The Nation Newspaper

Category: News

  • ‘Farmers earned N407b from local rice production’

    ‘Farmers earned N407b from local rice production’

    RICE farmers and small scale rice processors earned N407 billion from local rice production, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

    Adesina said that with the new drive in production and the amount of arable land, Nigeria has the capacity to produce sufficient rice for its populace.

    The minister said this at a media chat in Abuja on “self – sufficiency in rice production.”

    “You can see that we are creating value to the domestic economy because we are engaging people to work, we are also increasing the GPD of those states.

    “Our farmers and small scale – rice processors have earned N407 billion from the current transformation in the rice sub-sector,” the minister said.

    Adesina assured that Nigeria was on course to surpass its target of 20 million metric tonnes of food and produce 22 million tonnes of additional food by 2015.

    He encouraged states to key into the Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) to increase rice production.

     

    “As at the end of 2013, 17 million tonnes of additional food had been produced since 2011 and by 2015, 22 million tonnes of additional food would be produced.

    “When we started, only 10 states grow rice, but 22 states are growing rice. The total gross of value of rice added to the domestic economy over the last three years was about N750 billion.”

    He said that the government has increased the area of cultivation in rice by 1.9 million hectares, adding that farmers in Nigeria are getting between five to six tonnes per hectares with the introduction of Faro 44 and 52 a new variety of rice introduced recently in the country.

    Adesina added that the new policy, which raised tariff on imported rice, was done to give Nigerian farmers a fighting chance to increase their production.

     

     

  • Oyo seeks Australia support for women development

    The Oyo State Government has appealed to the Australian government to support it in the area of women development and improving the lot of people with disabilities in the state.

    The deputy governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, made this appeal during the official launch of Australian Alumni in Nigeria held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

    Adeyemo, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on People with Disabilities, Prince Paul Adelabu,  said the state has recorded success in developmental projects, adding that the state government will continue to provide a conducive environment for foreigners who intend to assist in the development of the state.

    He also disclosed that the Oyo State Technical University will commence operation soon, adding that the state is also seeking the support of the Australian government for students’ exchange programme.

    In his response, the Australian ambassador to Nigeria, Jonathan Richardson, said the Australian government is committed towards fostering relationship with developing countries, adding that the country is ready to partner with the Oyo State government to train her citizens in developmental projects.

     

    “Nigeria is fast becoming a significant source country for international students in Australia. A total of 923 Nigerians students were enrolled in Australian universities and vocational education programs by the end of May 201,” the ambassador disclosed.

     

  • NSCDC boss tasks officers, men on crime, terrorism

    The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State, Mr. Andrew Ugwumba, has tasked officers and men in his command to brace up in the current fight against terrorism and other security challenges in the country.

    Ugwumba gave the charge at the weekend during a Security Summit organised by the Command in Akure, the state capital.

    According to him, there was the need for the officers to be friendly with people, noting that it is through this that useful information can be made available in the fight against criminals and criminality.

    The NSCDC boss said that the purpose of the summit was to focus on the effective handling of security challenges by the security agencies, adding that the issue of security was the collective business of security agencies and the people.

    He said, “Intelligence gathering and partnership is the bedrock of our operation as security agencies; the need to gather information and share promptly with relevant stakeholders for effectiveness cannot be overemphasised or ignored.

    “We must work with the media with a view to educating and informing the masses and put the record straight on the current trends of security challenges facing the country. The current security challenge is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, it is a global phenomenon.”

    Ugwumba urged the officers to do their best in the discharge of their responsibilities and do away with anything that could tarnish the image of the Corps.

     

  • CAN applauds President over fund intervention for Boko Haram victims

    CAN applauds President over fund intervention for Boko Haram victims

    THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for instituting a special fund to cater for the emergencies of Boko Haram victims.

    The development, CAN said, has further demonstrated that Jonathan means well for the victims regardless of their backgrounds.

    The National President of the Christian body, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, also praised the quality of persons nominated to serve on the special fund and wished them well in their task of raising and disbursing funds to victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in parts of the north.

    He appealed to persons who will be directly and indirectly involved in the scheme to have the fear of God in all they will be doing and be fair in exercising their mandate.

    In a statement in Abuja, Oritsejafor said: “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) receives with gladness and great relief the news of the institution of a special fund to cater for the needs of victims of insurgency in parts of the country.

    “On behalf of the association and the entire Christian community in Nigeria, I want to specially thank Mr. President for taking such a bold and courageous step to care for the victims of insurgency in the northern part of the country.

