By Taiye Olayemi

I Am LAYCON, a reality series which premiered Feb. 10 on showmax has broken the Nigerian record for the most viewed show on its first day on Showmax.

This was disclosed in a statement that was made available to Journalists in Lagos by Showmaxs Public Relations Officer in Nigeria, Onna Okafor.

It said the reality series, which is the first Showmax original shot, produced in Nigeria, has the highest first-day views for any show ever on the streaming service in Nigeria, including other popular reality shows like Big Brother Naija and Mercy

By Femi Ogunshola

Nigerian rapper and singer, Raymond Emamezi, with the stage name RayEm is back with two new singles, Courage and ndale after a long break.

Emamezi in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said courage is a motivational trap song that addressed the artistes fears and his desires as a human.

On the other hand, ndale is an Afro-fusion gem with an Amapiano-esque beat inspired by the popular chant of a cartoon character, Speedy Gonzales, he said.

It would be recalled that RayEm released a raving party track Mama Roll in 2012 and a remix featuring esteemed rapper, Yung6ix.

A lot of people cheer my new and unique sound which is a laid back calm style of rapping and singing, he said.

He described his style as a breath of fresh air when up tempo songs had become the trend.

RayEm said that he was back and set to share a new and improved version of himself, adding that Courage and ndale are available on all music platforms.

The Delta born rapper, is known to combine the arts of rapping and singing, guiding his listeners with an often laid back flow, packed with true-to-life lyrics. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mateen Badru

Victor Okhai has emerged the new President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).

Okhai, a producer, script writer and cinematographer, emerged winner after gaining 110 of the 159 votes from members of the guild across the country and in diaspora.

Okhai, while addressing members of the guild after being declared winner on Sunday night at the DGN Secretariat, Surulere, promised to restructure the movie industry and also restore the dignity of the guild.

Today is a historic day. I believe its the dawn of a new era. About 23 years ago, along with five others, I was a co-founder of this guild.

We started out with a vision for the kind of industry and guild we had in mind. So much has happened over the years, we have had some great leaders and they have done their best.

The truth is the director, who is in the hierarchy of the production chain, is first among equals. The state of the director in Nigeria today needs so much to be desired.

We are not only going to bring back and refocus the vision that we had initially, but we will restore the dignity of the director not just in Nigeria but in the continent, he said.

Okhai said that the new executive was a great team and would together succeed in steering the DGN right.

According to him, the challenge ahead is great, the expectation is high.

Unless we hit the ground running, the euphoria or the honeymoon will be over even before it starts.

I want to assure not only the directors, but also colleagues in the film industry that it is a new dawn. Together, we are going to take the industry to a new level.

There are no two standards, the honeymoon is over for Nollywood, the days when people came from abroad to look at us like monkeys in the zoo is all over.

Right now, nobody will take your film unless you can meet international standard. No one will lower these standards.

We are going to make sure that the art and craft of film making in Nigeria is elevated and taking to its rightful place.

We recognise that for you to compete globally, we must be of the best practices and thats what we intend to do, he said.

Okhai commended Fred Amata, the outgoing President, for making way for a peaceful election and keeping the guild together all the while.

I am not unaware of the challenges he went through. In spite of all, he has been able to pull through and bring us here today. he said.

Okhai also commended his fellow contestants and the electoral committee for conducting a free and fair election.

In his remarks, the outgoing President of the DGN, Fred Amata, said that the DGN election was a peaceful transition which exhibited the professionalism of the guild.

He urged members of the guild and stakeholders in the entertainment industry to support the new president in taking the industry to a new level.

It is a great time to say to the world that no matter how deeply tested, DGN transition will always be peaceful.

In the past four years, it has been a turbulence reign, trying to steer the ship of this most prestigious guild with members of intellectual standards.

Every director is a captain of his ship, therefore, it becomes more complicated to be a captain of captains.

Today we have come to a resounding conclusion from six zones spread all over the country including members in diaspora.

We have been able to elect a new president for the DGN, Mr Victor Okhai, and all he needs now is our support. He is a man capable of steering this DGN ship of restless, creatives and insurmountable professionals, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the DGN election took place in six zones including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Asaba, Benin and Port Harcourt.

Members of the guild who contested for the post of DGN president were Kehinde Soaga, MacCollins Chidebe and Yinka Akanbi.

Contestants for other executive posts of the guild were, however, elected unopposed after gaining more than two third of the overall votes.

Tony Akposheri was elected the Vice President, Uchenna Agbo is the National Secretary, Osita Okoli as Director of Finance and Perekeme Odon as the Public Relations Officer.

