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Category: Saturday Magazine

  • Erratic power supply cripples poultry businesses in Anambra

    Erratic power supply cripples poultry businesses in Anambra

    • Farmers resort to lanterns, charcoal

    Despite the integral role poultry and fisheries sectors play in the economy, farmers in Anambra State struggle with challenges posed by erratic electricity, which negatively impacts their operations and profitability, writes EMMA ELEKWA.

    Anthonia Nwabueze, a small holder poultry farmer in Otuocha community in Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, woke up to see about 250 birds lying lifeless in her poultry. It was her worst day, having purchased the birds barely three months earlier.

    Recounting her ordeal in an interview with The Nation, Nwabueze said she was at a loss as to the next move to make, particularly in view of the prevailing economic hardship being faced by all and sundry across the country.

    “I bought a total of 300 broilers shortly after Easter celebrations. Each of them cost between N750 and N900. They were all healthy and in good condition. For the two months plus I reared them, I didn’t observe any serious problems with their growth and development.

    “The only fear I nursed was their feed consumption. Although the cost of feed has increased, I made sure there was enough for the birds. But I discovered they consumed more in the day than at night due to the absence of light in their apartment,” she narrated.

    Due to epileptic power supply, she had to resort to using torch lights and lanterns to provide warmth and illumination for the birds. But as the power supply got worse, the artificial lighting did very little.

    “We may see electricity probably once or twice a week in my area. I could only afford a charcoal pot which was inadequate for the entire poultry house. Since the birds needed light to see their food to eat properly, I suspect that malnutrition must have contributed to the loss of the birds,” she explained.

    Nwabueze is not alone in this predicament. Several women farmers in the state who had abandoned crop farming for poultry and fish farming following inherent dangers such as insecurity and perceived benefits in agriculture business are currently regretting their decisions. No thanks to the same electricity challenges.

    Nwakego Okoye, another poultry farmer from Akabukwu Uruagu in Nnewi North LGA says the worsening electricity supply in her area has impeded growth and maturity of her birds, negatively impacting her business.

    “I’ve been in this business for over thirty years. When I started, the power issue was reasonably steady. But presently, the supply has been erratic. Although I’ve not recorded much loss in terms of death of birds, the lack of electricity also affects the growth and maturity of the birds,” she said.

    Okoye explained that the birds are unable to mature in time due to their inability to eat well, especially at night, when they can’t see their food.

    “So, the birds which I’m supposed to sell within five weeks stay up to seven to eight weeks before being taken to the market,” she said.

    Another poultry farmer, Georgina Akunyiba, who also serves as the Anambra State coordinator of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) said she lost about twenty birds due to the absence of power supply for several weeks.

    “I and many farmers have lost our birds as a result of this power challenge. Due to the harsh weather, you see the birds cluster together in a place to get warmth. Some will climb on top of others and as a result of the stampede, some will die,” she said.

    To cater for the birds and prevent more losses, she uses kerosene and charcoal stove to heat up the environment. However, the rainy season frustrates her efforts and bites into her profits.

    “You keep covering the birds with tarpaulin, as well as burning kerosene and charcoal for the entire night, making the cost of production to be on the high side. Currently, a litre of kerosene is N1,400 and you need not less than three litres to heat up the house for the birds. For charcoal, a bag is N7, 000.

    “Some nights, you may need to keep vigil to ensure the stove or charcoal light doesn’t go off. Otherwise, by the time you wake up the following morning, you will discover some of the birds are dead as a result of the cold,” Akunyiba said.

    Akunyiba’s son, Ifeanyichukwu, an animal scientist and farmer, with specialty in fishery, said it has not been easy since he ventured into the business. He listed lack of funds, water and electricity supply as major setbacks of the business.

    “Since the fishes need steady fresh water, we change their water regularly so they can have enough oxygen to guarantee their survival. In fact, we had to dig a borehole to ensure we didn’t run out of water.

    “Unfortunately, due to power outage, we find it difficult to pump water and if we must use a generator to power the sumo, we buy fuel. This, of course has led to increase in price of production of the fingerling and consequent reduction in sales.

    “Before now, we used to have about 1,500 fishes, but now, the number has reduced to 800 pieces,” he lamented.

    For Chigozie Uzoewu, from Amafor Nkpor 2, Idemili North LGA, poultry farming had been admirable while watching those into the business until the day she decided to establish hers. According to her, she never thought of the importance of electricity in the business until she was neck deep.

    “I started with 50 birds. I didn’t realise the importance of electricity in the business until I ventured into it. The birds need steady power, morning, afternoon and night. If the birds feed morning and night, in a month’s time, they’re ready for sale. But if there’s no light, especially at night, they find it difficult to eat,” she said.

    Uzoewu’s first loss was over 20 broilers which she said must have been due to cold weather. She, however, persevered and managed to start rearing over 700 birds. Over time, due to epileptic power supply, she lost most of them.

    “I thought of buying a generator but the increase in fuel prices discouraged me. Imagine buying a litre of fuel for N800; I used to keep up to 700 birds, but they are currently 200,” she said.

    To survive and feed her family, Uzoewu said she had to open up a mini mart in front of her house, equipping it with proceeds from the poultry business.

    “This is the only way I am to feed my family and pay my children’s school fees,” she added.

    At Mgbachu village, Nkpor, Sunday Ilechukwu, who spoke on behalf of his wife, a farmer who was absent from home when our reporter visited, said epileptic power supply had not posed a serious challenge to them as they were able to install solar panels in their farm. The 44- year-old man said he had to establish a poultry, fishery and piggery farm for his wife who he said is a graduate of Agriculture.

    “We started this business over seven years ago with a huge capital. But three years ago, our farm was attacked by a strange air-borne disease. It killed over 300 pigs. Out of this number, 52 were pregnant. The few remaining, we sold them off. We currently have 10 fishes in our pond. The number is small because we sold many and plunged the proceeds into crop farming.

    “We were not badly affected by electricity because we make use of solar energy. We also bought a big generator through loan. But for a long time now, we’ve not put on the generator due to the high cost of fuel. In fact, since this year, we’ve not brought the generator outside. It has really affected our business.”

    Ilechukwu also decried regular visits of government officials to their farms to gather information about their challenges, but without corresponding assistance.

    “After capturing our information and giving us forms to fill, we won’t hear from them (government agents) again,” he lamented.

    While others are struggling to keep their poultry business functioning, that of Mrs. Eziamaka Ibemesi, located at Amafor Nkpo, has packed up. Narrating her ordeal, the visibly devastated widow said buying chickens has been a serious challenge not to talk of feeding them.

    “I’ve been in this business for more than 10 years from 50 birds to 150 birds. But now I don’t have any. At some point, I started going from house to house begging people for assistance. Currently, I can no longer cope, especially with the death of my husband. I’ve been managing myself,” she said.

    Before deciding to shut down the poultry, she explained that the inconsistent power supply proved to be a burden.

    “I used a lantern to heat up the poultry house. But kerosene became too expensive. When there’s no light, the birds catch cold and sometimes you see them coughing. Of course, you will still have to buy drugs for them to take,” she said.

    The situation is no different for Njideka Uzoegwu, another poultry farmer based in Amafor Nkpo Agu, who says the erratic power supply was manageable when fuel prices were still low. But now it has become frustrating.

    “I started this poultry business over 20 years ago to enable me to train my children. I have 200 birds. We’ve been having light problems and we keep spending huge money on fuel for our generator. In a week, we spend about N10,000,” she bemoaned.

    Another farmer, Amaechi Rachel whose farm is located in Ebenebe in Awka North LGA said she suspended poultry for fishery due to low funds and erratic power supply.

    “We moved into this place last year in January and started with 500 birds. We have customers who come as far as Awka to patronise us. We use rechargeable bulbs which get recharged once there is power. We also have a standby generator. But the cost of fueling it is now something else. We spend minimum of N10,000 on weekly basis.

    “Anytime there’s a power outage, the birds will scream. They can’t eat without light. But currently we don’t have birds due to lack of money. We decided to go into fishery due to the high cost of feed,” she said.

    Favour Nwora, SWOFON coordinator in Awka North LGA, also lamented power supply challenges in their area and its impact on poultry and fishery businesses.

    “It has not been easy in our area. The epileptic power supply has been affecting our business adversely. Even when they bring the light, it won’t last up to 4 hours. We’re really suffering,” she added.

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    These accounts of small-scale poultry and fisheries farmers in several LGAs across Anambra State highlight the harsh reality faced by these agricultural businesses that rely on a consistent power supply to function. Despite the integral role the poultry and fisheries sectors play in Nigeria’s economy, the farmers struggle with the challenges posed by erratic electricity, which negatively impacts their operations and profitability.

    Nigeria’s poultry and fisheries industry Data from United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation, (FAO) indicates that Nigeria’s poultry industry is a significant contributor to the country’s GDP, accounting for 6-8% annually while poultry farming alone contributes to about 30% of the agriculture sector’s GDP. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), the poultry farming industry in the country as at 2019 was estimated to be worth around  1.6 trillion, making it the most commercialised sub-sector of the country’s agricultural landscape.

    Similarly, the country is the largest fish consumer in Africa and among the largest in the world, with an annual consumption of 3.2 million metric tons.

    The Director, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Ime Umoh, during a stakeholders’ dialogue held in Abuja, revealed that Nigeria’s fish production stands at 1.2 million metric tonnes yearly, while the demand has risen to 3.6 million tonnes, leaving a deficit of about 2.5 million metric tonnes.

    According to him, the deficit is being supplemented by frozen fish importation, costing Nigeria millions in forex. He added that intensified efforts by the artisanal, industrial, and aquaculture value chain players are capable of bridging the gap.

    However, with evidence of poultry and fisheries farmers battling power supply challenges and high fuel prices, it remains uncertain whether the country will be able to fully meet domestic demand for these products in the near term, let alone compete effectively in the global marketplace.

    Jude Nwankwo, the Programme Manager, Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), State Ministry of Agriculture said his ministry has been supportive to both poultry and fishery farmers in the state, particularly the women, who he described as critical stakeholders in the agricultural production chain.

    When asked how the ministry has provided support to poultry and fishery farmers, he said, “our mandate as extension officers is to assist the farmers make effective use of indigenous technology, especially where the conventional methods are absent.

    “For example, we advise them to use either a stove or charcoal pot to ensure they don’t lose the birds to cold.”

    He further admitted that breeding chicks require electricity and that the lack of constant power supply is a national issue, but Anambra State was set to see an improvement given the commitment of the present administration.

    In March 2023, Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra State, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Enugu State Electricity Company (EEDC), to develop mechanisms that would ensure steady power supply across the state. According to the MoU, the state government will undertake and lead the development of a comprehensive, integrated energy resource plan that provides vital input on fuel sources, current and projected load/demand and potential locations for load-serving entities within the state, among other roles.

    The EEDC, on the other hand, will procure all regulatory approvals for enabling private sector investors and other stakeholders to participate in the development of the electricity supply chain in the state, among others.Speaking on the partnership, the chief executive officer of EEDC, Emeka Offor, said the implementation of the project will commence within 18 months, where major cities in Anambra State would begin to get at least 18 hours of power supply.

    However, the agonising testimonies of women poultry and fishery farmers around power supply is an indication that the lofty plan of the Soludo-led administration for the entire state has not materialised.

    Precisely in February this year, Governor Soludo at a South-East Business Roundtable and flag-off of the Light-up Nigeria Project by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, in Enugu, lamented poor power supply to the people of the state, calling for the removal of gas from the exclusive legislative list to enable states with abundant gas reserves to explore the resource for power generation and other industrial purposes.

    According to him, such steps would give enough backing to the new Electricity Act 2023, which empowers governors and the private sector to generate, transmit, and distribute power within their jurisdictions.

    “Anambra has an abundance of gas, but we can’t take it and provide power for our people. We need electricity; Anambra is an industrial hub, but without power, we can’t do anything. If we do everything to fix all the areas of doing business, without power, that’s not going to work.

    “We need to unlock one other thing that is on the exclusive list, which is gas. With the federal government still having a stranglehold on gas, that is a challenge,” the governor stated.

    In April of this year, the federal government announced a hike in the price of natural gas for power generating companies, increasing it by 11 percent.

    An agribusiness consultant, Joshua Njimaezi, while lamenting impacts of electricity tariff hike on both poultry and fishery farming, said most farmers in the state no longer rear for business due to difficulty in breaking even.

    He said, “The tariff increase has caused great increase in prices of poultry and fish feed to about 40percent with its attendant negative impacts on the farmers. “Small-scale farmers are winding up because they can no longer meet the cost of production, feeds and other inputs.

    “Medium scale farmers are already downsizing, resulting to the cutting of their profit margin. Hence, they’re no longer rearing for business, but for fun.

    “The fishery farming, on the other hand, has skyrocketed prices of finished products; and since the buyers lack the purchasing power, the farmers end up rearing the fishes for a longer time, thereby eating into their profit line.

    “Same with those of poultry farmers. One can count the number of households that are still consuming chickens and eggs as a result of costs. A crate of egg is currently between N5,000 to N7000, depending the sizes.

    “Those selling at cost prices are looking for ways to push them out of their farms. Worse still, they may end up not selling at all, especially this period that is maize season.

    “Meanwhile, the more we rely on imported products to meet our domestic demands, the more we have a capital flight.”Again, the more we depend on imported products, the more it affects the GDP growth which is not good for the state and country at large.

    “Employment opportunities of our teeming youths will definitely drop since importation has overtaken productivity. This may lead to insecurity and chaos across the country.”

    Farmers demand government support for bountiful harvest

    Akunyiba decried existing gaps between government and farmers, underscoring the importance of closer relationships with the farmers, as well as their inclusion in the annual budget.

    “Just like Oliver Twist, the farmers need more. We’re begging for inclusion of farmers in the budget. They may be thinking we need water, whereas sugar is our problem. And when they provide us with the water, they will be rejoicing that they have satisfied us without knowing that they have not attended to our needs. 

    “But when they draw closer and rapport with us, especially during budget planning, then we can tell them exactly what we need. “Yes, the government has its priority, but we have to table ours. For example, we need steady power and water supply, quality feeds, vaccination and training by service providers, especially on recording,” she said.

    “We also need government intervention in the area of feeds for the birds in view of its high cost.

    “Unfortunately, once inputs are mentioned, focus is always on crop farming, like fertilizers, cassava and maize. Those of us dealing on livestocks are scarcely remembered.

    “However, we’ll prefer they estimate the cost of the feeds and give us the cash so we can buy the exact feeds we need. For example, I may prefer a particular feed, but they may bring the ones not good for my birds.

    “Besides, we know the real farmers who are into poultry and fishery and where to procure the exact feeds for day-old. Personally, I’m both a distributor and supplier of day-old.

    “For those in fishery, they need quality and less expensive feeds. For example, 1.5mm to 2mm to 9mm, fingerling.

    “The timing these inputs are received is also very important because the price of the feeds keep increasing on daily basis. A feed I sold for N19,500 last Friday was N20,800 on Monday. Just this month, the price of feeds has increased about three times.

