The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Farmer

  • Farmer jailed for stealing 13 crates of eggs

    A 28-year-old farmer, Amisu Bello, is to serve six months in prison after a Magistrates’ Court in Minna, Niger, convicted him of stealing 13 crates of egg.

    Bello was docked alongside one Shefiu Yahaya on a two-count charge of theft and receiving stolen property, contrary to Sections 288 and 317 of the Penal Code Law.

    The Police Prosecutor, Emmanuel Ogiri, had told the court that one Isa Azeez, the Manager of IK Farms, Gidan Mangoro, Minna, reported the matter at the Kpakungu Police Station on Sept. 17.

    Ogiri said that Bello went to IK farm and stole 13 crates of eggs and when he was arrested, he confessed to having previously stolen 12 crates on five different occasions.

    He also said that police investigation revealed that Bello was in the habit of selling the eggs to Yahaya, the second accused person.

    When the charges were read to them, Bello pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency while Yahaya pleaded not guilty.

    In her ruling, the Magistrate, Ramatu Adamu, sentenced Bello to six months in prison with an option of a fine of N10, 000.

    Adamu also ordered him to pay N17, 000 to the complainant as compensation.

    He, however, discharged and acquitted Yahaya of any wrongdoing after establishing the fact that he bought the eggs at their market value without the knowledge that they were stolen.

  • Tension in Ondo community as farmer kills herdsman

    Fear gripped residents of Imo-Arigidi, in Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo State, yesterday as a middle-aged farmer reportedly shot a 26-year-old Fulani herdsman grazing on his farm to death. He alleged that the cattle brought by the herdsman vandalised his crop. The victim’s colleagues instantly overpowered the farmer and left him for dead after severely matchetting him. But he survived the attack.

    Policemen were said to have rushed the farmer to Ikare-Akoko State Specialist Hospital for treatment. He is still there, guarded by the police, as at the time of filing this report. Sources alleged that the Fulani herdsmen later planned further attack on residents of the town, but the prompt intervention of the police averted what would have been a bloody clash.

    The development led to an emergency meeting convened by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu represented by his Chief of Staff, Olugbenga Ale, at the palace of Akala of Ikaram, Oba Andrew Momoh. The monarch commended the police for prompt action on the incident. He promised that the law will take its course while justice will prevail in the matter. The chairman, Miyyeti-Allah Association, Alhaji Garuba Bello, urged the Fulanis in the area to see the incident as an act of God, urging relevant  authorities to do justice. He condoled with the family of the victim who, according to him, was the only child of his mother.

    The Area Commander of Police for Akoko, Razak Rauf, pledged that the police will conduct a thorough investigation into the attack while culprits will be brought to book. Former Minister of Defence, Prince Tokunbo Kayode (SAN), appealed to both parties to give peace a chance. Father of the victim, Alhaji Haruna Fulani, who was at the meeting, lamented the sudden death of his son.

     

  • Farmer docked for stealing chickens, eggs

    For stealing chickens and eggs from his neighbor’s poultry, a 31-year-old farmer, Samuel Asam, is to spend the next two months in prison.

    An Epe Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State handed down the sentence to Asam on Thursday.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O.A. Fowowe-Erusiafe, however, gave the convict an option to do 40 hours of community service.

    Asam, a resident of Igbojia village in Ibeju-Lekki, near Lagos was convicted on a two-count charge, bordering on breaking and entering and theft.

    He was accused of stealing chickens and eggs worth N527, 600 from his neighbor’s poultry.

    The convict had admitted committing the offences and begged the court to tamper justice with mercy, saying that he did not know what came over him.

    Read Also: 28 jobless youths become poultry farmers in Bayelsa

    Police prosecutor Sgt. Moses Oyekanmi had earlier told the court that one Tosin Fadayemi of Igbojia village had on June 2, reported incident of theft at his poultry.

