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OCP Africa Partners Syngenta Foundation To Ensure Food Security

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OCP Africa, a global leading company in the production and exportation of phosphate-based fertilizers has deepened its partnership with Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), to ensure Nigerians are food secure by enhancingTomato production techniques and creating a viable and sustainable business modeland linkages around the value chain.

The partnership which is in its second year has helped toaddress constraints that hamper the improvement in yields of Tomato farmers in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and improve agricultural productivity, and standardization of outputs.

Very specifically,the project is focused on the establishment of Greenhouses andInput Hubs across Tomatoes farming locations for easy access to consistent and quality seedlings,access to modern agricultural technologies customized trainings, and guided practices to guarantee uniform outcome of produce that will feed identified commercial processors.

Akintunde Akinwande, OCP Africa’s Head of Business Development and Digital projects disclosed this at the 2021 Onboarding and Training workshop held in Kano for the Hub Managers and Extension Agents also known as Agripromoters.

Akinwande said so far, 20 Greenhouses have been established across major Tomato production areas in Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Abuja, with over 20,000 farmers accessing quality seedlings and inputs as well as good agricultural practice trainings on modern production techniques as well as linkages toofftakemarkets and processors.

At the workshop, the newly recruited Agripromoters and Hub managers were trainedon modern Vegetable nursery establishment and management, good agronomy practices of horticulture, retail business and basic inventory management, and on the usage of digital work tools for data capturing and management. 10 motorcycles and electronic tablets as well as branded materials were presented at the workshop to the Agripromoters to support their mobility and data capturing as they perform their Agricultural extension functions.

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Akinwande said the two organisations entered the partnership to leverage their capacities and experienceto address challenges that hamper the improvement and consistency in quality of farm yields and twoyearsdown the line, he is happy to say their objectives are gradually being achieved thus presenting a proof of concept for future expansion to new areas.

Both organizations leveraged on their flagship projects through the merging of OCP Africa’s Farm and Fortune Hub (FFH) model and SFSA’s Farmers Hub (FH) model.

OCP Africa’s FFH is an all-inclusive last mile distribution solution that aims to address the challenges of farm inputs availability and accessibility by bringing together all basic farm inputs, training and extension services needed to ensure the perennial increase of farmers’ yield and revenue under one physical roof close to smallholder farmers in rural communities. While SFSA developed the Farmer Hub model which runs as an independent business entity often overseen by a young Agripreneur, and it provides smallholder farmers with access to quality inputs, mechanization services, knowledge, and markets.

Akinwande added that in two years the partnership has empowered 20 hub managers to raise over 6 million seedlings at the Greenhouses, with the hub managers earning revenues of over N30 million from the sales of seedlings and other inputs. This has also resulted in the creation of about 300 direct jobs.

Gabriel Isaiah, SFSA-Nigeria’s Country Program Manager and Training Coordinator said the project focuses on raising healthy seedling to produce vegetables through innovative skills among others as the availability of good seeds and seedlings, quality fertilizer, crop protection and good nursery management are essential.

 

He implored the Hub Managers to pay keen attention because they are going to be ambassadors of the scheme wherever they go and this was why they were picked to be trained so that they will be able to train others.

 

Isaiah added that successes of the partnership in the last two years has motivated both organizations to explore opportunities to scale the reach to other parts of the country. The plan for the coming year, he said, is to extend the reach to South West states as well.

 

He also reiterated the mandate of both organizations to focus on gender and youth inclusion with a good number of the recruited hub managers and Agripromoters being young and vibrant women.

 

Speaking at the event, the Hub Manager in Makoda Kano, Musa Usman, appreciated OCP Africa/ SFSA for this laudable initiative, as he said he was ready to effectively put the Greenhouse given to him to good and profitable use.

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Mata Media Launches as Nigeria’s First Hausa-Language Women-Centric Media Organization

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– Mata Media, a pioneering women-only media organization, is proud to announce its official launch. As the first Hausa-language media outlet of its kind in Nigeria, Mata Media is dedicated to telling the stories of women, by women, and for women.

Founded by highly experienced and talented media experts, Mata Media boasts a team of skilled women journalists passionate about promoting women’s empowerment, challenging stereotypes, and driving social change through quality journalism.

“We are thrilled to launch Mata Media, a bold initiative that fills a critical gap in the Nigerian media landscape,” said Fauziyya Kabir Tukur, one of the founders of Mata Media. “Our goal is to create a safe space for women to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas, and to inspire a new generation of women leaders.”

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Led by Managing Director Fauziyya Kabir Tukur, a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in Hausa media, and Editor Hafsat Bahara, Mata Media will feature a wide range of content, including news, features, profiles, and analysis, all centered around women’s issues and concerns.

Mata Media also aims to nurture the next generation of women journalists by providing opportunities for young journalists and interns to learn and grow with the organization.

In a statement by Fauziyya Kabir Tukrb the managing Director said currently, Mata Media is a digital-only organization, with a presence on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, as well as a dedicated website. We invite audiences to follow us on these platforms to stay updated on our latest stories and content.

