Farmers in Nigeria

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

John Olateru, Oyo State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), on Tuesday said that inadequate rainfall was a big challenge for farmers in the South-West this year.

Olateru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that all the crops planted by farmers had dried up due to lack of rainfall.

Farmers have to start all over; unfortunately, hybrid seed that can solve this problem is not readily available and where you are able to get it, it is at a prohibitive cost.

Government and Nigerian Seed Council need to be up and doing in the area of seed.

A situation where there are seeds that can provide a minimum of six tons per hectare, compared with the seed that will give you two tons with the same efforts require serious attention.

Seeds that will not give our farmers profitable yield should not be allowed into the market; the grain farmers need all support they can get to mitigate the challenges they are facing, he said.

Olateru urged government at all levels to assist farmers in getting correct seedlings and provide highly subsidised fertiliser and chemicals to the farmers.

He appealed to the government to support farmers financially to mitigate the losses they had experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other related issues.

For livestock farmers, it is unfortunate that all the companies the government issued import permit to are foreigners that are operating in the livestock industry, not a single Nigerian benefited from this.

They are competing with Nigerians; with what the government has done, they have been given competition advantages.

Nigerian livestock farmers are now at their mercies and this is a bad solution to the challenges at hand, the association chairman said.

Olateru stated that the National Grains Reserve silos at Iyana-Church, Ibadan, which had been concession as a private company was a big mistake by the government.

The silos are now being used to mop up grains from the market and manipulate the price of foodstuffs.

These silos are better used for its original intention, which is for grain strategic reserve; that is, governments warehouse grains at the time of excess and release same at the time of scarcity.

Now there is scarcity, the government have little to nothing in their reserves to mitigate the challenges, he said.

According to the chairman, the solution is that the government should bring back the commodity exchange board.

The exchange board is in a position to know what is being produced by farmers, what the consumers needs are and know if we have excess for export, or needed to import, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buky Ponle, MD NAN

By Grace Alegba and Okuanwan Offiong

The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle, on Tuesday promised to build a new NAN toward actualising President Muhammadu Buharis development agenda.

At a meeting with editorial staff of the agency in Lagos, Ponle pledged commitment to the realisation of the vision of the agency and take it to greater heights.

If there had been a stumbling block, we are here to remove such, he said.

He solicited the support and cooperation of the entire staff to achieve the goal.

In as much as I have been given a mandate by the president, I cannot do it alone. I need your full cooporation.

We are going to tap into the nine-point agenda of the Federal Government as initiated by the president himself.

You are one of the ambassadors to accomplish the agenda; with your pen, you can make a positive impact.

Write constructively, objectively and passionately. I want you to show me that you are passionate, committed and diligent, Ponle said.

He urged the staff members to be relevant and distinguish themselves, pledging that reward would be strictly on merit.

He advised the staff to work toward a common goal of distinguishing the agency, adding that they should be good ambassadors for national growth.

The managing director promised commitment to workers welfare to motivate them to do better.

He promised to address the challenge of inadequate facilities, for greater productivity.

He urged the staff to feel free to relate with him, and cautioned against attitudes detrimental to teamwork and the agencys growth.

Dont be an adversary stakeholder, we are building a new NAN.

Lets get the best out of the worst situation in the hope that a better situation is here.

I dont want you to think about the past. The past is gone, lets look forward to a brighter future which we can always attain if we work for it.

I know you have the capacity and capability, he said.

Ponle charged the editorial staff to stick to the ethics of journalism.

Mr Peter Dada, an Assistant Editor-in-Chief and some other staff members brought to Ponles attention, some challenges of the workers, including inadequate work tools. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Chris Ngige

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government on Tuesday, urged the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), to suspend its ongoing industrial action across the country.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this in a statement signed by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Head, Press and Public Relations in Abuja.

Ngige said that it was imperative for NARD to suspend the industrial action as government had already addressed six out of the eight demands listed by the association.

He said government would reconvene a conciliation meeting between NARD and Federal Ministries of Health, Finance and Budget and National Planning on Wednesday at the Ministry of Labour and Employment to avert the ongoing strike.

According to Ngige, by Labour Laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions, when issues are being conciliated, all parties are enjoined not to employ arm-twisting methods to intimidate or foist a state of helplessness on the other party; in this case, your employers, the Federal Ministry of Health.

He, therefore, appealed NARD to respect the countrys laws and suspend its industrial action, while noting that a high percentage of the Associations demands had already been addressed.

This is coupled with the existence of a pending case in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) instituted by two Civil Society groups against NARD, the Attorney -General of the Federation, and the Ministers of Health, and Labour and Employment.

NARD has no reason to embark on an industrial action, he said.

He also stated that the groups, Citizens Advocacy for Social Rights (CASER) and Association of Women in Trading and Agriculture (AWITA), had also asked for an interlocutory injunction against further strike by NARD.

