Author: Isah Mukhtar

Fadama contributes 3.69m metric tons to the National Food Basket in 4 crops – Coordinator

Food
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) The Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) has contributed a total of 3.69 million metric tons to the National food Basket: cassava 841,054, Rice 1,497,366, Sorghum 184,978 and Tomato 1,497,366 metric tons respectively.

The coordinator, Mr Tayo Adewumi disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at Fadama Special Award to recognise stakeholders and staff, who have distinguished themselves in the performance of their duties and contributed to the success achieved so far in the project.

While delivering the keynote address, Tayo said that the event was organised to celebrate performances, quality leadership achievements and passion for the sustainability development of Fadama legacies.

“Fadama interventions in Nigeria have not only become international success story but are gradually growing into a strong movement for economic development in the country.

“The enduring institutional structural framework of the project and the strength of capacity building in the Fadama system stand very tall among all programmes of poverty alleviation and economic recovery in Africa.

“The initiative has not only brought great relief to many farmers in Nigeria, who has now smiling home with high income, but has made significant contributions to the country’s GDP.

“It is important to note that the activities of the project during 2015 to 2017 have led to the addition of a total of 3.69 million metric tons to the National Food Basket: cassava 841,054, Rice 1,497,366, Sorghum 184,978 and Tomato 1,497,366 metric tons respectively.

“Also, North-East Food Security and Livelihood Emergency Support Project has made significant impact on the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons arising from the insurgency,’’ he said.

The coordinator added that the number of the participating states had increased tremendously due to the efficiency and effectiveness of the stakeholders, staff and all the peoples that had made it possible for the project to succeed.

“The desk evaluation of available data showed that nominal income of beneficiaries has increased by 373 per cent as a result of significant increase in yield, price, improved agronomic practices and capacity building.

“As at date a total of 222.32km of roads have been constructed in Lagos, Anambra, Enugu, Kogi, Kano and 26 irrigation canals.

“The project had within the period under review, carried out land clearing for 760 hectares to support production in 5 states to facilitate the production, transportation and marketing of the four value chain of the project,’’ he said.

In his speech, Dr Adetunji Oredipe, Fadama Task Team Leader for the World Bank, thanked all the Fadama teams, saying that they have proved it with their great effort and for not waiting for the opportunity to come but stepped out to look for them.

Oredipe said that Fadama III AF has continued to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s development objectives and policies in terms of Gross Domestic Product, food security, rural development and employment.

“Specifically, Farmers in the 27 participating states had earned N303 billion from rice, cassava, sorghum and tomato with gross margin of N263 billion since inception of the project.

“This contribution to the rural economy is substantial currently when the Federal Government of Nigeria is revitalising and commercialising agriculture.

“Without doubt, these achievements could not have been realised without exemplary leadership, team spirit and commitments from all the stakeholders,’’ he said.

He congratulated the stakeholders and the identified recipients for the excellent performance.

Oredipe urged them to remain resolute and steadfast towards the achievement of the few remaining indicators and to further surpass what was already achieved. (NAN)
ROK/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Agribusiness
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, Sept. 17, 2018 (NAN) Synergos Nigeria, an agriculture transformation supporting group, says its Farm Lab Initiative is designed to prepare youths between the ages of 18 and 35 years to become agribusiness entrepreneurs .

The Country Director of Synergos, Mr Adewale Ajadi, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

He said that the Farm Lab Initiative was implemented under the State Partnerships for Agriculture (SPA) project of Synergos, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“SPA and ministry are organising an Agriculture Boot Camp on Livestock Farming to give interested young Nigerians between the ages 18 and 35 an opportunity to become agribusiness entrepreneurs at no cost.

“The policy intervention in this project is on livestock production and entrepreneurship education.

“Part of the challenges facing agriculture is how to secure the interest of young people in agriculture. How do we show them that agriculture is a viable means of getting employment and becoming an entrepreneur?

“The Youth Farm Lab Initiative is designed to target young persons in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states,” he said.

Ajadi said that the programme would have about 150 youths, adding that it was designed to give the beneficiaries two-month training in goats, pigs and snails production via an entrepreneurial approach.

“There would be practical classes in Lagos, involving six weeks of basic education, one week of field work and two weeks of internship. The goal of the project is to let the beneficiaries understand what it takes to go into livestock and snail production.

“They will also acquire extra knowledge about the things they need in terms of health care support for the kinds of animals they breed.

“The programme will also develop plans for employment or start-up of businesses, while interacting with potential financiers who can fund the beneficiaries’ projects.