    On the satisfaction derivable in the business, she said, “apart from being a hobby and taking care of the family, house rent, we’re happy we’re feeding the nation, regardless of the gains or losses.”

    SWOFON coordinator, Awka North LGA, Favour Nwora, also lamented power supply challenges in their area, calling for government’s intervention.

    “It has not been easy in our area. The epileptic power supply has been affecting our business adversely. Even when they bring the light, it won’t last up to 4 hours. We’re really suffering.

    “Those using gas, fuel or kerosene are not better. We’re just in the business to avoid being idle. Besides, it’s better to put the little money one has into a business. Otherwise, you may lose it completely.

    “We’re pleading with the government to intervene by improving the quality of power in our area so that our businesses can grow. We’ve been complaining and filling forms, yet nothing comes to us. Even when they allocate something to us, those things are distributed along party lines. And all of us can’t belong to the same party,” she lamented.

    • •This report was made possible with support from the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).
  • Restoring Plateau’s serenity

    Restoring Plateau’s serenity

    A new era of development through focused efforts on urban renewal, environmental revival, healthcare, infrastructure and security is taking place in Plateau State. By forming strategic partnerships and implementing key initiatives, the state government is working to enhance its potential. In this special report, KOLADE ADEYEMI details the steps being taken to rejuvenate Plateau State and uphold its reputation as Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism”

    Nestled in the heart of Nigeria, Plateau State is undergoing a profound transformation, emerging from years of challenges to reclaim its status as a beacon of natural beauty and tranquility. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and serene environment, Plateau State is on a mission to restore its charm and allure, asserting itself as one of Nigeria’s most captivating destinations.

    Once frequently marred by conflict and environmental degradation, Plateau State—often celebrated as the “Home of Peace and Tourism”—is now experiencing a renaissance. Under the leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the state is witnessing a comprehensive revival that combines environmental stewardship, cultural rejuvenation, and modern governance.

    A cornerstone of Governor Mutfwang’s vision is Executive Order 003, a landmark initiative aimed at revitalising the Jos-Bukuru metropolis. This order is not just a regulatory framework but a bold declaration of the Governor’s commitment to transforming Plateau State into a well-organised and aesthetically pleasing urban hub. The order addresses urban sprawl and aims to prevent Jos from degenerating into a chaotic expanse, focusing instead on creating a city that meets the needs of its residents and businesses while maintaining its natural beauty.

    The revitalisation efforts extend beyond urban management. One of the most notable projects is the restoration of the Jos Wildlife Park. Once neglected, this park is now being transformed into a vibrant sanctuary for wildlife, drawing eco-tourists and nature enthusiasts to experience Plateau’s untouched beauty. The conservation efforts are designed to preserve the park’s diverse ecosystems and enhance its role as a key attraction in the state. In addition to environmental restoration, Governor Mutfwang’s administration has prioritised the preservation of Plateau State’s cultural heritage. The ancient Nok Terraces, renowned for their prehistoric sculptures, have received significant attention. Restoration projects ensure that these archaeological treasures are preserved and made accessible to tourists, offering a glimpse into the state’s rich historical and cultural legacy.

    Governor Mutfwang’s administration is also committed to enhancing infrastructure that supports tourism. New roads, improved hospitality services, and the promotion of local cuisine contribute to a more welcoming environment for visitors. The development of eco-lodges and boutique hotels allows guests to immerse themselves in Plateau’s natural beauty while enjoying modern comforts. Community engagement is pivotal to the state’s restoration efforts. Local residents are actively involved in preserving their environment and cultural heritage through initiatives like tree planting and cultural education programs. This community-driven approach underscores the collective effort to rejuvenate Plateau State.

    Building on the momentum of beautifying and urbanizing the metropolis, Governor Mutfwang has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to strategically advance the entire state like never before. Through decisive action, the Governor has spearheaded critical advancements in security and healthcare—two fundamental pillars essential for societal well-being and progress. Security, a top priority for this administration, has seen a significant boost with the distribution of essential equipment to security agencies. Over 100 motorcycles, raincoats, and rain boots have been provided to personnel across the state. This initiative highlights the administration’s proactive approach to tackling security challenges.

    Plateau State has faced intermittent terrorist attacks, particularly in rural areas where challenging terrain and limited access have impeded effective security operations. The recent provision of these resources represents more than just a logistical upgrade; it is a bold move towards bridging the security gap that has long threatened the state’s safety and stability. This intervention aims to enhance security surveillance, allowing farmers in rural communities to carry out their activities with greater safety and confidence.

    Governor Mutfwang’s initiative to equip security agencies with essential tools underscores his deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural communities. These areas, frequently targeted by security breaches, will now benefit from improved surveillance and faster response times. By directing security personnel to use these resources judiciously, the Governor emphasizes the administration’s commitment to ensuring that every investment in security translates into meaningful, tangible results.

    While bolstering the state’s security architecture remains a top priority, Governor Mutfwang has also made a strategic move to significantly enhance the health and wellness of the population through a robust healthcare system. Just last week, the Governor received a substantial donation of medical supplies valued at over $400,000 from international partners, marking a significant milestone for his administration. This notable contribution is the outcome of Governor Mutfwang’s effective diplomatic efforts with international organizations and foreign missions. It demonstrates the increasing confidence that global entities have in the state’s leadership and governance.

    The medical supplies received are more than a temporary fix; they lay the groundwork for Plateau State to become a prominent center for medical services and potentially medical tourism. Governor Mutfwang’s vision extends far beyond addressing immediate healthcare needs. His plans include establishing a medical faculty at Plateau State University and developing a state-of-the-art Teaching Hospital. These initiatives are part of a long-term strategy to elevate the state’s healthcare infrastructure and position Plateau State as a leader in medical excellence.

    These initiatives will not only enhance healthcare delivery within the state but also attract skilled medical professionals. The involvement of esteemed international organizations such as Widows and Orphans International USA, the US-Nigeria Law Group, and the Solomon and Mary Lar Foundation underscores the growing confidence in Governor Mutfwang’s leadership and governance.

    The seamless collaboration between these organizations and the state government reflects a well-coordinated effort to improve the standard of living for Plateau State’s residents. Governor Mutfwang’s strategic engagements have also positively impacted the state’s socio-economic landscape. Plateau State’s reputation as the “Home of Peace and Tourism”—a moniker earned through its pleasant climate and welcoming people—along with its rich agricultural, mineral, and human resources, has made it a sought-after destination for diverse populations.

    With the return of relative peace, Governor Mutfwang has taken decisive steps to reshape old narratives and attract crucial investments. Through a series of high-profile engagements, he has successfully forged significant partnerships to advance the state’s development agenda. Strategic collaborations with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Chinese Embassy, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are poised to enhance Plateau State’s infrastructure, healthcare, economic growth, and security. These partnerships will play a pivotal role in driving the state’s comprehensive development strategy forward.

    One of Governor Mutfwang’s notable achievements is the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Federal Government to initiate services at the Federal Medical Centre, Wase, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos. Recently, he appeared before the National Assembly to support a bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Mining, which was sponsored by Senator Diket Plang representing Plateau Central. Governor Mutfwang urged the distinguished Senators to expedite the passage of the bill.

    This agreement, formalized in Abuja, highlights the Governor’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing affordable healthcare for Plateau State’s residents. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, praised Governor Mutfwang’s dedication to transforming the state’s healthcare system, recognizing the positive impact it will have not only on Plateau State but also on neighboring regions and the national healthcare infrastructure.

    This initiative is poised to significantly improve healthcare access, provide advanced training for health practitioners, and reduce drug costs, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone. Deputy Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Idris Wase, praised the Governor for fostering an environment conducive to the successful launch of these health centers. He noted that these centers are expected to generate employment opportunities and enhance health service delivery across the state.

    Additionally, Governor Mutfwang’s engagement with the UNDP underscores his administration’s commitment to both security and economic development. In discussions with UNDP Resident Representative Elsie Attafuah, the Governor sought support for establishing a sustainable security network, advancing agricultural value chains, and revitalizing the mining and tourism sectors. These efforts reflect a comprehensive strategy to foster long-term prosperity and stability for Plateau State.

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    Following mutually beneficial discussions, several key agreements were reached, including the convening of an Economic Summit and the establishment of the Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission. These initiatives aim to address gender-based violence and promote inclusive governance.

    The UNDP’s commitment to enhancing resilience across agriculture, the economy, and health sectors highlights the transformative potential of this partnership. It is geared towards creating sustainable economic models and tackling the root causes of poverty in Plateau State. Similarly, Governor Mutfwang’s visit to the Chinese Embassy in Abuja marked a pivotal moment for advancing Plateau State’s infrastructure. Conversations with Minister Counsellor Zhang Yi centered on key areas such as road infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture, setting the stage for significant improvements in these vital sectors.

    Governor Mutfwang highlighted the favorable business environment in Plateau State, which has already attracted several Chinese construction companies. The Chinese government’s commitment to ongoing support reflects the robust bilateral relationship and a shared dedication to economic growth. This partnership is anticipated to significantly boost infrastructural development and generate new economic opportunities for the state. Additionally, to revitalize Plateau State’s industrial sector, Governor Mutfwang engaged with representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The discussions centered on attracting investments in key areas such as power, agriculture, tourism, and mining, aiming to drive sustainable economic development and enhance the state’s industrial capacity.

    Governor Mutfwang emphasized Plateau State’s attractive investment climate, including its favorable weather and supportive institutional framework. The International Finance Corporation’s interest in investing in Plateau State, alongside the formation of a technical team to develop a comprehensive investment framework, signals a bright future for the state. This collaboration is set to revitalize legacy projects started by the state’s founding fathers, boost revenue generation, and create new employment opportunities, all of which will drive Plateau State towards sustainable development.

    Plans are already in place to revitalize the renowned Hill Station Hotel, with the goal of boosting tourism, creating job opportunities for young people, and expanding the state’s revenue base. Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s diplomatic missions and strategic engagements are poised to usher in a new era of prosperity for Plateau State. By leveraging the state’s comparative advantages and fostering strong partnerships, his administration is set to transform Plateau into a renewed beacon of peace and tourism.

    Governor Mutfwang committed to providing credible, accountable, and transformative leadership, and he has consistently demonstrated these qualities through his actions and engagements. His mature leadership has inspired his cabinet members to deliver high-quality services, advancing good governance and driving the state’s economy towards progress and prosperity for all citizens.

    His resilience and determination to leave a lasting legacy have cultivated a culture of excellence, accountability, and transparency. This has resulted in enhanced public service delivery and an improved quality of life for the people of Plateau State. The combined efforts of these partnerships are poised to bring substantial advancements in healthcare, infrastructure, economic growth, and security. This will elevate the lives of Plateau State’s citizens and reinforce the state’s reputation as Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism.”

    It is incumbent upon all patriotic citizens of Plateau State to embrace and support the new leadership vision championed by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang. By working together to foster a more efficient, effective, and responsive state, citizens can unite against insecurity and contribute to making Plateau a source of pride for Nigeria.

  • Enhancing food security through renewable energy

    Enhancing food security through renewable energy

    The drive for reliable power on farms is leading farmers to embrace renewable green energy solutions. Expanding solar and other renewable energy installations on farms is becoming increasingly common across Nigeria and Africa. For stakeholders, scaling up the use of renewable energy in agri-food systems is seen as a crucial strategy for advancing both energy and food security. DANIEL ESSIET reports on this growing trend and its potential to transform agricultural practices

    Energy is crucial for boosting productivity and income, minimising food waste, enhancing climate resilience for farmers and agri-enterprises, and improving cooking conditions across all stages from production to processing, storage, and cooking. The World Bank estimates that 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, including many farmers, lack access to reliable grid electricity, with hundreds of millions more facing frequent and disruptive power outages. Notably, most of these off-grid households are situated in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihood or sustenance, highlighting the pressing need for stable energy solutions in these communities.

    Additionally, more than 25 per cent of the adult population in sub-Saharan Africa faces food insecurity, and over 65 per cent of the region’s farmland is still worked manually due to widespread poverty and limited access to electricity. Given its vital role in food production and job creation, agriculture is a key driver of economic growth. To address these challenges, there is ongoing exploration of innovative off-grid energy technologies that can support both energy generation and agricultural activities. This approach aims to boost farming productivity and tackle the pressing issue of food security.

    For farmers in Africa, renewable energy sources are increasingly recognised as practical alternatives. Analysts attribute this growth largely to declining prices and improved incentives, including carbon credits.

    In its report tagged “Off-grid Energy Solutions: Global and Regional Status and Trends, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said the combination of mobile payment technologies and innovative design—particularly in solar-lighting and home systems—has led to significant expansion across Africa. The report also revealed that the number of Africans utilising off-grid energy solutions rose dramatically from two million in 2011 to 53 million in 2016.

     For the Chief Executive of OWATTS, Femi Oye, facilitating access to off-grid solar technologies serves as a crucial enabler for various developmental outcomes, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, enterprise, health, education and climate resilience. He has been partnering with international organisations to deliver off-grid solar solutions that enhance agricultural productivity, increase income, create green employment opportunities and bolster climate initiatives. However, he expressed concern that Nigeria has not fully capitalised on the potential benefits of off-grid solar electrification.

    Currently, over 70 per cent of rural farming communities in Nigeria lack access to electricity, which hinders both economic and social progress.

    In the light of the limited extension of the national grid, many rural regions require decentralised energy solutions.

    Given Nigeria’s high solar radiation levels, off-grid solar systems present a viable option for delivering clean, reliable and affordable electricity.

    With rising electricity prices, installations of renewable energy make a great deal of financial sense.

    For both on and off-grid farmers, he believes they can’t keep on carrying these costs and that investment in renewable energy is the way to go.

    For this reason, he encourages more farmers to find alternative power sources that are less expensive.

    It is encouraging to note that a new selection of agricultural appliances tailored for smallholder farmers is currently available in Africa, facilitated by various off-grid energy solution providers.

    At present, off-grid systems are powering a variety of agricultural technologies that promote efficient, rapid and cost-effective production methods. These technologies include electricity generation, water pumps, irrigation systems, and additional equipment such as electric fencing, lighting and remote monitoring systems.

    Off-grid renewable energy devices, including water pumps, dryers, grain mills, small horticultural processors, cold storage facilities, refrigerator/deep freezers, bulk milk chillers and vertical fodder growing units, can greatly enhance agricultural productivity and profitability.

    Furthermore, solar-powered cooling solutions are instrumental to minimising post-harvest losses in the agricultural sector.

    By prolonging the shelf life of perishable goods, these technologies help in minimising waste and enhance farmers’ income.

    Nevertheless, their uptake is obstructed by high initial investments, subpar performance and quality alignment with market needs, and restricted remote monitoring functionalities.

    The global market for these technologies is projected to reach $46 billion, with the potential to benefit approximately 35 million farmers and increase their incomes by 20 to 40 per cent.

    Also, the Off-Grid Solar Business Trends Report of 2020 indicated that the off-grid solar sector has rapidly evolved into a robust $1.75 billion annual industry.

    To provide a sustainable alternative to traditional fodder cultivation that demands less space, water, and energy, farmers are adopting solar hydroponic fodder systems.

