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International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Inclusive innovation policies focusing on women, girls

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International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Inclusive innovation policies focusing on women, girls

On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has called on African countries to make science, technology and innovation (STI) policies inclusive and to place women and girls at the centre of STI programmes.

Girls in science
A female scientist

Celebrated each year on February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. The day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.

“Africa cannot talk about innovations without investing in its human capital. Support and mentorship are essential to increasing the participation of youth and women in science and technology,” said Oley Dibba-Wadda, Director of Human Capital Youth and Skills Development at the AfDB.

“Decision-makers must prioritise the inclusion of youth and women in science and technology. African entrepreneurs and innovators must also be equipped with the right skills to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce.”

Through its numerous interventions in this area, the AfDB is pointing the way to how women and girls can be supported to make a difference in science and innovation.

For instance, through the Nigeria Technical Cooperation Fund (NTCF), the bank is providing scholarships to African students to develop and build their capacities in science and technology at the African University of Science and Technology in Abuja, the country’s capital.

One of the beneficiaries of the scholarship, Sandra Musu Jusu of Sierra Leone, is gaining global attention with her research into an alternative treatment for breast-cancer – an ailment that is prevalent among African women.

Musu Jusu, a Sierra Leonean, said, “I am happy the scholarship came at the time it did, as it helped me remain focused on my goals which is to become a researcher. My Master of Science project is focused on breast cancer − the violent cancer types that kill African women.”

According to María-José Moreno, Chief Gender Officer at the AfDB, “In its operations supporting science, technology and innovation in Africa, the Bank has set indicators reducing gender gaps amongst students, and amongst teachers.”

A society needs the talent of all its citizens, men and women, and cannot thrive when half of the population does not develop its potential, she said.

The AfDB says it uses a multi-pronged approach to support girl’s education especially in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Between 2005-2017, the bank reportedly approved $2 billion to support over 70 education projects for Africa. $52 million in support to technical vocational education, training, and teacher education in Tanzania is helping reduce gender imbalance in science and technology related programs where female participation was only 11-19%.

Some 10,800 students, 50% of them female, have benefited from the programme.

Through the bank’s support of the Network of African Institutions of Science and Technology (SNAIST) Project, the 510 students graduated from Master’s and Ph.D programmes, with 48.9 % being female. The project awarded 48 scholarships to students, including young women.

According to the AfDB, its goal is to contribute to the building of high-skilled human capital, especially in science and technology for the technological advancement of the African continent.

One of the graduates – Ufuoma Bright Ighore and her professor – were awarded first prize in the 2nd international Bernard P. Zeigler Discrete Event System Specification modelling and simulation competition in Boston, Massachusetts.

In Rwanda, the bank’s support to science technology and skills development is promoting girls in science and technology and mathematics (STEM) and providing skills transfer through scholarships, professional internships and knowledge transfer partnerships.

In South Africa, AfDB  is contributing to the realisation of an environment for sustainable employment and inclusive growth in the natural minerals and extractive industry in South Africa with the use of science technology innovation, targeting 50% female beneficiaries.

Mpho Phalwane, studying for her M.Phil. in Sustainable Mineral Development, is one of the students supported under this project and is researching the rehabilitation of abandoned asbestos mines in South Africa.

Speaking of her experience, she says, “I believe that mining is a good vehicle for development in Africa, and I am excited about our role in ensuring it is of a sustainable kind. The important work of moving forward does not wait to be done by perfect men. In that spirit, we should then not be afraid to keep trying.”

As part of its programmes in promoting science, technology and innovation, the bank is co-hosting the third Africa Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation in Cairo, Egypt, from February 10-12.

The Forum, with the theme, “STI for Private Sector Competitiveness and Economic Transformation in Africa,” also features a parallel session on “Women in Science: Addressing the Gender Gap in the Field of Science, Technology and Innovation”.

“Creating more equitable and inclusive societies requires that women and men are distributed across the different professions, including science, technology and innovation. This will foster social progress, cohesion and make societies and economies more resilient,” said Vanessa Moungar, Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society at the AfDB.

