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  • ALGON, 16 foreign partners to create 5.9m jobs from new agriculture scheme

    ALGON, 16 foreign partners to create 5.9m jobs from new agriculture scheme

    As part of steps to boost agriculture in the country, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria(ALGON) and 16 foreign partners and institutes are expected to float a new scheme which will create 5,959, 800 jobs nationwide.

    The scheme will lead to the generation of 7,700 jobs in each of the 774 local government areas in the country.

    But the new initiative called Comprehensive Agricultural Plans for Local Government Areas (CLAP) will begin with a seminar on October 26 and 27.

    A statement last night said ALGON has initiated the process of C-LAP at grassroots level to prepare a Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) through participatory process involving various organizations and stakeholders.

    The statement said: “The project is expected to generate direct employment of 2700 in nursery production, pack houses and integrated model farms, mega food parks processing units and indirect employment of 5000 persons per LGA is as follows: Managerial and scientific manpower (100 persons); Skilled manpower in Mega Food Park (600 persons); Unskilled manpower (2000 persons) and Indirect employment like transport, marketing etc. (5000 persons).

    The heavyweight international partners of ALGON are Global AgriSystem Pvt Ltd; Progressive Research Organization for Welfare (PROW); Ananya Seeds (P) Ltd; International Tractors Limited; Horticulture Produce Management Institute, HPMI (India); Population, Women & Environment Development Organization(Nepal); International Rice Research Institute(Philippines); Ananya Seeds (P) Ltd.; Top Greenhouses Limited; and International Tractors Limited.

    Others are Michigan State University; G.B. Pant  University of Agriculture and Technology; Carrier Point University; New Age Green Solution Pvt Limited; Afghan Agro Services; eEco Solutions Pvt Limited; Horticulture Produce Management Institute; M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.

    The statement explained why ALGON decided to collaborate with the 16 foreign partners.

    It added:  “Nigeria is an agrarian society, with agriculture contributing about 24 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). About 70 percent of the population live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for livelihood.

    “Nigeria is presently facing several challenges in Agriculture sector.  These problems can be attributed to natural and human cause, affecting overall economic development and growth.

    “This has consequently undermined socio-economic growth and thus constitutes a threat to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s “Vision 2020”. Recent assessments of the situation in the country confirm that the scale of the problem rise above what communities, Local Governments, States and Federal Government can address without help from development partners.

    Consequently, The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) is adopting a bottom-up approach through a Comprehensive Plan for Development of Agriculture (C-LAP) at “Local Government Level” in 774 LGAs of Nigeria towards the improvement of the agricultural sector.

    “Thus C-LAP is an integrated and participatory action plan for the development of LGAs in agriculture and allied sectors. CLAP will add value to Nigeria’s agricultural raw materials and integrate Nigeria into world agricultural markets.

    “ALGON has initiated the process of C-LAP at grassroots level to prepare a Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) through participatory process involving various organizations and stakeholders.

  • ALGON: Sustaining Project Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) and the new initiative

    ALGON: Sustaining Project Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) and the new initiative

    C-LAP being a Comprehensive Agricultural Plan for Local Government Areas and a blueprint for agricultural revolution.

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    PREAMBLE: The partnership entered into by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and a consortium of five world class reputable firms and institutions which birthed the Project Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) has indicated growth indices in production as well as output in the Nigerian Agricultural sector.
    The benefits of the project has been highlighted to ensure sustainability by the new executive committee of ALGON ably led by Hon. Ibrahim Ahmed Karaye to key into the initiative so as to consolidate on the gains recorded and transform the 774 local governments in Nigeria in line with the focus of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, to develop the third tier of government, diversify the economy and make Nigeria not only self sustaining in food production but a major exporter of food.

    BACKGROUND: “CLAP: Road Map On Improving The Agricultural Situation in Nigeria”

    Nigeria is an agrarian society, with agriculture contributing about 24 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). About 70 percent of the population live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for livelihood. Nigeria is presently facing several challenges in agriculture sector. These problems can be attributed to natural and human causes affecting overall economic development and growth. This has consequently undermined socio-economic growth and thus constitutes a threat to the federal government of Nigeria’s “vision 2020”.
    Recent assessments of the situation in the country confirm the scale of the problem has risen above what communities, local governments, states and federal government can address without help from development partners.
    Consequently, the association of the local government of Nigeria (ALGON) is adopting a bottom –up approach through a comprehensive plan for development of agriculture (CLAP) at “local government level” in 774 LGAs of Nigeria towards the improvement of the agricultural sector.

