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Foundation urges collaboration on Shea tree value-chain development in Nasarawa

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From Daniel Abel, Lafia

Shea Integrated Global Foundation, an NGO, has called for stakeholders’ collaboration in the development of Shea tree value chain in Nasarawa State.

Mrs Priscilla Nwosu, Manager of  the Foundation’s “She(A) Matters” project, made the call during the project’s  information dissemination session on Thursday in Lafia.

She pointed out that the call became imperative owing to the benefits derivable from the Shea tree value chain development.

She said that the foundation in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), has successfully executed the conservation and livelihood improvement of women through Shea tree value-chain development in Arikya Community in Lafia Local Government Area.

Nwosu said the project, supervised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), saw to the training of more than 200 women on Shea butter processing to global standards, and sales to improve their livelihood.

“About 300 other women have already indicated interest while the youth have become direct advocates on the project.

“We are also constructing a processing centre for the production of Shea butter in the community even as we have created two major market connections for product sales with willing buyers, ” she said.

The project manager added that the quality of the shea butter produced in Arikya had been internationally certified, thereby earning the community recognition as Nigeria’s first organic parkland for collection of Shea in the wild.
As part of the project’s conservation goal, Nwosu said that 220 LPG gas cylinders and burners were provided to 220 households in the community as alternative to the use of firewood in order to discourage the felling of trees.
“The community, through the traditional ruler, graciously donated 1,600 hectares of forest and mapped as conservation area for the project as against our target forest area of 1,000 hectares,” she said.

Nwosu maintained that project had put Arikya in the world map as the Foundation was recently invited to the World Trade Centre (WTO) to share on policy and inclusiveness based on the project being implemented in Nasarawa State.

“One of our partners that led the organic certification initiative is also leading a pilot apiculture (bee keeping)  scheme in Arikya, ” she said. 

Nwosu, therefore, called on government and other stakeholders to give attention to development of Shea value-chain in the state giving the huge benefits to the state.
Also speaking, Mr Collins Nwosu, founder of the NGO, said the “She(A)Matters” had achieved its conservation goals, empowered women through sustainable livelihoods and established a model for community-driven environmental initiatives .

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Ibrahim Angbolo, commended the Foundation for the initiative.

The commissioner represented by Mrs Hauwa Abdul,  Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, assured that the state government would continue to partner the organisation through information dissemination to ensure sustainability of the project.

Angbolo noted that with the effect of climate change, Shea-value chain would discourage deforestation thereby protecting the environment and empower women to improve their livelihoods.

He added that the project would also encourage tourism and generate revenue for the state.

On his part, the Sarkin Arikya, Alh. Abbas  Babba, represented by the Sardaunan Arikya,  Adamu Abubakar, appreciated the foundation for impacting positively on the community through the Shea value-chain production.

He said the initiative had reduced  the rate of felling of trees in the community and assured that they would continue to build on the knowledge gained to ensure the sustainability of the project.

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News from Nasarawa

FG, ACReSAL disburse $250, 000 loan to 10 farming communities in Nasarawa

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From Daniel Abel Lafia

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Sunday flagged off the disbursement of $250, 000 World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) loan to farmers from 10 communities in the state.

The project is a World Bank assisted in collaboration with the federal government and Nasarawa state.

Speaking at the event in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) the governor indicated that the disbursement was in line with the vision of the state and Federal Government to support farmers to boost their productive activities on farm.

Sule added that the state government had recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10, 000 farmers in the state to support farming.

The Governor explained that the ACReSAL loan is a revolving and interest free to farmers aimed at boosting agricultural output and improving the livelihood of the beneficiaries.

According to him, the 10 benefiting communities were from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

The governor added that climate change has brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers.

He said that his administration would continue to collaborate with partners to provide resources and support that would cushion the effect of climate change and tackle poverty in the state.

“To this end, We are partnering with the Federal Government, World Bank through ACReSAL project help vulnerable communities to adopt to the impact of climate change.

“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve income of the communities and generate employment.

“Enhance farmers and communities capacity for climate smart agriculture through technology and innovation and enhance understanding of sustainable agricultural practices to help address conflicts,” Sule added.

Gov. Sule expressed appreciation for the selection of Nasarawa State among the right piloting states for the scheme.

He said that the state government would support farmers to implement community climate resilient initiatives beyond the lifespan of the ACReSAL project.

He therefore urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant for.