“We do not have funds to give out but other programmes like FADAMA can take up the programme and expand it; we are providing this for those that have the means to expand on it,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Victor Adejoh, Synergos Field Manager, said that the initiative was to encourage youths to engage in agriculture.

He said that Synergos was working closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to support these young people.

He added that the ministry was providing a linkage between Synergos and the youth, giving technical support, building the farmers’ capacity and making agriculture attractive to the youth and women.

“The 50 candidates have been selected to participate under the first batch of this agric innovation lab project. The same applies to the second and third batches; making the total number 150 candidates.

“We really want youths and women to be fully involved in developing Nigeria’s agriculture sector because they have what it takes to develop the sector.

“Besides, women and youths are obviously ready to work with any technology that is presented to them.” (NAN)
ROK/OOK
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15-month-old toddler found abandoned in Ogun

Toddler

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) A 15-month-old toddler was found abandoned at an uncompleted building in Iloye area Ogun on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the toddler, who could not express herself, was found by some residents passing through the area.

NAN reports that the girl was abandoned at No. 2, Fatai Tiamiyu Street, Ire Akari Estate, Iloye, Ado-Ota, Ogun allegedly by a yet-to-be identified woman.

Residents, who spoke with NAN, expressed sadness over the poor state of the child and wondered why anyone could be so heartless to abandon the child without fear of God.

A resident, Mr Moruf Ogundare (Okete). told NAN that his son alerted him of the abandoned baby.

Ogundare said he went with his son to the uncompleted building to see the baby who was then awake and looking helpless.

“After seeing the child, I informed Mr Sikiru Yusuf, Chairman, Oluwasemilore Ire-Akari/Iloye Community Development Association of the incident.

“We all went to the place with other members of the community to find a solution,” he said.

The community leader expressed shock that a mother would abandon her child for any reason.

He said residents bought food for the child because she looked hungry and unkempt.

“We have contacted the police and they asked us to bring the child to Sango Police Station.

“It is really a shame that any mother will do this to her own child,” he said.

NAN reports that the child was taken to Sango Police Station where the DPO, Nasiru Oyedele, referred the case to the Juvenile Ward Centre (JWC) in the station.

The police officer in charge of JWC told NAN, on condition of anonymity, that the child would be transferred to a motherless babies home if the mother did not eventually turn up to claim the child.

She said that the centre usually received many cases of lost children towards the end of the year.

“We see many cases like this whenever the year is coming to an end and during school fees period,” She said.(NAN)

OOG/WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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Flooding
By Reporters
Ilorin, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) says that nine states on the River Niger trough and three others on River Benue trough may experience flooding this year, following persistent rainfall.

Some the states are: Niger, Anambra, Kwara, Kogi, Kebbi and Jigawa and Benue among others.

Besides the alert by relevant agencies, Nigerians are daily being inundated with news of effects of flooding, especially in Niger, where flood has led to loss of lives and destruction to farmlands, houses and other valuable property.

Hydrological experts have disclosed that the water level in some riverine state had risen to 10. 66 metres above the sea level.
Many victims in Kogi, the confluence state, are bemoaning over their plight consequent upon flood.

The development has therefore put governments in the affected states on their toes to mitigate the effects of overflow of water.

Alhaji Isiaka Alamin, the Permanent Secretary, Kwara Ministry of Environment, said several cases of flooding had been recorded in the state lately, especially in riverside areas.

He said incidence of flooding became pronounced between July and August in flood-prone areas such as communities on river banks and where canals and drains were blocked with refuse.

“We have received reports of flooding at Oloje area of Ilorin where houses were flooded after a downpour and some fences were pulled down.

“The flood has also affected some farmlands, washing away farm produce and living the farmers in financial debt,” he said.

According to him, flooding is also recorded in Lafia in Edu Local Government Area of the state as well as Patigi and communities close to the bank of the River Niger.

Alamin said that the ministry had tried to check flooding by evacuating refuse on the streets for a fee of between N500 and N1, 000, depending on the size of the refuse.

The Chairman, Committee on Environment in the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmed lbn-Mohamned, said the state had not recorded any casualty as a result of flood since the commencement of 2018 raining season.

He said the state government was collaborating with all the 16 local government areas to reduce the flood disaster in flood-prone areas.

The chairman also said the two tiers of government in the state had embarked on distribution of drain bags in all parts of the state to allow free flow of water during a downpour.

The lawmaker further said rigorous sensitisation campaign was being carried out to promote proper sanitation practices in the state.

“The state government is currently evacuating residents in riverside areas to check loss of lives,” he said.

Ibn-Mohammed, however, warned residents of the state against dumping refuse in drainage and waterways, especially during rainfall.

In Cross River, massive flooding has destroyed more than 175 houses, rendering no less than 3000 people homelessr, according to Mr John Inaku, Director-General of SEMA.

Inaku told NAN in Calabar that the flood had seriously affected the victims most of whom he said, had relocated to upper lands for safety.

He said no life has been lost in the menace, adding that the flood started in the state in the month of July.

According to him, most of the victims are living along the water channels and others in swampy areas.

The director-general said that the agency had embarked on aggressive campaign to sensitise residents in the state on the need to stop dumping refuse on drainage and building along water channels.

He explained that the flood had affected residents in Boki, Ogoja, Yala, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South and other local government areas in the state.
“Cross River has always been affected by flood during the rainy season. Currently, we have over 175 houses that have been destroyed and as a result, over 3,000 persons have been displaced.

“This menace has greatly affected farming activities, especially in Boki, Yala and a few others areas.

“We are looking at NEMA and other corporate organizations to come in and assist the victims,’’ he said.

He listed the flooded areas in Calabar to include, Muritala Mohammed Highway, Ebito, Murray, Target and Nelson Mandela, Atu, Yellow Duke, Parliamentary, Efiote roundabout and Mayne Avenue streets.

He said that the Agency had appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency to assist the state with relief materials for the victims.
The Flood Warning: Bayelsa is taking proactive steps to avert disastrous consequences.

The Bayelsa Government says it is not relenting efforts in ensuring that the anticipated flooding does not have adverse consequences on the people of the state.

Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Bayelsa Commissioner for Information gave the assurance on Thursday in Yenagoa.
He said that the state government had stepped up activities to mitigate anticipated flooding.

The commissioner said that the state government, against the backdrop and experiences in the 2012 flood, had set up a flood response team

According to him, the team comprising of relevant government agencies will go round the state to monitor flood-prone areas and respond swiftly to any emergency situation.

The development is coming on the heels of the alert by the Nigeria

Iworiso-Markson said the government is partnering with relevant stakeholders and experts including the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to ensure that if flood occurs, it is put under control.

The commissioner assured that given the proactive steps so far taken by the government, there was no cause for alarm.

He also said that the state’s residents along the river banks were used to perennial rise in water levels which often floods farmlands.

The Commissioner said that the government had provided a call centre with dedicated telephone lines to enable residents in the state report cases of high-water level in their areas.

He said that the mobile numbers to contact were 08025814636, 08110413567 and 09037582261.

According to him, the proactive measures are geared toward preventing any re occurrence of the 2012 flood disaster in the state, even though floods are natural disasters and inevitable.

He said Dickson had mandated the Ministry of Information and that of Environment to carry out sensitization and monitoring efforts to safeguard residents and called on every one to play their own role.

However, NAN investigations revealed that most residents in the coastal communities prefer the flooding as their fishing vocations enjoy boom with enhanced fish catch during the flood incidents.

Mr James Agodi told NAN that despite the challenges associated with perennial floods, the people always prayed for the water levers to rise and overflow the banks with abundant fish.

“Those of us living near the river side actually enjoy abundant fish catch during flood seasons, when there is flood, there is no need to go far to get fish, the flood waters carry a lot of fish so anywhere you set nets there would be catch.

“Even those who are not doing fishing as their occupations return home at such times to do fishing, so to us the saying that there is opportunity in adversity holds true,” Agodi said.
Edited by Dada Ahmed

Farmers

By Kudirat Musa

Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Fadama III AFII says it has supported rain-fed farmers with agricultural inputs in eight communities in Yobe to boost food production.

The Project Coordinator, Musa Garba, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He mentioned the communities as Buduwa, Daklam, Guyik and Zabudum in Jakusko Local Government Area.

Others he added are: Balanguwa, Baganari and Maja-kura villages in Nguru Local Government Area, including Fika in Bade Local Government Area of the state.

Garba said that the tour of the communities was meant to interact with farmers who benefited from the rain-fed support project, to determine the performance crops.

He said that the visit to the affected areas was also to ensure that the farmers comply with the directive on demarcating of the 0.5-hectare farm size, as supported by the project.

“ It is important to maintain the 0.5- hectare farm, clearly separated from the main farm so that we may determine crop yield after harvest.

“ If farmers respect the directive on planting on 0.5-hectare, we will know why yield varies from farm to farm.

 “It will also afford us the opportunity to determine whether some farmers adopt best practices and others ignored them.’’ Garba said.

He urged farmers to count their normal walking steps, using legs to measure 0.5 hectare farm size before planting, to ensure exact measurement for them to record the desired yield.

The project coordinator promised to link farmers with service providers who would find solution the problems confronting them.

He told NAN he also inspected rice, millet, sorghum, sesame, tomato, pepper and cow pea in the communities concerned to ascertain the impact of the agricultural inputs on farming activities in the communities . (NAN)

 ROK/FLP/DUA

 Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Dada Ahmed

Association advises FG to purchase, store farm produce

Advice
By Kudirat Musa
Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The National Coordinator, Zero Hunger Nigeria Commodity Association, Dr Tunde Arosanyin, on Wednesday advised the Federal Government to purchase and store farm produce from farmers to enhance the nation’s food security.

Arosanyin gave the advice in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He stressed the need for the Federal Government to purchase the produce in order to minimise post-harvest losses and motivate the farmers.

He added that essential excess commodities like rice, beans, maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea among others should be mopped up and put in silos to be sold to the public in times of scarcity.

‘‘If Government fails to do this, it means the farmers would be exposed to sell directly to people that are coming from Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin Republic and other neighbouring countries.

‘‘Though, we have been supporting them (neighbouring countries) over the years; but it should be regulated so that we do not sell all our produce and then starve as a nation.

‘‘We should work with precise and accurate data on our population.

‘‘We must know our consumption capability, and if we are able to meet up our capability we can now sell our surplus,” Arosanyin said.

The national coordinator told NAN that the measure would cushion the effects of the current inflation rate, which the National Bureau of Statistics put at about 18.3 per cent.

He urged stakeholders to use the opportunity of the ongoing harvest period of crops by farmers to plan for the time when food is likely to be scarce, to forestall hunger. (NAN)
ROK/MOL/AFA
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide

Retirees
By Dada Ahmed

Abuja, Sept.12, 2018 (NAN) A medical practitioner, Dr Adesina Olubiyi, has advised retirees to adopt healthy life style and do periodic medical check-up to live long enough to enjoy their retirement benefits.

Olubiyi gave the advice while speaking at the Stanbic-IBTC Pre-retirement Forum in Abuja.

According to him, the retirees, by age are prone to various ailments, occasioned by the types of their life style, hence, the need for them to watch the type of food they eat.

He called on this segment of population in the country to consume much of food that contained fibre to guard against ailments such as diabetics, stroke, and hypertension.

Olubiyi mentioned some of the foods to include plant-based such as wheat, unpolished rice, fruits, garden eggs, carbohydrates, carrots, cucumber and other vegetables, as well as engage in moderate aerobic exercise.

“We should not just eat anything that comes our away, especially at this stage of our life, but take into consideration their health benefits to our body,“ he said.

He, however, warned the retirees to check their health status from a medical doctor before embarking on any exercise to ensure safety of their health.

“Averagely in a day, you should take 10,000 steps and avoid being sedentary, consume less of salt and develop interest in checking your Blood Pressure (BP).“

According to him, some of the ailments that afflict the aged do not show any signs or symptoms; therefore conscious efforts should be geared toward avoiding them through eating the right foods.

He also called on the retirees to avoid alcohol, smoking and other factors that could predispose them to obesity and destruction to their pancreas, among others.

The News  Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion was held to intimate the retirees with retirement issues and what steps they should take to avoid delays in the payment of their entitlements, among others.(NAN)

DUA/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

APC

Aledare Akinwale

Lokoja, Sept. 6, 2018 (NAN) Mr Kayode Adekunle, Youth Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi, has appealed to the party’s national leadership to reduce nominations forms fees being charged aspirants.

Adekunle made the appeal in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Thursday, and urged that the fees should be made affordable for young political aspirants.

The APC fixed its presidential nomination form at N40 million and expression of interest form at N5 million. For governorship, the nomination form is N20 million and expression of interest is N2.5 million.

For the Senate, the nomination form costs N7 million while the expression of interest costs N1 million. Cost of form for House of Representatives aspirants is N3.5 million and the expression of interest form, N350, 000.

House of Assembly is N750, 000 for nomination form and N100, 000 for expression of interest.

The youth leader said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s intention of signing the “Not-Too-Young-to-Run’’ Bill had not been demonstrated in the costs of the nomination forms announced by the party.

He said that if the prices of nomination forms were reduced, it would encourage some youths to contest and be part of the electioneering.

He stated that youths should no longer be left out of political contests.

According to Adekunle, the percentage of youth population and their contributions to the success of the party’s electioneering in the forthcoming general elections need to be factored into the costing of nomination forms.