South Sudan declares end to longest cholera outbreak

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South Sudan declares end to longest cholera outbreak

South Sudan declared the end of its longest and largest cholera outbreak on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 with no new cases of cholera reported in over seven weeks.

South Sudan
Health officials attending to local community people in South Sudan

The fight against cholera in South Sudan has involved a range of partners working together to enhance surveillance, deploy rapid response teams to investigate and respond to cases, provide clean water, promote good hygiene practices and treat cholera patients.

To enhance outbreak response efforts, the government worked with the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Health Organization (WHO), securing 2.2 million doses of the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) from the Gavi-funded global stockpile.

In 2017 more than 885,000 people at higher risk of cholera were immunized in the first round and nearly 500,000 people also received a second round of the vaccine. Due to security challenges, not everyone was able to receive the recommended two doses, which would significantly decrease their risk of being affected by cholera.

“Cholera is a virulent disease which spreads when hygiene and sanitation are inadequate,” said Evans Liyosi, WHO Acting Representative to South Sudan. “I congratulate South Sudan for resolving to tackle cholera with determination. But cholera is endemic to South Sudan and many risk factors remain. It is important to maintain the ability to detect and respond to new cases.”

The outbreak was declared on June 18, 2016 and spread to many parts of the country, including the capital, Juba. By the time the last confirmed cholera case was discharged on December 18, 2017, over 20,000 suspected cholera cases and 436 deaths were reported.

The country is dealing with several complex health emergencies with 5.1 million people in need of health assistance. Armed conflict has forced almost four million people to flee their homes.

Nearly five million people, more than 40% of the population, are severely food insecure. These challenges place a huge burden on the country’s health system, while the sanitation infrastructure needs further strengthening.

“The achievements of South Sudan’s cholera programme are impressive,” said Mr Liyosi. “But in a few months a new rainy season will begin, increasing the risk of cholera. Together we must stay on the alert for warning signs that could signal another outbreak.”

Amaechi expresses belief in Ken Saro-Wiwa’s principles

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Amaechi expresses belief in Ken Saro-Wiwa’s principles

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, said on Saturday, February 10, 2018 that without meeting Ken Saro-Wiwa, the late environmentalist, he believes in his principles.

The late Ken Saro-Wiwa

Amaechi stated this during the inauguration of a pro-APC non-govermental organisation, Free Rivers Development Initiative (FRDI) in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers.

He said that the late environmentalist from Ogoni believed that the people of Ogoni, South-South and Niger Delta were oppressed.

“Saro-Wiwa was killed by the then machinery of power because of his belief that Ogonis and the Niger Delta should be liberated.

“I could have been killed by same machinery of power when we were fighting to install President Muhammadu Buhari because we fought same power that killed Saro-Wiwa, ” he said.

According to Amaechi, some Ogoni sons and daughters find it difficult to identify with the late environmentalist but he identified with him.

“Everybody is now claiming to love Ogoni and know Ken Saro-Wiwa because of election.

“If you love Ogoni, bring projects to Ogoni, train their children because, as governor, I trained Ogoni children overseas.

“I made sure that government paid all the fees because education was one of the issues that Saro-Wiwa died for,” he added.

Amaechi stated that when he was governor of Rivers State, he planned to turn Bori into a big city, and that was why he constructed all the internal roads in the city.

“When I became governor, there was no light in Bori and we brought light from Port Harcourt to the city.

“It was because of poverty I experienced that made me to build primary schools, primary health centres and employed teachers and doctors respectively.

“Today, the current government has reversed everything we did including free education and free healthcare care policies,” he said.

By Omuboye Sukubo

World Wetlands Day: A call to stop slaying of waterbirds in Hadejia-Nguru wetlands

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World Wetlands Day: A call to stop slaying of waterbirds in Hadejia-Nguru wetlands

Conservationists have expressed concern over the way migratory waterbirds in the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands region are being killed by some unpatriotic Nigerians.

NCF
Participants at the NCF 2018 World Wetlands Day event

At an event organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) to commemorate the World Wetlands Day at Nguru, representatives of the Nguru Integrated Farmers Association (NIFA), Alhaji Umar Gambo; Komadugu Yobe Wetlands Development Initiative (KYB-WDI), Mamuda Dan Jaji; and Chairman of the Garbi Fadama Users Association, Adamu Karami, stressed that the perpetrators insert dangerous chemicals/poison in fruits and leaves of water lily, an aquatic plant that birds love, to kill the birds.