    THE PROJECT:

    C-LAP is an integrated and participatory action plan for the development of LGAs in agriculture allied sectors. CLAP will add value to Nigeria’s agricultural raw materials and integrate Nigeria into world agricultural markets. ALGON has initiated the process of C-LAP at grassroots level to achieve the following:
    * Prepare a comprehensive local agriculture plan (C-LAP) through participatory process involving various organizations and stakeholders.
    *Enable optimum utilization of scarce natural, physical &financial resources.
    *Assess and plan for the infrastructure required to support the agricultural development.
    *Establish linkages with the required institutional support services, like credit, technology transfer, ICT, research etc.
    *Evolve an action plan for achieving sustainable agricultural growth with food security and cropping system that will improve farmer’s income.

    CONCEPT FOR SUSTAINED PARTNERSHIP:

    1. The C-LAP recognizes that agricultural commercialization is a complex and dynamic process involving social structure, hence its major focus would be on the farmers, traders and processors as the key agents of commercialization, and not on commodities that can be commercialized.

    2. (i) As the stakeholders in the commercialization process are poorly integrated, an integral part of the plan is to provide institutional mechanisms that facilitate the emergence of effective networks and value chains.

    (ii) Emphasize on the need for a demand-driven approach, where the key players themselves make investment decisions related to technology, infrastructure, marketing and capacity, rather than the investments being supply driven by the public sector.

    3.Linking farmers to markets and opportunities for establishing primary, secondary, tertiary markets and distributive and export market at a national level.

    4. Creating opportunities for value addition by establishing food processing industries in the LAGs and one customized mega Food Park for each state depending on the raw material availability.
    METHODS:

    To address the forward linkages, the project will:
    1. Design food mart retail chain model to create a network that delivers the agricultural produce straight to the door step of the consumers.
    2. Strengthen the entire value chain form seed to pate with a shorter value chain ensuring the additional cost at competitive prices. Therefore, aggregating 774 farms and liking these farms to a national retail chain, wholesale markets and mega food parks will result in enhancing the net income.
    3. It will also create business opportunities for franchise operators, jobs for the youth; reduce wastage of agricultural produce as there is a defined retail network to absorb production. Further, empowering farmers and Agripreneurs through self-employment as an option for their additional income or a full-fledged livelihood sustainability.
    4. Create opportunities for private investors to invest in food chains and finally the business can be taken to the capital market in 3-4 years so that ALGON has a major benefit and becomes a financially viable tier of Government.

    THE BIG IDEA:

    The objective of the project is to design an integrated and participatory action plan for the development of local area in general and agriculture and allied sectors in particular. The planning process should be initiated at grass root level i.e. at village /micro-level and obviously the planners at village level will have to collect the Basic primary data. The objectives of comprehensive local agriculture plan (C-LAP) are:
    1. To prepare a comprehensive local agriculture plan (C-LAP) through participatory process involving various organizations and stakeholders.
    2. To enable optimum utilization of scarce natural, physical & financial resources
    3. To assess and plan for the infrastructure required to support the agriculture development
    4. To establish linkages with the required institutional support services, like credit, technology transfer, ICT, research etc.
    5. To evolve an action plan for achieving sustainable agricultural growth with food security and cropping system that will improve farmer’s income.
    6. Establish one integrated model/demonstration forms (5 – 20 ha. Each) in each of the 774 LGAs
    7. Aggregating 774 farms and linking these farms to a national retail chain, wholesale markets and mega food parks.
    8. To address the forward linkages; the project will design food mart retail chain motel to create a network that delivers the agricultural produce straight to the door step of the consumers.
    9. Designing of mega food parks (one per each state) which will be customized to the Local crop production per state and will be a plug and play operation for any investor that will operate in the food park.
    10. Designing farmer’s markets in each LGA mega market at the state capitals and one at national level.
    11. To create opportunities for private investors to invest in food chains and finally the business can be taken to the capital market so that ALGON has a major benefit and sustain at its own.