He added that all the parties had already appeared and exchanged court processes.

Ngige said that in spite of lean resources occasioned by the effect of COVID-19 on oil output, the federal government had already spent N20 billion on the Special Hazard and Inducement Allowances for Medical and Health Workers for April, May and June 2020,.

This, he said was with a few outstanding payments to some health workers for June 2020.

He added that the federal government has expended N9.3 billion as premium for Group Life Insurance for Medical and Health workers, as well as for all civil and public servants in federal organisations that are Treasury funded, to run from March 2020 to March 2021.

He disclosed that the federal government have appropriated the sum of N4 billion in the Special Intervention COVID-19, while N500 billion in 2020 appropriation for the funding of Medical Residency Training and intended to do same in the ongoing 2021 Budget.

The minister further stated that N4 billion had been processed for payment.

Ngige also said that the matter between NARD and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital had been resolved.

He said that the resolution of the issue of State Governments not addressing the consequential adjustment to the new minimum wage, and low patronage of Residency programme were ongoing.

He said plans were on for the conciliation meeting between NARD and Federal Ministries of Health, and Finance, Budget and National Planning to be held on Wednesday at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

European Union

By Temitope Ponle

Sub-Saharan Africa will benefit five billion euros from EU Green Economy Recovery Plan, an EU official has said.

Mr Leonard Mizzi, the Head of Unit, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, European Commission made this known at the ongoing 2020 virtual summit of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) hosted by Rwanda.

Speaking at a panel discussion tagged: The Key Role of SMEs in Serving Urban Food Markets, Mizzi said the fund set aside for sub-Saharan Africa was part of the EUs seven-year green plan from 2021 to 2027.

The head of unit, who also specialises in Rural Development, Food Security and Nutrition, said that the fund would be used to address water, health, sanitation and social economy.

In a team of European context, which is the full firepower of the European Commission, all EU member states, the EU Investment Bank (EIB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), member states mobilised 11 billion euros; European Commission mobilised 14 billion euros; EIB mobilised 14.5 billion euros; and EBRD mobilised 4 billion euros.

Sub-Saharan Africa will benefit around five billion euros. The money is a composite amount for emergency, humanitarian with a focus on saving lives but it was also made to address water, health, sanitation and social economy.

Mizzi, however, said that the region must demonstrate economic recovery strategies in line with the EUs green recovery plan to access the fund targeted at the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He said that sub-Saharan nations should focus on developing local and regional markets as well as bridging infrastructure gaps.

Mizzi said that the region should also ensure harmonised standards of products and trade operation, identify opportunities for SMEs and address issues of food fortification in the region.

The EU since April is providing fiscal space through budget support and budget support modalities.

We inject fiscal space so that African countries mobilise support which would also include loans for local companies and SMEs, and also support agro-food companies, Mizzi said.

He said that the ACFTA was a continental-driven agenda as the EU would want high quality products for its trade partners including basic food safety and standards setting.

Figures show Europe remains an important market and we will like to be a key partner in the international trade.

The key aspect of COVID-19 shows that we need to focus more on local and regional markets.

You cant expect good flow of goods from countries to sub-Saharan or within the region if you have problems around road logistics, cargo logistics and port logistics.

This is key, because Africas urban population cannot support major infrastructure gaps if it is not addressed.

Mizzi emphasised the need for harmonised standards at all agricultural value chains and trade sectors in the continent.

He said this would be in addition to scaling up training at the primary, secondary and vocational levels.

We want to continue the support of the rescaling of laboratories, research in African universities and post-university researches.

He said that supporting academic and post-university research would ensure Africas non-dependency on foreign expertise.

He urged SMEs to link into tertiary institutions, researches and public policies to support climate-change driven and innovative value chains transformative process.

This is the way the EU wants to do business in the next seven to ten years. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

File Photo: Doctors,

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Dr Okey Achugbu, Acting Hospitals Administrator, Anambra State Hospitals Management Board, has decried dearth of medical doctors in the states public healthcare system.

Achugbu said this while defending the boards financial transactions in 2019, before the state House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday.

We have about 34 general hospitals in the state but some of the hospitals have just one doctor while some do not even have at all.

A minimum of five doctors are required in a general hospital but here, in Anambra, lack of manpower is our major challenge.

A lot of our manpower are the very old ones who came down from the old Anambra State.

We do not have enough doctors, nurses, pharmacists and support staff across board, he said.

Achugbu said that the board would need qualified manpower to deliver quality healthcare in the state.

He urged the committee to make recommendations to the government to address the problem of manpower in the states hospitals.

According to him, the legislature have what it takes to make the board and the hospitals function efficiently.

