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Tag: Food

  • Attaining food sustainability through women farmers

    Attaining food sustainability through women farmers

    SIR: As Nigeria grapples with the food shortage across, it is now time to re-think the pivotal role of women in promoting food sustainability. Women are natural beings with an innate potential to conceive, deliver and nurture. This potential is not restrictive to biological cycle of life but it extends to all spheres of life including political, social and economic life.

    In almost all communities in Nigeria, women constitute a major percentage of active farmers. Women in rural communities have been able to combine strength, zeal and dexterity in production of farm inputs that contributes to the survival and sustainability of the home front.

    It is however worrisome that despite the huge population of women farmers, their impact on food production is yet to be felt. A lot of factors have contributed to stifling the potentials of women in sustainable food production in Nigeria. Some of those factors are social, cultural, economic and political.

    In specific terms, the land ownership system does not really favour the female gender as most families bequeath inheritance of landed property to men rather than women. As a result of this most women are given portions of land to farm out of benevolent gestures other than as a right of ownership.  This scenario has limited women farmers to become just subsistent farmers.

    Other factors limiting women farmers can also be traced to lack of support from government. Women have limited access to resources compared to their male folks and this makes it difficult for them to compete in the agro-business economy. The lack of resources serves as a limitation to accessing modern farm tools that would enable them go into large scale production, whereas these tools are easily accessed through loans to their male counterparts.  There is also the dearth of knowledge on large scale farming amongst women farmers and this has restricted them to subsistent farming. Another factor is the cultural limitations that confines women with reproductive and domestic roles.

    There is need to review the provision of some existing policies that support women contribution to food sustainability. The national policy on agriculture aims at attaining self-sustainable growth in all the sub-sectors of agriculture and the structural transformation necessary for the overall socio-economic development of the country as well as the improvement in the quality of life of Nigerians. To achieve this policy the female gender must be strategically empowered to contribute to food sustainability. This is also in line with the goal of the national policy on Gender in Agriculture.  The agriculture gender policy is to promote and ensure the adoption of gender sensitive and responsive approaches towards engendering plans and programmes in such a way that men and women have access to and control of productive resources and facilities to bridge gender gaps. The policy document will enhance the platform to build an agri-business ecosystem to meet both domestic and foreign demands to achieve food security and accelerated development.

    Read Also: Smuggling, flooding responsible for food scarcity, says Agric minister

    There is no other better time to implement these policies than now!  In line with the strategies contained in these policies, the government should collaborate with stakeholders to identify the gender limiting factors restraining women from participating in large scale farming and set-up a mechanism to mainstream gender equality in agri-business.  Secondly, through an inter-sectoral collaboration, government should allocate resources across sectors that would render support to women in agriculture.  Thirdly, there is need to implement gender sensitive laws, policies and regulations as well as build the capacity of stakeholders to abide by the guiding principles that provides for equitable access to women farmers.

    For them to be involved in large scale production and commercial agriculture, women farmers should be granted subsidies on agricultural products. In essence modern farming tools for mechanized farming should be provided at subsidized rates to women farmers.  Fifthly, the federal and state government should provide soft loans with low interest rates and favourable re-payment plans to women in agriculture this would enable them get easy access to resources

    Finally, to achieve the above, women farmers association should be mainstreamed in every policy decisions of government; they should be given the opportunity to contribute to government policies, actions and implementations.

    • Victor Emejuiwe, Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.
  • Foundation distributes food items, cash gifts to indigent communities

    Foundation distributes food items, cash gifts to indigent communities

    The founder and CEO of the Mike Loyibo  Empowerment Foundation (MLEF), High Chief Mike Loyibo, has distributed food items and cash gifts worth millions of naira to indigenes of Tuomo kingdom in Burutu local government area, Delta State, as part of efforts to ameliorate sufferings of the people occasioned by the economic hardship and hunger in the country.

    Loyibo, who is the Prime Minister of the kingdom, made the gesture yesterday, stressing it had become necessary for wealthy Nigerians to come out to the rescue of the needy from the hard economy.

    The MLEF, which had trained thousands of students, empowered women, youths and sheltered many elderly people through the MLEF, however, had continued its philanthropy despite challenges posed by the economic crunch.

    However, some of the food items distributed include bags of rice, bags of garri, as well as cash gifts to the people with a task to keep faith with God for a better economic system.

    Calling on Nigerians to continue to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to surmount the current challenges, Loyibo said: “Nigerians have been experiencing economic difficulties and the people of Tuomo Kingdom are not left out.

    “In the face of the present economic crunch where the cost of food and household items keep increasing by the day, with families not knowing where the next meal will come from, we decided to set out to cushion the effect of the situation on vulnerable people of Ijawland.

    “I want to urge everybody not to allow the current economic situation force them into depression or suicidal thoughts, nor make them resort to social vices, but continue to keep hopes alive.

    “I hereby use this medium to call on well-to-do Nigerians and corporate bodies to render assistance to the less-privileged and the downtrodden in the society, especially those in the rural areas, to cushion the effect of the current hardship, as most people find it difficult to eat a square meal a day.

    Read Also: Port Harcourt-Aba train service begins operation in March, says FG

    “Moreover, I call on the government at all levels to implement policies and programmes that would ameliorate the sufferings of the people and not to take their patience for weakness.

