By Suleiman Yakubu

The Farmer Governor of Niger State, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has said that the state has the potential for wealth creation through agriculture.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, stated this at the Phase II distribution of agricultural assets, inputs, and work tools to farmers and Labour Intensive Public Workforce (LIPW) beneficiaries held at the Polo Ground, Minna, on Tuesday.
He said that the majority of farmers in Niger State were peasant farmers who, despite that, could hardly feed their families all year round because the economy was biting harder, adding that the state has the potential to turn fortunes around for the better if well harnessed.
"If we can utilise the God-given lands we have, it is not only Niger State we can feed; we can feed Nigeria.
"Whether it is farming crops on the upper land or irrigation farming, we cannot only feed ourselves; rather, we will make Niger State one of the competing states in terms of wealth creation through agriculture," said the governor.
He appealed to all to key into the New Niger Agenda of the present administration in the state to recover our economy and promote the state beyond the shores of North Central and Nigeria.
The governor added that the event was a demonstration of commitment to the New Niger Agenda, which aimed at diversifying the economy of the state and ensuring food security, urging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items given to them.
The Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Musa Salihu Bawa, who gave a breakdown of the intervention items, said over 10,000 beneficiaries will benefit from the intervention.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items, saying they will be closely monitored by the facilitators at the community level, desk officers, state Fadams N-CARES office, officials from ministries of agriculture, finance, and planning commissions, as well as federal agencies and the World Bank.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of a N100,000 check to about 3,000 beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme, boats, and live jackets to riverine communities by the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA)..

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Federal University of Technology, Minna, has recorded 187 first-class graduates in its 2020–2021 and 2022–2023 academic sessions.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, made the disclosure during a press briefing to mark the weeklong combined 31st and 32nd convocation ceremonies of the institution.
The vice chancellor said 3,867 and 3,445 graduated from the 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 academic sessions, respectively, making a total of 7,312 graduates with first degrees, 120 with postgraduate diplomas, 955 with masters degrees, and 150 with doctorate degrees (PhDs).
He said that due to the increase in student enrollment, the university has adopted an innovative e-learning approach for its 100-level students to address the problems associated with inadequate lecture rooms and manpower.
"This approach has proven efficient in managing large classes. The adoption of online platforms for teaching, e-tests, and examinations has positioned us better to address the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly improved traditional teaching methods in Nigeria,” he said.
Prof. Faruk Adamu said all the academic courses of the university have attained full accreditation status from the National Universities Commission and revealed that the university was preparing to host the international accrediting body that will project the university to the international academic arena.
He said research efforts from various schools and departments of the university had attracted over N844 million from the National Research Grant by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and another five million euros from the European Commission to execute an EU-AU partnership to execute a project titled Resilient, Inclusive, and Safe Food System for Everyone (UP-RISE).
He said the management of the university has achieved a lot in terms of infrastructural development, affiliation, and collaboration with institutions, bodies, and research agencies, calling on the alumni of the university to contribute to the development of the institution.
The vice chancellor reeled out the programme of events, which includes a special jummat and an interdenominational church service to take place on Friday and Sunday, respectively. He said the final of the Chancellor's Cup football match will be held on Monday, January 29, while a scientific research exhibition will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
He said the commissioning of four projects will take place on Wednesday, January 31, and there will be a convocation lecture titled The Power of Vision and Innovative Technology: The Key to Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Africa by Prof. John Kennedy Opara.
"The peak of the ceremony will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024, by 10 a.m. at Suleiman Kumo Convocation Square, where first degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and higher diplomas will be conferred on graduates, as well as award prizes," the vice chancellor disclosed.