    HOW C-LAP IS STRUCTURED:

    The C-LAP process will ensure local need based and appropriate strategy for the upliftment of the agricultural sector of the country as a whole. The constitution of the plan will be focused on the following aspects:
    1. Agricultural plans are prepared for the local area/district and then integrated in the agricultural plans of the state based on the agro-climatic conditions, availability of technology,
    2. Local needs / crops / feed and fodder / animal husbandry / dairying / fisheries / priorities should be reflected in the plan.
    3. Productivity gaps for important crops and livestock and fisheries will be reduced and the returns to the farmers from these are maximized
    4. Quantifiable qualitative changes in the productivities of the above
    5. Linking farmers to markets and opportunities for establishing primary, secondary tertiary markets and distributive and export market at national level
    6. Evaluation of opportunities for valuate addition by establishing food processing industries in the LAGs and one customized mega food park for each state depending on the raw material availability
    7. Livestock and fisheries options may be given due consideration as a n important source of income
    8. Infrastructural needs may also be quantified
    9. Risk Analyses and risk mitigation measures may be given proper space in the plan document.

    DELIVERABLES:
    ✓ Designing of comprehensive local government area agricultural development plan
    ✓ Submission of monthly and annual progress reports based on agribusiness strategy.
    ✓ Field /Exposure visits reports.
    ✓ Procurement of tractors and other farm machinery, implements, office equipment etc.
    ✓ Linking farmers to markets and opportunities for establishing primary secondary, tertiary markets and distributive and export market at national level.
    ✓ Aggregating 774 farms and linking these farms to a national retail chain, wholesale markets and mega food parks
    ✓ Design food mar retail model to create a network that delivers the agricultural produce straight to the door step of the consumers
    ✓ Evaluation of opportunities for value addition
    ✓ Designing of mega food parks (one per each state ) which will be customized to the local crop production per state and will be a plug and play operation for any investor that will operate in the food park
    ✓ Training and capacity building plan/module for implementation of Agribusiness strategy.
    ✓ Technical leaflets, pamphlets, bulletin in collaboration with technical team.
    ✓ Documentation of best practices and success stories of agribusiness in the project.
    ✓ Establishing one integrated model farms in each of the LGA
    ✓ Mid-term and End project impact assessment reports of agribusiness related works of the project.

    PROJECT KEY OUTCOMES:
    Outcome 1: Designing models, sustainable agricultural technologies and practices for demonstration in the model farm, thereby promoting adoption of farmers centric research centric research. It shall also help to improve on the yield and generate adequate income to manage the overheads and enterprise costs to demonstrate business viability. This will ultimately assist to attain food sufficiency, a much desired goal for food security.
    Outcome 2: Community –level farm enterprises (cereals, High value Crop, Root crops, Livestock, Horticulture, Vegetable farming, floriculture, medicinal plants, farm mechanization, organic farming, Green Manure, Bio-fertilizers, Fodder crops, Mushrooms, Apiary, Social forestry, Boundary plantation, Vermicompost, and community vermincompost facilitated and established In project area under the guidance of international consultants, locally recruited staff and other partners.
    Outcome 3: linking prospective producers and buyer’s to promote convenient marketing of the farmer produce in each LGA. Farmers shall be longer feel the effects of price fluctuation since they shall be able to buy own produce and sell later when price stabilizes. Linking farmers to market at national level.
    Outcome 4: Generating immense employment opportunities for community in each LGAs at large given the diversity of activities involved in integrated farming system and eventually improving the health and quality.

    Outcome 5: Attract heavy investment for establishment of mega or micro food processing centers with higher level of processing to help in minimizing post harvest losses, improving value addition, crop, diversification, ensuring better returns and increased Export earnings. Mega food parks will provide state of the art infrastructure facilities for the food processing along the value chain from the farm to the market. It will include creation of infrastructure near the farm, transportation, logistics and centralized processing centers.
    The aim of food processing industries is to rise the processing of perishables in the country form the existing 2% to 4%, value addition from 20% to 35% and increase the share in global food trade. The expected outcome is increased realization for farmers, creation of high quality processing infrastructure, reduction in wastage, capacity building of producers and processors and creation of an efficient supply chain along with significant direct and indirect employment generation. It is expected to establish 10-15 food processing units in each of the mega food park in each state and employment generation of all at least 2000 from each mega food park is expected. Designing of mega food parks (one per each state) which will be customized to the local crop production per state and will be a plug and play operation for any investor that will operate in the food park.

    Outcome 6: provide institutional mechanism for producers, and retailers to work together, to establish a sustainable raw material supply chain for each LGA. Supporting the different types of direct farmer-to –consumer markets and the wide variety of marketing channels used to distribute foods nationally, internationally through ‘farmers Market thereby, building capacity to enhance marketing opportunities through the purchase of new equipment, such as increase refrigerated storage, warehouses etc.

