News in brief:
– Nigeria’s River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) reveals investing â¦198 billion into the country’s economy for agricultural development and irrigation.
– Its managing director expressed optimism about the agency’s future under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) reveals that it has invested at least â¦198 billion into the Nigerian economy to support agricultural development and irrigation, highlighting its commitment to promoting the well-being of citizens.
Maâamun Daâu Aliyu, the Managing Director of RBDA, disclosed this in his keynote address during a three-day retreat for the agency’s management staff. The retreat, themed ‘Water, Agriculture, Climate Change and Developmental Challenges in our Basins,’ was aimed at enhancing service delivery in 2024.
Aliyu revealed that the agency has secured â¦13 billion for irrigation development during the year to further its goals which include promoting irrigated agriculture, creating employment opportunities, ensuring adequate funding and improving water supply.
Furthermore, Aliyu expressed optimism about the RBDAâs future under President Bola Tinubuâs Renewed Hope Agenda and its focus on improving the nation’s food security.
He acknowledged the challenges that the agency has faced in the past, but highlighted its achievements. Some of these commendable milestones are the establishment of a Tissue Culture Laboratory, the creation of an Engineering Design Office, the development of the Challawa Spring Water Plants, and the establishment of a Seed Multiplication and Processing Center.
Beyond the RBDA’s initiatives, a resource speaker at the event, Mallam Jamilu Gwangwazo of the Nigeria Institute of Hospitality and Tourism emphasised the importance of embracing local recipes and agricultural practices for sustainable food security in Nigeria.
Gwangwazo, who presented a paper titled ‘Healthy Living Tips Recipe of Affordable and Hygienic Diet in Nigeria,’ made a case for traditional food, owing to higher nutritional value, affordability, and environmental sustainability.
