The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • UPDATED: Kaduna Assembly commences probe of El-Rufai’s administration

    UPDATED: Kaduna Assembly commences probe of El-Rufai’s administration

    Kaduna Assembly has set up a 13-man adhoc committee to investigate financial transactions, loans, grants and projects execution under the immediate-past Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    The constitution of the adhoc committee followed a motion by member representing Kaura Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Mugu.

    Mugu said it was a matter of public importance that the loans borrowed by the former governor be investigated arguing that there is a need for the people of the state to know what the loans were used for.

    According to him: “There have been uncompleted comments and assassinations of character on the leadership of the state, which the assembly cannot sit and watch. That is why I came up with this motion that the Speaker constitute a committee to investigate the allegations and negative comments on them.

    “This is the only way the state can rekindle its confidence in its development partners, collaborators, and also those who give us loans and grants; failure to do this will push the indicators of the state to a situation whereby nobody will want to do business with us.”.

    Former Speaker Yusuf Zailani, who also spoke on the issue, noted that he suffered during the El-Rufai administration, adding that he denied approval of some of the loans but the Governor still found his way.

    Read Also; Nigeria’s security architecture stretched beyond elastic limits, says Tinubu

    Zailani, who is also a member representing Igabi West constituency, said: “I suffered a lot in order not to give approval for the loan to be collected; even the then deputy Speaker Isaac Auta Zankhai was against me because I disagreed with the loan to be collected. I told the then-governor to look at the number of loans we had on hand, and he didn’t listen to me.”.

    Samuel Kambai, a member representing Zangon Kataf, and Hon. Henry Zachariah Marah, a member representing the Jaba constituency, explained the duty of the legislators is to give approval before the Governor goes ahead to collect loans, but in Kaduna, the case was different.

    The duo urged the committee to summon the 8th and 9th assembly Speakers along with some members of the Assemblies to give explanations on how the loans were collected and spent.

    Speaker Yusuf Dahiru Liman, who presided over the plenary session, urged the ad hoc committee to invite the Speakers of the 8th and 9th assemblies and all other relevant stakeholders and agencies for investigation.

    He assured the House that the matter will be properly looked into, saying they will give everyone the liberty to speak the truth.

    The House however unanimously requested to hand over notes given to Uba Sani by the previous administration so that it would guide the committee on the financial status of the State.

    The 13-man committee includes Hon. Aminu Anti, representing Doka Gabasawa as Chairman; Hon. Yusuf Mugu Kaura as Deputy Chairman; Hon. Munira Tanimu, Hon. Shehu Yunusa as members and nine others

    The panel, among others, was mandated to investigate El-Rufai’s top associate and senior counsellor on investment, Jimi Lawal.

    The panel, according to the House, would probe financial dealings, loans and grants, and other project implementation from 2015 to 2023.

    The Assembly also mandated the committee to invite notable personalities, including the former speakers of the 8th and 9th Assembly, commissioners of finance, former managing directors of Kaduna markets, and commissioners of budget and planning, among others.

    Governor Uba Sani, during a town hall meeting with stakeholders, said the huge debts he inherited from El-Rufai were making it difficult for him to pay salaries as well as carry out projects.

    Sani’s revelation generated some cracks within the Kaduna chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • Masturbation: dangerous habit, dangerous addiction

    Masturbation: dangerous habit, dangerous addiction

    Olusegun Johnson explores the problem of masturbation amongst young people, highlighting the health and psychological implications.       

    Masturbation today as in generations past remains one of the most noxious habits perpetrated by young people all over the world. Many consider it harmless and sinless, as they feel they stand no risk of contacting any disease, and are of the opinion that they are in no way committing any sin – not fornication and definitely not adultery.

    Online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, explains Masturbation as “the sexual stimulation of one’s own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex toys or combinations of these.”

    A further explanation says “masturbation involves touching, pressing, rubbing or massaging a person’s genital area, either with the fingers or against an object such as a pillow; inserting fingers or an object into the vagina or anus; and stimulating the penis or vulva with an electric vibrator, which may also be inserted into the vagina or anus. It may also involve touching, rubbing, or pinching the nipples or other erogenous zones.”

    Masturbation can also be a mutual exercise by partners. This has been tacitly approved across ages, but it is not the focus of this piece.

    The primary reason many people ever get into masturbation has been acknowledged to be attainment of puberty and rise in libido level. Wikipedia explains libido simply as ‘sex drive’ or ‘a ‘person’s overall sexual drive or desire for sexual activity.’ Many young men and women therefore get into masturbating as a result of puberty attainment and urge to enjoy sex outside sexual intercourse. Often it is influenced by exposure to negative information, peer pressure and influences from books, movies, internet and the social media. The initial motive usually is to ease sexual tension, but more often, addiction sets in, leading to other problems including health and psychological.

