Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-AE-15
Produce
By Chidinma Agu
Lagos, Feb. 22, 2017 (NAN) The Managing Director, Bama Farms Ltd., Mr Wale Oyekoya, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to create centres for food production collection and buying-back farm produce from farmers in all local councils.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the buying-back farm produce from farmers would guarantee cash for farmers and help them to produce more.

According to Oyekoya, who is also an agriculture consultant, one of the major problems of food production in the country is poverty.

“Nigerians are not lacking food, what they lack is money to buy the food, money to produce the food and money to procure small piece of land to grow the food.

“A great variety of delicious species of organic foods, fruits, and vegetables and cash crops abound in the country.

“Many of these delicious and juicy fruits, vegetables and cash crops are largely produced by over 75 per cent of Nigerian full-time rural farming communities.

“However, very great percentage of these delicious organic farm products often get damaged or wasted before getting to final consumers,’’ he said.

Oyekoya said Nigeria`s inability to solve her own problem of food and agriculture was not as a result of her people`s laziness or the matter of the nation being naturally unblessed.

He reasoned that a nation where the 75 per cent of its average farmers were still making use of outdated farm tools would never achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

Oyekoya said that instead of using modern agricultural techniques Nigerian farmers have adhered to various archaic agricultural methods and practices that were copied from their ancestors.

According to him, in this kind of situation, one of the major problems facing the helpless local farmers is the lack of adequate food storage and processing facilities.

The consultant said that the government needed also to partner with private investors to add value to all the produce through processing, distribution, marketing and export.

Oyekoya, who was also former Chairman, Agric and Agro Allied Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said that such partnership would convince youths to be fully interested in the sector.

He expressed regret that majority of the rural communities lacked good road networks, pipe-borne water, electricity as well as schools and hospitals around them.

Oyekoya said that there was no way farmers from such areas can maximise their potential to enhance the nation’s agricultural production.

NAN reports that in the past years, Nigeria’s agricultural commodities and food import bill averaged over one trillion naira.

These huge amount had been expended on items that the country has the potential to produce locally.

For instance, the import bills on rice and wheat were estimated at N428 billion and N307 billion in 2013 and 2014, has continually depleted our foreign reserve.

The availability of timely and affordable credit delivery to this sector has also been minimal over the years which made it difficult for the citizens to practice farming. (NAN)
ACA/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide

NAN-DS-11
Arrest
Lokoja, Feb. 22, 2017 ( NAN) The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it had arrested 17 suspected criminals, including two Boko Haram terrorists in Okene, Kogi.

The Commander, Command Army Records, Lokoja, Brig.-Gen. Henry Ayamasaowea, who presented the suspects to newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday, said that they were arrested with explosive devices and dangerous weapons.

Ayamasaowea said that 10 AK47 rifles, locally made guns, 12 masks of different sizes, ammunition, dagger, pump action guns, grenades and five explosive devices were among items recovered from them.

According to him, the Army and other security agencies have in the past three weeks been working round the clock to check kidnapping and other violent crimes in the area.

He said those arrested also included herdsmen who had been terrorising the state, saying that some of the suspects might have invaded the state from Sambisa forest in the North-East.

“Boko Haram members have dispersed and many of them have made their way to Kogi. We took the security situation very serious and that is why we went after them,” the commander said.

Gov. Yahaya Bello who was present at the occasion, said government would not condone criminal activities in the state.

“We are after them and we have started getting them. We will not condone any act of criminality whether politically motivated or criminally motivated.

“We will never relent in our efforts to get to them wherever they are hiding; and parents should call their wards to order.

“This state has suffered a lot and we are ready to arrest and prosecute anybody who indulges in criminal activities in the state,” Bello warned.

The governor appealed to the people of the state to assist security agencies with useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.

“We have law against terrorism and kidnapping in Kogi and we must enforce it. The houses where the criminals were arrested will be demolished,” he said.(NAN)
KKA/AMY/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

PENCOM tasks SEC on regulatory framework for derivatives trading

NAN-HE-1
Framework
By Olawunmi Ashafa
Lagos, Feb.22, 2017 (NAN) The National Pension Commission (PENCOM) on Wednesday advised the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to introduce regulatory framework to back the derivatives market before pension funds could be invested in it.

Mr Ehimeme Ohioma, the Head of Investment Supervision Department of PENCOM, gave the advice at the “Nigerian Structured Products Summit organised by the Capital Market Solicitors Association (CMSA) in Lagos.

