The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Kwara gets NYSC Coordinator

    Kwara gets NYSC Coordinator

    A new State Coordinator for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in Kwara, Mr Chris Jimba has assumed duty.

    A statement issued yesterday, in Ilorin, by Dipo Morakinyo, Public Relations Officer for the Corps said Jimba took over from Mrs Francisca Olaleye, who recently completed her tenure.

    ”Until his recent appointment, Jimba was an outstanding management staff at the Human Resources Management (HRM) Department of the scheme, at its National Directorate Headquarters, Abuja. He was also a one-time State Coordinator of NYSC in Imo.

    ”His civil service glowing career, which spans over two decades, has taken him to several states of the federation, including Oyo, Benue and the North Central Area Office, Minna, Niger,” he said.

    Morakinyo said Jimba has promised to build on the existing cordial relationship between the NYSC scheme and the state government.

    He added: “He also pledged to sustain the warm relationship between the NYSC and all its critical stakeholders in Kwara.”

  • Residents seek CP’s intervention on land encroachment

    Residents seek CP’s intervention on land encroachment

    By Rhoda Olatunbosun

    The residents of the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate, Abesan, Ipaja in Lagos have called for the intervention of the Commissioner of Police on the alleged encroachment of their land by Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area.

    The Chairman of the estate’s Community Development Association (CDA), Adewale Adepoju, said accused the council was to dismantle the water tank put in place by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to serve the community.

    The water tank, the residents said, is two million metric tons built within the estate by the Federal Government in 1983 to serve the allottees/residents of the estate.

    Adepoju said the council has sealed off the land where the water tank is situated, thereby preventing the residents from accessing it.

    He said: “We are of the firm opinion the said water tank, being a Federal Government asset, can be dealt with only by the authorisation of the minister or his designated officers, which in this case is not Mosan-Okunola LCDA, or any private individual.

    It is in the light of the foregoing that we call on the Commissioner of Police to urgently intervene in this matter with a view to calling the Mosan-Okunola LCDA to order, and to impress upon the council the consequences of unlawful interference with a Federal Government asset.

    According to some residents, the council has been employing some ‘touts’ to attack people that are preventing the council from encroaching on the land where the water tank is situated.

    Adepoju said the tank has been supplying water to the estate for over 30 years.

    He said some people had wanted to encroach on the place but the association resisted them.

    He alleged that the council wanted to build shops on the land, but “we told them that it’s not possible because the land does not belong to the council. It belongs to the Federal Government. We, the allottees, are stakeholders managing the place for over 30 years. The council should vacate the sealing order.”

  • NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure, Fanen Ihyongo, Kano, Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin, Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi, Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba, Sanni Onogu, Lokoja, Nwanosike Onu, Emma Elekwa, Onitsha and Kolade Adeyemi, Jos

    Results of the House of Representatives election held last Saturday began to trickle in yesterday. The results are shocking, as the unexpected is happening

    PDP candidate rejects result in Ondo

    Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Akoko South East/West federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Gbenga Kolawole, has rejected the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The electoral body had declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adegboyega Adefarati, as winner of the election.

    Adefarati polled 25,874, while Kolawole got 18,403.

    A statement by spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in the locality, Tayo Omololu, said the declaration of Adefarati as winner of the election was in contempt of a court judgment, which declared that the APC had no candidate for Akoko Southeast/Southwest federal constituency.

    Kolawole, who asked INEC to declare him winner of the election, said the court barred the APC and its candidate from participating in the general election.

    He urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, vowing to recover his mandate.

    Kolawole said: “Adefarati is only a place holder and temporary member-elect. His manipulative prowess will be demystified in a matter of time because after this darkness, there will be light.”

    APC wins Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Terseer Ugbor, as the winner of the House of Representative seat for Kwande /Ushongo federal constituency.

    Making the declaration at the INEC Constituency Collation Centre at Adikpo, in Kwande Local Government of Benue State, the Returning Officer, Associate Professor Zaiyor Patrick, said Ugbor polled 40,813 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bob Tyough, the incumbent House of Representatives member and a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 19,489 votes.