    However, I call on Deltans to support the MORE Agenda of the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori administration because he is a leader who is grassroots-oriented.”

    Beneficiaries, however, thanked the philanthropist for the kind gesture and prayed for him to soar higher in his endeavours.

  • Osun monarch, Olori  lift  residents  with food items, cash, others

    Osun monarch, Olori  lift  residents  with food items, cash, others

    In a demonstration of compassion , the Elerinmo of Erinmo Ijesha, Oba  Micheal Odunayo Ajayi JP (Arowotawaya II), alongside his wife, Olori Aderonke Ajayi  have launched a relief programme  to support the residents of Erinmo community.

    The event, held at the Elerinmo palace  on  February 27, was in response to ameliorate the economic hardship in the country.

    Over 800 individuals from Erinmo community and beyond comprising the youths, widows, physically challenged and the elderly, including Christians and Muslims, local chiefs, Baales, Alakosos and security personnel resident in Erinmo.

     They were gifted with cash assistance and food items that include rice, beans, garri, indomie, biscuits and candies for children, raw meat while umbrella were also distributed to all beneficiaries in preparation for the rainy season.

     Oba Ajayi emphasized his commitment to alleviating the hardship faced by his people during these challenging times.

    Read Also: Senate passes NDIC Act amendment Bill for second reading

    He stated: “This is one of the ways I can alleviate the sufferings of my people and also support the government’s efforts. Recession is prevalent worldwide, and it is essential for everyone who has something to give, to extend a helping hand.”

    Oba Arowotawaya II, also urged the government to implement measures promptly to address the economic hardships faced by the populace.

     “We all know that times are hard now, stemming from ailing economy to shortage of food in the country, as I appeal to the Federal Government to step up effort to tackle the challenges,” he said.

    Replying on behalf of the community,  Chief Saba expressed profound gratitude to the monarch for his benevolent gesture.

  • Monarch backs farmers’ projects on food production

    Monarch backs farmers’ projects on food production

    The Oloto of Otto, Ido and Mainland, Oba Bashir Abisoye Odesanya, has given his support to the Agbeloba Voters Independent Group of Nigeria (AVIGN) on their food production project.

    He said this at the meeting organised by the AVIGN to follow up on how to ease the economic situation of the country.

    Oba Odesanya said the project is going to help the economy of the country to flourish and to grow in diverse ways.

    He added that the initiative would aid food security and other aspects of life.

    “This kind of project ought to have been implemented for years. We’ve been encountering food scarcity due to shortage in agricultural produce.. Had it been the agricultural sector is being flourished and being utilized, we wouldn’t face this kind of hardship, even if we’re to face it, it would be minimal.

    “We are being blessed with vast land, we don’t have any stress other than to make use of our lands and to invest in green economy. It is a good project and I support your initiative,” the monarch said.

    Read Also: Be patient with us, Speaker Abbas appeals to Nigerians

    President of AVIGN Chief Lateef Lasisi, Agbeloba said that the project is about economic recovery.

    “We have to be practical, that is why we said we have to massively tilt the ground for massive employment opportunities for youths as well as massive food production. For the past 31 years, we’ve been running after this course. We believe that the government has a role to play in achieving our goal,” he said.

    He added that with the help of the government, the project would flourish.

    Leader of Igbo Traders’ Association at Oyinbo Market, Emmanuel Okwu, pleaded with the government to help actualise the project.

    This, he said, would help the federal government to address shortage of farm produce.

  • How to avert food crisis, by experts

    How to avert food crisis, by experts

    Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) has called for decarbonisation of cropping system to avert food crisis.

     Decarbonisation of cropping system is the process of reducing carbon emissions associated with agricultural practices while enhancing carbon sequestration in soils.

     It spoke at 2024 Annual Stakeholder meeting at National Agricultural Research Institutes (NAERLS) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

     Sasakawa, in a statement by Communication Officer, Moses Nongoatse, said decarbonisation of cropping systems will accelerate productivity, mitigate impact of climate change, and enhance food security.

     President, Dr Makoto Kitanaka pledged SAA’s commitment to advancing decarbonisation of cropping systems through promotion of climate-smart practices.

    Read Also: Greedy politicians fuelling attacks on Tinubu over hardship -Arewa Think Tank

     Kitanaka highlighted success of initiatives as “Bokashi and Biochar” in raising crop yields and improving soil health in Nasarawa State.

     SAA Nigeria’s Country Director, Dr Godwin Atser, addressed challenges as low productivity, poverty, and climate change.

    He stressed interventions, such as promoting new seed varieties, proper fertiliser use, and strengthening linkages between farmers and resources.

  • Food crisis: Lagos, Ogun, Customs unveil palliatives

    Food crisis: Lagos, Ogun, Customs unveil palliatives

    • 200 truck-loads of grains for Lagos, Ogun residents
    • Govts to regulate distribution, sales of grains
    • Civil servants to work three days per week in Lagos

    A flexible work plan for civil servants, 25 per cent rebate on transport fares and distribution of food to 300,000 households are some of the palliatives announced yesterday for lagosians by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Other measures to cushion the effects of economic hardship announced by the governor included free healthcare missions by the six health districts and removal of the N8,000 Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) for enrolment in public schools.

