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FG’ll establish Agric Mechanization Service Centre in each geopolitical zone: Minister
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin.
The Federal Government has planned to establish an Agriculture Mechanization Service Centre in each of the country’s geopolitical zones for training, repairs and coordination of agriculture technologies.
Speaking at the 25th international conference and 45th annual general meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, themed, Standardization and Promotion of Proven Technologies for Agricultural Production and Value Addition in Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the Federal Government would set benchmarks that would govern production and use of agricultural machinery in Nigeria for decades to come.
He said: “Beyond acquisition, our focus remains on standardization, local assembly and maintenance systems, ensuring that every machine deployed is fit for purpose and supported by skilled technicians.’
The Minister said that Nigerian farmers deserve home-grown technologies, “that are developed with deep understanding of our soils, our crops, our scale of farming, and the labour dynamics of our rural communities”.
He, however, encouraged collaboration between Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, representing the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, and Tanta Motors of Egypt.
He added: “The young mould making machine which was originally developed by NCAM here in Nigeria serves as an example of what we can achieve through more collaborations.
“The essence of NCAM Tanta Motors collaboration is to facilitate mass production and commercialization of proven home-grown technologies. I am pleased to inform you that the collaboration has led to an improved young mould making machine. The true model has been redesigned to function both as a mould maker and a ridge maker.
“Giving farmers the freedom to adopt which environment geometry is most suitable for their region and preferred cultivation practice. This collaboration will eventually lead to local manufacturing and assembly in Nigeria.
“This collaboration will also extend to other technology developed by NCAM, including the mechanical weeder, the cassava stem planter, the grain and seed planter, and the multi-crop treasure. All of which are being prepared for standardization and commercialization under a joint NCA/TM branding arrangement.”
In his address, the NIAE National Chairman, Engineer Professor Joshua Olaoye, called on Nigerian engineers, innovators and policy influencers to channel their collective expertise toward designing and deploying affordable, adaptable, and locally manufactured machinery that meet the needs of smallholder farmers in the country.
The agricultural engineer said that the small holder farmers constitute the bulk of Nigeria’s farming population.
He said: “As we celebrate 50 years of dedicated service to the agricultural sector, let this gathering mark the dawn of a new era of purposeful engineering — one that translates ideas into implements, research into results, and technology into transformation.
“Together, we shall drive the mechanization revolution that Nigeria needs for food security, job creation, and national prosperity.”
He also said that the maiden national agricultural machinery exhibition, organised in collaboration with the NCAM, is an initiative designed to bridge the gap between innovation and adoption.
“Through this platform, we are showcasing home-grown and field-tested technologies — tractors, planters, threshers, harvesters, dryers, and processing machines — developed by Nigerian engineers and fabricators to enhance productivity, reduce drudgery, and boost food security.
“This exhibition is a practical demonstration of our readiness to transition from theoretical research to tangible engineering solutions that empower farmers and agripreneurs across the country,” he stated.
End.
Uncategorized
Kwara: Security Team Kills Two Bandits, Rescues Two Kidnap Victims
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A security team, comprising operatives of DSS and forest guards, has rescued two victims of abduction in a forest between Oba Isin/Owa Onire area of isin and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
The rescued victims are 16-year-old Fatima Azeez and Ibrahim Azeez who is five-year old.
The team also eliminated two armed bandits, while others escaped with severe injuries as the security forces stormed their hideouts, according to a report by DSS and local authorities.
The security team also recovered several items from the kidnappers, including one Ak-47 rifle; one single barrel; one fully loaded magazine with nine empty; mini-solar panel; and food items.
The rescue operation is connected to the multi-agency counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping efforts of the government.
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Kwara: Police Launch Investigations Into Killing Of Farmer On Farmland
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has commenced full-scale investigations into the killing of a farmer, Mr Azeez Garba, whose body was discovered on his farmland along the Owa-Onire axis, the boundary between Isanlu-Isin and Owu-Isin in Isin Local Government Area of the State.
The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, described the murder as “cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” and directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those behind the attack.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased left home for his farm in the morning but did not return, prompting his family members and local vigilantes to organise a search.
The search party reportedly found his motorcycle parked on the farmland before discovering his lifeless body a short distance away. Police said the victim had sustained deep machete cuts.
Reacting to the incident, CP Adekimi ordered investigators to deploy all available intelligence and investigative resources to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.
“The killing is cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” the commissioner of Police said, assuring residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Although no suspect had been arrested as of Monday, the command said all available leads were being diligently pursued.
The police also assured the bereaved family, the people of Isin Local Government Area and the general public that investigators were working tirelessly to track down everyone connected with the crime.
“The Kwara State Police Command remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and will not relent until every person responsible for this reprehensible act is brought before the law,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
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Kwara: Joint Security Team Arrests Alleged Cultist, Recovers Firearm
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A coordinated security operation involving the Kwara State Police Command, other security agencies and the Kwara State Polytechnic Security Unit has led to the arrest of a suspected cultist, Agboola Olamilekan, with a locally fabricated pistol recovered from him in Ilorin.
The operation, carried out as part of ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state, was described by the police as another breakthrough in intelligence-driven policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks and reducing the circulation of illegal firearms.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said the suspect was apprehended during the joint operation while in possession of the firearm.
According to the statement, the operation is part of the Command’s sustained strategy to disrupt cult-related activities and deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate within the state.
Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to intensify the fight against cultism and other violent crimes.
“Every successful operation represents another step towards dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety across the state through proactive and intelligence-led policing,” the commissioner said.
The police disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected members of the criminal network linked to the suspect.
The Command added that it remains committed to advancing the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, through intelligence-led policing, strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sustained operations aimed at ensuring that those responsible for threatening the peace and security of Kwara State are brought to justice.
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