The Nation Newspaper

Tag: USAID

  • Sokoto, USAID partner on primary education

    The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support Sokoto State’s efforts to improve the quality of and access to basic education.

    A statement released by the Information Unit of the Public Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy, Abuja, noted that the signing of the MoU was done by the USAID Mission Director, Michael Harvey and Sokoto Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    The MoU sets out shared and individual commitments for collaboration by both parties and provides a framework for mutual accountability for education activities in the state.

    Harvey said the agreement supports the government’s goals and targets in its education sector strategic plans as well establishes a preliminary plan for joint monitoring and evaluation of progress.

    “The United States commends Sokoto State for its extraordinary efforts to provide greater learning opportunities for its children. This MoU will expand the partnership between USAID and Sokoto State to improve primary education in Sokoto,” said Harvey.

    Currently, USAID implements two activities that support Sokoto State’s efforts to improve the education sector: the Northern Education Initiative Plus and the Leadership, Empowerment, Advocacy and Development.

    These activities build state and local government capacities and systems that would teach approximately two million primary school children how to read and allow nearly 500,000 children the opportunity to attend classes in community-based learning centers by the year 2020.

  • Sokoto, USAID partner on primary education

    The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support Sokoto State’s efforts to improve the quality of and access to basic education.

    A statement released by the Information Unit of the Public Affairs section of the U.S. Embassy, Abuja, noted that the signing of the MoU was done by the USAID Mission Director, Michael Harvey and Sokoto Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    The MoU sets out shared and individual commitments for collaboration by both parties and provides a framework for mutual accountability for education activities in the state.

    Harvey said the agreement supports the government’s goals and targets in its education sector strategic plans as well establishes a preliminary plan for joint monitoring and evaluation of progress.

    “The United States commends Sokoto State for its extraordinary efforts to provide greater learning opportunities for its children. This MOU will expand the partnership between USAID and Sokoto State to improve primary education in Sokoto,” said Harvey.

    Currently, USAID implements two activities that support Sokoto State efforts to improve the education sector: the Northern Education Initiative Plus and the Leadership, Empowerment, Advocacy and Development.

    These activities build state and local government capacities and systems that would teach approximately two million primary school children how to read and allow nearly 500,000 children the opportunity to attend classes in community-based learning centers by the year 2020.

  • USAID partners Chi Farms to empower farmers

    USAID partners Chi Farms to empower farmers

    The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed an agreement with Chi Farms Limited to empower over 6,000  small holder fish , soya bean and maize farmers.

    The project is expected to add over 4,000 metric tonnes of catfish to the local markets yearly.

    Executive Director, Chi Farms Limited, Martin Middernacht, said the agreement is part of the United States government’s Feed the Future Initiative.

    The partnership will enable Chi Farms to engage small holder farmers to become successful cat fish farmers as well as get the required training for quality standards.

    He agreement he said is part of U.S. government’s intervention in growing Nigerian aquaculture.

    Part of the the terms of the deal, he said will see Chi Farms supply quality feed and quality cat fish juveniles to farmers to enhance the company’s feeding, milling and hatching capacities .

    He said: “This development will add positively to the overall food security in Nigeria. We are delighted that USAID has decided to support the initiative of Chi Farms.”

  • Food security: USAID partners Chi Farms to empower farmers

    Food security: USAID partners Chi Farms to empower farmers

    • Project to contribute 4,000 metric tones of catfish in local markets yearly

    As part of efforts to boost food security in Nigeria, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed an agreement with Chi Farms Limited to empower over 6,000  small holder fish , soya bean and maize farmers .

    The project is expected to contribute to Nigeria’s food security drive by adding over 4,000 metric tonnes of catfish to local markets yearly.

    According to the Executive Director, Chi Farms Limited, Martin Middernacht the agreement is part of the United States Government’s Feed the Future Initiative.

    The partnership   will enable the Chi Farms engage small holder farmers to become successful cat fish farmers as well as get the required training for industry quality standards .

    He agreement he said is part of U.S. Government’s intervention in growing Nigerian aquaculture .

    Part of the the terms of the deal, he said will see Chi Farms supply quality feed and quality cat fish juveniles to farmers to enhance the company’s feeding milling and hatching capacities .

    He said : ” This development will add positively to the overall food security in Nigeria. We are delighted that USAID has decided to support the initiative of Chi Farms.

    “At the same time, it is at the core of what we do at Chi Farms. We are convinced that working with out-growers is a step in the right direction towards sustainable economic development.”

    His counterpart from USAID, Mr Roland Oroh said: “We are very happy to work towards food security in Nigeria with our trusted partner Chi Farms.

    “USAID previously partnered with Chi Pharma, a sister company to Chi Farms, to roll out insecticide-treated nets in Nigeria.

  • Nigeria gets $92.73m from U.S. to fight poverty

    Nigeria gets $92.73m from U.S. to fight poverty

    The United States (U.S.) through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced $92.73 million (about N29.2billion) in additional funding to support the five-year $2.3 billion agreement it signed with the Federal Government last year.

