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OCP Africa Partners Syngenta Foundation To Ensure Food Security

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OCP Africa, a global leading company in the production and exportation of phosphate-based fertilizers has deepened its partnership with Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), to ensure Nigerians are food secure by enhancingTomato production techniques and creating a viable and sustainable business modeland linkages around the value chain.

The partnership which is in its second year has helped toaddress constraints that hamper the improvement in yields of Tomato farmers in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and improve agricultural productivity, and standardization of outputs.

Very specifically,the project is focused on the establishment of Greenhouses andInput Hubs across Tomatoes farming locations for easy access to consistent and quality seedlings,access to modern agricultural technologies customized trainings, and guided practices to guarantee uniform outcome of produce that will feed identified commercial processors.

Akintunde Akinwande, OCP Africa’s Head of Business Development and Digital projects disclosed this at the 2021 Onboarding and Training workshop held in Kano for the Hub Managers and Extension Agents also known as Agripromoters.

Akinwande said so far, 20 Greenhouses have been established across major Tomato production areas in Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Abuja, with over 20,000 farmers accessing quality seedlings and inputs as well as good agricultural practice trainings on modern production techniques as well as linkages toofftakemarkets and processors.

At the workshop, the newly recruited Agripromoters and Hub managers were trainedon modern Vegetable nursery establishment and management, good agronomy practices of horticulture, retail business and basic inventory management, and on the usage of digital work tools for data capturing and management. 10 motorcycles and electronic tablets as well as branded materials were presented at the workshop to the Agripromoters to support their mobility and data capturing as they perform their Agricultural extension functions.

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Akinwande said the two organisations entered the partnership to leverage their capacities and experienceto address challenges that hamper the improvement and consistency in quality of farm yields and twoyearsdown the line, he is happy to say their objectives are gradually being achieved thus presenting a proof of concept for future expansion to new areas.

Both organizations leveraged on their flagship projects through the merging of OCP Africa’s Farm and Fortune Hub (FFH) model and SFSA’s Farmers Hub (FH) model.

OCP Africa’s FFH is an all-inclusive last mile distribution solution that aims to address the challenges of farm inputs availability and accessibility by bringing together all basic farm inputs, training and extension services needed to ensure the perennial increase of farmers’ yield and revenue under one physical roof close to smallholder farmers in rural communities. While SFSA developed the Farmer Hub model which runs as an independent business entity often overseen by a young Agripreneur, and it provides smallholder farmers with access to quality inputs, mechanization services, knowledge, and markets.

Akinwande added that in two years the partnership has empowered 20 hub managers to raise over 6 million seedlings at the Greenhouses, with the hub managers earning revenues of over N30 million from the sales of seedlings and other inputs. This has also resulted in the creation of about 300 direct jobs.

Gabriel Isaiah, SFSA-Nigeria’s Country Program Manager and Training Coordinator said the project focuses on raising healthy seedling to produce vegetables through innovative skills among others as the availability of good seeds and seedlings, quality fertilizer, crop protection and good nursery management are essential.

 

He implored the Hub Managers to pay keen attention because they are going to be ambassadors of the scheme wherever they go and this was why they were picked to be trained so that they will be able to train others.

 

Isaiah added that successes of the partnership in the last two years has motivated both organizations to explore opportunities to scale the reach to other parts of the country. The plan for the coming year, he said, is to extend the reach to South West states as well.

 

He also reiterated the mandate of both organizations to focus on gender and youth inclusion with a good number of the recruited hub managers and Agripromoters being young and vibrant women.

 

Speaking at the event, the Hub Manager in Makoda Kano, Musa Usman, appreciated OCP Africa/ SFSA for this laudable initiative, as he said he was ready to effectively put the Greenhouse given to him to good and profitable use.

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Emir Sanusi Seeks Compensation, Reallocation of Demolished Eid Ground Stalls

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The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has appealed to the Kano State Government to compensate traders affected by the demolition of shops at the Filin Idi market in Kofar Mata, Kano, and reallocate stalls to enable them to resume their businesses.

Professor Ibrahim Muazzam Mai Bushira disclosed this during a special prayer session organised by traders affected by the demolition at the Eid Ground in Kofar Mata, where participants prayed for divine intervention and government assistance to alleviate their hardship.

According to Mai Bushira, the Emir has written to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, requesting compensation for the affected traders and appealing for measures to address the economic losses they have suffered following the demolition.

He expressed hope that Almighty Allah would reward the Emir for his intervention and urged Governor Yusuf to consider the demands of the traders to enable them to rebuild their businesses and restore their livelihoods.