Describing the act as illegal, they said that it is not only detrimental to the ecosystem but that it affects the health of innocent consumers. They called for an end to such an act.

“We are really calling on all the government agencies that are responsible for protecting the environment/biodiversity to take immediate action to address the issue,” the trio echoed.

Dwelling on the values of wetlands, acting Director General of the NCF, Dr Joseph Onoja, represented by Alhaji Mohammed Garba Boyi, outlined that wetlands are very important and crucial to human survival on earth, adding that they serve as source of water, food and are essential in supporting and providing hydrological and ecological processes that are vital to people.

Speaking on the theme of the theme of the 2018 World Wetlands Day, “Wetlands for a sustainable urban future”, Boyi observed that 50% of the world’s population live in urban areas and that this would rise to 6.3 billion by 2050, the phenomenon that will increase carbon emission and wastes from both domestic and industries in urban areas.

But this, according to him, can be taken care of by wetlands, if they are well managed, as they can filter the domestic and industrial waste and improve water quality as well. Wetlands, added Boyi, can reliably store carbon and also act as an effective barrier to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

Boyi continued: “They are also the first line of defence against flooding in urban areas, acting as large sponges that absorb the flood waters. So in order to sustain our cities or urban areas we need wetlands. Despite the mentioned values, yet wetlands are declining and it’s been estimated that more than 64% of the world’s wetlands have been lost since 1990. So there is need for all and sundry to put hands on deck to conserve this important ecosystem.”

Ogoni clean-up: Board member appeals for stakeholders’ cooperation

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Ogoni clean-up: Board member appeals for stakeholders’ cooperation

Member, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Clean-up Project, Mr Nnimmo Bassey, has urged the affected communities to support government’s efforts towards the project, by avoiding further pollution in the area.

Nnimmo Bassey
Nnimmo Bassey

Bassey made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt, after visiting some of the polluted communities in Ogoniland

The environmentalist represents the interest of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the 13-member board appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“New pollution can occur where people tamper with oil installations and burn crude. It can also occur where companies burn gas.

“We cannot be cleaning up and continue to pollute; it does not make sense. So everybody should police the environment. Life is more valuable than oil,” he said.

The board member expressed optimism that the exercise was realisable and would come to fruition.

“I am hopeful that the Ogoni clean-up is realisable because of the demonstration work done by various companies on the possibility of the project and the technology to be used.

“They really showed that it can be done.

“I believe Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the consultants will now assess the suitability of the methods especially when they are going to be applied on a large scale.

“The aspect handled by Shell at Bodo City also indicates that with some care, we can actually handle the clean-up. The whole exercise will take about twenty-five years,” he said.

Bassey however noted that the affected communities were very anxious about the project and felt the process was slow, but reminded them that it required time and patience.

“I expect the project to start on a good footing and there should be a clear roadmap about what HYPREP is doing.

“We just need to understand that there are a lot of processes involved in the clean-up.

“The technical aspect must be done in a good way and there should be the political will to see the project through,” he said.

By Dianabasi Effiong

SERAP flays ‘unfair and discriminatory’ Lekki toll charges

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SERAP flays ‘unfair and discriminatory’ Lekki toll charges

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has described the recent toll charges increase at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates by the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) as “unfair and discriminatory”.

Lekki Road toll plaza
The Lekki-Ajah Road toll plaza

In a statement endorsed by the group’s executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, and made available to EnviroNews on Sunday, February 11, 2018, SERAP urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to take immediate steps to reverse the charges “if the Lagos State Government is not to run the risk of undermining the public interests, democratic values and accountability, and opportunities for participation.”

The organisation stated, “It’s time for Ambode to ensure and maintain a balance between the needs of the citizens and residents of Lagos State and the Lekki Concession Company. The authorities should respect and protect the right of protesters to demonstrate against the hike in toll charges and to voice their opinion. International human rights treaties ratified by Nigeria and the country´s own constitution obligate the government to safeguard the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.”

