The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Audu Ogbeh

  • Fayemi’s efforts in boosting food production commendable, says Fatoba

    House of Representatives aspirant in Ekiti State, Mr. Olusola Fatoba, has hailed governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s efforts at improving agricultural production in the state on assumption of office.

    He noted that huge investment in processing units across the value chains of crop export produce in the state, formed part of priority of the incoming APC-led government.

    Fatoba who is contesting to represent Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1 at the lower chamber of the National Assembly, however, expressed the willingness to join hand with the incoming Governor to achieve the aim of developing agriculture in the state.

    The state has comparative advantage in food and cash crops which include, cocoa, coffee, cassava, rubber, cashew, rice and yam amongst others.

    He said Fayemi’s vision require the supports of people like minds to make Ekiti great again.

    APC chieftain who spoke to newsmen yesterday in Ado Ekiti, while reacting to Fayemi’s visit to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, to seek cooperation with the Ministry on how to  improve agricultural production and employment in the state especially among the youths and to build on YCAD he initiated during his time in office.

    Read Also: Fayemi cautions Fayose on supplementary budget

    Fatoba who posited that agriculture should be given adequate priority to engage teeming unemployed youths and graduates saying such will promote food production and reduce hunger among the people.

    He said: “Part of our blueprint is to strengthen agriculture sector of the state because it has the potential to proffer solutions to major economic challenges bedevilling the society.

    “The fact that this lofty ideas and vision of Governor Fayemi in agricultural sector require a collective efforts, that is why I am offering myself to join in making this his vision a reality for Ekiti State to be great again”.

    Fatoba said boosting the the economy of the state through agriculture demand the political will of Nigerian leaders at all levels of government.

    He promised to use his position to complement efforts of the state government better in boosting  agricultural when elected as member of the House of Representatives.

  • Adesina speaks on Ahmed’s status in Finance Ministry

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, on Wednesday explained the current status of Zainab Ahmed who is currently overseeing the Ministry of Finance.

    Ahmed was named on Friday to oversee the Ministry following the resignation of Kemi Adeosun.

    Fielding questions from journalists on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting, Adesina said that the statement issued on Friday was very clear as she is overseeing the ministry.

    But he explained that she was treated as the Finance Minister during the FEC meeting.

    Asked to speak on her current status, he said “You know she was minister of state budget and national planning, she will relinquish that or she has relinquished that to go and oversee the finance ministry, so that is her status for now.”

    On whether she is supervising minister or overseeing minister or acting minister of finance, he said “It is a matter of nomenclature, yes but she is overseeing the ministry.

    Asked if she should be addressed as overseer, Adesina said “What you call her is a matter of nomenclature but if she is overseeing the ministry, then she is. But note that she is no longer Minister of State budget and national planning for now until anything contrary happens. But for now, she is in charge of the ministry of finance.

    On whether she can be placed on a substantive position, he said “Well, you know that statement was written in English and that statement says she will oversee the ministry of finance, let’s leave it like that.

    Read Also: Presidency not aware of Eagles’ visit- Adesina

    “I just told you she is no longer minister of state budget and national planning, she will be minister of finance, in fact that was how she was addressed at council.

    “Don’t forget it is also a legal thing, if a minister is going to be appointed there are procedures that is why it is a deployment.” he stated

    Explaining why Ahmed had to relocate to the Finance Ministry, the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, said that all the key finance officials and documents are located in the Ministry of Finance.

    According to him, it will not be easy for her to oversee the Ministry from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

  • FEC okays 20 silos concession

    …FG to get N6 billion income in 10 years

     

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved concessioning of twenty silos in the country.

    The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Read Also:2019: APC chieftain, Dahiru defects to Sokoto PDP

    According to him, the government stands to get revenue of N6 billion in the first 10 years of the concessioning.

    Each of the twenty silos, he said, has 100,000 tonnes capacity.

    While stating that concessioning the silos will not affect food security in Nigeria negatively, he said that it would boost storage and export of agricultural produce.

    He said that the government however remains the owner of the silos.

    According to him, the concession agreement would be revoked if not properly managed.

    Details later…

     

  • ’You must join Buhari to transform Nigeria’

    The Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Faruq Umar on Monday in Daura charged ministers and members of the federal executive council, FEC, to work assiduously with President Muhammadu Buhari to transform the country and make her the dream of all

    The Emir who gave the charge while receiving the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Audu Ogbeh on a visit to the Emir’s palace, said since President Buhari hails from Daura anyone working with him who ensures the speedy development of the town and country, is also helping the people of Daura

    He said “Any Minister that is assisting Buhari to develop Nigeria is assisting Daura People. Buhari took time to choose hard working and transparent Nigerians as Ministers. I am hoping that after 2019 elections, he will also choose men and women of integrity to also continue the good work’’

    The Emir further noted that despite the fact that their son Muhammadu Buhari being the President of Nigeria, Daura his hometown is not getting enough from the center.

