The Federal Government on Friday said further investigations into the shooting of a personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS around a Chinese company in Niger State, have shown that the officer was not targeted.

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Minister of Interior, Babatunde Alao in an updated statement said “the officer was hit by a stray bullet that was neither shot on the order of the Chinese company nor its employee”.

Accordingly, he said the Federal Government has launched full scale investigation into the shooting of the personnel in collaboration with other security agencies.

“This is to unravel the detailed circumstances surrounding the shooting while giving assurance that anyone found culpable will be brought to book.

“The Minister reaffirms his strong commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity, and professional integrity of all law enforcement officers.

“He emphasizes the government’s ongoing support for law-abiding businesses in Nigeria and reiterates the Ministry of Interior’s dedication to fostering strong partnerships with foreign nationals, aiming to build sustainable collaboration for social economic development”, the statement added.

The Kano State Police Command has announced a ban on all Durbar activities for the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr celebrations, citing security threats and the need to maintain public order.

The decision was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, during a press briefing at the Bompai Police Headquarters on Friday.

He explained that intelligence reports indicated plans by certain elements to exploit the event for disruptive activities.

“In light of credible intelligence suggesting potential security threats, and after consultations with the Kano State Government and key stakeholders, we have decided to suspend all Durbar activities this year,” Bakori stated.

The Durbar, a long-standing tradition that features royal horse processions and cultural displays, is a central part of Sallah celebrations in Kano. However, concerns over public safety have led to its prohibition this year.

Bakori assured residents that the police and other security agencies had put measures in place to ensure a peaceful celebration.

He urged worshippers attending Eid prayers at designated grounds to follow security guidelines and avoid bringing items that could raise suspicion.

Additionally, he warned against reckless behaviors such as horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, and disorderly conduct.

He also called on parents and guardians to prevent their children from being used by groups seeking to instigate unrest.

“As we mark this important religious occasion, we must prioritize peace and security. Let us all act responsibly to protect the safety and harmony of our state,” he added.

The police further encouraged residents to cooperate with security operatives and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Our correspondent gathered that while some residents have expressed disappointment over the suspension of the Durbar, others believe the move is necessary given the prevailing security concerns.

The Kano State Government has yet to officially comment on the decision.

As the food and nutrition crisis is set to hit over 33.1 million Nigerians by August 2025, the Federal Government, yesterday, charged academic institutions to transform unused lands into food production hubs.

The call was made by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Food Security, Barrister Yejide Ogundipe, while delivering a speech on ‘Food Security and the Role of Research Institutions in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, at a quarterly meeting of provost of national committees of agricultural research institutes and related matters.

Ogundipe also expressed concern that over the years Nigeria has been referred to as having “agricultural potential”, but “potential alone does not fill empty stomachs.”

Meanwhile, she pointed out that the agricultural research institutions occupy a strategic position and play a key role in achieving food security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to her, the Tinubu-led administration has put the nation’s agricultural sector in the front burner as he had demonstrated a strong political will to change the narrative as he made food security a core priority under his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

She also added that agricultural education institutions should extend their focus beyond production and provide training on post-harvest management solutions to reduce food losses and improve food availability.

She said: “Despite agriculture’s critical role in our economy, Nigeria still struggles to feed itself. “For decades, our nation has been described as one filled with promise and vast agricultural potential. Yet, as we all know, potential alone does not fill empty stomachs.

“Furthermore, Colleges and Research Institutes must transition agriculture from being purely theoretical to practical, actively engaging in farming for food production.

“Academic institutions in Nigeria possess vast tracts of unused land that can be repurposed for food production and food processing hubs. These institutions can help curb the food crisis by involving undergraduates and youth from local communities in farming activities, while adopting modern agricultural practices and tools. This initiative will not only provide food for university residents and host communities but also cultivate a new generation of skilled agricultural practitioners.”

However, she noted that agricultural productivity remains low, and food production has not kept pace with Nigeria’s rapidly growing population. Several challenges, including insecurity, climate change, and outdated farming practices, continue to hinder progress in the sector.

Therefore, she highlighted that the President recognizing the urgent need for action, the President took three strategic steps immediately after assuming office: Declaration of state of emergency on food security on July 13, 2023.Renaming the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasizing the government’s renewed focus on ensuring food availability for all Nigerians.

Also he created the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Food Security, with a clear mandate to drive policy integration, promote sustainable food production and supply, and enhance stakeholder coordination in tackling food insecurity.

She also urged Nigerians and relevant agricultural institutions to work in synergy and not in silos to act now, because, “Food security is not merely a policy agenda — it is a national imperative. We must leverage the knowledge and expertise within our research institutions and educational bodies to address the pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“Through collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to progress, we can transform agriculture into a thriving and sustainable sector that guarantees food for every Nigerian. Let us work together to turn our agricultural potential into reality.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, ARCN, Garba Sharubutu, and other officials commended the efforts of the Tinubu-led administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food and nutrition security, and assured their support and readiness to assiduously work with the Tinubu administration to ensure that agricultural colleges receive the necessary resources to drive innovation and productivity in the sector.

However, in a remark, the President of the National Committee of Agricultural Research Institutes and Related Matters and Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Dr Fadiyimu Akinyemi, lamented the neglect of Colleges of Agriculture as they struggle to survive in terms of lack of funding and institutional support, which they have been longing and begging for but had always bypassed them, therefore, the nation’s agricultural sector has been in a deep crisis.

“Universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education receive intervention funds, but agricultural colleges get nothing. Who will explain why?” he questioned.

He also alleged that Colleges of Agriculture do not benefit from TETFund interventions, while speaking on lack of access by the agric colleges to commercial bank loans, or even private sponsorships, which are areas that would have boost the productivity of the colleges to salvage Nigeria from the current food crisis.

“A rare opportunity for private funding arose in 2023 when an individual proposed a research centre, but bureaucracy has stalled the initiative.

“Despite their hands-on approach, they remain underfunded, unrecognized, and institutionally invisible”, he lamented.

Meanwhile, stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism that the panacea to food security and performance by research institutes is for government and donor agencies to increase and improve funding, sustainable policy implementation process devoid of politicisation, and genuine collaborative efforts, and also assured that if the right things are put in place and done Nigeria’s agricultural colleges will galvanize the sector.