    Others who also participated in the election were Prof. Kohol Iornen of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), who got 3,172 votes.

    Having polled the majority of the votes cast, with a marginal difference of 21,314 votes, Ugbor was declared as the duly and constitutionally elected member of the House of Representatives for Kwande /Ushongo federal constituency.

    Reacting to the election, he said he dedicated his victory to God Almighty and to the good people of Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency, who found him worthy to represent them at the Green Chambers of the National Assembly. Ugbor further said he was grateful to the Leader of the APC in Benue State, Senator George Akume, for always standing for truth and fair play.

    Said he: “There is no victor and no vanquished. My victory is for all parties.”

    Ugbor promised to justify the confidence the people of Kwande /Ushongo federal constituency reposed in him.

    APC clinches another seat in Kwara

    Son of Abuja-based socialite, Muinat Shagaya, Muktar has won the House of Representatives seat for Asa/Ilorin West federal constituency.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Muktar Shagaya polled 59,019 votes to defeat his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, Ibrahim Ajia.

    Ajia, ex-policeman, scored 45,172 votes.

    But the PDP candidate has rejected the result, alleging that the election was marred by irregularities.

    Ajia, in a statement by the Director of Communications of Ajia Campaign Organisation (ACO), Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan and made available to reporters in Ilorin, said Ajia decided to contest the election outcome in court in order not to subvert the wishes of the people.

    Said he: “The House of Representatives candidate of PDP for Asa/Ilorin-West federal constituency, Alhaji Ibrahim Ajia, wants to make it clear that the outcome of the election as declared by INEC was marred by irregularities. It fails the principle of free, fair and credible elections, as stipulated by the Electoral Act.

    “Our popular candidate is a victim of widespread electoral fraud and manipulation by INEC, in connection with the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq administration.

    “The elections were characterised by widespread irregularities, intimidation and voter suppression, in order to clear the path for the inglorious ‘victory’ of APC at the polls.

    “It was clear that the game plan was to overturn the popular wishes of the people of Asa/Ilorin-West federal constituency, who their candidate has come out to challenge the maladministration going on in the state.

    “While we thank and appreciate the support of our teaming supporters, we want to appeal to them to remain peaceful and calm. We will not relent in pursuing our stolen electoral mandate to the limit of the law through constitutional means.”

    Kano Speaker wins seat

    Kano  State House of Assembly Speaker Hamisu Chidari has been declared winner of Danbatta/Makoda House of Representatives election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Returning Officer Prof. Haruna Musa of the Bayero University Kano (BUK), who announced the result, said Chidari, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scored 30,346 votes to defeat his closest rival, Badamasi Ayuba of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), who polled 24,792 votes.

    INEC also declared Abdulmumi Kofa of the NNPP as the winner of Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency in Kano State.

    The Returning Officer, Prof. Sale Kumurya of BUK, announced the results at Bebeji yesterday.

    Kumurya said Kofa scored 40,463 votes to defeat his closest rival, Sunusi Saidu Kiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 34,798 votes.

    The commission also declared Sani Bala of the APC as winner of Kunchi/Tsanyawa federal constituency.

    Prof. F. Abdullahi of BUK, the Returning Officer, announced the results in Tsanyawa Local Government yesterday.

    Abdullahi said Bala scored 25,000 votes, while Safiyanu Mohammed of the NNPP polled 21,648 votes.

    Also, Prof. Sani Ibrahim of BUK, the Returning Officer for Minjibir/Ungogo federal constituency, has declared Adamu Sani of NNPP as winner of the House of Representative election after scoring 49,274 votes, as against 16,629 votes polled by Marau Sani Nas of the APC.

    Minority Leader Elumelu loses seat

    The Independent National Election Commission (INEC) has declared Labour Party (LP) candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency, Mr. Ngozi Okolie, as winner of the National Assembly election.