Others include Prince Isaac Kolawole as the Welfare/Social Officer and Dan Chukwueze as the Provost.

DGN has so far enthroned six presidents namely Matthias Obahiagbon, Fidelis Duker, Bond Emeruwa, Andy Amenechi and the outgoing Fred Amata. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Priscilla Osaje

The Abuja Lawyers League (ALL), an annual football competition, will begin on May 15, according to the organisers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that thecompetition is aimed at cresting an environment for lawyers to socialise outside the courtrooms.

The chief host of the 2021 ALL, Yakubu Maikyau, said he would work with the organisers to achieve their objective of holding a very remarkable event.

We accepted to work with them on plans they already had, to ensure that they achieve the set objectives in 2021.

We will continue to support and partner with them. I can see from the summary of what they have achieved since 2017 and the story has been from one level of progress to another, he said.

Maikyau noted that sports provided a platform for better interaction among colleagues, and itis one moment we put all our differences behind, especially in football.

In it, there is no religious sentiment and ethnic bigotry. All the prejudice that seems to divide us are consumed with our interest in sports, he added.

Maikyau who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) explained that sports fosters unity and cooperation and offered citizens an opportunity to contribute to the growth of the nation.

The competition chief host also urged Nigerians to change their lifestyle and engage in regular exercising to achieve physical fitness.

He disclosed that he had participated in medical outreach and partnered with South Americans in collaboration with the Nigeria Medical and Dental Council.

They deploy their personnel who volunteer in medical outreaches together with doctors and nurses from the University College Hospital Ibadan, Maikyau said.

He commended the Kebbi Government for their collaboration and support, saying they would extend the medical outreach across the state.

This is an opportunity and my colleagues and I will be part of it.

Speaking earlier, Olujimi Olujide, the Principal Head of members of the competitions Organising Committee, appreciated Maikyau for his gesture.

He further praised him for also deeming it fit to be their host this year.

The media conference/official unveiling of the host is to formally communicate to the world that this years competition is named after the host, Maikyau, Olujide said.

He added that the idea of ALL was conceived in 2017 and that it had grown exceedingly among lawyers in Abuja and the country in general.

In 2017, it started with six teams with the coming together of 30 persons.

In 2018, we had it in honour of Lateef Fagbemi, a SAN, and the competition was known as LOF Cup, while in 2019 we had it in honour of Akinolu Olujinmi and it was called the Kacos cup.

Last year was a blank competition known as Abuja Lawyers League, Olujide said.

He explained that the last event was remarkable due to the ground-breaking achievement of the first Abuja Lawyers League Gala/Awards Night, where prizes were presented to players and sponsors.

The official noted that the lawyers league was a platform for lawyers to interact and get in touch with the reality of all they had, in terms of help and sports activities.

We have grown to reaching more lawyers over the years, because in 2017 we had six teams, and in 2018 10 teams, while in 2019 and 2020 we had 14 teams, he added.

Olujide said the plans to have medical outreach for lawyers was quite necessary.

He disclosed that the medical team that would offer certain level of free medical services and advice to lawyers would be a great development.

Also, as part of our corporate social responsibilities as a football organisation, we have gone to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at Durumi to donate some relief materials and we intend to do more. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both teams will clash in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 14 fixture at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Kaduna has been the clubs adopted home sincethe Sani Abacha Stadium became a temporary COVID-19 isolation centre.

As an experienced team, Kano Pillars will ensure that Rangers are defeated to keep our hopes of winning the league alive.

Rangers are a good team with history, and as such we will not take chances and we will try as much as possible to win the game and reclaim top spot.

We share third position with them with 23 points from 13 games played so far, and I am sure that we will overcome them, Shuaibu said.

He also said playing away from home had not affected the team in any way as the players were all professionals who could adapt to any situation.

It is a source of worry to know that our sports-loving fans are not with us when we are playing because we are playing away from home.

However, we are used to our adopted home of Kaduna, because we are professionals and I am an optimistic person, the club chairman added.

He pointed out that the signing of seven new players and the synergy between the players and the coaches have had great impacted on their performance this season.

Shuaibu commended the Kano State Government for the motivation and welfare extended to the players and management so far.

Kano Pillars which occupy third position have 23 points from 13 matches played so far.

They have won seven matches, drew two and lost four games. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

On the day that their country celebrated the 64th Independence Day, Ghanas Black Satellites delivered the ultimate gift, the Total Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after a 2-0 win over debutants Uganda in the final in Nouakchott on Saturday.

