The United Nations Children’s Fund, Bauchi Field Office, has renewed its commitment towards imbibing tree planting culture among the younger generation in the state.
The Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, made this known during a tree planting campaign to mark World Environment Day 2025 at the College of Education Technical Dass on Thursday.
Rafique, who stressed the importance of involving youths in environmental sustainability, noted that they are the leaders of tomorrow and needed a safe and healthy planet to inherit.
“Our land is our future. So are the generations our future. They need to be restored,” she said, emphasising the need for the youth to be actively engaged in tree planting and environmental conservation.
According to Rafique, “Climate change poses a significant threat to children and the environment, and it is essential to involve youth and communities in sustainability efforts.
“Youth are the pillars of communities and nations.
“If youths are involved, everything will go well. They are the energy of the future, and they must be well-aware, engaged, and on the right path to reach their full potential.”
She added that the UNICEF works with youths through various engagements, including WASH activities and climate change initiatives, to promote environmental sustainability and tree planting culture among young people.
Rafique further stressed the need for continuous tree planting and environmental conservation efforts, saying, “We want youth and communities to grow plants every day, and that should continue for years to come.”
Also speaking, the Chairman Dass Local Government Council, Mohammad Jibo, who acknowledged the support of UNICEF, RUWASA, and ACRESAL on the campaign.
He noted that the campaign marked a significant milestone in the community’s efforts to promote environmental conservation.
Jibo maintained his dedication to environmental conservation, saying, “We must work together to protect our environment and ensure a livable future for generations to come.
“I commend the efforts of Dass College of Education and our development partners for organising this initiative,” he concluded.
It rained snails in Cornwall, England. July is one of the best months for raining all sorts of living creatures.
July 8, 1881,
Edward Berner of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, supposedly invented the Ice Cream Sundae when he served a customer ice cream topped with chocolate syrup (used to flavor ice cream sodas). It was a Sunday, and flavored soda water was not served on Sundays to respectable people.
July 8,1870,
Congress enacted the Federal Trademark Act of 1870, the first federal act permitting registration of trademarks.
• National Salad Week (July 7-13, 2025 – 4th week in July)
As part of measures towards boosting Agriculture, a $5 billion Assured Invest Cooperative Trust Fund has been launched by a company known as Mechanized Agricultural Investment and Services (MAIS) Limited to “unlock the full economic potential of our people, farmlands, small businesses, and national future”.
The fund is described as one of the most transformative financial vehicles ever created for the cooperative sector in Africa.
While speaking at the launch in Abuja over the weekend, Chief Vision Officer, MAIS, Mr. Benjamin Aduli, said the fund remained,“A bold declaration that cooperative capital—when properly structured, transparently governed, and purposefully deployed can unlock the full economic potential of our people, our farmlands, our small businesses, and our national future.”
He observed that for decades, the Nigerian cooperative system had been treated as an afterthought—underutilised, underfinanced, and underestimated.
He said, “Today, that era ends. With this Fund, we are shifting from marginalisation to mobilisation.”
He said the fund was particularly historic given that it is demand-driven.
“Unlike traditional financing models that are supply-driven—flooding the market with unsolicited capital, this fund responds only to verified cooperative demand – It is tailored to the real, structured needs of cooperative members—whether that’s a rice farmer in Lokoja, a housing cooperative in Enugu, an MSME cluster in Kaduna, or a youth cooperative in Abeokuta” he said.
Aduli further explained that the fund is backed by institutional capital, governed by cooperative law, not securities law, and driven by clear cooperative use-cases: food production, mechanisation, housing, education, clean energy, and digital inclusion.
He said, “It is not a public investment scheme. It is a secured cooperative financing framework, created by members, for members, and through members.
“The fund will be administered transparently with the oversight of trustee banks, insurance underwriters, and cooperative federations—including our partners.”
He listed the partners to include,
Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria (CFAN), National Agricultural Cooperative Organisation (NACO), Cooperative Housing Federation of Nigeria (COHFON), and Akilaah National Cooperative Federation (Akilaah).
Aduli also said the company would begin onboarding verified cooperative societies nationwide to participate in the fund subject to its terms and conditions.
He said, “We encourage federations, unions, primary cooperatives, and affiliate networks to engage with the Maistrade Ecosystem, access onboarding kits, and take advantage of this generational opportunity.Together, we are building more than a financial fund—we are building a new era of economic justice, where membership equals access and contribution guarantees returns.
“Let me thank every single partner—especially our banking allies, technology partners, and the leaders of Nigeria’s cooperative renaissance—for believing in this vision and walking this journey with us.Let history remember this day not just as a launch, but as the day Nigerian cooperatives stood up—not to beg, but to build.”
