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Climate Reporter Advocates Indigenous Languages for Agricultural Education

To address the growing impact of climate change on agriculture, Nigerian climate journalist Ibrahima Yakubu has called for the adoption of indigenous languages in educating farmers on climate-smart agricultural practices.

Yakubu, a seasoned science and environmental reporter with African Climate Reporters, emphasised this need following a recent field visit to rural farming communities in northern Nigeria.

Yakubu highlighted the pressing environmental challenges facing farmers, including unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, soil degradation, and flooding.

He noted that these issues have significantly impacted crop yields and overall agricultural productivity. Alarmingly, many farmers remain uninformed about effective adaptation strategies due to language barriers and a lack of accessible information.

According to him, “Most of these farmers don’t speak English fluently, and scientific terms can be confusing.”

Yakubu said, “Communicating climate-smart practices and new agricultural techniques in Hausa makes it easier for them to grasp, trust, and implement what they learn.” 

Farmers Speak: Local Media as a Lifeline

During an exploration of local media’s role in agricultural education, Yakubu found that many farmers are turning to Hausa language programs on radio and television as vital sources of information. These programs offer insights into modern agricultural techniques, pest management, irrigation strategies, and weather forecasts.

Malam Abdullahi, a rice farmer along the Kaduna River, expressed the value of these programs, stating, “Whenever we listen to farming programs on the radio in Hausa, we learn about new methods that help us protect our crops.” 

He added that they have begun utilising compost and adjusting their planting schedules based on the advice shared in these broadcasts.

Despite the benefits of localised media, environmental degradation remains a pressing threat to farmers along riverbanks. Challenges such as riverbank erosion, deforestation, and siltation are destroying vast stretches of arable land, leading many families to abandon their traditional farming practices.

Climate Change: A Reality on the Ground

Farmers increasingly perceive the impact of climate change as a tangible threat to their livelihoods. Many reported declining yields in essential crops like maize, groundnuts, and cotton, pointing to irregular weather patterns and rising temperatures as contributing factors.

Aisha Danjuma, a female farmer from Kano, lamented, “In the past, we used to harvest plenty of groundnuts and millet, but now the rain is either too much or too little. Our harvests have dropped, and we don’t make enough profit anymore.”

The Way Forward: Expanding Climate Communication Through Local Languages

Yakubu insists that expanding climate communication initiatives in indigenous languages is crucial for empowering farmers. He called on policymakers, NGOs, and media organisations to invest in training journalists who report in local languages so they can deliver accurate and engaging content rooted in scientific evidence.

“There is a real gap in climate education at the grassroots level,” Yakubu stated. 

“By bridging the language divide, we can help farmers not only understand the problems they face but also empower them to be part of the solution.”

He concluded his remarks by urging government agencies and development partners to prioritise community radio stations and mobile education campaigns, employing local dialects such as Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. This approach aims to ensure that no farmer is left behind in the fight against climate change, ultimately fostering a more resilient agricultural sector in Nigeria.

 

South African President Criticizes U.S. Iran Bombings

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern over the United States’ involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

His remarks follow reports that Washington joined Israel in a bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday.

Ramaphosa urged the US, Israel, and Iran to give the United Nations “the opportunity and space” to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

There has been mixed reaction from world leaders to the US attack.

Some have condemned the strikes, while others expressed fears of a wider conflict, while noting the threat posed by Tehran’s nuclear programme.

On Sunday, the UN Security held an exceptional emergency meeting called for by Iran, to discuss the US strikes.

UN chief, Antonio Guterres said he was “gravely alarmed” by Washington’s use of force.

“Two days ago, in this very chamber, I made a direct appeal. Give peace a chance. That call was not heeded,” he said.

He described the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities as a “perilous turn in a region that is already reeling”.

“From the outset of the crisis. I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East,” Guterres said.

As Iran said it would continue to defend itself by all means against US and Israeli military aggression, the UN chief said the region’s people “cannot endure another cycle of destruction”.