The new rates for the toll charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates were implemented on February 1 by the LCC, managers of the road.

But SERAP declared in the statement: “This latest increase in toll charges at the Lekki-Epe Expressway and Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge toll gates is unacceptable, as it conflicts with the goals and commitment of the Lagos State Government to provide basic public services to citizens and residents. It seems the agreement between the Lagos State Government and the Lekki Concession Company is no longer serving the needs of citizens and residents.”

According to the group, “In the face of rising poverty and economic inequalities across the country, the Lagos State Government should be considering eliminating toll charges rather than allowing the Lekki Concession Company to get away with overcharging citizens and residents and prioritising profits over the public interests. Unless the situation is satisfactorily resolved in the public interests, the government runs the risk of being viewed as beholden to special interests and out of touch with the public good.”

The statement further reads: “The hike shows how profit motive can conflict with public motive.  Accountability principles require the government to ensure that the activities of the Lekki Concession Company align with the policies and activities of governance, and that the Company is not allowed to exploit its monopoly position to charge excessive rates.

“It is the duty of the Lagos State Government, as custodian of the public trust, to take the public interests into account in assessing the activities of the Lekki Concession Company. The government is further obligated to prevent unnecessary and unjustified harm to the public trust and interests.

“Both ‘pre-decision accountability’ in the form of consultation with citizens, residents and other stakeholders, and ‘post-decision accountability’ in the form of taking corrective measures to redress the apparent injustice to those that might be affected by the hike are key democratic and governance values.

“Citizens cannot be mere recipients or purchasers of government services; they must also participate in the act of governance itself. The shift from a participatory role to a consumer role changes the role of individuals vis-a-vis their government from one of citizens to one of consumers. This itself erodes the ideals of a democratic society.

“States contravene their human rights obligations when they fail to take appropriate measures or to exercise due diligence to prevent, punish, investigate or redress the harm caused by acts by private persons or entities.

“At the Admiralty Circle Plaza (Lekki-Epe expressway), cars now pay N200 from N120; sports utility vehicles (SUV) now pay N250 from N150; while commercial buses now pay N150 from N80. Motorcycles now pay N100. At the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, saloon cars now pay N300 from N250; sports utility vehicles (SUV), mini vans, and light trucks now pay N400 from N300. Motorcycles will now pay N200.”

Global summit highlights solutions to end violence against children

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Global summit highlights solutions to end violence against children

Globally, up to one billion children aged 2-17 years – or one in two children – have suffered physical, sexual or emotional violence or neglect in the past year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday, February 9, 2018 that it would be joining global efforts next week aimed at promoting solutions, and reinforcing global commitments, to end all forms of violence against children.

violence against children
The widespread presence of spanking and other forms of violence against children violate a child’s right to equal protection under the law

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will participate in “The Agenda 2030 for Children: End Violence Solutions Summit” scheduled for Stockholm, Sweden from February 14 to 15. Also participating will be HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, 30 ministers, the heads of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as senior officials from development agencies, foundations and nongovernmental organisations.

Violence is the second leading cause of death in boys aged 10-19 years, with a global homicide rate for that age group of seven per 100,000 population. Across their lives, more than one in five children have experienced physical abuse, while more than one in three children have experienced emotional abuse. Around 18% of girls and 8% of boys have experienced sexual abuse.

Dr Etienne Krug, from WHO, says experiencing violence in childhood has lifelong impacts on the health and well-being of children, their families and communities.

“We must not tolerate that half of the world’s children suffer violence each year,” explains Dr Krug, Director of the WHO Department for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention. “The sad fact is that we know what needs to be done, yet we do not do it. Violence is not inevitable. Its causes are understood and it can be prevented; only the will is needed.”

“Evidence-based measures include those reflected in the WHO-led “INSPIRE: Seven strategies for ending violence against children”, namely:

  • Implementing and enforcing laws (e.g. banning violent discipline and restricting access to alcohol and firearms);
  • Norms and values change (e.g. altering norms that condone the sexual abuse of girls, or aggressive behaviour among boys);
  • Safe environments (e.g. identifying neighbourhood “hot spots” for violence and then addressing the local causes through problem-oriented policing and other interventions);
  • Parent and caregiver support (e.g. through the provision of parent training to young, first time parents);
  • Income and economic strengthening (e.g. providing cash transfers to families on the condition that their children attend school);
  • Response services provision (e.g. ensuring that children who are exposed to violence receive effective emergency care and appropriate psychosocial support), and
  • Education and life skills (e.g. providing children with life and social skills training, including the skills to manage emotions, maintain self-control, empathise with others and express themselves assertively).