    Outcome 7: Develop new market opportunities for farm and arm operations serving local markets, b developing improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assisting in the development, improvement and expansion of both direct –to- consumer marketing outlets and infrastructure supporting local and regionally produced food products.

    Outcome8: Optimize export potential of agriculture sector through a paradigm shift from supply-led production to export-demand driven high value agriculture by cultivation of high values crops like cassava, cocoa, cola nut, ginger, and cashew etc.

    Outcome 9: Diverse enterprise, to increase resilience of LGAs, to withstand any adverse conditions on the farmer’s field that may threat the agricultural situation and may cause risk to livelihood

    Outcome 10: Farmers, youth, women and children trained in sustainable agricultural practices, technologies and enterprise models, both in the farm and in the communities. Communities from LGAs and other NGOs will be trained based on the demand. Will also empower them through capacity building eventually creating an enabling environment for them to start large scale farming and also to diversify production into areas that are economically more feasible.
    Outcome 11: Strengthen of rural communication services for improving grass root level exchange and linkages. Communities around the farm mobilized and the office bearers of LGAs trained to govern and manage farm in the long run, so that the community leaders are readied to take over management of farm in the coming year.

    Outcome 12: Models, experiences and practices tested and documented and shared for replication and reference. Demonstration of new technologies in farming, mechanization, establishment of integrated model farm and aggregating 774 farms and linking these farms to a national retail chain, wholesale markets and mega food parks. Design food mart retail chain model to create a network that delivers the agricultural produce straight to the door step of the consumers.

    Outcome 13: Encourage large scale production, improving farm worker’s productivity, production efficiency and improving the quality of farm produce.

    Outcome 14: employment Generation: the project is expected to generate direct employment of 2700 in nursery production, pack houses and integrated model farms, mega food parks processing units and indirect employment of 5000 persons per LGA is as follows:
    ➢ Managerial and scientific manpower​​​​100 persons
    ➢ Skilled manpower in Mega food park​​​​600 persons
    ➢ Unskilled manpower​​​​​​2000 persons
    ➢ Indirect employment like transport, marketing etc​​5000 persons
    TOTAL​​​​​​​​7570 Persons
    Outcome 15: Agriculture Revolution, self-efficiency, Replicability, Import Substitution and exports to neighboring countries.

    THE CONSORTIUM:
    The consortium is made up of five globally recognized reputable firms and institutions namely, The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), The Career Point University, the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) Progressive Research Organization for Welfare (PROW) and Global Agrisystem.
    BRIEF ON THE FIRMS:

    The

    International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world’s premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Laguna, has 15 country offices and about 1,000 staff members representing more than 30 nationalities.

    The M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) was established in 1988 as a not-for-profit trust. MSSRF was envisioned and founded by Professor M. S. Swaminathan with proceeds from the “First World Food Prize” that he received in 1987. The Foundation aims to accelerate use of modern science and technology for agricultural and rural development to improve ives and livelihoods of communities.

    The MSSRF follows a pro-poor, pro-women and pro-nature approach and applies appropriate science and technology options to address practical problems faced by rural populations in agriculture, food and nutrition. These efforts have been undertaken in a participatory manner and in partnership with other knowledge-based institutions, public and private sector organizations and local communities.

    From a small beginning, across the years, the Foundation has made its impact felt in various dimensions making a difference to the lives of over 600,000 farm families impacting livelihood of 100,000 farmers and fisherfolk every day with influence that spreads across 18 countries

    The Career Point University

    Core values of the University are defined to provide good services by good governance system. ONS, MEMBERSHIPS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS PROGRAMS

    The University programs are approved by the Regulatory Commission of HP Government and fee structure by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
    PROW

    Progressive Research Organization for Welfare (PROW) is an autonomous Research and Development consultancy Organization, PROW was set by a team of experienced, eminent and young Professionals with a capability to provide a wide range of research and consultancy services in wide areas including community Development, Environment Management, Feasibility & Situation Analysis, Project and Program Evaluations and Market Research.

    The PROW professionals are committed towards the systematic inquiry, that is designed to collect, analysis, interpret and use data to describe, predict or control a phenomenon either in social or in market sector. In brief, our professionals are devoted towards using research as a basis for generating new knowledge as also for guiding towards better policy formulation and planning.

