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ECOWAS, NOAN launch new initiative to tackle unemployment, food insecurity in Nigeria

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Representative of Minister of state on Agriculture Sen Sabi Abdullahi,Technical Adviser, Mohammed Jobdi and stakeholders

 

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Economic Community of West African States Youth Employability Project, ECOWAS-YEP, in collaboration with the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria, NOAN, has launched a new initiative designed to tackle high youth unemployment, food insecurity, climate change, and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources in Nigeria.

The initiative, organised by ECOWAS-YEP, and being implemented by NOAN, would specifically help in equipping young people with practical skills in sustainable agriculture, agro-sylvo-pastoralism, and fisheries, is part of the broader ECOWAS Agricultural Policy, ECOWAP and aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Already, over 15,000 youths across West Africa have benefitted from ECOWAS training programmes, with Nigeria now expected to take the lead in scaling impact.

Declaring the project open on Friday at the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, ARCN, Abuja, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, outlined the government’s priorities under the programme to include, expanding agroecology and organic agriculture to restore soil fertility, reduce chemical dependence, and open premium export markets and establishing agribusiness incubation hubs across the six geopolitical zones to train and support youth cooperatives.

Abdullahi, who was represented by his Technical Adviser, Mohammed Jobdi, listed others as scaling up eco-friendly fisheries and aquaculture to modernize production, reduce post-harvest losses, and attract young entrepreneurs and strengthen sustainable livestock systems to reduce rangeland degradation and farmer-herder conflicts.

The minister added the government is also promoting agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, and nutrition-focused food systems to position Nigeria as a regional leader in sustainable farming.

He, therefore, urged the participants to seize the opportunity, saying: “My dear Nigerian youths, this project is for you and about you. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow—you are the protagonists of today. With your creativity and resilience, you can make agriculture attractive, profitable, and sustainable.”

According to him, ECOWAS-YEP would provide not only training, but also mentorship, start-up resources, and market linkages to help young people transition from job seekers to job creators.

He, however, pointed out that the success of the project would depend on collaboration, highlighting the roles of the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria, NOAN, farmer cooperatives, universities, donor agencies, and local governments in driving its sustainability.

In his remarks, the President of NOAN, Professor Jude C. Obi described the programme as “more than training—it is a movement to build a generation of digitally savvy, environmentally conscious, and business-minded agri-preneurs.”

He said: “Agriculture is no longer a fallback plan or a subsistence occupation. It is a pathway to innovation, entrepreneurship, and national prosperity.

“The trainees themselves are entering diverse fields within organic agriculture: 36.7 percent opted for biological input production, 32.7 percent chose organic crop diversification (notably sesame and ginger), and 30.6 percent selected vegetative propagation of high-value crops.”

ECOWAS Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Gle Koffi Emmanuel said the region’s greatest wealth lies in its youthful population, disclosing that over 60 per cent of West Africa’s 450 million people are under 30.

“This youthful energy can either become a ticking time bomb or the driver of prosperity. Three out of every four young people entering the labour market cannot find decent work. Through agriculture, we have the chance to change that,” he said.

The ECOWAS strategy, he explained, goes beyond temporary fixes, saying “it is designed to transform agriculture and agri-food value chains, making them productive, sustainable, and attractive to youth.”

“By 2030, the Commission expects one in every four new entrants into the job market to find meaningful employment in the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries sectors,” Emmanuel added.

According to him, the plan focuses on six pillars: raising awareness of agricultural opportunities, vocational training and incubation, investment in youth-led enterprises, access to land and markets, settlement support, and promoting agroecology.

To back these ambitions, he disclosed that the ECOWAS has mobilised significant funding, stressing that “between 2024 and 2025, the Commission allocated over $2.2 million in grants to training centres across member states, including Nigeria.”