    Additionally, solar irrigation, as a well-established practice, has the potential to boost revenue by up to 50 per cent, transform water accessibility, and facilitates multiple cropping cycles.

    Currently, African Development Bank (AfDB) and Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria has been training farmers on regenerative agriculture to boost crop production and reduce effects of climate change.

    The Country Director of SAA, Dr Godwin Atser said farmers are now using solar technology to power their farming activities.

    Read Also: NiMet canvasses farmers’ insurance to boost food security

    The SAA, a Japanese multinational non-governmental organisation, has been working with local organisations to engage with communities and also help women and youth to engage in agriculture as a business productively.

    Since greenhouse and organic agriculture expert, Ayodele Farinde adopted renewable energy solutions on his farms; the results have been immediate and transformative.

    He told The Nation that he has seen the benefits of solar energy with regard to savings.

    “It has helped to reduce the cost of production by 30 per cent and the cost of powering the farm has also reduced. I don’t have to burn fuel to light up the farm at night or pump water with a generator. That aspect of the cost component has been removed.

    “I use 7,000 to 10,000 litres of water per day, on my farm because we are doing protected cultivation. My adoption of renewable energy solutions reduced the cost of production drastically.

    “By leveraging off-grid energy options, Farinde, who is the Founder of Kaspharyn Solutions Nigeria believes that agricultural enterprises can decrease their carbon emissions, reduce costs, and improve energy efficiency.

    With a reliable water supply, he is capable of cultivating crops all-year round. His successful initiatives have been mirrored across various farms in the Southwest.

    Farinde’s aim is to facilitate the widespread implementation of renewable energy in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and beyond.

    With cold storage and refrigeration essential at every phase of the agri-food chain to prolong shelf life, minimise losses, and uphold the quality of products from crops, livestock, and fisheries, he noted there is need for more farmers to utilise solar-powered refrigeration. Deploying solar system has helped him to effectively reduce the spoilage of perishable items.

    Indeed, solar pumps are becoming more and more common in Africa’s rural communities.

    The pumps can provide water all day long; reducing farmers’ dependency on erratic rainfall and occasionally replacing expensive diesel or grid-powered pumps that are currently in use.

    The days when farmers had to rely solely on the supply of electricity or diesel to run their pumps to irrigate their crops are long gone.

    Because of their success, farmers are installing more solar pumps at their own expense.

    The Founder of Integrated Aerial Precision and an Agricultural Drone Specialist, Femi Adekoya told The Nation that a lot of farmers are now using solar-powered pumps to irrigate their farms.

    Analysts believe that solar power will be crucial as the country works hard to meet ambitious goals set out in its Nationally Determined Contribution. Nigeria is working on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and using more clean energy, from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by 2030.

    So far, alternative energy derived from biomass by-products have proven helpful in boosting local processing, storage, and cooking capacities.

    According to a report by the World Bank, biogas technology presents a viable solution for improving energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas where many households are attempting to shift from the unsustainable reliance on traditional biomass fuels to lessen their carbon footprint.

    The biogas industry is currently experiencing notable expansion throughout Africa. The energy is produced via the anaerobic digestion of organic waste, which includes human, animal, and kitchen waste.

    Farinde explained that biogas is produced using biodigesters. Biodigesters are specially sealed containers that facilitate the fermentation of organic materials, such as cow dung and agricultural byproducts, resulting in the production of biogas for cooking and lighting applications.

    He   told The Nation that he uses biogas produced from biodigesters to pump water across the farm.

    Consequently, the approach not only alleviated the financial burden on farming families but also mitigated the environmental impact associated with the harvesting of fuel wood from local forests.

    In Nigeria, cow dung has been harnessed as an energy source for farming operations.

    During his tenure as the Provost of Federal College of Agriculture (FECA) Akure, Ondo State, the immediate past Commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State, Dr Samson Odedina drove the utilisation of cow dung to produce energy for farmers.

    The initiative involved converting cow manure into biogas via household biodigesters. It aims at assisting local farmers in decreasing their reliance on firewood and fossil fuels.

    In a community near Akure, FECA conducted an experiment that involved the installation of a biogas plant.

    The facility transforms cow dung into a renewable energy source, which is then used for generating electricity, heat and cooking.

    A small-scale biogas plant with a digester capacity of 15 cubic meters can provide sufficient energy for a family of up to five individuals to fulfill their cooking requirements for an entire month.

    The fermentation of the dung, combined with other organic waste occurs under conditions similar to human digestion, resulting in the generation of methane gas.

    The initiative, funded by the West African Agricultural Productivity Project (WAAPP), successfully highlighted the role of renewable energy technologies in enhancing agricultural productivity.

    Odedina had stated that the gas is transported through a network of pipes to the kitchen or to a gas lamp, providing illumination within the residence.

    At the outset of the initiative, FECA provided training and resources for workers to facilitate the installation and management of biogas systems. Farmers received training and were encouraged to adopt renewable energy technologies.

    In 2017, a researcher at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Dr Victor Okereke said that the institution had recorded a major breakthrough in biogas technology.

    Dr Okereke said the technology was developed using waste materials harnessed from pig, cow, goat and sheep sourced from the university livestock unit.

    According to him, biogas is methane gas produced from agricultural waste, manure, food and animal waste that can be used as a renewable energy source with little or no carbon footprint.

    “Currently, the gas extracted from the dung (faeces) is used to generate power to pump water for the animals in the farm and later process animal products for sale.

    Okereke, who is an agricultural microbiologist said that biogas, a renewable energy source, has a high sustainability rating without any harmful impact on the environment.

    The deployment of household biodigesters has been recognized as a significant opportunity for farming families to generate their own energy for cooking and other applications, thereby enhancing their farm productivity. The biogas plant effectively converts abundant agricultural residues, such as cow dung, poultry manure, and vegetable waste, into electricity.

    Oye has been in support of a national initiative to increase the share of renewable energy sources to 50 per cent by 2030.

    As agri-food value chains evolve, he was of the opinion; there is a growing necessity for alternatives to fossil fuel energy sources. The transition, according to him, is crucial for developing a food system that is secure, environmentally sustainable, and resilient.

    He believes that renewable energy can play a critical role in addressing farmers’ electricity, heating and cooling demands.

    He urged that the government to spearhead the fight for development of renewable energy sources to assist rural food processors.

    He pointed out that the transformation of many agricultural production zones would be hampered by the absence of reliable alternative power sources, which would have an impact on the sustainability and supply chains of local food.

    Given the rising cost of electricity and the fact that many farmers are off-grid, he advised them to think about making investments in renewable energy projects, particularly solar power, which provides a more reliable and profitable return on land usage.

    He argued that more farmers should use solar-powered technology to irrigate their farms, using solar-powered pumps.

    Oye also said that he was ready to assist farmers to successfully convert generators to operate on petrol and gas, depending on the user’s preference.

    For him, the future implications of this initiative are profound.

    Meanwhile, the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, in partnership with various organisations in Nigeria and other African nations, has been promoting the use of improved Cookstoves to aid those living in rural areas that primarily depend on farming for their livelihoods.

    There is a major new partnership between the World Bank Group and the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves to spur a transition to clean cooking for 100 million households, which still use inefficient cook stoves and solid fuels for cooking.

    The new partnership, for which the World Bank committed to mobilising $60 million, is designed to support the Global Alliance for Clean cook stoves stated goal of 100 million households adopting clean and efficient cook stoves and fuels by 2020, as well as the global Sustainable Energy for All goal of universal access to modern energy services by 2030.

    Oye noted that ensuring global access to clean cooking by 2030 could save 2.5 million people–mostly women and children–from premature deaths associated with breathing fire smoke, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

    He noted that “with limited off-grid power supply, the case for achieving universal clean cooking is clear.”

  • Mixed reactions trail increase in pump price of petrol

    Mixed reactions trail increase in pump price of petrol

    • Mixed reactions yesterday trailed the increase in the pump price of petrol, report Muyiwa Lucas, Simon Utebor, Bassey Anthony and Udeh Onyebuchi

    Price hike unavoidable, say stakeholders

    Industry experts have acknowledged that the petrol price hike is unavoidable.

     An oil and gas consultant, Henry Adigun explained that aligning market prices with international product prices is crucial for resolving the subsidy issue.

    He welcomed the Dangote Refinery’s commencement of petrol production but noted that its impact will depend on market conditions.

    National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Ukadike Chinedu, highlighted the anticipated positive effect of Dangote Refinery on product availability.

    “I anticipate that Dangote will increase the supply of petrol and automatic gasoline oil in the Nigerian market,” Chinedu said.

    Dr. Ayodele Oni of Bloomfield Law Practice described the price increase as reflective of market realities but questioned whether it sufficiently covers costs and provides a margin. He called for a market-driven approach while cautioning that prices might not decrease significantly.

    NECA kicks

    The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has condemned the new pump price of ₦897 per litre (in Abuja) . It called  the development  worrisome and unfair.

    NECA’s Director-General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, criticised the government for not leveraging the completion of the Dangote Refinery to reduce petrol prices.

    He argued that the new price exacerbates the financial burden on Nigerians and reflects inefficiencies within the NNPCL.

    Oyerinde urged the government to address the underlying issues and reconsider its approach to prevent  economic strain on businesses and individuals.

    “We advise that government should have a rethink and do all that is necessary to address the continuous impoverishment of Nigerians and incapacitation of organised businesses,” he stated.

    FCT motorists, commuters, others  express frustration

    The frustration is palpable  in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT). Motorists and commuters have been hit hard by the sudden price hike, which comes amid persistent fuel scarcity.

    A businessman, Alhaji Abdulaziz Isah expressed his dismay, saying: “The removal of the fuel subsidy with no proper plans in place has crippled the oil and gas sector and the economy at large. The dollar keeps rising, making it difficult for importers and marketers to buy petrol. If the government cannot implement a lasting policy, they should consider reinstating the subsidy, as citizens are suffering immensely.”

    The ripple effects of this price hike are evident in the daily struggles of civil servants like Mr. Aloze Ojo, who has been battling long queues at filling stations, often to no avail. “The hardship is unbearable,” Ojo lamented. “At times, I can’t even afford transportation to work, and feeding my family has become an even bigger challenge.”

    The situation is equally dire for commercial drivers. A taxi driver, Olusegun Ade, described the difficulties of balancing high fuel costs with affordable fares for passengers.

    “I’m running at a loss. I buy petrol at an exorbitant price, but if I increase fares, some passengers won’t be able to afford it. My family depends on my daily earnings, and with this latest increase, I don’t know how we’ll survive. I’m pleading with the president to act swiftly; the suffering is too much.´ Ade said.

    The crisis has also highlighted the urgent need for alternative energy sources. A retired civil servant, Mrs. Rita Uka, urged the government to expedite action on  its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project.

    “Over-reliance on PMS is making it a scarce and costly product. If CNG becomes widely available and affordable, it could help alleviate the pressure on PMS and stabilize the economy.” she said.

    Calabar struggling with scarcity, high price

     Residents of Calabar, the Cross River State capital are grappling with both the scarcity and high cost of petrol, with prices ranging between ₦880 and ₦950 per litre. The situation led to long queues at the few stations still selling fuel, with some motorists arriving as early as 3:00 a.m. to secure a spot.

    A motorist, Johnson Effiong, recounted his frustration at a station that received a fuel supply but failed to commence sales.

    “We saw petrol being discharged on Monday, so I came here at 3:00 a.m. to queue up, but they still haven’t started selling. The pump attendants are here, but we don’t know why they’re not dispensing the product. he said.

    The uncertainty and inconsistency in fuel availability have left many residents feeling helpless. Another motorist, Daniel Uwem voiced his concerns about the difficulty of obtaining petrol despite its high cost.

    “It’s hard to know what to complain about anymore. Even when stations have fuel, they only sell for a few hours before claiming the product is finished.” Uwem said.

    The scarcity has also taken a toll on commercial drivers. Mr. Matthew Archibong, a mini-bus driver, described the challenges he faces daily. “I spent several hours at a filling station along Murtala Muhammed Highway before the manager announced that they wouldn’t be selling fuel. I had to leave and queue up at another station, only to find that they were also not selling.

    ‘New petrol price may put marketers in debts’

    Independent petroleum marketers who paid for supply of the commodity  in June but are yet to be supplied,  yesterday  expressed regrets  with  the NNPCL’s decision to increase the pump price of petrol without consideration for their business interest, it was learnt yesterday.

    An independent marketer in Mushin, Lagos State, who pleaded anonymity, explained that “we independent marketers paid on NNPCL portal since June 3 and 4 for petrol supply when the portal was opened. After two weeks the portal was closed; about 3,000 marketers paid. What we paid for was 45, 000 litres of petrol each valued at N25, 042, 651. 25k. Majority of us that paid in June didn’t get petrol to lift, we were programmed to start lifting last month in bits.

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    “Now this is September and still majority of us have not been given our product and then this increase. NNPCL is now saying that we have to pay at the new rate which is about N11 million difference because at the new rate, a 45,000 petrol tanker will now cost over N36 million to lift.

    “A lot of marketers are now in a dilemma because of this development because we obtained loans from banks to run this business and the loans have accumulated interest over the months. The new price has now completely rubbished our investments made since June when we paid.

    “The government or NNPCL didn’t consider us at all. Previously, we used to buy this same quantity at N7m before May 2023, and it subsequently jumped to N25 million now its N36 million. How do they want us to survive? Government should instruct NNPCL to sell to us at the previous rate because we paid for the product at that rate and not being able to get our supplies at that time is not our fault.  We marketers are just trying to balance and now see the increase; government should be considerate and let us buy at the rate we paid for.

    “NNPCL does not reckon with us; they should have notified us before the increase or at least given us our product at the rate we paid for.

    ‘’NNPCL has not been fair to us because we are not credit marketers; we pay upfront and they use our money to trade. When there is petrol, instead of NNPCL trucking us, they give priority to the bridgers who takes the product up north, whose trucks have capacity for 50, 000 litres; they load them 1,000 trucks or more without loading us.

    “The price increase will mean that more marketers may not be in a position to continue trading because a lot of us are indebted already with mounting interests on loans. The only help they can give us now is that they should load us at the old rate, “ the source said.

    Uyo, Yenagoa residents lament

    Fuel prices in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital have skyrocketed to ₦970 per litre, with the NNPC mega station selling at ₦887 per litre.  Despite the lack of scarcity in the state, many filling stations remain closed.

    A commercial driver in Uyo, Aniekan Ukpongette spoke about his experience. He said he joined a queue at 4:18 a.m. yesterday  and  as of  3:00 pm he was still on the queue.

    “I’ve been here for hours, and I’m nowhere near the dispensing point. This situation is unbearable.” Ukpongette said.

    In Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, the fuel crisis has been ongoing even before the new price adjustment. Petrol has been selling for between ₦900 and ₦1,000 per litre at most filling stations, with black marketers taking advantage of the situation by selling at even higher rates.

    Our fears, by Lagos traders, commuters, others

    Lagos, the nation’s commercial nerve centre, was not  spared of  the fallout of the fuel price hike. The state has witnessed a surge in petrol prices, with some stations selling for over ₦850 per litre and others exceeding ₦1,100. This increase has sparked widespread concerns  among residents, who fear that the rising cost of fuel will escalate the cost of living.