Guterres warned against going down the “rat hole of retaliation after retaliation” saying diplomacy must prevaila.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acapella To Host Africa’s Biggest Podcast

A veteran comedian Bennet Chinedu Daniel, best known as Acapella has been unveiled as the host of one of the fastest-growing podcasts in Africa, the 234mzanzipodcast.

His appointment follows his overwhelming influence on the cycle of young Africans through his robust comedy engagements.

A production of South Africa-based media company, Real Black Entertainment 234mzanzipodcast highlights issues of common interest between Nigeria and South Africa, including entertainment, politics, youth development, commerce and technology.

The initiative is also designed to create a peaceful atmosphere that will cement the long-standing relationship between the two countries, bringing them together as partners as than rivals.

Acapella is well experienced, having had over 15 years in broadcast industry as a top radio show host. His choice by the management of Real Black Entertainment is viewed as a strategic approach to once again use the podcast as opportunity to unite Africa.

He has also made a name in the comedy world, having performed at big stages and high-profile events across the world.

He has hosted his shows as well as collaborated with others in several successful comedy shows.

Anambra NDLEA Boss Regains Freedom After 10 Days in Captivity

The Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra State, Mr. Daniel Onyishi, who was kidnapped on June 12, 2025, along Winner Road, Awka, the state capital, has been safely released and is currently receiving medical treatment.

According to a statement by the Anambra State Police Command, Mr. Onyishi, who was abducted by unidentified assailants, was freed on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

The police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who did not disclose whether a ransom was paid, credited the collaborative efforts of the police and sister security agencies, notably the covert operatives from the NDLEA Zone 12 Command, led by Mrs. Florence Ezeonye, for securing Onyishi’s safe return.

“The Anambra State Police Command confirms the release of Mr. Daniel Onyishi, the abducted NDLEA Anambra State Director,” the statement read. “He is currently in safe custody and receiving medical attention.”

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr. Ikioye Orutugu, said investigations are on to ensure the swift apprehension of those responsible.

Meanwhile, the kidnapping of the NDLEA director has intensified public concern over rising insecurity in the state, prompting renewed calls for enhanced security measures to combat kidnappings and other violent crimes in the region.

Minister Pledges Advanced Infrastructure Development Through Public Private Partnerships

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to advancing infrastructural development through structured Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

He stated this during the 2025 Nigeria PPP Summit held in Abuja, which had its theme as  “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda,” and was organized by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

It brought together major stakeholders from both the government and private sectors to discuss sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Speaking at a panel session, Goronyo outlined the Ministry’s efforts to utilize PPP frameworks—especially through the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI)—to enhance the quality and management of Nigeria’s federal highways by attracting private sector investment.

Goronyo stressed the Ministry’s dedication to national service, saying, “Our loyalty is first to God Almighty, second to Mr. President, and by extension, to the good people of Nigeria.”

He also criticized certain concession clauses as “offensive” and heavily skewed toward private investors, warning, “We cannot mortgage the future of our country and that of our children. Concessionaires must come to the table with agreements that create a win-win situation for all parties.”

Goronyo assured that all road concessions under the HDMI and similar frameworks will be guided by fairness, transparency, and alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He urged all stakeholders to uphold national interest and ensure accountability as Nigeria seeks to leverage private sector capacity to close its infrastructure gap.

Foundation Sponsors Free Healthcare for Vunerable Patients in Katsina

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A foundation in Katsina State, Dahiru Mangal Foundation, has spent more than N80 million to sponsor urology surgery and treatment for 3,000 vulnerable patients in the state.

A member of the board of trustees of the foundation, Mr. Husaaini Kabir stated this at the launch of the exercise in Katsina.

According to him, since the commencement of exercise, no fewer than 3,000 vulnerable patients have benefited in about 10 exercises conducted previously.

Mr. Kabir explained that during this second quarter of the year, more than N20 million has been earmarked to sponsor the urology surgery for more than 100 patients.

He added that those patients who do not require surgery would be checked and provided with free drugs.

The memner of the board of trustees noted that the gesture, which is part of their social corporate responsibility, aimed towards giving back to the society, especially the less privileged.