“We invite media organizations, partners, and stakeholders to join us on this exciting journey,” said the Managing Director. “Together, let’s amplify women’s voices and drive positive change in Nigeria.”

 

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Senator Hanga Calls For Robust Separation Of Power, Opposes State Police

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The Senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District, Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, has called for a robust separation of powers among all organs of government, stressing the need for the executive to allow the legislature to function independently.

Senator Hanga made the remarks during an interactive session with journalists in Kano, where he spoke extensively on governance, security, and his contributions to his constituency. He emphasized that his efforts in Kano Central have been “enormous,” citing projects and initiatives he has facilitated.

Commenting on recent developments in Benin Republic, Senator Hanga described the change of government there as “unfortunate,” adding that as a politician and democrat, he hopes such undemocratic actions fail. He urged Nigeria to strengthen its democratic institutions and ensure that governance reflects true democratic values.

The lawmaker criticized the President for not allowing the National Assembly to operate freely, noting that many ministers have failed to discharge their duties effectively. “That is why the President is choked up,” he said, urging better coordination between the executive and legislature.

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On the withdrawal of police protection from VIPs, Senator Hanga argued that the President was ill-advised. He explained that members of the National Assembly are among the most targeted individuals and VIPS should have been provided with alternatives before such withdrawal.

Senator Hanga strongly opposed the creation of state police, warning that it could lead to abuse of power by governors. “Creating a state police means creating a police state where governors will use them for intimidation,” he cautioned. He further noted that both the police and army are already grappling with unpaid salaries, questioning the practicality of introducing another policing structure.

He revealed that 19 governors had backed the idea of state police, suggesting that their support may have been driven by panic rather than sound judgment.

Highlighting his contributions to Kano Central, Senator Hanga disclosed that he had proposed the establishment of a Federal University in Kura, which is awaiting presidential assent. He also announced plans to launch a programme in partnership with Kayi Bank to empower his constituents, particularly women.

According to him, Kano Central is the most populous constituency in Nigeria and faces numerous challenges, including a high rate of out-of-school children. He explained that his empowerment initiatives are designed to address these pressing issues.

Senator Hanga stated that he will not contest in the next election, declaring that he feels fulfilled with his service. “I am not going to contest the next election. I am fulfilled,” he said.

 

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Ganduje’s 12,000 Capacity Independent Hisbah Distributes Application Forms

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Independent Hisba Fisabilillah has launched the distribution of forms to 12,000 persons who were screened in 44 local government areas of Kano State from Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s administration to the current administration.

The Co-Chairmen of the committee who distributed the forms are former Kano State Commandant of the Hisbah Board during Ganduje’s tenure, Sheikh Muhammad Haruna Ibn Sina, and Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, in Kano.

After the committee formed by the former Kano State Governor and former National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, completed its work, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, sought the arrest of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his alleged intention to launch his own security forces. But the committee that conducted the operation denied this, saying that it is the Independent Hisba Fisabilillah.

The committee added that this Independent Hisba has been operating since the tenure of former Kano Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when he was reluctant to implement Islamic Shari’a law at that time.

The committee stated that the Independent Hisba Fisabilillah will work in collaboration with the security agencies and will not tolerate anything that is against the law and not the work of Almighty God.

And as the committee explained, the Nigerian Constitution allows that anyone found to be acting improperly should be handed over to the appropriate authority.

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Therefore, the committee said that if he did so, then according to the Constitution of the country, he did not commit a crime.

Likewise, the committee warns anyone who joined Hisba Kwankwasiyya to leave it or go and collect this Hisba Fisabilillah form, which is free and not for sale.

The Chairman and Co-Chairman of the committee, Sheikh Haroon Sani Ibn Seena and Dr. Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, said that if the APC takes power in 2027, they will confirm that this person is not a Hisba Fisabilillah and is not a person who is doing the work of God.

Therefore, they called on them to go and collect this form so that they will not be screened and found to be non-compliant, saying that this is not Hisba Gandujiyya or Hisba Ganduje Foundation, but only Hisba Independent Fisabilillah.

After the committee formed by the former Kano State Governor and former National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, completed its work, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, sought the arrest of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his alleged intention to launch his own security forces. But the committee that conducted the operation denied this and said that it is the Independent Hisba Fisabilillah.

The committee added that this Independent Hisba has been operating since the time of former Kano Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when he did not implement Islamic law at that time.

The committee stated that the Independent Hisba will work in collaboration with the security forces and will not tolerate anything that is against the law and not the work of God.

And as the committee explained, the law of the land allows that anyone found to be acting improperly should be handed over to the appropriate authority.

Therefore, the committee said that if he did so, then according to the Constitution of the country, he did not commit a crime.

Likewise, the committee warns anyone who joined Hisba Kwankwasiyya to leave it or go and collect this Hisba Fisabilillah form, which is free and not for sale.

The Co-Chairman of the committee said that if the APC party takes power in 2027, he will confirm that this person is not a Hisba Fisabilillah and is not a person who is doing the work of God.

Therefore, he calls on them to go and collect the form so that they will not be screened and found to be non-compliant, saying that this is not Hisba Gandujiyya or Hisba Ganduje Foundation, but only Hisba Independent Fisabilillah.

 

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