NEWS
Agriculture Minister Extols Kwara Livestock Development

From Samuel James, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government’s significant progress in livestock development has received commendation from the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Abubakar Kyari.
The minister made the commendation during the round off ceremony of the second batch training of 100 extension officers and farmers on small remnants production and crop residue processing for improved utilisation.
The event was held at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), Idofian, Kwara State.
The training which was organised by the Kwara State Government through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) and conducted by Synergy Impact Consultant Limited, brought together representatives from federal and state governments, livestock experts from the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) in Kano, and stakeholders in the state’s livestock value chain.
In his remarks, the Minister of Agriculture, represented by his Special Assistant on Livestock Development, Innovation and Security, Dr. Mustapha Popoola, highlighted the importance of the livestock sector, stating that it contributes about 17% to the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 5% to the National GDP.
The Minister, who acknowledged the contributions of extension officers and farmers to livestock production, explained that the aim of the initiative was to increase productivity in animal production and save cost, urging the participants to work in synergy with the farmers for a better result.
In his address, the L-PRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar said capacity building of the extension agents and farmers would go a long way in achieving the project development objectives of L-PRES, assuring the participants that the national coordination office would continue to give necessary assistance to the project in actualising its core responsibilities in the state.
Represented by the National Project Administration Officer, Ellu Daniel advised the trainees to ensure the utilisation of the knowledge acquired from the 5-day training with a view to having improved productivity in livestock business in the country.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas said capacity building is one of the essential aspects in livestock production and pledged the present administration’s continued commitment to prioritising training and retraining of extension agents and farmers to achieve food and nutrition security in the state.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director, Animal Husbandry Services of the Ministry, Mallam Umar Mohammed appealed to the participants to replicate the knowledge acquired at the training to other farmers that do not have the opportunity in their various communities in order to actualise the government intention for organising the programme.
In his address, the State Project Coordinator, Olusoji Oyawoye said the programme is one of the series of trainings lined up for both extensionists and farmers to update their knowledge on new innovations in livestock businesses.
According to him, the State L-PRES Project is working tirelessly to ensure that the conflicts between the crops and livestock farmers reduce to the barest minimum level in the state.
The representative of the trainees, Sekinat Idris said the training has exposed them to integrate both the livestock and crops farming together to make maximum use, adding that the impact of the project would go a long way in assisting the state and the country at large.
Foreign News
U.S Will Start Revoking Visas for Chinese Students

The United States says it will begin revoking visas of Chinese students and tighten screening for future applicants from China and Hong Kong, the US State Department said on Thursday.
“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media platform X.
In a press release, the State Department stated that it would also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.
It was not immediately clear how many students currently in the United States would be affected or whether any exemptions would apply.
According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), about 277,000 Chinese students were enrolled at U.S. universities during the 2023-2024 academic years, making them the second-largest group of international students after those from India.
The U.S. already applies strict visa rules for Chinese nationals in certain academic disciplines, particularly in science and technology.
China’s Foreign Office said it filed a complaint against the unjustified step.
Washington’s discriminatory actions expose the lie of freedom and openness that the U.S. has always boasted about, said spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing.
The new measures come amid reports that the State Department has halted new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors while it reviews screening procedures, including expanded checks on social media activity.
The pause reportedly affects F, M and J visa categories, including those for students, interns and au pairs, with further instructions expected in the coming days.
However, relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated further since U.S President Donald Trump took office in January.
The two economic powers are engaged in a deepening trade dispute and competing for global influence across multiple fronts.(dpa/NAN)
Education
How female Medicine Degree Holder Abandoned Certificate for Carpentry- Bugaje

The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje has expressed the need to promote inclusivity, especially for women and persons with disabilities in technical education.
Bugaje stated this in Abuja while assessing the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s administration after two years in office.
He appealed for greater gender inclusivity in vocational and technical education, stressing that deliberate policies such as scholarships and incentives could help bridge the gender gap.
In support of his position, Bugaje shared an inspiring story of a female medical doctor who abandoned her medical career to pursue carpentry.
“There is a story I want to share with you, about a girl who was interested in becoming a carpenter.
“The father was a carpenter and they were four children in the family, three boys and herself.
“Whenever she joined the boys to the workshop, the father would send her away, saying, `you are a girl, go back to the house, you are not supposed to be a carpenter’’.
“Without giving considerations to the passion of the young girl, the father sent her to a medical school.
“She graduated with the MBBS, went and did the one-year internship after graduation, and chose a role as a medical doctor.
“After that, she came back to the father, returned the MBBS certificate to him, and thanked him.
“Afterward, she told the father that her passion is in carpentry, not to practice as medical doctor,” Bugaje narrated
He added that after spending seven years on medical training, the father had no option but to send her to Turkey to learn how to make furniture.
Addressing cultural and societal barriers often faced by young women in technical fields, Bugaje appealed to parents to support their daughters’ interests in trades like plumbing, electrical installation, and carpentry.
He also called on policymakers to prioritise passion and skill development among youth, especially girls, noting that such encouragement could lead to greater innovation and self-reliance.
“If they want to become carpenters, ICT experts, or POP artists, allow them.
“In skills’ training, passion is very important. That’s what motivates children and helps them innovate.
“We need to harness these innovations if the country is to move forward and rise beyond being a third-world nation,” he said.
He emphasized the need to have deliberate policies to encourage women to come into TVET through scholarships and other incentives. (NAN)
Education
WAEC Apologies for Conducting English Exam Late, Cites Leakage Prevention

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has apologized for delay in conducting English Language Paper 2 in the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The took place on Wednesday evening.
In a statement by Moyosola Adesina, Acting Head of Public Affairs Department of
WAEC, the council said that it encountered challenges.
”While maintaining the integrity and security of our examination, we faced considerable challenges primarily due to our major aim of preventing leakage of any paper.
“We recognise the importance of timely conduct of examinations and the impact of this decision on candidates, their schools and parents, and we sincerely apologise for any inconveniences caused,” WAEC stated.
It said that it successfully achieved its objective but it inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.
“In spite of our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns and socio-cultural factors that negatively influenced our operations,” WAEC said.
The council re-affirmed its commitment to upholding the highest standard in examination conduct, and pledged to continue to promote academic excellence. (NAN)