Category: Featured

Held at the KAAF Auditorium, Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria on September 5, 2024.

Commendations, encomiums have continued to trail the recently held Agricultural Training Summit, organized by Naija Youths for Education and Advocacy (NYEA) supported by Slow Food International, which marked a significant milestone in bridging the gaps between agriculture, education, and the environment. Held on September 5, 2024, the summit brought together over 200 participants, including educators, students, farmers, and government representatives, to explore the multifaceted roles of agriculture in our society.

The summit featured a dynamic 5-man panel session that addressed the critical synergy between agriculture, education, and environmental sustainability. The esteemed panel included Prince David Adeoye, Executive Director of OAK NATION ENTREPRENEURIAL (ONE) Foundation; Mr. Afolabi of the International School Ibadan, an expert in both farming and agricultural education; Mr. Oyaniyi of Estate High School, an agricultural science educator; Dr. Shirley Ejoh, Director of Kids Nutri-garden Vacation School; and Ms. Oreoluwa Oyewale, a student of Crop Production and Soil Science at LAUTECH. Their insights fostered robust discussions on how these sectors can collaborate to create sustainable and innovative solutions.

The highlight of the event was the keynote speech delivered by our distinguished speaker, Dr Shirley Ejoh whose profound words resonated deeply with attendees. One notable quote, “Everything grows in the garden; even YOU,” encapsulated the summit’s core message and emphasized that the garden is not just a space for growing food but a metaphor for personal and collective growth.

The summit was further distinguished by the presence of key dignitaries, including a representative from the Ministry of Education and the Honorable Commissioner for Education, whose support underscores the government’s commitment to advancing agricultural education. The event was also graced by influential figures such as Mr. Olabode Adedeji, the Programs Director/Coordinator, NYEA, Mr. Adebayo Wasiu, the Logistics Manager, and virtually by Mr. Ogunniyi Akinade, Ag. Coordinator of the Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN) Nigeria.

Participants engaged in a variety of enriching activities throughout the day, from virtual presentations by Mrs. Dorcas Kofoworola on maximizing school gardens, to practical workshops led by Mr. Opeolu Olusesi and Ms. Florence Adejole, who provided hands-on training in urban and vegetable gardening techniques. The event, running from 10 AM to 4 PM, left a lasting impression as attendees eagerly stayed until the end, actively participating and learning.

The summit also distributed valuable resources, including a garden handbook for educators from the “10,000 Gardens in Africa” project by Slow Food, seeds, seedlings, and other materials. This was made possible through the generous support of Slow Food International, Rotaract Oyo under the leadership of Ms. Olusoji Busayo, Kids Nutri-Gardens Vacation School and the Association of Nutrition Science Students, University of Ibadan, whose contributions were instrumental to the summit’s success.

Project Green Futures, an initiative of Naija Youths for Education and Advocacy, was proudly recognized as a winning proposal and funded project by Slow Food International. And this event is one of the project goals towards building a community of individuals that understands the importance of gardens for food security, sustainability and encouraging biodiversity. It also exemplified the collaborative efforts of volunteers from the Slow Food Youth Network, Nigeria, and NYEA, led by spokesperson Olajumoke Racheal Adedeji and supported by a dedicated team.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, partners, and volunteers who made this summit a remarkable success. The insights and experiences shared will undoubtedly drive continued progress in agricultural education and community engagement.

For more information about the summit and other activities of the organization, contact: Olajumoke Racheal Adedeji, Spokesperson, Naija Youths for Education and Advocacy. Email: adedejiajumoke@gmail.com. Phone: +2347081418458

Despite the growing hunger and economic hardship in the country, the governors in the southwest, both past and present, have voted more than N266 billion for the construction of new airports despite the non-viability of the many existing ones.

As governors continue to pursue these projects, industry experts believe that some of these projects may not succeed and may not be profitable in the long run.

Many ex-governors abandoned some of these projects, which are now burdens on their successors.

Findings show that the six southwest governors have cited airport projects in their various states sinking billions of naira on the project sites.

All six states of the southwest now have either an airport or a site where billions of naira have been spent in pursuit of an aerodrome. These states include Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti.

Eight airport sites are in the six states. It was gathered that the Federal Government is responsible for the two airports in Ondo and Oyo states, while the four other state governments are responsible for the construction of the other five uncompleted airports.

In Lagos, the Federal Government-owned and operated Murtala Muhammed Airport has been adjudged as the most viable airport in the country.

In July, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, revealed that only three of 22 airports in the country were viable and were contributing to the growth of the aviation sector.

Industry experts said governors embark on airport projects against the advice of professionals in pursuit of political gains and stealing of public funds.

Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, has called out the President Bola Tinubu administration’s insensitivity to Nigerians’ economic challenges. He expressed deep concerns over the growing hardship the citizens are facing under the current government.

In an open letter titled ‘President Bola Tinubu, time is going’, Gani Adams said, “We have no regret that we were created to inhabit this geographical space in the West African axis of the African continent.

“Obviously, past leaders, since 1960, disappointed Nigerians with the way ‘Nigeria and Nigerians were badly led and resources selfishly managed’.”

Adams then criticized President Tinubu’s campaign promises, saying, “When you came with the ‘Emilokan’ coinage, many Nigerians were persuaded that you will perform better than Muhammadu Buhari.”

Reflecting on the harsh economic conditions, Adams highlighted the skyrocketing fuel prices: “On May 29, 2023, when you became the Commander-in-Chief, the price of a litre of fuel was less than N200. Today, it is more than N1000.”

He questioned the reform efforts of Tinubu’s administration, particularly in the economy: “What type of reform is this? In May 2023, the Naira to a Dollar was less than N740. Today, it is more than N1,600.”