Skipper Daniel Afriyie led from the front and had a military salute dance to celebrate on each occasion, as Ghana clinched their fourth Under-20 continental title, and a first since their last conquest in 2009.

The media outlet of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reported on its website that the Black Satellites replicated the same score-line the two countries posted when they last met in a continental final, this being in the 1978 senior Cup of Nations.

By design or coincidence, it was also another Afriyie, this time Opoku, who scored twice for the senior Ghanaians.

Ghana went to the break a goal in hand, and deservedly so after coming off an early scare to score through Afriyie. Uganda were faster off the blocks and should have scored after three minutes when a long ball caught the run of Derrick Kakooza, but his lob over the keeper went over.

Almost immediately, Uganda had another chance with Isma Muguusis grass cutter going wide.

But after dodging the bullet twice, the Ghanaians woke up from their slumber.

They had the bar denying them twice in succession off an Abdul Fatawu Issahaku corner. First, Percious Boahs connection came off the bar and from the rebound, Nathaniel Adjei also sent a shot across the bar.

The Ugandans were jittery in defending set pieces and Ghana constantly sought out corners but couldnt stretch the lead further. Fatawu tried to open up the deadlock with a well taken freekick from distance, but Jack Komakech had it covered.

The Ugandans ultimately faltered on a setpiece, Afriyie sneaking in at the near post to flick in a header off Fatawus corner.

It was just the goal they needed as they played with more confidence and Uganda looked stunned and panicky and for some moments, forgot their ball playing nature.

Ghana took the opportunity to pile up pressure and they had another go at goal in the 31st minute but Patrick Mensahs low shot from 20 yards out was well saved by the keeper.

The Black Satellites needed just five minutes into the second half to dent any Ugandan hopes of a comeback, Afriyie completing his brace.

Fatawu pinched the ball off Steven Sserwadda in midfield before playing Boah out wide, the striker cutting back a cross into the box which his captain delightfully tapped into an unguarded net.

Four minutes on the turn, Sserwadda had an opportunity to atone for his error when Mugulusis cross from the right found him unmarked inside the box, but he hooked his header over the bar.

Uganda coach Morley Byekwaso went for a change in formation, Ivan Bogere and Samuel Senyonjo coming on for the off color Richard Basangwa and Ivan Asaba. With the change, Senyonjo joined Kakooza upfront for a twin-striking option.

Bogere was lively after coming on and he should have had a goal to his name in the 70th minute when the ball graciously landed on him inside the box, but his shot on the turn was too week, keeper Danlad Ibrahim collecting with ease.

Uganda kept the hunt for the two goals, but couldnt crack to score with Ghana seeing out the result for a jubilant end to a happy Independence Day. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Georgina Adegbie/Aderonke Ojo

Cameroons under-19 boys volleyball team on Sunday defeated their Gambian counterparts 3-0 at the ongoing African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, in the match at the indoor sports hall of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Cameroon displayed a good performance to win comprehensively.

Cameroon won the first set 25-18, 25-19 in the second set and 25-16 in the third set.

Speaking after the match, the head coach of Gambia, Marie Wadda, said it was a wonderful game they were not expecting to lose.

My boys did not do well in the three sets of the match. Our performance was not alright, and it was unfortunate that wevdid not win their game.

Our centre was not working at all and we were having blocking errors.

The Cameroonian side were playing outside attack and our blockers could not contain them.

But if we had won our last game, by now we will be talking about the preparation for the World Cup, she said.

On his part, Cameroons coach, Emmanuel Wadawa, said he was overwhelmed with the performance of his teams in the championship.

Today is our day. First, the girls defeated Nigeria 3-0 in the first game and the boys team just beat the Gambian team.

They listened to all the instructions we gave them and it worked well for us.

We are happy that we won our last game. This is a successful and fruitful outing for us, and we have made our country proud, he said.

The Under-18 Girls and Under-19 Boys African Nations Volleyball Championship which started on Thursday is expected to end on Tuesday.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reclaiming their narrative after the United Kingdoms Times newspaper published a buzzy report about a bullying complaint allegedly filed from inside Kensington Palace, reports on Thursday said.

According to the Times, a former communications secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their stint at Kensington, reportedly alleged in 2018 that toxic behavior by Meghan forced two personal assistants to leave their positions.

The development, according to the report, negatively affected another palace employee.

The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma, a spokesperson for Meghan and Prince Harry wrote in a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times.

She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.

On Wednesday, Buckingham Palace announced plans to investigate the accusations leveled against Meghan, according to The Associated Press.