On her part, Dr Joy Iganya-Agene- Task Team Leader ACReSAL said that 620 farmers comprising 367 male and 253 female from the 10 communities of the two LGAs were given the free interest agricultural loan.

Iganya-Agene who is also a Senior Environmental Specialist World Bank Nigeria Office, listed the communities in Doma to includes Ohiha, Madative, Odurigya, Yalwa and Alagye, while those from Toto are; Zolo, Umasha, Dereegba, Ayiwawa, and Sere.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Aliyu Ogah, Andoma of Doma expressed gratitude to the state government and the organisation for the gesture to farmers in his domain.

The royal father expressed optimism that the support would help toward improving productivity of farmers in the benefiting communities.

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Investment summit; Gov. Sule showcases economic potentials of Nasarawa state

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From Daniel Abel, Lafia

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has unveiled the economic potentials of the State to investors at the ongoing “Nasarawa Investment Summit 2024”
In his welcome address at the event the Governor declared that the state is housing several mineral resources that have attracted huge investors already.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained effort in driving the Nigerian economy to prosperity and his unalloyed loyalty and continued support in order to take the country to greater heights.

“It is pertinent to remind you that Nasarawa State organised the first edition of the Nasarawa Investment Summit in 2022 under the theme “Diamond in the Rough: The Making of a New Investment Frontier”aimed at ushering investment and showcasing our mineral resources to potential investors.

“I am happy to state that the outcome of the Summit informed the influx of investors into the State who are variously harnessing our God-given endowment.

“Interestingly, the recently commissioned Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited in Nasarawa State performed by Mr. President, the ASGARD Mining and Processing Plant, Karu, the Nasarawa Technology Village Project in Karu, as well as other numerous investments being carried out in the State were all informed by the outcome of the Summit conducted in 2022.

“It is also heartwarming to state that the Federal Government commissioned the spud-in of the Ebenyi-A Oil Well in Obi Local Government Area of the State.

“The discovery of Oil and Gas and its subsequent exploration and exploitation will further boost the economy prosperity of our dear country and put Nasarawa State among the comity of Oil producing States.

“I, therefore, call on the investors on Oil and Gas to take opportunity of the exploration activities to begin to invest in the sector for the benefit of the society.

Sule however assured that his administration would continue to fully utilise potentials of the state resources by sustaining the Investment Summit in order to further showcase other solid mineral resources which are yet to be identified by interested investors.

“This is why the theme of this year’s Summit is deliberately coined as “The Industrial Renaissance”, having built some of the key fundamentals required to drive our industrial agenda and present other minerals to our potential investors.

The governor noted the summit will further expand the existing pathways to leverage on the industrial, agricultural and mining sectors towards enhancing inclusive and sustainable wealth creation and economic prosperity of the state.

“It is pertinent to point out that, as a State, we have been deliberate in stimulating our economy, building human capacities, creating wealth and generate employment to our people.

“It is for this reason that we have adopted our policy document christened “Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS)” as a driving force towards the initiation and implementation of various programmes and policies which we have achieved so far.

Sule stated that with the assemblage of the experienced and versatile resource persons the outcome of the Summit will go a long way towards actualizing the dream of industrializing Nasarawa State and position it as a leading champion.

Mr. Sule called on development partners to continue to invest in Nasarawa State with the view to open the frontiers of economic prosperity for the benefit of all, noting that “Nasarawa mean business”

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News from Nasarawa

Insubordination: Governor Sule reads riot act to political appointees

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From Daniel Abel, Lafia

Apparently piqued by the level of disloyalty and insubordination being displayed by political appointees in governor Abdullahi Sule’s cabinet ahead of 2027, the governor has read the riot act for those who may dare him.

Sule gave the indication in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Mohammed Ubandoma dated April 16th, 2024.

According to the letter, “political appointees seeking to run for any political office are advised to either resign their appointments or wait until the lifting of the existing ban on political activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“While noting with dismay how some political office holders under the present administration are actively participating in political activities, including active campaign, Sule noted that such elements and conducts is capable of breaching the electoral act, as well as distracting the focus of his administration.

Sule who could no longer cope with outrageous drumming of support to persons that are not his anointed candidate for 2027, warned that such appointees maybe shown the way out of his cabinet if they persist.

He warned that his administration would no longer condone such acts of disloyalty and insubordination from political appointees.

The governor who felt demeaned and distracted with only one year into the second tenure stated that he is focused on the delivery of infrastructural development, economic empowerment, and sustainable development of the state.

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