Politics
We Are Training, Empowering Farmers To Enhance Food Production, Tackle Food Insecurity In Edo;—Obaseki
FROM Lateef Taiwo
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government has sustained efforts to empower and support farmers in the State, building their capacity and providing them with the tools and incentives to enhance food production and tackle food insecurity in the State.
The governor, stated this in Benin City while speaking on the current situation of investment in agriculture as to diversify the state’s economy.
According to the governor, “Food security and agricultural self-sufficiency is a priority for us and we are making investments in this regard, providing our farmers with training and support. Interestingly, we have got the commitment from our partners to make investment in a modern farm from where we will propagate day-old chicks and get them into the market.
Obaseki said, We should understand that we need to go back the value chain and think of how to produce the grains, vitamins, feeds and all needed to grow the poultry business.
‘Training the capacity and knowledge of farmers is crucial in achieving this success and as a State, we are learning and also partnering in other core areas like the oil palm.”
According to him, Last year the state gave out 60,000 hectares of new farmland to estate farmers in oil palm which is under cultivation. The lessons out there are to work with our partners to build the institution to train human capacity, extension workers, and farmers to help us understand what is going on, support the farmers and monitor what they are doing to guarantee their yield and help them make money and sustain their business.”
[7/9, 1:16 PM] +234 817 439 1357: 2023 Farming Season: FCT Farmers to Enjoy Bumper Harvest
By Lateef Taiwo
In view of the measured currently put in place for farmers by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), bumper harvest appears to be in sight for them in this farming season.
Indication to this emerged based on assurance given by the Acting Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mallam Ishaq Abubakar Sadeeq, during a visit to Agric Warehouses in the six Area Councils of territory.
He said that the visit was to monitor the distribution of assorted Agricultural inputs that were procured by the FCT Administration to bolster Agricultural production in the 2023 farming season.
According to him, the intervention by the FCT Administration was part of its strategies to reposition the Agricultural sector towards realizing the objective of achieving self-sufficiency in food production, increase agricultural earnings and creating opportunities to facilitate the growth of Agricultural value chains and jobs for teeming population of the FCT.
His words: ”The FCT Administration is hoping that this intervention will help to ensure that farmers, particularly at the grassroot levels have access to critical inputs at affordable rates, which is sold at 50% subsidy.”
“We have tried to expand the scope of our distribution outreach to include: Agro-based Cooperative groups, Area Councils, the 17 FCT Chiefdoms, Organized women Farmers Associations, the less privileged as well as individual farmers. For the first time, we have included the ‘Sarkin ‘Nomas in all the 62 wards of the FCT, “ he added.
He further disclosed that the Secretariat has already distributed about 75% of the inputs since the exercise started in June; stressing that the FCT Fertilizer Distribution Committee has put in place adequate measures to ensure that the beneficiaries are adequately catered for.
” We are not unaware of the tendency of sharp practices in the distribution process, which is why the FCT Administration ensured that some of the inputs are customized with the FCT Insignia. The Committee is also expected to enlighten beneficiaries and also work with Abuja Market Management officials to be on the look out in their markets for illegal sales of the inputs,” the Secretary said.
Also speaking, the Director Agric Services in the Secretariat Mrs. Francesca Ihekandu disclosed that extension agents of the Secretariat have been deployed to the farming communities to provide guidance to farmers on the proper application of the fertilizers particularly the Agro-chemicals.
The Agric Secretariat she added has in line with its responsibilities taken proactive measures to tackle the issues of pest infestation and post harvest losses. “some of the Agro-chemicals we have given to the farmers if properly applied will help prevent attacks of pests while the Secretariat will also buy off execess grains to beef up its buffer stock programme “Ihekandu said.
In their responses, some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the FCT Administration for the support.
The AMAC representative and Head of
Agric Department, Mr. Abdullahi Adamu described the intervention as timely and assured that the products will be disbursed to the real farmers in the Area Council.
Mallam Zakari Adamu who spoke on behalf of of the Sarkin Nomas of FCT revealed that this was the first time that they have been considered for direct allocation, assuring that as representative of farmers in the 62 wards they will make judicious use of the products.