    He enjoined the Ministers to make provision in their Ministry’s budget of ensuring that Daura benefitted immensely from Buhari administration.

    Read Also: Akpabio meets Buhari in UK ahead defection to APC

    According to him, “Buhari by his nature will not influence the sitting of any projects in Daura. But his Ministers who benefitted from his appointment should reciprocate by bringing developmental projects to Daura, his birth place’’.

    He said “If the Ministers failed to site any projects to Daura, they have betrayed the President and people of Daura.

    “The people of Daura and Katsina have more prospects in Rice production and irrigation farming than people of Kebbi that were given attention.

    “Katsina has dams and irrigation sites like Sabke, Jibia, Zobe, Daberan, Mai Ruwa dams and if utilized has potentials of feeding the state and its neighbours.

    “I urge you to go back, look inwards and search for how you can assist people of Daura. Daura is faced with absence of projects for its development and its people are hungry and need federal government assistance,”

    Earlier, the Minister, Audu Ogbeh said plans are underway to establish a tomatoes farm and processing plants that will create about six thousand jobs for farmers growing tomatoes and also stop importation of tomatoes in the country.

    Ogbeh also assured the Emir that his ministry will look into the issue of establishing a Rice mill as well as providing improved seeds to farmers in Daura Emirate.

     

  • FG appoints Aliyu Umar as CEO NCRI, Niger

    The Federal Government has appointed Dr Aliyu Umar as the Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger.

    His appointment is contained in a letter signed by the Director for Human Resources in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs A. C. Bawa on behalf of Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister and dated July 2, 2018.

    “The appointment which takes effect from July 2 will run for a single terms of five years and will lapse as soon as you attain the age of retirement in line with extant rules of institutes or the expiration of your tenure (whichever comes first,” the letter read in part.

    The letter requested him to work in accordance with the extant laws establishing research institutes as well as subsisting circulars issued by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    The letter also urged him to work assiduously to reposition and refocus the institute to fulfill the mandate of the Green Alternative Programme (GAP) of the present administration.

    Read Also: Plateau seeks God’s intervention in killings

    The position became vacant following the death of the late Acting Director, Dr Samuel Agboireso.

    Dr Agboireso acted for three years before his demise on June 7, 2018.

    Agboireso took over from Dr Lawrence Ogunremi, who also acted for a period of two years.

    Born in 1963, the new executive director took appointment as a Research Officer 2 and rose through the ranks until he became Director, Research Outreach Department, the position he occupied until his present appointment.

    Umar has served as the Head of stations in Uyo, Akwa Ibom and Amakama, Abia states respectively.

    He is age 54 and a native of Bida Local Government area of Niger.

    The new executive director holds Ph.D in Soil Science from the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna.

    NAN

  • CBU lecture: Audu Ogbeh to discuss use of tech in agric

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has accepted to speak at the 19th annual lecture series of the Catholic Brothers United, CBU, scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 29th 2018, at the McGovern Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland.

    The Minister will be speaking on the theme, “Technology and Agricultural Revolution”: A Tool for Economic Growth.

    President of the CBU, Emmanuel Okoro, in a  statement announcing the Minister’s confirmation to be the guest speaker at the forum, said the choice of the theme is apt, because the federal government has given priority attention towards revamping the near moribund agriculture industry.

    Okoro, noted that Technology and Mechanisation are key factors that are germane to achieving the objective of using agriculture as major plank to transforming the economy.

    The topic remains one of the best options today because technology has played a big role in developing the agricultural industry in  developed countries and today with the   right application of technology; it is  possible to grow crops in a desert by use of agricultural biotechnology. With this technology, plants have been engineered to survive in drought conditions, and through genetic engineering, scientists have managed to introduce traits into existing genes with a goal of making crops resistant to droughts and pests, a condition that abounds in Nigeria.

    He also noted that with the use of mobile apps, a farmer can calculate the amount of grass available in the field, and this saves the farmer time and money, adding that Technology has turned farming into a real business, and now farmers have electrified every process. A consumer can place an order directly online, and the product will be transported from the farm to the consumer in time when it’s still fresh.  This saves the farmer money and cuts out mediators who tend to buy low from farmers and sell high to end consumers.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • FG to permanently shut land borders over rice smuggling

    Says Thailand rice is poisonous

    Federal Government has issued stern warning against consumption of Thailand rice saying it is poisonous.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh disclosed this when he interacted with youths during The Guardians of the Nations International (GOTNI) leadership clinic held on Monday in Abuja.