He appealed that forms for House of Assembly and House of Representatives should attract moderate fees to pave way for young aspirants into the legislative arm of government. (NAN)

WAL/OSA/OPI
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Edited by Shittu Obassa and Olisa Ifeajika

Medicine
Lokoja, Sept. 5, 2018 (NAN) The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has been urged to protect nobility of the medical profession by purging out quacks within its rank.

Dr Haruna Saka-Audu, Kogi State Commissioner for Health, made the assertion on Wednesday in Lokoja.

Saka-Audu made the declaration at the 2018 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the MDCAN, Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja chapter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that theme of 2018 meeting and conference is: “Building a Strong Culture of Professionalism among Medical Professionals.’’

He said that the infiltration of quacks into medical profession had become a threat to public health.

Saka-Audu said that there was no way the association could exonerate itself from the many problems now bedeviling the health sector.

According to him, the association is in a better position than government to tackle the menace, urging its leadership across the country to rise up to the challenge.

He praised the consultants for their various contributions to the delivery of quality healthcare to the people of the state.

The commissioner said that the state was ready to take the collaboration with them to a higher level.

He said government had initiated discussion with board and management of the Federal Medical Centre on the need to upgrade it to a teaching hospital for the benefit of people.

Saka-Audu said that the government would continue to look forward to advice and suggestions on how to improve the healthcare delivery to the people, especially rural dwellers.

Speaking as the guest lecturer, Dr Christopher Uyinmwen, identified trust as the key and most critical factor in the practice of medicine.

Uyinmwen, a Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, urged consultants to always bring their expertise to bear in their practice and also uphold standards.

He urged his colleagues to always display a sense of responsibility, reliability and show respect for and another and patients in the course of discharging their duties.

Uyinmwen advised them to be mindful of their conducts outside their professional circle and improve upon their knowledge and technical skills.

He advised the doctors against turning themselves to `demigods’, asking them to always show compassion to those suffering pains and hardship.

Uyinmwen called for right investment in the health sector for doctors to achieve professionalism, saying that adequate equipment and manpower, infrastructure, training and retraining must be made available to enhance practice.

In his remarks, Dr Ayodeji Ogunmola, the Chairman of MDCAN, FMC Lokoja chapter, said that the association would not hesitate to flush out bad eggs within its ranks once they were discovered.

Ogunmola said that the lecture was part of efforts being made to improve the relationship between doctors and patients, adding that it was also meant to update the knowledge of doctors. (NAN)
KKA/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

No hiding place for defecting politicians – EFCC

EFCC

By Wale Ojetimi

Lagos, Sept. 5, 2018 (NAN) Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, says politicians defecting from one party to another would not be shielded from prosecution by the anti-graft agency.

Speaking during a parley with editors in Lagos on Wednesday, Magu said there is no hiding place for such politicians in the fight against corruption by EFCC.

“The fact that a politician jumps from one party to another will not stop EFCC investigation; we don’t stop investigation until it is concluded.

“It is only the courts that have the powers to decide on whether to exonerate or convict any indicted politician,” said the EFCC chairman.

Responding to alleged interference by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Magu said that he had never received any instruction to stop any investigation.

“I am not the type you’ll ask to stop any investigation”, Magu said.

The EFCC chairman said it had become fashionable for anyone being investigated for corruption by the Commission to scream political persecution.

“With the general elections fast approaching, the resistance has assumed even frightening dimension with political motives imputed to most of our activities,” he said.

According to Magu, the media owes Nigeria a duty not to allow the corrupt to deploy their ill-gotten riches to corner the machinery of government.

The EFCC chief, therefore, urged the media not to lend their platforms to helping the cause of the corrupt that were shedding crocodile tears.

“We must all do what is right for our country, which is ensuring that those who steal our common patrimony are brought to justice,” Magu said.

According to him, the EFCC has so far revealed only about 10 per cent of the monumental corruption perpetrated in the past and urged all security agencies to prioritize anti-graft fight.

“You have not seen anything yet, we have not even touched 10 per cent of corruption perpetrated in the past,” he said.

The EFCC boss said banks needed to strengthen internal control and urged the Central Bank to re-appraise regulatory and ethical conduct of banks in order to win the fight against corruption.

According to him, EFCC has signed memorandums of understanding with the United Arab Emirates and Mauritius in its efforts to recover looted assets.

He expressed concern at the state of seized assets which were rotting away at various locations across the country.

On assets recovery, Magu said EFCC had recovered a total of N106.5 billion, $1.63 million, 629,000 British Pounds and 25,575 Euros this year.

He expressed the hope that EFCC would surpass the record of 189 convictions achieved in 2017, going by over 158 convictions secured between January and August this year. (NAN)

WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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