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Foreign

USAID invests $15m in Nigeria’s Agribusiness sector to boost 5000 businesses

USAID invests $15m in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector to boost 5000 businesses
By Lizzy Okoji
Agribusiness
Abuja, Aug. 6, 2019 (NAN) The U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday in Abuja launched a 15 million dollars Feed the Future (FTF) Nigeria activity to boost agribusiness to improve at least 5,000 small and medium enterprises.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-year investment plan will be implemented in seven states in the country, including Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi amd Cross Rivers.
The programme also aims at growing the initial 15 million dollars investment to 300 million dollars with an expectation of 200 million dollars in new agricultural finance and 100 million dollars in new agricultural investments.
Dr Adam Saffer, Chief of Party, USAID’s FTF Nigeria activity, said the FTF agribusiness plan seeks to strengthen enabling environment to promote private sector investment in the agricultural sector.
Saffer said that to achieve this, the programme was focusing on three main components, which includes improving ease of doing business in the agricultural sector, broadening access to finance and promoting investment opportunities.
“Nigeria has tremendous potentials to becoming world class producer of grains and feed itself as well as feed the region.
“We believe that Nigeria has the ninth arable land in the world, plenty of good soil, rain, human resources so we are focusing on creating a legal and regulatory framework that is attractive to farmers.
“Secondly, is to get the banks to understand, to be more interested and to reduce the risk of making loans in agriculture, so this could be bank loans but they could also be input loans from the agro processors.
“The third pillar is attracting investment into the agriculture arena, creating new plans, new feed mills and not only bringing in Nigerian investors but international investors.
“At the end of the day, we are looking at the agro business sector of Nigeria being not only able to improve incomes and job opportunities but also better quality food for the Nigerians.
“Lower import of food, better pricing along the value chain. Nigeria is one of the greatest potential to take advantage of the agric sector,” Saffer said.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, lauded the FTF project, saying it is in line with Nigeria’s plans of improving the agricultural sector and reducing the nation’s reliance on oil.
Osinbajo, who was represented by Dr Andrew Kwasari, his Senior Policy Adviser, said that the synergy between the Federal and State Governments and the United States was strategic to achieving the FTF Nigeria plan.
The vice president said that the agric sector was key to the growth of the nation’s economy as it employs the largest proportion of the nation’s pollution, which are the youths.
“When you take 15 million dollars and attempt to raise 300 million dollars that is the way of the future and that is the way spending as an enabler should be done by government and donors partners.
“This is the way that the Federal Government has been working and I believe that we can do more and the more that we can do is enabling the environment for agric businesses to thrive.
“We have seen a lot of progress in working with investors and partners in the agric sector across the country.
“Seeing in this room today the federal government, state governments and the United States working together is a good one.
“I hope to see more of this collaborations and we shall be exploring how best we can further this relationship,” Osinbajo said.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, urged the Federal Government, state governors and partners, to work towards the sustainability of the FTF Nigeria agribusiness plan.
Symington said that it was the hope of the U.S. to see Nigeria growing something, packaging, producing, selling and even exporting agric produce.
“The goal of this project is to mobilize 300 million dollars of investment in Agriculture, amounting to more than N1 billion.
“It is a big piece but not a sufficient piece to meet the challenges ahead,” Symington said.
Governors and representatives of the implementing states present made commitments to ensuring the success of the FTF agribusiness plan as they called for support for a technology/mechanised driven agricultural system. (NAN)
LIZ/BOLA/MST
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