Ohioma said that the commission had always been cautious with investing the pension funds because workers’ involvement in contributory pension was not voluntary, but mandatory.

He said that investing in derivatives could be seen as hedge against market risks and that there were concerns in terms of regulatory oversight and framework.

Ohioma also suggested that there must be market infrastructure for price discovering and “if not available might pose a challenge’’.

He said that operators needed to be trained on the derivatives market while end users should be carried along.

Mr Afolabi Olowookere of Economic Research and Policy Management in SEC said that the derivatives market already existed, but admitted that it had not been regulated because of  the absence of formal rules.

Olowookere said the SEC had been looking at the kind of investors to be allowed to participate in the market and which could either be retail or portfolio investors.

He said that the market had the potential to grow with good products and complete understanding of its operations by stakeholders.

Olowookere said that SEC had started training some operators so that they could understand the market.

He said that there were also collaborations with some regulatory agencies to create awareness.

The researcher said that SEC was already thinking of using applications used in other climes to boost the market.

Mr Dapo Oladunjoye, Group Treasurer in Access Bank, said that the volume of derivatives traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange was insignificant.

Olagunju said there was the need to understand the underlying factors for the trading of derivatives at the market.

He said that the regulatory agencies – the CBN, SEC and PENCOM, among others – were effectively playing their roles in the market.

The treasurer said that the issues surrounding the derivatives market should be demystified. (NAN)
AWA/ENN/TA
Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-H-17
Billboard
By Iyiola Pedro
Lagos, Feb. 20, 2017 (NAN) The operator of the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme’s in-transit television, ValueMedia, has unveiled its outdoor advertising billboards in Lagos.

The company’s Managing Director, Mr Opeoluwa Sebanjo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the purpose was part of efforts to improve commuter engagement and experience.

He said: “It is the largest billboard in Oniru, being the fact it was an area in the state that had been untapped.

“It is currently the only billboard within the area and it’s also along the Lekki toll gate alternative route and the Oniru market way.

“We are targeting more than 10,000 cars and 3,000 foot traffic that ply it on a daily basis.

“We are starting with an introductory, but comparatively low price of N650,000 monthly.

“So, it only makes sense that as the platform on the BRT television grows, we should try more or less to give our clients more options.

“Hopefully agencies and media buyers will see the location for what it is’’.

Sebanjo also disclosed that the company had begun the creation of more in-transit TV content directed at connecting with commuters.

“We are also working with other content providers to go outside, just music videos and sports highlights but also more social and entertainment content.

“One of such is MyBRT Experience which is being shot right to give them more insight into the everyday life of people that experience the BRT, including bus drivers.

“Another is the V-Lifestyle to focus on social and entertainment news, and trends in the community,’’ he said.

He added that efforts were being made to upgrade its facilities and enable the transition to real-time news and inclusion of local programming.

Sebanjo said that the company was working round the clock to resolve occasional screen timeouts experienced on the BRT night service.

“We have 434 screens right across the entire state so there might be a bit of downtime either as result of maintenance or when the bus driver, for whatever reason, mistakenly switches off the screen.

“Apart from our monitoring and maintenance team present on the corridor daily, I also monitor twice a day to quickly resolve such downtimes,’’ he assured. (NAN)
IYI/ENN/PDE
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(Editing by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-S-9
T/tennis
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye
Lagos, Feb. 20, 2017 (NAN) Adesoji Tayo, one of the three sponsors of the monthly National Invitational Table Tennis Tournament, says the essence of the competition is to groom young talented players.

Tayo, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of tournament on Monday in Lagos, said the dearth of table tennis competitions in the country motivated them to sponsor the tournament.

He said that many of the players embarked on training without participating in competitions to exhibit skills acquired and evaluate their progress.

“There are so many untapped talents with skills that need mentoring and regular competitions to excel.

“In the past, there were several table tennis competitions such as Bournvita, Coscharis and many others but right now, it’s only the Asoju Oba that still exists.

“The absence of these competitions is telling on our players and it won’t do them any good. These competitions put Nigeria in the forefront in table tennis in Africa.

“This development is worrisome and we need to buckle up and devise methods that will revive table tennis,’’ he said.

Tayo, who is a member of Ibadan Recreation Club, said state of table tennis in the nation made him and two of his friends to come up with the monthly tournament.

“The three of us are table tennis lovers and we actually play in our various clubs. Growing up, all areas used to have table tennis boards to train with and that’s not so any longer.

“We decide to host it monthly to ensure that players’ skills are sharpened and that table tennis doesn’t die.

