News
FG Drives Food Security with Solar-Powered Irrigation in Oyo
Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, has emphasized that achieving food sufficiency remains a critical goal for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Utsev made this statement during an inspection tour of the solarisation process at the Pivot Irrigation Unit, part of the Middle Ogun Irrigation Project located in Iseyin, Oyo State.
The minister highlighted that the administration’s commitment to food production, job creation, and economic growth aligns with the broader objectives outlined in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He reiterated that the Federal Government is dedicated to providing the necessary infrastructure and resources to boost agricultural productivity across the country.
The solarisation of the irrigation unit and its connection to the national power grid are key elements in promoting irrigation farming and reducing dependence on costly diesel-powered generators.
“The Middle Ogun Irrigation Project, initiated in 1990, originally aimed to bring 12,000 hectares of land under cultivation.
At that time, diesel-powered generators were used to fuel the irrigation systems.
However, due to rising diesel costs and other challenges, we are now transitioning to solar energy and connecting the facility to the national grid,” Utsev explained.
The minister also provided an update on the progress of these critical upgrades, revealing that 95 percent of the connection to the national grid had been completed, while the solarisation aspect of the project was about 85 percent finished.
These improvements are expected to significantly enhance irrigation capabilities, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for farmers.
Alhaji Dauda Ademola, Chairman of the Middle Ogun Irrigation Project Farmers Association, expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government for its efforts to modernize the irrigation infrastructure.
He called on the government to expedite the completion of the ongoing projects and ensure that additional facilities are put in place to further support irrigation farming.
Ademola emphasized that timely execution would not only benefit the farmers but also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s agricultural output and food security goals.
The transformation of the Middle Ogun Irrigation Project is part of the larger strategy to harness renewable energy for agriculture, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and encourage the growth of Nigeria’s farming sector.
Through initiatives like this, the government hopes to enhance food production, create more employment opportunities, and ultimately strengthen the economy.
It has been reported that the Ebola virus is rising again and there have been some cases. This has caused fear in many, with talks of different viruses spreading.
Amid this concern, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) reassured the people that no trace of Ebola has been confirmed in the country, despite the outbreak in Africa.
FAAN shared that they have been on the lookout for travellers who may have symptoms, and so far there is none.
It has been reported that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has finally released the withheld results of 279 students.
It can be recalled that some results were held due to investigations of cheating. Some results proved to have traces of malpractice and were cancelled, but the ones without traces have been released and the students can finally move on.
JAMB also shared additional advice for students that might have not seen theirs: “Candidates whose results have not yet been released are advised to check their status by sending UTMERESULT to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number used for registration to view their released results.”
It was reported that former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has allegedly purchased a presidential candidate form for the 2027 elections.
It can be noted that Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015.
This information was revealed by Sani Useni, a special assistant who made the claim. Many reacted to the news, with some expressing interest in seeing Jonathan return to power after staying relatively quiet politically since his administration ended.
However, Jonathan has not yet addressed the public or officially shared any presidential ambition.
Luis Enrique Calls Arsenal the Best Team in the World
FAAN Reassures Nigerians Amid Ebola Concerns