Also speaking, Dr Ebelechukwu Anugwu, Medical Director, General Hospital Onitsha, appealed to the legislature to enact a law that would enable the hospital to be accredited for Medical Residency Training.

Anugwu said such accreditation would generate revenue for the state and qualified consultants and medical personnel.

Our children are graduating from medical schools and they have no place to do their residency training programme.

General Hospital, Onitsha, is over due to be accredited for residency training, even if it can be done in steps.

We are appealing to the house, either by advocacy or by law to help facilitate the commencement of the training programme in Onitsha, she said.

In his remarks, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, urged the board to write a proposal to the assembly in that regard. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Medical women, others protest against kidnapping in Calabar

By George Odok
The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Cross River Chapter and other women organisations on Tuesday embarked on a peaceful protest against kidnapping in the state.

The other women groups include International Federation of Women Lawyers, Holy Child Old Girls Association, Nigerian Women of Journalists and Presbyterian Women.

The peaceful protest, which was organised by the Medical Women Association in the state, went round major routes in Calabar metropolis.

Speaking, Dr Bassey Nakanda, President of MWAN in the state, said the protest was to draw the attention of the state government, security agencies and other stakeholders on the need to end cases of kidnapping in the state.

According to Nakanda, medical women had continued to suffer incessant kidnappings in the state with the recent one of Dr Vivien Otu, who was kidnapped on Aug. 28, in Calabar and released on the night of Sept. 3.

Medical women and others have become victims of kidnapping in Calabar and this act is totally condemnable. When it comes to kidnapping, the trauma that women go through lives with them forever; they are beaten, raped and humiliated.

We are all aware that they have been several cases of kidnapping in Calabar and as women, we need to stand up, speak and fight for ourselves. Calabar used to be the most peaceful state in Nigeria but we are now leaving in fear.

We need to visit the government, royal fathers and security agencies to register our complaints, she said.

At Watt market roundabout, she spoke and called on the state government to provide security for all residents in the state.

The government owe us a responsibility of security and they have to rise up to that responsibility, she said.

She called on all residents in the state to always report abnormal movements of suspected persons around them to security agencies.

Mrs Agnes Otu from Holy Child Old Girls Association also called on the state government and relevant security agencies to be proactive in safeguarding lives and properties of the residents.

Source: NAN News

Executive Secretary PPPRA Saidu Abdulkadir

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has assured Nigerians that the deregulation of the downstream oil sector is in the best interest of the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Saidu Abdulkadir, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the deregulation of the downstream oil and gas sector.

Abubakar said that the recent increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hinges on the global market and availability of forex to marketers.

Represented by Mr Victor Shidok, the General Manager, Administration and Human Relations, Abubakar said many marketers were yet to start importation of products due to non-availability of foreign exchange.

According to him, although the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (PPMC), remained the sole importer of the product, PPPRA will continue to monitor development to check profiteering by marketers.

The PPPRA as a regulator will continue the role of a watchdog in this deregulation regime. We will continue to maintain our role as a regulator and ensure that Nigerians are not short changed in any way in this process.

You know how things are globally with the impact of COVID-19 to the global oil market. Accessing forex remains a challenge for marketers.

We are hopeful that in a few months to come, Nigerians will understand what government is doing to stabilise the downstream sector, he said.

Abubakar said that the agency would continue to monitor the code of conduct that guides operation of marketers in the industry and ensure that it was not violated.

He reiterated that government was no longer in business of fixing the pump price of petrol but would monitor marketers to avoid profiteering.

He hinted that the agency may not be able to provide monthly price band for the product as it contradicts the deregulation policy.

If we give you the price band for this month, it is like price fixing he said, and assured Nigerians that better days were ahead as things would normalise with time. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Musical Band

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Mr Daniel Onjeh, Board Chairman, Projects Development Institute (PRODA) Enugu, says justice is the only guarantee for a peaceful coexistence in every society.

Onjeh stated this at the formal unveiling of a music single, titled; I Cant Breathe by Tosin Jay, featuring Geoffrey Orji and Monica Ogah, on Monday in Abuja.

Geoffrey Orji is the winner of the MTN 2014 Project Fame, while Monica Ogah won the competition in 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the song was written and composed by Onjie.

We implore all the people in authority to continue to pursue the cause of social justice, peace and equity, bearing in mind that justice is the only guarantee we have for peaceful coexistence.

It is a great honour for me to welcome you to the formal launching of the hit musical single, I Cant Breathe.

I consider it a great privilege to be the composer of the song, he said.

The PRODA board chairman said he was inspired to write the song by the killing of the young African-American husband and father of three, George Floyd, by a Cop in Minneasota, in the U.S.

According to him, the incident, which occurred earlier in the year, had become a sore point in Americas history.

He noted that the development was so, as the blood of Floyd and many hapless American citizens cut short in the protests that broke out in the aftermath of his murder, still cried out for justice.