    “The action is a further demonstration that President Jonathan is indeed the father of the nation and a father to all Nigerians irrespective of the background of the victims of the crisis and the decision has demonstrated that the present administration is responsive to the plight of the people.

    “For long, it has been the conviction of CAN that victims of the senseless killings and wanton destruction of property should be given some ‘life line’ in whatever name it could be called and we are glad that the President has heard our call and responded appropriately.”

    He added: “I believe that the fund will address a wide range of issues facing persons displaced by the crisis as well as provide the basis for a more comprehensive programme of rehabilitation and reintegration of the victims at the end of the crisis (insurgency).

    “It my hope that funds realised from the various donations and contributions will be judiciously used for the good of those affected in the crisis.

    “I honestly believe that this initiative will give hope to our people and instill in them a sense of belonging while reducing the psychological and physical impact of the burden created as a result of the losses incurred in the crisis.”

  • Selection of Imo governor: I made mistakes in the past – Nzeribe

    Selection of Imo governor: I made mistakes in the past – Nzeribe

    A former lawmaker, Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe, yesterday vowed to do everything possible to ensure that a “decent and straightforward politician becomes governor of Imo State in 2015.”

    He alleged that the past three governors of the state were ‘installed by outsiders,’ adding that he made “a mistake of keeping quiet in the past.”

    In a statement he personally signed in Abuja and made available to The Nation, Nzeribe said:  “Here in Imo State, critics may want to know why Senator Nzeribe has taken it upon himself to pontificate on who should govern the state in 2015? Should this question arise, it will be an interesting poser. In the last three [3] governorship elections in Imo State, I looked the other way when the governors were being installed by outsiders; in this very project of seeing that a decent and straightforward politician takes over the mantle of leadership in Imo State, I will never look away again. I made genuine mistake in the past and kept quiet, this time around, it will be undemocratic, if not immoral and cowardy of me to keep quiet.

    “I know those politicians who will not rule Imo State in 2015. Infact, we don’t want those that will run our economy down to file out either as pretenders or as contenders to the governorship seat in the state in 2015. Those whose agenda are to buy and fuel private jets, build intimidating estates in choice places like – Ikoyi in Lagos State, and as well as in the heart of Federal Capital Territory [FCT], at the expense of the state, will not get near Douglas House. Surely, Imo State will not fall into the hands of those who want to continue to own houses in strategic areas in the United States of America [USA], England, Dubai, Canada and so on and so forth. Also, those who purchased and own private banks in tax – haven countries abroad will not be allowed to govern Imo State come 2015. The dubious politicians maintaining fat foreign accounts in different hard currencies will not come near Douglas House in 2015.

    “What Imo State urgently requires today, above any other thing, is a baggage-free candidate that will win primary election, go ahead to win the governorship election proper, and then provide good governance and leadership; irrespective of where he or she comes from.

    “Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe, is not just making wild statement, the evidence are there, when the time comes, we shall see. This time around, I and the other like minds (stakeholders) will not sit and watch Imo State looted. Money will not be an issue for stakeholders in the project of purging Douglas House of looters. Already, the stakeholders have come together and consultations are continuing. Purging Imo State government house of treasury looters is a task that must be done. Imo State is no longer for sale,” he said.

    The senator identified 15 governorship hopefuls grouped into two distinct groups, arguing that the next governor of the state will emerge from one of the groups.

    He said nine politicians out of the two identified groups can be regarded as analogue or old political activists, while the rest six are digital or new political activists.

    As he puts it:  “In the mix are politicians like immediate past governor, Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Emmanuel Iheanacho, Professor Jude Njoku, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. Others are, Martins Agbaso, Tony Ezenna, Festus Odimegwu, Ben Njemanze, Humphrey Anumadu, and so on. Ordinarily, it will be politically naïve for anybody to write off any of the two sets of politicians identified here as pretenders to Imo State governorship seat in 2015, because of lessons of our political history in Nigeria.

    “Of the two identified sets of politicians in discourse here, those with baggage will surely get shocker of their lives if they stray into Imo State governorship contest.”

     

     

     

    “In an ideal situation, one can pitch his tent with any of the two groups of acknowledged politicians and still marshal out sound argument in favour of the group. For the new breed of politicians, their arguments on why the old ones should give way are legion. First, is the case that older politicians cannot cope with the rigors of the work of executive governor of a state as a result of old age.  Secondly, new breed politicians believe that older politicians lack the innovative power to take the state to the next level developmentally because of their conservative and obsolete approach to governance.”

    Already, he said stakeholders have come together and consultations are on-going, adding that “purging Imo State Government House of treasury looters is a task that must be done.”