USAID to distribute 2.37m free nets in C/River

USAID to distribute 2.37m free nets in C/River
By Benson Ezugwu
Nets
Calabar, May 6, 2019 (NAN) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says it is distributing 2,376,400 Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) in Cross River.
Mr Godwin Aidenagbon, Malaria Logistic Manager, Global Health Supply Chain Management, said this on Monday in Calabar at a media sensitisation campaign.
Aidenagbon said the campaign was designed to partner with the media on the modalities of the distribution, adding that the exercise will take place across the state from 18 May.
“In this campaign in the state, the U.S. is investing N2.3 billion through the U.S. President Malaria Initiative (PMI).
“This includes the value cost of insecticide nets and the general campaign activities.
“Also, we are going to engage about 11,000 ad-hoc staff for the exercise throughout the state,’’ he said.
Aidenagbon said that the exercise was targeting all households in the state through community outreach, adding that the inauguration will be May 7.
The state Director of Public Health, Dr Iwara Iwara, said the government had provided all the necessary support to ensure the success of the campaign across the state.
He said that the nets have been proved to be very effective and the surest way of checking the spread of malaria.
“It has been proved worldwide to bring down the spread of malaria,’’ he said.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and USAID for the exercise and pledged the cooperation of the state government to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
The exercise will last for nine weeks. (NAN)
BEN/VOE/MST
Edited by Vivian Emoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Malaria: Plateau Govt, USAID to distribute 2.45m mosquito nets

Malaria: Plateau Govt, USAID to distribute 2.45m mosquito nets
By Thompson Yamput
Malaria
Jos, Jan. 16, 2019 (NAN) The Plateau Government in conjunction with USAID would distribute 2.45 million of treated mosquito nets across the 17 local government areas of the state.
Mr Tope Ogunbi, Senior Technical Adviser, USAID-Breakthrough Action Nigeria, disclosed this on Wednesday during a workshop on Demand Creation, Plateau LLIN Malaria Campaign, at the Carter Centre, Jos.
Ogunbi said that the programme was aimed at eradicating Malaria disease in the state.
According to him, the distribution of the nets would commence in March.
He explained that the “demand creation’’ was about Malaria Campaign at getting the message on the distribution of the nets to the people in the 2,577 communities in the state.
“USAID-Breakthrough Action Nigeria is out to ensure that the Malaria disease is eradicated on the Plateau hence the planned Mosquito Treated Nets distribution campaign.
“Our target is to reach out to 2.45 million people out of the estimated 4.9 million population in Plateau state in the 5-Days distribution exercise by personnel who will be wearing Blue Aprons.
“We have a five-year programme in Nigeria with Plateau inclusive on Malaria and family planning all toward healthy living of the people, ’’ he said.
He expressed regret that Plateau had only 46 per cent distribution coverage of the mosquito treated nets unlike Bauchi State which has reached 99 per cent distribution.
Earlier, Mr Michael Pam, Public Health Director, state Ministry of Health, said that the state government was keen at ensuring that the health of the people would not be compromised.
Pam lamented the low rating of the state in distribution of the nets and pledged to ensure that the distribution coming in March records a 100 per cent success.
He said that the challenge the state health ministry was facing was lack of health activities data which could enable the state to key into the Nation’s Dash Board.
The director called on all the 17 local government councils to endeavour to report to the ministry every health activity been carried out in their domains to enable it have a proper data that could enable they key into the Dash Board.
He called on all stakeholders including the local government officials, religious and community leaders as well as traditional rulers to ensure prompt enlightenment campaign on the five days’ nets distribution. (NAN)
TYC/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