    Dangers of addiction

    Online health journal, Vaughter Wellness, states the side effects of masturbation to include “lower back pain, fatigue, thinning hair or hair loss, soft or weak erection, premature ejaculation, fuzzy vision, groin-or testicular pain and pains or cramps in pelvic area or tail bone.”

    However, it might seem like most people indulging in this trend are unaware of these dangers.

    Emmanuel 24 from Ikorodu, Lagos, confessed that he started masturbating at age 15. “I was not influenced by anyone, it just came up like that.” He confessed. “But presently, I find myself disturbed. I don’t really enjoy or see any good in it anymore. Recently I took a conscious decision to stop it, but suddenly realised I couldn’t. Now I’m 24 and still masturbating.”

    Emmanuel revealed that “I often get moved into the act anytime I see a girl in flashy or suggestive wears; and usually, what I do next is go somewhere private and masturbate.”

    Unfortunately, Emmanuel confessed that the habit has turned him into a recluse. “I no longer mingle with friends.”

    David, 21 who started masturbating at 18 said “I masturbate just to satisfy my urge, and it all started when I attained puberty I watch pornography movies a lot and this has been part of what is affecting me up till date.”

    Meanwhile, Julius for whom masturbation has literally replaced his emotion for females said “I started masturbating a year ago. It was first introduced to me by my friends in school and I have since found it hard to do away with it. Every time I indulge in it, it’s as I’m having sex.”

    Doctors on masturbation

    Is masturbation a true alternative to sex? Is it really a veritable avenue for relieving stress or tension?

    Doctor Onwuchekwa Chinwendu of Limad Hospital, Command, Ipaja, Lagos, in his response said, “To some extent, this is true. I say this because many who are emotionally stressed and do not want to go about meeting with prostitutes, usually embrace the option of masturbation to satisfy or ease their sexual urge. But in truth, masturbation does not really reduce stress and tension. When you begin to indulge in masturbation, it begins to increase your stress level and the need to satisfy yourself emotionally through self-inducement also gets on the high. Inevitably, this increases the stress and tension and gets your body asking for more. This eventually gets out of hand become a life habit.

    On dangers of masturbation, Dr Chinwendu said “Masturbation to some extent makes you free from sexually transmitted diseases, especially because sexual intercourse or canal penetration of the opposite sex does not take place. The downside however is that it has a tendency to make one a recluse, as they tend not to socialise with friends.”

    Medically, Dr Chinwendu said “It causes erectile dysfunction. I know of people who face this problem as a result of masturbation.

    “You can also injure yourself in the process between orgasm and release of sperm because at that moment, you increase your effort of inducement on the instrument or hand on your private part, which can result in sourness or tear. And when this happens, you are exposing your private part to diseases. How clean is the instrument or hand you’re using for instance?

    So it may reduce sexually transmitted diseases, but you are at the same time exposing yourself to other diseases.”

    Asked if masturbation improves sexual relationships, Chinwendu said “There are two schools of thoughts. In the early twenties, the U.S worked on Masturbation and its Effects on Relationship. While one school of thought says it makes you relate well with your spouse and enjoy improved sexual life and relationship, the other absolutely negates it. One of the negative sides according to the other school of thought is that it can cause erectile dysfunction because you’re excessively over-working your sex organ. It increases your sex organ but also weakens it. Ultimately you will not be able to satisfy a woman in bed. This is the fact.”

    Can it be overcome?

    “First of all, awareness is needed.” Dr Chinwendu said.  “Does a victim believe it is wrong? Do they feel that what they are doing is wrong?  When it becomes a habit, it is difficult to stop. For example, smoking cannot be done away with easily. So there should be awareness in schools, in communities and in the media. People have to be informed of the dangers of this practice.

    “A sufferer should purposely delete or destroy instantly all those things that induce the practice such as pornography movies, pictures, discs and whatever. I know of a 16-year-old girl with more than 20 pornography movies and pictures, which her father eventually discovered. Imagine what would be going on in such girl’s mind!

    “Bad habits corrupt useful habits; if you have friends that are into such practice, cut them off, do not mingle with them. All materials used to self-induce yourself should be done away with.

    “Thirdly, this practice largely affects people who are on their own or lonely; so  sufferers should start socialising. When you start having the feelings to masturbate, call a friend and go out and mingle. That way, the habit starts to die and you will gradually leave it.” Dr Chiwendu said.

    Dr. Gbenga Adeyemo, a psychologist attached to a government health facility in Ejigbo, Lagos also spoke on the side effects of masturbation.

    “First, masturbation is a known form of sex throughout the world. It is the act of stimulating oneself sexually by use of one’s hand.” Adeyemo said

    He said “The reason for masturbation is mainly for sexual enjoyment, sexual achievement or means of avoiding unwanted pregnancy. What we hear, see, and our environment can affect us negatively to go into such act. For example, when you see a lady dressed half naked, what comes to your mind first is to have sex with her. And knowing that the avenue is not there, you would rather go and masturbate.