     

  • Lawmaker receives accolades from constituents

    Member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sunday Adepoju, has received kudos from members of his constituency as well as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    Encomiums were showered on Adepoju when he held a town hall meeting at the Eruwa town hall with members of his constituency to give account of his stewardship.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, noted: “As far as I know, this is the first time in the history of this constituency when a lawmaker will come home to render account of his stewardship.”

    The monarch, however, urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and people of the constituency to give Adepoju the necessary support in order for him to contribute more to the development of the area.

    In his remarks, the APC Chairman in Ibarapa East Local Government, Alhaji Lateef Ajiboye, also commended the lawmaker for providing the platform to give account of his stewardship.

     

  • Ekiti holds referendum on new LCDAs

    Ekiti holds referendum on new LCDAs

    The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC)  yesterday held a referendum on the creation of new 18 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    Controversy had trailed the creation of the new LCDAs and the referendum, with the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) kicking against the creation, while also calling on the people to shun the referendum.

    The exercise, which held at designated primary schools in the 137 wards across the 12 affected local government areas, commenced at about 8 am with the registration of interested voters and ended at 4pm.

    Describing the exercise as a huge success, Chairman of SIEC, Mrs. Cecilia Adelusi, noted that the turnout of the people for the exercise was an indication that the state government took the right decision to conduct the referendum.

    She disclosed that there was a massive turnout in Iyin, Ogotun, Ikole, Iloro, Ifaki and other areas where the referendum took place, as people trooped out in large number, to vote.

    The SIEC boss added, “However, there were areas where election did not take place. In places like Osi and Igbole, there was total blockage of the road, because the people there were protesting the choice of the headquarters.

    “It is not our duty to look into such agitations, because we will still compute our results and send to the House of Assembly for ratification.”

    Speaking with journalists in Ikere Ekiti, the Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Funminiyi Afuye, said the people of the town were enthusiastic about the creation of an LCDA in the town, adding, “This must have informed the mammoth crowd that participated in this exercise (referendum).”

    Journalists who monitored the exercise in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, noticed a fairly large turnout of people in all the designated centres in the 13 wards of the council.

    At Ward 5, St. Michael’s Primary School, Ajilosun opposite Mobil Petrol Station, the turnout was quite impressive.

    Despite the relative success of the exercise, opposition parties allegedly boycotted the exercise, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describing the creation of the new LCDAs as placing hurdles on the path of the incoming government of governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

    A few weeks ago, the PDP had gone to court seeking an injunction to restrain the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the State House of Assembly and SIEC from going ahead with the exercise.

    Defending its boycott of the referendum, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the State, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, hinged its stance on what he described as “insincerity of the outgoing government in its approach to the creation of the councils.”

    The PDP spokesperson noted that out of the 177 wards in the state, people in about 130 wards allegedly boycotted the exercise, while those who participated did so under duress and coercion from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

     

  • Strike: Lawyers, doctors call for quick resolution

    •As patients in government hospitals seek medical care elsewhere 

    Lawyers practicing in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, have called on both the federal government and members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to quickly address and resolve issues surrounding the ongoing strike embarked by the union.

    Some lawyers who spoke to our correspondent in Aba  yesterday described the strike as one that is having a negative effects on their practice since it started.

    They expressed fear that if issues surrounding the strike were not addressed promptly, it would mean a prolonged process for people who would want to seek redress in court, adding that it is devastating and a denial of justice to the citizenry that needed it.

    An Aba, based lawyer, Olusegun Bamgbose, said, “Actually, it is very, very unfortunate and pathetic that at a crucial time like this, such a thing is happening. I feel for those who are in custody who are supposed to be released today and the way I am seeing it, it could be a prolonged strike. So, it’s quiet unfortunate and we expect the federal government to do something urgent to bring back the judiciary staff to start work immediately.”

    Director of Information, Abia State High Court, Mr. Friday Ikpeoha, in a telephone interview, explained that they embarked on the strike in compliance with the directives of the national body.

    Ikpeoha, calling on the public to exercise patience, stated: “the strike  is in favour of the masses. It will favour the masses because it is to compel the federal government to obey the order to grant financial autonomy to judicial system at all levels, including the state. There was a court order asking the state government to grant autonomy to the state judiciary, so if that autonomy is granted, it will ensure financial independence of the state judiciary and that will make the judiciary to serve the people without fear or favour.”

    In a related development, Abia State chapter chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Uwa Onwuchekwa, has called on the public and patients at various government hospitals in Aba and the state that needed medical services to exercise patient with the medical professionals.

    Onwuchekwa in an interview yesterday said, “We hope very soon that the strike should be over, if government does what they should do. This strike is needless. We are on strike because the government is trying to cause anarchy by giving privileges which ordinarily belonged to doctors.”

    However, a visit to various government hospitals in Aba, including the Abia State Teaching Hospital, showed that only skeletal medical services were being rendered, while an unconfirmed report had it that patients on admission were leaving in droves to private clinics allegedly owned by some of the medical practitioners working in the government hospitals.

     

     

     

    Some residents who spoke to our correspondent are calling on the federal government and NMA to resolve the disagreement that led to the strike, adding that the strike was to the detriment of patients as they alleged that private clinics are using the opportunity to charge exorbitantly for the service that would have been gotten in government hospitals at a much lower rate.

     

  • Chibok girls: Group canvasses consensus against terrorism

    A group, the Grand Alliance Against Terrorism (GAAT) has called for consensus in the fight against terrorism.

    GAAT Secretary General, Ariyo Atoye, who spoke at the Unity Fountain in Abuja yesterday, said security remains everybody’s business.

    He explained that citizens must support the security agencies and government to overcome insurgency.

    According to him: “While we explore local and international cooperation to ensure that our kidnapped students are released, we must ensure that we work to put an end to terrorism.”

    He added that abduction and kidnapping of Nigerians especially the girl-child and women should be condemned by all.

    Atoye said that the group was committed to ensuring that the girls abducted by terrorists over 90 days ago are reunited with their families.

    “We support every initiative by government, security agencies and sincere stakeholders to bring back our girls.

    “This is one task that we must achieve as a nation to put terror to shame and defeat the axis of evil in our land,” he said.

    He commended the presence of Pakistani teenager, Malala Yousafzai, in Nigeria and her efforts to ensure that the abducted Chibok girls are released.

    The group also urged Malala and other international stakeholders in the fight against terrorism to support Nigeria to drive a global consensus in defeating the act of terror in the country.

    He, however, frowned at some Nigerians employed by certain individuals, groups and organisations to create tension in the country.

    “Let us always remember the saying that united we stand, divided we fall.

    “Let us learn from the bitter experience of our past and other nations. We have no other home,” he said.

    Atoye commended the media who had made national security a high premium in their reportage as the country battle insurgency.

    “The fight against terrorism is a collective responsibility and we urge you to remain vigilant and be on the part of Federal Republic of Nigeria to overcome our present challenges,” he said.

     

  • ‘Avert Nigeria’s drift into anarchy’

    ‘Avert Nigeria’s drift into anarchy’

    FORMER Acting Governor of Kogi State, Chief Clarence Olafemi,

    yesterday blamed the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration for political upheavals in different parts of the country.

    Speaking in the state capital, Lokoja, he described recent

    developments, especially the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and happenings in Nasarawa State as disturbing.

    He called on Nigerians to stand up against those he said were out to draw the country back to pre-civil war years.

    Olafemi, who is speculated to be on the verge of dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to vie for the Kogi West senatorial ticket, said leaders must not be allowed to plunge Nigeria into chaos because of their selfish reasons.

    Blaming the activities of those he described as desperate politicians for the unrest in parts of the country, he said ordinary Nigerians must be particularly concerned because they would be worse off if the country is allowed to drift.

    His words: “My impression is that you look at Israel and Gaza, maladministration; over 300 people are dead, over 1,500 people are hospitalised and property destroyed, all because of political reasons.

    “And, who are those that suffer? The common people. I even saw Assad being sworn in for a third term in office and I laughed.

    “I want people to know that Nigeria, with our 200 million population will plunge the whole region into war if anything happens and don’t forget that the Americans predicted that Nigeria will break by 2015.

    “I have a 10-year British visa but can I carry the rest of my family? Can I carry my friends? So, let Jonathan be cautious, let our leaders not plunge us into war or pre-1966 era.”

    Concerning his ambition and speculation that he has moved to the APC, the Asiwaju of Okunland said he would make public his position after his installation as Balogun (Are-Onakankanfo) of Mopa.

    According to him: “Yes, I am still in PDP because I have not registered for APC but I want you to know that all my followers are in APC and not only that, I am a very very strong sympathiser of APC today.

    “I want you to know that sooner or later, after the title, after the Ramadan, I will come out to tell you where I belong.

    “Some people came from Koto and said I should come and be governor; some came and said, ‘come and replace Smart (Adeyemi) because Smart said we don’t have people from Yagba but I am here today and I will talk when the time comes.”