    Okolie was declared winner by the Returning Officer for the constituency, Prof Kenneth Abaraibe, at the INEC collation centre in Oshimili South Local Government Secretariat.

    The LP candidate scored 53, 879 votes, as against 33, 466 secured by the PDP candidate, Ndudi Elumelu.

    FCT  senatorial seat for Kingibe

    Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party (LP) has won the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial seat in the general election held last Saturday.

    She defeated three-term Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Philips Aduda by a significant margin to win the FCT senatorial seat.

    ADC candidate Abejide

    re-elected

    leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been re-elected to represent Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

    The constituency comprises Mopa-Muro, Yagba East and Yagba West local governments in Kogi State.

    The Returning Officer, Dr. Stephen Okpanachi, announced the results at Isanlu.

    He said Abejide polled 23,271 votes to defeat Olorunfemi Olafemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 10,426 votes.

    Okpanachi said Tolorunjuwon Faniyi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 6,421 votes to emerge third.

    He said: “Leke Abejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

    Abejide, addressing reporters after his victory, thanked Yagba people for their confidence in him and promised not to disappoint them.

    Okada rider is winner of Kaduna  seat

    The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Mr. Donatus Mathew, an Okada rider, has been declared the winner of the Kaura federal constituency of Kaduna State.

    The returning officer, Prof. Elijah Ella, declared the result yesterday, saying Mathew polled 10,508 to defeat the incumbent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gideon Lucas Gwani, who came second with 10, 297 votes.

    Prof. Elijah said All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate trailed with 9,919 votes, while New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) secured 5,354 votes to come third and fourth.

    APGA gets two seats in Anambra

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has won two House of Representatives seats so far declared in Anambra State.

    They are Ihiala federal constituency and Oyi-Ayamelum federal constituency.

    The Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Paschal Agbodike of APGA, polled 5,709 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of Labour Party (LP), who got 3,536

    The incumbent lawmaker, Ifeanyi Momah of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 2,554 in Ihiala.

    The Returning Officer for the constituency, Prof. Anthony Okoye, said eight parties participated with their candidates in the election, but due to intelligence report and real security situation, elections were not conducted in six towns in the constituency

    The communities are Azia, Isseke, Lilu, Mbosi, Orsumoghu and Ward 1 of Uli town.

    The candidate of APGA for Oyi/Ayamelum federal constituency, Lady Maureen Gwacham, was also declared winner of the election.

    Gwacham scored 15,299 votes to defeat her counterparts from the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Charles Uchenna Okafor (Wiper), who was former Governor Willie Obiano’s commissioner. He got 13,332 votes.

    The candidate of Labour Party (LP), Chira Obiora Uzochukwu, scored 8,159 votes.

    The incumbent House of Representatives member for the zone, Vincent Ofumelu of the PDP, scored 6912 votes.

    Lar wins record National

    Assembly 5th term

    member of the House of Representatives (Langtang North, Langtang South Constituency), Beni Lar, has won a record fifth term in the National Assembly.

    The Returning Officer, Prof. Jonathan Daboer of the University of Jos,

    announced that Lar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, polled 42,008 votes against her closest rival, Mr. Vincent Venmak of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 21,345. Daboer declared her as the winner.

    Lar also defeated Mr. Solomon Dalung, a former Minister of Sports during President Muhammadu Buhari’s first tenure, who contested the election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He got 3,369 votes.

    Lar is a lawyer and daughter of Chief Solomon Lar, the first civilian governor of old Plateau State and founding National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    She was an aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo before contesting and winning elections into the Green Chambers.

    El-Rufai’s son triumphs at Kaduna North

    El-Rufai Muhammad Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won Kaduna North Federal Constituency in Kaduna State with 51,052 votes.

    Prof. Mohammed Magaji Garba of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Returning Officer for House Representatives, Kaduna North, announced the result at the Magajin Gari Collation Centre in Kaduna yesterday.

    Garba declared Bello winner of the election, having defeated his closest contender, the incumbent member representing the area, Malam Suleiman Abdu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 34, 808 votes.

