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Borno State Government To Establish Rural Urban Grazing Areas For Displaced Herders

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Tijjani Mohammed, the Projects Coordinator to Governor Babagan Zulum, says the Borno State government plans to establish Rural-Urban Grazing Areas (RUGAs) for herders displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the state.

The establishment of the grazing areas is supported by the Federal Government intervention of N4 billion in the state’s 25-year development plan.

Mohammed disclosed this on Sunday while briefing the Sudanese Economic Team leader to Borno, Dr. Osman El-Fal at the Mafa RUGA centre along Dikwa road.

He said RUGA centres are sited in three senatorial districts of Mafa, Gubio, and Rumirgo in Askira/Uba Local Government Areas.

“This project is built on 250 hectres of land, comprising various infrastructural facilities, including 1.5-km perimeter fencing.

“The Mafa RUGA centre included 100 housing units to resettle the displaced herders in Central Senatorial District.

“Other facilities at the centre are a community primary school and veterinary clinic for the livestock.

“Irrigated pastures, including feed bins are to be established for the livestock, to ensure all-year-round pastures.

“Three earth dams are to be sited for the watering of livestock and production of vegetables, youths and women are to be empowered in the production of fish, poultry, and tailoring,” he said.

Mohammed added that modern ways of farming will be integrated with the building of hay silage-making bunkers for the production of pasture and fodders.

The projects coordinator said other facilities for fattening shades for bulls and rams are also to be constructed to upgrade RUGA’s standards.

He added that apart from these, the state government is to introduce improved breeds of cattle with insemination to produce 30 litres of milk a day from each cow.

“This is compared to the local breeds of cattle that produce a maximum of only two litres of milk per cow.

“About 100 animals be given to the herders for crossbreeding with the local cattle, and because of the harsh weather conditions in the state, 75 Sokoto Guladi breed of cattle had been selected to withstand the hot weather,” he said.

On the value chain of RUGA, he, said with the setup of security outpost and milk collection centres, people from Maiduguri collect and sell milk to the public.

“While under the second phase of the project, local herders in the district will be trained on the production hygienic milk before selling.

“Households of herders will also be trained on the production of pasture for their livestock; as seeds of irrigated pasture have been acquired for distribution.

“Male herders will be producing pasture, while the females are trained on how to handle milking machines,” he added.

Responding, Dr. El-Fal; said that even though he is not a livestock specialist, he really admired the way the RUGA project is structured.

“This includes the integrated aspect of the project, including the process of the value chain,” stating that it’s a brilliant idea, as the project has targeted the livelihoods of people in the area.

He noted that this is despite the security issues that hampered their living conditions in the state, the way the project is designed perfectly fits into the strategy on livestock production in Sudan.

“Your RUGA projects have addressed the integrated aspects of their designs and sustenance,” he said.

 

 

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Nigeria: chibok abduction anniversary spurs demands for justice

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Militants, alongside relatives of victims of the infamous abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls that sparked global outrage in 2014, gathered in Lagos on Sunday, April 14, to renew calls for the release of the remaining girls in captivity.

The Sunday meeting was organized to mark the 10th anniversary of the abduction that affected 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.

“What I would ask the government is to find a way to work towards bringing back our sisters because I know it is only the government that can help us bring back these girls,” said Grace Dauda, a rescued Chibok schoolgirl.

Another rescued schoolgirl, Rebecca Malu, added, “They should stay safe. They should stay strong, one day, they will be released like us.”

While some girls managed to escape on their own, others have been freed over the years through intense campaigns by civil society organizations and government negotiations. But this human rights activist, Ayo Obe, is calling for more action from the authorities.

“We know that we started with missing persons numbering two hundred and fifty-six; it is already an improvement that we are down to 91. But of course, 91 is 91 lives unaccounted for. We appreciate the fact that so many of them escaped during the abduction itself. We appreciate the fact that the government has brought back so many more of them, but we say that we don’t stop here. We need the momentum that has happened since the mass return during the Buhari administration in 2016-2017 to be maintained. We expected that the remaining girls would have been brought back,” she said.

Mass school children kidnapping in Nigeria has continued nearly unabated since Chibok. Around 1,700 students have been kidnapped in raids since 2014 according to Amnesty International.

A member of the Bring Back Our Girls movement and convener of the 10th-year anniversary in Lagos, Opeyemi Adamolekun, lamented this as unfortunate.

“Unfortunately, it became political between 2014 and 2015, part of the amplification of the movement was part of the 2015 presidential campaign. And we saw the effect of the first batch of 21 that were released with the help of the Red Cross and the Swiss government. The second batch of 82 that were released with the help of the Red Cross and the Swiss government as well. But unfortunately, it seems that energy sort of dissipated because the government doesn’t feel as much pressure as they used to feel,” she said.

For this group of Nigerians, the government must match words with more action to stem the tide of mass school kidnappings in the country.

According to the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, a charity that advocates for the Chibok schoolgirls, about 90 girls still remain in captivity while dozens of the schoolgirls freed over the years are living inside a military-run rehabilitation camp with surrendered Boko Haram fighters they married in the Sambisa forest, Boko Haram’s main hideout.

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Nigeria suspends permit of 3 private jet operators

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Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken action against private jet operators flouting regulations by suspending the Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) of three operators caught conducting commercial flights.

This crackdown follows warnings issued in March 2024.

Acting Director General Capt. Chris Najomo stated that increased surveillance at Nigerian airports led to the grounding of three operators found violating their PNCF terms. Specifically, they breached annexure provisions and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

In response, the NCAA announced a thorough re-evaluation of all PNCF holders to ensure compliance with regulations, to be completed by April 19th, 2024. PNCF holders have been instructed to submit necessary documents within 72 hours to expedite the process. Najomo emphasized these actions highlight the NCAA’s commitment to enhancing safety in Nigerian airspace.

Furthermore, the NCAA warned the public against using charter operators without a valid Air Operators Certificate and urged legitimate industry players to report any suspicious activities promptly.

This crackdown comes after the NCAA’s stern warning in March against PNCF holders engaging in commercial operations.

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Senator Cory Booker Leads a Congressional Delegation to Nigeria

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Photo: Senator Cory Booker (In the back) and a Diplomat from the US Department of State, joins with members of the Academy for Women Alumnae Association including Mercy Ogori of Kokomi Africa and Adebisi Odeleye of Moore Organics.

Senator Cory also met women entrepreneurs from the Academy for Women Alumnae Association

Last week, US Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey led a congressional delegation to Nigeria, which included House of Representatives members Sara Jacobs and Barbara Lee from California. The purpose of the visit was to discuss a partnership on sustainable development. During the talks, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his administration’s dedication to strengthening democracy through upholding the rule of law and ensuring good governance, justice, and fairness for all citizens. Senator Booker emphasized the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and commitment to peace and good governance that bind Nigeria and the United States as partners.

The delegation also met with women entrepreneurs from the Academy for Women Alumnae Association, who had participated in US-sponsored exchange programs. Led by Adebisi Odeleye of Moore Organics, the businesswomen shared their experiences and discussed their entrepreneurial endeavors. Other Academy members were Mandela Washington Fellow, Nkem Okocha of Mama Moni, Inemesit Dike of LegalX, and Mercy Ogori of Kokomi.

The partnership between the United States and Nigeria has lasted over six decades, focusing on addressing security challenges, enhancing health security, and responding to global health crises. Despite obstacles like corruption, poverty, and insecurity, the US remains dedicated to supporting Nigerian institutions and promoting free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections.

During the visit to the State House, Senator Booker reiterated the shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and commitment to peace and good governance that unite Nigeria and the United States as partners.

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