    To ensure these measures achieve their intended objective, Sanwo-Olu said a bipartisan advisory team will be instituted to monitor the process, ensure transparency and give feedbacks to the government.

    He said: “This team will include myself, the deputy governor, State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Chairman of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), representative of the civil society, representative of the House of Assembly, religious leaders (one Christian, one Muslim), economists and others.”

    The governor, during a live media chat, ‘Sanwo Speaks’, said ‘the measures are to ensure that everyone is touched and can then say the government is truly working for me’.

    Sanwo-Olu said from next week, civil servants from Level 1-14 will begin to work three days a week while those from level 14 upwards will work four days a week. Also, teachers will work for five days due to the nature of the sector. He, however, said that government will ensure additional transport support.

    The governor announced a 25 per cent rebate on fares on government-owned transport schemes, including BRT, ferry services and rail. He also disclosed that discussions were on with the private transport sector to see how they can also key into the initiative.

    The governor will also collaborate with the local governments to rehabilitate dilapidated inner roads and procure more vehicles for security agencies.

    On food palliatives, Sanwo-Olu said the government would explore three major avenues to ensure Lagosians get affordable foodstuff. He said the government is expecting 100 trailer loads of rice from the North for distribution.

    He said: “We will be having food purchase and redistribution to cover about 300,000 households. Each household will get a box containing staples and some condiments. Procurement has started and we will work out distribution logistics.

    “We will also have soup kitchens where identified caterers (mama put) will be employed across local government areas to feed about 1,500 people once daily. Beneficiaries will get vouchers to be able to access the kitchens. We have the caterers already and funds will be disbursed soon.

    Read Also: Train girls to lead, says Tinubu’s aide, governor’swife

    “Another thing is we will be having Sunday markets in 42 identified markets where people can buy cheaply and get 25 per cent discount immediately. Purchase will however be limited to N25,000 to ensure that those who really need it benefit from the initiative. This will happen for the next four to five Sundays, after which it will be reviewed to determine continuity.”

    In the health sector, Sanwo-Olu announced that the 31 general hospitals will offer free delivery (normal and caesarian section), and a rebate on certain medications, especially hypertension and diabetes. He also said the six health districts will be holding free health missions twice a week for the next three months.

    To reduce the number of out-of-school children, the governor said he has removed the compulsory N8,000 Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) parents have to present before registering their wards. Sanwo-Olu stressed: “We realised that asking parents to present that was a big challenge so we have decided to remove it for now so that they can bring their wards back to school.”

    Sanwo-Olu also urged the people to be hopeful for brighter days. He said protests cannot solve challenges, adding that ‘government has what it takes and is committed to helping the people’.

    He added: “It is for us to know that there are difficult times and there will be glorious days, but we need to be strong and work together, showing shared resilience and unity.

    “This is not the time to be adamant on profitability, but focus on keeping life alive. It should not be about shareholder value, but about giving back to ourselves.

    “We must help ourselves to stay alive before talking of profitability. It is the ability to weather the storms in the hard times that defines mankind and humanity.”

  • Another perspective on the food ‘scarcity’

    Another perspective on the food ‘scarcity’

    • By John Uwaya

    Nigeria is tottering under galloping inflation blamed chiefly on floating of the Naira in the foreign exchange market and removal of price subsidies on petroleum products. Although prices expectedly rose when petroleum product subsidies were removed, galloping inflation actually set in only after ECOWAS and by extension, Nigeria, penalized Niger Republic by border closure for a military coup in that country – a punitive step that turned out mutually destructive or an ill-wind that blew neither of the two countries any good.

    Much as Niger Republic suffered loss of some national income in the early days of the border closure, prices of some foodstuff soared in Nigeria and stabilized only after smugglers found a way around the official restriction on movement between the two countries.

    The border closure was providential and the multiplier consequences insightful for some Nigerian politicians who had earlier threatened to weaponise foodstuff supplies for political advantage. This is no empty boast in Nigeria where recently, a private bank account holding N3 billion was traced to an immediate past minister. The apparently looted public fund is just a tiny fraction of the estimated trillions authoritatively reported as unaccounted for under President Muhammadu Buhàri’s regime.

    Just a minuscule of that humongous loot in private hands is more than adequate to buy up and hoard or destroy foodstuff as a strategy for annoying a populace to trigger a violent reactions across the country. Its parallel is unrestrained terrorism financing which is making non-state actors better armed than security agents in Nigeria. Yet another parallel is using ill-gotten wealth to sabotage the foreign exchange market by out-bidding genuine patrons to starve the country’s import dependent economy to death.

    Those are some of the consequences of massive corrupt enrichment of a few because a president got clannish by filling key positions with only his kinsmen whose supervision, kindred spirit inhibited.  Neither is their past public life easy to probe by another president of a different tribe without drawing an ethnic battle line – a dilemma facing President Tinubu. Calling members of his predecessor’s regime to give account of their public stewardship is like drawing an inter-tribal battle line!

    President Tinubu is hard pressed to recover part of looted public funds as the only way to get his own regime off the ground with his predecessor having reportedly exhausted every borrowing window and bequeathed a historic N77 trillion debt with no accruals to offset it. But no matter the imperative, President Tinubu’s probe and some of his other policies are not going down well with his supposed political benefactors who, with looted trillions in their private vaults, could make the country ungovernable – a nightmare similarly wrestled in the past by his southern Nigerian predecessors. Only that this time, the strategy is different although the purpose remains the same – whip the president into line.