Over 3,000 Nigerian products, including cocoa and cashew, can now enter the UK market either duty-free or at reduced tariffs. This is according to the United Kingdom.
The Country Director for the UK Department for Business and Trade, Mark Smithson, announced this move, which is part of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), in a recent video released by the UK in Nigeria.
Smithson in a statement said, “Up to 3,000 products from Nigeria qualify for low tariff or no tariff access to the UK through the Developing Countries Scheme, one of the most generous trading schemes in the world,”.
Speaking further, he said the UK has simplified the process for Nigerian exporters by making it easier to trade a variety of goods, including cocoa and textiles, among others. He encouraged Nigerian exporters to take advantage of the opportunity.
“The UK is open and looking to do business with Nigeria. So why don’t you go to the website and find out more about the Developing Countries Trading Scheme and begin to trade with us?”
The DCTS, which was introduced in 2023, replaced the UK’s previous Generalised Scheme of Preferences. It is designed to cut tariffs and simplify trading rules for over 60 developing countries, including Nigeria.
In a related development,Cross River State government, in partnership with a leading agribusiness firm, JR Farms, has launched an ambitious project to cultivate 30 million coffee seedlings across the state.
A statement to the media on Monday noted that the initiative, which was flagged off in Calabar on Thursday, signals a renewed national drive to position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global coffee market. With its focus on job creation, rural development, and climate resilience, the project is expected to become one of the largest coffee cultivation projects in West Africa.
In his speech at the event, Governor Bassey Otu described the initiative as a strategic move to reintroduce and reposition Cross River as the coffee capital of Nigeria and an emerging player in the international coffee market.
“With 30 million robust and climate-appropriate seedlings being distributed across our 18 local government areas, this project offers much more than cultivation. It is about creating jobs, generating wealth, building sustainable livelihoods, promoting agro-industrial development, and restoring our ecological balance.
“We are particularly proud of the strategic partnership with JR Farms, whose global footprint in the agrifood space and expertise in coffee value chains bring tremendous value to this initiative. Through their involvement, we are assured of technical support, market access, and international best practices in every aspect of implementation,” Otu said.
In his remarks, Olawale Rotimi-Opeyemi, JR Farms CEO and founder stressed the significance of the project, noting that after nearly a decade of working in the coffee value chain across East Africa, engaging over 4,000 farmers, his company was excited to bring that experience home to support Nigeria’s coffee industry transformation.
Olawale, who commended the Cross River state government’s commitment to agricultural development, said the 30 million coffee seedling cultivation project would engender prosperity for the people, ensure rural development, create jobs for youth and women, and place the state on the global map of coffee production.
The JR Farms CEO disclosed that with years of operations in Nigeria, Rwanda, France, and Zambia, his company would deploy its extensive wealth of experience in coffee production and global marketing to ensure the long-term success of the project and help Cross River become a major player in the international coffee market.
He explained that farmers across the state would be trained through a “Train-the-Trainer” model covering agronomic practices, ethical production, and the economics of coffee farming. According to him, 11,000 coffee farmers across the state have been onboarded under the project.
Olawale added that JR Farms would work with the State Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development to establish coffee washing stations in different parts of the state for post-harvest processing and also open communication channels for real-time technical support for farmers.
It doesn’t require a big backyard to grow your vegetables. Small spaces can yield bountiful harvests with a bit of creativity and strategy. Urban dwellers, those with small yards, or individuals who simply prefer a compact garden, will find that small vegetable garden ideas can be both productive and aesthetically pleasing.
These small-space gardening techniques not only optimize limited areas but also add charm and freshness to your home environment. Whether it’s a balcony, a tiny yard, or a windowsill, every little corner can be turned into a mini vegetable haven. Here are ten innovative small vegetable garden ideas perfect for small spaces.
Vertical Gardening
Vertical gardening is a brilliant way to maximize limited space. Utilize vertical structures such as trellises, walls, or even hanging baskets to grow vegetables upward instead of outward. This method is especially great for climbing plants like tomatoes, peas, and beans.
Creating a living wall with a series of small planters can transform a sunny wall into a lush vegetable patch. Ensure that each planter has adequate drainage and is positioned to receive ample sunlight. This not only saves space but also adds a green aesthetic to your area.
You can also use vertical hydroponic systems, which allow for efficient water usage and can be set up on a balcony or patio. These systems can be a bit more of an investment, but are ideal for herbs and leafy greens, providing high yields in a compact setup.
