Gov Gaidam partners China, trains 40,000 youths in irrigation

NaijaAgroNet:

 

The Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam, has concluded plans with Chinese agricultural investors to train about 40,000 youths in irrigation scheme, NaijaAgroNet reports.

 Gaidam said he will set up a new irrigation scheme which will engage youths across the State as part of his effort to empower youths for self-reliance.

A press release made available to NaijaAgroNet from the office of the Director of Press to the governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, Tuesday, said, the governor, who is currently on a visit to the People’s Republic of China on the invitation of Chinese agriculture and infrastructure investors, has already met and held talks with various potential investors, including an irrigation equipment manufacturing firm called Rainfine (Dalian) Irrigation Company Ltd, which specializes in the manufacture, installation and training of people in centre pivot irrigation technology in the Chinese city of Dalia, NaijaAgroNet learnt.

According to the statement, Governor Gaidam has also visited a modern irrigation farm company in the town of Jixian called Tianjing Jixian Lvpusheng Vegetable Planning Company Ltd and had rewarding talks with the farm’s Managing Director, Ms Lu Xiulung, among other companies.

“Irrigation agriculture is very significant in unleashing the enthusiasm and capacity of our youth for self-reliance. We are very much committed to using irrigation as another catalyst for helping to empower our youths. This is why we came here to establish wide ranging partnerships that will accelerate irrigation agriculture in our State.

It went on to say that Governor Gaidam has also announced the setting up of a small committee of agricultural experts, under the leadership of former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Gambomi Goni, to work out modalities on the implementation of the partnership with Rainfine Irrigation Company, including identifying at least four locations where new irrigation farms will be set up across the State, NaijaAgroNet reports.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE with additional report from Daily Post 

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Pix:Ibrahim Gaidam,

1,100 youths for IT, mechanized farming training

 NaijaAgroNet

The AkwaIbom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, said arrangement is in top gear aimed at giving training to about 1100 youths of Akwa Ibom origin in information technology skills and mechanized farming, reports NaijaAgroNet.

He made this revelation in Uyo, when he said; "I am in discussion with Oracle to train at least 1,000 youths in AkwaIbom State on Oracle Database Software Management System."

The Governor who identified that most people employed by banks and companies were those with Oracle certification, NaijaAgroNet gathered, reasoned that Akwa Ibom youths must be equipped with skills that would make them self-reliant.

"I want to make sure that our youths acquire skills so that they can mostly be on their own. We want to facilitate this to help some of our youths to also acquire skills. One thousand is a good number and we can see how we can train them in Uyo to reduce the cost instead of moving them to Lagos,"  he stated.

The governor, the information further hinted said that the state government would send 100 Akwa Ibom youths to Israel by the end of July for training in mechanized farming, describing Israel as an outstanding country with a track record in agriculture: "By end of July, we will send about 100 youths to Israel to acquire some skills and also at the same time do pilgrimage as well.

"Those people that will come back are those that will actually back up our mechanized farming in agriculture. We know, when it comes to agriculture today, Israel is one of the greatest,” NaijaAgroNet reports.

Cyriacus Nnaji/ GEE

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Fashola stops Nov. 29 sanitation exercise over distribution of PVC

NaijaAgroNet:

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has stopped the November 29, 2014 sanitation exercise, scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday in Lagos and nationwide to afford Lagosians to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) at various parts of the state, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This coming as NaijaAgroNet gathered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in nine local governments in Lagos State and other states that were left out in the recently concluded third phase of the programme.

Others affected states include Nasarawa, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Rivers, where PVCs are yet to be distributed and the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise pending.

PVC distribution is slated to take place in Rivers, Nasarawa and nine other local governments in News Express reports that Lagos State from Friday, November 28 – Sunday, November 30, while CVR would take place from Wednesday December 3 – Monday December 8, 2014.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has cancelled this month’s sanitation exercise, which should have taken place tomorrow, to enable people go and collect their cards.

Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said in a statement in 

Abuja that the commission met with leaders of registered political parties to present a progress report on the production of PVCs and also to explain lingering challenges necessitating readjustments in the previously announced schedule.

 
Isaac Oyimah with additional report from NewsExpress.
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Gov Obiano, swears in Nnamdi Meko as Agric Commissioner, 18 others

NaijaAgroNet:

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has sworn-in Mr. Nnamdi Austin Meko as the new Agriculture Commissioner for the state alongside 18 others recently cleared by the State House of Assembly, reports NaijaAgroNet.

This is coming as Gov. Obianoo also sworn-in were nine special advisers including some five women, just as signed into law, the 2014 appropriation bill.

NaijaAgroNet equally reports that other 18 commissioners comprise of Mr. Anali Chude, attorney general and commissioner for Justice; Mr. Anthony Onyima, Information; Mr. Callistus Ilozumba for Works;, Mrs. Azuka Enemuo for Local government and chieftaincy affairs; Greg Obi for Finance; Lawrence Chinwuba for Housing, Prof. Solomon Chukwu is in-charge of Economic Planning and Budget; Ifeatu Onyejeme heads Trade and Commerce; Dr. Victoria Chukwuelu for Women Affairs, Dr. Chinedu Emeka is to preside over Public Utilities, Water Resources; and Chukwuma Mbonu heads Transport.

Also, NaijaAgroNet gathered that Evaristus Ubah has been assigned to Environment; Stella Onuorah for Lands, Survey and Urban Development; Professor Kate Omenugha of the Mass Communication department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University is incharge of Education; Tony Nnachetam, who was a former vice chairman of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to head Youth and Sports ministry in the state, Norbert Obi for Special Duties; Dr. Josephat Akabuike for Health; and Obi Nwankwo for Science and Technology.

While the nine special advisers include Alex Ejesieme for legal; Anthonia Tabansi for special duties; Vivian Nwandu for Millennium Development Goals (MDG); Amaka Ilobi is for Public Utilities; Ngozi Okonkwo is for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), just as Chikaodi Anara is for security, Chidi Ibezim for youth empowerment and Amaechi O. is for town planning.

Further, NaijaAgroNet reports that Gov. Obiano used the opportunity to enjoin the appointees to be diligent as anyone found wanting will be removed immediately.

Remmy Nweke/GEE

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Pix: Mekoh on redcap with SSG, Oseloka Obazie