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NASENI’s Fertilizer Plants to End Import Dependence, Enhance Food Security, Reduce Emissions, Tanko‎ Advices

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By David Torough, Abuja

In a major boost to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is nearing completion of groundbreaking coal-based and liquid fertilizer production plants in Kano State.

‎Dr.

Yahaya Tanko, Technical Assistant to NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Khalil Suleiman Halilu on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has highlighted the projects’ potential to eliminate reliance on imported fertilizers, strengthen national food security, and contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions through localized production.


‎The initiatives, executed in partnership with Whitefog Environmental Services Limited and Indonesia’s PT Saputra Global Harvest via a bilateral technology transfer agreement, position Nigeria at the forefront of innovative agricultural inputs.


‎The flagship coal-based fertilizer plant along Wudil Road—touted as Africa’s first of its kind—incorporates advanced processing techniques enriched with 26 mineral concentrates and activation technology.

‎Dr. Tanko described the project as an innovative and eco-friendly alternative that aims to restore degraded soils, enhance microbial activity, improve nutrient retention, and dramatically increase crop yields.

“Production is slated to begin by May or June 2026.Under Halilu’s forward-thinking guidance, these landmark projects promise to revolutionize farming inputs, drive industrial self-reliance, and deliver tangible impact across the nation’s agri-food sector.

‎“Complementing this is a dedicated liquid fertilizer facility, jointly developed by NASENI and Whitefog, offering customized, efficient nutrient solutions tailored to Nigeria’s diverse and often challenging soil profiles,” he said.

‎Dr. Tanko noted that these developments align seamlessly with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

‎Central to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the projects tackle Nigeria’s persistent challenges of low productivity, soil nutrient depletion, and vulnerability to food insecurity, Dr. Tanko said.

‎By providing affordable, locally produced fertilizers, they support Target 2.3—doubling agricultural productivity and incomes for small-scale producers—and Target 2.4, promoting resilient, sustainable food systems.

Enhanced soil fertility and higher yields will help mitigate the impacts of drought, erosion, and erratic weather—crucial in a nation where agriculture sustains over 70% of the rural population yet struggles with import-driven cost volatility.

‎The economic ripple effects strongly advance SDG 1: No Poverty. Officials project approximately 2,000 direct jobs in plant construction, operations, maintenance, and technical roles, with over 20 million indirect opportunities spanning the agricultural value chain—including farming, input distribution, processing, logistics, and marketing.

In rural Kano and beyond, where poverty and youth unemployment rates remain elevated, these employment prospects foster inclusive growth, boost household incomes, and break poverty cycles (Targets 1.1 and 1.2). Affordable fertilizers will lower production costs for smallholders, enabling higher earnings and greater economic stability.

‎On SDG 13: Climate Action, the shift to domestic manufacturing promises meaningful mitigation benefits. Eliminating long-haul imports of fertilizers reduces transport-related carbon emissions, a significant factor in global supply chains, he said.

‎“Improved soil health from the enriched coal-based product enhances carbon sequestration, water retention, and resilience to climate extremes like prolonged dry spells—directly supporting Target 13.1 on strengthening adaptive capacity.

‎“While coal-derived processes necessitate rigorous environmental safeguards to minimize potential emissions or byproducts, NASENI emphasizes the plants’ ‘eco-friendly’ design and overall sustainability focus, ensuring net positive contributions to climate goals,” he added.

‎Dr. Tanko underscored that these efforts dovetail with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, marking a decisive move toward self-reliance in critical agricultural inputs.

‎“With construction at an advanced stage—including factories, warehouses, labs, and administrative facilities—machinery installation is imminent, signaling rapid progress. This is the way of our Executive Vice Chairman: no delay, no excuses. This project will be delivered soon,” he said.

‎“The Kano fertilizer plants exemplify integrated progress: combating hunger while alleviating poverty and advancing climate-resilient development. As Nigeria intensifies its pursuit of the 2030 Agenda, this initiative not only promises abundant harvests and empowered farmers but also charts a path to sustainable prosperity amid global uncertainties,” Dr. Tanko concluded.

Foreign News

Trump Threatens to Sue Comedian Trevor Noah over Grammys Epstein Joke

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U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue Grammys host, Trevor Noah after a joke he made about disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein on stage.