    Malam Aliyu Ahmad of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP0 came third with 10, 148 and Shehu Faisal of Labour Party (LP) scored 7,531votes.

    “El-Rufai Mohammed Bello, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared winner and returned elected.’’

    The returning officer said the constituency had 369, 428 registered voter.

    He said of the 369, 428 registered voters, 110, 269 7 voters were accredited for the election, while 106, 073 valid votes were cast.

  • Group warns against post-election violence

    Group warns against post-election violence

    By Bukola Afolayan

    Group, the South  West Security Think Tank Forum  has called for calm and enjoins all citizens to eschew violence as the election results are being released. The Forum is appealing and impressing on all aggrieved youths in particular that elections are won and lost based on the aggregate of votes from all over the country and not in a few places where they have strong showing. It calls on those that feels aggrieved to wait until the final result is announced and act within the dictate of the Constitution by taking legal and legitimate steps to seek redress and not resort to violence or anarchy.

    The Forum cautioned that while some youths or citizens may have valid concerns to express, there are criminals and agents of destruction always waiting for such opportunity to loot and commit arson which will completely jeopardise the genuine concerns of citizens.

    The Forum warns that under no guise must the South West zone be turned to an epicentre of violence and arson as witnessed in the last Endsars protests. It should be noted that the South West especially Lagos State is yet to fully recover from the arson and wanton destruction of properties during the Endsars saga.

    The Forum equally calls on all governors in the South West to take urgent steps to prevent a breakdown of law and order by prompt liaising with all the security agencies. It calls on all the security agencies to make necessary proactive deployments to prevent violence and to safeguard lives, properties, investments and critical infrastructure. On their part, parents, guardians, traditional leaders, religious leaders, community leaders and all persons in authority are advised to warn their children, wards and youths to shun violence, destruction of property and any act of brigandage.

    Finally, the Forum calls on leaders of all the political parties to come out strongly to call their supporters to order, noting that they are all signatories to the peace accords before the elections.  Political leaders must be mindful of their utterances and also caution their supporters on the implications of violent actions and statements on our collective security.

  • How Osoba was de-enfranchised, averted crisis at polling unit

    How Osoba was de-enfranchised, averted crisis at polling unit

    Against all odds, the presidential and National Assembly elections were successfully held in Ogun State last week. Assistant Editor EMMANUEL BADEJO, who monitored the polls, writes on his experience.

    Saturday, February 25, 2023, had come and gone, but the political event that took place in Nigeria on that day, will go down memory lane. All political parties had two days earlier concluded their campaigns.  There was tension in the air, as the three major parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), had vowed to win the presidential elections. The trio had equally signed a peace agreement.

    There was quietness in the air.  The roads were empty. However, few military personnel were seen on the Lagos-Abeokuta major roads. For about a 67 kilometre journey, the army personnel were only at two locations, at Joju, Sango, in Ado-Odo/Otta, Local Government Area, and Papalanto in Ewekoro Local Government Area. They barricaded the road and turned a few passers-by back.  They were cordial in their approach.

    The ancient Abeokuta town, the capital of Ogun State, was unusually still. From Ado-Odo/Otta to Ewekoro to Odeda to Brewery and the heart of the town close to the Governor’s office at Ibara, the historic town of many firsts, was in a state of silence. It didn’t seem there was going to be the presidential election. Neither security personnel nor officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were in sight. The town looked like a ghost city at 7 am.

    But at 8:00am, police men started taking their position on the ever-busy, but deserted roads on Ibara, near the Ogun State Government House.  They were stopping and checking any vehicle passing the area, though courteous in manner and approach.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo cast his vote at hisIkenne hometown. Osinbajo voted around 9:56 am alongside his wife, Dolapo Osinbajo, at Unit 14 Ward 1, Ojurege, Ikenne Local Government. The Vice President described the election as peaceful.

    The rumour that Osinbajo was not supporting the candidacy of Tinubu didn’t carry any weight as many of his kinsmen massively voted for the APC.