Container Gardening
This is a versatile and perfect for trick for small spaces like patios, balconies, and even windowsills. Choose containers that complement your space and are large enough to accommodate the root growth of your chosen vegetables.
Mix and match different sizes and colors of pots to add visual interest and depth to your garden. This method allows you to control soil quality and moisture levels more effectively, which can lead to healthier plants and better yields.
Remember to choose vegetables that are well-suited to container life, such as radishes, carrots, and lettuce. These plants do not require deep roots, making them perfect for smaller pots and ensuring they thrive in confined spaces.
Raised Bed Gardens
Raised bed gardens are perfect for small yards and can be designed to fit any available space. They offer perfect drainage, better control over soil composition, and easier access for planting, maintenance, and harvesting.
A raised bed can be filled with a soil mix tailored to the specific needs of your vegetable plants, providing them with the nutrients necessary for optimal growth. This can help avoid the limitations of poor native soil.
Design your raised beds to be narrow enough to reach across easily but large enough to grow a variety of vegetables. Strategic placement of taller plants towards the back and shorter plants in the front maximizes sun exposure for all.
Windowsill Boxes
Windowsill boxes are ideal for gardening in very small or indoor spaces. They make good use of limited sill areas in kitchens or other sunny spots inside your home. Herbs, microgreens, and small vegetables like cherry tomatoes can thrive in these conditions.
Ensure the box is deep enough to support root growth and has proper drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Adding a drip tray beneath the box will catch excess water and keep indoor areas clean.
Regular watering and fertilizing are crucial, as container soils can dry out faster and deplete nutrients more quickly than garden soil. Consider a liquid fertilizer at half strength to promote healthy growth without overwhelming the plants.
Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets aren’t just for flowers. They can also be a creative and decorative way to grow vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, strawberries, or various herbs. This option adds a vertical element to your gardening without requiring wall space or large structures.
Choose a sturdy hook and a robust basket that can handle the weight of the soil and plants when fully watered. Coconut coir or moss-lined baskets help retain moisture and give a natural, rustic look.
To ensure success, select vegetable varieties that naturally droop or cascade, as they will thrive in the hanging environment and provide easy access for harvesting. Regular watering is essential since hanging baskets can dry out quickly.
Balcony Rail Planters
This is perfect for utilizing the often-overlooked space of apartment balcony rails. These planters are designed to fit securely over rails, providing a neat and organized look while offering ample space for growing a range of vegetables.
Go for lightweight materials and ensure the planters have adequate drainage. This type of garden is ideal for growing herbs, salad greens, and compact root vegetables like radishes or beets.
Tabletop Gardens
Tabletop gardens are a stylish way to grow vegetables on small patios or decks where ground space is limited. These can be made from repurposed furniture or specifically designed garden tables with built-in soil beds.
Herbs, leafy greens, and other small vegetables are best suited for tabletop gardening. The elevated height makes tending to your plants easy on the back and deters some common ground pests.
Consider a tabletop garden with a built-in watering system for ease of maintenance, ensuring that your plants stay hydrated even on busy days or during hot weather.
Utilizing Fence Space
If you have a fence in your yard, it can double as a vertical gardening space. Install planters or attach pots directly to the fence to create a living wall effect. This method is particularly effective for growing herbs and small vegetables like peppers.
Make sure that the fence is strong enough to support the weight of the soil and plants. It’s also important to consider the sunlight exposure along the fence—south-facing fences typically receive the most sunlight.
This type of gardening not only maximizes space but also enhances the privacy of your yard, as the plants provide additional coverage and greenery.
Staircase Planters
For homes with outdoor stairs, the steps provide an excellent opportunity to set up small planters for herbs and vegetables. This tiered arrangement allows each plant to receive adequate sunlight without overshadowing each other.
Staircase planters can be individual pots or custom-built units that fit the dimensions of your steps. Ensure that each pot has good drainage and that the setup does not obstruct the pathway.
Herbs, strawberries, and even some leafy greens are perfect for this setup, as they can be easily accessed and maintained. This arrangement not only utilizes an often-unused space but also adds a decorative element to your home’s exterior.
Repurposed Items
Repurposing old items like barrels, tubs, or even furniture into planters is an eco-friendly way to add character to your small garden. These items can be painted and modified to create unique, functional vegetable planters.
When using repurposed containers, make sure to clean them thoroughly to remove any harmful residues and drill drainage holes to keep the soil well-drained. This approach is not only cost-effective but also allows for creative expression in your garden design.
Choose vegetables that match the depth and size of the container to ensure healthy growth. For instance, deeper containers like barrels are great for growing root vegetables, while shallow containers are suitable for herbs and leafy greens.