    PROW has three wings- Research, Field Unit and Data Analysis & Management working in close co-ordination with each other. PROW besides having a panel of more than 50 field investigators has a panel of consultants/technical experts and collaborating organizations on project basis. This arrangement gives PROW the strength to undertake research in a large number of areas.

    Hence PROW professionals are rated high for appropriate conceptualization, strategic thinking and most relevant research based recommendations for improved effectiveness of interventions.

    Global Agrisystem

    Incorporated as Cebeco India with Cebeco Group Cooperative, Holland on 13th January 1998, Global Agrisystem offers consulting , technical assistance, post harvest technology and fresh produce.
    It operates in India and Africa.
    Ü By partnering with farmers on an equitable basis, Global AgriSystem will position itself as India’s premier Supply Chain Managers, providing best quality fresh produce to retailers, exporters and processors.

    Ü Global AgriSystem will revitalize Indian agriculture by introducing post-harvest technology and management skills of the highest international standard.
    Attend the seminar coming up in Abuja on the 4th of October, 2017 for the A-Z on this revolutionary program.

    Agbese is a strategist and sent in this piece from Abuja

  • Court refuses to transfer Fani-Kayode’s money laundering charge

    Court refuses to transfer Fani-Kayode’s money laundering charge

    THE Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday dismissed an application by a former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode challenging the court’s territorial jurisdiction to adjudicate on his money laundering charge.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa refused the former minister’s prayer to transfer the case to the court’s Abuja division, where he claimed the alleged offence was committed.

    Ruling yesterday, the judge held that the application had no merit.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Fani-Kayode and former Finance Minister (State) Senator Nenadi Usman for alleged N4.6 billion laundering and fraud.

    They were arraigned along with a former National Chairman of the Association of Local Government in Nigeria (ALGON) Yusuf Danjuma, and a company, Jointrust Dimensions Ltd

    They pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge of money laundering.

    The defendants were first arraigned on June 28 last year before Justice Muslim Hassan, but the judge recused himself on March 16 after Fani-Kayode accused him of likely bias.

    Justice Hassan was head of Legal Department at EFCC before his appointment as a judge and had signed a money laundering charge for which Fani-Kayode was previous tried and acquitted.

    The judge returned the case file to the chief judge, who re-assigned it to Justice Aikawa.

    Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), argued that the cause of action leading to the charge took place in Abuja.

    Besides, he said his client lived in Abuja and had another criminal case at the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory.

    But, EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to refuse the application as, according to him, the transaction instruments “were recovered in Lagos”.

    Justice Aikawa agreed that part of the alleged illegal transactions took place in Lagos.

    For instance, he said the former Director of Publicity of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation paid N30million to a printer, Olusegun Idowu, whose office is Lagos.

    Justice Aikawa noted that the matter was transferred to him by the chief judge, whose decision he cannot overrule.

    According to him, had the chief judge found merit in the request to transfer the case from Lagos to Abuja, he would have done it after Justice Hassan withdrew from the case rather than transfer it to another judge in Lagos.

    The judge held: “In the case before me, the prosecution avers in its counter affidavit that ‘the sum of N30 million was paid to PW1 (Olusegun Idowu) of Paste Posters Company Ltd, who has his office in Lagos’.

    “This, in my view, shows that all facts leading to the transaction were done in Lagos, and only evidence will prove otherwise.

    “There is no justification to warrant a transfer of this case to Abuja; the interest of justice requires that the trial of this case continues in this court. This application is lacking in merit and is therefore dismissed.”

    The judge admitted in evidence the receipts issued to the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation by Idowu for a cash transaction of N30 million.

    Led in evidence by Oyedepo, Idowu said he issued a receipt to PDP, adding that he raised an invoice in the name of Directorate of Media and Publicity, PDP Campaign Organisation.

    Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Nenadi Esther Usman, Femi Fani-Kayode, Danjuman Yusuf And Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd on or about the 8th day of January, 2015, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired among yourselves to indirectly retain the sum of N1,500, 000,000.00, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

    The defendants were also accused of indirectly retaining N300 million, N400 million and N800 million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC.

    The prosecution said they allegedly committed the offence between January 8 and March 25, 2015, ahead of the general election.

    In another count, the prosecution alleged that Fani-Kayode directly retained N350million, which he ought to have “reasonably known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing”|.

    The commission said Fani-Kayode directly used N170million, among other sums, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of corruption and stealing.

    He was also accused of doing cash transaction of N24million with Olubode Oke without going through a financial institution.

    The offence, EFCC said, violates sections 1(a) and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b).