Strong evidence shows that the consequences of violence go much beyond death and injury. Because children who are exposed to violence are more likely to smoke, misuse alcohol and drugs, and engage in high-risk sexual behaviour, they are also more likely to attempt suicide and endure a range of illnesses later in the life. These include anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, cancer and HIV.

The WHO’s work on violence prevention is reflected in its “Global plan of action to strengthen the role of the health system to address violence” and in its 13th General Programme of Work 2019-2023.

PyeongChang 2018: Olympic Games, climate action share common denominator

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PyeongChang 2018: Olympic Games, climate action share common denominator

As three consecutive Olympic Games move to East Asia, the headquarters of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the link between sports and sustainability is increasingly unfolding.

PyeongChang 2018
PyeongChang 2018: Nigeria makes a debut at the Winter Olympics. Flag bearer, Ngozi Onwumere, and teammates during the opening ceremony

The Republic of Korea’s first hosting of the Winter Olympics, preceding the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, is accompanied by two key fora harnessing the global spirit of the Games to address planetary environmental challenges.

Many of the dignitaries that attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang on Friday, February 9, 2018 reportedly took part in these two important discussions.

The PyeongChang Forum, named after the Republic of Korea county where the 2018 Winter Olympics are staged and organised by the Governor of Gangwon Province, shared ideas on forming a “new solidarity for the Earth and its citizens.” The second, the Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum, organised by the Bank Ki Moon Centre at Yonsei University, focused on ways to attain the Sustainable Development Goals by “putting people and planet at the centre.”

Both the PyeongChang and the Global Engagement and Empowerment fora, billed as preliminary events of the 2018 Winter Olympics, held in Seoul on Wednesday, February 7 and included the sharing of ideas between global experts on how to integrate climate action with sustainable development.

Speaking at the PyeongChang Forum, GCF Executive Director, Howard Bamsey, said the Olympic Games and climate action share a common denominator, with both reminding us we are all global citizens.

“While the winter athletes will test their prowess against each other bonded by the Olympic spirit, it is also possible for nations to come together and develop their economies in ways that are sustainable,” he said.

Mr Bamsey emphasised GCF’s key supportive role after taking part in a plenary session at the Global Engagement and Empowerment Forum where he described how climate change adaptation and mitigation can serve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal pledge to leave no one behind.

“A number of innovative projects in the GCF portfolio show clearly that creative avenues exist where environmental protection and economic development can be compatible,” he said.

Other keynote speakers at these fora included Antonio Guterres and Ban Ki-Moon, respective current and former Secretaries General of the United Nations.

The GCF was set up by the 194 countries which are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with an initial pledge of over $10 billion. Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, the Fund has a growing portfolio of 53 projects, currently valued at $2.6 billion, which support low emission and climate resilient development.

With the world’s attention focused on the winter sport athletes gathered in PyeongChang, a recent study indicates only eight of the 21 cities that previously hosted the Winter Olympics will be cold enough to reliably host the Games again by the end of the century.

The Board of the GCF is set to meet at the end of February to consider further projects to expand its portfolio of support for developing countries.

Lekki residents protest high toll plaza charges

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Lekki residents protest high toll plaza charges

Residents of Lekki in Lagos on Friday, February 9, 2018 made good their threat to stage a protest over the  multiple hikes in tolls collected at two toll plazas in the area, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Lekki toll hike protest
Lekki toll hike protest

On Feb. 1, the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) effected a 100 per cent increase in some tolls collected at the Lagos-Ajah highway and the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, jolting millions of residents.

Leading a peaceful protest, the convener of the protest, Mr Adedotun Hassan, described the toll hikes as unacceptable, unfair and killing.

He said it was unthinkable for a government to impose such a burden on hapless and poorly paid residents at a difficult moment like now, calling on the Lagos State Government to cancel the toll increases.

Hassan, who led a group known as Eti-Osa Development Forum, argued that imposing the toll on residents was inhuman and amounted to double taxation.

He argued that in a democracy, the residents ought to have been consulted before making such hikes, saying that the development would affect businesses in Lekki and its environs adversely.

“Residents are not happy with the situation. The increment is killing, that is why we are staging this protest.

“We want the government to cancel the tolls because we pay our taxes, the amount is too high, residents are being short-changed.

“We belong to the same Lagos State, ours is not different. Is it a crime to live in Lekki? What have we done to warrant this punishment?’’

Another Lekki resident, Mr Murphy Adebare, lamented that life had not been the same for him since the new tolls came into effect.

He pleaded with Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, to come to the rescue of the residents and show human face in his administration of Lagos State.

“How can an administration impose two toll gates within one Local Government Area in the state? This is the worst form of meanness.’’

A cleric Mrs Ngozi Igbokwe, also called for the cancellation of the tolls, pointing out that no genuine reason had been advanced by the operators of the plazas.

“During rainy season you will pity the residents of this area because of flooding. Government has not done anything on this problem.

“Why would the same government allow its citizens to be devoured by greedy businessmen in the name of toll collection?’’

On Feb. 1, the LCC rolled out a new toll regime at the Lagos-Ajah highway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge.

Motorcycle riders are now to pay N100 instead of N50, while cars are to pay N200 instead of N120.

Sports utility vehicles are now to pay N300 instead of N150 while commercial buses now N100 instead of N80.

NAN reports that anti-riot policemen were deployed in large number at the toll plazas to prevent a breakdown of law and order during the protest.

An attempt by some people to disrupt the peaceful protest was immediately brought in check by security operatives.

By Kazeem Akande and Augusta Uchediunor

Kogi earmarks 15,000 hectares of land for cattle colony

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Kogi earmarks 15,000 hectares of land for cattle colony

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Friday, February 9, 2018 presented documents of 15,000 hectares of land for cattle colony to the Federal Government.

Yahaya-Bello
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

Presenting the acceptance document to Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja, Bello said the state would pilot the cattle colony programme.

The governor said that 15,000 hectares of land have been mapped out in two local government areas of the state for cattle colony.

Bello said 10,000 hectares of land had been earmarked for cattle colony in Ajaokuta Local Government Area and 5,000 hectares in Adavi Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the quest to key into the programme was to accommodate the youth, herdsmen and farmers without conflicts and add value to the economic wellbeing of the people.

The governor said the state and its people were ready to ensure the success of the initiative.

“Our visit is in continuation of our efforts as a state to key into the programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in terms of cattle colony.

“This is otherwise known as the conglomeration of cattle ranches programme of the Federal Government.

“We are here to state our interest and readiness to participate in this programme.

“I am here to inform the minister that the people of Kogi State have keyed into this programme 100 per cent.

“We are ready to pilot the programme, our people have been sensitised about what the programme is all about.

“I am here to convey this message in a written letter to the ministry and we will be waiting for your actions.”

The governor explained that the state government would gradually pay compensation to citizens that donated their land for the programme.

Bello said the state had budgeted sufficient fund to ensure the smooth take-off of the programme in the areas of security and equipment.

Responding, Ogbeh commended the state government for keying into the cattle colony initiative of the Federal Government.

Ogbeh said that the country currently had an estimated 19.5 million cows.

“This is about courage. We have an estimated population of 19.5 million cattle now. If we have every individual keeping a ranch, it is an average population of 300 cows per herd.

“We need 1,711 ranches in every state, and 633,333 ranches in the country.

“That is when the conflicts will come because we cannot manage it but if they are closer together, management becomes easier.

“The land belongs to states under the Land Use Act and we don’t have any intention to colonise them.

“I do hope that when the programme works, other states will key in,” the minister said.

On debates that cattle business is private and should not gain government’s support, Ogbeh said the government had also supported crops production in the country.

According to him, cattle contribute six per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 16 states have indicated interest to key into the Federal Government’s cattle colony initiative.

By Ginika Okoye

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