In a statement, the palace said it was clearly very concerned about the situation and vowed to look into the circumstances outlined in the article.

The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace, the palace said.

Per People magazine, the complaint allegedly filed by Jason Knauf claimed that Meghans alleged conduct brought one of her staffers to tears and caused a royal aide to physically shake at the prospect of interacting with the Duchess.

The Times report comes days before the Sussexes intimate conversation with TV mogul Oprah Winfrey is scheduled to air on CBS, and the timing of the leaked allegations was not lost on the Duke and Duchess.

Lets just call this what it is a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation, the royal couple said in a statement to Britains Times, according to People.

We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of The Duchess of Sussex given credibility by a media outlet.

Its no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining The Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and The Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.

During their highly anticipated interview with Winfrey, teased by CBS earlier this week and set to air Sunday, Harry told the OWN founder he was relieved and happy to be sitting here talking to you with my wife by my side.

I cant begin to imagine what it must have been like for [my mother] going through this process by herself all those years ago, Harry said as a photo of his younger self and the late Princess Diana appeared on the screen.

Because its been unbelievably tough for the two of us, he said.

While appearing on The Late Late Show last month, the Duke also offered his thoughts on Netflixs hit historical drama The Crown, which portrayed the debilitating toll royal life took on Diana (played by Golden Globe winner Emma Corrin) in its most recent season.

When asked for his opinion on the series while cruising through his new home of L.A., Harry told TV host James Corden that its dramatisations are loosely based on the truth and provide viewers with a rough idea about what that lifestyle, what the pressures of putting duty and service above everything else, what can come from that.

Im way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories being written about my family, my wife, or myself, he told Corden. (tca/dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

An Austrian company has managed to increase its production and will contribute 5 million more Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine doses to the European Union (EU), said Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

Kurz said this at a news conference in Vienna on Friday.

Polymun Scientific, a company specialising in the production of lipid nanoparticles for the BioNtech/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, would increase its production from more than 15 million to 20 million doses for the EU by the summer, said Kurz.

I am pleased that we have succeeded in securing the delivery of five million additional doses with the help of the EU and thus 100,000 more vaccination doses for us in Austria, he said.

He noted that Austria is still waiting for the ketchup bottle effect in other words, enough doses to vaccinate as many people as possible quickly.

He also explained that his meeting on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen had focused on joint vaccine production for the coming years.

Regarding vaccine procurement, the chancellor said that talks are currently being held with Russia and China.

According to him, everything that helps in this phase is good, because it is not about geopolitical issues, but how to save as many lives as possible and return to normal as quickly as possible. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Around 365,015 hectares of cropland have been destroyed by a desert locust invasion, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has disclosed.

Ethiopia is experiencing its worst desert locust outbreak in 25 years, which exacerbates an already alarming food security and nutrition situation, the UNOCHA said in a press statement issued Friday.

The desert locust invasion has so far damaged 365,015 hectares of cropland across multiple regions, devastating crops and livelihoods in at least 76 localities in the country, the office added.

The UNOCHA report warned desert locust infestation could persist for much of the rest of 2021, with incidences of swarms causing damage to crops and pasture.

The UNOCHA report also disclosed since the first wave of desert locust invasion was detected at the end of 2019, it has spread to more than 170 localities, which are home to more than 16 million people.

Since 2019, Ethiopia has been suffering from the worst desert locust invasion in about 25 years, affecting major crop-producing parts of the country.

The desert locust, which is considered as the most dangerous of the nearly one dozen species of locusts, is a major food security peril in desert areas across 20 countries, stretching from West Africa all the way to India, covering nearly 16 million square km, according to the United Nations. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Tanzanian authorities said on Saturday that they had set in motion a process of bringing back smuggled chameleons that were seized in Austria in January.

Allan Kijazi, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, said the government had started applying permits from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to bring back the chameleons.

CITES is mandated to allow us to bring back the chameleons.

Hopefully the permits will be released soon, Kijazi told Xinhua in a telephone interview.

The official added that two Tanzanians had been arrested by police in connection with smuggling of chameleons into Austria as investigations continued.

Local police in collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organisation is still hunting down a syndicate of criminals that was involved in the smuggling of the chameleons,said Kizaji.

On Jan. 26, the director of wildlife in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Maurus Msuha, said the government had launched investigations to establish how 74 protected chameleons from the East African nation were smuggled to Austria.

The investigations followed reports that the protected chameleons, which are from the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania, were seized in Austria.

