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COP27: Gates Justifies $1.4bn Grant To Nigeria, Others
Bill and Melinda Foundation has said its new commitment of $1.4billion to Africa, including Nigeria is to spur the region-led innovation to build a pipeline of climate-smart agriculture projects for smallholder farmers.
Interim Director, Agricultural Development of the foundation, Mr Enock Chikava, stated this in an interview in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt at the sidelines of the ongoing UN Conference on Climate Change.
While $2.1million is meant for research and development in agriculture sector in Nigeria, Chikava said that the foundation would mobilise $9million for technologies that would help the region make a difference in livestock and crop.
“Our focus is 100per cent on smallholder farmers. If you look at the impact of climate change over the years, which I am sure in your own country, last year there was a severe drought and this year floods.
“So, if you look at that, there are so many things which are against the people livelihood, because 50per cent of your people depend on agriculture and if the 30per cent of your economy is driven by agriculture, it means you need to protect it.
“Now, there is that very platform that is responsible for lifting people out of extreme poverty is under huge threat because of climate change and because we focus 100per cent on smallholder farmers, we are going to be spending $1.4billion to make sure that we do much better work.
“By that we mean crops like cassava. We need cassavas that can tolerate draughts and floods. In Nigeria, flood has been the issue. In the research pipeline, the draught genre was never part and rarely a game, but now, we have draught and likely we are going to have more frequent draught.
“So, we need to be improving cassava in Nigeria not only for today, but also for the future. So, we do that and we focus on crops like cowpea. In cowpea, Nigeria’s worth is 4.9 hectares, and that is a source of protein for the majority of the farmers.
“By introducing new varieties, which are climate resilient, we are going to make sure that smallholder farmers have access to them,” he said.
On performance of Africa in various interventions, the Gates official said some countries where making progress while others are lagging behind.
“There is a biannual preview looking at every country, the progress it is making because there are certain indicators.
“If you look at those indicators, you will see which countries are doing well, which countries are lagging behind.
“There is Maputo/Malabo declaration that states 10per cent of budget must be for agriculture, but Nigeria commits less than 2.5per cent.
“You can’t be successful without focusing on research and development. Do you know palm tree, its states of origin is Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
“Now two countries – Malaysia and Indonesia produce 98 per cent of the global palm. Do you know the biggest importer? Nigeria.
“The difference is R & D and that can happen in cassava; it can happen in any other one. That is why it is super important that we focus on research and development,” said Chikava.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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