    In Remo, the hometown of the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the PDP’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, election materials and some INEC staff didn’t arrive at the polling booths on time. Notwithstanding, elections were held in all the polling booths.

    Abiodun, who said the election process to be free and fair, however, lamented the inability of the electoral umpire to provide enough cards for his party agents.

    Abiodun decried the inability of INEC to provide enough cards for agents of the APC at various polling booths in the 2023 presidential and national assembly elections.

    He stated this after casting his vote at Ward 3, Unit 2, Ita-Osayin, in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State on Saturday.

    Abiodun said that the lack of adequate provision of the cards by INEC to APC’s agents for easy representation at polling units caused hitches in the election process in some parts of the state.

    He stressed that he was yet to confirm the cause, insisting on whether it applied to agents of other political parties in the state. He added that he was impressed by the turnout of the people at his polling units.

    The governor, however, thanked the commission for working hard during the election period, saying it was usual for INEC to have slight hitches because the election is a massive task for the electoral body.

    He, therefore, called on media professionals to show professionalism in their reportage of the election process, noting that he and the public depend on them for information during the election period.

    “From all that I have been told so far, it appears to be going well enough, there were a few hitches early this morning, which centred on the issue of agent identification and cards. I am told INEC did not provide enough cards for agents to identify themselves as they represent themselves at the various polling units.

    “I am yet to confirm what caused that; I am not sure whether this applies to all parties but our party agents have complained. But I believe that some arrangements have been worked out and you know voting has started and the voters’ turnouts are impressive, which is very exciting and everything seems to be peaceful.

    “I want to thank INEC for the hard work put into the process and obviously, taking up more responsibilities that we have in the past, so one must definitely appreciate what they have done. You know it is not unusual their slight hitches that are there, it is such tasks as massive as this and I am sure that at the end of the day, all will go well, even in the next election there will be an incumbent leader.

    But, the former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, could not cast his vote due to inability of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to capture both his face and finger prints at his polling unit 15 in Ward 14 at the Ibara GRA.

    While the INEC officials were trying to accredit the APC chieftain, a fight nearly broke out between some journalists and the INEC staff.  The sharp disagreement was due to an order by the commission’s official, directing the journalists to stay away from a particular location.  It however, took the quick intervention of Osoba to avert the brickbats that would have ensued. And after several trials, Osoba was turned back home.  He went back at about 2:11 pm and was denied again.

    The former governor while speaking with journalists at his polling unit, however, said he was not the only one who was denied accreditation by BVAS.

    He added that three other persons were also denied.

    The former governor said he would have loved to vote, but he does not want the votes of others to be voided because of one extra vote that was not recorded.

    “I have been here twice today, but the BVAS failed to capture my details and if I should go ahead to vote it may lead to cancellation of the huge turnout of voters of this unit.

    “I have decided to go because my name, and pictures in the voter’s card I used to vote in 2019 in this same unit have been denied by BVAS. But I don’t want it to show an extra vote cast that is not captured by the BVAS.

    “I feel sad very sad, but I am encouraged by the huge turnout of voters, including elders of age 80 and above who had come out to vote, it gives me courage that APC is closer to victory.

    When asked what he would do concerning continuous denial of BVAS, he said he has confidence in INEC and their technology.

    He expressed optimism that the commission will make sure their IT centers work better by March 11.

    Osoba said he felt very sad about his inability to exercise his civic duty. “I feel very, very, sad about the situation” but said he was happy with the large turnout of voters. “I am encouraged about the huge turnout, particularly, seeing many of our elderly citizens coming out in their large numbers, is indeed, an encouragement for me. This also convinces me that the APC is coasting to victory.  I have never seen such a large turnout voting in this place before.”

    The former governor notwithstanding, commenced INEC. “I have confidence in INEC, notwithstanding the technological failure.  I am aware that in this polling unit, it is just three or four of us that have been unlucky. That is not to say that INEC has not improved in its operational delivery.”

    He urged INEC to look into the technological challenge and resolve all issues so that every eligible Nigerian will not be denied of exercising their right.

    According to him, “In Obafemi Owode, it was observed that many of the electoral officers reported late to the polling booths. It was said that some of them had problems with transportation of election materials. 

    “But in terms of peaceful conduct of the voters and security, I want to say that I am impressed.

    “I want to congratulate everybody irrespective of party affiliation to be calm and not to allow minor issues to destroy what has happened so far.  I can say that, so far, the election has been very good.

    “You just saw how I pacified some of the voters who were aggrieved and about to degenerate into fisticuffs. You saw how I appealed to them and they all accorded me that respect and sheath their sword. Speaking with journalists shortly after his second failed voting attempt, Osoba said, “I have been here twice today and the BVAS failed. The BVAS did not capture my details and I have refused to vote because it may lead to the cancellation of the large turnout of votes in this polling unit if I decide to vote.

    “Notwithstanding that my name and picture was on the voters register and the card I used in 2019 successfully is the same card on this same unit, I don’t want to vote because I don’t want the BVAS to go and show the extra one vote cast that is not captured by the BVAS for this unit.”

    “I feel very very sad, but I was encouraged with the huge turnout, and particularly, many elderly citizens of between 70 to 80 years coming out to vote, gives me confidence that APC is close to victory. “I have confidence in INEC. It was just a technological failure, only two or three of us could not vote in this unit. Definitely we will do everything possible to make sure that the situation is reversed and ensure that the IT Centre makes sure that things work better.

    “The security performance is ok; INEC did well here.”

  • Brazil leads Nigeria’s top non-oil export destination

    Brazil leads Nigeria’s top non-oil export destination

    A recent economic report from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that Brazil was the top export destination for non-oil products from Nigeria as trade earnings rose by 16.9 per cent to hit $75million in October and November 2022.

    While citing the presence of a sustained and favourable commodity price in the international market, the CBN report further stated that non-oil export earnings rose by 16.9 percent from $0.35 billion in October to $0.40 billion in November 2022.

    “This was due to the 7.0 percent and 16.1 percent increase in other non–oil products and re-exports to $0.38billion and $0.02bn from $0.36bn and $0.01bn respectively,” the report revealed.

    The report also stated the top five export destinations as Brazil, Netherlands and China, Belgium, and Japan.

    With a share of 13.7per cent Japan took the lead according to the analysis by direction of trade as the country became the major destination of non-oil export products.

    The Netherlands followed closely with a share of 12.6per cent. China came in third place with 11.6per cent. 6.7per cent of non-oil exports went to Belgium while Japan took 6.0per cent.

    The analysis also revealed the top three non-export materials that were exported to be Urea, which accounted for the largest share of 21.0per cent, cocoa beans followed closely with a share of 20.2per cent, and sesame seeds at 9.3per cent.

    Further reports also revealed that the top two exporters of non-oil products during the period in the review were Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemical Ltd and Dangote Fertilizer Ltd.

    The two firms accounted for 13.5per cent and 7.5per cent respectively, from the export of urea and fertilizer.

    The company responsible for exporting Cocoa beans, Outspan Nigeria Ltd came in third place with a share of 6.%. Two other firms, Starling Global and Ideal Ltd responsible for the export of cocoa and cashew nuts came in fourth place, with 5.8 per cent while British American Tobacco Nigeria Ltd came in fifth place, with 4.4per cent from the export of cigarettes.

  • AfDB, others approve $350m for food security

    AfDB, others approve $350m for food security

    African Development Bank (AfDB) and Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) are rolling out a $350 million project to build resilience for food and nutrition security in the horn of Africa.

    Under the African Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP), the Chief Executive Officer, GCA, Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, said the two organisations are rolling out the multi-million dollar project to improve small business resilience for food and nutrition security.

    He noted: “This is toward mobilising new digital climate technology for market information, insurance products, and financial services that can and must be tailored to smallholder farmers’ needs.”