    The trial will continue today for cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.

  • Why ALGON’s private sector partnership on agriculture should be sustained

    The importance of agriculture to the development of Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized.

    Previous administrations in the country as well as various stakeholders have at different for a harped on the significance of exploring the agricultural angle for the development of Nigeria, but the required blueprint to make it a reality has eluded the country leading to the current situation where a great potential has been reduced to a miserable reality.
    Nigeria is an agrarian society with agriculture contributing about 24 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
    With an estimated population of 160 million people, it is instructive to note that about 70 percent of this population, which is roughly about 112 million, live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for livelihood.
    The worrisome aspect of the entire scenario is that a sizeable number of this population, 7 percent to be precise, are undernourished.
    The Global Hunger Index (GHI) in the last two decades ranks Nigeria 84 out of 118 counties with a score of 25.5 (IFPRI, 2016). While ordinarily, this should be viewed in the positive light as it indicates a slight improvement on the rating and raises hope of a possible rise in the standard of living, the reality is that a dark cloud still hangs on the horizon for the Nigerian agriculture.
    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) definitely piqued by this grim reality initiated an action aimed at developing the agricultural sector and setting Nigeria on the path of economic prosperity.
    Outgoing national president of ALGON, Hon. Ibrahim Ahmad Karaye, who has many times noted the significance of agriculture to the overall well-being of the country, had to think outside the box to churn out workable blueprint to achieving a boost in the sector, by moving the sector away from the over-reliance on government to bring in the private sector.
    It should be noted at this stage that one of ALGON’s goals is to help eliminate hunger through initiatives that help small scale farmers move from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture so as to ensure enhanced security for the farmers, increased and sustainable food supplies and measurable economic growth in developing nations.
    The ALGON President explained that “in the recent past, Nigerian agriculture has witnessed insufficient and wastefully expensive costs of procurement, stocking and distribution of agricultural products and is presently facing several challenges which has consequently undermined socio-economic growth thereby constituting threat to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s “Vision 2020”.
    After making a commitment that ALGON under his leadership is committed to addressing these challenges, he wrapped it up by adopting a bottom-up approach through a comprehensive local agriculture plan, now known as C-LAP.
    C-LAP is an integrated and participatory action plan for the development of LGAs in agriculture and allied sectors and is meant to prepare a Comprehensive Local Agriculture Plan (C-LAP) through participatory process involving various organizations and stakeholders.
    It also establishes linkages with the required institutional support services, like credit, technology transfer, ICT, research and evolve an action plan for achieving sustainable agricultural growth with food security and cropping system that will improve farmers’ income.

    The ALGON president stated recently that through the partnership, C-LAP will create 10,000 direct jobs and over a million indirect jobs in the next five years and will also generate over a trillion naira in wealth at the grassroot level thereby stemming the tide of rural to urban migration.
    C-LAP will also lead to the creation of a mega food park for agricultural processing in each state, a network of structured farmer’s market in each LGA for the sale of farm produce and a branded grocery retail chain that will be franchised across the country. According to Hon. Karaye the ultimate aim of ALGON is to take this mammoth agricultural enterprise to the Capital Market in 5 years.
    The plan which has since begun to show signs of fruitfulness involves the 774 LGAs in the 36 States of the federation for the five year period.
    The partner in the initiative, C-LAP on its part assesses current agricultural potential in each LGA by understanding its production patterns, marketing and other factors that will either constrain or provide opportunities for future growth of agriculture and advice ALGON based on that.
    Also due to fragmented food processing facilities in Nigeria, it evaluates the opportunities for value addition by establishing food processing industries in the LGAs and will design Food Mart Retail Chain Model to create a network that delivers the agricultural produce straight to the door step of the consumers as well as strengthen the entire value chain from seed to plate with a shorter value chain as well as ensuring the remunerative prices to the farmers and availability of quality food stuff at their door steps without any additional cost at competitive prices.
    Further details of the partnership indicates the project outcome would be achieved though project management consultancy, procurement of agricultural tools, equipments & tractors, involvement of international experts, liaison with other levels of government, international partners and other stakeholders and will be managed by 3 implementing agencies while each LGA will have a team of five agri-professionals.
    The major outcome will be agricultural sustainability, employment opportunities and 2000 direct job creation/LGA, women empowerment, demonstration of farm mechanization, establishment of integrated model farms, enhancing the quality of life and self reliance as well as export to neighboring countries.
    The outgoing ALGON president also explained at inception that the project will aggregate the produce from 774 farms across the country and will be the bigger producer and supplier of Nigeria with efficient supply chain and logistics and linking these farms to a national retail chain, wholesale markets and mega food parks will result in enhancing the net income.
    With these tangible results, it becomes clearer why the policy should be sustained.
    Luckily, the Nigeria Governors Forum under the leadership of the Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulazzez Yari has keyed into initiative.
    Realizing the importance of involving the grassroots, the governors have lent their support to the project and this has gone a long way to drive the initiative to the point where it is able to impact positively on the economy. What is needed now is to sustain so that it would run its full course and impact its advantages at the maximum level on every sector of the economy.
    More so as it tallies with the focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to diversify the economy and move away from the over reliance on oil.
    Oteniya is a researcher and agriculturist from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