    Oyekanmi said that Asam had stolen 120 broilers, valued at N420, 000; 17 cockerels, valued at N51, 000; five red cocks, valued at N17, 500 and 46 crates of eggs, valued at N39, 100.

    He said that during police investigation, Asam had confessed to the crime but that the police was however, unable to recover all the stolen items from the convict.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 308 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

  • Trump to send American farmers to Nigeria

    President Donald Trump has promised to send American farmers to Nigeria to help the country develop its agricultural sector.
    This was disclosed to journalists in Washington DC by Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who was part of the Federal Government entourage to the United States in the just concluded bilateral meeting between President Donald Trump of America and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria.
    According to him, the American president also said he will subsidize whatever the farmers would need in order to remove any obstacles in the new relationship between Nigeria and the United States as regards the agricultural sector.
    He said, “He kept saying that he will get farmers to come to Nigeria en masse and assist us and that they as government will subside them heavily so that they can come to Nigeria to assist us in our agriculture sector drive.”
    On the meeting between Buhari and Trump, Amosun said, “The meeting is very fruitful, very successful particularly if you take it from the angle that this is the very first African leader that President Trump will be receiving and it wasn’t just a meeting like that, it was deep rooted because I was part of the meeting. It showed what I will call the approval for almost what the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is doing.”
    “They followed what was happening maybe in the last few years. It was even them from their side that were reeling out all of those things that have happened to us as a nation and they recognise the fact that yes, things are tough and they appreciate the efforts of Mr. President. Of course, there is always room for improvement. They have shown commitment and they have shown general impression that they will support what we are doing.
    “We are gaining a lot. Let me just give you two or three. One, in the area of security. They rightly said that not just selling those Tucano helicopters for us, they are going to follow it up with so many other assistance like training and what have you.
    “Indeed as we speak, they are already in Nigeria assisting and they have promised to do more in the area of repatriation of our looted funds, they realized that yes it is taking time, they will assist us.
    “But the one that I think Nigerians will be happy about is in the area of agriculture. They have now zeroed in on that aspect. Yes, the oil is there, they too realised that before we get it right we need to diversify our economy and President Trump has actually given his commitment that they will now zero in in the area of agriculture and they will see his they can help us.
    “So if you look at the totality of why we are here, I think we have even achieved what we bargained for. Generally in all these three areas, he promised to help us particularly in fighting terrorism in Nigeria in security challenges that we have. They are assisting us in the area of the economy and of course in the area of fighting corruption, they are going to assist us as well. So all in all, they are supporting us.” he said
    Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State thanked President Donald Trump for inviting President Buhari, describing it as timely as much was achieved during the meeting.
    He said, “The issue on the handling of security, especially the Book Haram, the issue of ISIS and even the local crisis that we have, the issue of farmers and the herdsmen and secondly the potential opportunity for investment in Nigeria coming from the US, so these issues were discussed on a round table.
    “On the issue of security, you heard the President of the United States of America saying that issues that will even come in 2020, he wants to hasten them and start bringing some of them because of the handling of insecurity and he has also opened his mind to the potential investment from US to Nigeria.
    “And with that kind of agreement and also his pass mark on the President performance especially in respect to handling of issues of insecurity and of course anti corruption, it means that we are going back encouraged and Mr. President is also encouraged that even outside the shores of Nigeria, people are commending the efforts his doing, that will encourage him to do more.
    “To me I will say that the meeting is not only fantastic but I think it was successful for the progress of our country Nigeria.” he added

  • Farmer hails Akeredolu for agric revolution

    A farmer, Dotun Owanikin, has hailed Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his agricultural policy.

    Owanikin, who reviewed the agric policy of the administration, described it as productive.

    Owanikin, also a lawyer, praised the “Youths on the Ridges’ programme launched by the government, stressing that it was targeted at youths to reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty, particularly among youths.

    He said: “Governor Akeredolu is focused and pragmatic in his approach in tackling unemployment and by extension, poverty among youths.