According to local media reports, Austrian authorities stopped a man at Vienna airport as he tried to smuggle the protected chameleons from Tanzania into the country.

The reports said the 56-year-old man, who was not further identified, had hidden the animals in socks and boxes when he was caught at the customs checkpoint in Vienna.

He had traveled to Austria from Tanzania via Ethiopia. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Meghan, the wife of Prince Harry, accused the British royal family of racism, lying and pushing her to the brink of suicide, in an explosive televised interview that looks set to shake the monarchy to its core.

The 39-year-old, whose mother is Black and father is white, said she had been naive before she married into the family in 2018, but that she ended up having suicidal thoughts and considering self harm after pleading for help but getting none.

She added that her son Archie, now aged one, had been denied the title of prince because there were concerns within the royal family about how dark his skin might be.

They didnt want him to be a prince, Meghan said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey aired on CBS late on Sunday.

She said there had been conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born.

Meghan declined to say who had aired such concerns, as did Harry, who said his family had cut them off financially and that his father Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, had let him down and refused to take his calls at one point.

Buckingham Palace has yet to comment publicly on the interview, which aired in the early hours of Monday morning in Britain.

Meghan cast the British royal family as uncaring and mendacious, and accused Kate the wife of her husbands brother Prince William of making her cry before her wedding.

While the family including Prince Charles came in for open criticism, neither Harry nor Meghan attacked Queen Elizabeth directly.

Still, Meghan said she had been silenced by the Firm which Elizabeth heads and that her pleas for help while in distress at racist reporting and her predicament had fallen on deaf ears.

I just didnt want to be alive any more. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought. And I remember how he (Harry) just cradled me, Meghan said, wiping away tears.

Harry and Meghans announcement in January, 2020, that they intended to step down from their royal roles plunged the family into crisis.

Last month, Buckingham Palace confirmed the split would be permanent, as the couple looks to forge an independent life in the United States.

Harry, 36, said they had stepped back from royal duties because of a lack of understanding and that he was worried about history repeating itself a reference to the 1997 death of his mother Diana.

I feel really let down, Harry said of his father. My family literally cut me off financially.

Harry denied blindsiding Queen Elizabeth, his grandmother, with his decision to shun life within the monarchy, but added that his father stopped taking his calls at one point.

I had three conversations with my grandmother, and two conversations with my father before he stopped taking my calls. And then he said, can you put this all in writing?

Their detractors say the couple want the glamour of their privileged positions without the dedication it requires or scrutiny it brings.

To their supporters, their treatment shows how an outdated British institution has lashed out against a modern, biracial woman, with undertones of racism.

There have also been allegations of bullying against Meghan which first appeared in The Times newspaper in the buildup to the couples appearance.

Buckingham Palace said it would investigate the claims, adding it was very concerned.

In response to the report, a spokeswoman for Meghan said she was saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself.

Meghan told Winfrey that people within the royal institution not only failed to protect her against malicious claims but lied to protect others.

It was only once we were married and everything started to really worsen that I came to understand that not only was I not being protected but that they were willing to lie to protect other members of the family, Meghan said.

Theres the family, and then theres the people that are running the institution, those are two separate things and its important to be able to compartmentalise that because the queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me.

Meghan denied a newspaper story that she had made Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, cry before the wedding and said it was a turning point in her relations with the media.

Asked if she made Kate cry, Meghan replied: The reverse happened.

A few days before the wedding she (Kate) was upset about something, pertaining to yes the issue was correct about the flower girl dresses, and it made me cry. And it really hurt my feelings.

Meghan said she had not realised what she was marrying into when she joined the British monarchy.

I will say I went into it naively, because I didnt grow up knowing much about the royal family, Meghan said.

She explained she was not being paid for the interview. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says no fewer than 2, 167 people have been vaccinated in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against Ebola.

WHO Regional Office for Africa stated this in Ebola Outbreak Situation Report posted on its twitter @ WHOAFRO.

According to the UN health agency, 1,804 people have been vaccinated in Guinea while 1,083 people have been vaccinated in DRC.

Giving the breakdown of the cases, WHO stated 18 cases had been reported in Guinea while nine people have reported death from the number.

We have traced 427 contacts and 81 per cent of the contacts are being monitored while 1,804 people vaccinated will help to prevent the spread.

Similarly, the UN global health agency said that 11 cases had been reported in DRC, four reported deaths, 643 contacts traced and 87 per cent of the contacts are monitored.

Earlier, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, has expressed concern over the resurgence of Ebola in the two countries.