  • ALGON set to appeal $315.6m judgment debt 

    The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has dissociated itself from a $315m judgement debt.

    ýThe association spoke after it National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. It also passed a vote of confidence on its leadership led by Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Karaye.

    Justice Valentine Ashi of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory had in his judgement  ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay $318, 807,950.696 to Riok Nigeria Limited and two lawyers.

    ýRiok was said to have executed some contracts for ALGON which were not paid for.

    But ALGON, through its National Presidentý, Alhaji Karaye, its National Secretary General/ Director of Legal Services, Mrs. Evan Enekwe, described the contracts for which Riok Nigerian Limited got judgement in its favour as doubtful and unverified.

    ALGON said: “ALGON passes a vote of confidence on the current. Executive under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmad Karaye, who is the National President of the Association,

    “ALGON expresses satisfaction and endorses the initiative and reconciliation of NEC and ALGON Board of Trustees (BOT).

    “ALGON hereby dissociate itself from all claims and doubtful. Contracts purportedly awarded for projects that are yet to be verified; and consequently denies liability and direct NEC to take immediate stepsý to appeal against all such judgements that constitute impediment on the release of external debts deductions refund to local government councils”.

    The association also ask its President, Alhaji Karaye and his Executive to pay solidarity visits to states and IDPs in the North-East geo-political zone of Nigeria affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

  • Leadership crisis brews in ALGON

    A leadership crisis is brewing in the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) following allegations by a group, the Coalition for Support of Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria (CSLGAN), that the incumbent National President, Alhaji Ibrahim Karaye, has no business leading the body.

    The coalition alleged Karaye was elected in an acting capacity for a period of six months but has remained in office for over one year even when his tenure as chairman of Karaye local government area of Kano state has expired.

    He emerged the acting president of the ALGON following the resignation of Micah Jiba whose tenure he was expected to complete.

    In a statement in Abuja, National Coordinator of the Coalition, Ishola Gbadebo, said ALGON’s constitution is very clear on who should take over either as acting or substantive president once the tenure of the occupant ends.

    It said: “The man who has refused to step aside was also a former Chairman of Karaye Local Government Area in Kano state.

    “He has been on acting capacity for over two years when it is not supposed to be more than six months.

    “Alhaji Karaye’s tenure as an elected Chairman has ended in Kano state and he has handed over.

    “But he has continued to flout the ALGON constitution which does not allow a caretaker chairman to preside over the association.”

    While calling on all the concerned stakeholders to urgently rescue ALGON, the group appealed to Karaye to give peace a chance by honourably vacating office to allow a new leadership emerge.

    It threatened to deploy every legal instrument to address the issue should the concern party remains adamant.

  • ALGON, advert associations launch vehicle biometric clearance

    ALGON, advert associations launch vehicle biometric clearance

    The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in conjunction with Joint Mobile Advert Agency of Nigeria (JMOAN) and Mobile Advertisers Association of Nigeria (MOAN) have launched the 2017 Vehicle Biometric Consolidated Clearance for vehicles.
    The clearance, which covers trucks, buses, pickups, cars and cranes, will be issued pursuant to approved taxes and levies (Approved List for collection Act for Local Governments authorized Taxes and Levies for Vehicle in Benin City, Edo State).
    The biometric covers all schedule of taxes (Motor Park levies, Mobile Advert, Vehicle Radio Licence and other related levies, collectible by all local government in Nigeria as provided under section 7, fourth schedule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria).
    According to a press release on the launch made available after a seminar on the clearance, the biometric clearance is not for sale to the motorists or other road users, but issued by ALGON/JMOAN/MOAN for revenue officials to incorporate into their respective local government documents “free of charge” after the assessment and payment made to their requisite local government councils.
    Meanwhile, JMOAN has dragged NULGE for allegedly making demands from the claimant and harassing and intimidating the claimant and its agents and privies in the course of discharging their obligations.
    The suit filed by Falana and Falana chambers is also seeking an order preventing the defendant from appointing any individual, group or organisation pending the determination of the matter before the court.
    The seminar was presided over by the President of the Organisation, Otunba Mike Osimen Eboziegbe, who is also the revenue consultant on road taxes in Ekiti State.

  • PDP, ALGON hail governor for repairing Ugwuoba -Anambra road

    The Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for rehabilitating the failed sections of Federal Government’s road on Oji River-Ugwuoba-Anambra State boundary’s old road.

    The road was reported to have collapsed partly because of increased weight-bearing stress.

    Enugu State PDP Chairman Augustine Nnamani said the governor’s action showed that he “is sensitive to the plight and yearnings of the people of the state, the Southeast and the nation”.

    Nnamani said the public should appreciate the fact that despite the current economic crunch and the huge debt the Federal Government owed the state on the rehabilitation of the road, Ugwuanyi had shown concern to alleviate the suffering of the people by immediately starting work on the road.

    This came as the State Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Prince Cornelius Nnaji, applauded the governor for repairing the road.

    Nnaji noted that Ugwuanyi had shown that he was committed to the people’s well-being.

    The union leader said this was the reason the governor went the extra mile to rehabilitate the road without delay, despite the current dearth of funds in the land.

    The ALGON chairman said the governor, through the intervention, had distinguished himself as a true son of the Igbo land who cared for the progress of the people.

    He said the road repair would boost socio-economic activities in the Southeast.

  • ALGON chief hails Dogara on council autonomy

    President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Micah Jiba has hailed the effort of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara in ensuring that local governments achieve financial autonomy.

    The Speaker has been trying to get state Houses of Assembly to support moves to grant autonomy to the councils.

    In a statement issued by the ALGON president stated that granting financial autonomy to local governments will alleviate suffering and underdevelopment at the grassroots as a result of lack of financial freedom for the local governments in the country.

    Jiba stated that he wondered why the idea of financial autonomy was initially rejected by the state Assemblies, adding that the issues has become necessary following the fact that the new government in power has also declared to Nigerian on its inaugural speech that granting a local government autonomy is one of its priority.

    “It very difficult to see a local government embarked on gigantic project because of paucity of fund. But I am not saying that meaningful projects are not carried out by some of us especially in Abuja but we go to extra mile to be able to do that in our localities, for example AMAC was able to embarked upon and completed merger road projects at AMVE, 5 kilometers road at Orozo, Kabusa and a bridge at Gwagwalape only because of the passion to alleviate the suffering of the rural dwellers.

    “So if there is independence in the Nigerian local government we will do more and the burden of less development at the grassroots level will be finally lifted”

    He therefore, called on well meaning Nigerians to support the idea of the local government autonomy in order to ensure that dividend of democracy in this administration is delivered to the people of Nigeria.

    Jiba also expressed gratitude’s to speaker of the House of representatives Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara for using his office to solicit support for the local government autonomy and adding that if actualized his name will be written bold in gold when Nigeria history is written again.

    He further prayed the Almighty God to continue to give the speaker of the House the needed wisdom to deliver the mandates to the people of Nigeria and concluded that the 774 local of Nigeria represented by ALGON has concluded plans to pay the speaker of the Nigerian House of Assembly a courtesy visit in no distant time.

  • IGP urges ALGON to embrace community partnership

    IGP urges ALGON to embrace community partnership

    The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Solomon Arase, has urged the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) to embrace community partnership to fight crimes and criminality.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Spokesperson, acting Commissioner of Police, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, in Abuja on Friday.

    It said that Arase made the call when the association led by its National President, Mr Micah Jibah, visited the IGP.

    The statement said Arase urged the association not to relent at rendering moral and logistic support to the Police at the local level to boost and consolidate national security.

    Arase enjoined them to mobilise their people to give useful information that would nip crime in the bud to the Police and other security agencies.

    He noted that the association was the hub of security at the local government level.

    Earlier, Jibah pledged to support the initiative of the IGP for an enhanced community partnership that would guarantee a robust security for lives and property.

    He reiterated the readiness of the association to support the Nigeria Police to fight crime and equally put an end to all the security challenges facing the country.