to take advantage of CRIN improved technologies products to empower their members.
Agbongiarhuoyi said that the process of accessing the products was simple.
The Head, Economics and Extension Department, CRIN, Dr Justina Lawal, noted that research results and CRIN improved technologies were available for translation into practice among investors and industrialists in order to improve production and social-economic life of the people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured the exhibitions of the CRIN technologies such as cocoa bread, cola and voffee wine, black soap and products from others research institutions, organisations and farmers associations, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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