After I conceived and wrote this song, I had to reach out to the team of artistes to sing the song.

At this juncture, I must commend the lead artiste, Tosin Jay, who did a great job, sacrificed everything and put his creativity at its peak with this song.

And Daybreak Records, my record label, is pleased to present this song as its debut single music production, Onjeh said.

He urged Nigeria and the entire world to look out for the young and upcoming artiste.

The PRODA boss further explained that having started the process of production of the song, he felt that Daybreak Records would be a platform to promote all other artistes across the different musical genres.

He added that the primary objective of the music label was, however, to focus on communicating messages that would promote social change in the society.

We want to use this medium to tell all Americans that black people have a stake in that country, providence has brought them together.

We equally want to use this opportunity to talk to Nigerians as well, that ethno-religious and political crisis would not take us anywhere, he said.

He noted that America was the role model of democracy across the world, adding that many African countries had toed the path of democracy.

He stressed that what happened to Floyd was a terrible precedent for other countries that looked up to America.

It must be condemned before it begins to affect the psyche of African cops, who equally have a long history of extrajudicial killings in their trails, he said.

NAN reports that several artists from Lagos and other parts of the country featured at the event, which had various dignitaries in attendance. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Orji Kalu

By Kingsley Okoye
Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr Orji Kalu(APC-Abia)has called for concerted effort by all to build a united Nigeria with stronger economy for the good of the nation.

Kalu made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Kalu was reacting to the recent altercation between members of Federal Government proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with security personnel in Enugu.

I am an ardent believer of unified Nigeria. Nigerians are so entangled with each other that we cant talk about separation.

We are a united country and our focus should be on taking advantage of our population to build a stronger economy.

We have reached to a point where all Nigerians should be canvassing for strong institutions where rule of law and order are observed.

Where the hardware and software components of a democratic nation are comprehensively promoted.

If the Federal Government permits me, I will go to United Kingdom and negotiate with Nnamdi Kanu to return to Nigeria.

I will convince him to drop the agitation for Biafra because our people dont need it. .

We need a united Nigeria that will allow different cultures and tongues to live peacefully in any part of the country.

A country where people can comfortably do their businesses without fear of the unknown, he said

Kalu further reiterated his support and loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that Buhari and the APC have continued to give their best to the country amidst challenges.

He also thanked the president for the infrastructural development he has extended to the South East and urged all Nigerians to continue to support the presidents agenda

Kalu also clarified on unverified media reports about him as having said that he would turn Nigeria into a 20th century nation.

He said several media houses have continued to spread rumours and misquote his statements.

Kalu, said he had in an online interview mentioned that he would turn Nigeria to a 21st century, if given an opportunity to lead the country.

He, however, decried that some bloggers misquoted him to have said 20th century.

He said despite being a friend of the media, he sees no reason for being intentionally misquoted by some sections of the media.

Source: NAN News

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has expressed determination to ensure adequate food supply to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on residents.

Mr Ibe Chukwuemeka, acting Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCT, gave the assurance at the inauguration ceremony of the 2020 Buffer Stock Programme, held at the FCT Agro- Service Centre.

Represented by the Dr Nkem Akanegbu, Director, Agricultural Services in the Secretariat, Chukwuemeka explained that Buffer Stock, as practised globally, was aimed at ensuring the availability of grains all year round to the public at affordable rates.

He restated the commitment of the secretariat to empower youths and women through Agriculture.

Chukwuemeka called on Abuja residents who are interested in buying the grains to visit any FCT Agric Stores located in the Area Councils.

The acting secretary appealled to those interested in buying the grains to be orderly and abide by the COVID-19 safety protocols.

He explained that FCTA had released funds to enable the secretariat to mop-up excess grains from farmers, during harvest when the grains were cheap and preserved them for sale to the public during planting season when the grains are usually scarce and costly.

This will ensuring the timely intervention through the scheme and success of the 2020 programme,
Chukwuemeka said.

Chukwuemeka disclosed that a bag of 50kg maize and 50kg Guinea corn would be sold at N3,000, while a 10kg bag of Corn Flour goes for N1,500.

In his speech, the Emir of Jiwa, Alhaji Musa Idris, thanked the FCT Administration for the kind gesture, which he said would reduce hunger in the land.

Represented by the Akoshi of Jiwa, Hakimi Muhammad, Idris also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his special interest in agriculture as a way of creating jobs and wealth for Nigerians.

The monarch pledged his loyalty and that of his subjects to the Administration.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, a resident, Mr Olufemi Adeniyi, thanked FCT Administration for the programme.

Adeniyi said the programme would go a long way in cushioning the effects of COVID-19 on the people of FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted a large crowd, which included cooperative groups and individuals.

Source: NAN News