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The Iperu Indigenes Forum (IIF) has congratulated the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on the completion and commencement of commercial operations at the Gateway International Airport, Iperu, describing it as a historic milestone for the community, Remoland, and the entire state.

In a statement jointly signed by the forum’s convener, Prince Ladi Olabinjo, Chief Ifasola Saheed Opeodu (the Oluwo of Iperu), Otunba Adebayo Salami and the Media Officer, Temitope Oyekan, the group commended the governor, an illustrious son of Iperu Akesanland, for his visionary leadership and commitment to infrastructural development and economic transformation.

The forum noted that the Gateway International Airport, which is set to begin its maiden commercial flight today, October 7, represents a new dawn for Iperu and the Remo region, as it strategically anchors the Remo industrial corridor and positions Ogun State on the global aviation and economic map.

According to the statement, the airport’s establishment will drive job creation, industrial expansion, investment, tourism, and urban renewal, while enhancing connectivity and accessibility across the state and beyond.

The forum also expressed optimism that the airport’s eventual international certification by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will further link Ogun State directly to global markets, facilitating trade and travel.

While celebrating the project, the group urged the state government to further improve intra-city roads, ensure steady electricity supply, and strengthen security measures around the airport and adjoining communities to support anticipated growth in human and vehicular activities.

The forum also lauded other infrastructural projects associated with the airport, including the road linking the airport to the Sagamu-Benin highway, the ongoing Siun-Ajura-Ogere-Iperu-Ilisan road reconstruction, and the proposed Purple Line Metro Rail from Mowe to Iperu-initiatives it said align with Governor Abiodun’s ISEYA development mantra and Building Our Future Together agenda.

The forum congratulated ValueJet Airline for operating the airport’s maiden commercial flight and praised the company’s innovation and commitment to advancing Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Reaffirming its support for the governor’s developmental strides, the group expressed confidence that the Gateway International Airport, alongside the Special Agro-Processing Zone and the Remo Economic Cluster, will consolidate Ogun State’s position as a hub of industrial and economic excellence.

The Forum also saluted all sons and daughters of Iperu Akesanland, both at home and in the diaspora, for their contributions to the realisation of the project, recalling that vast lands across Orubo, Iragbon, Eluju, Arogbo, Idena, Magbon, Isapetu, Emulu and Ogunmogbo communities were provided for the airport’s development.

The Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), Nigeria’s capital market infrastructure, has joined the global community in marking this year’s Customer Service Week, themed ‘Mission: Possible.’

The annual celebration, which recognizes service excellence and customer appreciation, provided CSCS an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to innovation, resilience, and customer satisfaction – values that have defined its leadership in Nigeria’s capital market ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, HarunaJalo-Waziri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CSCS, expressed gratitude to customers and employees alike for their unwavering trust and dedication.

‘Our impressive achievements are only made possible by your unflinching faith in our audacious mission to revolutionize the Nigerian capital market,’ Jalo-Waziri said. ‘As we celebrate our esteemed customers, I also appreciate my colleagues, whose empathy and dedication continue to make real positive changes in serving our customers and the market at large,’ he said.

This year’s Customer Service Week celebration comes on the heels of several transformative digital initiatives by CSCS, which have strengthened efficiency, transparency, and access across Nigeria’s capital market.

Among these innovations is RegConnect Version 2, an upgraded registrar platform featuring real-time data validation, omnichannel transaction capabilities, and seamless API integration to enhance operational reliability. CSCS also launched the Custodian Portal, a secure and user-centric interface that simplifies portfolio and trade management, document tracking, and share transfers for custodians.

Further expanding financial inclusion, CSCS, in partnership with MTN Nigeria, introduced the *7270# USSD Code Service, enabling investors to check account balances, stock positions, and Direct Cash Settlement (DCS) status directly from their mobile phones, even without internet access.

Jalo-Waziri emphasized that these innovations reflect CSCS’s continued drive to ‘make the impossible possible,’ underscoring its strategic role in deepening investor confidence and digital transformation within the capital market.

The organization also highlighted the importance of its employees, whose professionalism ensures seamless clearing, settlement, and market access for millions of investors locally and internationally.

