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Sen Kyari Flags Off National Agricultural Show To Address Food Insecurity, Others
By Ebriku John Friday
In a bid to address the issues of food insecurity in Nigeria and alleviate poverty, create job opportunities and inclusiveness of youth and women in the agriculture sector, the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, has formerly flagged off the 2023 National Agricultural show.
Speaking at the event held at National Agricultural Showground, Nassarawa State on Tuesday, 21st November 2023, with the theme, “Towards the Realization of Presidential Declaration of Emergency on Food Security”, the Minister revealed that the show was geared towards showcasing Nigeria’s abundant agricultural potentials, resources and products, consolidating past achievements, identifying challenges faced by the sector and charting the way forward for the development of agriculture in Nigeria.
A release by Charity Ezekwesiri, Principal Information Officer in the ministry revealed that, the Minister who represented the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, noted that the choice of this year’s theme was relevant, as it accentuates not just the goal of the Show but brings to mind the, priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration that are core to the mandates of the Ministry.
He pointed out that “we commit to ensuring that all programmes and initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security are completely aligned to attaining the four Presidential priorities”.
He stated that agriculture was fundamental for food security and ensuring sustainable and resilient food systems.
Sen. Kyari, therefore used the opportunity to assure all stakeholders that, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated total political will to transform the Agriculture sector of our dear country by making food security the number one Presidential priority of his Agenda.
He pointed out that addressing issues of food security, requires the coordinated support and meaningful engagement of stakeholders, towards delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. The Minister noted that the Ministry aims to engage with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and State Governments towards addressing all issues impacting the attainment of our national food security objectives.
“We also remain committed to promoting and creating synergies between Non-Governmental Organizations and the private sector to enhance efforts at ensuring food security, economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction in line with the Presidential Priorities”, he added.
Speaking further, the Minister highlighted the immediate and short term plans, which entails developing a standard framework and guide for ease of doing Agriculture and Food Security operations/projects/business in Nigeria.
He revealed that a robust stakeholder analysis that would produce a working stakeholder map showing who does what, where and how and what are the mutually beneficial areas for the smallholder farmers, large scale farmers, processors, marketers and organized private sector was already being worked out.
Sen. Kyari, therefore, noted that Agricultural Shows have had a long history worldwide, emphasizing that activities in the events present spin-off benefits to the gathering of all stakeholders in the sector by serving as high-level platforms for business linkage, technology transfer, knowledge exchange, public-private collaboration and policy discourse among participants drawn from all walks of life.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule represented by the Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe stated that the event was very critical one that would restore past glory of the nation in order to achieve food security. He noted the Nasarawa Governor had distributed fertilizer to households, adequate irrigation and arable for varieties of crops.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator, National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria, NAFN, Dr. Samuel Negedu, stated that 2023 show would feature a grand opening ceremony and farmers’ parade, agricultural produce and products exhibitions, seminar, interactive sessions, displays of assorted agricultural equipment among others.
He encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of friendly environment of the Show to establish business contacts and relationships that would be long-lasting and mutually beneficial.
Highlight of the event was the Hon. Minister’s inspection of various Agricultural products.
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NDDC At 25: Cross River’s Cynthia Oloko, 19, Emerges Second Place Winner At Miss Niger Delta 2025
...Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, and Senators Celebrate Her with Generous Cash Gifts
Miss Cynthia Iyowogoga Oloko, a 19-year-old from Cross River State, has emerged as the first runner-up (second place) at the Miss Niger Delta 2025 beauty pageant. The event, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Cynthia, a final-year student of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she studies Human Anatomy, competed alongside nine other contestants representing the nine states of the Niger Delta—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
Crowned with the title “Pride of the Niger Delta”, Cynthia received a cash prize of ₦7.5 million for placing second in the pageant.
In recognition of her achievement and the pride she has brought to Cross River State, several political leaders and dignitaries extended their support. The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr Peter Odey, gifted her ₦3 million, the APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, contributed ₦1 million, while the state’s two Senators jointly supported her with another ₦3 million—bringing her total cash reward to ₦14.5 million.
According to the organisers, all nine contestants underwent intensive training and were empowered with skills and starter kits to help them become self-reliant and impactful in their communities.
The Miss Niger Delta pageant is designed not just as a beauty contest, but as a platform to empower young women across the region. It aims to nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development among participants. The initiative is rooted in the belief that empowering women is key to building stronger families, communities, and society at large.
Many past participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. The programme, sponsored by the NDDC, is part of its commitment to identifying and nurturing young talents in the region.
This year’s overall winner received a brand-new car and ₦10 million, while the second runner-up (third place) received ₦5 million. The remaining six contestants each received ₦1 million as a consolation prize.
Miss Cynthia Oloko was born in 2005 to Engr. and Mrs Cosmas Oloko Ekawu. She attended Trailblazers Academy in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Her hobbies include swimming, running, networking, and travelling. She aspires to build a career in entrepreneurship and politics, with a strong passion for leadership and community development.
Congratulations Miss Cynthia
The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Hon Dr Fred Okem has dissolved all revenue agencies operating in the Council with effect from 31st December 2024.
Hon Dr Fred Okem, Chairman Yala Local Government Area
This was contained in a release on Monday 6th January 2025 by the Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unah.
The Chairman also cautioned that anyone who flouts the directive would be handed over to the security agencies for proper action in line with relevant laws.
The local government helmsman is expected to reposition the revenue agencies with the aim of boosting internally generated revenue in the council for adequate measures towards the development of Yala in line with the People First Agenda of the State government.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Ms. Grace Ike, has been named Nigeria’s Media Personality of the Year 2024. This prestigious recognition was conferred by the Editorial Board of Good Governance Today Nigeria at a grand ceremony held at the National Merit House, Abuja.
NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike
In addition to the honour, Ms. Ike was inducted into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame—a testament to her exemplary contributions to leadership and professional journalism in Nigeria.
The award acknowledges Ms. Ike’s uncommon leadership qualities and her unwavering commitment to advancing journalism as a tool for national development. Her selfless service to humanity, her state and the nation has made her a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
Speaking at the event, the organiser and the managing editor of Governance Today , mr Sylvester Abudu Omose commended Ms. Ike’s visionary leadership and her remarkable strides in reshaping the landscape of journalism in Nigeria. Her relentless dedication to using journalism to advocate for transparency, justice, and public enlightenment was described as both inspiring and transformative.
“Ms. Grace Ike’s achievements transcend the ordinary. She has redefined what it means to serve humanity through journalism. Her work exemplifies the power of the media in fostering societal progress and governance,” the board stated.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Ike represented by one of her media aides, mr Ademola Adepoju expressed her gratitude for the recognition and attributed her success to the collective efforts of her team at NUJ FCT Council and the support of stakeholders in the journalism community. She reiterated her commitment to promoting ethical journalism and upholding the values of truth, accountability, and service to humanity.
“This award is not just a recognition of my efforts but a call to do even more. Journalism is the lifeline of democracy, and we must continue to use it to uphold justice and transparency for the betterment of our society,” Ms. Ike remarked.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the media, government and civil society, who lauded Ms. Ike’s achievements and pledged continued support for initiatives that promote good governance and ethical journalism in Nigeria.
As Ms. Grace Ike steps into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame, her legacy as a leader, journalist, and advocate for humanity continues to inspire a new generation of professionals committed to making a difference in their communities and the nation at large.
