NEWS
Olam Agri Commissions Water Project to Drive Food Security, Enhance WASH Policy
Lagos, Sunday, August 25, 2024 – Olam Agri, a leading agribusiness in Nigeria focused on food, feed, and fibre, has expanded its initiatives to improve food security and support the country’s rural Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) policy. Recently, the company commissioned and handed over its Safe Water Project in Kano and Jigawa Sta
(L-R): Alhaji Yusuf Ayagi, Head of Sales, North, Crown Flour Mill; Hamza Lamido, representative of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA); Usman Kawu, Customer Relations Manager, North, Crown Flour Mill; and Mustapha Hamidan Toranke, Secretary, Ajingi LGA, during the commissioning of the Safe Water Project, a Corporate, Social & Sustainability initiative of Olam Agri in Nigeria, in Kano, at the weekend.
(L-R): Sabiu Biyamisu, a Trained Local Area Mechanic (LAM); Abdullahi MaiAngwan Iyamiyu, Head of Chiefs Biyamisu Ajingi LGA; Alhaji Yusuf Ayagi, Head of Sales, North, Crown Flour Mill; Hamza Lamido, representative of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA); and Rauda Musa, Wheat Project Manager, Crown Flour Mill, during the commissioning of the Safe Water Project, a Corporate, Social & Sustainability initiative of Olam Agri in Nigeria, in Kano, at the weekend.
(L-R): Usman Ibrahim, Chief Security Officer, Crown Flour Mill, Kano; Damilola Olatunde, Communications Manager, Integrated Feed & Protein, Olam Agri Nigeria; Rauda Musa, Wheat Project Manager, Crown Flour Mill; Derefaka Derefaka, Project Associate, Sustainability Operations, Olam Agri Nigeria; and Glory Uchola, Admin Officer, Olam Agri Nigeria, during the commissioning of the Safe Water Project, a Corporate, Social & Sustainability initiative of Olam Agri in Nigeria, in Kano, at the weekend.
The project involves constructing three new hand pump boreholes, rehabilitating seven existing ones, and adding one solar-powered borehole. This initiative aims to provide clean, drinkable water to farming communities, thereby enhancing food security, boosting agricultural productivity, and reducing health issues like waterborne diseases. The project is delivered in partnership with the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation, a partner to UNICEF, under Olam Agri’s “Seeds for the Future” program. It will provide safe water to 15 communities, benefiting approximately 34,150 residents and 1,684 farmers across Jigawa, Kano, Nasarawa, Benue, and Plateau states, which are key regions for wheat, sesame, and rice production.
Key local officials who attended the handover events in Kano and Jigawa, included, Mustapha Hamidan Toranke, Secretary Ajingi LGA, representing Ajingi LG Chairman; Muhammad Shuaibu Gaya, Head of Department, WASH Ajingi LGA, Hamza Lamido, representing the Managing Director Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Abdullahi Maiangwa Iyamiyu, Head of Chiefs, Biyamisu Ajingi LGA. Attendees at the Jigawa event comprise Ali Hamina, representative of the Chairman, Mallam Madori LGA, Abdullahi Saleh, representative of the Chairman Sule Tankarka LGA, Engr Usman Usman, representative of the General Manager of RUWASA, and Danlandi Gumel Wakili Sani, the District Head, Danladi Gumel. They expressed their gratitude for Olam Agri’s intervention and acknowledged the project would mitigate the adverse effects of water scarcity on livelihoods, food production, and health in their communities.
Anil Nair, Managing Director of Olam Agri in Nigeria, emphasized that the Safe Water Project is part of their broader Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) strategy, with a budget of approximately ₦6.5 billion. He highlighted Olam Agri’s long-standing commitment to socio-economic development in Nigeria, where the company has operated for over 34 years. To ensure the project’s sustainability, local community members have been trained as Local Area Mechanics (LAMs) to maintain the water facilities, providing them with a source of income and promoting economic growth.
In 2023, Olam Agri’s Global CR&S conducted a food security baseline survey in Nigeria’s sourcing regions, which revealed a severe lack of access to clean drinking water, particularly in the north. Only 30% of the population in this region has access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. This shortage contributes to high rates of waterborne diseases, threatens the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, and hinders school enrollment, especially among girls. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by inadequate WASH services. The Safe Water Project aims to address these challenges and improve the well-being of farmers and their communities.
