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IITA-CWMP signs agreements with 136 farmers for on-farm demonstrations
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture led Cassava Weed Management Project (IITA-CWMP) is signing agreements for the setting up of 136 demonstration plots with farmers across four states in Nigeria. The states are Abia, Benue, Ogun and Oyo states.
Under the agreements, participating farmers will make available plots of land for on-farm demonstrations. They will also ensure that adequate security is provided on the land during the research duration to prevent theft and cattle invasion.
Hence the demonstrations are farmer-led, farmers will keep records of the farm activities and share these records with the nominated authorized representative of IITA-CWMP.
They will ensure to apply all the inputs (fertilizer, herbicides, and planting materials) provided by IITA-CWMP and in the prescribed manner.
Another condition is that farmers will be responsible for all the cost of the farm operations (slashing, burning, ploughing, fertilizer application, herbicides application and harvesting of the plot). They will notify IITA-CWMP when the harvesting period is due and both parties will carry out harvesting of the crops.
The IITA-CWMP on its part will provide fertilizers, herbicides, and planting materials to be used on the on-farm demo plot at no cost. The project staff will carry out harvesting on the land in conjunction with farmers, and will be responsible for collating all necessary data on the on-farm demos.
All proceeds, except 30 per cent of cassava stems, from the demonstration plot will go to the farmers provided the farmers keep to the terms of the agreement.
Participating farmers pledged to keep to terms and conditions of the agreements which they said would foster cooperation between them and researchers.
For farmer Afusatu Akinware, the on-farm demonstrations would help the community to learn better and improved weed management practices for cassava production.
“I am glad this project selected our community to gain from the knowledge on improved weed control,” she added.
Last year, the project established 58 on-farm trials across the cassava producing zones of Nigeria.
Dr Alfred Dixon, Project Leader for the IITA-CWMP said the acceptance of the project by farmers was a welcome development.
“We see high enthusiasm from the farmers, meaning that we are addressing development needs,” he said.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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