Folarin Kehinde

In a bid to address the challenges of food security, CGIAR, a global partnership that unites international organizations engaged in research and development has delivered climate smart solutions to improve agricultural productivity despite climate challenges in Africa and in extension, the world in general.

CGIAR’s Ghana Convener and International Water Management Institute(IWMI) Regional Representative For West Africa, Dr. Olufunke Cofie while speaking in a recent interview stated that CGIAR has supported the government with smart innovations to help farmers improve their productivity despite climate issues while still contributing to local economy.

Cofie explained that CGIAR having worked with over 70 countries globally has provided smart and innovative-driven technologies to address the challenges of food security through research on agricultural products to deliver a food secured world.

“We have worked with international water institute to combat water challenges, to ensure that during the dry season, what kind of irrigation practices would be the best. We do this by applying research development with national stakeholders.

‘The innovative solution we develop are applicable with rural and urban areas going into the local governments and farmers association depending on the location, our innovation are globally oriented.”.

“We know that food production is done by the rural farmers, our mission is to find transformation in the food climate crisis, our innovations are responsive to climate change issues, drought, heat and tolerant variety things.”

Cofie maintained that CGIAR partner with government agencies to ensure policies that allows climate smart agriculture to thrive.

She stated that Africa is blessed with water resources but some part lack access to it, hence the deployment of smart agriculture solution, adding that it is our response mechanism that we need to work on, with the political will, commitment at different levels of all stakeholders, to develop our water resources very well with appropriate planning to be able to harness the water resources well.

In a bid to address the challenges of food security, CGIAR, a global partnership that unites international organizations engaged in research and development has delivered smart climate solutions to improve agricultural productivity despite climate challenges in Africa and in extension, the world in general.

CGIAR’s Ghana Convener and International Water Management Institute(IWMI) Regional Representative For West Africa, Dr. Olufunke Cofie while speaking in a recent interview stated that CGIAR has supported the government with smart innovations to help farmers improve their productivity despite climate issues while still contributing to local economy.

Cofie explained that CGIAR having worked with over 70 countries globally has provided smart and innovative-driven technologies to address the challenges of food security through research on agricultural products to deliver a food secured world.

“We have worked with international water institute to combat water challenges, to ensure that during the dry season, what kind of irrigation practices would be the best. We do this by applying research development with national stakeholders.

‘The innovative solution we develop are applicable with rural and urban areas going into the local governments and farmers association depending on the location, our innovation are globally oriented.”.

“We know that food production is done by the rural farmers, our mission is to find transformation in the food climate crisis, our innovations are responsive to climate change issues, drought, heat and tolerant variety things.”

Cofie maintained that CGIAR partner with government agencies to ensure policies that allows climate smart agriculture to thrive.

She stated that Africa is blessed with water resources but some part lack access to it, hence the deployment of smart agriculture solution, adding that it is our response mechanism that we need to work on, with the political will, commitment at different levels of all stakeholders, to develop our water resources very well with appropriate planning to be able to harness the water resources well.

A yet-to-be-identified Nigerian nurse in the United Kingdom has been reportedly sacked by the management of her hospital after she was found praying for an elderly patient.

The self-acclaimed online doctor, Harvey Olufunmilayo, disclosed this via his X handle, @drolufunmilayo, on Thursday.

Although PUNCH Metro cannot verify this claim as of the time this report was filed, the doctor narrated the incident to warn Nigerian doctors moving to the UK not to pray for patients.

He also claimed that the said Nigerian health worker was further deported for what he believed was unethical for health workers in the UK to bring religion to their work.

The X user added that it is not customary for nurses to pray for patients, but they can ask for a cleric to carry out any religious service on patients, regardless of whether they want them (the nurses) to do so.

He wrote, “I just read the sad story of a Nigerian who came to the UK and was employed by an agency to work as a caregiver for elderly people. She was assigned to care for an elderly patient who was dying, and she was reported for ‘praying for the client to get better’. Yeah. She got sacked and deported.

“Praying for your patient is seen as an abuse of trust and misuse of your position. You are expected to simply do and focus on your job.”

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said all women have the spirit of witchcraft.

Speaking when he hosted the cast of the Real Housewives of Lagos in his Palace, the Ooni said women possessed the power to manipulate people.

Ooni said “every woman has a manipulative spirit” which black people refer to as witchcraft.

According to Ooni: “The world should be a better place, especially for women. You are very powerful. You rule the world.

“Your power is limitless. You have so many influences on society.

“The black people would say witchcraft. Every woman has that witchcraft spirit in them. You know people just probably think it is a negative thing. But witchcraft is all about manipulation.

“If you know how to manipulate very well. And then that is the power of a woman. You have a natural manipulative spirit. And you should manipulate in a very positive way. You are good witches.”

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has banned the use of ‘Ghana Must Go’ sacks by passengers at all airports in the country.

According to a circular by FAAN, titled, ‘Re: Prohibition of Usage Of Ghana Must Go’, signed by Manager, Airport Services, Henok Gizachew, the ban is particularly for passengers travelling through the country’s international airports.

Gizachew stated that the sack was banned by the authority as it has cost the airlines huge loss and also damaged the airports conveyor belt system.

He noted that passengers who wish to use ‘Ghana Must Go’ to travel must have the same well package in carton or hardcover of rectangular size.

The use of the ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags have been attributed to the breakdown of many of the country’s airports’ conveyor belt systems and one that has put enormous costs on the shoulders of the airport authority.

The popular Ghana Must Go sack which comes in different sizes is very popular among many Nigerian travellers due to its light weight and capacity to carry more loads.

In a harrowing turn of events, the families of the prospective corps members from Akwa Ibom State, abducted on August 17, 2023, en route to their orientation camp in Sokoto State, have continued to endure unimaginable distress.

The abductors, demanding exorbitant ransoms for their release, have plunged the families into a state of desperation.

Mr Mfon Friday, a member of the affected families, revealed to Vanguard that the escalating demand for ransom has reached a staggering N30.8 million.

Expressing vehement frustration and concern, he recounted the parents’ ordeal in facing the kidnappers’ demands.

He said the captors had not released the victims despite payments totalling N30.8 million, including a previous payment of N17.2 million and an additional N13.6 million.

“Our children are still in Zamfara bush, including the driver of AKTC, and it is over 100 days since they were kidnapped,” lamented Friday.

“The kidnappers demanded another N70 million this week, threatening dire consequences if the amount isn’t paid promptly,” he added.

According to a source within the affected families who spoke on condition of anonymity, the released female victims from last month were seriously ill, and the remaining seven captives are reportedly unwell.

The kidnappers’ demands for a substantial ransom allegedly stem from the sickness of the corp members, heightening fears for their safety.

The families’ desperation has led to a plea for urgent intervention from government authorities, well-meaning citizens, and the general public.

One of the victim’s siblings, who spoke in confidence after the affected families met in Uyo on Tuesday, disclosed that the abductors were paid the N17.2 million ransom before they released the female victims last month, who they gathered were seriously sick.

In fact, I learned that the remaining seven have also fallen seriously sick, and that is why the kidnappers are demanding this huge ransom and threatening that if we don’t pay very soon, those children will die. I am scared; I don’t want my sister to die. We are orphans, we struggled to go to school,” she lamented.

The absence of swift action to rescue these young graduates has fueled frustration and anxiety among the families, prompting calls for immediate assistance to prevent a tragic outcome.