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Over 2,000 Farmers Benefit from SAPZ Programme, Plans Underway to Support 9,000 More by 2026”

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3 weeks ago

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The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme in Kano State on Wednesday has organised a one-day media sensitisation training on Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) for improved nutrition, aimed at strengthening the role of the media in promoting positive nutrition practices across the state.

The training, themed “From Information to Action: Media’s Role in Driving Nutrition Behavior Change,” brought together media practitioners and key stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the SAPZ concept, its development objectives, and its nutrition intervention programme.

Introducing the programme, the Knowledge Management and Communication Officer of the SAPZ Programme, Kano State Coordination Office, Rabi Mustapha Sadiq, explained that SAPZ is a collaborative initiative involving the Kano State Government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). She noted that IFAD and IsDB are the co-founders of the Kano State SAPZ initiative.

She also stated that the programme was initiated by the Kano State Government to support smallholder farmers, small-scale agro-processors, and community-based service providers, with the overall goal of boosting agricultural productivity, value addition, and food and nutrition security.

Highlighting the progress recorded so far, he revealed that over 2,000 farmers benefited from the programme during the 2024 wet season under the merchant grant implementation scheme. She added that plans are underway to support more than 9,000 farmers during the 2026 dry season, covering rice producers, processors and marketers, as well as tomato, groundnut, and sesame value chains.

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On her part, Dr. Rukayya Aliyu Yusuf of the Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University Kano, delivered a presentation on understanding the basics of behaviour change towards improving nutrition in Kano State.

She stated that journalists have a critical role to play in improving nutrition among the population by creating awareness and producing programmes that can help change people’s behaviour towards eating a balanced diet.

Dr. Rukayya noted that although changing people’s behaviour is often difficult, journalists can influence it by applying wisdom in their programmes and write-ups. According to her, behaviour change is the process of modifying how a person acts, thinks, or responds—moving from old habits to new ones. She described this as a significant task but stressed that with wisdom and strategic communication, it can be achieved.

She further explained that in Kano State, as in many parts of the country—particularly in the North—malnutrition and poor dietary practices remain serious challenges. However, she emphasized that through sustained advocacy and accountability, journalists can use investigative journalism to expose issues such as food wastage, corruption, and policy failures that contribute to poor nutrition outcomes.

Dr. Rukayya also highlighted the importance of community engagement and data-driven reporting.
SolaceBase reports that she advised journalists to first understand the behaviour of the people they are engaging with before attempting to influence or change it.
According to her, nutrition is not merely about food; it is about choices, habits, and the social and cultural contexts that shape those choices—making it fundamentally a behavioural issue.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Bashir Muhammad Sunusi, thanked the organisers of the programme, noting that the government cannot achieve its objectives alone and that the media must play an active role.
He emphasized that the Kano State Government is fully committed to improving agriculture across the state.
He disclosed that the state government has approved the construction of 11 dams to enhance irrigation and boost farmers’ productivity. According to him, the government has also procured a large number of tractors and combine harvesters as part of efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector and increase agricultural output.

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National Grid Collapses for First Time in 2026

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19 minutes ago

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January 23, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Nigeria’s national power grid experienced a total collapse on Friday, January 23, 2026 the first such failure this year. Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) confirmed that power generation plunged to zero megawatts (MW) by 1:00 PM.

As a result, load allocation to all 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) dropped to zero MW. Affected DisCos include: Abuja, Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Yola.

This incident follows a pattern of recurring grid instability throughout 2025, during which multiple system collapses were recorded—the last occurring on December 29. These repeated failures persist despite ongoing upgrades intended to enhance national grid capacity and reliability.

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The collapse comes shortly after the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) announced the restoration of an additional 450 MW to the grid. This followed scheduled maintenance on the Geregu National Integration Power Project (NIPP) plant, which was expected to boost overall supply.

In related developments, NISO had partnered with the West African Power Pool Information and Coordination Centre (WAPP-ICC) in November 2025 to conduct synchronization tests between Nigeria’s grid and the wider West African power network a initiative aimed at improving regional energy security and resilience.

The latest collapse raises renewed concerns over the fragility of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure and its impact on economic and daily activities.

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APC Rolls Out E-Registration to Digitize Membership Nationwide

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5 hours ago

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January 23, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The All Progressives Congress has invited all stakeholders, supporters, and members, both old and new, to participate in its ongoing Membership Electronic-Registration Exercise across the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a post obtained from APC’s X handle on Friday, said the exercise is being conducted in all wards nationwide.

“Existing members are expected to validate their membership, while new and intending members are encouraged to register and join the party.

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“Participants must be 18 years or older and possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN) to complete the registration process,” he said.

According to Morka, the e-Registration exercise is designed to digitise the Party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, provide efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions, promote internal democracy, and strengthen APC’s commitment to democratic innovation in Nigeria.

He urged all eligible Nigerians to take part in the exercise and join the progressive family of Nigeria’s ruling party.

The APC noted that the initiative is part of its ongoing effort to modernise party operations, increase transparency, and ensure that party membership is up-to-date and verifiable nationwide.

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Tinubu Swears In New Federal Character Commission Chairman, 37 Commissioners

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7 hours ago

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January 23, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in the new Chairman and 37 National Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, at the State House, Abuja.

The ceremony, which began at about 4:48 pm, saw Hulayat Ayo Omidiran take the oath of office as FCC Chairman alongside commissioners representing all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Mrs Omidiran, 59, is a former two-term member of the House of Representatives who previously represented Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State. She succeeds Dr. Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure was widely criticised.

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Full List of Sworn-In Commissioners

Alongside Chairman Omidiran and FCC Secretary Mohammed Musa, the following were sworn in as National Commissioners:

1. Peter Ogbonna Eze – Enugu

2. AbdulWasiu Bawalla – Lagos

3. Obinna Oriaku – Abia

4. Lawal Ya’u Roni –
5. Abubakar Atiku Bunu – Kebbi

6. Eludayo Eluyemi – Osun

7. Bema Olvadi Madayi – Adamawa

8. Dora Ebong – Akwa Ibom

9. Nnoli Nkechi Gloria – Anambra

10. Babangida Adamu Gwana – Bauchi

11. Sir Tonye Okio – Bayelsa

12. Aligba Eugene Tarkende – Benue

13. Modu Mustapha – Borno

14. Dr Stella Odey Ekpo – Cross River

15. Ederin Lovette Idisi – Delta

16. Nwokpor Vincent Nduka – Ebonyi

17. Victor Sabor Edoror – Edo

18. Sola Fokanle – Ekiti

19. Ibrahim Baba Mairiga – Gombe

20. Jerry Alagbaoso – Imo

21. Ruth Jumai Ango – Kaduna

22. Muhammad Awwal Nayya – Kano

23. Anas Isah – Katsina

24. Bello Idris Eneye – Kogi

25. Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi – Kwara

26. Kayode Oladele – Ogun

27. Isah Jibrin – Niger

28. Ajimudu Bola – Ondo

29. Prince Ayodeji Abas Aleshinloye – Oyo

30. Pam Bolman – Plateau

31. Aaron Chukwuemeka – Rivers

33. Bobboi Bala Kaigama – Taraba

34. Jibir Maigari – Yobe

35. Sani Garba – Zamfara

36. Solomon Ayuba Dagami – FCT

37. (plus FCC Secretary) Mohammed Musa remains the commission’s administrative head.

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