    A  trader, Sarah Johnson expressed her fears about the impact of the price hike on the market.

    “This increase will drive up the cost of essential commodities that were just beginning to stabilise. Transportation costs will rise, making it more difficult for consumers to afford basic goods.” Johnson said.

    A commuter, Michael Oladipo echoed these concerns, noting that the higher fuel prices would likely lead to an increase in transportation fares and, consequently, the prices of goods and services.

    “This will only worsen the financial burden on families who are already struggling to make ends meet,” Oladipo said.

    A woman, Grace Eze lamented that the situation has also affected household budgets.

    “I noticed today that traders are already planning to raise their prices due to the fuel increase. My family relies on my spouse’s income alone, and this price hike will place additional strain on our budget.”

    A bus driver, James Obi suggested that the high prices might discourage hoarding and stabilise the supply chain.

    He said: The high price might eliminate long queues at fuel stations,” Obi suggested. “But it’s still a difficult situation for many of us.”

    Ebonyi residents reject increase

    Residents of Ebonyi have lamented the increasing price of petrol which they said is worsening the hardship in the country.

    They also lamented the hardship they face at NNPC fuel stations where it is sold at cheaper rates to get the product.

    A civil servant, Ikechukwu Eze good our reporter that he spent over four hours on queue at the station on one occasion which led to his reporting late to work.

    “I was queried for lateness by my boss all because I wanted to buy fuel at a cheaper rate. It is a mistake I am never going to make again. I will rather buy at higher rate at other filling stations or take public transport to work”, he said.

    A trader, Mr Odono Peter regretted that he was forced to spend hours at the queue which made him open his shop late in the afternoon.

    “My business suffered because I opened shop late around 12 noon because I was queueing up to but fuel.

    “Customers were calling me to come and sell to them but after waiting for sometime they bought form other sellers and left.”, he said.

    Be prepared  for  market price, PETROAN warns

    President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gilly-Harry has urged Nigerians to prepare for a higher price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in days to come, saying that prices would henceforth be sold at the current market prices.

    Gilly-Harry made this known  yesterday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.

    According to him, current prices of petrol at around ₦600 per litre may no longer be possible, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited battles to keep the country wet with products.

    His stance comes as the NNPCL recently agreed to be in debt of over $60billion to PMS suppliers.

    Petrol currently sells for around ₦950 and above ₦1000 per litre in filling stations not owned by the NNPCL due to the scarcity.

    “We have been shouting that they (NNPC) have been selling products at ₦590 per litre. Who is bleeding? Somebody is bleeding and we need to tell what exactly is going on, we cannot play politics with everything.

    When asked whether Nigerians should prepare for a price hike, he said “For me, what I will say is to encourage Nigerians to buy petroleum products at the price that the market forces will determine. However, we are fully aware that fuel subsidies of different kinds of products across the world, and oil and gas are a natural blessing for Nigerians. And naturally, we are expecting a subsidy to be paid for that. And I will have to look at the advantages of subsidising just PMS when we have health challenges and other challenges.

    He also spoke on the NNPCL debt to oil suppliers.

    “It is a great effort by the NNPC to come out to say it is in debt. And this is what we have advised a very long time ago, that anything that needs to be done in this sector should be done transparently so that people don’t guess and get into panic.

    “For us as retail outlet owners, it is a situation that has given us a concern to also look inwards and see what dialogues can bring.

    “Three days ago now, there is information that we should look for other solutions out of the box.

    “So it is going to be a tough one. NNPCL is the only one that has access to expendable amounts of dollars to import PMS or any other product at this time, because they have a ready market, and they also earn in dollars, given that our refineries are yet to come on stream.

    “It definitely means that we have to think out of the box and become creative in certain ways that will help us to be able to serve Nigerians.

    “For my members, we have suffered a great deal. You see our filling stations across the country, but there is no business. So it is a concern for all of us but we all can think out of the box and come out with a solution to the crisis.

    “Recall that when the deregulation regime started in 2023, some members who had access to forex were also importing. And of course, the reason they stopped was because you cannot land products within the rate of $1 per litre, and try to sell it for 30/40n cents.

    “So there could be business arrangements with refineries and owners of trading companies that could also come to the rescue.

    “Nigerians are creative and I know a lot of Nigerians are already working. PETROAN is also putting together a couple of ideas that will aggregate funds, and see how that in itself can become a solution.

    “So yes, NNPC has the capacity, and incidentally we are here and we hope that we can hurriedly walk this road and get out of it. Yes, I agree that when information is given, it should be brutally honest so that we know exactly where we stand. PETROAN and other sister organisations with bigger capacities are also doing the same thing.

    “There are so many things that Nigerians can do exactly to get tradable dollars which we have left.”

  • Sowing seeds of love among races, religions 

    Sowing seeds of love among races, religions 

    As countries across the world grapple with inflation and its attendant reduction in the purchasing power of the middle and lower class people, PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports that faith based organisations (FBOs) in New York City founded by Nigerians are taking the lead in providing food, shelter, skills and other basic things to the needy. 

     Passing through Teller Avenue in the Southern part of Bronx County, New York, United States every Saturday morning, the first thing that catches one’s attention is a long queue of people of different races and religions.

     Between the hours of 6am and 12pm, hundreds of people in need of food items both fresh produce, processed ones take turns to be served already arranged portions by  officials of the Vineyard International Christian Ministries.

     This gesture, which residents said had gone on for several decades, is one of the many community outreach programmes embarked upon by the ministry founded by Nigerian-American Professor of Mathematics, Bishop Joe Omokwe and his wife, Uche. 

    The couple who have been US citizens for over 40 years, were moved by the sufferings of people in underserved communities in New York such that they sold their home in a high-end neighbourhood and relocated to poor neighbourhoods where they started sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry and taking young people away from criminal paths. 

    Speaking with our Correspondent at a picnic organized by the church last Saturday at Palham Bay Park, Prof. Omeokwe said the desire to give back to the society propelled him and his wife to not only preach the gospel to the people but to also meet them at their points of needs. 

    The former chairman, Mathematics Department at the City University of New York (CUNY), said they started the shelter especially for fresh African immigrants because he knew how difficult it was for new persons to settle in and find their feet. 

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    “I came from Nigeria, we have known suffering from the scratch. We were six and I am the last born. In a family of six, none of them were able to finish high school. I was the only one who went through high school and went to college and to university and after my Youth Corps service , I worked a little bit in Nigeria before I came to do my masters and PhD in America. 

    “This country opened the door for me. So, I felt obliged and with the support of my wife, whose background was fortunately stronger than mine because she’s from a well-to-do family; we put our hands together to say we have to give back. 

     “Not just getting from the community, getting from the nation of USA but we need to pay back and our hearts were touched by the poverty we saw in the Bronx, New York. 

     “In the late 1980s, I went to do a tutorial work in an area as chairman of Victoria College and the extension centre where we opened in the Bronx at that time.

     By 1995, we saw the need was so much, people were very desperate. I mean, these blacks are uneducated, no skills, some are just going round into and out of prisons.

     “These girls have five, six children for different men and when we look at the whole thing, it’s just a pitiable situation. We felt that we got to do something and that’s what made us start from our living room. So many people were coming and getting the needed help but we felt the need to buy a property since we couldn’t continue to receive all the people in our living room.

     “We tied our income to that. The building we bought was from the scratch. We didn’t call anybody, we financed it from our bank and paid off for years from our earnings.

     “My wife worked for the city at that time so both of us were well paid. I was the chairman of my department like I said and we gave up our home then like mortgage to make the down payment for this big building. 

    “So, at first, the building was to help our Nigerian brethren who have nowhere to put their heads, no jobs, nobody to take care of them like other people do to their own people. So far, we have helped more than 15 of our people to get their green cards and become citizens of the USA. Presently, there are about six on the file that we are supporting. 

    “But with time, we expanded to accommodate other nationals and even teenagers and young adults from going in and out of prison. 

    “This community in South Bronx which is crime-ridden is where God led us to buy the building and began this ministry. Here, we feed over 300 Americans born and bred here weekly. We also have a lot of school programmes where we take care of kids from school. When they get out of class, instead of walking the streets, they come to our building, we give them tutorials, help them with their homework, help them with their reading in Maths and Computer Sciences- that’s my area of specialty- “When we started, we were using our resources but with time, we started getting grants and so we expanded the scope. 

    “So, in the summer, we have a big programme, we are funded by the State of New York to keep the kids off the streets. We make sure they don’t roam the streets because schools are closed. We get them breakfast, we get them lunch and we send them home. So, we do all that community work plus also helping young people, especially black young men avoid recidivism. 

    “We have a barbing center across from the church, where they learn how to barb and how to do all kinds of things. So that’s what we are doing and more things are coming. We will get more with children and single mothers if we can get more help in that area.” 

    Prof. Omeokwe said his plans to replicate similar programmes in Nigeria failed due to poor management, adding that all the resources provided could not be accounted for. Guests who attended the picnic were full of praises for the Bishop and his wife with beneficiaries of their humanitarian deeds, urging faith based organisations in Nigeria to follow his example. 

    One of the guests, Mr. Emmanuel Ejianya described the couple as great parents to uncountable number of people. 

    “They have a large heart and with great love for fellow human beings. They helped me when I came into the United States six years ago and they are still helping me till date.

     “I will never forget Vineyard and the Umokwe family and I have told my children, in the years to come, thank God for this family and for this ministry and be committed to it.

     “What we are having today is a fellowship of love, relaxing and eating together.

     “The perception that Africans are criminals or bad  people is a wrong perception. Though they may be very few Africans giving the continent a bad name in this country through their criminal behaviours, so also there are bad Asians and Europeans. There are bad people everywhere.

     “The truth is that majority of African people are very down to earth and hard working. You cannot see an African begging, you cannot see an African walking in the streets idling. We work and we try to do our best and also we know we have a responsibility back home including families that are depending on us. So, the Africans are the most reasonable citizens that are around. 

     “Although some may have challenges of settling down, of immigration and that may make them falter; the African men and women are reliable and good citizens so if there are one or two that are exceptions, they should be treated as that and not generalized. 

     “The churches in Africa and their leaders copy the example of Jesus. Jesus did not only minister to the soul and spirit of the people. He ministered to the body. He multiplied bread and fed the hungry, he cared for them. So while churches and pastors are building cathedrals, building universities while taking tithes and offerings; they should also remember to minister to the needy. “Vineyard Christian Ministries has a food pantry. My family eats from that food pantry and many other people including non Christians. That’s the responsibility of the church to the community. 

     “How much more to our members? So instead of the leaders building big houses, big bank accounts, we should care for people in need; food and medical care so that we can challenge them to do likewise and if that’s done, many people may not be interested in coming to America or leaving Africa. “Africa is the best place to be if we have good leadership and good examples. Some of us are looking forward to when things will be set right, there’s no place like Africa.” 

    Similarly, an Anglican priest, Venerable Elijah Edeh, who was at the picnic, said he has been attending the Vineyard picnic for many years which usually held at a beach.

     “Vineyard is known for caring for and loving people. I am a beneficiary of the ministry and one of its products. I am so proud of Vineyard and I cannot thank the Bishop and his wife enough. 

    “Aside from the weekly food pantry where raw and cooked items are given out, Vineyard does community sharing, community services of helping the needy, housing the less privileged, ensuring that people’s rents are paid and even while coming to this place, we had to pay for some people’s fare because some found it difficult paying their fare to get to this place. So, you cannot divorce Vineyard from community services. ” 

     That’s a different thing entirely because I think cultural differences and environmental determinants play a role. Look around here. See the bishop and how simple he is. You cannot even differentiate because everywhere is simple. 

    “So, we have to first address the issue of bogus life so that people can cut their ego. You have to humble yourself, you talk about humility here but in Nigeria, it is ego and because of the ego, they tend to move towards acquisition and affluence. 

    “The Bible says that he who loves money will never be satisfied with his income. I see dissatisfaction over there but you see satisfaction and contentment here. In Nigeria, religious leaders hoard things. So, until that is addressed, the pastor has to talk to himself and then be sure, I have a mission to do something, let me work myself first and then influence the society… 

    “They should think of what they will do to make the society better: give back to the society, let the society feel your impact. Let society benefit from you, that’s what’s happening here… Once there’s compassion, people have to go to the account, take from whatever they have and then make sure that the next are taken care of and if we should do that, I don’t see Nigeria too many needy people to be attended to. 

     “What are you stocking billions for? That’s enough to give people half a bag of rice. One billion naira is enough…that will go a long way to cushion the effect of poverty and hunger.” 

    Also,  the Rector, Ruth Sisters Fellowship International (RSFI), Prof. Ada Okika said that Nigerian Faith based groups in the diaspora have maintained the spiritual upliftment of Nigerians through various support services and fellowship of love. Vineyard International Ministry being one of the oldest Nigeria Faith organizations in the United States had become house of Nigerian immigrants where they are provided with living and adjustment mentorship into the United States.

     “As a university professor, the General Overseer of the Ministry, Prof. Joe Omeokwe help to get them into colleges for advancement of their education into careers that will enable them to fix themselves into the world of economic existence in the United States. 

    “His outreach ministry and immigrant support, provision of shelters and encoutragement to settle remains a strong strength of his Ministry.” Making reference to the fifth annual EMPTISTORY Women International Fire Conference organized by the Ruth Sisters Fellowship International in Philadelphia, the Rector, Prof. Ada Okika said its concept was rooted in Acts 9:19, adding that the group has not relented in committing to the import of Acts 9:15 with the purpose of building character generation for the kingdom. She said the conference series in the past four years highlighted the need for prioritizing spiritual journey through: Women in a perilous world; the power of I am: Women the harbinger of peace in a perilous world; women in ministry and canon of stewardship, as well as kingdom stewards and the ultimate sacrifice.

     “God had a purpose for the creation of women including the overall purpose for humanity. As the world is changing, these purposes and responsibilities tend to change direction that hinder the role of women in the kingdom as well as human growth and development. 

     “A recall to Act 9:15 hearken  to God’s clarion call to today’s women reminding us that in spite of the present global warming, climate change, worldly desire, broken homes and marriages, domestic violence and all forms of violence against women, the strive for gender equality and presence of women in decision making, the growing vices among women themselves; the role and responsibilities of women in ministry and work of God, and the terrifying situation of today’s world has called for attention towards rethinking the purpose of God for women. 

    She said it was time for women’s return to the purpose of God for them to overcome their physical and spiritual emptiness for future generation. This year’s conference themed: “Anchored and Empowered for the Kingdom” which held between August 9 and 11, addressed the commitment to overcoming emptiness in terms of equipping, collaborating and transformation. 

     It committed a bond-tie to the kingdom race where participants explored ways in which women can better understand themselves through sharing the gospel in challenging times, as well as reflected on the need to embrace the spiritual foundation rooted in Christ Jesus and the importance of building faithfully with the presence of God.

  • Outrage over Nigerian woman on avowed mission to wipe out Yoruba, Edo in Canada

    Outrage over Nigerian woman on avowed mission to wipe out Yoruba, Edo in Canada

    Canada-Based Nigerian woman, Amaka Patience Sunnberger, is in the eye of the storm after vowing to harm Yoruba or Benin individuals she encounters.

     Her diatribe coincides with Canada’s latest decision to end the temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada.

     The IRCC introduced the policy in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic–related travel restrictions.

     Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country.

     The controversy began when a video clip that went viral on X (formerly Twitter) featuring the woman who claims to be a resident of Ontario making inflammatory anti-Yoruba comments during a virtual meeting on TikTok.

     In sharp contrast to Amaka’s controversial remarks, many urged the Canadian government to prosecute her for inciting violence and genocide against Yoruba and Edo people.

     The House of Representatives wrote to the Canadian government, urging it to investigate and prosecute Sunnberger for her inciting comments, which it said violates international and Canadian laws.

     Amaka, however, dismissed the possibility of arrest or deportation.

     The Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, weighed in on the issue via her X handle (formerly Twitter).

     She identified the woman and revealed that several Nigerian groups had brought the matter to the attention of the Canadian authorities.

     Dabiri-Erewa wrote: “This is the picture of the lady behind the voice: Amaka Patience Sunnberger.

     “She has deleted her TikTok account, and a group of Nigerians in Canada are reporting her officially to the relevant authorities in Canada. Thanks for alerting everyone.”

     However, Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, known as the Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, vowed to defend Amaka.

     Our correspondent, who viewed the now-viral TikTok video on X, heard the woman instructing others on the social media space to poison Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent.

     Amaka, who spoke in Pidgin English, said: “Record me very, very well. Time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Bini. I go put poison for all una food for work, put poison for all una water. Make una dey kpai (die) one by one. Una no go kpai one day o, una go sick, sick, sick.

     “I go put otapiapia. This kind hate wey I get for una so, e go last forever. For all of una food, otapiapia eat and die, snipers – Yes, I go dey put am. If I go work tomorrow, I go put am for Yoruba food.

    “I dey Canada, I dey Ontario, go tell government, hurry up. I go put otapiapia, una go hear Yoruba don die o, Bini don kpeme, na me talk am.

    “I wan make Ndigbo have that heart of wickedness, una too quiet, una too dey cool, enough. It is enough, if you have a means of killing them, kill them; kpai them commot for road because they too mumu, they are of no use to the society.”

     Other voices could be heard interjecting and prodding her. The woman claimed that her comment was in response to the “hate” against the Igbo.

     Amaka’s dangerous rhetorics brings to fore the bizarre ‘Igbo must go’ campaign by a group, Lagospedia, which was condemned by well-meaning Nigerians and socio-cultural groups, few weeks ago.

     The former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election Atiku Abubakar, his Labour Party (LP) counterpart Peter Obi, and the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Lagos Indigenes strongly condemned the needless mischievous campaign.

     Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, distanced himself and the Lagos State Government from the “reckless, divisive, and dangerous rhetoric,” emphasising that Lagos remains a home to all Nigerian citizens regardless of their ethnic nationality.

     The joint caucus of the South East members of the National Assembly also petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, calling on him to arrest and prosecute those instigating anti-Igbo action in the South West.

     The lawmakers called the attention of the IG to an anti-Igbo post made on July 27 on X account of @Lagospedia wherein Lagosians and South West stakeholders were asked to prepare for a massive protest of #IgboMustGo on August 20 to 30.

    ‘I can’t be deported’

     In a viral video clip, Sunnberger cited her Canadian citizenship as protection, stating that Canada’s legal system is unlike Nigeria’s, where arrests can be made without questioning.

     She said: “Somebody just send me message, say them arrest me, say them wan deport me, with passport? I be Canada pikin.

     “See am now, I dey house, why I go dey lie?”

     The statements sparked widespread outrage, leading key figures, including the Chairperson, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to formally request her prosecution by Canadian authorities, citing violations of both international and Canadian laws.

     In the letter addressed to the Mayor, Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that Amaka is a disability support worker in Brampton.

     Dabiri-Erewa stated that it is worrisome that someone who works with one of the most vulnerable demographics in society made such a comment, adding that she may pose a danger to the vulnerable people she works with and needs to be investigated, checked, and stopped for the good of society.

    Read Also: Police re-invite NLC Chief Ajaero for questioning

     She further said: “As long as I am Chair @nidcom gov and Diaspora issues are reported to us, we will deal with it. As I speak, Nigerians in Canada have taken the matter up with the relevant authorities.”

    Reacting to the matter, Ekpa stressed that the Biafra government will defend Sunnberger.

     He further urged Sunnberger not to panic for any reason.

     “The Biafra government will defend Amaka against any action.

     “We equally call on Amaka to immediately contact the Biafra liaison in Canada or anyone with her contact should contact the Biafra government or myself directly. Tag Amaka, we need her contact immediately; she must not panic for any reason,” he stated.

     He claimed that Sunnberger’s threat comes as a result of long-term bullying by the Nigerians she threatened.

     “She is not just a victim of bullying but she is a victim of murder; they have murdered her spiritually during the election; they murdered her even before the election, the accumulated anger pushed her to speak, so the Biafra Government will provide legal services if need be.

     “She only talked while the killers are practically killing her people and there is no outrage. Those Ohanaeze disowning her has been banned in Biafraland,” he said

    Reps panel writes Canada, seeks prosecution of woman

     The House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters asked the Canadian government to prosecute Sunnberger for “hate speech”.

     The request is contained in a letter jointly signed by Tochukwu Okere, chairman of the committee; and Biodun Omoleye, chairman of Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group.

    In the letter addressed to James Christoff, Canada’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, the lawmakers said Sunnberger’s comments “are a direct threat to the lives and safety of millions of Nigerians”.

     “On behalf of the Nigeria-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the actions of Ms. Amaka Patience Sunberger, a Nigerian citizen residing in Canada,” the letter reads.

     “Ms. Sunberger has recently been recorded making inflammatory statements that incite violence against the Yoruba and Edo ethnic groups in Nigeria, including advocating for the poisoning of food and water supplies to achieve their mass genocide.”

     According to the lawmakers, the “incitement to violence and call for genocide through poisoning” are “deeply troubling and are a clear violation of international and Canadian laws such as national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence”.

     “Such rhetoric is dangerous and has the potential to incite real-world violence, both in Nigeria and within the Nigerian diaspora,” the legislators said.

    The lawmakers demanded that an “immediate and thorough investigation” be conducted into Sunberger’s actions by Canadian law enforcement and appropriate authorities.

     “We urge that Ms. Sunnberger be prosecuted under the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada to hold her accountable for her incitement to genocide and hate speech,” the lawmakers said.

     “We request that the Canadian government issue a public condemnation of Ms. Sunnberger’s actions to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to combating hate speech, violence and genocide.

     “We also request that Canadian authorities collaborate with Nigerian authorities to prevent any potential escalation of violence because of Ms. Sunnberger’s incitement, and to ensure that justice is served.

     “Canada and Nigeria share a strong bilateral relationship founded on mutual respect for human rights and the rule of law.

     “The actions of Ms. Sunnberger threaten to undermine these values. We trust that you will take all necessary steps to address this issue in accordance with Canadian and international law.”

    Reactions

     An X.com user, @DAMIADENUGA, who shared the video on his account Wednesday, urged Nigerians in Canada to stay safe and take precautionary measures.

     “A very disturbing video of some Nigerians on TikTok planning the death of other Nigerians in Canada. This post is for awareness purposes only. Be careful out there, folks,” he wrote.

     “Please, everyone on that TikTok live space with her are all accomplices; they all must be traced!!! Every one of them.” @AmodaOgunlere added.

     Corroborating the call for the participants’ arrest, @AbiolaKujore wrote, “The sad part is they all supported her and cheered her on; I was shocked.”

     “They share the same sentiment because I wonder why anyone would want to give her a listening ear by being part of that demonic space,” @adedirant noted.

     Assuring other Nigerians that the authorities had begun a probe into the distasteful video, @Lekanarsenal said, “Most of them do delete their TikTok account, but the hand will touch them one after the other. Some of them live in Nigeria, and we repost them. We are going to track every account that leads to them.”

    Ohanaeze disowns woman

     The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the viral video in which Amaka Patience Sunnberger made threatening remarks about Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin heritage.

     The group said there was no sufficient evidence that the lady who posted the video was Igbo, adding that she did not in any way portray the Igbo character of thoughtfulness, discretion, self-censure and equanimity.

     The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, refuted the claims in a statement issued on Wednesday in Enugu.

     According to him, the attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to a video clip making the rounds on social media that goes by the “name @Anyi_anambra on TikTok, “asking the Igbo to poison the foods of the Yoruba and Benin people.”

     He said the miscreant “promised to encourage other Igbos to poison Yoruba and Benin people. Let Ndigbo get heart of wickedness and start poisoning Yoruba and Edo.”

     “Ohanaeze would have ignored the social media video clip as coming from a deranged psychopath or one of the fictitious narratives, which with the Internet device was twisted, dressed, coated, and delivered to the unsuspecting and obliging public,”.

     Ogbonnia, however, said their telephones had been inundated by various eminent persons who had expressed fears on the possibility of some persons carrying out the threats.

     “It therefore becomes imperative for Ohanaeze to respond, especially when the National Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere, Mr. Jare Ajayi, forwarded the clip and requested prompt action.

     “There is no Igbo man or woman that will contemplate throwing stones in a full market for the fear of who shall be the victim, as the Igbo travel more than any ethnic group in Africa.

     “They also create homes away from home wherever they are found. They mix up or integrate with the local community and contribute to developing every community they find themselves in.

     “Based on the foregoing, two major derivatives emerge: if one should poison food in Lagos, Ibadan, or Benin, is there any guarantee that the first victim will not be Igbo?” he asked.

     The publicity secretary said the lady in the said video must be a “depressed, drowning ethnic bigot, obsessed by the negative side of history, and unflinching satanic in orchestration.”

     He disclosed that the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Amb. Okey Emuchay, decried the video tape on the social media.

     According to him, Emuchay vehemently condemned both the video content and the perpetrator as a mischief-maker.

     “They are the merchant of woes who deploy despicable and incendiary rhetoric to create ethnic mistrusts and conflicts where none exists.

     “Ohanaeze seizes this opportunity to enlighten the younger generations that the Igbo, Edo and Yoruba share a lot in common. We share in cultural affinity, cosmology, morphology, and hospitality.

     “The age-long intermarriages between the Igbo, Yoruba, and Edo have produced well-accomplished great-grandchildren,” he said.

     He therefore assured the Afenifere, the entire Yoruba and Edo brothers, that the threat from the depraved mind should be ignored as “idiotic, meaningless, and vacuous.”

     “We add that, throughout history, proposals by the maladjusted are always dead on arrival.

     “We use this opportunity to call on the security agencies in Nigeria to trace the perpetrators of this macabre dance to face the full weight of the law,” he said.

    Atiku, Peter Obi react

     Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said: The contentious virtual chat room clip wherein participants made threats of ethnic cleansing against the Yorubas and Benin people is unequivocally condemned in all aspects.

     “I am informed that the identities of those involved have been disclosed and that calls have been made to the pertinent law enforcement agencies in Canada to prosecute the offenders.

     “In this regard, I commend the House of Representatives and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission for their prompt and decisive action in addressing this incendiary rhetoric and preempting further escalation.

     “This disconcerting episode underscores, once again, the imperative of uniting our people and our nation. Our rich diversity is our most cherished national asset and must be vigilantly protected.”

     Peter Obi said: “I utterly condemn the reported hateful statement and actions attributed to a Nigerian woman living in Canada against other Nigerians of diverse origins. Such divisive comments or behaviour have no place in our society.

     “As Nigerians, we should unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges, rather than allowing tribalism and hate to tear us apart. I have consistently stood against the polarisation of our country along tribal, religious or political lines.

  • Nigerian returnees: How we were consigned to jail in China without fair trial

    Nigerian returnees: How we were consigned to jail in China without fair trial

    • Recall near-death experiences, battles with mental illness

    Chinese prisons are fast turning into Nigerian communities as the number of inmates from the West African country increases on a daily basis. Many of the inmates are battling mental illness resulting from hard labour, torture and other dehumanising issues. Ex-inmates alleged that Nigerians get harsh sentences because the nation’s envoys stay aloof when other diplomats intervene in their citizens’ situations. INNOCENT DURU reports

    Papirose, a Nigerian businessman, travelled to China in January 2013 with high hopes. As a businessman, his choice of China was deliberate. The Asian country is reputed as the largest manufacturer and exporter of goods globally.

    With the foregoing in mind, Papirose was upbeat that in a short time he would become an importer of finished goods from China in Nigeria. But his high hope did not endure before it was dashed.

    According to him, trouble began with a directive from the Chinese government that foreign traders in the country must acquire certain business papers, which he said were not easy to obtain.

    Consequently, he said, he quit business and went to work in a club as a hypeman. The hyping job required him to work on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and he said it was okay because it helped him to pay rent and settle other bills.

    As a hype man who was good at what he was doing, Papirose said he always had many people visiting his house.

    “One day,” he said, “security operatives came to my house alleging that there was a call made from there. I asked if there was any phone with such calls from me and they said there was none, but they found that a lot of people were coming to my house.

     “I told them that yes, people always came to my house and that I just celebrated my birthday.

    “After everything, they saw that there was no evidence they could use against me. Unfortunately, they took me to a police station from where they took me to the detention centre.”

    Papirose said at the detention centre, the Chinese authorities asked him to plead yempha, yempha; “that is to plead guilty so that they would give me  lesser sentence. But I insisted on knowing what I did wrong.

    “I asked whether they found any evidence on me and why I should plead guilty.”

    Miffed by his audacity, the security operatives yelled at him, saying “you Africans, what are you doing in Guangzhou here? You are only here in Guangzhou selling drugs and doing fraud.

    “I said do you have any evidence against me?”

    Papirose forgot, however, that China is not Nigeria as he later found that the police in China are like gods. “If they talk to you, you don’t have to reply. They will tell you this is China and there is no why for anything they do.”

    Papirose said looking for a way to nail him, the policemen brought out a Chinese girl they had arrested and asked the girl if she knew him. 

    “The Chinese girl said she didn’t. They found that the person that committed the fraud was in Ghana and not in Nigeria. I was in China and hadn’t left China for a long time, so why are you holding me?

     “They said once an African defrauds a Chinese, fellow Africans have to suffer for it. I was like what is going on? That an African has to suffer for a crime committed by another African?

     “They also brought a Cameroonian they had arrested and the boy also said he didn’t know me.

    “They frustrated the Cameroonian and caused him depression. The boy eventually died.”

    “Whenever an African died, they would tell me, you cannot say yemfa yemfa? See, your brother has already died and you cannot say yemfa yemfa. 

    “I was detained at the centre for almost five years. I went to court twice.

    “Also at the court, I did not know that it was impossible to challenge a prosecutor.”

    Papirose’s journey to prison in China was one of the numerous cases of Nigerian citizens who ended their search for greener pastures in jail. Onowu Chukwuemeka, an ex-inmate who spent 15 years in Dongguan Foreign Prison, said more than 5,000 Nigerian inmates are enduring unimaginable suffering and injustice in the Asian country.