     Verkooijen spoke at a three-day regional forum on the future of resilient food systems in Africa organised by the GCA and AfDB. The forum urged the Future of Resilient Food Systems in Africa – AAAP Digital Solutions for a Changing Climate provided through training for stakeholders across Eastern Africa. The training strengthened their capacity to design and implement solutions to improve food security and climate resilience. It was also meant to facilitate knowledge sharing among farmers on scaling up the use of Digital Climate-informed Advisory Services (DCAS).

    Verkooijen called for urgent financial support to put Africa on the path of food sovereignty.

     DCAS are tools and platforms that integrate climate information into agricultural decision-making.

    Globally, more than 300 million small-scale farmers have limited or no access to DCAS because service provision is still fragmented, unsustainable beyond project cycles, and not reaching the last mile.

    According to Verkooijen, Africa needs urgent support to scale up the implementation of adaptation solutions. The AfDB’s East Africa Regional Director-General, Nnenna Nwabufo, represented by Dr Pascal Sanginga, the Regional Sector Manager for Agriculture and Agro-Industries, said the forum was timely. The AAAP is already contributing to closing Africa’s adaptation gap by supporting African countries to make a transformational shift in their development pathways.

    “It is putting climate adaptation and resilience at the centre of their policies, programmes, and institutions. There is no doubt that AAAP will be a strong component of the country’s Food and Agricultural Delivery Compacts. As it will accelerate the transformation of Africa’s food systems and build a more resilient Africa,” Nwabufo said.

    Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Prof. Stephen Gitahi, said 70 per cent of the population in Eastern Africa live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Gitahi encouraged the trainers to simplify the modules to remove the fear of technology and accelerate adaptation for rural farmers. We acknowledge that gaps exist on climate adaptation in the rural communities, and those can be smartly bridged with the use of digital smart agriculture and climate innovations,” he said.

    The forum brought together stakeholders and participants from Djibouti, Eritrea, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Mauritius, Tanzania, Seychelles, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Kenya.

  • ‘Edo Refinery operating at 80% capacity’

    ‘Edo Refinery operating at 80% capacity’

    Edo Refinery in Ologbo, is operating at 80 per cent capacity and is currently oversubscribed, the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki has said.

    He spoke during an inspection of the companies operating in the Ologbo axis of the state, including the refinery project and an ethanol production plant, which is currently undergoing construction. Edo Refinery was developed by Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited (ERPC) with support from the state government through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

    Speaking to reporters during the visit, the Obaseki said: “You can see that there is production going on at 80 per cent of the plant’s capacity and they have been able to sign a crude oil contract with a private company that is supplying crude to the refinery.

     “They are able to sell finished products now as you can see tankers loading. However, they have more demand than they produce. The demand from the local market is far in excess of what they are supplying. So, we need to encourage more people to build more refineries,” he said.

    The Edo Refinery is a 6,000bpd capacity plant, which is being expanded to 21,000bpd. The facility with its feedstock can produce 50 per cent of diesel (500,000 litres), 25 percent of naphtha (300,000 litres) and 20 percent of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) (200,000) litres. The company got its first supply of 10,000 barrels of crude feedstock from Decklar Resources Inc. and its co-venturer, Millennium Oil & Gas Company Limited, which operates the Oza Oil Field. 

    He said: “We are encouraging people in the Gelegele axis to also come to invest in the opportunities of the gas there.”

    You know our government is one that encourages private investment and provides the enabling environment for people to come and invest.” On his part, the Enogie of Ologbo Dukedom, HRH Owen Akenzua commended the governor for his developmental strides, promising to work with the state government to ensure peace and security in the area.

  • UNDP: Debt restructuring to unlock $148b

    UNDP: Debt restructuring to unlock $148b

    Developing economies could secure up to $148 billion in savings if the international community restructures their existing debt and expand access to future affordable finance, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has said.

    UNDP also called for action to protect developing nations from the impact of today’s overlapping crises while ensuring that financing is aligned to support a just, inclusive, and equitable global transition.

    UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said the building blocks to transform the global financial system are already being discussed at the G20 multilateral development bank reform including debt restructuring, and injections of liquidity. However, he stressed that with the fracture between developed and developing countries escalating rapidly, there is a need to move from words to action.

    He said the policy brief identified 52 low and middle income developing economies that are either in debt distress or at high risk of debt distress. According to him, collectively they account for more than 40 per cent of the world’s poorest people.

    He canvassed that a 30 per cent cut in their 2021 public external debt stock could help to save up to $148 billion in debt service payments over eight years, according to the report.

    He said: “UNDP said 25 developing economies currently have external debt service payments higher than 20 per cent of total revenue – the highest number of countries in more than two decades which impacts spending on essential services, including measures to adapt and respond to climate change. The countries most burdened by debt and lack of access to financing are also being battered by multiple other crises; they are among the most affected by the economic impact of COVID-19, poverty, and the accelerating climate emergency,” Mr. Steiner said.

    According to him, the time has come to address the deepening chasm between rich and poor countries, to change the multilateral landscape and to create a debt architecture that is fit for purpose in our complex, interconnected, and post-COVID world.

    He said  the policy brief revealed how “significant fiscal space” can be freed by expanding access to lower cost and long-term maturity funding  two of the focus areas included in the UN Secretary-General’s Stimulus Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

     He also stated that the 17 SDGs provide a blueprint for a more just, equitable, and “green” future, and have a deadline of 2030.

    UNDP Chief Economist, George Gray Molina, argued that developing economies simply cannot fund progress on the goals, or climate commitments, if they are borrowing at up to 14 per cent while also paying more than 20 per cent of revenue for debt servicing.

    “The billions of savings identified by UNDP can only happen if we collectively agree that it is time to de-risk development and climate financing,” he said.

    The document further showed how an additional $120 billion in savings could be generated by “refinancing” the bond debt of middle-income countries to official creditor rates. It also highlighted the potential for lowering the cost of borrowing for investments aligned with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

    Furthermore, rich countries have the resources to end the debt crisis, which has deteriorated rapidly in part as a consequence of their own domestic policies.

  • ‘Quality seeds vital for food sufficiency’

    ‘Quality seeds vital for food sufficiency’

    An expert, Mr. Brighton Karume has said Nigeria’s quest to be self-sufficient in food production will remain a mirage so long as farmers continue to plant grains as seeds.

    Karume, who is the Managing Director, ECOBasic Seeds Company Limited, stated this in Kaduna when interacting with a group of farmers.

    According to him, most farmers consider purchasing seeds from accredited seed companies to be a waste of money, and unfortunately, what they plant every year and store for the next planting season is grains, the purity of which is questionable and the germination rate cannot be guaranteed.

    The managing director added that it is important to educate farmers on the differences between seeds and grains.

    “Grains are meant to be used for food, so they are not treated and there is no need to pay attention to their germination rate. On the other hand, seeds are not meant to be eaten because they are treated to protect them from diseases and pest attacks and are meant to be planted,” he added.

    He however noted that ECOBasic was established to bridge a vital gap in the nation’s seed sub-sector, and in its two years of operation.

    The company, he said, has become one to reckon with in the production of crucial foundation seeds needed by seed companies in the country to produce certified seeds for farmers.

    He said the ECOBasic Seeds Limited was established to act as a game changer for the whole of West Africa’s seed sector, and that the company had taken the task with all the seriousness it deserved.

    He said: “ECOBasic serves as an important link between research institutions that have the mandate to develop/produce, and release breeder seeds, and seed companies that produce certified seeds and sell them to farmers. The absence of intermediaries like ECOBasic Seed Company in the Nigerian seed sector is blamed for the proliferation and adulteration of seeds and the existence of fake seeds in the country.”

    “We are uniquely positioned to make the highest quality hybrid seeds available to seed companies for distribution to farmers. If a quarter of maize farmers in Nigeria plant hybrid seeds in the coming planting season, Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in maize production will receive a significant boost,” he said.