USAID launches new $60m urban water, sanitation activity in 6 Nigerian states

USAID launches new $60m urban water, sanitation activity in 6 Nigerian states
By Isaac Aregbesola
Scheme
Abuja, Oct. 24, 2018 (NAN)The U.S Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched 60.4 million dollars new urban water and sanitation activity that will support the efforts of six states in Nigeria.
USAID-Nigeria Mission Director, Stephen Haykin, said this at the launch of the scheme on Wednesday in Abuja.
He explained that the scheme was to improve the health and hygiene of their populations through improved delivery of water and sanitation services.
He said that the scheme which is under the four-year 60 million dollars Effective Water, Sanitation and Hygiene activity(E-WASH) will provide assistance to Abia, Delta, Imo, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba states.
According to him, the scheme will strengthen the governance, financial and technical viability of the water agencies in the beneficiary states.
The six states were competitively selected.
The selection criteria included the willingness to reform, existing functionality of infrastructure and potential for positive impact.
Haykin expressed confidence that USAID’s new partnership with the states could share in their respective expertise, capabilities and resources to develop more professional and accountable water and sanitation utilities.
“It is collaborative development partners and the business community double nature scheme,’’ he said.
He expressed concern that the UN record shows that about 57 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water and each year, water-borne illnesses kill around one million Nigerian children under the age of five.
“There is no question that access to a reliable supply of clean water and modern sanitation services is related to the quality of community life here in Nigeria and around the world.
“Access to these services helps a nation produce strong, healthy and vibrant citizens but the lack thereof leads to millions of preventable deaths, largely among children every year in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that E-WASH would help the six states water agencies demonstrate that better performing water boards would raise the quality of services for their customers facilitate economic sustainability.
According to him, it will also help increase the chance of more fully serving all customers in their areas, including the most marginalised.
He stressed that the Nigerian government was making progress towards expanding access to good water to all its citizens.
He lauded the commitment of the federal government as well as the governments of the six states to improve water and sanitation service delivery to their constituents.
“The strong commitment was a criteria in selecting the states that will participate in E-WASH, and has catalysed strong collaboration between stakeholder partners, such as the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the French Development Agency and the Islamic Development Bank,” he said.
Haykin also said that these institutions were making significant investment to rehabilitate and expand existing water sanitation and infrastructure across the country.
He added that the alignment of these investments with government, and with each other was crucial to their successful outcomes and impact.
The Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, represented by the Director of Water Supply and Public Private Partnership in the ministry, Mr Benson Ajisegiri, lauded USAID intervention in the sector.
He said that the E-WASH was timely because it fits perfectly into the National Wash Action Plan, which the Federal Executive Council recently approved.
“The Action Plan is our road map towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is an action plan that we developed ourselves and we hope that very soon implementation will begin,” he said.
The minister said that there are about five key areas within the Action Plan which the E-WASH fits into perfectly.
They include governance in the water sector, sustainability, improved sanitation, funding and financing, monitoring and evaluation, he said. (NAN)
IAA/UDO/MST
Edited by Udochukwu Ifionu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Environment

6 states benefit from USAID urban water reform programme

6 states benefit from USAID urban water reform programme

By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Oct. 24, 2018 (NAN) The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has inaugurated a new urban water and sanitation programme to support efforts of six states to improve their water agencies for effective performance.

The states are: Abia, Delta, Imo, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba.

At the announcement in Abuja, the USAID Mission Director, Mr Stephen Haykin, said the four-year $60.4 million programme would provide technical assistance to strengthen governance and sustainability structures of the states’ water agencies.

According to him, the selected criteria included the states’ willingness to reform, existing functionality of infrastructure and potential for positive impact.

He said it was saddening to note that no fewer than 57 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water, saying annually water-borne diseases kill as many as a million under-five children.

This, Haykin said, could be prevented with access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and good hygiene.

He said Nigerian Government was making progress towards expanding access to clean water for its citizens, which was done as a priority, and further emphasised in its constitution.

“These institutions are all making significant investments to rehabilitate and expand existing water and sanitation infrastructure across the country to advance reforms.

“The alignment of these investments with the government, and with each other, is crucial to their successful outcomes and impact,’’ he said.

The mission director added that through the course of the programme, the agency would encourage the states’ water boards to emphasise quality towards better performance and qualitative services for its customers.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, said the WASH intervention programme was in line with the National WASH action plan which was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.

Adamu, represented by Mr Benson Ajisegiri, Director, Water Supply with the ministry, said the partnership would help in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

According to him, the action plan has five thematic areas of Governance, Sustainability, Improved sanitation, Funding and also Monitoring and Evaluation, saying the E-WASH programme fits perfectly.