    This brings the total development assistance to help reduce extreme poverty in the country to $474.74 million. It will also stimulate inclusive economic growth, promote a healthier, more-educated population, and strengthen good governance, according to a statement by the agency yesterday.

    “Today we are pleased to contribute additional funding in support of the agreement signed with the Nigerian government in 2015,” USAID, Mission Director Michael Harvey said, adding that “With theleadership, we know this funding will have a significant impact on the wellbeing of Nigerians.”

    In an effort to align Nigeria’s development plans with sector-specific strategies, USAID collaborated with the  Ministry of  Budget and National Planning; Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Power, and Education; and state-level government counterparts to structure the agreement, which is in place till 2020.

    In addition to the developmental funding, the US provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by the ongoing conflict and severe food insecurity in the country and throughout the Lake Chad Basin.

    Since fiscal year 2015, the US has provided more than $366 million in humanitarian assistance and continues to be the single largest bilateral humanitarian donor to the region.

  • Oyo State leads in malaria control, says USAID

    Oyo State leads in malaria control, says USAID

    Oyo State is leading in the control of the spread of malaria and use of contraceptive methods in the nation, Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Dr Michael Harvey, has stated.

    He spoke last week when Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi paid a thank- you visit to the agency’s office in Abuja for spending over $12million on malaria control and other health related programmes in the state.

    Harvey said statistics available to the agency showed that malaria prevalence in children under the age of five years in Oyo State was 19 percent compared to the national average of 27 percent.

    He added that malaria prevalence in the South West in 2010 was 50 percent.

    Harvey particularly commended the role of the governor’s wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, in the distribution of mosquito-treated nets and enlightenment programmes, which contributed to the state’s leadership position.

    Harvey also commended Oyo Ministry of Health for making the state the leading user of contraceptives to control birth.

     

  • USAID moves to strengthen agric sector

    USAID moves to strengthen agric sector

    The United States (U.S) Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched two new partnerships with Babban Gona and Hello Tractor, highlighting the U.S. government’s agricultural and private sector strategy and promoting the development of agriculture.

    Under this $2 million two-year partnership, it is anticipated that access to smart tractors will increase. There will also be improved seeds and and profitable markets for over 45,000 smallholder farmers across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    During a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy, Deputy Chief of Mission Maria E. Brewer described the partnership as a co-investment in public goods.  “Innovation and entrepreneurship hold the key to unlocking Nigeria’s agriculture potential, and the U.S. government will continue to provide support in this direction,” said Mrs. Brewer.

    Under the Feed the Future initiative, USAID partners with the private sector to support smallholder farmers in Nigeria. Through these partnerships, USAID addresses development and business challenges by increasing access to improved agricultural inputs and mechanisation, better quality technical advisory services, and expanding market opportunities for smallholder farmers.

    These partnerships capitalise on the untapped potential of youth in agriculture and help build the capacity of young entrepreneurs to help grow their businesses, create secure jobs, and boost economic growth in Nigeria.

    Babban Gona is a company that addresses the challenge of smallholder farmers by forming strong cooperatives called Trust Groups, which enable maize, rice, and soybean farmers to gain access to new markets and sell at premium prices.

    The company provides member-farmers with services designed to optimise crop yields, production costs, and prices of agricultural outputs.

    This business model helps to increase profitability of smallholder farmers and contributes to household food security and improved livelihoods.

    Through the deal with USAID, Babban Gona will create positive impact for 20,000 smallholder farmers. On the other hand, Hello Tractor, which recognises the need among smallholder farmers for consistent and sustainable mechanisation services, designed a versatile Smart Tractor with eight attachments to serve their needs throughout the farm production cycle.

    Each tractor is fitted with technologies, which enable Hello Tractor to pair farmers in need of services with a Smart Tractor owner nearby via text messaging. The technology allows small landowners access to affordable tractor services to increase their productivity, while Smart Tractor owners are given the opportunity to earn additional income with their machine.

    Through the partnership with USAID, 24,500 smallholder farmers will gain access to tractor services. The partnership expects to train 100 youth entrepreneurs on the business of owning and maintaining a fleet of Smart Tractors.  In addition, some 15 young technicians will benefit from trade skills to repair Smart Tractors.

  • USAID, varsity back 4,150 IDP farmers in Adamawa

    WE  were at home when they told us that Boko Haram was coming,” said Aisha Malafa. “So we left the village and ran to the mountains. They killed so many of my relatives but some of us were able to escape,” she said.

    Malafa’s village, Guyaku, was rendered desolate by Boko Haram.

    She was one of the 4,150 indigent farmers in Adamawa State who recently benefitted from the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the American University of Nigeria–Adamawa Peace Initiative (AUN-API).

    The gesture shone some bright light into the life of those devastated by the terror group.

    USAID and AUN-API donated farm inputs to about 150, 000 people in the state. Farmers in the state received 10kg of maize, 10kg of cowpea and 5kg of sorghum for planting. The seeds, which are high-yielding and require minimal need for fertiliser, were supplied by USAID.

