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Experts To Develop Commercial Models For Cassava

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7 years ago

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Experts working on the project to develop commercial models for cassava seed system in Nigeria will meet at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, tomorrow to map out strategies for development.
A statement by the IITA Communication Specialist, Mrs Adaobi Umeokoro, said that the experts would meet to strategise on how the potential of emerging cassava technologies could harnessed to create wealth for all.
The statement said that the experts were planning to develop a sustainable mechanism through which smallholder farmers could get timely and affordable access to high-quality planting materials such as improved cassava varieties.
It said that they would consider how to make cassava, an important staple crop for millions of families in sub-Saharan Africa, more profitable for those whose livelihoods and sustenance depended on it.
“ Building a Sustainable, Integrated Seed System for Cassava in Nigeria (BASICS) project will hold its first annual review and planning meeting.
“It promises to strategise on the best available options for making planting materials of superior variety and quality readily available and accessible to Nigerian farmers at the appropriate time, place, and price,” it said.
The statement quoted the Project Director, Dr Hemant Nitturkar, as saying that although Nigeria was the largest cassava producer in the world, its average yield of about 14 tonnes/ha was less than half of what could be produced in a realistic way.
“Given the potential of this crop and the vast number of Nigerians depending on it, there is an urgent need for improvement at all levels of the cassava value chain.
“Increased adoption of improved varieties and usage of quality materials have the potential to improve the productivity of cassava, thus positively impacting on food security and livelihoods in Nigeria.
“It can earn valuable foreign exchange for the country through increased exports and import substitution; BASICS is catalysing the build-up of a sustainable seed value chain in Nigeria,” he reportedly said.
The statement said that Nitturkar stressed that BASICS would sensitise farmers to the need to use high-quality seeds of improved varieties to achieve higher net profits from cassava cultivation.
“BASICS is piloting two business models for seed multiplication and distribution.  The first is a decentralised Village Seed Entrepreneur (VSE) model, where over 130 VSEs will be developed in Benue, Abia, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, and Cross River states.
“The second is the Processor Led Model (PLM), where cassava processors will multiply good quality improved cassava varieties for supply to outgrowers to plant under a buy-back arrangement for the roots produced.
“The project has developed an online platform called Cassava Seed Tracker (CST) to facilitate easy registration of seed producers and real time monitoring of field inspections and certification by National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC).
“CST is also designed to link seed producers with needy farmers and many more features will be added to this platform over time.’’
The statement said that Nitturkar emphasised that the project would also address one of the key bottlenecks of cassava seed system, which was slow and low seed multiplication ratio.
“It is piloting the use of an innovative rapid seed multiplication technology called Semi Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH), which has been successfully used in commercial potato seed multiplication in Argentina.
“SAH is expected to significantly help the cassava seed system by enhancing the capacity of pre-BASICS and BASICs seed producers to make available adequate quantities of certified planting materials of improved varieties for further multiplication by certified seed producers.
“The technologies and models being piloted in this initiative are tailored towards creating a win-win scenario for farmers, processors and seed entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
“The processors benefit from an assured supply of better quality cassava roots for processing.
“Youths and women, among other seed entrepreneurs, benefit from an expanding cassava seed market as an economic opportunity and the nation benefits from the resulting enhanced productivity across the cassava value chain,” Nitturkar said in the statement.
The project director said in the statement that BASICS, a four-year project (2016-2019), was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“The project partners include the NASC, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Context Global Development, Food and Environment Research Agency of the UK (FERA), among others,” Nitturkar was quoted as saying.

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LASG Makes Over N500m From Traffic Offences

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52 mins ago

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April 29, 2024

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The Lagos State Commissioner of Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, has disclosed that the recently introduced Traffic Management Solution Device (TMSD) has successfully captured 26,816 real time traffic infringements over the last three months.
Osiyemi, who stated this during a ministerial press briefing recently, said this development has made enforcement more effective and safe for officers to carry out.
The figure is arrived at based on the fact that the least fine for road traffic offence in the state is N20,000, and when multiplied by 26, 816, it comes to N536,320,000.
The government also vowed to intensify enforcement activities on fake enforcement officials across the State.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the Ministry, through its task force team, would carry out sting operations in different areas of the State until all impersonators are eradicated within the metropolis.
He explained that revealing details of the enforcement operations would sabotage its effectiveness and success, as the impersonators will devise methods to elude the State Government and persist in their unlawful act.
The Commissioner also disclosed plan by the State Government to take the transportation system to another level, through introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses by private investors, assuring that the State Government’s commitment to public transportation is to promote a transport system that is integrated and give options to its citizens.
According to him, towards facilitating the daily transportation needs of nearly 25 million commuters within Lagos State, a series of strategic initiatives have consistently served as instruments pivotal in advancing the first pillar of the THEMES+ development agenda.
Consequently, he said, there will be an expansion of infrastructure within the metropolitan, with the development of deep port in Badagry and construction of 4th Mainland Bridge, which are expected to commence soon.
Noting that the renewed effort of the Government towards making transportation in Lagos seamless for commuters, the Commissioner also said 250 electric cars have been shipped in by private investors to improve transportation in the State, while conserving the environment from air pollution through emission.
The Hon. Commission for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, in his opening remarks described how important the Transportation Sector is to the economy and the well being of Lagosians.
Giving his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, stressed that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is the only body backed by the Law to carry out enforcement and manage traffic within the state, saying Local Governments do not have traffic officers and they are not authorized by the law to apprehend motorists who commit traffic infractions.
Giwa also urged members of the public to avoid negotiating fines on the road with alleged enforcement officers to avoid being victims of impersonators.
Debunking the claims that fake enforcement officers apprehended last week around Cele axis worked for the Ministry of Transportation, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olawale Musa, confirmed that many of them are impostors, adding that it will be an anomaly for the Ministry to arrest and publicly shame its staff.
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Boat Mishap: CILT Advocates Safety Culture On Waterways …Claims 300 Nigerians In 2023

