Sports

1,000+ Livestock Feed Inputs Distributed to Bayelsa Farmers by FMLD

Published

2 months ago

August 9, 2026

Joel Ajayi
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has distributed more than 1,000 livestock feed inputs to farmers across Bayelsa to boost livestock production, improve livelihoods and enhance food security.

The intervention was carried out on Saturday by the ministry’s Department of Ranch and Pastoral Resources Development.

The ministry disclosed this in a statement signed by Henrietta Okokon, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the intervention included the distribution of groundnut cake and salt licks to livestock farmers in the state to support animal nutrition and improve productivity.

Representing the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Director, Ranch and Pastoral Resources Development, Dr Hakeem Ibilade, described the intervention as one of the ministry’s milestones in responding to the needs of livestock farmers across the country.

Ibilade said the intervention was informed by feedback received from farmers in Bayelsa, stressing that the ministry remained committed to a responsive and farmer-centred approach to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

He urged beneficiaries to ensure proper and continuous utilisation of the inputs for the benefit of their livestock, communities and the state.
The director also encouraged the farmers to organise themselves into cooperative groups and associations to facilitate effective coordination and improve their access to future interventions and support programmes.

He urged the beneficiaries to take ownership of the items provided and use them responsibly to improve livestock productivity and contribute to the development of the livestock value chain in Bayelsa.

Also speaking, the ministry’s Zonal Coordinator, Dr Uyobong Uko, said the distribution of groundnut cake and salt licks was aimed at improving animal nutrition and boosting livestock production in the state.

Uko said the intervention was part of the minister’s commitment to improving the welfare and productivity of livestock farmers across the country.

He explained that similar interventions were being implemented in other parts of the country, reaffirming the ministry’s determination to ensure that livestock farmers benefited from government support irrespective of their location.

He assured the beneficiaries that the ministry would continue to explore additional interventions and support measures aimed at strengthening livestock production in Bayelsa.

“What you are receiving today is to support your livestock to thrive and perform better,” he said.
The State Coordinator, Dr Bamigboye Segun, said the programme was aimed at contributing to sustainable food security and ensuring the availability of nutritious livestock products in the state.

Bamigboye said increased livestock productivity would lead to greater availability of meat, eggs and milk, while creating employment opportunities and strengthening the livestock value chain.

He urged farmers to pay greater attention to the nutritional value of livestock products, stressing that deliberate investment in the livestock value chain would contribute significantly to addressing food security, employment generation and economic development.

He added that increased productivity in the sector could also create opportunities for the development of export-oriented livestock products, including hides and skins.

The beneficiaries commended the ministry for the intervention and appealed for additional support in the form of livestock production inputs, equipment and machinery to enable them expand their operations.

They said increased government support would enable farmers to contribute more effectively to the development of the livestock sector in Bayelsa.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to strengthening partnerships with livestock farmers and stakeholders across the country and implementing responsive interventions to improve productivity, enhance food security, create jobs and promote sustainable development of Nigeria’s livestock sector. Re write well

Share on Facebook

Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

10 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

Share on Facebook