    The strategy deployed this time against President Tinubu is subtle with a lot of room for deniability. It is as simple as – with stolen trillions, stock and hoard or destroy foodstuff until acute artificial food scarcities incite the populace and create seismic instability. And sadly, the strategy appears to be working as foodstuff scarcity protests have been reported in some parts of Nigeria. According to the Sultan of Sokoto, no one could continually restrain the protests from going nationwide.

    Read Also: Food security: Reps urge FG to urgently subsidise agriculture

    However, one is not altogether ruling out other negative factors on the worsening foodstuff scarcities in Nigeria. But to limit the reasons to removal of price subsidies on petroleum products and rising Dollar/Naira exchange rate is narrow mindedness. Not only that most of Nigerian staple food items are not imported with the US dollar, agricultural production is not mechanized in Nigeria and Niger Republic as to require importation of machinery with hard currency. Neither did either country or their West African region report poor harvests in 2023.

    Also, prices of petroleum products have risen neither significantly nor steadily beyond their post-subsidy removal levels. On any argument that apart from agricultural products, prices of other goods and services are rising, the drivers are rising food prices. It stands to reason that where politicians turned economic saboteurs are costing you more on food, you must keep increasing prices of your own goods or services to be able to buy food.

    President Tinubu’s political foes should stop using their ill-gotten wealth to disrupt market forces in Nigeria as none might survive the multiplier and ultimate consequences. On his part, the president should remember that in an earlier write-up – “Niger Republic and Other Booby Traps before President Tinubu”, I did counsel:

    “Much as President Tinubu should exercise discretion in handling the various volatile booby traps, innocent Nigerian masses should not be taxed to atone the sins of sacred cows who should be held to account like President Buhari fearlessly set out in 2015. Otherwise, slamming multiple taxes on the masses who have been victimized since the past eight years, could backfire and ultimately detrimental to national security.

    In fact, Nigeria like an accident victim with bleeding multiple injuries needs outward and not inward look for blood donation and transfusion to survive. And the apt economic therapies would be diversification of the economy and creating of an enabling environment for industry and commerce to thrive. Only those two economic thrusts would grow and strengthen the Nigerian economy and not tax piles of the worthless free-falling Naira due to no productivity to shore up its value.

    • Uwaya writes from Oto-Awori, Lagos State.
  • ‘Greedness from market forces, cause of high cost of food price’

    ‘Greedness from market forces, cause of high cost of food price’

    Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa lll, said greedness from market forces are the main cause of high cost of food price and other items resulting to economic hardship Nigerians are going through.

    He said that the business community is to be blame for unnecessary increase in prices of goods in the market currently causing untold hardship on Nigerians leading to severe hunger and worsening level of poverty.

    Dr. Yamusa said greater chunk of the economic woes truncating the success of the government is human-induced due to greed from market forces to enrich themselves.

    He stated this yesterday at his palace in Keffi, Nasarawa State when he received a delegation of the Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association on a sensitization tour over rising cost of living.

    He decried the rate at which traders all over the country inflate the price of their commodities without regulatory control of prices by authorities, calling on institutions of government to rise to the occasion of checkmating and penalising erring traders who sell beyond reasonable rates.

    Read Also: On the rising food prices in Nigeria

    The first-class monarch called on government to help in ameliorating the sufferings of Nigerians, lauding the efforts of the union to sensitize their members on supporting government’s action for sustainable economic reforms.

    “Government must help the people to ameliorate this suffering. I know this is not the first time such is happening. I advise that Marketing Board can reserve food and sell it at a cheaper rate when it is scarce or expensive”.

    He urged citizens not to utter unprintable words against their leaders, noting that doing so will only worsen the current experience instead of addressing it.

    “Don’t insult government. When you insult them, they will be bad and you will suffer bitterly” he advised

    Speaking on the essence of the tour, President Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, Musa Turaki-Gamji said the rising cost of food commodities in the Nigerian market is beyond the reach of many.

  • Food scarcity: Pressure on states to rev up interventions

    Food scarcity: Pressure on states to rev up interventions

    • NLC to protest high cost of living February 27, 28
    • Customs impounds food trucks going to Niger Republic
    • Six Cameroun–bound cement trucks seized in Adamawa
    • FCCPC seals popular Abuja store over deceptive pricing
    • Makinde extends wage award in Oyo for six months
    • Zulum declares one day prayer session over economic crisis
    • Don’t give Tinubu wrong advice, Lukman warns APC leaders
    • Stop inflammatory comments, Matawalle warns Nigerians

    State governors are beginning to ‘spend the money’ and   roll out more palliatives for the people as pressure mounts on them over the current economic crisis.

    Some agencies of the federal government are also doubling their efforts to check spiraling costs of food items and other essentials, according to reports from across the country yesterday.

    The latest of the pressure came yesterday from the Nigeria Labour Congress which declared 27th and 28th of February  as protest days over the current state of the economy  and insecurity in the country.

    President Bola Tinubu, during his meeting with the governors in Abuja on Thursday, had charged them to put more money such as salary arrears, pension and gratuities in the pockets of the people since the states now receive more financial allocations from the federation account.

    “Spend the money; don’t spend the people,” he said.