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53 mins ago

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April 29, 2024

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The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Nigeria, has expressed displeasure over the frequent loss of lives associated with passenger ferries on coastal and inland waterways.
Calling for more safety culture measures by users and stakeholders, President of CILT Nigeria, Barrister Mfon Usoro, in a statement last Thursday, disclosed that the institute’s Committee investigated incessant boat mishaps in Nigeria and discovered that over 300 lives were lost on the waterways in 2023.
Usoro, a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said “An independent online investigation by the CILT, Nigeria Publicity Committee, revealed that over 300 lives were lost to different boat accidents across the country in 2023”.
Giving a vivid explanation on the mishaps in the nation’s brown waters, he said, “Recent ferry and boat fatalities recorded include: 5 Nollywood actors and crew in Asaba, Delta State; 3 medical students in Calabar, Cross River State; 3 passengers in Ibeshe, Ikorodu, Lagos State; 8 dead and estimated 100 persons declared missing in Borgu district, Niger State; 8 passengers in Anambra State.
“Overwhelming cause of the ferry disasters were the occurrence of one or a combination of the following factors: overloading, non-use of lifejackets, adverse weather conditions, human error, sub-standard boats and ferries, mechanical failures like engine breakdowns, inadequate safety measures, absence of navigational aids, non-availability of search and rescue services and regulatory gaps”.
She stated that safety of lives and property at sea/rivers is of paramount concern to everyone, especially in the light of recurring boat mishaps.
According to her, the incidents not only result in tragic loss of lives, but also pose significant economic and environmental risks.
The CILT boss stated that “While we support the use of inland waterways, it is saddened by the frequent loss of lives associated with passenger ferries in our coastal and inland waterways.
“While we support the use of inland waterway transports as an alternative and viable mode of transportation, the incessant ferry-related incidents resulting in fatalities has prompted a closer look at the deficit in safety culture and non-adherence to safety measures by the parties responsible for safety in our waters”.
Usoro, who is also a the former Secretary, Abuja MoU, said all stakeholders that constitute the “circle of responsibility” in safety of water transport “must work in collaboration to improve safety consciousness of ferry operators, jetty owners, and persons that use waterways transport”.
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‘Women Exclusion From Digital World Costs $1trn Worldwide’

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55 mins ago

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April 29, 2024

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The exclusion of women in the digital world has resulted in a whooping loss of $1trillion in the economies of developing nations in the last decade.
Chairman of the “MMS Hall of Famers’ Initiative”, Amb. Dr. Unyime-Ivy King, stated this during part of events to commemorate the 2024 “International Women’s Day” in Lagos State.
Making a presentation as Chairman of the occasion, with the theme, “Inspire Inclusion of Amazons”, Amb. King said the loss will increase by 50 percent in 2025 if nothing is done in this regard.
According to her, “Beside economic benefits, enhancing women’s safety and equal access to digital technologies, she noted that women-to-women support ranks as the greatest catalyst in achieving gender balancing.
Urging women over the world to reject the primitive customs that confines them to the kitchen, she said, “When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And, when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance and empowerment. Today, we are here to applaud them.
“One of our struggles is the sparse number of women in positions of power. From corporate boardrooms, to the courts and political leadership around the world, the small percentage of women in senior positions continues to stymie progress on issues from pay to humanitarian aid to discrimination in all its forms.
“The sooner we understand that the small number of women in leadership roles holds back not only women, but all people, the sooner we will be able to advance society as a whole”.
She emphasized that “the biggest challenge facing women today is patriarchy. This is especially evident in the realm of politics. Regardless of a woman’s experience, education or abilities, the patriarchal nature of the society fosters the perception that women are less qualified and less competent than men.
“What patriarchy has done is convince people that a strong and intelligent woman represents a problem; a disruption to the social order rather than an integral part of it. It is, therefore, no coincidence that many countries are completely out of step when it comes to electing a woman as President”.
Speaking further, she noted that Africa is notorious for creating the greatest challenge to the emancipation of women, especially in political leadership, saying that the era where women were confined to the background as domestic and family caretakers was over.
“While women have maintained the highest office of leadership in Liberia, India, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Dominica, to mention a few, the same cannot be said in Africa or globally. I believe the time has come for more women to get into top leadership positions in this country in various sectors”, she said.
She applauded women that have been selected to be inducted into the MMS Plus Hall of Famers, and urged them to be the torchbearer of gender balancing and empowerment.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), MMS Woman of Furtune Hall of Fame Initiative, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke, said the theme of this year’s IWD is “Inspire Inclusion”, saying it’s “a muse that has provided another moment of sober reflection on the struggles over decades on gender diversity and request for the elimination of the inhibitive streams of bias and stereotypes.
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