In a bid to enhance food and nutrition security across Nigeria, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, has affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and various stakeholders.

This partnership aims to address critical concerns such as food security, post-harvest losses, and malnutrition.

The announcement was made through a press statement issued on Friday by the Chief Information Officer of the Ministry, Eremah Anthonia.

During a recent courtesy visit to the Ministry’s office by the Country Director of GAIN, Dr. Micheal Ojo, in Abuja, Sen. Abubakar Kyari highlighted the importance of food security as a key focus area within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The agenda places significant emphasis on agriculture, food security, and good nutrition for the Nigerian populace.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari conveyed, “We were given the mandate to ensure that the country is food secured, and we are ready to collaborate with partners to ensure its actualization and sustainability.”

The Minister stressed the current threats to food security, particularly issues of availability and affordability.

He emphasized the necessity of addressing malnutrition and rising food inflation rates by working diligently throughout the year to boost food production.

The goal is to make food accessible, affordable, and nutritionally balanced on a sustainable basis.

Recognizing the underlying challenges, Sen. Abubakar Kyari called for innovative and trending solutions to ensure a resilient food security framework.

He encouraged the active participation of GAIN and other stakeholders in the upcoming Agricultural Summit, urging them to contribute to a practical and sustainable document for the benefit of the populace.

In response, Dr. Micheal Ojo, the Country Director of GAIN, acknowledged the fruitful relationship the organization has had with the Ministry and expressed hope for its continuation to revolutionize the country’s food system.

Dr. Ojo highlighted the critical challenge of Food and Nutrition affecting a majority of Nigerians, emphasizing GAIN’s goal to deliver a healthy diet to over 25% of the population, including Nigeria.

Collaboration with the Ministry in improving food value chains such as maize, rice, and cassava was also emphasized.

In a related meeting, the Minister welcomed a delegation from Anhui Huayun Biotech Co. Ltd., led by the Managing Director, Mr. Wang Yun.

Mr. Yun pledged support to Nigeria in the areas of agriculture mechanization and irrigation systems, including solar pumps, to effectively tackle the challenges of food insecurity in the country.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially lifted the foreign exchange restrictions imposed on importers of 43 items nearly a decade ago.

Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, the Director of Corporate Communications at CBN, confirmed this significant shift in the foreign exchange market policy.

This move by the central bank is anticipated to inject more liquidity into the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, with interventions expected to decrease as liquidity improves over time. The development marks a pivotal change in policy and is expected to have a positive impact on various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Initially outlined in a circular issued in June 2015, the CBN had listed 41 items that were ineligible for foreign exchange in the Nigerian currency market. This list was later expanded to encompass 43 items, restricting their access to foreign exchange.

The list of items that were under restriction included commodities like rice, cement, margarine, palm kernel, palm oil products, and various steel and metal products. It also encompassed textiles, wood products, kitchen utensils, and even certain types of bonds and share purchases.

With this recent development, businesses involved in the import of these items can now access foreign exchange, potentially boosting trade and alleviating constraints that had been in place for nearly a decade.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, marked World Mental Health Day with a powerful call to address the root causes of mental health issues, including poverty, inequality, violence, and discrimination.

Guterres stressed the urgent need to create more compassionate and resilient societies to build a healthier world where everyone can thrive.

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, is “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right,” underscoring the inherent right of every individual to sound mental health.

He highlighted the critical role mental health plays in allowing individuals to lead fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Guterres drew attention to the stark reality that one in eight people around the world lives with a mental health condition, with women and young people bearing a disproportionate impact.

Shockingly, three in four affected individuals do not receive adequate treatment or any care at all, exacerbating the mental health crisis.

Stigma and discrimination are significant barriers faced by many individuals dealing with mental health challenges, making it imperative to tackle these issues collectively. The Secretary-General stressed that mental health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right that must be integrated into universal health coverage.

Governments were urged to provide care that promotes individuals’ recovery while upholding their rights. This comprehensive care approach includes strengthening community-based support and integrating psychological help into broader health and social care systems.

To further commemorate the Day, the United Nations in Nigeria organized a two-day training program for journalists.

The program aimed to equip journalists with valuable knowledge and tools to effectively cover mental health issues while also ensuring their own well-being in the process.

This initiative seeks to improve media coverage and understanding of mental health, contributing to a more informed and empathetic society.

• Exercise to last for 61 days

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered the clearance of unexploded explosive ordnance at the site of the 2002 bomb blast, which occurred at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos State.

The COAS, during the flag-off of three training exercises at the cantonment, inaugurated ‘Exercise Clean Sweep’ with the objective to “completely disinfect the epicenter of the Ikeja bomb blast and clear it of all verified and suspected remaining unexploded explosive ordnances lying around the cantonment.”

This was disclosed on Tuesday, October 10, by the Director, of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu.

The army chief pointed out that initial clearance operations in 2002 ensured some degree of safety in the cantonment and its environment.

However, Lagbaja noted that the recent discovery of some UEO at the site of the blast “raised the need for the Nigerian Army to carry out a follow-up clearance exercise in the cantonment and its environment.”