By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), in collaboration with Niger Foods and Logistics Company Limited, has launched the distribution of farm inputs to teachers under the newly initiated Teachers' Farming Scheme.
According to the Chairman of NSUBEB, Mallam Muhammad Baba Ibrahim, this initiative is part of the board's efforts to enhance the welfare of its teachers. He emphasized that improving teachers' welfare is crucial for optimal performance. Represented by Hon. Abdulrazak Mu'azu Jikantoro, a board member, the Chairman highlighted that the scheme aims to provide teachers with an additional source of income, given the board's inability to request salary increases from the government.
Mallam Ibrahim expressed his satisfaction with the scheme's launch, noting that many had been skeptical about its feasibility. He urged the beneficiaries to utilize the provided inputs effectively and not to sell them. To ensure the scheme's success, committees have been established at the board, zonal, and local government levels to monitor the progress of each beneficiary.
Comrade Adamu Akayago, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), represented by the union's treasurer, Comrade Garba Sani, praised the initiative. He affirmed the union's support for any program that improves the lives of its members and urged beneficiaries to use the inputs judiciously for a bountiful harvest.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the state government and NSUBEB for the scheme, promising to make the most of the opportunity to improve their lives.
The distributed items included 25kg bags of seed, two bags of NPK fertilizer, a bag of chemicals containing four different varieties, and a sprayer for each Cowpea farmer. Sesame farmers received 25kg bags of seed, three NPK and two Urea fertilizers, a bag of chemicals containing five varieties, and a sprayer.

By Suleiman Yakubu

In a concerted effort to combat health misinformation, fellows of the Niger State Health Misinformation Management Fellowship, under the Nigeria Health Watch (NHW), held a sensitisation campaign in collaboration with various partners.
Led by state team leader Mr. Daniel Atori, the fellows and partner organisations braved the early morning rain on Monday to gather at the Obasanjo Shopping Complex Roundabout in Minna. They embarked on a road walk through the city centre, culminating at the Late Sen. Dahiru Awaisu Kuta Primary Healthcare facility in the Commissioners' Quarters area.
At the healthcare facility, the team engaged with women attending antenatal care (ANC) and other individuals seeking healthcare services. Mr. Atori emphasised the severe consequences of health misinformation on individuals, society, and the nation. He urged the public to seek health information from credible sources and verify any information, especially from social media, before sharing.
Speakers at the event included the state health educator representing the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, the state director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the state director of information services, and representatives from the ministries of secondary and tertiary healthcare, women affairs, and social development. They all encouraged the public to avoid self-medication and seek professional health advice.
The speakers also addressed misconceptions about government health intervention programs, particularly immunisation activities, assuring that all vaccines undergo rigorous testing and are safe.
The event featured dancing and chanting slogans such as "Health is Wealth," "Verify before you share," and "Don't share if you are not sure." The team also distributed insecticide-treated mosquito nets to women attending ANC at the healthcare facility.