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Bayelsa Deputy Governor Tasks CS-SUNN On Effective Workplan For Nutrition Awareness By David Owei, Yenagoa. A non-governmental organization, Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has been urged to develop an effective workplan for proper nutrition awareness campaign across communities in Bayelsa State. The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the task on Thursday when the Bayelsa chapter of CS-SUNN paid a courtesy visit to his office in Government House, Yenagoa. The Deputy Governor, who lamented that the worrisome indices concerning nutrition in Bayelsa was largely based on data from the rural communities, called on the NGO to set up branches in the eight local government areas of the state. According to Senator Ewhrudjakpo, there is a compelling need to carry out behaviour change communication to break the vicious cycle of poor nutrition, using the local dialects in the various radio stations. He expressed concern over the growing preference for fast food, iced fish and beef by rural dwellers to the detriment of naturally rich sources of nutrition such as snails, periwinkle and other locally sourced food items, which are more beneficial to their overall health. On the issue of non-utilization of funds allocated to nutrition in the Bayelsa State annual budget, he assured the CS-SUNN delegation that government would address it appropriately to promote good nutrition in the state. His words: “Most of these data are as a result of what is happening in the rural areas. If you interrogate women in the rural areas, who have been convinced or persuaded by emotions or sentiments, not to eat snail or periwinkle. “They have been convinced that it is only when they eat beef or chicken or iced fish that they have become civilized. Because of such erroneous thinking, most of our people have launched ourselves into the fast food and confectionery, and the trend has gone down to the rural areas. “We need adequate behavior change communication to break the vicious cycle of poor nutrition; we have to break that vicious cycle. We need to do more in the area of communication. It is an issue we need to address; I agree we have not been doing too well in this area. “We need to drill down the need for advocacy. We must reel out that message using all the local dialects of the Ijaw language in Kolokuma, Epie-Atissa, Ogbia, and others to convey the message to our communities. “You have to develop a work plan for us get to our rural communities. It is also necessary to set up local government branches of the CS-SUNN.” Earlier In their joint presentation, the State Coordinator of CS-SUNN, Mrs Unity Ototo, the Project Lead, Mr. Ambrose Evhoesor, and the Senior Project Officer, Mr. Kunle Ishola, said the organization was concerned about the statistics of nutrition, especially among children in the state. They explained that the organization currently enjoys presence in 30 states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). While applauding the State Government’s responsiveness to address the issue of poor nutrition through partnership with the CS-SUNN, the trio called on government to fully utilize the state’s budgetary allocation for nutrition. They also appealed for the approval of six-month maternity leave for nursing mothers to encourage exclusive breastfeeding of newborns.

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Outgoing SS3 Students of Anua Comprehensive High School Scores Propriator Inyang High, highlighting his impacts in the school ‎

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Chief Linus Inyang


‎By Emmanuel Ikpe

‎Out gone Senior Secondary Students of Anua Comprehensive High School, Anua Offot in Uyo Local Government Area has poured encomiums on the Proprietor of the  school, Chief Linus Inyang over his proactive and positive impact in the school structure since he came on board as the Village Head of Anua Offot.

‎Eteidung Linus Bassey Inyang who was coronated as the village head of the community on the 2nd of May, 2024, came in to meet things in the school unkept, as a man of dignity, he was displeased, and therefore used the mandate and power given to him to turned things around for good in the school, says the students.

‎According to the students, Chief Linus Inyang has changed management of the school, and has increased the staff salary thrice ever since he took over administration of the community and school. They commended him for mounting securities in the school compound and building of new structures for Computer Laboratory and Classrooms.

‎They equally lauded effort of Chief Linus Inyang in renovating old structures in the school and painted them to give the school a new look, and for strategizing with Tegrach Nigerian Limited to control erosion within the school environment.

‎Speaking further, the students noted that efforts of Chief Linus Inyang have yielded positive results and is making the school a better learning environment.
‎”with the help of Eteidung Linus Bassey Inyang, Anua Community Comprehensive High School is no longer; a camp of the cultist, no longer a raping ground, and no longer a field for the Egret, But rather, one of the best schools in Akwa Ibom State”
‎Anua Community Comprehensive High School was founded on the 10th of September 1977 during the regime of Eteidung (Chief) Cyril Essien, under the principalship of Mrs Catherine Essien which later was changed. Then Elder Ubokudom Gideon Etuk took over mantle of leadership as the principal from 2006 to 2012, which was handed over to Mr Gabriel Nsikak Udo and he ruled till 2024, but due to his shady handling of the office, the administration was handed over to Mr Paulinus you Effiong as the present principal of the school under the leadership of Eteidung Linus Inyang, the village head of Anua Offot.

