The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kebbi

  • Bacardi, Tulsi Chanrai Foundation provide safe drinking water in Kebbi

    As part of the Bacardi ‘Spirit for Life, Caring Together’ annual Corporate Responsibility Month community service volunteer program, Bacardi partnered with Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF) in Nigeria on its Mission for Water Project to provide safe drinking water to villagers in Kebbi state. Through the rehabilitation of 50 hand pumps, the initiative is benefitting more than 30,000 villagers.

    In Nigeria, about 70 million people lack access to safe drinking water, with more than 110 million lacking access to adequate sanitation. Every year, an estimated 124,000 children under the age of five die because of diarrhea, as a result of unsafe water and lack of proper sanitation.

    As the largest privately held spirits company in the world, Bacardi recognizes the importance of the local communities where we live and work and plays an active role in giving back by supporting organizations that make a difference.

    This water pump rehabilitation initiative was officially launched today by Alejandro Ouziel, Regional President for Bacardi in Asia, Middle East & Africa, along with Mohammed Bala Yelwa, Deputy General Manager of Kebbi State Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) and Col GR Prasad, the Chief Executive of Tulsi Chanrai Foundation. Also representing family-owned Bacardi from its Asia, Middle East & Africa region were Finance Director Gerardo Herrera; Human Resources Director Saurabh Upadhyay; Legal Director Andrew Deane; and Managing Director – Nigeria Vikas Mittal.

    “By living our values every day, we also commit ourselves to contributing to a more sustainable future for all. By caring deeply and passionately about our business and the world around us, we excel in creating brands consumers can trust,” said Ouziel. “Our goal is to return to the environment at least as much as we take away.”

    Kebbi State RUWASSA representative, Mohammed Bala Yelwa, added, “We have felt the impact of the Bacardi water initiative in the state. We appreciate the effort of the company in giving the indigenes safe drinking water which has helped to eradicate illnesses in the long run.”

    In addition to restoring the water pumps, representatives from TCF briefed the villagers about the importance of safe drinking water. A goal of the project is to motivate the local community to take ownership of and maintain water sources, as well as to engage local governments to provide support.

    “This is a just beginning for us in Nigeria. For Bacardi, it is in our long-term interest to foster healthy and vibrant communities. Our employees and business partners come from many local communities, and respecting and supporting our communities is an important part of our being a trusted partner,” added Mittal.

    “TCF is extremely thankful to Bacardi for their partnership. Over the years 1.9 million people have been given access to safe water in partnership with government agencies and other like-minded organizations, TCF aims to make high quality sustainable and replicable models in primary health care, provision of safe drinking water and eye care in Nigeria,” added Col Prasad Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the foundation.

  • Firm, Kebbi partner on rice production

    To achieve rice sufficiency, Kebbi State is partnering WACOT Rice Limited on the commodity production.

    WACOT Rice, a member of TGI Group, is helping Nigeria to regain its status as a top rice producer. It has invested in rice processing plants. To this end, the company is supporting the Kebbi government to roll out sustainable agricultural standards and practices throughout its rice-production value chain.

    The group has established a modern ricemill in Argungu, Kebbi State, which will produce 120,000 metric tons yearly and 400 metric tonnes of rice daily.

    TGI Group Group Managing Director,  Mr. Rahul Savara, said WACOT rice mill was recently inaugurated by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. He said the firm would help farmers conform to agricultural standards and practice, promote resource efficiency and sustainability, both on-farm and throughout the rice value-chain.

    According to him, his organisation is bringing significant global experience delivering knowledge and expertise in  rice  production  through quality control and strict inspection throughout the entire value chain.

    Savara said the quality of rice being produced at the mill is comparable to the best in the world. The mill, he said, has a production capacity of 120,000 metric tons per year and fully automated silos that have the capacity to store raw materials for up to six months of production.

    The state-of-the-art rice mill with a capital outlay of over N10billion and is expected to provide employment for 3,500 people and its procurement of rice paddy will reach at least 50,000 farmers, as the capacity grows.

