In a major boost to commercial agriculture in Nigeria, the Dangote Group and the Niger State Government are fostering sectoral partnership worth billions of naira.

The conglomerate said significant investment has been deployed into the company’s rice production infrastructure in the state, even as it is partnering the Government on the Niger Food initiative.

The Niger Food initiative is an agricultural development programme launched by the Niger State Government in partnership with private sector players like the Dangote Group.

Senior Special Adviser to the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, said the company’s state-of-the-art rice mill in Wushishi is “progressing steadily and on track for completion.”

Speaking Thursday at the official opening of the 2025 Niger National Trade Fair in Minna, the capital of the State, she said: “As part of our commitment to advancing agriculture, we plan to establish one of the largest rice mills here in Niger State.”’

Dangote Group is one of the sponsors of the 21st Trade Fair organized by the Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA),

Speaking on the theme: Commercial Agriculture as the Major Contributor to Sub National Economic Growth and National GDP, she said: “This initiative is expected to enhance food security and generate significant employment opportunities for the state’s population.”

She added: “This landmark project represents a significant step forward in bolstering the food security initiatives of the State. Upon its delivery, the mill is expected to enhance local rice production, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the agricultural development of Nigeria.”

According to her, the 32 Metric Tonnes Per Hour (MTPH) Mill is a cutting-edge facility, being developed on a 30-hectare site, designed to significantly enhance rice production and storage capacity in the State.

“This state-of-the-art facility incorporates the latest innovations in rice milling technology, ensuring high efficiency, minimal waste, and premium-quality output. Once operational, it will not only boost local rice production but also strengthen the entire agricultural value chain, from farm to market,” she added.

Additionally, she said, the project is expected to generate employment opportunities, support local farmers with necessary inputs like fertilizer and seedlings, and contribute substantially to the State’s food security goals.

“We will source the rice from local out growers and act as 100% off takers of the production at competitive market prices. The Dangote Rice Mill will also feature an on-site captive power generation facility capable of producing 5.8 megawatts of electricity. The project aligns with broader efforts to reduce reliance on the national grid.

She added that close to Wushishi, the company is constructing 32 silos, each with a storage capacity of 2,500 metric tons of paddy rice.

In his remark, Governor Umar Muhammed Bago, who was represented by the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Aminu Suleiman Takuma, said the state government is opening up the state for massive investment in commercial agriculture.

He commended the Dangote Group, and urged it to take advantage of several investment opportunities and the conducive environment in the state.

He also announced that plans afoot to make the Niger Trade Fair an international event.

Speaking earlier, President of the Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), Dr Bisi Adeniyi, called on the private sector to take advantage of the massive land in Niger State, and invest in agriculture.

In his remarks, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi who was represented by Dr Suleiman Ladan said commercial agriculture is central to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu economic development agenda.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State council, has inaugurated new executive members for the NUJ chapel covering Freedom Radio and Dala FM. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the Freedom Radio premises in Sharada, following the expiration of the previous executives’ tenure.

Muzammil Ibrahim Yakasai, Head of News and Current Affairs at the station, was sworn in as the new Chapel Chairman of NUJ for Freedom Radio and Dala FM. Abubakar Musa Labaran was inaugurated as Vice Chairman, while Tijjani Adamu was appointed as the new Financial Secretary, having previously served as Auditor. Abubakar Sabo was sworn in as Assistant Secretary, among other newly elected officers.

Delivering remarks shortly after the inauguration, the NUJ State Chairman, Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, represented by his Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Gambo Muhammad, urged the new leadership to work with diligence, integrity, and accountability.

Also speaking, the Station Manager of Freedom Radio, Malam Ado Sa’idu Warawa, encouraged the new chapel leaders to focus on promoting the welfare of journalists and contributing positively to society.

In their separate remarks, some of the newly sworn-in officers—Abubakar Sabo of Dala FM (Assistant Secretary), Comrade Tijjani Adamu (Financial Secretary), and Treasurer Comrade Asma’u Muhammad Sani—pledged to deliver progress and reforms during their tenure.

Malam Adamu Isma’il Garki, the General Manager of Freedom Radio Group , also charged the new executives to strive for progress and innovation in journalism practices.

According to the NUJ constitution governing the chapel, the tenure of elected executives lasts for three years, after which fresh elections are held.

Freedom Radio is the first indigenous private radio station in Northern Nigeria. The new chapel chairman, Muzammil Ibrahim Yakasai, is a Mass Communication graduate from Bayero University Kano and a dedicated journalist known for his impactful stories that have brought development to Kano and its surroundings.

The Ummah for Earth Alliance, in partnership with the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bayero University Kano (BUK), has launched a Hausa-language version of the Green Guide for Hajj and Umrah to promote environmentally responsible pilgrimage among Nigerian Muslims.

Speaking at the launch held at the Center for Dryland Agriculture, Professor Aliyu Salisu Barau of BUK’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences welcomed guests and emphasized the urgency of ecological awareness during Hajj. “As Muslims, we must reflect on how to perform Hajj responsibly, especially considering recent climate challenges,” he said, citing the deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims in 2023 due to extreme heat and 51-degree temperatures recorded at Masjid al-Haram during the 2024 pilgrimage.

Prof. Barau also noted that over 300 million litres of treated sewage are flushed daily into the Red Sea, underlining the environmental pressure the holy cities face during pilgrimage seasons. “This guide has been introduced in other languages like Malay and Hindi, but Nigeria—being among the top contributors of pilgrims—deserves one in Hausa,” he added.

Rianne Ten Veen, a representative of Ummah for Earth, highlighted that the alliance comprises over 50 organizations worldwide, working toward environmentally conscious Islamic practices. “Nigeria is leading in this space, and we are advocating for policy changes through initiatives like the Islamic Finance for Earth campaign,” she said.

Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, representing the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), expressed appreciation for the collaboration with BUK. “We’re proud to support this initiative that ties faith with environmental stewardship,” he said.

Book reviewer, Professor Murtala Uba, noted that Hausa is the tenth most spoken language globally and the most spoken in West Africa. “This 46-page guide shows how environmental values are embedded in Hajj rituals,” he said. He praised the simple, clear language and symbolic green and white cover but pointed out some errors. “For example, on page six, ‘ku guji’ was incorrectly written as ‘kugudi,’ and some Qur’anic verses like Wala tubazzir tabzeera were not fully contextualized to reflect broader meanings.”

Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Kano Council of Ulama, stressed that protecting the environment is integral to Islamic conduct. “The Prophet said if the Day of Judgment comes while you’re planting a date, continue planting it,” he noted, adding that managing waste and limiting air pollution are critical during Hajj. “This is why building in Mina is discouraged to allow air circulation,” he explained.

He also emphasized the role of human behavior in environmental degradation. “If you want to clean the environment, you must first purify human conduct,” he said, citing Islamic teachings on health, hygiene, and moderation during Hajj.

Professor Amina Mustapha, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at BUK, closed the event by stating that universities must be at the forefront of knowledge dissemination. “Translating this guide into Hausa is critical, given the number of Hausa speakers who travel for Hajj annually,” she said.

NIGERIAN TRACKER reports that the guide encourages eco-conscious behaviors such as avoiding excessive water use during ablution, not littering, minimizing carbon footprints, and respecting animal and plant life—all rooted in Islamic teachings.