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North East: IITA, AfDB to help Taraba transform cassava in the framework of TAAT

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… trains 60 extension agents

 

THE international Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) says it plans to work closely with the Taraba State Government to transform cassava in the framework of the African Development Bank-funded Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation (TAAT) program.

The decision is part of a two-day visit to Taraba state, which ended today and witnessed the inauguration of the Cassava Compact—a component of the TAAT,  training of extension agents, and sites selection and validation for the establishment of cassava demonstration plots.

Dr Nteranya Sanginga, IITA Director General, said the inauguration of the Cassava Compact of the TAAT in Taraba would open the door for the scaling of new innovations to cassava growers to the state and north east region of Nigeria.

Dr Sanginga, who was represented by Godwin Atser, IITA Communication & Knowledge Exchange Expert, said the transformation of cassava in Taraba state offers tremendous opportunities in food security and job creation.

“We hope that this program will contribute to reducing the food import bill to Africa of about $35bn per year,” he added.

The move to invest more in north east Nigeria comes at a time when IITA received the 2018 Africa Food Prize for its efforts in transforming  agriculture on the continent.

The Governor of Taraba State, Mr Darius Ishaku commended IITA and AfDB for selecting Taraba state as part of the TAAT-Cassava Compact program, adding that the program would amplify the efforts of the state government in cassava transformation and revitalise agricultural activities in the state.

 “While we remain grateful to AfDB and IITA for the kind gesture and honour done to the state, I wish to also pledge that Taraba State Government will do its best to ensure the success of the program in the state,” Governor Ishaku, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Anthony Jellason said.

He expressed optimism that the TAAT-Cassava Compact program would turn around the economic fortunes of the state and that of cassava growers in particular.

The Governor noted that the TAAT-Cassava Compact program was of utmost importance to the state in view of its vast arable land and the importance which cassava plays to the livelihoods of millions of farmers in the state.

He commended IITA for the TME 419 (improved cassava variety) which the state procured through the village seed entrepreneurs of the Cassava Seeds systems project (also known as Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated Seed System for Cassava (BASICS)).

The inauguration of the TAAT-Cassava Compact was followed by a training of 60 extension agents drawn from the state Agriculture Development Program (ADP).

The lead facilitator, Mr Atser, took participants through best-bet agronomic practices in cassava production, weed control, calibration, safe use of herbicides, and record keeping.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr David Ishaya re-echoed that the efforts of IITA and AfDB in transforming cassava and empowering extension service providers was commendable.

Participants at the training expressed appreciation over the training, promising to pass on the knowledge to farmers.

The event also witnessed the distribution of tractors by the state government to farmer cooperatives.  In attendance were permanent secretaries, the programme manager of Taraba ADP, farmers, the cassava growers association, private sector, and Syngenta officials among others.

 

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Oseni congratulates Ajimobi on Nigeria’s IAEA Board appointment

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Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi

Hon. Aderemi Oseni, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, has congratulated Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Austria and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr. Florence Ajimobi, on her appointment as Nigeria’s Governor on the agency’s Board of Governors.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described the appointment as a development worthy of celebration in Oyo State and across the country.

In a statement on Sunday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker also congratulated the Federal Government on Nigeria’s election to the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors for the 2026 -2028 term.

Nigeria was elected to the Board during the 70th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria. Following the election, Ajimobi was appointed to represent Nigeria as Governor on the Board and will participate in its meetings and those of its committees.

The APC chieftain said Ajimobi’s new assignment would give Nigeria an opportunity to contribute to discussions around the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, nuclear safety and security, safeguards and international cooperation.

He said the appointment was also a recognition of the diplomatic responsibilities the former Oyo first lady had undertaken on behalf of Nigeria.

“I congratulate Her Excellency, Ambassador Florence Ajimobi on her appointment as Nigeria’s Governor on the IAEA Board of Governors.

“This is a good development for her, for Oyo State and for Nigeria. She now has another important responsibility to represent the country, and I am confident that her experience will be useful in carrying out the assignment,” Oseni said.

The lawmaker said Nigeria’s participation in the IAEA Board could also help the country strengthen its cooperation with the agency and explore greater use of nuclear science and technology in sectors directly affecting the lives of its people.

According to him, such areas include healthcare, agriculture, food security, water-resource management and human-capacity development.

Oseni expressed confidence that Ajimobi would use the opportunity to advance Nigeria’s interests and promote initiatives that would further harness the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology for national development.

He added: “At a time when science and technology are becoming increasingly important to development, Nigeria must make the most of its membership of the Board.

“I wish Chief Ajimobi a successful tenure and pray that her service will bring further opportunities for Nigeria and strengthen our engagement with the IAEA.”

Oseni also commended the Federal Government for Nigeria’s election to the Board, saying the country’s representation would enable it to take part in decisions and discussions concerning the agency’s work.

He wished Ajimobi success in her new assignment, noting that her appointment was another opportunity for a Nigerian diplomat to contribute to issues with implications for the country’s development.

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Alli hails Ajimobi’s appointment to IAEA board

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Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has congratulated Nigeria’s Ambassador to Austria, Dr Florence Ajimobi, on her appointment as Nigeria’s Governor on the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Ajimobi’s appointment is for the 2026–2028 term, following Nigeria’s election to the 35-member IAEA Board during the agency’s 70th General Conference in Vienna, Austria.

Alli, in a statement on Sunday, described the appointment as a significant diplomatic achievement for Ajimobi and a source of pride for Oyo State and Nigeria.

He said the appointment reflected the confidence placed in Ajimobi’s diplomatic experience and her capacity to represent Nigeria in discussions on the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.

“This is not only a personal achievement for Ambassador Ajimobi but also a proud moment for Oyo State and Nigeria.

“Her appointment reflects the confidence reposed in her ability to contribute to critical global discussions on nuclear science and technology,” Alli said.

The APC candidate said Nigeria’s membership of the IAEA Board would give the country a stronger platform to participate in global discussions on nuclear governance and advance its interests in the peaceful application of nuclear technology.

According to him, nuclear science has important applications in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, energy, environmental protection and scientific research.

Alli urged Ajimobi to use her experience to promote initiatives that would support the development and responsible application of nuclear science and technology in Nigeria and other developing countries.

He specifically mentioned nuclear medicine, food security and clean energy as areas where greater international cooperation could benefit developing countries.

“Ambassador Ajimobi’s appointment comes at a time when the world is seeking safer, cleaner and more sustainable solutions to its energy and development challenges.

“I am confident that she will bring her expertise, integrity and commitment to the board and make Nigeria proud,” he said.

Alli also commended the Federal Government for supporting Nigeria’s representation on the IAEA Board, saying the development would further strengthen the country’s engagement in international diplomacy.

He wished Ajimobi a successful tenure and urged Oyo State stakeholders to celebrate the appointment as a reflection of the state’s contribution to national and international affairs.

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Oyo South: Oseni Supports Apete Widows With N10m, Promises More Interventions

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has supported widows from Apete, Awotan and neighbouring communities in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State with N10m, promising more interventions to improve their welfare and livelihoods.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, made the donation on Tuesday during an interaction with hundreds of widows at Awotan, Ibadan.

The meeting was part of his ongoing consultations across Oyo South ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the event, Oseni said his support for widows, market women and other vulnerable members of society was not driven solely by politics, but by his personal conviction and faith.

According to him, his own experience of growing up under difficult circumstances had strengthened his resolve to support people facing hardship.

He said, “The more I give, the more God blesses me. I pray every day that God should give me more so that I can give more to society. My joy is to see people happy.”

Oseni also assured the women that he would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving their welfare, while urging them to remain active in their communities and engage other residents on issues affecting their lives.

He encouraged the women to take the message to the grassroots through house-to-house and street-to-street engagement, including interactions with market women, artisans and youths.

The lawmaker also solicited support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Earlier, the coordinator of the widows, Mrs Comfort Adedeji, said widows should not be regarded as helpless, noting that many of them had continued to provide for their families despite the loss of their husbands.

Adedeji described the women as mothers, caregivers, traders, farmers and workers who had continued to shoulder the responsibilities of their households.

She commended Oseni for what she described as his support for the women and appealed to him and other stakeholders to pay greater attention to widows through empowerment programmes, skills acquisition, financial assistance and educational support for their children.

She said supporting widows was effectively an investment in entire families because of the responsibilities they carried.

“When you empower a widow, you are not helping only one woman; you are helping an entire family and securing the future of her children,” she said.

The women expressed appreciation for the intervention and urged the lawmaker to sustain support for them, particularly in areas of business development and livelihood assistance.

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