Mai Bushira said the demolition had caused severe hardship among traders, many of whom depended on their shops as their primary sources of income. He added that some affected individuals had reportedly died, while others had developed high blood pressure following the destruction of their businesses and the resulting economic difficulties.

He explained that the prayer session was organised to seek Allah’s intervention in their predicament and pray for the restoration of their livelihoods, noting that the destruction of the shops had adversely affected the lives of many families who depended on the market for survival.

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Speaking at the gathering, Professor Ahmad Muhammad of the Federal University, Dutse (FUD), described Kano as a major commercial centre and called on the Kano State Government to pay attention to the plight of the affected traders and the economic implications of the demolition.

Professor Muhammad also appealed to international entrepreneurs and investors to explore opportunities to support the development of the market, stressing that the destruction of the shops had resulted in substantial financial losses running into billions of naira.

He urged the government to consider establishing a modern market at the location, arguing that the Filin Idi market was not merely a trading centre for Kano but also an important commercial destination for traders from different parts of Nigeria and across Africa.

According to him, the market provides livelihoods for more than one million people, directly and indirectly, making its reconstruction and rehabilitation important to the economic well-being of Kano and its trading community.

The professor further stressed the need for a sustainable solution that would enable displaced traders to return to business, restore commercial activities and protect the economic interests of the large population that depended on the market.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the affected traders’ association, Auwal Said Umar, expressed appreciation to Almighty Allah and Emir Sanusi II for their support and intervention in the traders’ situation.

Umar said many of the affected traders were currently unable to engage in their usual commercial activities because their shops had been demolished, leaving them without the means to sustain their businesses and families.

He disclosed that the market previously had about 700 blocks of shops before the demolition, adding that many traders lacked the financial capacity to reconstruct their businesses without assistance from the government.

The association chairman said the government had allocated 75 stalls for reconstruction but appealed for an increase in the number to accommodate more affected traders and enable them to return to their businesses.

Umar called on the Kano State Government to provide additional support, stressing that the existing allocation was insufficient to address the needs of the large number of traders who lost their shops during the demolition.

The traders urged the government to work with their association and other relevant stakeholders to develop a lasting solution that would provide adequate trading spaces, restore commercial activities and ease the economic hardship caused by the demolition.

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Gombe flags off the disbursement of the second batch of the AGILE Conditional Cash Transfer

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Gombe State Government has flagged-off the distribution of ATM cards to Adolescent Girls in public schools under the Conditional Cash Transfer,CCT of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, AGILE Project.

Speaking at the flagging off of the disbursement at Government Junior Secondary School Malamsidi central in Kwami Local Government area, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Associate Prof Aishatu Umar Maigari said the disbursement of the CCT is part of the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s zeal and passion for the girl child education in the state.

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She said the concept is also geared towards supporting parents to cater for their children to remain in schools up to completion of their secondary education.

Associate Prof Aishatu Umar Maigari then assured the students that the government will continue to bring more educational policies that will further support students to pursue education with ease.

Earlier, the project coordinator of the AGILE, Dr. Amina Abdul noted that with the disbursement of the second cohort of the conditional cash transfer, the project was able to record significant improvement in enrollment and retention of students in schools across the state.

The project coordinator therefore urged parents to utilize the funds judiciously through supporting the education of their children.

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‎China, Nigeria Mark Friendship with Joint Cultural Mural

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‎A colourful mural celebrating both China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day has been unveiled at an overseas project site, serving as a vivid symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations.
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‎The artwork, jointly produced by Chinese and Nigerian staff, features builders dressed in traditional Chinese costumes and Nigerian ethnic attire holding hands and dancing together.
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Above them, fireworks and white doves of peace illuminate the sky, while the inscription “10.1” highlights the dual significance of October 1, the China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day.
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‎On the left side of the mural, ancient Chinese architecture, red lanterns and auspicious cloud motifs showcase Chinese heritage.
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On the right, red earth, coconut palms and African drums reflect Nigeria’s cultural identity. Flowing ribbons weave across the painting, symbolising unity and shared destiny.
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‎Project officials described the mural as a “living testament” to cooperation at the frontline of development. They said it embodies mutual trust and support as workers from both countries overcome challenges together.
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‎The initiative underscores cultural integration and partnership, with both sides pledging to continue working hand in hand to strengthen ties.
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“Celebrating two festivals as one, we march forward with one heart,” a statement read, emphasising the commitment to write new chapters of friendship along the path of cooperation.
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‎The mural, rooted in the overseas project site, stands as a reminder of the brotherly bond between China and Nigeria, and the shared vision of building together for a brighter future.

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