WHO is ramping up readiness and response efforts to this potential resurgence of Ebola in West Africa, a region which suffered so much from Ebola in 2014, Moeti said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Halima Sheji
The African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) on Monday underscored the need to address brutality and conflict-related violence against the continents women and girls.

Dr Mairo Al-Makura, Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on African First Ladies Peace Mission, emphasised the need to do so at a news conference in Abuja to mark International Womens Day.

Al-Makura said that though women had always been instrumental to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the continent, they had always been victim of violence in the society.

The African First Ladies Peace Mission celebrates African women and will continuously play a crucial role in furthering peace on the continent.

We must not lose sight that gender equality and womens rights are fundamental to the continents progress on peace, security, and rights.

We recommit ourselves to advocate for the right to peace and protection for all women and girls across Africa, she said.

She said the mission had celebrated many achievements of women in Africa and across the globe.

According to her, the African First Ladies Peace Mission is inspired by the effective leadership that women have demonstrated during the current Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Women have brilliantly stepped-up to this challenging period with strength and courage while adjusting to rapidly unfolding circumstances.

In doing so, they have reminded the world of the importance of womens presence in leadership positions.

Although we have seen tremendous progress on womens rights and leadership over the past few years, the pandemic is threatening to reverse the gains that have been made, she said.

She added that the pandemic had disproportionally impacted women in many areas, particularly gender-based violence.

While the world implemented lockdown measures introduced to curb the pandemic, there has been a spike in reported domestic violence and conflict-related violence again women and girls.

To ensure that COVID-19 response and recovery acknowledge their realities, women need to have a seat at the decision-making table, she said.

The African First Ladies Peace Mission was inspired by the UN Worlds Women Conference 1995, popularly known as the Beijing Conference.

It was set up to be an umbrella body of wives of African Heads of State/Presidents and Government to play a supportive role to the African Union (AU), regional organisations, and national governments in fostering peace and reducing conflicts and their effects on the African continent.

Source: NAN News

By Philip Dzeremo

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said it had trained 600 crop and livestock farmers in rural communities of Benue on alternative feedstock.

The five-day training, which began on February 1 with a refresher training for extension workers, was followed by mobilisation of farmersin some communities in Logo, Makurdi, Guma and Kwande Local Government Areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was sponsored by the United Nations, in collaboration with the Center for Social Change and Economic Development (CSCED).

Mr Idris Gabdo, a consultant with CSCED, an implementing partner of FAO, said in an interview with NAN in Makurdi on Tuesday that the initiative was designed to teach the participants hydroponics fodder, multi nutrient block and urea treatment.

Gabdo explained that the three layers of feedstock were aimed at boosting both crop production and animal feed.

He said: So far, we have achieved more than 50 per cent of our training requirements by handing out our deliverables.

The training involved stepping-down knowledge of alternative feedstock and value chain, opportunities in alternative feedstock, feed quality and safety, animal nutrition and feed processing.

We also had training on three practical step-down skills on hydroponics fodder production, multi nutrients block-making and urea treatment.

We started the training with 20 extension workers, one absconded during the refresher training, while another absconded during the step-down training.

But we have some of our extension workers working in more than one community, so, by and large, we have done well.

In fact, we have already sent our interim report to FAO, stating the progress already made from mobilisation to training in the rural communities.

Gabdo said that each of the 20 extension workers was expected to train at least 30 people in each community.
A trainee, Mrs Msughshima Vershima, described the training as impactful.

According to Vershima, who rears pigs and sheep, she learnt a lot on animal hygiene, urea treatment for animals and new methods of crop production.

Mrs Adikwu Oyiwodu from Agatu, who rears goats, expressed gratitude to FAO for the training and said she would no longer allow her goats to graze openly.

I have learnt so many things during this training. I learnt about urea treatment and hydroponics, which will help me improve the feed for my goats, she said.

Mr Godwin Abu said, With the knowledge acquired from this training, I can use small amount of money to provide feed for my goats and chicken.

An extension worker, Mr Augustine Ojotu, said he exceeded the 30 trainees target because of the response from the community.

Ojotu said seven herdsmen turned out for the training and were taught in Hausa Language, through an interpreter.

He said the herders were impressed with the training and promised to utilise the skills to improve the nutrition of their cattle.

The programme, an initiative of the UN, United Nations Human Rights Commission and the UN Women, is aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence between herders and rural farmers. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibrahim Bello

The Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) has commenced sale of 200,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice to 18 Nigerian millers.

The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, made this known at the 5th year anniversary of ABP at Birnin Kebbion Tuesday.

