News

UK-Aid, Silvex International Train Famers on Climate Smart Agriculture in Jigawa

Published

5 years ago

June 19, 2021

Rice farmers in Jigawa state have received a climate-smart training on system of rice intensification (SRI), a new approach to rice production that increases the crop productivity and reduces methane emissions by at least 22 per cent to a maximum of 64 per cent.

The training was part of a tripartite partnership between the Foreign and Common Wealth Development Office (FCDO) of the British Government through its intervention on investment promotion under the LINKS Project, the Jigawa state government and a leading commodity trading firm Silvex International Limited.

While delivering the training, Mr. Muhammad Adamu, an Agribusiness consultant and the CEO of a training firm Green Sahel Agric Ventures revealed that the system of rice intensification (SRI) uses a cultivation system of alternate wetting and drying that creates aerobic soil conditions that reduce the production of methane. It uses less seeds and less water, whilst increasing yields.

“As such it can increase farmer incomes whilst reducing Green House Gases (GHG) emissions. Despite the benefits of SRI having been demonstrated in over 60 countries, it has not been demonstrated at any scale in Northern Nigeria. It also utilises different techniques to the traditional norms and widespread adoption in Nigeria will require farmers to be trained in these new techniques and be convinced of the benefits” he reiterated

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The two-day training of trainers for the lead farmers and field coordinators is expected to be stepped down to at least 50 farmers in each cluster of 27 communities across 9 Local Government Areas in both Kano and Jigawa to cover at least 12, 150 farmers in the two states.

Speaking at the venue of the training in Dutse, Jigawa State, the Managing Director/CEO, Silvex International Limited, Alh Abubakar Usman Karfi assured the commitment of the company in supporting farmers to move towards a sustainable means of commodity production in Nigeria.

This training and field visits indicated the commencement of the System of Rice (SRI) project anchored by the FCDO LINKS project in Kano and Jigawa States where Silvex International Limited serves as a major implementing partner.

In a side meeting at Dutse shortly after the training, Silvex International Limited and the delegation of the British FCDO/UKAID which include Mr. Chris Pycroft, the Director of Development, Mrs. Gail Warrender, Senior Economic Team Leader and other senior officials of the FCDO Nigeria have agreed to focus on Innovation, Investment and Infrastructure development in the agricultural value chains in Nigeria.

The MD/CEO, Silvex International Abubakar Karfi has on behalf of the company assured the delegation of their full commitment and more investment into the backward integration to support small holder farmers improve their income and livelihoods through providing steady access to market especially for commodities produced in an eco-friendly practice for employment and wealth creation.

You may recall that within the week, the Officials of the British government paid a courtesy visit to the Jigawa state Governor Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar where both parties renewed their commitments to promoting Agribusiness and investments. Jigawa state has in recent times intensify efforts in attracting investors within and outside the country.

News

Ex-Minister Nwajiuba Declares Presidential Bid on ADC Platform

Published

7 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, has officially announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement released on Monday, January 19, Nwajiuba highlighted the pressing need for leadership capable of crafting sound policies, negotiating effectively, and engaging grassroots political structures across the country.

The former minister, who had also served as House of Representatives member for two consecutive times, had previously sought the presidency in 2023 on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform but did not advance through the party’s primaries.

Reflecting on his qualifications, Nwajiuba said, according to the statement, that “my experience across the legislature, the executive arm of government and key national institutions has equipped me with a deep understanding of governance, public finance and policy formulation.”

The statement outlined that Nwajiuba’s campaign will prioritise education reform, economic stabilisation, and the restoration of public trust in government institutions, describing these areas as critical to Nigeria’s development.

It added, “Experience, policy depth and institutional knowledge will form the central pillars of the leadership he intends to offer.”

“With his declaration, Nwajiuba joins a growing list of aspirants aiming to shape the national conversation ahead of the next general election, as debates around competence, experience and inclusive governance continue to gain momentum,” the statement noted.

The announcement positions Nwajiuba among a field of candidates seeking to present alternatives to the current administration, emphasising technical competence and practical governance experience as defining features of his 2027 bid.

News

CITAD Rallies Men as Allies Against Gender-Based Violence

Published

21 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged men to actively join the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and support the promotion of gender equality across communities.

The appeal was made on Monday during a one-day training organised for Male Feminist Network (MFN) champions at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) headquarters in Kano.

The training, which attracted 70 participants, was organised for members of CAN, Kano State chapter. The programme was supported by the Ford Foundation through the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development.

Speaking at the event, MFN Project Officer, Mr Sani Sa’idu, said the initiative was aimed at equipping men with the knowledge and skills to challenge gender-based violence and promote inclusive and respectful communities.

Sa’idu, who spoke on the topic “Gender, Feminism, Masculinities and GBV Awareness”, said the training was designed to build a movement of men committed to equality and the elimination of GBV.

“The aim of this training is to build a movement of men who are committed to equality, challenging harmful stereotypes and ending gender-based violence,” he said.

He added that the programme sought to empower men to become allies in the struggle for women’s rights and to advocate for inclusive and safe communities.

Also speaking, Apostle Samaila Joshua Asake, PhD, Chairman of the Youth Wing of CAN in Kano State, commended CITAD for taking the initiative to faith-based organisations.

Asake said engaging men, especially within religious institutions, was critical to addressing gender-based violence and fostering positive masculinity.

Similarly, the Secretary of CAN in Kano State, Rev. Ayuba Apollos Sabo, praised CITAD for organising the training and called for sustained collaboration to address social challenges.

“The church has a key role to play in promoting values of respect, justice and protection of the rights of women and girls,” Sabo said.

CITAD also used the occasion to call on men across communities to actively join efforts aimed at ending gender-based violence and promoting gender equality.