Connect with us

News

BUK’s Centre For Dryland Calls For Revival Of Rangelands and Empowerment Of Pastoralists

Published

12 months ago

on

 

The 5th International Conference on Drylands, organized by the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, has concluded with a powerful call for policy reforms, investment, and inclusive strategies to restore rangelands and improve the livelihoods of pastoralists.

According to the conference communiqué issued by Nura Sabon Sara, Director of Digital Media at Bayero University Kano, participants emphasized that governments and stakeholders must adopt sustainable land management policies to tackle degradation and climate vulnerability in dryland regions.

Held from May 6 to 8, 2025, the conference brought together over 300 participants, including scientists, policymakers, researchers, and development partners from 11 African countries, 13 Nigerian states, and 17 academic institutions, fostering rich knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration.

Call for Policy Reform and Sustainable Rangeland Management

A key highlight of the conference was the urgent call for evidence-based legal frameworks that promote sustainable rangeland governance. The communiqué, issued by Nura Sabon Sara, stressed the need for policies that uphold the rights of pastoralists, guarantee secure land tenure, and mitigate land-use conflicts.

Advert

Empowering Women and Youth in Pastoral Communities

Recognizing the critical role of women and youth, the conference urged increased investment in capacity-building programs, ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes. The communiqué, released by Bayero University Kano’s Digital Media Office, underscored the importance of economic empowerment initiatives tailored to young and female pastoralists.

Scaling Up Investment and Innovation in Dryland Agriculture

Delegates emphasized the necessity of public-private investment in climate adaptation and sustainable land management technologies. According to the communiqué, integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific advancements is crucial for developing tailored solutions that strengthen climate resilience.

International Cooperation and Private Sector Engagement

The conference communiqué advocated for enhanced global partnerships to address transboundary rangeland challenges. It urged development organizations to align funding with dryland research efforts, referencing major initiatives like the US-led Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) and the Africa Soil Initiative.

The private sector was encouraged to invest in rangeland-based enterprises, fostering ecological balance and economic growth, the communiqué stated.

Urgency of Action in the Face of Growing Dryland Challenges

The participants echoed the pressing need for urgent action to combat rangeland degradation and pastoral livelihood threats, emphasizing that healthy rangelands are vital for food security and peaceful coexistence.

The conference also leveraged the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) 2025 as a global platform to intensify awareness and strategic partnerships, according to the Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University Kano.

Conference Partners and Future Outlook

The event received support from key institutions including icipe, RSIF, CIMMYT, ICRISAT, IITA, ILRI, PACET, Nigeria’s Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, and the Commonwealth Geographic Bureau (CGB), as highlighted in the official communiqué.

In conclusion, the conference reinforced the need for ongoing research, capacity-building, and policy advocacy to safeguard the future of Africa’s drylands.

 

Related Topics:

News

Insecurity: US lawmaker accuses Matawalle of bribe attempt to silence recommendation calling for his sack

Published

2 hours ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

Governor Matawalle

 

Kimberly Daniels, a United States Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14, has alleged that Nigeria’s minister of state for defense, Bello Matawalle, attempted to bribe a US official to deflect the narrative of the United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, report.

The lawmaker made the claim in a viral video released on her official Facebook account on Monday.

She said Matawalle’s alleged move was to cover up the UN-WCD report on Christian genocide in Nigeria, which indicted him.

Daniels insisted that no amount of pressure can silence her stand against the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

Advert

“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she said in the viral video.

Recall that Daniels, who doubled as the chairperson of UN-WCD, had called for President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle over alleged complicity in the killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria.

Matawalle is yet to officially reply the US lawmaker.

Daniels alleged that following her recent press statement on what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she came under pressure from individuals she linked to the minister, including what she characterised as attempts to discredit her report and “buy support” from US-based elected officials.

According to her, an unnamed American lawmaker allegedly received an offer of financial inducement to publicly counter her position and defend the Nigerian defence leadership.

She claimed to have received evidence of a communication, including a prepared statement and promotional material, purportedly linked to the minister.

She also claimed that the bribery attempt is meant to divide America elected officials not knowing that they are united.

Continue Reading

News

Just In:President Tinubu Sacks Minister Of Finance

Published

6 hours ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council.

According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

Advert

The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”

Signed:

Yomi Odunuga,
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

21-04-2026

Continue Reading

News

JUST IN: FG Files 13 Count Charges Against Alleged Coup Plotters

Published

13 hours ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. Among those named in the suit are a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three other suspects.

Advert

According to security sources, the coup was scheduled to be executed on Nigeria’s Independence Day. However, the plot was uncovered after preparations and plans were leaked, leading to its successful disruption.

The development prompted the Federal Government to cancel the Independence Day programme—a move described as highly unusual by political observers.

Continue Reading

Trending