    He appreciated the Federal Government for its various initiatives in support of agriculture through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other mediums, which has impacted the growth of the sector positively, and has also served as a motivation for private sector players in the sector.

    “Therefore, for us this is just the beginning. We have plans to invest over N100 billion over the next years in various agricultural value chains.

    ”It is worthy of note that the rice processing plant is the first rice mill to be conceptualised, executed and commissioned during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.’’

    The construction of the mill was first announced by the  governor in November 2015, when President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme in Birnin-Kebbi.

    “One of the critical things that we are seeing today, especially the development of agriculture, is that this is growth with jobs. Several thousands of our people are farmers and are engaged in farming”.

    On how Kebbi has been able to achieve this feat, the governor disclosed recently that on assuming office and discovering the huge rice potentials in his state, he immediately partnered with the Bank of Industry and the Central Bank of Nigeria and to show his commitment, he put down a princely sum of N4 billion as financial assistance and inputs to rice farmers in the state to go into commercial farming.

  • Kebbi generates N6.4bn IGR in two years

    Kebbi generates N6.4bn IGR in two years

    The Kebbi Government, on Wednesday said it would review its tax policy to raise its internal revenue collection from the “meager” N6.4 billion it generated in the last two years.

    The Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Augie, made the disclosure at a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi.

    “The Board of Internal Revenue contributed a total sum N6,441,581,185 to the state coffers since the inception of this administration.

    “This is a meager amount when compared with other high revenue generating states,’’ he said.

    Augie said the government would review existing tax laws and administration to raise the revenue bar in the state in line with current realities.

    “We will also review rates, fees, fines, charges and levies; block leakages by prohibiting cash collection and introducing e-collection following the implementation of the Single Treasury Account in the state,’’ Augie added.

    The commissioner said the ministry in collaboration with the Public Sector Governance Reform and Development Project would carry out survey of tax payers in order to bring more persons and businesses into the tax net.

    According to him, the ongoing deployment of staff to the board of internal revenue is also aimed at beefing up the revenue collection efforts.

    Augie said citizens must pay their taxes, to enable government raise vital funds for development as the resources accruing to the state has been dwindling in real terms.

  • Aisha Buhari commissions breastfeeding rooms in Kebbi

    Aisha Buhari commissions breastfeeding rooms in Kebbi

    Wife of President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, has commissioned breastfeeding rooms for working mothers in Kebbi State.

    Represented by her Special Adviser, ,Hajia Hajo Sani, the President’s wife advised other states in the country to provide enabling environment for nursing and working  mothers to breastfeed their babies enough.


    “Today’s event is an indication of our commitment in advancing breastfeeding at all levels. The benefits of breastfeeding are enormous. These include providing babies with the essential nutrients and antibodies that protect them from malnutrition, preventable diseases and even death.


    “This is more so if the babies are breastfed exclusively. On the other hand,the productively of the mother will be optimal utilised in the workplace,” She stated.


    She called on all employers of labour to create an enabling environment for nursing mothers to breastfeed their babies by provide them care centres and breastfeeding rooms.


    In her welcome address, Wife of Kebbi State governor, Dr. Zainab Atiku Bagudu, disclosed that the state was among States in the high rate of chronic malnutrition.


    “Sadly,in the area of nutrition, Kebbi State has not fared so well. We are high on the list of chronic malnutrition in children. We are besieged by detrimental cultural beliefs and practices, poor education and week financial independence that contribute to the poor state of nutrition in children.


    ” The Get Involved Under Your Future Assured programme sought to address this. Thus, I would like to request that you include SBD champion a nationwide scheme for similar breastfeeding rooms in working places, ” Bagudu said.

  • Osinbajo to inaugurate N10bn WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu, Kebbi

    Osinbajo to inaugurate N10bn WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu, Kebbi

    The Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, is to inaugurate the N10 billion WACOT Rice Processing Mill in Argungu, Kebbi, on Tuesday.