    Many other Nigerians have also been challenging the governors on what they have been doing with the huge allocations accruing to the states following the stoppage of fuel subsidy last year.

    Less than 24 hours after the President’s charge, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday presented N3.1 billion to 1,013 retired civil servants in the state.

    He said the payment of N3.1 billion to retirees alongside their monthly contributions which have already been remitted into their respective Retirement Savings Accounts with the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) was a testament to the commitment of his administration to the welfare and well-being of retirees.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu, who spoke during the 103rd Batch Retirement Bond Certificate Presentation ceremony in Ikeja, acknowledged the backlog in the payment of Accrued Rights, but said his focus was to systematically eliminate the backlog.

    “I am pleased to announce that we have made substantial progress in this regard and I am confident that before the end of my tenure, our aspiration for a ‘Pay As You Go’ model will be realised,” he said.

     Makinde extends wage award by six months

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State announced the extension of payment of wage award to civil servants and pensioners in the state by another six months.

    The governor had, last October, approved payment of N25,000 and N15,000 wage award for workers and pensioners respectively for six months.

    This would have terminated next month.

    But commissioning the dualised 12km Challenge-Odo Ona Elewe- Elebu Apata Road in Ibadan yesterday, Makinde said the wage award would run for another six months –April to September, 2024.

    He pledged to keep working for the people rather than join words with people playing politics with the current economic situation in the country or attempting to incite the people against state governors over the increase in allocation to states.

    He said: “We all know the reality of the times no matter how anyone tries to paint it. In the weeks and months to come, our dear party will propose action plans that we believe will work for our nation when adopted.

    “In doing this, we will again demonstrate that we care more about the progress of our people than we do about politics.”

    The governor noted that the Enugu rice brand would grow bigger than what it was known for, stressing that the state would soon be known as a rice producing state.

    He noted that Enugu was now an oil producing state and also doing well in the agricultural sector, saying, “This will help to reduce hunger to zero by 2031.”

    Abia begins distribution of food to LGAs

    The Abia State Government says it has started distributing palliatives across the 17 local government areas of the state as part of its measures to address the food crisis.

    The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alex Otti, Mr. Kazie Uko, told The Nation that apart from the distribution of rice and other palliatives to residents of the state, government is also  rehabilitating rural roads to enable farmers have access to their farms and evacuate their farm produce to the markets.

    Uko said that apart from the distribution of the palliatives, government strives to “ensure that salaries of workers are not held back in any way.”

    Continuing, he said: “The state has equally ensured that the medical bills of the vulnerable poor were taken up by the state government.

    “Just recently, an NGO concluded a medical mission and a couple of persons that they could not fund their surgeries have been taken up by the state government after the information gets to the government.”

     Adeleke summons food security meeting to secure Osun farmlands

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has convened a food security meeting for Osogbo on Monday to brainstorm on how to further secure farmlands in the state.

    The meeting, according to the governor, will be attended by representatives of the Hunters association and the Amotekun commanders alongside the civil defense and police services.

    “The goal is to strengthen farm security,” Adeleke told Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari during a courtesy visit in Abuja.

    He said his administration was also working on Small Farmers’ Equipment Lending service to ease the access of small scale farmers to tractors and other needed machineries.

    He said: “To expand food production, we are also pushing to implement a City to Farm programme. This is designed to encourage young small scale farmers. This will expand production and also engage our youth. “

    On security, Adeleke said his administration would set a State Security Trust Fund to mobilise financing for security agencies.

    It is expected to be private sector driven. 

    We’re tackling food shortage crisis with improved security in Gombe —Yahaya

    Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya said his state was working with the federal government to shield its food production efforts by ensuring security for farmers to return to their farms.

     Emerging from a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja yesterday, Yahaya said although the food shortage crisis is global, Nigeria’s experience has been made more serious because of insecurity especially in the Northwest and Northeast.

    He said his administration, though working with the federal government on surmounting the crisis, has also mapped out short, medium and long-term responses to the food shortage crisis.

    His words: “Food crisis is not only prevalent in Nigeria, it is obtained all over the world because of the challenges confronting the world, but our own has its own peculiarities because of the insecurity that has bedeviled the North, especially Northwest and Northeast.

    “That notwithstanding, we are making serious efforts to ensure that we restore normalcy by providing security to enable the people go back to their farms. So we have our own strategies for both the short medium and long term. Each State has its own but we have keyed into that of the federal government in order to ensure that very soon we overcome the challenges.”

    Kaduna pays N3.2b pension/gratuities; votes N1b for fertilizer

    For the Kaduna State Government, its focus is prompt payment of workers’ salaries, pension and gratuity, award of contracts to local contractors and subsidising agriculture.

    This year, over N1 billion has been earmarked to subsidise fertilizer for farmers while over N3.2 billion was recently released for payment of pension and gratuity so that beneficiaries could have money to attend to their needs.

    Governor Uba Sani’s Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, said: “In the area of business, the state government through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Development is supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with grants.”

    He said that these measures taken by the state government would go a long way in cushioning the effects of economic and food crises on the citizens.

    Kwara gifts 10,000 bags of rice to workers

    The Kwara State Government has released 10,000 bags of 10 kilogrammes of rice for distribution to workers across the state

    The palliative followed an engagement Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had with the leadership of the organised labour unions and other stakeholders earlier in the week.