According to him, people from different villages within the state, neighbouring states, and also from Niger Republic, are also benefiting from the gesture.

Mr. Kabir said that the main objective of the sponsor was to alleviate the burden of healthcare costs on the most vulnerable people, as many of them struggle to meet basic needs.

He stated that the screening for the outreach is ongoing at the Amadi Rimi Autopaedic hospital in Batagarawa Local Government Area of the state.

The foundation has engaged the best medical team and procured high-quality drugs and medical equipment for the surgery,” he said.

Kabir added that the foundation is exclusively for empowerment, development, educational, charitable purposes, and supporting the poor and vulnerable in the area of healthcare and economic skill.

He further revealed that the foundation, initiated in 2016, had also sponsored eye, hernia, and hydrocele surgical operations for thousands of vulnerable patients.

One of the beneficiaries, a staff of the state polytechnic, Malam Adamu Aliyu, commended the foundation for  sponsoring the surgery did to him saying that he has been looking for such an opportunity.

According to him, his little salary can not afford him to go for the surgery because the expenses are too much, praying to Almighty Allah to reward the sponsor, Dahiru Bara’u Mangal

Other beneficiaries also commended the gesture and called on the government, private organisations, and other wealthy individuals to emulate.

 

First Celestial Image Unveiled From Revolutionary Telescope

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A powerful new telescope in Chile has released its first images, showing off its unprecedented ability to peer into the dark depths of the universe.

In one picture, vast colourful gas and dust clouds swirl in a star-forming region 9,000 light years from Earth.

The Vera C Rubin observatory, home to the world’s most powerful digital camera, promises to transform our understanding of the universe.

If a ninth planet exists in our solar system, scientists say this telescope would find it in its first year.

It should detect killer asteroids in striking distance of Earth and map the Milky Way. It will also answer crucial questions about dark matter, the mysterious substance that makes up most of our universe.

This once-in-a-generation moment for astronomy is the start of a continuous 10-year filming of the southern night sky.

“I personally have been working towards this point for about 25 years. For decades we wanted to build this phenomenal facility and to do this type of survey,” says Professor Catherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal for Scotland.

The UK is a key partner in the survey and will host data centres to process the extremely detailed snapshots as the telescope sweeps the skies capturing everything in its path.

Vera Rubin could increase the number of known objects in our solar system tenfold.

Report shows the Vera Rubin observatory before the release of the images.

It sits on Cerro Pachón, a mountain in the Chilean Andes that hosts several observatories on private land dedicated to space research.

Very high, very dry, and very dark. It is a perfect location to watch the stars.

Maintaining this darkness is sacrosanct. The bus ride up and down the windy road at night must be done cautiously, because full-beam headlights must not be used.

The inside of the observatory is no different.

There is a whole engineering unit dedicated to making sure the dome surrounding the telescope, which opens to the night sky, is dark – turning off rogue LEDs or other stray lights that could interfere with the astronomical light they are capturing from the night sky.

The starlight is “enough” to navigate, commissioning scientist Elana Urbach explains.

One of the observatory’s big goals, she adds, is to “understand the history of the Universe” which means being able to see faint galaxies or supernova explosions that happened “billions of years ago”.

“So, we really need very sharp images,” Elana says.

Each detail of the observatory’s design exhibits similar precision.

It achieves this through its unique three-mirror design. Light enters the telescope from the night sky, hits the primary mirror (8.4m diameter), is reflected onto the secondary mirror (3.4m) back onto a third mirror (4.8m) before entering its camera.

The mirrors must be kept in impeccable condition. Even a speck of dust could alter the image quality.

The high reflectivity and speed of this allow the telescope to capture a lot of light which Guillem Megias, an active optics expert at the observatory, says is “really important” to observe things from “really far away which, in astronomy, means they come from earlier times”.

The camera inside the telescope will repeatedly capture the night sky for ten years, every three days, for a Legacy Survey of Space and Time.

At 1.65m x 3m, it weighs 2,800kg and provides a wide field of view.