Politics
Tinubu Assures Investors Nigeria Is Open for Business, Welcomes Coca-Cola’s $1bn Plan
By Francis Wilfred
President Bola Tinubu has assured local and international investors that Nigeria remains open for business, saying his administration is implementing reforms aimed at creating a more predictable, competitive and investment-friendly environment.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) in Abuja on Monday, the President said the government is addressing key challenges facing businesses under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our message to investors, both Nigerian and international, is clear: Nigeria is open for business,” Tinubu said,
He noted that reliable infrastructure, efficient logistics, access to foreign exchange, stable regulations and a supportive tax system are critical to attracting investment and expanding production.
According to Yomi Odunuga, the President said ongoing economic reforms are designed to build a more productive and competitive economy, reduce dependence on imports, strengthen local manufacturing and create jobs for Nigerians.
Tinubu welcomed the Coca-Cola System’s proposed $1 billion investment in Nigeria over five years, announced in 2024, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economy.
He said the administration is focused not only on the volume of investment attracted but also on its impact on employment, skills development, technology transfer and local sourcing.
“We are interested not only in the amount of capital that comes into Nigeria, but in what that capital does here,” he said.
The President also praised NBC’s continued expansion of production capacity, including new production lines in Oyo and Kano states, describing such investments as vital to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving policies, infrastructure and regulations to support businesses, while urging the private sector to complement government efforts through investment, innovation and job creation.
Tinubu further highlighted the importance of human capital development, commending NBC’s Supply Chain Academy for training over 1,400 young Nigerians and supporting women’s empowerment and community development initiatives.
He urged investors to take advantage of opportunities across Nigeria, expressing confidence that the country can build a stronger economy driven by local production, exports and globally competitive industries.
Politics
Kano Governorship: Accord Party Governorship Candidate Gashash Getting More Endorsement From Kano Electorates.
By Jabiru Hassan.
The movement for Democratic Protection and good governance (MDSG) declared it's full support to the Accord Party Governorship Candidate Ambassador Dr. Mukhtar Gashash in the forthcoming general elections.
In a chat with our correspondent in kano, the national president of the movement, Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali, stated that it is time for the people of kano state to bring new steward who is seriously planning to transform the state with highest regard.
He expressed his confidence that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash will do his best to ensure that kano state becomes more examplary at both sector without bias which is the task previous administrators failed to achieve.
Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali reiterated that " this time around, our movement is working day and night to make sure that Kano people mostly youths remained Committed to actualize real change in the state's politics, leadership and transformation under the Accord Party government".
He called on the people of kano state especially the eligible voters to vote Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash due to his Transformation plans for the progress of kano state and it's citizens at both Urban and rural settlements.
Responding to a question about Accord party's strength in kano state, Dauda Mohammed Ali disclosed that in today's democracy, competent candidates should be tipped for an elective positions not the popularity of the political parties stressing that Ambassador Dr Mukhtar Gashash has been found to be the best option for kano state due to his track record on competency, transparency as a real democrat.
Politics
Caught in the middle: Ortom’s silent dance between two camps.
There are growing questions about where Mr. Samuel Ortom, a former Governor of Benue State and a prominent figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), truly stands politically ahead of 2027.
Ortom was a key figure in the divisions within the PDP before the 2023 general elections and was widely associated with support for Mr. Peter Obi, who finished third in that contest. More recently, however, he has publicly expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The latest discussion began after a visit by Mr. Peter Obi to Benue State. Reports indicate that a vehicle said to belong to Ortom was used to receive Obi at the Air Force Base airport in Makurdi. It is not clear who authorized the use of the vehicle, and Ortom has not commented publicly on the matter.
During the same visit, Obi was reportedly prevented from travelling to Yelewata, where he had intended to condole with families affected by violence. Obi’s team attributed the blockage to supporters of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The Governor’s spokesman, Sir Tersoo Kula, denied any involvement by the Governor. He suggested the incident may have been staged to damage the Governor’s reputation, or that it could have resulted from disagreements within Obi’s own support base.
Ortom has not issued a statement clarifying his position on the 2027 elections or on the vehicle in question. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
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