    The farm inputs were distributed in four local governments of the state, which include: Gombi–725 IDP farmers; Michika–1,398; Madagali– 1,522 and Fufore–505.

    Malafa told journalists in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, that life had not been easy for the victims of Boko Haram in the state since they returned to their desolate villages.

    “Boko Haram burnt down everything, our homes, our foodstuff and our farms. So when we returned, there was nothing to do. I am a farmer and all of us in Guyaku are too. It has not been easy for us since we returned. So what these organisations are doing will help us. We will be able to plant our seeds and grow something. We are pleading for more assistance,” she said.

    The President and chairperson, AUN–API, Margee Ensign, said that the institution works with the community to find solutions to challenges faced by its people.

    “AUN has a founding mandate to light a candle rather than curse the darkness. This mandate was drawn from the vision of our founder who thought a university is not necessarily an ivory tower.

    So the so-called town-and-gown relationship was there from our very foundation. AUN works in and with the community to find solutions to challenges faced by its people,” she said.

    “From June 22 to 28, 4150 farmers, spread across four local governments in Adamawa state, each received bags of seeds and food to aid their recovery from the destruction Boko Haram brought on their communities and livelihoods.

    “The seeds and food distribution in the identified local governments (Gombi, Fufore, and Michika & Madagali) benefited the following number of identified IDPs who had farmland; Gombi–725 IDP Farmers; Michika–1,398; Madagali– 1,522; Fufore–505.

    “Because of the hunger and suffering still present in these areas, there was a possibility that these beneficiaries would simply eat these seeds instead of planting them. So the AUN/API also distributed the following supplies to support this seeds distribution initiative in all 4 local governments. Each of the benefiting IDP Farmers also received the following: 20kg Bags of Maize and 10kg bags of Beans. N200 (two hundred) Transportation support to get back to their various wards,” she said.

    Also, 20kg bags of maize and 10kg bags of beans were also distributed IDPs to cushion the effect of hunger. According to a member of the Seeds and Food Distribution, AUN – API, Charity Garba, more donations are expected in the coming days.

  • U.S., DisCos sign $9m Power Africa agreement

    U.S., DisCos sign $9m Power Africa agreement

    The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and three  Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos)  have signed a $9million (N3.2 billion) annual power agreement.

    The agreement is  aimed at improving power distribution and increase connection across the country.

    U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle signed on behalf of USAID while  Managing Director, Benin DisCo, Mrs. Olufunke Osibodu;  Board Chairman, Eko DisCo, Mr Charles Momoh; and Amb. Shehu Malami Board Chairman, Abuja DisCo signed on behalf of their companies.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who was represented by one of his Special Advisers, Mr Lanre Akinsola at the event described the memorandum of understanding (MoU) as a major step in the right direction.

    “It is a partnership through which funds of $9 million per year will be provided to improve performance of the DisCos through embedded advisors.

    “This is another big step towards achieving our roadmap’s first phase of incremental power, by improving the performance of the DisCos,” he said.

    He commended envoy for the love and support he demonstrated to ensure power improvement for Nigeria.

  • BEDC, USAID to sign MoU to boost electricity

    Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) is  to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed at boosting power supply.

    The MoU would enable USAID, through the Power Africa Project to off  and Reforms Program. PATRP is a five-year USAID technical assistance project implemented by Tetra Tech designed to bring more electricity to sub-Saharan Africa by utilizing a transaction-centered approach.

    Tetra Tech, as directed by USAID, is offering to provide commercialisation assistance to BEDC for over a period of about two years, focusing on management support to address losses, strengthen management controls and help with the required performance turnaround in its operations. It has engaged a team of professionals already on ground to man some strategic business units in BEDC in readiness for the implementation of the technical assistance.

    Tetra Tech’s assistance to BEDC, will help demonstrate and implement loss reduction strategies, as well as other improvements to allow for ingenous ways of managing the business to be rolled out through BEDC network and to provide a demonstrative effect for other utilities in the country.

    The MOU signing ceremony which climaxes series of preliminary engagements on the part of the two parties is billed for Hilton Hotel Abuja at 11.00am under the watchful eyes of the Minister of Power, Mr Babatunde Fashola and other bigwigs in the power sector. The MOU will set forth the scope and nature of Tetra Tech’s assistance to BEDC, together with its corresponding responsibilities and obligations. Dignitaries from BEDC will include the Alternate Director representing the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) on BEDC board , Mrs. Adelanke Omojola the Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, Mr Abu Ismail Ejoor, Executive Director, other board members, and senior management team.

    It will be recalled that BEDC in demonstration of its commitment to the provision of improved service delivery to its customers whilst ensuring that power supply connections to its network is not dangerous to the health and safety of the public had embarked on improvement exercises.

    In terms of enumeration for instance, a door to door enumeration of existing customers and potential customers including state of the network has begun. In addition, improved and varied payment channels had been provided with options and convenience for customers in paying their bills.