    A statement by Alhaji Abubakar Muazu, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, in Birnin Kebbi said that the acting president was expected to arrive in Birnin Kebbi by 2 p.m. and proceed to Argungu for the inauguration.

    Osinbajo would be accompanied by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Chairman of APC Governors Forum, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, to Argungu for the programme.

    APC governors, who were in Birnin Kebbi for their meeting, would also be part of the acting president’s entourage that would be in Argungu for the inauguration ceremony.

    After the inauguration, Osinbajo would proceed to the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival Village to witness an agricultural show tagged “Dalar Shinkafa’’ (Rice Pyramid), organised to showcase the rice production potential of Kebbi.

    Speaking, Alhaji Bashar Aminu, the Chairman of the WACOT Rice Mill Ltd., said that the mill, which had the capacity to produce 400 tonnes of rice per day, would also provide employment for more than 1,000 persons.

    “We have invested N10 billion to put up the rice mill as a multi-national company that has linkages in almost all the West African countries.

    “We also have links with major marketers and manufacturers of agricultural products,’’ he added.

  • Kebbi assures agric company of support

    Kebbi assures agric company of support

    The people of Kebbi are appreciative of the work of West African Cotton Company Limited (WACOT) in the agriculture sector and will help it succeed, Gov. Atiku Bagudu, has said.

    Bagudu made the statement when WACOT officials paid him a courtesy visit in Birnin Kebbi  to intimate him of plans for the official opening of a N10 billion rice mill built by the firm in the state.

    The mill is due for inauguration on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

    The governor said “we will ensure that we get the plant commissioned.”

    He said the people of Kebbi held the company high, especially as it  was supporting national efforts.

    “Your plant is a beacon of hope in spite of the economic challenges in the country.

    “It is obligatory for us to help you achieve your investment goals as we believe Nigeria is competitive and there are distortions coming from foreign rice importation that will hamper your competitiveness,” Bagudu said.

    He said the state would partner the company on rice production as well as in the exploration of other abundant agricultural potentialities in fisheries, soya beans, livestock and sesame production.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the company, Alhaji Bashar Aminu, said the firm would employ 1,000 workers at its 400-tonne per day capacity plant.

    “We invested N10 billion last year to put up the rice mill as we are a multi-national company.

    “We have branches in almost all the West African countries and major marketers, business entities and manufacturers.

    “We are in the state solely to answer the call of President Muhammadu Buhari toward food security and reduce rice or food importation,” Aminu said.

    He said the company would partner the state government to develop other areas of  the manufacturing sector.

  • We are importing poison, not rice, Gov. Bagudu warns

    We are importing poison, not rice, Gov. Bagudu warns

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, the Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Rice and Wheat Production, has condemned the continuous importation of rice into the country, describing it as importation of poison.

    Bagudu, who is also the governor of Kebbi, told journalists on Sunday in Birnin-Kebbi that the imported rice, auctioned by different countries, was no longer good for human consumption.

    The chairman, who expressed regret over citizens’ patronage of foreign rice, said imported rice usually contained preservatives, which are poisonous.

    He disclosed that there were three major importers of rice into the country who specialised in importing very cheap, auctioned rice into the country.

    The governor said that Thailand in April 2017, auctioned 1.62 million tonnes of rice at about $140 per tonne whereas the market price of it was $700 per tonne.

    “Countries, particularly Thailand, India, China and Vietnam, buy a lot of paddy from their farmers and keep in storage sometimes, as long as nine years so that by so doing, they are supporting their farmers.

    “A country like Thailand, for example, may have eight million tonnes of rice in storage; so occasionally, they will auction the ones that are almost going bad that is, the one that is not fit for human consumption.

    “They sell the paddy as low as 20 per cent less than the international market price.

    “Those that import rice into Nigeria will go and buy the paddy and clean them up.

