By Omolola Pedro
The Niger State branch of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged the Federal Government and Niger State government to take actions on the alleged non-stop killing of farmers in the state.
Abdullahi Mohammed, Niger state President of the council, stated that the insecurity ravaging the state had led to the closure of over 200 schools in local communities in the past three years.
He noted that Minna, the state capital, had continued to witness activities of miscreants and thugs, who had created disturbance to the peace of residents. He also lamented that the state had not tamed the tide of banditry and insurgency that displaced thousands of rural farmers.
He said, “Youths would be forced to take further action in three weeks time”, if the government does not take urgent measures to address ongoing killings in the state”.
Meanwhile, the youths had demanded compensation for residents, victims, and security operatives whose loved ones have been killed, kidnapped, or displaced.
A delegation from India has recently visited Nigeria on a four-day visit to explore opportunities for a collaboration on millet production in Abuja, FarmingFarmersFarms reports. The delegation, which was led by the India’s Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Abhilaksh Likhi, met with Nigerian government officials and representatives from the millet industry, to discuss possible ways in which the two countries can work together to promote the growth and development of millets in the country.
Likhi, who led the delegation, said the visit comes in the wake of India commencing the International Year of Millets with focused activities being undertaken by central ministries, state governments and Indian embassies. He also noted that Nigeria is the second richest and most populous country of the 54 nations on the African continent, and it could become a model of South-South cooperation on millets along other important Indian partners like South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Angola, Ethiopia, Sudan and Ghana, to address the “lack of food security,” which remains one of the most formidable challenges facing Africa as a continent.
Africa and India’s complementary sectoral priorities and similar roles in the evolving global food markets present numerous opportunities for collaboration in the agricultural sector, particularly in areas of millet production and promotion.
Active journalism costs huge sums of money. To ensure quality and rich agricultural journalism, the support of readers and friends of the publication is required. Donations can be made in Nigerian Naira (NGN). Kindly provide relevant information during transactions and be assured that funds received will be used judiciously and appropriately. For donation to FarmingFarmersFarms, kindly click the link below, call or send message to: +2348095451987.