Trump blasted the comedian as a “total loser,” adding: “It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.

C., and suing him for plenty of dollars.

Trump criticised Noah’s joke, made after the song of the year gong was handed out at the ceremony on Sunday night.

Writing on Truth Social, in a post strewn with uppercase words, Trump said: “Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!

“I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there, not even by the Fake News Media.

“Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast.”

He added: “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!”

Trump also blasted the ceremony saying: “The Grammy Awards are the WORST, virtually unwatchable! CBS is lucky not to have this garbage litter their airwaves any longer.”

This was an apparent reference to Disney taking over the broadcast rights for the award ceremony starting in 2027.

He has also engaged in legal action with the New York Times, Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal.

Last July, U.S. media giant Paramount, which owns CBS, agreed to pay Trump 16 million dollars to settle a lawsuit over a 2024 CBS interview with Kamala Harris, the former vice-president and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.

Noah, 41, is a South African-born comedian and TV personality who hosted “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central in the U.S. for seven years.

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Foreign News

Measles Cases Spike to 13,989 in Mongolia

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Mongolia National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) on Tuesday announced that 22 new cases of measles infection have been registered over the past 24 hours, bringing the national caseload to 13,989.

The NCCD said in a statement that 56 people remained in the hospital, including five critically ill children.

On Dec.

30, the NCCD said Mongolia’s measles death toll had reached 12 after one more related death was registered.

Therefore, the NCCD advised parents to protect their children from a potentially severe disease by getting them two doses of the measles vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by respiratory droplets and direct contact.

Common complications include fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and inflamed eyes. The disease can be prevented by immunization.

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NEWS

Wike’s PDP Fraction:  BoT, Caretaker Chair Appeal for Unity

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (Wike’s faction) on Monday appealed for moves to overcome internal crisis in the party.

The Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, and the National Caretaker Committee, Hon.

Abdulraman Mohammed, reaffirmed their commitment to unity, respect for court rulings and preparations for outstanding congresses ahead of a national convention.

Speaking at the 85th meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees in Abuja, BoT Chairman, described the party as being at a critical crossroads, urging leaders to put collective interest above personal ambition.

Ohuabunwa said the PDP had weathered months of turbulence marked by leadership disputes and legal battles, but survived due to its strong institutions and adherence to constitutional order.

According to him, the delay in conducting party congresses was a deliberate and cautious decision taken out of respect for pending judicial processes, not an abdication of responsibility.

“The PDP chose legality over expediency and patience over provocation,” he said, adding that history would judge the party kindly for upholding the rule of law.

He welcomed recent judicial pronouncements, particularly the Federal High Court judgment in Ibadan, which affirmed the legitimacy of the Abdulrahman-led National Caretaker Committee, and called on party members to respect the judiciary and comply with lawful decisions.

Ohuabunwa warned against divisive rhetoric and actions capable of undermining democratic institutions, stressing that the moral authority of the BoT lies in fairness, balance and due process.

“With the legal fog lifting, the focus must now shift to reconciliation, rebuilding trust and laying the groundwork for orderly congresses and a credible national convention,” he said, noting that unity was a strategic imperative for the survival of the party.

In his remarks, National Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, thanked members of the BoT for their steadfast support, describing it as crucial to the stability of the party at a defining moment.

Mohammed also expressed gratitude to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for standing by the Caretaker Committee, saying the support had strengthened its resolve to reposition the party.

He said the Christmas and New Year holidays were over and that it was time for decisive action to deliver on the mandate given to the Caretaker Committee to put the PDP back on track.

The caretaker chairman confirmed that the Ibadan High Court had delivered a declaratory judgment in favour of the committee, stressing that the law was clear and that justice would continue to be pursued for the party.

“Any moment from now, we shall roll out a timetable for activities relating to outstanding congresses in some states, which will usher in a seamless national convention,” he disclosed.

Mohammed described the PDP as the only political party built around the people, with nationwide structures, coherence and verifiable legacies, warning that the party could not afford to “sleep in our hands.”

He also commended party stakeholders across the country for their unwavering support during what he described as defining times for the opposition party.

Both leaders expressed optimism that ongoing engagements, reconciliation efforts and planned congresses would reposition the PDP as a strong and credible alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape.

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