    “The programme is a right step in the right direction, as it teaches our youths agric-business, which will enhance their earnings.”

    Owanikin said considering the topography of the state, all types of agriculture were practicable.

    He said: “The nature of our soil permits the practice of all forms of agriculture. They can plant cassava, vegetables and grains in the northern area of the state. Cocoa, palm produce, plantain, banana and other crops thrive in Ondo Central. It is commendable that Akeredolu is tackling unemployment.”

    Owanikin advised unemployed youths to embrace the programme.

  • Herdsmen kill soldier, farmer in Benue

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen have reportedly killed a soldier and farmer in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State.

    The farmer, Aondoaver Muemumu, was shot on Ayilamo-Anyiin road in Logo.

    A community leader, Chief Job Tiza, said the victim was returning to Anyiin from Ayilamo when he was ambushed.

    His body was deposited at Anyiin Mortuary.

    The soldier was reportedly killed in Tse-Ikyo, Guma council.

    An eyewitness, Kumachia Adzuu, said the herdsmen ambushed soldiers on patrol and killed one of them.

    Adzuu said the attack happened between 8 and 9pm. The soldier’s body was recovered yesterday at the Kwatan-Sule crossing point in River Benue.

    Police spokesman Moses Yamu could not be reached for comments.

  • I plan to retire as a farmer, says Victor Osuagwu

    Comic Nollywood actor, Victor Osuagwu has urged the Federal Government to reduce the level unemployment in the country by investing in agricultural.

    Osuagwu spoke at the African Farmers and Cultural Organisation (AFCO) event, tagged ‘Job Creation/Empowerment for Unemployed’ held last Friday at Zion Event Hall, Isolo, Lagos.

    According to him, Government should be more concerned on how to structure and expand the agricultural sector by granting loans to local farmers, stating that “hey should not neglect the farming the way they do to entertainment industry which has more than 10 million employees. They shouldn’t allow farmers to die in suffering.”

    The actor further implored Nigerians to embrace agriculture.

    “If you go to Europe, a lot of people are farming and that is why they don’t lack food. They have varieties of farm foods to eat but the case here in Nigeria is different. Everybody wants to work in a bank or Oil Company and the other areas are being neglected. So, I give kudos to AFCO empowerment initiative in partnership with federal government to improve agricultural production.”

    He also revealed his retirement plans, stating that he intends to relocate to his hometown so as to fully concentrate on farming.

    “I am preparing myself for retirement because there will be a time we all go to our various areas to go and relax, eat fresh foods and move away from the hustling and bustling of the urban city. I’m presently the President General of my Community. And I’m also a farmer,” he stated.

    He continued by saying that farmers never lack.

    “I’m planning to expand so as to start exporting outside Nigeria that is the reason I’m here today and I learned a lot from this programme. What I do now is that I give it out to people. I don’t buy bags of rice for people.

    Recall that Osuagwu got married to his wife, Roseline in style using a truck as parade instead of a luxury vehicle. The couple got married on December 8, 2012.

  • Suspected herdsmen kill farmer in Ekiti 

    Suspected herdsmen kill farmer in Ekiti 

    Suspected herdsmen struck again in Ekiti State yesterday, killing a farmer, Tunde Olayemi, in Ipao-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government.

    Olayemi, who was a commercial motorcyclist, was killed by those referred to by the locals as “Bororo herdsmen” while returning from his farm.

    The father of two who had gone to his farm to harvest cassava was said to have been accosted alongside a friend by the herdsmen who gave them a hot chase before catching up with the victim.

    The killing has created panic in Ipao and other neighbouring communities, like Oke-Ako and Irele where the herdsmen had killed some residents.

    The latest attack occurred after suspected herdsmen attacked the Orin Farm Settlement in Orin-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area where they killed an expectant Tiv farmer.

