Nation
FG, IFAD Target Poverty Reduction In Northern Nigeria

The Federal Government says it is collaborating with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and international donor agencies towards poverty reduction and food security in parts of the North affected by insurgency.
Director, Planning and Policy Coordination, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ibrahim Tanimu, disclosed this at the Federal Government-FAD/French Development Agency (AFD) Value Chain North (VCN) Technical Validation in Abuja.
The Tide’s source reports that VCN project design is targeted at eight States of Kebbi, Sokoto,Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno and Kano.
Its overall goal is to contribute sustainably to poverty reduction, enhanced nutrition and better resilience of rural population in the Northern States of the country.
The VCN development objective is to improve food and nutrition security and income of households in northern Nigeria through inclusive and sustainable value chain development as an enabler for rural transformation.
Tanimu, represented by Mrs Okuboere Mukak, Deputy Director, Planning and Policy Coordinator, FMAFS said VCD North project would boost modern farming method in order to increase production and productivity thereby enhancing market access and financial services.
Tanimu reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continue to support IFAD, AFD and development partners to design intervention that supported the fight towards poverty reduction and food security for the betterment of the people.
He decried that the North-East and North- West had been experiencing several attacks by insurgents since 2012 adding that the menace had caused serious hardship and food crises in the region.
“Our duty is to validate the project report of the VCN which has great potential component for agricultural development that will mobilise farmers to increase their food production.
“It will also bring hope to the displaced citizens in this areas that:are faced with such challenges in the food supply chain
“It will help farmers particularly smallholders who have been prevented by insurgency from accessing their farm lands and suffered abject poverty in the rural areas and help them with freedom and access to food, market facility and farm input delivery.’’
Tanimu said the project when implemented would not only contribute substantially to poverty and unemployment reduction but would greatly bring about sustainable farming activities in the value chain and provide newer business opportunity
According to him, the partnership is timely considering government interest towards alleviating the sufferings of the people in the northern part through innovative agricultural development project to drive food production through input delivery to market.
“Therefore, the hope of Nigerian government with IFAD as a key development partner, is to transform the food systems pathways that will increasingly address the complex challenges facing populace in the zones in an equitable manner,’’ he said.
Nation
Katsina Chief Judge Frees 95 Inmates In Jail Delivery Initiative
The Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi, has granted bail to 91 inmates.
He also completely discharged four others during the first-quarter jail delivery exercise for 2025 at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Katsina.
Speaking at the event yesterday, Justice Danladi explained that the Sub-Committee on Decongestion of Correctional Centres carefully assessed the cases before recommending the inmates for release.
Factors considered included age, length of time spent in custody, and medical conditions.
He further announced that going forward, the personal details and photographs of released inmates would be officially recorded to ensure proper documentation and accountability.
Addressing the freed individuals, he urged them to stay on the right side of the law, emphasising that another chance at clemency might not be available if they reoffend.
The Katsina State Controller of Corrections, CC Umar Baba, praised the initiative, stating that such interventions ease congestion, improve prison conditions, and support rehabilitation efforts.
He also called on judges and magistrates to consider alternative sentencing options to prevent unnecessary detentions and allow correctional facilities to focus on reforming and reintegrating offenders into society.
Nation
Court Strikes Out Charges Against Ex-Ooni’s Wife
The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out murder charges against Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife, Queen Naomi Silekunola; the owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi.
The Tide’s source recalls that the trio have been facing murder charges following the December 2024 children’s event stampede that led to the death of 35 children.
Justice B. K. Olawoyin delivering judgment yesterday, ruled that holding the defendants liable could discourage the public from engaging in humanitarian activities.
The court dismissed the four count charge, which included acceleration of death, conspiracy, negligent acts causing harm and failure to provide adequate medical facilities and security.
Nation
Military Denies Knowledge Of Community Negotiations With Terrorists
The Nigerian Military high command has stated that it is unaware of any community in the Northwest negotiating or entering peace agreements with bandits and terrorists for protection.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, dismissed reports suggesting such peace deals.
He questioned why any community would resort to negotiations, given the sustained military offensives against terrorist groups.
“The military is carrying out its operations in line with established protocols for internal security. If any community claims to be seeking peace with bandits, the military does not support that,” Kangye asserted.
He further emphasised that joint military operations, in collaboration with hybrid forces and other security agencies, have remained relentless in tackling terrorism and organised crime.
Throughout the past week, troops conducted a series of combat patrols, raids, ambushes, clearance operations, and search-and-rescue missions, resulting in significant successes.
According to Kangye, several terrorists were neutralised, their collaborators were captured, and kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.
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