    He disclosed that the land borders will soon be totally shut, in order to prevent smuggling of foreign rice and other toxic materials into the country.

    His words: “Our other problem is smuggling. As we speak, a neighbor of ours is importing more rice than China is importing. They do not eat parboiled rice, they eat white rice, they use their ports to try and damage our economy.

    “I am telling you now because in a few days, you will hear the border has been shut, we are going to shut it to protect you, us and protect our economy. You will start seeing all sorts of negative things on the internet. Let me tell you why we need to shut the border, I grow rice, I was the first Nigerian to mill rice free of stones, if you plant rice in certain parcels of land, some poisonous materials gets into the rice.”

    Ogbeh lamented that the friendly relationship that existed between Nigeria and her neighbouring African countries was adversely affecting the nation’s economy, hence the decision to shut the borders.

    Read Also: Rice smuggling: FG to shut land border in few days

    According to the Minister,  the federal government in past two years had succeeded in reducing rice importation by 95 percent and increased the number of rice farmers from five to 30 million.

    He noted that states like Anambra, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa have taken advantage of the Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) of the Federal government to upscale rice production, and such achievements will not be allowed to fizzle away through smuggling activities.

    “There are three kinds of water in their natural state; there is fresh water from the river, salt water from the sea, blackish water. If you go to the Delta in many countries, in South East Asia where they grow the rice, if you plant rice in the same place like four to six years continuously, the quantum of arsenic begins to increase and arsenic causes cancer and that is what they are dumping for us.

    “Some people say they prefer Thai rice because they are very sophisticated, welcome to poison. We just have to handwork you to prosperity otherwise, this country will not grow. My wish for you is to have a better time than we had,” he added.

  • Why we suspended Jonathan’s scheme – Ogbeh

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, on Monday explained why the Federal Government suspended the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES) initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    Ogbeh said the ministry was confronted with N67 billion debt claims from input suppliers involved in the GES scheme when the current administration took over in 2015.

    The minister stated this at the Seed Connect Conference and Exhibition organised by the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) in Abuja.

    He said the ministry has commenced plans to replace the scheme with a new initiative -Agricultural Input and Mechanization Services (AIMS).

    He said: “When we assumed office we were confronted with the debt to the tune of N67 billion. We could not pay this because if we had paid we would not have been able to pay staff salaries. But AIMS would correct all the anomalies of GES and remove fraud practices.

    The minister said the GES program was cancelled due to paucity of funds.

     

     

  • NEC stops movement of herdsmen in Benue, Taraba, three others

    The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday agreed to stop movement of herdsmen in the country, starting with the five mostly affected states of Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna and Plateau.

    The Council also supported the immediate creation of ranches across the country.

    Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    According to him, the five mostly affected states which had witnessed herdsmen killings will be expected to make land available for the ranches.

    He said through ranching, the nomadic herdsmen and their families would be able to access good medical facilities and good schools for their children if they stay in one place.

    Staying in a ranch, he said, would also improve the well-being of the cattle.

    The governor added that the Federal Government and the affected states would still iron out the interventions expected from the two parties.

    He said foreign herdsmen should be able to show some travel documents, even though visa is not allowed for movement in West African.

    The Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh said the federal government would no longer allow the killings to continue.

    He said Nigeria may no longer keep to the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons.

     

  • Why I didn’t attend US-Nigeria summit – Ogbeh

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, on Tuesday explained why he didn’t attend the just concluded United States-Nigeria investment summit.

    The minister said he was not officially invited by organisers of the summit and therefore had no reason to seek clearance from the Presidency.

    In a statement issued in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Information, Tolu Makinde, Ogbeh said it was imperative to address the situation following allegation levelled against him by the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

    The statement reads: The attention of the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has been drawn to the statement credited to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji  Lamido Sanusi, and widely reported in the press and the social media, to the effect that some serving ministers in this government including the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, failed to attend the recently held Nigeria-US Investment  Summit in Washington DC.

    “The inference is not correct.

    “The fact is that Chief Audu Ogbeh was not invited to the important meeting by the organizers; as such, there is no way he could have attended the summit in question. This explains why he did not seek the usual clearance from the Presidency to enable him attend.”

    “It is worth reiterating that Chief Ogbeh was in Nigeria attending to his official duties and did not travel to Washington DC with the Federal Government delegation, as he is not one of the government officials that statutorily attend the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings.

    “This explanation is necessary to reiterate the determination of the ministry to attract foreign investment into the Nigerian agricultural sector in order to attain our national agricultural objectives, as well as correct any wrong perception of tardiness, lack of seriousness or dereliction of duty that the said story is capable of creating in the minds of the public.”