    The figure provided by Onowu is, however, lower than the data published by Patriotic Citizens Initiatives (PCI), a civil society group, which indicated that as many as 8,000 Nigerians are incarcerated in Chinese prisons.

    Following the large number of the citizens in the various prisons, Nigerian languages are said to have become very common in the prisons such that one could easily mistake the area for a Nigerian community.

    One of the ex-inmates told our correspondent that some prison officials have become very familiar with names of Nigerian states and communities such that when a new convict comes, they would ask if he is from  X, Y or Z state.

    Brown, another Nigerian businessman travelled to China in 2015 for business purposes. But within two years of his stay in the country, he got arrested and had his dreams shattered. 

    Narrating what led him to prison, Brown said: “I met a friend there and he started living with me. I didn’t know that he was having prohibited items with him. When they caught him, they arrested both of us because he was living with me. I was convicted and sent to prison.”

    There in prison “I filed for an appeal to no avail. As a foreigner, I stayed in prison for two years and six months without contacting my family. They restricted us from getting access to anybody that can reach our families.

     “My family could not get any information about my whereabouts until I reached out to somebody in China who helped to contact them. Some people even exploited my family members, promising to find me.

     “It was a very sad experience. I came back home with nothing. I lost everything.”

    It was also a journey full of woes for Mike who had gone to China in 2009 with a view to expanding his business like the others previously mentioned.

    Read Also: Nigeria needs 500,000 firefighters, says minister

     “I was arrested when I visited one of my friends’ apartments,” he said as he began to narrate his journey into jail. 

    “After their only investigation, they said they found something in the apartment and that because I was a close friend to the owner of the apartment, I would certainly be part of the deal.

     “I was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

     “Many people especially Nigerians are going down over there because of the prison conditions. The way they torture people there is something else.

     “They will not beat you, but they will give you psychological torture.

     “By the time they are done, the inmate would not be able to speak coherently anymore.

     “You will discover that a very close person to you is not normal anymore.”

    Suspects made to sign documents written in Chinese

    Reliving his ordeal while undergoing trial, Papirose said: “In the court, they would give you a government lawyer, who is actually a prosecutor.  They will have three lawyers that will come and visit you. The first two lawyers will visit you and tell you when you’re going to be in court.

     “When you get to the court, it is another lawyer that will come. And these three lawyers will be writing different things. And when they write it in Chinese, they want you to sign.”

    Papirose’s trial experience wasn’t too different from that of Mike who got his sentence details from his Chinese lawyer even before going to court.

    His words: “They gave me a Chinese lawyer. First they asked if I had a lawyer. I said I didn’t have money to get one. Then they gave me a lawyer.

    “When the lawyer came to meet me at the detention centre, all he did was to ask me what happened.  After that, he said he would go through my file.

    “Thereafter, he said that my sentence was going to be seven years at six month but that we should wait and see what would happen,”

    Continuing, Mike said: “When they took me to court, the judge said the evidence was not clear.  Then they went back to bring some of the security men in the apartment that I visited.

    “They came and bore false witness that they found something where they arrested me. I asked them for evidence but they said if there was no evidence, they could use the witnesses’ account against me. It was on account of the witnesses that they sentenced me.

    “Our people are really going through hell in the prisons over there because nobody cares about them. I can tell you that throughout my seven years in the prison, I only met our consulate once.”

    Ex-inmates share hard experiences 

    Papirose told The Nation that all he experienced in the prison was forced labour. 

    He said:  “What America is saying about China is the fact. The people are engaged in forced labour.

     “Some Chinese people told me that their business growth comes from their prisons. They have more than 30 million prisoners delivering free service for them. So you cannot compete with them.

    “Nationals of about five African countries are working for them free of charge,” he said. 

    Asked about what the inmates produce in prison, he said: “There’s nothing we were not producing in prison. The completion of every production process is done in the secret room with only Chinese people present.

    “Because of the situation, people were dying. These people have no mercy.

    “In their prisons you have to work. They are going to give you points to meet. If you don’t do up to 2700 or 2800 points, you’re not going to make calls to your family, and there’s a limit to things you can buy. So they have to depress you for that, so that you can be working hard.

    “They have major prisons, but most of foreign prisons are in Dong Wan. But foreigners don’t  go to Shenzhen prison, because that is where Huawei  produces everything.

    “They gave me only 550 quai, which is not up to $100, after my jail term.”

    He added that the Chinese don’t respect laws but only follow tradition. “There’s nothing like law. It’s a communist state,” he said.

    Also reliving his experience, Brown described the processes in the prison, the humiliation, the frustration and the propaganda they faced as foreigners as harrowing.

    “To start with, we were being forced to work on all the products. About 60% of products being manufactured in China are being made by the prisoners under duress.

    “We were forced to work nine hours non-stop from Monday to Saturday. Sometimes they made us work on Sundays for some hours.

    “Yes, there was serious torture in the prison. When they force you to work beyond your capacity and you make them to see why you wouldn’t be able to do that, they will start deducting your points, restricting you from making calls, and you will not get commutation.  Commutation is reduction of sentence.”

    Providing details about the targets given to inmates, Brown said: “Every month they will give you a target. If you finish your target for the month, they will give you 100 points which will qualify you to make calls for the month. Each day, you have to make about 480 points for the first grade.

    “In a month, they will add it together and compile it to give you citations of 100 points. So, if you fail to meet the target, your point is deducted. That means that for that month, you would not make any call. Everything you are supposed to get for that month will be cancelled.

    “If for any reasons you go against their order, they will take you into confinement with chains. Sometimes they shock inmates with electric and spray them with tear gas. Inmates don’t usually die in the process of torture, but many lose their senses subsequently.

    “I know about 10 to 15 Nigerians now in a state of not knowing anything again out of frustration and torture. Sometimes the prison officials would come and tell us openly that the westerners enslaved the blacks for many years and nobody made a comment. Now is their turn to enslave us.”

    On his part, Mike said: “We worked like machines every day. They will give you food but you know what prisoners’ food look like. They won’t deny you food but they will give you other punishments if you are not meeting the targets.

    “If you have stayed in prison for six months and failed to meet target, they erase all the points you had scored and make you start afresh.”

    Mike also spoke about how the Chinese authorities shield the hard labour going on in the prisons from diplomats.

    He said: “When they built a new prison and wanted diplomats from other countries to come and visit, the Chinese took all the work inside the factory and instructed inmates not to show that they were engaged in any work.

    “They did that because there were complaints that they were using prisoners for forced labour. They denied it and wanted to use the organised visit to prove that.

    “When the diplomats left, they told inmates to face their work and threatened that if we didn’t face our work, they were going to face us.”

    Nigerian consulate accused of compromise

    The ex-inmates accused the Nigerian envoy in China of staying aloof whenever the citizens have challenges.

    Papirose said: The Nigerian consulate there is very timid. Ethiopia cares a lot for their people and that is why their jail terms are very low.

    “If a Nigerian has a case, they will give him 12 years, but they will give an Ethiopian three years for the same offence because they know their consulate is always there for their people.”

    Also speaking on the Nigerian consulate’s nonchalant attitude to the predicaments of the citizens, Brown said: “When I was in detention, a diplomat visited me just once. I narrated my ordeal to him, especially about my passport.

    “That was on December 28, 2018. But until 2024 that I left, I got no response from him. I spent about six years without hearing from my consulate. That gives the Chinese government upper hand to maltreat Nigerians.”

     Home at last

    Even though he returned home empty handed after serving his jail term, Mike is excited that he didn’t die in confinement. “My own happiness was when my feet touched the ground at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos. I said God, this is me again in this country.  I’m not going anywhere again even if I’m going to make millions, because of what I saw in China. No, no, no, no, no, no.

     “Some people would tell you let me go, if I die, I die. But it is more than that, because when I was over there, if they had told me something like that happens, I would not believe it. It was when I experienced it that I said is this how this country (China) is?  I learnt a lot of things about life there.

    Save over 5,000 Nigerians dying in Chinese prison, ex-inmate pleads

    A former inmate, Mr. Onowu Chukwuemeka, who spent 15 years in Chinese prison, painted a grim picture of the daily horrors faced by the prisoners.

    He revealed that the majority of Nigerians incarcerated there were wrongfully accused, with their court-appointed attorneys often compromised and working for the Chinese government.

    According to him, the inmates are forced to work gruelling hours for various manufacturing companies, with promise of reduced sentences if they meet their targets. This, he said, is a cruel lie, as even those who work themselves to the bone are not granted any leniency.

    “Inmates who fail to meet their quotas are subjected to merciless beatings, starvation and solitary confinement. The working conditions are deplorable, with no safety equipment provided.

    “Many inmates have died from inhaling toxic fumes, melted plastics and other hazardous materials while assembling products like phone chargers, headphones and lamps.

    “The meagre food they (prisoners) receive, consisting of half-cooked rice and vegetables, is barely enough to sustain them.”

    Onowu noted that the Nigerian Ambassador’s visits to the prison and his attempts to address some of the horrifying issues during the administration of President

    Goodluck Jonathan was the only spark of hope that had been seen by these hapless Nigerians.

    “Even that effort eventually failed due to the change in government, leading to the cessation of visits from the Nigerian embassy.

    “Under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, in spite of the outrage from the prison and human rights organisations, neither the Nigerian Ambassador in China nor his emissary made any effort to visit the prison again for the eight years of that administration.

    “All the proposed negotiations with the Chinese government by the Jonathan government were apparently abandoned under the new government.

    “The inmates now live in constant fear with the threat of solitary confinement silencing those who dare to speak out.

    “The Dongguan Foreign Prison has become a nightmarish labour camp where Nigerians are exploited, abused and denied their basic human rights.” 

    Efforts to reach the prison authorities were impossible as they made all communications in their access portal in the Chinese language.

    Against the foregoing, Onowu appealed to the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, intervene to secure the release of the innocent and put an end to the rampant egregious violations of human dignity going on in Dongguan Foreign Prison, China.

    Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Gui Jing and his Nigerian counterpart in Foreign Affairs Ministry, Amb Abu-Obe Eche, were yet to respond to our enquiries as at the time of filing this report.

  • Banditry survivors count losses; battle trauma, mental illness

    Banditry survivors count losses; battle trauma, mental illness

    Across several states in northern Nigeria, communities are enmeshed in insecurity in form of terrorist attacks and banditry. These violent incidents have left 3.6 million people displaced with thousands of others rendered homeless, their children are orphaned, and countless women and men spouseless. Beyond the physical devastation , an even more insidious affliction endures — the deep psychological scars borne by those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. While state governments strive to address the immediate needs of victims through rehabilitation, the silent suffering of many persists. Mental health professionals estimate that up to 60% of survivors  (one out of every five displaced persons) experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or depression. Despite this, mental health services remain grossly inadequate, with only a handful of facilities available to serve millions in need. JUSTINA ASISHANA sheds light on the enduring trauma faced by those whose lives have been shattered by violence and the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support.

    Insecurity in northern Nigeria is at alarming level with over 3,000 reported cases of violent attacks in the last decade alone. The displaced population has swelled and many are forced to live in makeshift camps with little access to basic amenities. Amidst this chaos, the psychological toll on survivors is staggering.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that in conflict-affected regions, one in five people experience mental health issues; a statistic that highlights the urgent need for intervention. However, the Nigerian government’s response has been largely focused on providing physical relief—food, shelter, and security—while the mental health crisis remains under-addressed.

    Explaining the anguish that grips her heart, Gladys Paul, a 35-year-old widow from Kurebe Village in Shiroro Local Government Area, said: “I will never forgive them. They made me to lose my hardworking and loving husband, cutting him down while he tended to our farm. I held his cutlass-cut body in my arms as he breathed his last. Each mention of ‘bandits’ fills me with hatred. Forgiveness seems impossible.”

    Ghumdia, now 24, recalls the horrific night when Boko Haram militants descended on his family home in Maiduguri.

    He said: “At about 7:30 pm on the fateful day in Maiduguri, every family member was at home. We were ll in the living room except Dad who was relaxing outside on the veranda when armed terrorists barged into our compound, forced everybody out and handcuffed every male.

    “They carted away valuable in the house, including one of the two cars. After that, they used a machete to chop my two elder brothers and our father in the neck, which led to his death. My brothers survived miraculously with medical intervention.

    “Dad was gone! Yes, on the spot! But it was difficult to accept the reality.

    “Though traumatised, we were forced to relocate to a semi-urban centre, having been compelled to accept the inevitable.

    “The breadwinner was no more. Our health, education and future, everything around the family’s interest seemed to be in jeopardy. The future looked bleak because our mother’s income could barely put food on the table.

    “Our older brother had to defer his university education to take up a job to help support our mother.

    “Three years later, in 2017, my mother was among 10 police officers kidnapped by the same terror group, the Boko Haram. It felt like everyone, everything, including Providence, was against my family.

    “After seven agonising months, she was released back to us.

    “The Boko Haram militants shattered our lives, threw our future into uncertainty and even after all these years, the trauma lingers.”

    Rose Uriah’s voice trembles as she recalls the day in 2018 when her father fell victim to Fulani herders’ brutality.

    She said: “It’s been years, but the pain remains raw. I just cannot forget it. My father’s body was decapitated and packed into a wheelbarrow. Their act of barbarity robbed us of closure, denying my father a dignified farewell.”

    Nigeria has 3.6 million people displaced by conflict and violence as at the end of 2022, out of which 1.9 million were living in protracted displacement in the Northeast state of Borno.

    Data shows Nigeria has the third highest number of displaced persons by conflict and violence in sub-saharan Africa, coming after the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

    Diverse trajectories of trauma

    For some, like Edward Samuel and Yohanna Waziri, the trauma stems from the loss of property and security. They may not have lost loved ones but their trauma runs just as deep.

    Samuel’s maize farm was his livelihood, but it was set ablaze by marauding insurgents. “Those people, only God can forgive them,” he said. “They set fire on my one hectare of maize farm which was due for harvesting.

    “I had spent my entire investment to cultivate the crop. The destruction is something I cannot forget or forgive. My whole investment was destroyed,” Edward said.

    Waziri lost one of his closest friends to bandits and was abducted the night before the burial. He was released a few days later. Amidst coping with these tragedies, he also lost N4 million to armed robbers.

    “I lost N4 million to armed robbers around that same period. At one point, it felt as if there was no God anymore.  But somehow, by the grace of God, I was able to pull through,” Waziri said.

    The burden of survival

    For many survivors, the psychological scars run deep, affecting their ability to rebuild their lives. Women like Happy Shekwelo, Laraba Ezra, and Gloria Luka bear the weight of widowhood, left to fend for their children in the aftermath of violence.

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    Forced to navigate the harsh realities of poverty and grief, they find themselves abandoned by a system ill-equipped to provide adequate support.

    Happy Shekwelo from Kuchi in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State recounts the day bandits shot her husband on their farm in 2022. He was killed alongside other farmers.

    Fearing for her life in the face of frequent attacks, she fled to Minna with her two-year-old child, where she cleaned houses to make ends meet. After a while she returned to Kuchi.

    “We are back to Kuchi now because the security has improved a bit. I returned to my husband’s farm and began farming again.

    “But it has not been easy taking care of myself and my child. I wish the state government would provide financial support to help us start a small business.”

    Laraba Ezra, a mother of three from Kafinkoro in Paikoro Local Government Area, lost her husband in 2020. He was butchered with a cutlass while working on the farm.

    She said: “My husband died three years ago and it has not been easy for me. He died as a result of banditry. Feeding and clothing my children is a constant struggle.

    “My eldest child completed secondary school last year but has not gone to the university because there is no money. There is no help coming from anywhere.

    “I often go to my brother in Abuja to seek domestic work. I clean people’s houses and wash their clothes for a fee. Some pay me N20,000 monthly while others pay me weekly.”

    Gloria Luka was left with three children after her husband was killed by terrorists in Kuchi in Shiroro Local Government Area in December 2022. Without any farming skills, she turned to working at a local mining site, fetching sands and stone to sell in order to provide for her children. People buy the sand to sift in the hope of finding some gold or other precious stones.

    NGOs as beacons of hope for victims

    Amidst this sea of suffering, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have emerged as lifelines, addressing the often overlooked psychological toll inflicted by violent acts.

    According to the WHO, Nigeria’s mental health services fall short of international standards with severe shortage of mental health professionals— ratio of 1 psychiatrist to 700,000 people nationally. As of 2020, Nigeria had very few psychologists available to address the mental health needs of its population.

    This is in stark contrast to recommended global best practices, where comprehensive mental health support is integrated into emergency response frameworks. Access to mental health services is uneven, with urban areas generally having better facilities and more professionals.

    For instance, Lagos State in the South-West has relatively better mental health facilities and professionals compared to other regions. However, the demand still far exceeds the available resources.

    Conversely, Borno State in the North-East, which is heavily affected by terrorism and conflict, has significant mental health needs but limited services. MSF and other NGOs provide crucial support, but the infrastructure is insufficient to meet the high demand. Organisations like Médecins Sans Frontières, Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN) and the Catholic Diocese of Minna provide crucial support by offering psychosocial support, counselling and trauma-healing programmes that are culturally sensitive and tailored to the unique needs of those most affected by the violence.

    These interventions include training community members as lay counsellors who can offer basic psychological support and identify cases that need professional attention. This approach ensures that support is accessible even in remote areas where professional mental health services are scarce.

    One such initiatives involves creating safe spaces within displaced persons camps where survivors can share their stories and receive peer support. These groups have been shown to reduce feelings of isolation and helplessness, fostering a sense of community resilience. Survivors who have benefitted from these programmes often go on to become advocates for mental health, spreading awareness and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.

    These NGOs provide mental health professionals who offer coping strategies, emotional support and trauma-informed care. CSWN has organised psychosocial support and training for those affected by insurgency in nine northern states which include Kaduna, Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Nasarawa, Niger and Adamawa state.

    Nigeria’s mental health budget mainly financed through the central government health budget is about 3.3 to 4 per cent of the total health budget. In 2024, the share of the total budget allocated to health is 4.66 per cent. In the last decade, this proportion was reached or exceeded in at least three other years – 2014, 2015 and 2023.

    Mrs Agera Thelma Liti, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CSWN, emphasises the importance of holistic care: “Banditry doesn’t just destroy homes; it shatters lives. Our mission is to heal those wounds, rebuild resilience and restore hope. Even though some have lost their spouses, family members, homes, and means of livelihood, we are trying to support them so they can be resilient and cope better with what they have gone through.”

    Liti highlighted that reports from states where psychosocial support sessions have been held show that many victims have successfully used the skills they learned to overcome depression and feelings of helplessness.

    “The impact of these sessions is clear,” she said. “You can see it in the victims’ appearances when we visit them months later. They exude peace and serenity, and their confident demeanour reflects the absence of the fear and anxiety they once carried.”

    Liti emphasised that the government needs to do more in this area, as funding limitations prevent reaching more victims.

    “The government must look beyond just providing food. When someone loses a family member or a community is attacked, there’s much more support required.

    ‘’While distributing food, toiletries and emergency relief materials is important, it is not always enough. Often, these people are so traumatised that eating isn’t a priority. Without psychosocial support, they can’t fully move on from their past pains and hurts or live freely.”

    Need for government action

    While NGOs play a crucial role, scaling these interventions to meet the vast news of northern Nigeria requires government involvement. Recent efforts have shown that government-NGO partnerships can be a powerful force for change. For instance, in Borno State, a pilot programme supported by the Ministry of Health and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have successfully integrated mental health services into primary healthcare centres.

    This model, which trains general healthcare workers in basic mental health care, has proven effective in reaching a larger population and could be expanded nationwide.

    Innovative approaches to trauma healing are also making a difference. For example, in Maiduguri, a mobile mental health clinic was introduced to reach survivors in hard-to-access areas. The clinic, which travels to different communities each week, provides counselling, psychiatric services, and follow-up care. This initiative has been particularly successful in reaching women and children who are often the most vulnerable to psychological distress.

    Rev. Father Dauda Musa Bahago of the Catholic Diocese of Minna underscores the urgency of addressing mental health needs. “We must provide more than just food. Trauma healing is essential for rebuilding shattered lives,” he said.

    He urged the Niger State Government to include counselling and therapy as part of the humanitarian assistance for victims of banditry and terrorism, rather than focusing solely on food provision.

    While these efforts are commendable, they must be part of a larger, coordinated strategy to address the mental health crisis in northern Nigeria. Experts stress the need for a national mental health policy that prioritises trauma healing as part of the broader humanitarian response. This policy should include provisions for training mental health professionals, integrating mental health services into all levels of healthcare, and ensuring that mental health care is culturally appropriate and accessible to all.

    Security experts and mental health professionals are caught in a difficult situation—where providing crucial psychological support in conflict zones is hampered by the very violence they seek to alleviate. As Minna-based psychologist Pamela Israel points out, the uncertainty of attacks often forces counsellors to stay away from these areas, leaving victims without the care they desperately need. Ignoring this mental health crisis only risks perpetuating the cycle of violence and instability in the region.

    As Nigeria grapples with the complexities of conflict resolution, mental health support must be prioritised to ensure that no one is left to navigate the dark corridors of trauma alone. The government must expand its focus beyond immediate relief to include comprehensive mental health care, ensuring a holistic approach to health and recovery,

    •(This story was produced with the support of the Africa Women’s Journalism Project (AWJP) in partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) with support from the ONE Campaign)

  • Onabanjo-Iyiola: My sister’s wedding spurred me to begin business at 24

    Onabanjo-Iyiola: My sister’s wedding spurred me to begin business at 24

    • How Makinde, Ojora, others became my clients

    Kehinde Onabanjo-Iyiola, popularly known as KOI, is a trained lawyer and entrepreneur. At the age of 40, she has made a mark building a conglomerate from founding an event planning and management company, Finesse Events. Her success has birthed Whitestone Event Place, one of the popular event centres in Lagos, as well as Coral Lodge and Amber Restaurant.

    In 16 years of founding her maiden company, Finesse Events, her rising clientele base has included business magnates, state governors and other political heavyweights. Not one cut out for media presence, KOI opened up to Assistant Editor GBENGA BADA on how she founded Finesse Events, her clientele and how she has grown to become a leader in events planning and management industry.

    HOW did Finesse Events begin?

    I used to work in an event company. And, of course, after school, I decided to settle for having to plan events, because I love to organise stuff, to coordinate and to plan. That was how I started off. The event company I worked with initially used to do events and decorations, so I started off with both.

    At what point did you start your own company?

    I started off with Finesse Events in 2008. I started the year I graduated. The first event we had was my sister’s wedding. Of course, it was not like she gave me so much money but because of the passion that was burning inside of me. She actually even paid me for it, funny enough.

    Did you offer to plan it for her?

    Of course she knew that I had event knowledge. I was around one event or the other almost every weekend. So I said I was going to start off my own stuff and I had registered the company. She was getting married around that period so I told her that let me plan your wedding. I got started with the wedding and, of course, for my own wedding. Her wedding gave me about five events as all her friends were getting hooked. And from there, we started off.

    I know you studied Law. Why did you opt for events planning and management?

    When I was in school, a lot of my friends would say ah, I can’t do this or that. But I always told them that once you start something off with passion, it could even pay you better than what you went to school to study. So, when I was in school, I used to do ushering jobs. A lot of my friends knew that and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed just having to just ensure that people are fine and the event goes on smoothly. That was where the passion started off from.

    So my friends in school knew that if they were having any event, I was the person to call.

    I was a member of Junior Chamber International. So, whenever they had events, I would go, try to ask what we would be wearing tried to organise those things. So, the passion has always been there from school. After that, I said rather than just having to wear a robe and all of that, why not just settle into something that I have passion and drive for? That is what has brought us to where we are today.

    I know that you’ve had to run events for some high and mighty in Nigeria, from government to corporate organisations. What is the difference between working with say governors and regular individuals who just needs your service?

    There are different expectations from different clients. But where government officials are involved, it is not about them; it is about the committee or whatever group they would have created to work with you. So, everybody has their opinions and an input. Everybody wants to contribute, and of course, because all eyes are on that particular event, you just want to outdo yourself.

    Now, there are some clients that the event is not even about who they are but the calibre of people that would be attending the event.

    I recall when we did Dr. T’s wedding; the female Dr. T that went everywhere. So, for Dr. T’s wedding to have gone viral, it’s because she’s also extra. When I say extra, I mean extra in a good way. She pays attention to details. She’s very particular about what am I serving my guests? What kind of cutleries are they using? Now, working with someone like that, who knows what she wants, you don’t want to drop the ball. You want to ensure that everything she has dreamt of is happening. You have to bring it into reality.

    Now, Dr. T, I can say, is more than one governor, because something she would go all out for, some governors would not go out for it. So I’ve done both ways.

    There are some social events that are personal events but you would think it is government. Of course, there are some other simple individuals that won’t break a sweat. They’re just very smooth. But then there are also some personal individuals who just want the extra, extra, extra in terms of their events. So it all depends on the personality of the person you are dealing with.

    You spoke about doing ushering work back in school. Is entrepreneurial spirit something you inherited from your parents?

    I would say it is from my parents. While growing up, my mom was always hands on. As a matter of fact, my mom went to the university after she had given birth to the five of us. She attended the university in Abraka, Delta State. As a woman, she would drive from Badagry (Lagos State) to Delta State.

    Badagry? Is that where you grew up?

    Yes. So, my mom used to work in ASCON while my dad is a pharmacist. So, my dad has a store and, of course, he was doing a lot of supplies. Nestle and all those manufacturing companies in Agbara, my father supplied all their medical needs. Of course, he had a pharmacy in Badagry. My mom is a teacher. Even while she was a teacher in the University College of Nigeria, she was doing the little events. My mom also bakes. So she is very hands-on: she baked, practiced teaching and ran a supermarket. She is everywhere.

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    So, after she had done her university and five of us were away, my mom did her master’s. After her master’s, she started her PhD. So, she is very hands on. She doesn’t like to be idle. And, back in those days, when we were on holiday, my mom would carry you to her store. She had this supermarket that she was running. So, you have to manage. So, everybody sold in that shop and, of course, I think it counted for something for all of us, because everybody in their own little way are doing what they enjoy.

    How long have you been into event management?

    About 16 years now.

    What would you say has been the lessons you have learned, either from challenges or from opportunities?

    Money is not just what you have in your bank account; your actual wealth is the people you have. If you are able to maintain good relationships, the sky is your limit. Don’t promise what you know you cannot deliver. There’s nothing called pressure or rush. Whatever that has been delayed is what eventually becomes a pressure situation. So, don’t procrastinate. Whatever you need to do, get on it. If you don’t procrastinate, you’ll find out that you’re able to do more.

    The only person you can actually trust is yourself. People will definitely come and people will go. Of course, the people that would stay with you would have shown you from day one that they’re actually loyal to you, and they will stay. So, don’t have too much of emotions or attachment to people or even to things, because what you have today may not be there again tomorrow. The only thing that will be there are the loyal people that you actually have. Life is seasonal. Life is in phases, and so are people, humans.

    So, as you are living every day, there are seasons that you have in abundance and seasons you can call your low times. If you are too excited about the aura of the moment, you’ll definitely lose the essence of that moment.

    I know you would have met challenges one way or the other in your 16 years in business. I am however particular about individuals or people you met in the course of event planning who didn’t give you a chance but got wowed after seeing your abilities…

    Of course, I have had situations where people say we don’t know her. I recall when Oba of Ojora was going to be crowned the king, and the new LSDPC chairman, now MD, Hon. Ayodele Joseph, recommended us for the job. Mr. Balogun said, no, who is Finesse? I don’t know Finesse; we have some people. And Hon. Joseph said, ‘Uncle, don’t worry, trust me, Kehinde will deliver the job.’ Of course, there were a lot of planners. They had invited a lot of people. People did their presentations. They were caught in between who they should give the job to, but Hon Joseph said, you know what? I would stand in line for Kehinde, If Kehinde does not deliver, hold me responsible and accountable. So they gave us the job.

    On the day of that event, Mr. Balogun said where is Kehinde? He said, Kehinde, I underestimated you. This is beyond what I could have ever imagined. Of course, we built a relationship from there. We have done massive events. In terms of crowd management, God has graced us. I think it is just like when God just opens a sheet in front of you and says you know what? Go this route.

    So we’ve done a couple of high-profile events that are in large numbers: 15,000, 20,000. And we’ve done it effortlessly and smoothly.

    I recall when we did Governor Makinde’s dad’s burial. Governor Makinde is a client who was not a governor when we started working for him. The first event we had for him was his dad’s 75th birthday at Civic Centre in Ibadan. After that event, he was like, Kehinde, I would use you over and over again. And after his dad’s birthday, like three months after his dad died, they called us for the burial. And the burial then was I think for about 4,000 people. We had about three different big tents, and he said he could not get over the fact that he walked into every one of those tents and everybody was like, ah, you people want to use food to finish us?

    It was amazing. He said he was quite pleased. Of course, I never thought that he would become governor. So when his mother passed on, of course he was already the governor. We were invited to do the event. The event was for 15,000 people and everybody was wondering, 15,000, how are you going to manage that? I know we got on it. I recall someone saying I don’t know who would have done this better. So God just has a way of, you know, give direction. What we just basically do is put everything on the table and say okay, what are the possible things that could happen? What are the things that people would require? What do we need here? What do we need there? We need to sit here. We’ll do a map and put people on it. And, of course, God graces us on every event.

    So it is not like we have not had low times. But I would say that for me, nothing moves me. I don’t get too emotional about things. I think I’m always prepared for every situation. So I like to plan ahead. This is why I said that there’s no event that is called that is all pressure. This is because I’ve had situations where I’ve had a miscarriage. I’ve had accidents, jobs that you would jump on at the last minute. Of course, the client knew that they had this event. What were they doing since? But once money changes hands, all the pressure is put on you. Now, can that money that you’re collecting pay for whatever damages that will probably come from whatever pressure that you undergo? So it’s not worth it, really.

    So I’ve learned on the job to say no to those last-minute jobs, because you people knew that you had an event. Even if it is people that are doing Islamic burials, they don’t do the big stuff. They just do the basics. So why would you wait till the last minute before you engage the services of someone that you want to do all the magic? I no longer jump on those kinds of events.

    How come you have been low on blowing your own trumpet despite your achievements?

    It is deliberate. You’ll never find me wearing makeup or being extra. So when people hear Finesse, they’re like, ah, Finesse? I tell them I’m Finesse and they’re like are you serious? They expect to see one big woman. I’m not madam. I’m not a big old woman. Me having to be in my own space, that’s why you say, who is Kehinde? You will not find me anyway. And that’s why being in my own space has helped me through the years.

    Would you say anything from your law background helps you to run your business better?

    Okay, maybe my lawyer is not my classmate. Other than that, what has helped me in terms of business? I think, one, I would say my background in terms of my mother. So my mother helped us to understand how to manage resources and not to be wasteful.

    And, of course, the seasonal times of life and the secret of the fact that whatever you cover is what is sustainable, and whatever you open up to the world is what won’t last with you. So I’ve been able to mind my business, cover what needs to be covered, and of course, in due time, when it needs to be unfolded, it would.

    So how did Whitestone event centre come in? When did it come in? When did you conceive the idea?

    I didn’t just set up an event centre. It’s something I’d always wanted to do for years. So I do events for the Elegushi family. So they had this land space that we always use for the event space. And I said to them that we should use the space for events. I know Olori was a bit skeptical. But they gave in to it and we did the Monarch project. So of course, having to set up Monarch, I’m like, okay, you’ve been able to do this for so long, why don’t you start your own project? I started looking for space.

    One thing is that you have a massive structure. I’ve been to your event centre, so I know what is inside. Tell me how you did it…

    I think I also have a problem. I don’t know how to do something small. I could recall that when we were doing Monarch, Olori would say Kehinde, no, but I would say Olori, let’s do something that in 50 years time, it will still be relevant. Anything worth doing at all is worth doing well. So, why don’t you just go out and give it all your shots, because before you drop the last nail, someone else is already conceiving something. So let it be something that will stand the test of time.

    When I wanted to set up this place, I wanted something that every angle, every space would be well maximised. Not just well maximised, of course, it will give you a beautiful experience; something that you would not easily forget about. That is why on this stretch, you have to have God. As a matter of fact, for you to be able to live…

    When I was doing this, I was going to get a loan. I said no and I worked my ass out. I was doing all the necessary jobs I could get. I was pregnant at that time. I recall that I didn’t travel until about, I think the end of two weeks. The day I landed, as I was dropping from the plane, they took me straight to the hospital. Yes, because I was working so much. As a matter of fact, a client called me, saying this is the last venue I want to see you. But I said I’m travelling now, I’m on my way to the airport. So, I worked so much.

    I thank God for gracing me. As a matter of fact, when I was almost done with this project, we didn’t even have a name. And I prayed, I said God, see this white stone thing there, this site, this site, this site, it is you, it is your pitch, it’s not me, God, please, just give your project a name. And I just slept, and I just heard Whitestone. Thank God, this is you. This name is so beautiful. I just devoured it, and everything made sense at the end of the day. So it’s not me. The only thing that drives me is God.

    So, would you call yourself a prayer warrior?

    It is not like, ah, Kehinde is holier than thou. But then, I love everything about God. So I like to stand with God. I pray about everything. I pray to God, please quickly help me select what to wear. I pray about everything, and I also come to realise that when I don’t pray about situations, I don’t really like whatever I get from it. And God has proven to me that He’s right here, He’s available. So why can’t I use Him? Why can’t I call on Him?

    I can understand that an event planner would also want to own an event centre, but why restaurant and lodge?

    Like I said, I wanted to maximise the area of the space in the end. And I know that when you come for an event, your food is out. You need the quick stuff, where can we quickly get, what can we get, so before the event starts, the food is not flowing, they can just step in there and eat, and everybody is still happy. And of course rooms, whether a planner needs to sleep or clients probably need to change, they have family members that are coming in to see, and of course everything works in line, so that’s why everything is fine. So you just have to maximise the space as well.

    But are the restaurant and the lodge open to the public?

    Yes. The place is always busy 24-7. I even saw on their chat that they have a reservation for 15 people, so people just come in and do their stuff here.

  • Manufacturers reeling from 190 taxes call for urgent relief

    Manufacturers reeling from 190 taxes call for urgent relief

    Manufacturers and business operators in Nigeria are struggling under the burden of excessive and overlapping taxes imposed by various levels of government and agencies. The country’s convoluted tax system has introduced over 190 different taxes, leading to decreased productivity and profitability. In response, there is a growing call for implementing the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee (PFPTRC) recommendations, which aim to streamline these taxes into just eight categories. Additionally, there is renewed advocacy for the adoption of the Steve Oronsaye Report, which proposes reducing and realigning government agencies to mitigate over-regulation. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports on these pressing issues

    In the second quarter of this year, multiple taxation topped the list of challenges faced by manufacturers and businesses in Nigeria. This is hardly surprising, given that manufacturers and businesses are reportedly burdened with over 190 different taxes imposed by various levels of government and agencies. While over-regulation by government agencies was ranked ninth among manufacturers’ challenges for the quarter, it is said to contribute significantly to the excessive tax burden. This overwhelming tax system is a major factor in reducing productivity, competitiveness and profitability, severely impacting the performance of manufacturers and other private sector operators in Nigeria.

     The release of the second quarter (Q2) 2024 Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) CEO’s Confidence Index (MCCI) report highlights the severe impact of Nigeria’s challenging business environment, where multiple taxation and over-regulation have pushed the manufacturing sector’s performance into a negative trend. This was evident from the drop in the Aggregate Index Score (AIS) of the MCCI, which fell from 53.5 points in Q1 2024 to 51.9 points in Q2 2024.

    The MCCI, a measure created by MAN to track changes in the confidence of manufacturing CEOs based on government policies and macroeconomic indicators, had shown improvement in the previous quarter. In Q1 2024, the AIS rose by 1.7 points to 53.5, up from 51.8 in Q4 2023, partly due to gains in the value of the Naira and other factors. This marked the first increase since Q3 2022. However, the decline in Q2 2024 underscores, as MAN Director General Segun Ajayi-Kadir notes, “Was proof that these are difficult times for operators in the sector.”

    To put the “difficult times” in perspective, Ajayi-Kadir pointed to a structured questionnaire administered to 400 CEOs of MAN member companies across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones and various sectoral groups. The survey revealed that 90 per cent of respondents felt that over-regulation by the government was stifling manufacturing productivity, while 90.3 per cent identified multiple taxation as a similarly damaging factor in Q2 2024. The impact on the sector was further underscored by a significant drop in production volume, which fell by 11.9 per cent in the quarter, worsening from the 10.1 per cent contraction recorded in the previous quarter. Sales volume also declined by 9.3 per cent, compared to a 7.2 per cent drop in the preceding quarter. Other key manufacturing indicators, including capacity utilisation, investment, employment, and production and distribution costs, also showed unfavourable trends. Concerned about the ongoing challenges, manufacturers are now calling for urgent reforms to address Nigeria’s burdensome tax regime and excessive over-regulation by government agencies. They argue that these issues are major threats to the survival of manufacturing companies and are a significant barrier to improving the competitiveness of businesses in Nigeria.

    How multiple taxes pose existential threat to manufacturing

    Globally, governments rely on revenue from taxes to fund their operations. Taxes are compulsory contributions to state revenue, levied on income, business profits, transactions, and services. As such, tax evasion is punishable by law. In Nigeria, however, the issue of multiple taxation has become a significant problem. Federal, state, and local government agencies, including various ministries, often impose different names for the same tax, despite clear legislation outlining the taxes and levies each tier of government is authorized to collect. Multiple taxation refers to the scenario where the same earnings are taxed more than once by different government authorities.

    This situation results in individuals and businesses being taxed by two or more authorities for the same type of tax. Addressing this problem has been a major focus of advocacy and engagement by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other private sector stakeholders with various levels of government. Critics argue that multiple taxation is one of the greatest barriers to business growth and profitability. It is believed to significantly increase the cost of doing business in Nigeria, as companies face additional compliance costs that drive up manufacturing expenses.

    In addition to creating a high-cost operating environment, the burden of multiple taxation significantly diverts manufacturers’ attention from their core business of production. Companies are forced to spend valuable time and resources understanding and adjusting to new tax guidelines, which does not contribute to production or investment. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are particularly hard hit by the adverse effects of multiple taxation. Many of these businesses, lacking the financial resilience to cope with such burdens, often fail within their first four years, according to the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). CITN has reported that over 75 percent of MSMEs in Nigeria have collapsed due to these tax-related challenges. The institute also highlighted the use of harsh collection methods, such as roadblocks and forceful shop closures, as some of the tactics employed to collect taxes from these businesses.

    However, multiple taxation is not the sole factor contributing to the high-cost operating environment. Other economic pressures, such as rising inflation, also play a significant role. For example, the headline inflation rate increased from 33.20 per cent in Q1 2024 to 34.19 per cent in Q2 2024, while food inflation rose from 40.01 percent to 40.87 per cent during the same period. This escalating inflation has led to higher production costs, prompting manufacturers to raise prices. As a result, there has been a shift in consumer demand from manufactured goods to basic household foodstuffs.

    In addition to persistent inflationary pressures, the manufacturing sector in Nigeria is grappling with a range of economic challenges that are exacerbating production costs. These include exorbitant increases in electricity tariffs, aggressive hikes in interest rates, a high exchange rate, recurrent fuel scarcity, and disruptive industrial actions by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Collectively, these factors have contributed to a significant rise in production costs, negatively impacting manufacturers’ confidence and performance. Among the taxes that are reportedly subject to multiple levies are Company Income Tax (CIT), stamp duties, petroleum profit tax, capital gains tax, industrial training fund tax, education tax, and VAT, among others.

    In 2022, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, highlighted another concern: the sharp increases in royalty rates on solid minerals—such as limestone (233.3%), marble (33.3%), laterite (33.3%), shale (20%), gypsum (20%), and clay (100%)—by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. Dangote warned that these increases “will undoubtedly have adverse consequences on the performance of industries and the inflow of private sector investment.”

    Read Also: How auto parts manufacturers can boost economy, by Osanipin

    Push for implementation of Oyedele tax reform committee’s recommendations

    According to the MCCI report, manufacturers strongly believe that alleviating the burden of over 190 taxes requires adopting and implementing the recommendations of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee (PFPTRC). As Ajayi-Kadir emphasised, “The adoption and effective implementation of the PFPTRC recommendations can ease the tax burden on manufacturers by consolidating the numerous taxes into just eight.”

    In August 2023, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the PFPTRC, chaired by tax expert Taiwo Oyedele, with the mandate to review and recommend reforms for Nigeria’s fiscal policy and tax system. The Committee was tasked with addressing key areas including Fiscal Governance, Revenue Transformation, and Economic Growth Facilitation, with the reduction of tax multiplicity being a primary focus. The Oyedele-led Committee subsequently submitted 20 recommendations to President Tinubu. These recommendations addressed a broad range of issues such as taxation, job creation, foreign exchange reform, ease of doing business, investment strategies, temporary measures to mitigate the impact of petrol subsidy removal, and overall economic direction.

    Among the 20 recommendations put forward by the PFPTRC is a proposal to address the issue of multiple taxation. The Committee has suggested temporarily suspending taxes that disproportionately impact low-income individuals and small businesses while compensating affected agencies for lost revenue. The Committee has also proposed the consolidation of various taxes and levies into eight main categories: income tax, property tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), customs duties, excise tax, stamp duties, special levies, and harmonized levies. Capitalising on these recommendations, manufacturers are now calling for their adoption and effective implementation. They argue that streamlining the multitude of current taxes into just eight categories would significantly alleviate their tax burden and simplify compliance.

    ‘Oronsaye Report’

    Manufacturers are also focusing on the need to tackle the issue of over-regulation by government agencies. They advocate for the implementation of the recommendations from the Presidential Committee on the Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions, and Agencies, commonly known as the Oronsaye Report. This report outlines measures for reducing and realigning government agencies and parastatals to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies.

    In 2011, the Federal Government, under former President Goodluck Jonathan, established the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions, and Agencies. Chaired by Steve Oronsaye, a former Head of the Nigerian Civil Service, the committee was tasked with streamlining the number of taxes, levies, fees, and administrative charges to help cut Nigeria’s substantial cost of governance. Manufacturers believe that adopting these recommendations is crucial for reducing regulatory burdens and improving the business environment.

    The Oronsaye Committee submitted an extensive 800-page report on April 16, 2012, recommending the abolition and merger of 102 government agencies and parastatals, with some proposed to be self-funding. Despite these recommendations, there has been little progress in implementing them over the past 12 years. Instead of reducing or merging agencies, the government has established additional agencies and continued to issue demand notices from entities with overlapping mandates.

    Successive administrations have struggled with implementing the report. While former Presidents Jonathan and Buhari both issued directives to act on the recommendations, progress has been limited, with only a few selective actions taken. The lack of implementation has been attributed to ongoing controversy and debate. Some Nigerians support the recommendations, believing they are necessary to reduce government waste and enhance efficiency. However, others are concerned that implementing the report could lead to significant job losses, complicating the process of reform.

    Recently, President Tinubu has renewed efforts to implement the Oronsaye Committee Report by issuing a directive to move forward with its recommendations. On February 26, 2024, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the full implementation of the report. Following this, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, inaugurated an 8-member Committee on March 7 to oversee the implementation process within a 12-week timeframe.

    These actions have sparked renewed optimism among manufacturers and other private sector operators, who are advocating for the government to fully adopt and execute the report’s recommendations. As part of their broader push for relief, manufacturers are also calling on the Federal Government to provide consistent fiscal incentives for exporters of manufactured products. Additionally, they urge the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to reduce the Environmental Audit Report and Environmental Management Plan (EAR/EMP) fees, which have seen an over 1000 percent increase, down to 100 per cent.

    The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), a body under the Federal Ministry of Environment, is responsible for enforcing environmental laws, regulations, and standards to prevent pollution and environmental degradation. According to Section 8(k) of the NESREA Act, the agency is tasked with ensuring that existing industries conduct environmental audits and submit reports every three years.

    NESREA requires Environmental Audit Reports (EAR) from medium and large-scale industrial facilities, telecom operators, and energy facilities. Additionally, small and micro-scale industrial enterprises must prepare and submit an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for evaluation and certification. The agency is led by Director General/CEO Dr. Innocent Bariate Barikor.

     Recently, NESREA’s decision to increase the fees for EAR and EMP by over 1000 percent has sparked significant concern among manufacturers and private sector operators. This sharp increase has led to widespread calls for a reduction. Manufacturers are also advocating for the retention of the current excise tax of N10 per liter on non-alcoholic beverages, as outlined in the 2022-2026 roadmap, to prevent potential shutdowns in the non-alcoholic beverage industry.