‎With collaboration between the headteacher Mrs Utibeno Ita and staff, both teaching and non teaching, Anua Comprehensive High School has really moved to an enviable heights.

‎The out gone Senior Secondary Students of the leadership include Umoh Effiong Ernest Senior Prefect Boys, Jennifer Angulanne Senior Prefect Girls, Alafine Okon Assistant Prefect Girls, Victoria Ogechi Sanitary prefect, Edet Abasiofon Assistant, Esther Ubong Punctuality Prefect, Akah Favor Chapel Prefect, Glory Asuquo assistant, Bassey Emmanuel Games Prefect Boys, Akpode Favour Games Prefect Girls, Antigha Elijah Labour Prefect Boys and Udoh Emediong Golden Labour Prefect Girls.

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RSG Moves To Commission 10 People-Oriented Projects

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Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma addressing journalists at the press conference on Friday.

By George Mgbeleke
The Rivers State Government will from Monday, August 17, begin the commissioning of 10 major people-oriented projects across the state as part of efforts by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration to deepen development at the grassroots.

In a statement by Head, Information and Public Relations Unit,
Office of the Secretary to the State Government, The commissioning programme, which will run through August 31, will cover projects across several local government areas, include roads, bridges, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure and other public facilities.

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, disclosed this on Friday during a media briefing in Port Harcourt.

According to Dr Wokoma, the projects are tangible evidence of the Governor’s commitment to transforming communities and addressing the developmental needs of residents across the state.

He disclosed that the commissioning will commence on August 17 with the Buguma-Degema-Abonnema Road, which links communities in Asari-Toru, Degema and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas.

The Egwi-Afara-Mba Road in Etche Local Government Area will be commissioned on August 18, followed by the Capt. Elechi Amadi Polytechnic’s Entrepreneurship Centre/Engineering Faculty Building on August 19.

On August 20, the governor will commission the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Dual Carriage Way in Ikwerre/Emohua/Onelga Local Government Areas, while the Omoku Zonal Hospital, Omoku in ONELGA, will be commissioned on August 21st.

The commissioning programme will resume on August 24 with the Omademe Internal Roads in Ikwerre LGA and attention will shift to Port Harcourt LGA on August 25 for the Commissioning of the New Runway at the Air Force Base, Rumuola.

On August 26, attention will shift to Emuoha LGA for the commissing of the Agba Ndele Road and Bridge while two major health facilities — the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital and New General Hospital, Rumuigbo, both in Obio/Akpor — are scheduled for commissioning on August 27.

The 10-day programme will end on August 28 with the commissioning of the Bonny National Grammar School in Bonny Local Government Area.

Dr. Wokoma said the projects reflected the administration’s determination to ensure that government policies and programmes affect citizens positively.

“These projects scheduled for commissioning are tangible evidence of His Excellency’s unwavering dedication to transform our communities and address the developmental needs of our people,” he said.

He added that the projects underscored the administration’s commitment to ensuring that governance produced “meaningful and measurable benefits for every citizen across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.”

The SSG also acknowledged the contributions of government officials, contractors, host communities and other stakeholders to the completion of the projects as he urged Rivers people to participate in the commissioning activities and continue to support the administration in its pursuit of peace and development.

“We invite all Rivers people to join in celebrating these milestones and to continue supporting the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as it advances peace, development, progress, and prosperity,” Dr Wokoma said.

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Improved Life Expectancy and Role of Medical Lab Scientists Stressed At 2nd Public Lecture for FUO Ex-VC

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By David Owei,Bayelsa

The School of Postgraduate Studies Auditorium, Federal University Otuoke (FUO), was filled to capacity on Friday, July 17, 2026, as students, staff, management, alumni, distinguished academics, medical professionals, and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the sterling leadership, academic excellence, and enduring legacy of the immediate past 3rd Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Teddy Charles Adias, at the Second Edition of the Professor Teddy Charles Adias Annual Public Lecture and Birthday Celebration.

Organised by the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, the event underscored the Faculty’s commitment to immortalising a leader whose visionary administration laid a strong foundation for academic growth, institutional excellence, and the development of the Faculty.

The event was chaired by Professor Ebimieowei Etebu, Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF), who was ably represented.

The Chairman’s representative commended the University and Faculty for institutionalising an annual lecture in honour of Professor Adias, describing the initiative as a noble tradition that celebrates visionary leadership while promoting intellectual discourse.

He noted that Professor Adias’ remarkable contributions to higher education and human capital development have earned him a permanent place in the history of the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Niger Delta and the nation at large.

The highlight of the occasion was a thought-provoking public lecture delivered by the Guest Lecturer, Dr James Omietimi, Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on the theme:

“Beyond the Bench: Medical Laboratory Scientists as Key Players in Nigeria’s Fight Against Preventable Deaths.”

Dr. Omietinmi stressed that Medical Laboratory Scientists are indispensable partners in modern healthcare delivery, emphasizing that accurate laboratory diagnosis remains the bedrock of effective treatment, disease surveillance, and preventive healthcare.

He observed that many avoidable deaths in Nigeria result from delayed or inaccurate diagnosis, inadequate laboratory infrastructure, and the underutilisation of Medical Laboratory Scientists in healthcare policy and decision-making.

According to him:

“strengthening laboratory services, investing in modern diagnostic technologies, continuous professional training, and integrating Medical Laboratory Scientists into national health planning would significantly reduce preventable deaths and improve health outcomes across the country.”

He challenged governments, healthcare institutions, and development partners to accord laboratory medicine the priority it deserves in achieving universal health coverage.

Host of the event, Professor Eni-yimini Solomon Agoro, who doubles as Dean of the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, described Professor Teddy Charles Adias as an exceptional administrator, accomplished scholar, and compassionate mentor whose visionary leadership contributed immensely to the establishment and rapid growth of the Faculty.

Prof. Agoro explained that the annual lecture and birthday celebration were conceived not merely to honour the celebrant but to sustain his ideals of excellence, innovation, discipline, and service to humanity.

The Chief Host, and Fourth Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke, Prof. Promise Mebine, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chris Onyema, lauded his predecessor, Professor Adias for his unwavering support for the Varsity, College and the Faculty during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor.

He stated that the remarkable achievements recorded by the Faculty today are directly linked to the enabling environment created under Professor Adias’ administration, adding that the annual lecture would continue to inspire future generations of scholars and professionals as the new College of Medical Sciences was named after him to honour his legacies not just in FUO, but in the Medical profession at large.

The atmosphere became even more emotional as Professor Teddy Charles Adias arrived with his wife, Dame Lolo Charles Adias, to a resounding standing ovation from the audience. Visibly overwhelmed by the warmth and affection shown by the University community, Dame Lolo Charles Adias was almost lost for words as she witnessed the outpouring of love, heartfelt tributes, and goodwill messages in honour of her husband.

One after another, distinguished guests, senior academics, professional colleagues, former associates, students, and protégés extolled Professor Adias’ virtues, describing him as a transformational leader, bridge-builder, institution builder, and mentor whose legacy continues to inspire excellence across the University community.

They praised his humility, accessibility, integrity, and unwavering commitment to academic development and staff welfare.

In his response, Professor Teddy Charles Adias expressed profound gratitude to the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, the Dean, the University management, staff, students, and all guests for the remarkable honour bestowed upon him.

The celebrant described the recognition as deeply humbling and encouraged members of the University community to remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence, innovation, scholarship, and selfless service.

He urged Medical Laboratory Scientists to continue advancing the profession through research, professionalism, and ethical practice for the benefit of society.

The celebration reached its climax with the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of goodwill messages and commemorative gifts, cultural entertainment, musical performances, and a sumptuous reception attended by guests from within and outside the University community.

The successful hosting of the Second Edition of the Professor Teddy Charles Adias Annual Public Lecture and Birthday Celebration further reaffirmed the enduring impact of Professor Adias’ leadership and the determination of the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science to preserve his legacy as a symbol of visionary leadership, academic excellence, and service to humanity.

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