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Expert Lauds Adoption of Disease-Resistant Maize By Local Farmers

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An agriculture expert Ismail Olawale, has lauded the adoption of disease-resistant maize by local farmers to boost productivity.

Olawale, a fellow at the National Agriculture and Extension Research Liaison Service (NAERLS), said this in Lagos yesterday.

The Federal Government, in partnership with Export Trade Group and Nigeria Agro Inputs Dealers Association recently, unveiled disease-resistant hybrid maize seeds to boost crop production.

Olawale, said the disease-resistant maize variant has been in existence for a while but proper adoption will yield increase growth of the sector.

“The recently launched disease-resistant maize hybrid is not a new innovation in the agriculture circle.

“The disease-resistant maize is a improved variety of maize which has been in existence and circulation for more than 7 years now.

“NEARLS in collaboration with the Institute of Agriculture (IOA) and other agric. research institutes have been promoting some of the varieties of these improved seeds.

“They have developed and promotes the adoption of the Stress-tolerant and drought-tolerant maize also for better productivity.

“The disease-resistant maize is a variety in these classes of maize. This maize category is an improvement on what IITA developed about some 4 or 5 years ago,” Olawale said.

In addition the expert said, aside increasing productivity of the produce, the maize variant will help prevent disease infestation of crops.

“This maize variety help present disease such as aflatoxin which makes the crop has some carcinogenic contents.

“The disease-resistant maize is great innovation that will help farmers boost production and cut losses.

“However with the adoption of this maize variety by local farmers, we must also put into consideration the off takers of the produce.

“The whole value chain should be sensitised on the adoption of the disease-resistant maize, so they could be sold off easily.

“If the volume of productivity is high and there is no market for it, then the essence of the innovation will be futile,” the expert said.

He also called for appropriate training of the farmers for adherence to the right procedures in cultivating the disease-resistant maize to get the desired results.

“The development of these seeds is done in confined laboratory with improved technology and the ability of farmers to apply some of these stringent and complex procedures.

“There are lots of things the farmers need to do to get the desired results of the disease-resistant maize,” he said. 

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FG Reaffirms Commitment to Providing Enabling Environment for Migrants

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The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing enabling environments and adequate protection for migrants in the country.

Mr  Tijjani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI), said this at the International Migrants Day in Abuja on Wednesday.

Report says that the theme of the celebration was  “Beyond Borders: Celebrating Migrants’ Legacy, Protecting their Rights.

The Commission organised a walk in commemoration of the day to sensitise Nigerians of the danger of not following the right path when leaving the country.

Ahmed highlighted the invaluable contribution of migrants to Nigeria’s development, including remittances exceeding 23 billion dollars annually,  and advancements in technology and agriculture.

He said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to creating a secure and supportive environment for migrants while enhancing migration governance.

“We are here today to celebrate the migrants for their technological transfer.

“We celebrate migrants because of their contributions towards the development of this country.

“We also celebrate them today in order to inform them that the Nigerian government and the people of Nigeria are there for them.

“We do not forget the contribution of our migrants in the diaspora towards the development of Nigeria,” he said.

Ahmed emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to lead migration governance globally through the “Rabat Process” in 2025, showcasing its dedication to migration management and human rights.

“Nigeria is preparing  to take over the leadership of the rubber process by 2025.

“We are asking everyone within and outside this country to support Nigeria to succeed in the governance of migration internationally.

“We have at least 10,000 migrants in Nigeria and over 20,000 outside the country that are contributing towards the development of  the country, ” he said.  (NAN)

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FCT Civil Service Commission Begins Regularisation of FCTA Staff Appointments

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The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission has begun the regularisation of staff appointments in the FCT Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The Head of the Civilo Service, Dr Udo Atang, said at the commencement of the exercise in Abuja on Wednesday, that the move was to ensure accurate data of all staff.

Atang described the regularisation as a “critical” exercise, which forms the bedrock of the new FCT Civil Service Commission (CSC).

He pointed out that all the staff were holding letters of appointments from various agencies, departments, area councils, and the defunct Ministry of FCT and FCDA among others.

The holders of these letters, he said, have been raising issues of discrimination based on letters of appointment.

According to him, the exercise and the gazette by the commission that will come thereafter, will give all staff a sense of identity.

“The essence of this regularisation is to ensure that staff are properly documented.

“You will now have letters that will now qualify you as a bonafide staff of the FCT Civil Service Commission.”

The head of service, who appealed for full cooperation of the workers, directed that a list of all staff on course, study leave, leave of absence and other related permissions be compiled and submitted.

He added that the list should be compiled with grade level, designation and record of service, including approvals.

Atang commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for his doggedness and commitment in implementing the provisions of the FCT CSC Act, 2018.

Noting Wike’s support and love for the FCT workers, the head of service urged the workers to reciprocate the minister’s uncommon gesture, by being dedicated and committed to their respective duties.

Also speaking, the Chairman, FCT CSC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, stressed that part of the responsibilities of the commission was in the appointment, promotion and discipline of all FCTA and FCDA workers.

Ezeh also stressed the need for the workers to be more committed in the discharge of their responsibilities. (NAN)

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Jos School Collapse: CWON Holds Trauma Healing Session for Parents, Survivors

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From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWON) has organized a trauma healing session for survivors of the Jos Saint Academy School collapse alongside parents who lost their children in the unfortunate incident.The National President of the organization, Dame Mary Gonzum noted that the effort was part of their psychosocial support and counseling services for victims of the school building collapse as a follow-up to the assessment of the condition of the victims during their visit.

Gonzum speaking during a one day trauma session held at the Secretariat of the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese located along Zaria Road in Jos the Plateau State capital said the trauma healing session was in continuation of their intervention to students who experienced the building collapsed.
”Today, a trauma healing session was flagged off with a seminar on how to go about handling the trauma that victims of the Saint Academy School Busa Buji in Jos are passing through.”We will later select those that are so traumatic and need help to continue with the process of healing because it is not something that will end in a day or two but will need sometime.”The surviving students who experienced the building collapsed, parents of the students are all here because some parents are so traumatic, we have one other woman that lost two children”This trauma became necessary because when we went visiting in the hospitals, we observed that some of them are really traumatic. Like the other boy, his mother said up till today he kept telling his mother that he is seeing dead bodies, and anybody he sees he will say is his classmate.”Some of the affected parents while sharing their encounters after the incident said they hardly sleep in the day or night time. Some manage to sleep for two hours and they’re awake, and from the little lectures we received today it is clear that there is a problem,” She noted.The President calls on the government to ensure that those saddled with the responsibility of approving, inspecting and supervising structures are meant to do their job with all diligence to avert future happenings again.Some of the affected parents including; Hasana Suleman Sale who lost two of her children recalled with pains the unfortunate development that claimed the lives of her two children. She expressed gratitude for the trauma healing session which she said came as a means of consolation and strength for her to overcome the trauma she is passing through.

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