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman in the state, Comrade Saheed Olayinka, said the palliative “will go a long way. It is a show of support and empathy and we appreciate it.

    “We have started sharing the rice palliative since yesterday, and people were so glad to receive it. It has reduced the tension and burden on us as leaders. They complained to us, and we forwarded the complaints to the government.

    “Without wasting time, the government has come to our aid. We are so glad with what is going on.

     “On the ongoing negotiation, the happiest part of it is that His Excellency has maintained the committee set up by him to look into the requests of Kwara State workers.

    “We forwarded about 21 demands. Immediately, 11 have been addressed. The remaining 10 are still under consideration, while the committee continues to talk to the labour leaders. We hope that the remaining 10 will equally see the light of the day soon.”

    Delta releases modalities for sharing palliatives

    Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, State Subsidy Palliative Committee, Dr Kingsley Emu, told reporters in Asaba that the state 40 per cent would go to the wards and 10 percent reserved to shore up urban wards.

    Another 25 per cent would be distributed to heavily impacted people including Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) and widows, 20 per cent is for  poor and vulnerable households and five per cent left for contingency for the LGAs.

    According to the SSG, each local government would receive 696 bags of rice of 50 kg while maize would also be distributed to poultry farmers across the state.

     Edo’s focus is transport

     Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki decided to prioritize transportation following the removal of fuel subsidy.

    The free transport scheme he introduced last September for an initial two-month period to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal was first extended to February 2024 and later to April 2024.

    The scheme covers all intra and inter-city routes operated by the state-owned Edo City Transport Services (ECTS), including Auchi – Igarra – Ibillo–Ososo; Uzebba–Ikhin – Otuo; Abudu-Ubiaja, Abudu-Urhonigbe and Ewohimi to Ewatto.

    The intra-city routes are Ramat–Kingsquare; New Benin–Kingsquare; Kingsquare – Ekenwan Road; Kingsquare–Airport Road; Kingsquare–Sapele Road and Kingsquare – Adesuwa, Kingsquare–Ogida; New Benin – Upper Mission; Kingsquare–Ugbowo; Kingsquare–Agbor Road; Kingsquare–Upper Sokponba; New Benin – Ugbowo and New Benin–Aduwawa.

    Gov Zulum declares one day prayer session

    Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum yesterday urged residents  of the state to observe Monday as a day of fasting  and offering  special prayers for divine intervention over the current food crisis.

    Zulum in a broadcast said he was “deeply troubled by the recent hardships faced by our citizens, particularly the high cost of food items.”

    He said: “I understand the burden that this places on families and individuals, and I want to assure you that we are taking decisive steps to alleviate this issue.

    “Our government is focusing on reviving agriculture in the state, intending to increase food production and reduce our reliance on food palliative.

    “We are investing in modern farming techniques, providing support to local farmers and creating incentives for agricultural innovation. By doing so, we hope to not only lower the cost of food items but also to create sustainable livelihoods for our people.”

    He said that his administration was engaged with stakeholders particularly those in the business of essential commodities that include all forms of grains and building materials and had taken far-reaching decisions to mitigate the rising cost of the essential goods.

    “In addition to our efforts in agriculture, we are also working on increasing the distribution of palliatives especially for residents in Maiduguri Metropolitan and Jere,” he said.

    Aiyedatiwa flags-off rural roads construction

    Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa yesterday flagged off the construction of a 15.5km road linking Oda Cocoa Board through Camp 2 to Langbodo in Akure South Local Government Area in what he said was part of government’s effort to address the current food crisis.

    Aiyedatiwa said the proposed establishment of nine Agro-Logistics Centres across the state would help to market farm produce.

    The Ondo Governor urged the benefitting community leaders to take ownership of the projects by closely supervising the project to ensure that the quality of roads was not compromised under any guise.

    Ebonyi targets farmers

    The Ebonyi State Government, according to Agriculture Commissioner Nkechi Iyioku has distributed 13,000 bags of fertilizers to farmers across the state who had complained about the rising cost of farm inputs.

    Iyioku said more aids would be coming the way of the farmers this year as government is determined to have  a bumper harvest.

    Information Commissioner Jude Okpor said government has cleared the backlog of gratuities and pension of workers it inherited from past administrations while Governor Francis Nwifuru recently commissioned an audit of local government retirees to facilitate payment of their entitlements.

    Mrs Ann Aligwe, Commissioner for Human Capital Development said the state has launched a N3bn empowerment scheme for 1500 artisans and hawkers.

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    “The first tranche of N1bn which saw 500 artisans and hawkers getting N2m each, totalling N1bn, was done late last year. Subsequent tranches will be carried out soon”, she said.

     Niger LGs set up committees on price control

    Following a recent executive order by Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago to stop large scale traders from going into the villages or local markets to mop up food items, some local government chairmen in the state have set up committees on price control for foodstuff. These local government areas include Mokwa and Agaie.

    The Niger State House of Assembly on its part has proposed a bill for a Price Control Board to regulate the price of essential commodities. The bill has scaled first reading at the Niger House of Assembly.

    The Board is expected to study market situation in the state with a view to restructuring the supply and demand mechanism.

    The Governor had warned that anyone found mopping up food items in the markets or villages would have their goods confiscated by security agencies and the foodstuff distributed to the public.