    Ikole Local Government Chairman Mrs Abiola Ajayi, in a telephone chat last night, said the police had visited the community and evacuated Olayemi’s body.

    Mrs. Ajayi said: “The deceased was an okada man who has a farm in the settlement. He had gone to his farm to harvest some cassava. He was with one other person.

    “They were heading back to town from the farm and had loaded the motorbike with cassava when they saw some Fulani herdsmen coming towards them.

    “They were said to have been surprised at seeing the herdsmen, who brought out their gun. The two farmers ran for dear lives.

    “The Bororos were said to have pursued the two men and eventually got Olayemi who was killed like a cow.

    “We have reported the matter to the nearest police station and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has since swung into action and sent two vehicles and they have gone to the scene of the murder to take the corpse and also commence investigation.”

    The leader of the local hunters in Ipao, Mr. Adebayo Odeyemi, said they would fish out the killers in collaboration with security agencies.

    Describing the attack as “unprovoked”, he vowed that the scenario won’t be allowed to repeat itself again.

    Odeyemi said: “We haven’t attacked any herdsman but they have killed one now and right now we will ensure they are not allowed to do this again.

    “We are valiant men not cowards and we will face them this time around. They have massacred one of us mercilessly and this won’t happen again.”

    Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi could not be reached last night.

  • Farmer remanded

    The Masaka Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State has remanded a farmer, Bitrus Jato, 30, in prison custody for alleged motorcycle theft.

    The Judge, Mr. Yakubu Ishaku, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Keffi Prisons after he pleaded not guilty.

    He adjourned the case till December 11 for hearing.

    The prosecutor, Mr. Frank Swem, told the court that Ayuba Robo of Adamakashim community in Masaka, Nasarawa State, lodged the theft complaint against the defendant.

    He alleged that on November 19, about 11:3 0am, the defendant entered the complainant’s compound and stole his motorcycle, valued at N117, 000.

    Swem added that the defendant absconded, but was arrested on November 20.

    He said during investigation, the accused confessed to the crime.

    Swem said the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.

  • Rice farmer lauds Obasanjo

    Rice farmer lauds Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has received praises for his administration’s agricultural policies during the launch of Okun Rice in Abeokuta, the  Ogun State capital.

    Obasanjo, who was the chief launcher at the event held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), was praised for standing by farmers during his eight-year administration.

    Chairman, Hyst Global Business Limited (producers of Okun Rice), Biodun Onalaja, said but for the ex-president, who stood by him through thick and thin, during his travails, his aspiration of being an entrepreneur would have gone with the winds. “This rice project was made possible by the assistance given by our chief launcher, former President Obasanjo. While in office he had food self-sufficiency for the nation as one of his goals. He assisted us to set up the company while also blazing the trail for people like us as farmers. Here is a person, who not only talks agriculture, but walks the talk of a farmer and agro-entrepreneur,’’he said.

    Onalaja narrated how the 10 hectares of land he acquired in Taraba State for rice planting was overwhelmed by the 2012 River Benue floods and had to be abandoned. He said he had to relocate to Kogi State, where through the help of ex President Obasanjo and the support from former Agric Minister, Akinwunmi Adesina, he was able to secure 1,000 hectares, and two years later, began farming.

    Onalaja also thanked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Firstbank Limited, Unity Bank and Provident Bank for their support to Hyst Global Business.

    He urged the Federal Government to reduce food import, assist farmers with finance, land allocation, clearing, tractor and seedling distribution, among others. Low interest, he canvassed, would encourage more agro-entrepreneur.

    Obasanjo said the event was the celebration of success. Describing agriculture as a difficult area to invest in, he praised Onalaja for his doggedness, persistence and stubbornness in spirit’. “You have gone through the ups and downs. You could have chickened out,’’ Obasanjo said, adding that Onalaja’s determination to succeed pushed him on.

    Obasanjo, who called for sustenance of government policies, said Nigeria has what it takes to be self-sufficient in food production.