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FAO Emphasizes Urgency of Land Restoration in Nigeria for Sustainable Development

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The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has emphasized the importance of land restoration efforts in achieving sustainable development and food security in Nigeria.

The organisation emphasized that land degradation and desertification are pressing issues that require immediate attention and action

FAO Country Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Koffy Dominique stated this at the opening of Collect Earth Training and Biophysical Data Collections for Africa’s Great Green Wall, ACReSAL and Africa Open DEAL held at the Centre for Dryland Agriculture.

He emphasized that land degradation and desertification are pressing issues that require immediate attention and action.

Dominique emphasized that land degradation and desertification are pressing issues that require immediate attention and action.

Citing statistics and research, he pointed out that land degradation affects not only the environment but also the livelihoods of millions of people, particularly in Africa,’’ Agbesor said.

Koffy Dominique represented by Focal Point for the FAO’s ACReSAL Project, Mr. Precious Agbesor went on to underscore the importance of monitoring and evaluation in ensuring the success of land restoration initiatives.

He stressed that without proper monitoring and evaluation, it is difficult to assess progress, identify areas of improvement, and make necessary adjustments. He encouraged participants to think critically about the importance of data collection, analysis, and reporting in informing decision-making.

Agbesor encouraged participants to make the most of this unique opportunity to participate in the hands-on “Collect Earth Advanced Training and Mapathon for Africa’s Great Green Wall” program. He emphasized that this was a chance to gain valuable skills and knowledge in using digital mapping technology to address land degradation issues. He also highlighted that this was a critical step towards achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goal of revitalizing Africa’s ecosystems.

In a remark, Associate Professor Murtala Badamosi, the Coordinator of the Centre for Dry Land Agriculture at Bayero University of Kano, Nigeria, expressed delight at hosting the ACReSAL Collect Earth training at the Centre.

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Badamosi emphasized the commitment of the Centre to the ACReSAL agenda, highlighting the importance of monitoring and evaluation in ensuring the success of land restoration efforts.

He noted that monitoring and evaluation were critical components of any project, as they allowed for assessing progress, identifying areas for improvement, and making informed decisions.

Badamosi emphasized that land restoration was an urgent issue that required immediate attention. He noted that the degradation of land was having devastating effects on the environment, ecosystems, and human communities.

He urged participants to take their responsibilities seriously and to utilize the technical knowledge and resources provided during the training to make a positive impact in their communities.

The CDA Director also highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving land restoration goals.

He acknowledged the role of international organizations like FAO in supporting national efforts towards sustainable land management. He emphasized that partnerships were crucial in sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources to achieve common goals.

On his part, the Kano State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Dahir M. Hashim expressed commitment and support to the success of the training, emphasizing the significance of the Collect Earth Advanced Training for the pioneers of monitoring and evaluation processes in their respective states.

Dr. Hashim noted that the training was a crucial step towards ensuring the sustainability of the ACReSAL Land Restoration project.

He noted that the project would not only benefit the environment but also contribute significantly to the economic growth and development of Kano State.

He praised the participants for their dedication and commitment to their work, noting that they would be playing a vital role in implementing the project’s objectives.

The Project Coordinator acknowledged the efforts of the FAO team in organizing the training, emphasizing that the collaboration between ACReSAL and FAO would be crucial in achieving the project’s goals.

ACReSAL National Project Coordinator, Mr Umar Abdulhamid said that this partnership between Nigeria and the FAO would be a valuable asset, hoping that the Federal Government representatives would translate this collaboration into tangible implementation results.

The Director General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (GWW) , Dr. Yusuf Maina-Bukar underscored the importance of sustaining the monitoring and evaluation aspect of land restoration projects.

He stressed that effective monitoring would enable accurate tracking of progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that project goals were being met and that this was not only essential for achieving tangible results but also for building trust and credibility among stakeholders.

The Director General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (GWW) , Dr. Yusuf Maina-Bukar underscored the importance of sustaining the monitoring and evaluation aspect of land restoration projects.

He stressed that effective monitoring would enable accurate tracking of progress, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that project goals were being met and that this was not only essential for achieving tangible results but also for building trust and credibility among stakeholders.

 Reports indicate  that certificates were presented to participants after the week-long training session.

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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