Adams further decried the increase in insecurity across the country, noting, “…from the North to the South, East to the West, the rate at which Nigerians are being abducted… it was as if these bloodthirsty maniacs have just been unleashed on Nigerians from the hottest part of hell.”

Concluding his letter, Adams urged the president to reconsider his policies: “Mr President, don’t you think the wicked and draconian increase in fuel price is a huge recipe for crisis?” He insisted, “Nigerians can no longer bear this economic hardship any longer.”

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has approved two days off duty per week for officers on Grade Level 01-14, while officers on Grade Level 15-17 are to maintain one day off duty per week.

A statement by the State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya said the gesture is aimed at further easing the burden on the teeming workers who now face more significant challenges commuting to work.

According to the Head of Service, the gesture is expected to translate to substantial relief while also enhancing service delivery through a more motivated and energized workforce.

He described Governor Abiodun as highly committed to the welfare of workers.

He urged all accounting officers to immediately implement the policy in their respective MDAs by working out modalities to ensure that the day off system is scheduled in such a way that service delivery is not compromised.

According to Onasanya, Governor Abiodun had, in July 2023, introduced the one day off work policy for all grade levels, adding that the current extension to two days off work for GL 01-14 is to further reduce the financial burden on workers and increase productivity.

The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the Akure South local government area of Ondo State, Oluwatuyi Olasoji, is dead.

A news tabloid in Ondo state, ODUDUWA NEWS reports that Olasoji slumped last week while trying to purchase fuel at a filling station in Akure and was subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Center in Owo.

The deceased reportedly underwent an operation prior to his death.

Details later.

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced that his administration would make available 100 brand new 18-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for the use of transporters in the state.

The Governor, who made this known in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Monday, also said that the Federal Government would make available 20 CNG-enabled buses and 500 conversion kits to the state government during the week.

Governor Abiodun disclosed this at a meeting with transport unions on how to ensure fair transportation pricing in the state.

Prince Abiodun also announced the inauguration of an enforcement committee, comprising the State Police Commissioner, his counterpart in the Department of State Security Service (DSS), the Traffic Compliance Agency (TRACE), and heads of transport unions, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Transportation and Trade and Investment.

He said that the meeting was called because of events over the last week, including fuel scarcity, which is already abating, and the associated increase in the pump price of the product.

Prince Abiodun noted that there has always been an astronomical rise in transport fares anytime there is a slight adjustment in the pump prices of fuel.

According to him, the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is not unmindful of the impact of the recent hike in the pump price, adding that the government is putting in place measures to lessen the impact on the people.

“The plans that we have as a state government, our plans are to, in the first instance, make 100 buses—100 18-seater buses—available to our transport unions. These will be 100 brand new CNG buses, and these buses will be brand buses, not no-name buses. We are talking about Toyota Hiace buses that we will give to you under a purchase agreement.

“We will make them available to you, and you can pay in installments over a period of time. You have demonstrated commitment and seriousness, and we are confident that when we give you these buses, you will utilize them responsibly and pay back on time.

“The Federal Government has also started an Energy Transition Program through the Presidential CNG initiative, and I can confirm to you that the Presidency has confirmed that they are making 20 buses available to Ogun State in the first instance—20 CNG buses. We will be getting those buses in the next week.

“They are also making 500 CNG conversion kits available to Ogun State for the immediate conversion of vehicles to CNG-enabled.

“I have been assured that the conversion kits, which is the first batch of 500, will reach us in the next five days. You know that we have a conversion center in Ogun State. We are a major conversion center for the Southwest, and we will begin the conversion of vehicles in accordance with how we agree in terms of scheduling who will come first and what vehicles we will begin to convert,” he said.

Governor Abiodun, while disclosing that the Federal Government is gradually leaving the business of sales and distribution of petroleum products to the private sector, noted that there was no need for transporters to increase transport fares by over 1000% when the price of PMS was just increased by 30%.

“We’ve seen in the past that when there is a change in pump prices by maybe 10%, we have noticed that our transporters also naturally increase fares because the cost of their operational equipment—be it motorcycles, tricycles, trucks, or buses—is impacted.

“What we’ve noticed is that when there is a change in the pricing of petroleum products by 10% to 20%, the impact that we see play out at times is like 2000%, and we want to dialogue to ensure the people are not stretched.

“The change in price is about 25% or 30%, so if pump prices have changed by like 25% to 30%, we should not see a difference in transport fares that is more than 25% or 30%,” he said.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, while reminding transporters that fuel is just a component of their transportation cost, urged them to do all within their power to ensure that the people of the state are not over-stretched.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Alamutu, on his part, disclosed that the increase in PMS isn’t such that should warrant the remarkable increase in the cost of transportation and called on transporters in the state to look at the possibility of having a more friendly transport fare regime.

Speaking on behalf of the transport heads, the National President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Prince Samsudeen Apelogun, commended Governor Abiodun for revolutionizing the transport sector with the establishment of the Ministry of Transportation and the introduction of the E-mobility program.

He promised to call the stakeholders together and come up with a more friendly transport fare that is within their control.

A 52-year-old farmer, Wasiu Sorunke, arrested for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old SSS1 student in Ogun State has insisted that he was not the first man to sleep with the minor.

The suspect, who lives at Owode Egba, was arrested after the mother of the girl reported him to the police.

The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the arrest to the newsmen, said Sorunke, who admitted to being ‘randy,’ used to patronise a food vendor living in his neighbourhood and had become a family friend.

According to the PPRO, the food vendor’s daughter used to serve the suspect whenever he went there to eat. “She would also help her mother in the shop before going back home to do some chores and would return later to continue helping her mother,” Odutola stated.