    “Because they do not buy rice at the international price, our local farmers who are offering rice for $500 will not be competitive.

    “If that importer is to buy fresh rice, he cannot bring it into Nigeria below $700 per tonne.

    “This is the biggest obstacle to our rice efforts because consumers say local rice is expensive; it is not expensive because we are not comparing it with equivalent rice elsewhere,” the chairman explained.

    The governor said that out of the 600 million tonnes of rice produced in the world, Nigeria produced about six million tonnes which represented one per cent of the production.

    Bagudu said that rice could grow in the 36 states of the federation and called on stakeholders and citizens to come together to significantly advance rice production.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on June 7, established a National Rice and Wheat Task Force to set up targets that will yield comprehensible and self-evident results in rice and wheat production.

    At the inauguration of the task force, Osinbajo said the Federal Government was trying to evolve a strategy for the economy, for employment and for feeding the people.

    Other members of the Task Force are Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano and his Ebonyi counterpart, David Umahi.

    Others are the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Lokpobiri Heineken, the President of Rice Farmers Association, Mr Aminu Goronyo and the President, Wheat Farmers Association, Alhaji Salim Muhammad.

  • 500 get textile materials in Kebbi

    The District Head of Ambursa in Kebbi, Alhaji Haruna Rasheed, has doled out clothing materials to 500 indigent persons in his domain, ahead of Sallah festival.

    Rasheed who addressed the beneficiaries in Ambursa, said the donation was to bring succour and enable them celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr, coming up in less than two weeks.

    “The donation has been an annual event for the past 15 years; it is aimed at bringing succour to the people to enable them celebrate the Sallah in happiness,” he said.

    The district head appreciated his subjects for their support and loyalty, and advised them to use the remaining period of the Ramadan to pray for peace and unity of the country.

    Rasheed directed village heads in his domain to sensitize the people on the need to conduct themselves peacefully during and after the July 15 local council election in the state.

    “We have been directed by the Gwandu Emirate Council to urge you on the need for peace and unity during the forthcoming council election.

    “ We are also asked to warn politicians against using youth to achieve their selfish interests,” he said.

    The district head advised the electorate to come out enmasse to cast their votes peacefully and cooperate with security agencies during and after the election.

  • 140,000 farmers to get anchor borrower loan in Kebbi

    140,000 farmers to get anchor borrower loan in Kebbi

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, said on Monday that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would grant loan to140,000 rice farmers in the state under the next phase of its Anchor Borrower Programme.

    Bagudu made the disclosure in Birnin Kebbi when he addressed some APC loyalists in the state.

    “The CBN has agreed to provide soft loan to 140,000 farmers in the next phase of anchor borrowers programme.

    “This will ensure that our state remain on top in the rice production chart as well as a leading exporter of the commodity”.

    The governor said efforts were on to fully recover unpaid loan released to farmers under the programme in 2016.

    He urged farmers who were yet to repay the loan to do so, so as to enable others to benefit.

    Bagudu stressed that agriculture would continue to be accorded top priority by his administration.

  • Dakingari denies defecting to APC

    Dakingari denies defecting to APC

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi, Alhaji Lawali Dakingari, has denied defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dakingari, a nephew to former governor Saidu Dakingari, said he was not among those that defected to the APC on Sunday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that the state PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bello Doya, 21 former local government chairmen, councillors and  ward executives, as well as House of Assembly members defected to the APC on Sunday.

    However, Dakingari said in a statement released on Monday in Birnin Kebbi that the decampees were spent horses with no power to influence any voter.

    ”The decampees are not our true members and they will not succeed in their quest.

    “I totally condemn their action, though its allowed democratically, but I want to assure the Kebbi people that the  PDP will be stronger again,” he stated.

    Dakingari urged “true” PDP members and supporters to remain resolute and ensure that the party wins the July 15 local government election.

    “We are optimistic that not only the local government council election, but even the 2019 presidential polls, victory will be ours,” Dakingari stated.