Just as we have given the money to farmers for the Anchor Borrowers Programme, we will be disbursing the paddy aggregation loans to those millers.

This is in order to use the loan to pay the farmers so that the farmers can repay their loans, Emefiele said.

He said that the CBN had financed 2,923,937 small holder farmers cultivating 3,647,643 hectares of land across 21 commodities through about 33 participating financial institutions in the country.

Emefiele saidthe experience of 2015 to date had led to significant improvement in the execution of the programme.

He said that the bank had added several layers of control to improve on transparency and accountability among stakeholders.

Today is a demonstration of the growth that had been attained in the agricultural sphere.

It is important to note that, we are still far from attaining perfection but the emerging result from the programme reaffirms our belief in the potentials inherent in our agricultural sector.

Farming will become a profitable venture in Nigeria as all farmers, because of the guaranteed off-take of their produce, are smiling to the banks.

Under the 2020 wet season CBN and Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) partnership, we financed 221,450 farmers for the cultivation of 221,450 hectares in 32 states of the country.

Repayment of loan is crucial to the sustainability of the programme.

In support of the growth recorded in this drive to attain self sufficiency in food production and to moderate prices of agricultural commodities, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the resuscitation of Nigerias commodity exchange.

And the CBN in partnership with other stakeholders, will be committing at least, N50 billion to this initiative, Emefiele explained.

He expressed the banks commitment to finance one million hectares of rice farms in the present dry season farming with the plan of exploring two cycles of production with the season.

In his remarks, Gov. Atiku Bagudu expressed optimism that the farmers would take the country out of her tough economic challenges.

Bagudu commended President Buhari for his magnanimous support to all states in the country to ensure that economic activities were kept functional.

The President of Benin Republic, Mr Patrice Talon was represented by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aurelie Agbenonci at the occasion.

Talon said that a team of about four ministers was in the state to witness the celebration of successes by the state in particular and the country at large.

We have seen it all and we are going to establish a partnership in milling and produce rice together to feed the whole West African sub- region, he said.

Earlier, the National President of RIFAN Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, commended President Buhari for his commitment to food security and visionary ideas for the initiation of the programme five years ago.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those in attendance at the event included the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani. (NAN).

Source: NAN News

By Shedrack Fran

The Bayelsa Government says it will collaborate with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for a comprehensive agricultural policy that includes training, and promotion of self-reliance.

The Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo spoke on Wednesday when a delegation of ITF from the Bayelsa Area Office paid him a courtesy visit in Yenagoa.

Ewhrudjakpo noted that ITFs mandate was in line with the state governments determination to empower Bayelsa people with skills for economic growth.

Describing the visit as apt and timely, the Deputy Governor expressed optimism that both parties would benefit from the proposed collaboration.

He decried the situation whereby the ITF was not directly funded by the Federal Government and called for a change to enable the agency discharge its responsibility effectively.

Ewhrudjakpo said that given the challenges of inadequate resources facing Bayelsa, the government would not be able to completely fund the operations of ITF in the state.

But, let me say that Im not pleased with your funding arrangement. It is like a parent who gives birth and tells the child to fend for himself, he said.

Earlier, the Bayelsa Area Manager of the ITF, Mrs Stella Titilola-Baiyere had stated that the delegation was in the deputy governors office to seek areas of partnership with the state government.

Titilola-Baiyere stated that the agency has the requisite personnel and expertise to train Bayelsa people in virtually every area of human endeavour.

She urged the state government to take advantage of the available opportunities to improve the lot of the people.

Titilola-Baiyere expressed optimism that the collaboration would translate to service delivery for the benefit of all the key stakeholders. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mustapha Yauri

The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, is to train 75,000 agricultural extension agents on best agricultural practices to enhance food production in Nigeria.

Prof. Emmanuel Ikani, Executive Director, NAERLS told newsmen on Wednesday in Zaria that already, 12,600 agricultural extension agents had been trained by the institute under its e-extension training programme.

According to Ikani, the e-extension training programme was introduced following security challenges in parts of the country and the COVID-19 pandemic.

He explained that the institute had to leverage on the ICT to reach agricultural extension agents and farmers, adding that the virtual training would help to reach millions of farmers using mobilephones.

Ikani said NAERLS would use its offices in the six geopolitical zones to educate farmers, using local languages, to transit to modern agriculture.

He stressed that the mandate of the institute was to provide information on best agricultural practices to boost farmers production and productivity.

The director added that the information would help processors and agro allied industries.