It will capture an image roughly every 40 seconds, for about 8-12 hours a night thanks to rapid repositioning of the moving dome and telescope mount.

It has 3,200 megapixels (67 times more than an iPhone 16 Pro camera), making it so high-resolution that it could capture a golf ball on the Moon and would require 400 Ultra HD TV screens to show a single image.

“When we got the first photo up here, it was a special moment,” Mr Megias said.

“When I first started working with this project, I met someone who had been working on it since 1996. I was born in 1997. It makes you realise this is an endeavour of a generation of astronomers.”

It will be down to hundreds of scientists around the world to analyse the stream of data alerts, which will peak at around 10 million a night.

The survey will work on four areas: mapping changes in the skies or transient objects, the formation of the Milky Way, mapping the Solar System, and understanding dark matter or how the universe formed.

But its biggest power lies in its constancy. It will survey the same areas over and over again, and every time it detects a change, it will alert scientists.

“This transient side is the really new unique thing… That has the potential to show us something that we hadn’t even thought about before,” explains Prof Heymens.

But it could also help protect us by detecting dangerous objects that suddenly stray near Earth, including asteroids like YR4 that scientists briefly worried early this year was on track to smash into our planet.

The camera’s very large mirrors will help scientists detect the faintest of light and distortions emitted from these objects and track them as they speed through space.

“It’s transformative. It’s going be the largest data set we’ve ever had to look at our galaxy with. It will fuel what we do for many, many years,” says Professor Alis Deason at Durham university.

She will receive the images to analyse how far back the stars reach in the Milky Way.

At the moment most data from the stars goes back about 163,000 light years, but Vera Rubin could see back to 1.2 million light-years.

Prof Deason also expects to see into the Milky Way’s stellar halo, or its graveyard of stars destroyed over time, as well as small satellite galaxies that are still surviving but are incredibly faint and hard to find.

Tantalisingly, Vera Rubin is thought to be powerful enough to finally solve a long-standing mystery about the existence of our solar system’s Planet Nine.

That object could be as far away as 700 times the distance between the Earth and the Sun, far beyond the reach of other ground telescopes.

“It’s gonna take us a long time to really understand how this new beautiful observatory

works. But I am so ready for it,” says Professor Heymans.

BBC/Jide Johnson.

Two South African Engineers Released From Equatorial Guinea Jail

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Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, have returned home after spending more than two years in prison in Equatorial Guinea on what the United Nations has described as “arbitrary and illegal” drug charges.

The men, both in their mid-50s, were arrested in February 2023 after drugs were allegedly discovered in their luggage. They were sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined $5 million (£4 million). However, following sustained pressure from their families and the South African government, they were recently granted a presidential pardon.

Read Also:South Africa declares state of disaster over severe weather

Their detention came just days after South Africa seized luxury assets belonging to Equatorial Guinea’s Vice-President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang — raising speculation that the arrests may have been politically motivated.

A yacht and two Cape Town villas belonging to Obiang, who is also the son of Equatorial Guinea’s president, were impounded in execution of a court ruling.

We are overwhelmed with relief and joy. The last two years and four months have been unimaginably painful for both of our families,” according to a statement released by the two men’s families.

They were working for the Dutch oil and gas company SBM in Equatorial Guinea when they arrested the night before they were due to return home after a five-week stint in the country.

The families had called for the assistance of the South African government as well as that of the UK government, as Mr Huxham has dual nationality.

South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the Government of Equatorial Guinea for considering and ultimately granting this Presidential pardon, allowing Mr Huxham and Mr Potgieter to return home to their loved ones,” said a post on X by South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention last year called for the pair’s release, saying their detention was unlawful.

Their families say the pair were arrested in retaliation for the seizure of the assets belonging to Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president.

A South African official told the BBC it was for the courts to decide the fate of the yacht and villas, and the government couldn’t intervene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COREN Partners Engineering Firm To Enhance Practice In Nigeria

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The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has initiated a collaboration with ITB Nigeria Ltd. to advance engineering practice across the country.