While commending USAID for prompt interventions, the minister stressed the need for making all state water boards commercially viable, stressing that with proper governance structures this would be achieved.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the USAID Effective Water, sanitation and Hygiene Services programme in Nigeria works to improve the availability of clean water and sanitation in urban neighbourhoods.

The programme focuses on ensuring state water services through operational improvements, better governance and accountability for institutional reforms. (NAN)
TAK/DCU
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Edited by Donald Ugwu

Health

Child spacing, preventive measure for fistula -USAID

Child spacing, preventive measure for fistula – USAID
By Uchenna Ugwu
Fistula
Abakaliki, May 26, 2018 (NAN) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says Family Planning (FP) is a preventive approach for Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).
The Country Director of USAID, Mr Iyeme Efem, said this on Saturday in Abakaliki during a public awareness campaign organised on measures to end obstetric fistula.
The event was jointly organized by the USAID Fistula Care Plus and Family Succor and Upliftment Foundation, a pet project of the state governor’s Wife, Mrs Rachael Umahi.
The theme for 2018 is: “Leaving no one behind, let us commit to ending Fistula now!”
Efem said that the programme was in line with United Nations Day, which is celebrated annually on May 23 globally and geared at creating awareness for the public.
“Beside the UN awareness, for us here our strategy is prevention using FP.
“We want to be sure people are aware that birth spacing using FP method gives a woman opportunity to heal and regain herself from previous birth to prepare them ahead of another child.
“We are going to primary health centres in the state for outreach, educate and create awareness to increase their level of knowledge in ending fistula.
“We are to advance the information to invariably prepare a woman to go through birth process,’’ Efem said.
While enumerating benefits of eradicating fistula, Efem enjoined everyone to work towards reducing female genital damage and early marriages.
The FP Coordinator in the state Ministry of Health, Mrs Maria Oji, charged all women to adopt the measure as it is helpful for prevention.
She called on women to take advantage of the upgraded health facilities at 171 wards and 13 general hospitals for antenatal care.
“Birth spacing is very beneficial to mothers, child, family and the society for proper planning of general wellbeing and development of a nation,’’ Oji said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Umahi has pledged to assist women, adding that her pet project has medical team that attends to pregnant mothers and others with complications.
“I had commissioned traditional rulers and religious leaders to create awareness on the best ways to stop the obstetric fistula.
“I encourage mothers to apply birth spacing method when they are not ready for pregnancy and also challenge them to rise up in eliminating bad social cultural practices,’’ Umahi said.
Mrs Jumoke Kuba, Reproductive Health and Family Planning Advisor, also enjoined fistula patients to visit centres for medical attention. (NAN)
UVU/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

USAID distributes 2.5m mosquito nets in Kebbi

USAID distributes 2.5m mosquito nets in Kebbi
NAN-HG-2
Nets
By Shuaibu Tatu
Birinin Kebbi, Oct. 26, 2017 (NAN) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Kebbi State Government has distributed 2.5 million treated mosquito nets in the 21 local government areas of the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Umar Kambaza, disclosed this while inaugurating a committee for the distribution of mosquito nets in Birinin Kebbi on Thursday.
Kambaza noted that USAID was primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and eradication of communicable diseases in third world countries.
He added that the state government has introduced a programme for the total eradication of malaria in the state and commended USAID for its assistance to the welfare of the people.
The commissioner said that members of the mosquito distribution committee were drawn from ministries, agencies, departments, media outfits, NURTW, traditional institutions and religious leaders as well as security operatives.
He said the members were selected based on merit and dedication to offer service to humanity.

“I challenge you to work hard to ensure justification of the confidence reposed in you,” he said.
The Director of Public Health, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan, had earlier expressed readiness of the state towards the success of the programme.
Alhassan assured that all households would receive two long lasting insecticide mosquito nets in all the 21 local government areas of the state.
He called on stakeholders, especially security operatives, to assist towards ensuring the success of the campaign. (NAN)
SZT/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola