No fewer than 500 farmers on Tuesday benefited from the NNPC Foundation agricultural training initiative for vulnerable farmers in Osun and Oyo States.

The training, marking the flag-off in the South-West zone of Nigeria, was held at the Ilora Baptist Grammar School, Ilora, Oyo State.

The foundation manages the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of NNPC Limited, focusing on education, health, environment and energy access to communities nationwide.

The Managing Director of the foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said the initiative demonstrated the commitment to food security and economic empowerment for Nigerian farmers.

Arukwe, who was represented by Dr Bala David, the foundation’s Executive Director, Programme Development, said the project aimed to build resilience, boost productivity and promote sustainable agriculture.

“We are training 6,000 farmers across six zones in climate-smart practices, modern techniques, quality inputs, and market access,” she said.

She, therefore, urged farmers to participate actively and embrace the opportunity to help secure Nigeria’s food and economic future.

Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commended NNPC Foundation for the training and empowerment programme.

Olaleye, who was represented by Mr Olusegun Ezekiel, the ministry’s Director of Regulation and Enforcement, said empowering vulnerable farmers was crucial in addressing national food security challenges.

He added that the initiative aligned with Oyo State’s agricultural transformation agenda of Gov. Seyi Makinde.

“We remain committed to supporting initiatives that uplift farmers and improve productivity and livelihoods,” Olaleye said.

He encouraged participants to make the most of the training opportunity to improve their practices.

He also called for future collaboration between the foundation and the ministry to achieve greater impact.

The training consultant, Prof. Daniel Ozok, described vulnerable farmers as smallholders with an under-five-hectare farm size, mainly made up of women, youth, and the elderly.

“These farmers are most affected by climate shocks, hence the need for focused training,” Ozok said.

According to him, training equips them with modern techniques and strategies for improved productivity and market access.

Some of the participants expressed gratitude to NNPC Foundation and promised to apply the knowledge gained from the training.

NAN reports that a medical screening exercise was organised by the foundation for participants on the sidelines of the training.

Training initiative would later be held for farmers in Ekiti and Ondo States on a date different from that of Ogun and Lagos States. (NAN)

 A Federal Lawmaker from Ebonyi, Chief Chinedu Ogah, has declared that the usage of the Computer Based Technology (CBT) for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) would adversely affect science subjects.

Ogah, who represents Ikwo/ Ezza South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, made the declaration on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen on WAEC’s proposed plan to introduce CBT from 2026.

The lawmaker said that the move would affect several scientific applications practically used to access students in WAEC examinations.

“What will happen to several scientific.mixtures, equations, mathematical applications among others practically applied during WAEC examinations?.

“Such measures are evidently not feasible and will adversely affect sciences in our educational curricular.

“Science is practical and the earlier we understand this, the better for all,” he said.

He noted that the glitches recorded during the recent Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination was unfortunate.

“The registrar should review the activities of its Information Communication Technology (ICT) department.

“It is ridiculous for JAMB to conduct the examination without adequate provisions for the ease of candidates,” he said.

Ogah urged people from the south east zone which the glitch was touted to have targeted, to embrace the home grown technology it was known for.

“We are known for technology and innovation.

“Government of south east states should equip our schools with ICT so that students would be acquainted with its usage, early,” he said. (NAN)

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Dr Nnanna Uzor Kalu as a commissioner in the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) to represent the South-East geopolitical zone.

The confirmation followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, chaired by Sen.

Kalu’s confirmation was previously stepped down in March due to a petition filed against him.

At the time, the senate had confirmed 12 out of 13 nominees for the NASC, withholding only the nomination from the South-East pending resolution of the matter.

Presenting the report, Fasuyi explained that the petition had been thoroughly investigated and dismissed by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions.

The committee found no grounds to disqualify the nominee.

“In line with the findings and recommendations of the relevant committees, the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service recommends the confirmation of Dr Nnanna Uzor Kalu,” Fasuyi said.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked both committees for handling the issue with diligence and fairness.

He congratulated Kalu on his confirmation and urged him to serve with integrity.

“I urge the newly confirmed commissioner to uphold equity, fairness, and constitutional values while representing the South-East in the commission,” Akpabio said.(NAN)