    Adamawa working on additional palliatives

    The Adamawa State Government may introduce more palliatives to cushion the effects of the economic crisis, according to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou.

    Already in place are the N10,000 wage award  for civil servants and  pensioners also on the payroll of the state government on top of their salary and the  mass transit  buses which convey passengers at subsidized fares last year are also still plying the routes marked out for them, charging fares that are in many instances just about one-third of what public means of transportation cost.

     Benue coming with own palliatives

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia is also expected to roll out his government’s palliatives for the people soon, his Chief Press Secretary Kulas Tersoo told The Nation.

    The government had earlier purchased 100 vehicles for the state owned transport company to beat down transport fares.

    Small business owners, market women and youths were given N50,000 each to improve their business.

    Rice, maize and corn flour were distributed to the people across the 23 local government areas while the Government paid WAEC fees to all final year students in government-owned schools across the state.

     NLC to protest hardship, insecurity Feb 27,  28

    The NLC said yesterday in Abuja that it would embark on a two -day national protest on 27th and 28th of February to show its outrage over the current hardship and insecurity across the country.

    The NLC warned that if its demands were not met after the nationwide protests, it would issue a seven-day notice that would expire on March 2, 2024 to the Federal Government after which an indefinite nationwide strike would commence.

    The NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had earlier given the federal government a 14-day ultimatum to implement the 16-point agreement the two sides reached last year.

    That ultimatum would end on February 22.

    President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, told reporters after a meeting of the National Executive Council yesterday that organised labour was tired of “empty talks by the federal Government.”

    He directed its affiliates and civil society allies to begin mobilisation for the nationwide protest.

    Ajaero said: “On Monday, the 29th day of May 2023, the President of the Federal Republic announced during his inaugural speech the withdrawal of Subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria. Consequently, the price of the product, which is central to transportation and power in Nigeria, escalated across the nation, throwing the nation into turmoil and confusion as citizens were left stranded, thus increasing suffering, hardship and angst among the populace.

    “Series of meetings were held with the federal government culminating in the signing of an Agreement which we now call the October 2 Agreement. This Agreement contained several safeguards which we had believed if implemented conscientiously would have gone a long way to ameliorate the suffering and hardship that the ill-conceived and ill-implemented policies of the government have foisted on the masses and workers.

    “The NEC-in-session considered the unfortunate state of our nation; the huge suffering pervading the nation, the general crisis of living, the outrage expressed by the majority, and the increased attendant fears of the continued consequences of these Policies and the persistent refusal of the Government to implement the tenets of the October Agreement. It also took notice of the decision of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the both Congresses of the NLC and TUC to demand that the Agreement be implemented.

    “To this end, NEC unanimously noted its deep disappointment and condemned the actions of the federal government in refusing to implement the agreements and reached the following decisions:

    “That it reaffirms the 14 days notice issued by the federal government within which to implement the Agreement and address the mounting crisis of survival in Nigeria.

    “That the Notice expires on the midnight of Thursday, the 22nd of February, 2024. If on expiration Congress is not satisfied with the level of Government’s compliance with the conditions of the Notice, it will be at liberty to take action that will compel government to implement the agreement.

    “If demands are not met after the nationwide protests, to issue a seven-day notice that will expire on the 2nd day of March, 2024 to the federal government after which an indefinite nationwide strike will ensue. “

     The pressure on the state governments stems from the realization that their monthly allocation from the federal purse has increased astronomically since the removal of oil subsidy.

    Below is a comparison of their average allocation before and after the subsidy removal:

    STATES                 PRE SUBSIDY            POST SUBSIDY

    ABIA                       N4.573bn                N6.409bn

    ADAMAWA.          N4.750bn                    N6.419bn

    AKWA IBOM.        N24.788bn.                 N24.277bn

    ANAMBRA            N4.747bn.                    N8.266bn

    BAUCHI                 N.4.375bn                  N6.637bn         

    BAYELSA.             N16.838bn.                   N19.697bn

    BENUE.                 N5.213bn                      N7.414bn      

    BORNO.                N5.532bn                     N8.232bn

    CROSS RIVER.      N4.540bn.                   N5.234bn

    DELTA.                 N35.374bn                   N38.760bn

    EBONYI.                N3.829bn.                  N5.880bn

    ENUGU.                N3.469bn                    N6.742bn

    EDO.                      N7.360bn                  N7.360bn

    EKITI.                    N3.604bn.                 N5.234bn

    GOMBE                 N3.674bn.                N5.173bn

    IMO.                      N4.548bn                 N6.674bn

    JIGAWA.               N6.097bn                N7.948bn

    KADUNA.             N5.245bn.                 N7.30bn

    KANO.                  N7.935bn.                 N10.690bn

    KATSINA             N5.244bn.                  N7.610bn

    KEBBI.                  N4.809bn                   N6.900bn

    KOGI.                   N4.215bn                   N6.404bn

    KWARA.              N3.912bn                  N5.266bn

    LAGOS.               N12.392bn               N14.970bn

    NASARAWA.      N4.344bn                 N12.392bn

    NIGER.           N.4.470bn                     N6.746bn

    OGUN.            N3.018bn.                    N5.019bn

    ONDO.            N6.963bn.                    N8.590bn

    OSUN.             N3.739bn                    N5.084bn

    OYO                 N.6.437bn.                 N8.485bn

    PLATEAU        N3.762bn.                N5.697bn

    RIVERS.           N24.019bn              N27.244bn

    SOKOTO          N4.405bn                N6.629bn

    TARABA.         N4.235bn.               N6.159bn

    YOBE.              N4.241bn.               N6.257bn

    ZAMFARA.      N4.014bn.               N5.928bn

  • Food inflation: Fed Govt mulls commodity board to fight price volatility

    Food inflation: Fed Govt mulls commodity board to fight price volatility

    To tackle the threats posed by food inflation in Nigeria, the Federal Government, yesterday hinted at plans to establish a National Commodity Board as a solution to the crisis.