As Nigeria’s capital market prepares for its transition to a T+2 settlement cycle in November 2025, CSCS reaffirmed its readiness to deliver world-class services aligned with global standards, further cementing its position as a key enabler of market growth and efficiency.

With over two decades of service, CSCS remains pivotal to the Nigerian capital market’s evolution, from the dematerialization of share certificates to the modernization of post-trade infrastructure.

Licensed and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), CSCS serves as the central depository for a wide range of securities including equities, corporate and sub-national bonds, mutual funds, and commodities.

Through a mix of cutting-edge digital platforms, web and mobile applications, and a responsive customer service framework, CSCS continues to deliver on its mission to enhance market trust, investor accessibility, and service excellence.

Amuwo-Odofin Local Government has commenced the construction of a temporary market settlement in Agboju to provide a safe and conducive trading environment for displaced traders.

The council chairman, Prince Lanre Sanusi, said the new settlement would serve as an alternative site for traders relocated from roadways and walkways, while major renovation works, including road reconstruction, drainage clearing, and electrification of the Agboju Market, are ongoing.

Sanusi assured that the temporary market, now under rapid construction, would be completed and handed over to traders within weeks, stressing that the relocation was necessary to ease business activities during the market’s rehabilitation.

The council disclosed that the renovation project will also extend to the Agboju-Badagry highway axis once the temporary settlement is delivered.

Meanwhile, Sanusi revealed that plans are underway to construct a permanent ultra-modern international market at 6 Avenue, Festac Town. The proposed market will accommodate large-scale trading at affordable rates, serving traders and business owners across Festac and Amuwo-Odofin.

In addition, a mechanic village has been earmarked for the same area to centralise automobile workshops and related businesses within the local government area.

According to the chairman, these projects are part of his administration’s efforts to improve commerce, decongest roads, and provide a sustainable business environment for residents.

The National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), in collaboration with CGIAR Genebank Accelerator, national and international partners, last week converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, for a two-day capacity building workshop on strengthening the capacity of national institutions for Implementing and Use of the Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-Sharing of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).

The workshop, held at the conference hall of NACGRAB, featured virtual and physical participants from NACGRAB, Alliance Bioversity-CIAT (International Centre for Tropical Agriculture), International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Universities, Research Institutes such as the National Horticultural Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IARandT), Ibadan, policymakers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other relevant stakeholders.

At the end of series of deliberations and elaborate discussions, participants came up with ways to fast-track approval and implementation of the Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-Sharing in Nigeria.

They listed expansion of awareness to include Universities and other tertiary institutions, NAERLs for extension services and other agricultural-related agencies. Publicise NACGRAB’s gene bank activities through social media platforms. They, however, posited that caution should be taken regarding information sent out to avoid misinterpretation of intention.

Through a communique, the meeting recommended awareness creation to the policy makers, research institutions, NGOs, farmers, traditional rulers, and legislators on the importance of MLS should be initiated and strengthened in cases where they are available by NACGRAB.

NACGRAB is encouraged to attend, present and distribute posters on the benefits of MLS at conferences organised by relevant professional organisations. The meeting also tasked NACGRAB to work with the relevant stakeholders to advocate special funding for a targeted Genebank optimisation project from the Federal Government outside the normal budget system.

Participants at the workshop urged development partners to continuously build the capacity of all stakeholders on the MLS of access and benefit sharing and SMTA, while NACGRAB is encouraged to develop a strong national strategy on communication to simplify the advantages of MLS to each target group.

NACGRAB, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, told to initiate the identification of core traits of germplasm of interest by breeders.

Relevant stakeholders were called upon to nominate an institutional liaison officer for proper communication and dissemination of information with the focal point, while also calling on them to put in place adequate and periodic monitoring and evaluation focused on the implementation of MLS.

The meeting concluded by asking that more farmers should be reached through the users’ engagement programmes on MLS.

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Monday marked another milestone in its transformation journey with the commissioning of the NAF Headquarters Annex Complex in Gudu, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Monday by the Service Spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

According to the statement, the new NAF headquarters annex facility, designed to decongest the overstretched Headquarters in Garki, was described as a bold step towards strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing productivity, and boosting personnel welfare.

Beyond its administrative value, the project also reinforced the NAF’s capacity to project airpower more effectively in defending the nation and protecting the lives of citizens.

Speaking at the event, the Special Guest Minister of Defence, Dr Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, commended the foresight of the NAF leadership, noting that the project reflected resilience, vision, and commitment to institutional growth.

He observed that since its establishment in 1964, the Air Force had expanded tremendously in scope and responsibility, creating the need for new administrative and operational support structures.

According to him, relocating key branches such as the Air Secretary, Standards and Evaluation, Transformation and Innovation, as well as the 051 Personnel Management Group and an Annex of the Chief of the Air Staff’s Office, would not only ease congestion but also provide a firmer institutional foundation for the future.

While praising the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, for aligning the project with his Command Philosophy of maintaining a highly motivated force through welfare and infrastructural renewal, he declared, ‘This Annex is a reflection of the Air Force’s habit of excellence and foresight’.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff explained that the Gudu Annex was deliberately acquired and remodelled to create a conducive work environment and strengthen coordination.

He emphasised that the project underscored the Service’s commitment to excellence and welfare, noting that motivation thrives where efficiency and infrastructure are prioritised.

According to him, ‘the commissioning of the HQ NAF Annex stands as a testament to our dynamism, resilience, and forward-looking posture,’

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, described the commissioning of the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Annex Complex in Gudu as more than the unveiling of a new structure.

He noted that the event represents a defining milestone in the continuous transformation and dynamic growth of the Nigerian Air Force.

Several dignitaries attended the occasion, including the Acting Chairman of the Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Augustine Akobundu; the Chairman of the House Committee on Air Force, Honourable Kabiru Al-Hassan Rurum; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Service Chiefs and other senior officers.

It used to be sad tales of farmers losing every pod from their cowpea to the devastating maruca vitrata, also known as pod borer insect which has the capacity to destroy over 70 percent of cowpea pods while on the field. The story always ends in misery as rural farmers lose their money and investment.

But for Ogenomor Emmanuel, each leaf, each pod, is a testimony against pests, doubt, and fear that innovation can change the story of beans in Nigeria. For him, what was once a modest yield has become exportable quality, and with it, the promise of better nutrition, income, and a country less dependent on imports.

Cowpea is more than staples in Nigerian homes, they are among the cheapest sources of protein, rich in essential nutrients which include protein, fibre, iron, folate, and other minerals. For many households, cowpeas cushion against hunger, especially this period when meat prices have skyrocketed.

Yet Nigeria’s cowpea story remains regrettable. According to data from FAO and other studies, cowpea/dried cowpea production was around 4.3 million metric tons in 2023 yet demand and consumption deficits is still prevalent.

Nigeria is experiencing a deficit not just domestic. Poor quality, contamination (by pesticide residues, insects, pathogens), storage losses, and insufficient yields have meant that Nigeria often fails to capitalize on export markets or fully meet its own needs.

As Dr. Rose Gidado, Director of Agriculture biotechnology at National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) argues, Nigeria imports hundreds of millions of naira’s worth of beans annually to fill its own shortfall.

Estimates place Nigeria’s cowpea import bill at about N10 billion annually. Furthermore, export revenue is lost when standards are not met. The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) reports that failure to meet phytosanitary and pesticide-residue requirements costs the country some US$362.5 million annually in potential export revenue.

On nutrition, UNICEF data show that 32 percent of children under five in Nigeria are stunted, over 2 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, and more than 11 million children face food poverty.

This scary data means that improving access to affordable, nutritious legumes like cowpea (with high protein, minerals, and relatively inexpensive cultivation) could have major public health impacts.

At the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria, a team of Scientists, led by Professor Mohammed Ishiyaku developed Bt Cowpea, a variety genetically engineered to resist the Maruca pod borer, a major insect pest that can ravage cowpea yields.

This move is in response to the need to address the ravaging effect of pod borer, increase yield, improve rural farmers’ livelihoods and drive economic prosperity for the nation at large.

With fewer pesticide sprays required and better resistance to insect damage, Cowpea can help raise yields, improve quality, lower costs, reduce environmental, health and residue risks, and support export compliance.

In 2023 Emmanuel began farming with 5 hectares of Cowpea; by 2025 he is also cultivating 7.7 hectares. He recounts how with local varieties he got 3-4 bags per hectare, often losing 60-70 percent of pods to insects despite spraying 7 or 8 times. With Cowpea, he sprays once every 15 days, and the plant endures.

‘This is my farm. It is about 7.7 hectare of land. I Started the farming business in 2023, I started with five hectares, and from five hectares is where we are today. As you can see, the crop is exceptionally doing well’, Emmanuel said as he wears a smile.

Today, he gets 19 to 22 bags per hectare from the Bt cowpea variety, roughly 5-7 times what local varieties would yield under similar circumstances.

Beyond yield, Emmanuel emphasises quality: ‘There’s one thing about this particular Cowpea, maybe because of the gene it contains, when it is being cooked, it takes less time to get done, unlike the normal cowpea variety that will take up to three hours, before it gets ready, but this new variety takes about 35 to 40 minutes before it gets ready’, he said.

Emmanuel, who is also an out-grower for seed companies, has been exporting Cowpea since October 2024, to buyers in the United Kingdom and the United States, fetching double what he would make in local markets because of purity. The export opportunity has been catalytic, not just for Emmanuel’s income, but he says it offers a model that can scale.

‘I have people who I export to in the United Kingdom and the United States, I sold it at double of what I usually sell in the local market. I started exporting beans in October 2024, the people that buy it from me talk about the purity of the particular Cowpea that was what made them actually key into doing business with me.

‘And it’s a kind of variety. The gene is so pure, the one I planted for the rainy season got me 19 bags and half bags per hectare’, he explained.

For the UK market, standards are strict, the regulatory agency there looks out for pesticide residues, traces of insect damage, moisture content, and overall purity are monitored.

Many Nigerian beans fail these tests, or are rejected, costing farmers and exporters. The NAQS figure of US$362.5 million in lost revenue annually reflects how big a prize is being missed.

But because of its pest resistance, reduction on the risk of insect damage and the need for lesser pesticide application, the Bt Cowpea can meet export criteria more reliably.

Also, the UK is a stable market, often willing to pay premiums for quality, clean, certified produce. For Emmanuel, the double value he gets for export versus local market underscores how much extra income is possible.

When Emmanuel visits his farm and sees the flourishing pods and leaves, his strides animate something larger than farming, his life has shifted. Where local cowpea variety gave him just enough, Cowpea has given surplus, export markets, dignity.

He recalled the pains of waiting, spraying eight times, losing half of the pods, then barely making enough to feed family and pay local bills. But now he sprays once every two weeks, the plants stand strong, the pods fill, the beans are clean.

He sells some locally, but more are packed for export. Buyers in the UK notice purity, no damage, minimal waste, grains that pass residue tests.

For Emmanuel, that means not just business, but also hope. Hope that other farmers in Nasarawa and beyond will follow. Hope that Nigeria can reduce imports and lose revenue. His farm is not just a plot of land, it’s a pilot, a beacon.

Cowpea may not solve Nigeria’s malnutrition overnight. But it is a powerful tool that bridges technology, markets, nutrition, and lives. For Emmanuel, for his neighbors, for thousands beyond the borders of Nasarawa, this seed is more than cowpea. It is a seed of change.

As the export boxes move toward the UK, they carry not just beans, but hope that innovation, when paired with support, can feed a nation, elevate its farmers, and heal its children.

The Ifesowapo Consultative Forum, a consortium of 32 communities surrounding Lisa Town and its environs in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, has announced plans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Bellview Airlines plane crash, which claimed 117 lives at Lisa village on 22 October 2005.

The announcement was made during a strategic meeting of community representatives, where Dr Fola Abati, chairman of the Forum, outlined preparations for what he described as a truly memorable and meaningful event.

According to Abati, the commemoration will include inter-religious prayer sessions, an aviation safety lecture, and outreach to families of the victims. Government officials, aviation stakeholders and members of the international community are expected to participate in the remembrance. To ensure wider participation, the memorial event will be live-streamed, enabling those outside Lisa, across Nigeria, and in the diaspora to join in the tribute.

‘The 20th Memorial Anniversary is not merely about looking back with sorrow. It is about using history to inspire progress. We owe it to the victims, their families and to ourselves to ensure that Lisa is not remembered only for tragedy, but for resilience and renewal,’ Abati remarked.

He recalled that the crash, which drew global attention to Lisa and its environs, led to the construction of the Lisa Memorial Arcade by then President Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Gbenga Daniel, with promises of sustained development. Two decades on, the once symbolic arcade has been left to deteriorate, while the 10.5-kilometre Ijoko-Oyero-Lisa access road remains in a state of disrepair.

Abati emphasised that the anniversary will serve as a renewed call for urgent government’s intervention. Restoring the Lisa Memorial Arcade, he said, would honour the departed with dignity, while rehabilitating the access road will ease the daily burden of thousands of residents who commute between Ogun and Lagos.

He further stressed the need for the site to be recognised as a national heritage landmark, and for the long-envisioned aviation tourism centre to be established-preserving memory and inspiring future generations.

The forum also acknowledged the efforts of the Deputy Chief Whip of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, whose intervention at the Awela River axis facilitated the construction of a flyover bridge. This singular project, Dr Abati noted, has significantly reduced the annual loss of lives caused by flooding in the area.

In addition, the forum commended His Royal Majesty, Oba Oladele Odugbemi for his enduring commitment to the welfare of Lisa and its neighbouring communities. His leadership in matters of security, infrastructure and government engagement has, they affirmed, kept the voice of the region alive in the corridors of power.

The 20th anniversary observance is scheduled for October 22.

In a significant effort to tackle unemployment and foster self-reliance, the Professor Isa Pantami Foundation (PIP Foundation) has provided approximately 250 citizens in Gombe State with a free skills acquisition programme.

The convocation, held at the Al-Waalidayn Charitable Foundation headquarters in Pantami district, marked the successful completion of a batch of training designed to equip young Nigerians with high-demand technical skills.

The initiative aims to create a generation of job creators rather than seekers. The beneficiaries, selected on merit from the 11 LGAs in Gombe, were awarded certificates and given start-up tools to launch individual workshop.

A statement by PIP Foundation official, Prof Suleiman Mohammed, indicated that the training covered practical smartphone repair, alongside cutting-edge modules in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

The extensive curriculum also included mentorship sessions that focused on developing the youths’ entrepreneurial mindset and boosting their confidence as they prepare to establish sustainable businesses.

‘This programme is an ongoing national effort; the training will continue in batches across several Nigerian states. Bauchi State is likely to be the next focus of attention,’ Mohammed disclosed.

The graduation was graced by several dignitaries, underscoring its impact on the community. The excited participants applauded Pantami for the transformative scheme and prayed that Allah reward him abundantly.

The District Head of Pantami, Alhaji Yakubu Abdullahi, commended the former minister, whom he referred to by his traditional title of Waziri Pantami. ‘Our district is proud to have a son of his calibre,’ he said.

Other notable attendees included the Sarkin Malaman Gombe, Alhaji Ahmad Walama; Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Prof Yusuf Abdullahi, a cross-section of academics, politicians, community and religious leaders.

In the heart of Kathmandu, where devotion meets tradition, little Aryatara Shakya, barely three years old, has been chosen as Nepal’s new Kumari, the ‘living goddess.’ She now carries the weight of centuries-old reverence and unspoken expectations that go far beyond divine worship. Here are five of the most profound, often overlooked expectations placed on Nepal’s living goddesses:

1. Embody Physical Perfection

Before being chosen, a Kumari undergoes an intense selection process. She must possess flawless skin, perfect teeth, unblemished eyes, and an overall aura of serenity. Even the smallest mark or hesitation during tests, like being left alone in darkness or seeing animal blood, can disqualify her.

2. Never Show Fear or Pain

Once chosen, the Kumari becomes a symbol of divine power, meaning she must always appear fearless. Tears, fear, or any sign of discomfort are considered human weaknesses unfit for a goddess. From a young age, she learns to suppress emotions that most children naturally express.

3. Remain Emotionally Composed

Kumaris are expected to stay calm and expressionless, even in isolation. Their words are considered sacred prophecies, so every gesture and statement carries spiritual significance. This emotional restraint often shapes how they experience and limit their humanity.

4. Live Apart from the Outside World

As a living goddess, the Kumari’s movements are restricted. She rarely steps outside her palace except for ceremonies, and interactions with the public are limited. While she is adored by millions, her life is one of quiet solitude, watched, revered, but rarely truly known.

5. Transition Back to Normal Life After Divinity

When puberty arrives, the goddess must retire, instantly becoming an ordinary girl again. Many former Kumaris struggle to adjust to school, friendships, and social life after years of being worshipped. The divine silence they were trained to maintain often follows them into adulthood.

The story of Aryatara Shakya is not just about a child crowned as a goddess; it’s about the invisible weight of perfection placed on her shoulders. Behind the incense and prayers lies a quiet truth: to be a Kumari is to live like a goddess while learning to hide the heart of a child.

Nigeria is gradually slipping into a food crisis that threatens not just its economic stability but the very survival of millions of its citizens. The warning signs have been evident for years-declining agricultural productivity, rising insecurity in farming communities, inadequate storage facilities, and heavy dependence on food imports. Yet, little has been done to address the situation comprehensively. Today, the country finds itself at a crossroads where hunger is no longer a distant fear but a daily reality for many households.

One of the primary drivers of this looming crisis is insecurity. Vast farmlands in the country’s food-producing regions, particularly in the North, have been abandoned due to banditry, kidnapping, and clashes between farmers and herders. Farmers in states such as Borno, Zamfara, Benue, and Kaduna live in constant fear of attacks, making it nearly impossible to cultivate crops. This disruption has led to a sharp reduction in the supply of essential food items, driving up prices in markets nationwide. For the average Nigerian family, feeding three times a day has become a luxury rather than a right.

Beyond insecurity, climate change has worsened the situation. Erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and devastating floods have all contributed to the reduction of crop yields. For instance, the 2022 floods destroyed farmlands in over 30 states, leading to severe shortages of staples such as rice, maize, and yams. Despite repeated warnings from environmental experts, government responses have remained reactive rather than proactive. Investments in irrigation, drought-resistant crops, and flood control infrastructure remain far below what is required to safeguard food production.

Another major concern is the collapse of Nigeria’s once-thriving agricultural value chain. Poor road networks mean that farmers who manage to produce crops struggle to transport them to urban markets. Post-harvest losses account for up to 40% of total production, as perishable goods rot away due to lack of storage facilities and processing industries. This inefficiency not only affects food availability but also discourages farmers who receive little to no reward for their hard work.

The rising cost of living Is further compounding the crisis. Inflation, particularly food inflation, has been on a steep upward trend, making even the most basic food items unaffordable. Families that once could afford a balanced diet are now forced to settle for less, leading to widespread malnutrition. For children, this poses a long-term danger as poor nutrition affects growth, learning capacity, and overall health. The situation is even more alarming in rural communities and among internally displaced persons who rely heavily on humanitarian aid.

Addressing this quiet crisis requires urgent and deliberate action. First, the government must restore security in farming communities to allow farmers to return to their fields without fear. Second, there must be renewed investment in modern agricultural practices, including mechanization, irrigation, and access to improved seedlings. Third, building storage and processing facilities will reduce post-harvest losses and create jobs for young people. Finally, Nigeria must reduce its dependence on food imports by strengthening local production and supporting smallholder farmers, who make up the backbone of the agricultural sector.

If these steps are not taken, the consequences will be devastating. Food insecurity will continue to deepen poverty, fuel social unrest, and weaken national stability. Nigeria has the land, manpower, and potential to feed itself and even export food, but only if leaders treat this crisis with the urgency it deserves. The time to act is now-before hunger becomes the defining tragedy of a nation blessed with so much agricultural wealth.

Muhammad is a 300-level student of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.