During a courtesy visit to ITB’s head office in Lagos, the President of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, stated that the partnership with the firm would provide training and internship opportunities for young engineers.

It was reported that, while COREN is a statutory body established to regulate the practice of engineering in Nigeria, ITB Nigeria Ltd. is a civil engineering and construction company.

Report has it, that COREN president was represented by Vice President, Mr Olaolu Ogunduyile.

At the visit, Abubakar underscored the importance of practical experience and skills in engineering practice.

He explained that COREN was committed to empowering Nigerian engineers to compete and practice globally.

He also noted that COREN was a provisional member of the Washington Accord, an international agreement recognising the equivalence of engineering education and professional competence.

“We have seen what you are doing here, but we need collaboration because we cannot achieve this alone. We need training opportunities for younger engineers,” he said.

“We believe your efforts will have a significant impact on the nation. This facility, equipped with fibre optics and power capacity capable of generating up to 1.5 gigabytes, is a giant stride forward.”

According to Abubakar, COREN regulates all aspects of engineering practice and education in Nigeria.

“The council is working on multiple roadmaps to empower Nigerian engineers to be competitive on the global stage.”

He highlighted the example of India, which generates about $44 trillion annually through mobility in engineering and technology, reducing pressure on foreign exchange.

“If we develop our engineers here in Nigeria, it will create similar mobility.

“Even when engineers travel abroad, which cannot be prevented, they will be able to practice their profession effectively wherever they go.

“COREN collaborates with several organisations and recently signed an accord to strengthen engineering regulation and monitoring across various sectors.

“Our goal is to eliminate issues like building collapses by ensuring strict regulation in all engineering fields.

“COREN is not focusing only on the building sector but also on mining, maritime, power, telecoms, and eleven other sectors where engineering practice is critical.”

ITB’s management expressed gratitude for the visit and appreciation for COREN’s efforts in promoting engineering excellence in Nigeria.

They welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with COREN and support the development of young engineers in the country.

The Managing Director of ITB Nigeria Ltd., Mr Ramzi Chidiac, led the company’s delegation during the visit.

Chidiac pledged to collaborate with COREN on engineering training and certification.

He expressed commitment to registering its engineers with COREN, with over 40 engineers already registered.

According to the managing director, the company also plans to establish a training school for young engineers and artisans.

He said that the proposed training school aims to equip students with practical skills in areas like carpentry, welding, and MEP work.

According to him, upon completion, graduates will be certified and potentially absorbed into ITB’s workforce or other industries.

‘’This initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s national skill framework, which encourages outcome based education and certification for artisans and young people without formal education.”

Both parties agreed to work together to make this initiative a success, with potential involvement from relevant government agencies and industry stakeholders.

NAN/Jide Johnson.

 

 

 

 

 

7 Division Nigerian Army Commiserates With Suicide Bombing Victims

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, has assured residents of Konduga Local Government Area in Borno State that troops, along with other security agencies, have cordoned off and thoroughly scanned the affected area to prevent further attacks and restore public confidence.

This followed a devastating suicide bomb attack on Friday, 20 June 2025, at a bustling fish market, which the GOC took an operational visit to the 26 Task Force Brigade Gwoza and visited Konduga to sympathise with the victims and their families.

The attack, claimed by Boko Haram insurgents, killed at least 16 people and left several others injured.

The blast was carried out by an unidentified female suicide bomber who disguised herself, infiltrated the crowded market, and detonated the explosive device.

Read Also: Troops Rescue Kidnapped Victims in Kwara State

A statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of 7 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Ajemasu Jingina, said the GOC urged residents to maintain their trust in the military’s efforts and assured them that every possible measure was being taken to protect lives and secure communities.

“We are dedicated to defeating the enemies of peace and stability, and we will continue to work with other security agencies and stakeholders to achieve this noble goal within the shortest possible time.”

Describing the use of suicide bombers as “the last kick of a dying horse,” the GOC stated that such tactics are often employed by insurgents when they can no longer mount direct attacks on security forces.

He called on the people of Borno State to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.

“We will get through this together, and we will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever,” the GOC concluded.