“We are using the Country Club, Ikeja because its facilities are of international standards for players to get used to,’’ he said.

He added that before now, at the African meets, Nigeria used to clinch almost all medals but now things were not the same.

“Now, we struggle for medals with countries who were nowhere to be found when we were dominating in the sport.

“We see Nigerian players going to seek for clubs and even naturalise in other African countries because of dearth of competitions that saddens me.

“The main focus of the tournament is on the younger ones, we are more passionate about catching those young and grooming to stardom.

“The younger ones are the future stars and we need to encourage them because catching them early is essential and pivotal to greatness,’’ he said.

The member of the Country Club, however, urged cooperate organisations and individuals to take a cue from them.

“Ikoyi club is already taking a cue from us and considering organising an U-16 competition for players.

“I am very happy about this and I hope that soon we would have more than enough competitions to engage players,’’ Tayo said. (NAN) SEY/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-S-2
Tournament
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye
Lagos, Feb. 20, 2017 (NAN) The male defending champion of the monthly National Invitational Table Tennis Tournament, Ahmeed Bello, has retained his title by defeating his opponent, Ahmeed Adeyinka.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello won by 11-3,12-10,11-8,11-8,11-8 (3-2) at the competition held on Sunday at the Country Club, Ikeja.

Also, in the female category, Rashidat Ogundele, defeated Funke Hassan 11-6, 11-5, 13-11 (3-0).

The male joint third winners are Kunle Ajulo and Ghazal Adeyinka, while the females are Bose Odusanya and Funke Hassan.

Apparently joyful, Bello told NAN that he was happy to retain his title, adding that his intensive training before the tournament yielded positive results.

He said that he would go back to training immediately to keep up with the tempo to win the next edition in March.

“Honestly, I am very happy with this victory and I must say that I put so much effort into it. I am happy that I was able to meet my target,’’ he said.

Adeyinka, disappointed by the loss, said that the game showed that he still had a lot of work to do.

He said that he would go back to correct his mistakes which made him lose to his opponent twice in the finals.

“The better player won because if I had played well, I would have won. Bello is a very good player and I congratulate him on his success,’’ Adeyinka said.

On her part, the female winner, Ogundele also told NAN that she attributed her success to self-confidence.

She said that her victory over Kazeem in the group stages boasted her morale and gave her the confidence needed to defeat her again.

“In the group stages, I defeated her 3-1 and that spurred me to beat her again. I played my normal game in all the matches.

“I followed my coach’s instructions while playing and that gave me heads up on how best to go with the game.

“Kazeem is also a good player I must say and our matches were not an easy one, luck and determination just worked in my favour,’’ she said.

NAN reports that the first prize winners in both categories got N50,000, while the runners-up got N30,000 each and the joint third winners got N15,000 each.

Also Azeez Sholanke the best junior player got N20,000, while all players who qualified from the preliminaries got gift items for participating.

NAN reports that the monthly tournament which had its eighth edition in February is sponsored by three friends.

They are Adesoji Taiwo, Chukwuma Udom and Tunji Lawal.

The February edition had females participating for the first time.

Facilitating the monthly tournament is borne out of the passion that the trio have for table tennis and their desire for Nigeria to be the game’s beaters globally. (NAN)
SEY/ENN/PDE
===========
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-26

Accident

By Okuanwan Offiong

Lagos, Feb. 19, 2017 (NAN) About 40 fire incidents were recorded in different parts of Lagos State over the weekend, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Seye Oladejo, has said.

Oladejo disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday at scene of fire outbreak at a plastic factory in Oshodi.

NAN reports that no life was lost in the fire which started at the raw materials store of the factory.

The commissioner attributed the escalation in fire incidence to the return of harmattan weather to the state.

“We noticed the escalation of fire incidents since Friday when we had a sudden change in weather as harmattan suddenly came back.

“Since then, we have recorded about 40 fire incidents in different parts of the state.

“Fire incidents are mainly caused either by accident or sheer carelessness on the part of our people,’’ the commissioner said.

He appealed to Lagos residents to be more careful, especially as regards the storing of petroleum products in homes.

“As a government, we will continue to respond but we will be happy if the incidents are reduced to the barest minimum; our duty is to secure lives and property of our citizenry,” he said.

Oladejo said government would continue to improve its emergency response services by acquiring more sophisticated equipment for effective disaster management in the state. (NAN)

OKU/WOJ

========

(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN – H –38

Security

Lokoja, Feb. 19, 2017 ( NAN) A socio-cultural group, Kogi Integrity Group has urged police to investigate the activities of some politicians as part of efforts to scale down criminal activities in Kogi State.