    In tackling price volatility, the board will be given the mandate to assess and regulate food prices, as well as maintain a strategic food reserve for stabilizing prices of crucial grains and other food items.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this during a two-day high-level strategic meeting on climate change, food systems and resource mobilization, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Delivering his address entitled: “Climate Resilience and Food Security: Nigeria’s Vision for the Future,” Senator Shettima said the two-day event is an attestation of Nigeria’s efforts at mitigating the effects of climate change and ensuring food security for Nigerians.

    Recalling that food security was one of the eight areas of priority declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of his Renewed Hope Agenda, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency on food security, the VP highlighted ongoing policy reforms by the administration to ensure food and water availability, as well as affordability.

    In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “Our solution to the potential food crisis has become immediate, medium, and long-term strategies.

    “The short-term strategy entails revitalizing food supply through specific interventions like the distribution of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to counteract the effects of subsidy removal; fostering collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources for efficient farmland irrigation, ensuring year-round food production; and addressing price volatility by establishing a National Commodity Board.

    “This board will continually assess and regulate food prices, maintaining a strategic food reserve for stabilizing prices of crucial grains and other food items,” the Vice President stated.

    He assured that while the Tinubu administration is fully invested in the restoration of degraded land, there are ongoing plans “to restore four million hectares, or nearly 10 million acres, of degraded lands within” the nation’s borders as its contribution to the AFR100 Initiative.

    On how the government is handling the security challenges that have prevented farmers from working on their farms, he said, “I wish to assure you that we will engage our security architecture to protect the farms and the farmers so that farmers can return to the farmlands without fear of attacks.

    “We won’t only make it safe for farmers to return to their farms, but we will also ensure the activation of land banks. There is currently 500,000 hectares of already mapped land that will be used to increase the availability of arable land for farming, which will immediately impact food output.”

    VP Shettima added that the Tinubu administration is also collaborating “with mechanization companies to clear more forests and make them available for farming,” even as the Central Bank of Nigeria “will also continue to play a major role in funding the agricultural value chain.

    “We will deploy concessionary capital to the sector, especially towards fertilizer, processing, mechanization, seeds, chemicals, equipment, feed, labour, among others. The concessionary funds will ensure food is always available and affordable, thereby having a direct impact on Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI). This administration is focused on ensuring the HCI numbers, which currently rank as the 3rd lowest in the world, are improved for increased productivity,” he added.

    Senator Shettima also restated efforts by the administration “to ensure a massive boost in employment and job creation”, noting that it “is another presidential area of priority.

    “The government will make agriculture attractive for our teeming youth population with a view to creating between 5 to 10 million more jobs for them within the agriculture value chain, working with the current 500,000 hectares of arable land and the several hundreds of thousands more farmlands to be developed in the medium term,” he pointed out.

    These efforts, the VP continued, are part of federal government’s bid to actualize the “UN-Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals 2 of “Zero hunger” and African Union Agenda 2063, which aims to transform Africa into a global powerhouse of the future.

    “But we can’t achieve this unless we guarantee food security by building the capacity of smallholder farmers who account for about 88% of the total food production in Nigeria,” he further noted.

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    He implored those at the event, including development partners, private investors and the diplomatic community, among others, to make sure the high-level engagement results in a positive outcome.

    Also speaking at the event, National Coordinator of NEPAD, Mrs Gloria Akobundu, praised President Tinubu for his efforts towards making Nigeria a great nation. 

    “We are happy with the resolve by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to stand undeterred by any odds in his objective to build a viable, effective and great nation,” she said.

    Mrs Akobundu said NEPAD decided to convene the stakeholders’ forum in order to strengthen small holder farmers in Nigeria as a way of addressing food shortage problem in the country.

    “We have gathered key stakeholders from across Nigeria and all over the world to commence the resource mobilization conversation for smallholder farmers in Nigeria and Africa and emphasize the urgency of action required in the face of the current and growing food crisis,” she added.

    On his part, AU Chairman of Food System, Dr Ibrahim Maiyaki, said the challenges that will confront Africa in the next 20 to 30 years could be tackled through three parameters: the continent’s knowhow, expertise and leadership.

    “The demographic challenge the continent is facing can be turned into opportunities for Africa through inclusion, job creation and ability to feed Africa and the rest of the world,” he stated.

    Maiyaki called for strong regional integration through food transformation as well as boosting of productivity and economic growth rates through the right policies and governance objectives

    Other dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony of the high-level engagement include Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Senator Nasiru Sani Zangondaura; Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, Senator Eze Kenneth Emeka; representatives of the Governors of Bauchi, Edo, Delta and Plateau States, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps.