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FAO Emphasizes Urgency of Land Restoration in Nigeria for Sustainable Development

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The training

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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Zaura Foundation Champions Peace Accord to End Violence Among Hunters, Daba groups in Kano

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Determined to restore peace and tranquillity, rival groups of hunters, political thugs, and street boys, fondly known as Yan Daba, have agreed to bury their hatchet in Kano.

Besides, leaders of the famous rival groups also resolved to support the efforts of government and security agencies to end phone snatching, attacks on innocent residents and other security threats in the ancient city.

The resolution came after a special engagement meeting conveyed by a renowned philanthropist and founder of AA Zaura Foundation, AbdulKarim Abdulsalam Zaura on Saturday in Kano.

Earlier, the convener of the engagement, AA Zaura, challenged the leaders of the rival groups to consider the future and think of contributing to the development of the state instead of fomenting violence.

Zaura, a Kano Central senatorial candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election, worried over the height of unrest and criminalities, vowed to lead an empowerment initiative to keep youths productive in Kano.

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He reminded that the intervention to broker peace among worrying groups devoid of political inclination, however, reassured plans to strengthen the renewed hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s youth empowerment initiative in the state.

“Every single person here you see has thousands of youths behind him. These are different factions of the Daba people in Kano and the hunters in Kano. Every single one here has his people.

“So this is a leadership that will discuss the possible way to make Kano state peaceful. The possible way to stop attacking, snatching ponds, snatching people’s property, killing people and doing so many illicit things ranging from drug abuse to substance abuse.

“Therefore we have achieved a lot today. The people that we sit with here have given us the lowdown and the way to tackle these issues and they are ready to do it. Every single person here, we have not had any divided opinion. We have a unity of purpose. We have a unity of function. Peace is coming to reign in every section of Kano. We will live to see no Daba in Kano”. Zaura added.

According to Zaura, the foundation has constituted a 20-man committee to strengthen mutual understanding among the groups and propel the empowerment program that would make the youths productive to themselves and the state.

“We have a plan for every single person to learn a trade. We have a plan for every single person that is dropped out of school to go back to school. We have a plan that every person who knows how to buy and sell without having capital will, at the end of the day, have capital and go back to market.

“Be productive to himself, to his family and the community at large. Let us live in peace. And this is the beginning of sitting together. We leave the committee working inside. That committee will co-opt every section in Kano state. Every single person from every nook and cranny in Kano will bring him out.

“They know the leadership. They know who is instigating them to fight. They know one person in the area who will raise a finger. Nobody will come out to terrorize anybody. We assemble ourselves here. They agreed to do it. And they are happy. And I am very happy. It is my baby project”. Zaura explained.

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Imam of Jirgagu Friday Mosque Resigns, Cites Personal Reasons

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The Imam of Jirgagu Friday Mosque in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Malam Murtala Jirgagu, has officially resigned from his position, citing personal challenges and the difficulty of balancing the responsibilities of the role with his daily life.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Imam Jirgagu described his resignation as the “easiest option” under the circumstances.

have resigned from my position as Imam, leading Friday prayers and the five daily prayers at this mosque in Jirgagu. I wish the next person whom Allah appoints to this position the best of luck,” he wrote.

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He also emphasized that the appointment of an Imam is ultimately a divine decision and hinted that he will explain the reasons for his resignation at a later time.

When contacted for further clarification, Imam Jirgagu appealed for patience, stating that he would provide more details in the near future, citing personal preferences and considerations in his worldly affairs as part of his decision.

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Senator Shehu Sani Warns of Thugs’ Attacks at Political Events, Citing Personal Experience

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Senator Shehu Sani

 

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has issued a stark warning regarding political gatherings in Nigeria, cautioning that the sudden disappearance of security forces at such events could signal an imminent attack by hired thugs.

Sani, a well-known human rights activist and vocal advocate for democratic reforms, made this revelation in a recent post on his verified Facebook page.

He expressed concern about the hostile nature of Nigerian politics, emphasizing that violence from political opponents is a reality that aspiring politicians must anticipate.

“We have survived many thug attacks miraculously. For those who want to get into politics someday, factor in the violence by thugs from your opponents. That’s the way our hostile and toxic politics works,”he wrote.

His comments underscore long-standing concerns about political violence in Nigeria, where clashes between rival supporters, intimidation tactics, and disruptions at rallies remain common occurrences. The senator’s warning suggests that such violence is often orchestrated, with security forces conveniently withdrawing before the arrival of the perpetrators.

Shehu Sani, known for his fearless activism, has experienced political persecution firsthand. A staunch critic of military rule in the 1990s, he was imprisoned by General Sani Abacha’s administration during the struggle to restore democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, elections. His political career has been marked by advocacy for human rights, transparency, and justice, earning him recognition both nationally and internationally.

As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, Sani’s message serves as a sobering reminder of the need for stronger measures to safeguard political events and ensure the safety of participants. Political violence remains a major challenge, raising questions about the role of security forces in protecting citizens rather than allowing intimidation tactics to prevail.

His statement is expected to reignite discussions on electoral integrity and the need for political reforms that address violence, voter intimidation, and the influence of political thuggery in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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