Addressing a news conference in Lokoja on Sunday, the group said that some politicians it did not identify had been aggravating the security situation of the state through their actions and utterances , saying that they should be investigated.

“ Those who celebrate insecurity can as well sponsor insecurity. Security agencies should place certain politicians on the spot for scrutiny , “ the leader of the group, Mr Dare Michael said during the news conference.

He said that the politicians were not comfortable with the success of the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello , especially the huge favourable response to his industrial friendly policies, hence their decision to create a state of insecurity .

Michael also condemned the activities of some Abuja-based politicians from the state , saying that “their attempts to make the state ungovernable  for Bello will not see the light of the day”.

“ They are not wrestling with Yahaya Bello but with the people of Kogi state. They should stop embarrassing the state with their public conduct ,” he said.

On the staff screening and verification, the group pleaded with the affected civil servants to bear with the government and continued to support the move in the interest of the state.

“ A credible , disciplined, effective and efficient civil service will be beneficial to us as people of Kogi state,” the group leader explained.

However, Dare appealed to the committee handling complaints arising from the excise to speed up its work and save the workers’ needless agonies.

The group commended the state government for embarking on skill acquisition training for 2,500 youths selected across the 239 wards in the state , road projects and efforts to make agriculture attractive.

According to the leader of the group, these efforts should be sustained and expanded to cover more people. ( NAN)

KKA/MO

======Edited by Morayo Omolade

NAN-F-57
Crime
Paris, Feb. 17, 2017 (dpa/NA N) Emmanuel Macron, the centrist candidate in April 23 and May 7, France’s presidential election, Friday called for “zero tolerance’’ toward crime and police abuses.

Macrons stated his stand while commenting on social issues in an interview with right-leaning newspaper, Le Figaro, amid ongoing trouble in Paris’ suburbs involving a policeman who allegedly sodomised a young black man during an arrest, two weeks ago.

Macron, a former economy minister, who has been criticised by rivals for publishing few concrete policy proposals, said he wanted to employ 10,000 new police officers and gendarmes and build prisons for 15,000 inmates, if he wins the presidential election over five-year presidential mandate.

The candidate also called for more neighbourhood policing, saying, “When you only have riot police and rapid response units in an area that means that there is no day-to-day security.’’

“My republic is not multicultural, but whether we like it or not, the French republic is diverse,’’ he said.

Macron has moved into second place in most polls since conservative candidate Francois Fillon was hit by allegations that his wife received lucrative salary for a fake job as his parliamentary aide.

That sets him up for a likely run-off vote in May against far-right candidate Marine Le Pen.

Macron, who was a liberalising economy minister under the current Socialist Party President Francois Hollande, once again resisted being categorised as left-wing or right-wing.

“Those categories worked for yesterday’s world, not for the world of tomorrow,’’ he told Le Figaro. (Dpa/NAN)

AIJ/DUA

Edited by Abigael Joshua/Dada Ahmed

NAN-H-93
Rice
By Mercy Obojeghren
Asaba, Feb. 17, 2017 (NAN) A rice farmer, Mr Raymos Guanah, says there is an increase in the demand for local rice, an indication that Nigerians are beginning to appreciate locally-produced rice.

Guanah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Asaba that his farm had multiplied its harvests of rice in the last three years.

“In 2014, we harvested 300 tonnes, while in 2015, we got 600 tonnes.

“In 2016, we had 900 tonnes and as I speak with you now nothing is left, we were able to sell all of it,’’ the rice farmer told NAN.

He said that the farm’s target for 2017 was to produce 3000 tonnes of rice due to increase in the demand for the produce.

Guanah, Chief Executive, Raymos Guanah Farms, said that the increasing patronage was because Nigerians now prefer locally-produced rice to imported rice.

“Nigerians are becoming more aware that there is so much difference between the locally-produced rice and the imported rice,’’ he said.

Guanah, a former Commissioner for Lands in Delta, noted that the high patronage of rice produced from his farm was because of his “no stone, no sand’’ policy.

Guanah urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend its Anchor Borrowers Programme to other farmers instead of limiting it to only cooperative societies.

According to him, there are some big farmers engaging in mechanised farming and cultivating larger expanse of land than many cooperative societies. (NAN)
MOA/JEY/WOJ
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(Edited by Johnson Eyiangho / Wale Ojetimi)