I want to recalibrate the attitude of the farmers to begin to see agriculture as a clean business where people of integrity can go into, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bukola Adewumi

The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), says various research works have been put to use in farms but no off-takers to boost food security.

Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary of the ARCN, made this known on Wednesday In Abuja while presenting his Scorecard to Agriculture Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN).

Sharubutu said off-takers were yet to buy those research works and it is the major problem research institutes are facing.

There is a lot of competition between quick yielding trade and agriculture unless we begin to look at agriculture as short and long term, we will never be able to get it right.

According to him, the government released fund to the Cocoa Research Institute (CRIN) to develop new varieties of the crop.

When we went to brief the minister over the issue of cocoa research, his first challenge to us there is some of the best breeders we have in this country are Yoruba.

Cocoa is a Yoruba crop, how come the best brains are now allowing the best product to be taken over by Ivory Coast.

Just last week, the Executive Director of Cocoa Research Institute was given a grant to develop Cocoa, and that was out of the observation that was raised, he said.

For livestock, the ARCN boss said National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) has been making efforts to improve the milk and meat output of cattle, but it has been faced with the challenge of getting the animals in one place.

We are trying to improve on the milk production. The problem is that NAPRI attempted to do artificial insemination in order to improve the genetic material of our breeds in order to have higher yielding milk as well as high-yielding meat.

What is the problem? Artificial insemination has to do with getting the animals to stay in one place because you cannot artificially inseminate an animal that is hungry.

So, you put them in one place, you flush them, when they come on heat, you inseminate them.

We have keyed into the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP), and this is the best way to go. Ban grazing in terms of moving from one place to the other, and locate them (livestocks), he explained.

He said a proposal has been sent to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to approve the establishment of internship in all the colleges to serve as training centre for Agriculture graduates.

I have under my purview 11 colleges of Agriculture, and let us assume that these colleges are producing 20 HND holders, so were going to have 220, now you have 220 farmers every year in this country, it is going to impact seriously.

But the total number of Colleges of Agriculture we have in this country is 52 so if each of them produce 20 HND holders, what are we doing with this 20?

By our own analysis, we have found out that less than 30 per cent of them go into agriculture. We have written a proposal, right now the proposal is on the table of the Minister.

We create entrepreneurship centres in all our colleges of agriculture, that will serve as internship, let the graduates of agriculture go there and learn the trade

So, the proposal is there, we are trying to see how we would do in order to encourage people to go into Agriculture, and internship is the best method for us, he added.

Source: NAN News

By Bukola Adewumi

The National Potato Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NAPOGPMAN) called on the Federal Government to re-introduce the produce marketing boards to reduce some challenges faced by farmers.

Mrs Christie Sunkur, the new National President of the association, made the call on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the newly elected executive members after 13 years which the association has been without leadership.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that produce marketing boards were established by government during the first republic to regulate quality of some farm produce, fix their prices and sell them locally or export.

There were different boards for each of the produce like cocoa marketing board, rubber marketing board, etc.
Sunkur said the marketing board was to regulate prices of goods and a place where produce could be taken to get buyers.

It is a board where farmers products are taken to in order to market outside the country and even within the country. The marketing board also regulates the activities of pests and insects.

We are calling on the Federal Government to bring up a legislation that will help farmers through the creation of the marketing board which is very possible to be done with their will power.

We also want the government to create agric centres all over the country where all the farmers will belong, she said.

The president described the last election as a milestone for the association, saying that the association had not achieved anything in the past 13 years.

Both the potato farmers and processors are happy, potato marketers are happy because they have an umbrella body to channel their issues to.

We are calling on development partners, individual and the Federal Government to sensitise and help our farmers with inputs to move the association forward.

According to her, potato is very strategic in every household in Nigeria as potato has helped to bridge food insecurity gap.

Sunkur said that one could make vegetable soup with the leaves which also have so many health benefits.

With the strike by the various unions, most of our members have suffered various losses as potato is perishable.

We thank God there was a meeting organised by the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and Mr Femi Fani-Kayode to resolve the matter with the union and yesterday the strike was called off.

We are calling on the government to help us find ways that we can preserve potatoes just as we preserve rice, corn and other food items.

We will want to apply to research centre in Umudike in Abia that has the mandate for tuber research to help make research on how to preserve potato so that we can keep it for six to one year.

Mr Paul Ojoku, one of the elected members of the association, expressed his happiness and promised to work to see that the association is moved forward.

NAN reports that 14 members were elected and inaugurated from the six geographical zones of the association

Source: NAN News