NEWS
Governor Dauda Lawal Chairs Security Council Meeting, Vows Unprecedented Support for Frontline Troops
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering resolve to back security forces in the ongoing campaign against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes plaguing the state.Presiding over the weekly State Security Council meeting on Thursday, June 25, at the Government House in Gusau, the governor convened the state’s top security brass for a high-level strategic session aimed at recalibrating the state’s counter-insurgency approach.In a terse but firm statement, Governor Lawal disclosed that deliberations centered on reinforcing troop deployments in high-risk zones, fast-tracking intelligence-sharing mechanisms and overhauling rapid-response protocols to better safeguard civilian populations.”I want to make it clear to every service commander in this room; the welfare and operational readiness of our troops remain non-negotiable. My administration stands ready to authorize every required resource logistical, material and otherwise to ensure they operate at full capacity,” Lawal declared.The governor underscored that his foremost priority remains the restoration of lasting peace across Zamfara and he assured security chiefs of his open-door policy, urging them to channel operational needs directly to his office without bureaucratic bottlenecks.With the meeting concluding, sources indicate that concrete action plans are being finalized to boost joint task force patrols and community intelligence networks, signaling a renewed offensive push in the coming weeks.
NEWS
Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies: Fiona Ahmed Ahimie Launches LEADHER Mentorship Session to Inspire the Next Generation of Female leaders
Lagos, Nigeria – June 2026 – As part of activities leading up to her investiture as the 14th President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and the first female President in the Institute’s history, Dr. Fiona Ahmed Ahimie, Managing Director of First Securities Brokers Limited, hosted the inaugural LeadHER Mentorship Session on Thursday, June 18, 2026.The session, themed “Leading with Purpose, Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy,” brought together emerging female professionals and aspiring leaders from across various industries for an engaging afternoon of mentorship, learning, and empowerment.The LeadHER Mentorship Session was designed to provide participants with practical insights into leadership, career advancement, personal development, and navigating challenges in the traditionally male-dominated sectors. Through candid conversations and shared experiences, attendees gained valuable perspectives on building successful careers while creating lasting impact within their organizations and communities.Speaking at the event, Dr. Ahimie noted that leadership is not merely about achieving personal success but about creating pathways for others to thrive.”Throughout my professional journey, I have benefited from the guidance, support, and encouragement of remarkable mentors. The LeadHER Mentorship Session is an opportunity to pay that forward by equipping and inspiring the next generation of women to pursue excellence, embrace leadership opportunities, and break barriers with confidence,” she said.The mentorship session forms part of a broader commitment to advancing female participation and leadership within Nigeria’s financial services industry and the wider corporate ecosystem. It also reflects Dr. Ahimie’s longstanding dedication to talent development, professional excellence, and inclusive leadership.The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, networking, and knowledge sharing.Dr. Ahimie’s investiture as President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers marks a historic milestone for the Institute and the Nigerian capital market, underscoring the growing role of women in shaping the future of the financial services industry.
Zamfara State Executive Governor, Dr Dauda Lawal has commended the troops for their efforts and commitment to the fight against banditry in the state.On Saturday, the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Zamfara Police Command successfully recovered 329 cattle and 175 sheep from bandits in the Gambanda forest in Gummi Local Government.Governor Lawal, while appreciating the troops, described the Zamfara State Police’s renewed efforts as encouraging and promising in the fight against banditry.He said, “I commend the effort of all the security operatives in Zamfara State, especially the Zamfara State Police Command, for its resilience, bravery and commitment in recovering 329 cattle, 175 sheep, weapons and ammunition from bandits.”The police engaged and overpowered the bandits in Gambanda forest in Gummi local government area, which led to the recovery.”This commendable action reflects their tireless work in the face of challenges posed by criminal elements and underscores the police’s role in protecting the livelihoods of the people of Zamfara State.”The remarkable display of bravery and the successful recovery of livestock and weapons highlight the strong leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Bello. His guidance has been instrumental in improving public safety and combating banditry.”My administration remains committed to providing support to all security agencies in their efforts to ensure safety and security for our people.”
Primate Ayodele to Launch 32nd Edition of Prophecy Book ‘Warnings to the Nations’ in Jul
Fidelity Bank Wins DBN Award for Expanding First-time Credit Access to MSMEs
Everything to Play For as the World Cup Group Stage Nears Its End
Regberegbe 1986, 87 and 88 Appoints Deputy Speaker As Adviser Okunrin