    “Also, the friends young people keep or their community is a huge determinant. 70 percent of people who practice this get involved through bad company.”

    On the hazards, Adeyemo said “when masturbation is you, you are masturbation; that is, if you can’t do without it in a day, you begin to stay on your own and prefer to do things secretly. Ultimately, it affects you when you get married because you as a male will not last in bed. If it is a female, you will prefer self-pleasing to sex with the opposite sex. That shows there is a problem.

    “Again if such person does not have an exposure to sex initially, they want to try sex on their own and when they touch their sex organ, it takes them along.

    “Also if you are fond of masturbating, it can become hereditary, whereby your children might be affected too, just like we have Polio, HIV and Laser Fever. We have seen situations like that.”

    Said Adeyemo, “What is common today is that it results into problems of quick ejaculation and memory loss or Down’s Syndrome. They may even begin to see nothing sexually attractive in any other sex partner other than themselves. So they create hatred for mutual sex.”

    On ways of stopping masturbation, Dr Adeyemo said “Masturbation should not be seen as diseases that you get admitted to the hospital to treat or that you are prescribed drugs to cure like malaria or headache.  First, it is important to know the things that move you into the act and how long you have been into it.”

    “One solution is for such person to mingle more with friends. He or she should avoid being on his own as much as possible. They should try to find something doing, that will occupy their mind and take them away from the act.

  • 22 danger signs you must watch out for when using a gas cylinder

    22 danger signs you must watch out for when using a gas cylinder

    By Praise Olowe

     

    There have been many cases of gas cylinder explosions and when this happens, lives are lost and properties worth millions are destroyed.

    However, there are so many danger signs we need to look out for while using a Gas cylinder.

    Some of these factors are:

    •   Cooking gas cylinders must not exceed five years: most people using gas cylinders hardly remember when it was bought. It is important to keep track of the days and replace them as soon as possible.
    •    Do not buy used Gas cylinders.
    •    Watch out for the expiry dates: The steps to check the expiry date are very simple and basic. The expiry of LPG cylinder can be found on one of the metal strips that connect the body of the cylinder to top ring (handle). It is mentioned on the inner side of the strip. The strip has any of the alphabets from A to D painted on it along with a number. Decoding the expiry date is simple. The alphabet represents the month it expires while the number indicates the year. A year is divided into four quarters :

    A – January to March

    B – April to June

    C – July to  September

    D – October to  December

    For example, your cylinder has ‘A 18  painted on the metal strip. The alphabet A represents month March and 18 indicates the year 2018.

    • ·       Use gas cylinders in a vertical position, unless specifically designed to be used otherwise
    • ·       Securely restrain cylinders to prevent them from falling over
    • ·       Always double check that the cylinder/gas is the right one for the intended use.
    • ·       Before connecting a gas cylinder to equipment or pipe-work make sure that the regulator and pipe-work are suitable for the type of gas and pressure being used.
    • ·       When required, wear suitable safety shoes and other personal protective equipment when handling gas cylinders.
    • ·       Do not use gas cylinders for any other purpose than the transport and storage of gas.
    • ·        Do not drop, roll or drag gas cylinders.
    • ·       Close the cylinder valve and replace dust caps, where provided when a gas cylinder is not in use.
    • ·       Where appropriate, fit cylinders with residual pressure valves (non-return valves) to reduce the risk of backflow of water or other materials into the cylinder during use that might corrode it (e.g. beer forced into an empty gas cylinder during cylinder change-over).
    • ·       Ensure the valve is protected by a valve cap or collar, or that the valve has been designed to withstand impact if the cylinder is dropped.
    • ·       Store gas cylinders in a dry, safe place on a flat surface in the open air. If this is not reasonably practicable, store in an adequately ventilated building or part of a building specifically reserved for this purpose.

    Read Also: Family of six burnt in Anambra gas explosion

    • ·       Cylinders containing flammable gas should not be stored in part of a building used for other purposes.
    • ·       Protect gas cylinders from external heat sources that may adversely affect their mechanical integrity.
    • ·       Gas cylinders should be stored away from sources of ignition and other flammable materials.
    • ·       Avoid storing gas cylinders so that they stand or lie in water.
    • ·       Ensure the valve is kept shut on empty cylinders to prevent contaminants from getting in.
    • ·       Store gas cylinders securely when they are not in use. They should be properly restrained unless designed to be free-standing.
    • ·       Gas cylinders must be clearly marked to show what they contain and the hazards associated with their contents.
    • ·       Store cylinders where they are not vulnerable to hazards caused by impact, e.g. from vehicles such as fork-lift trucks.
  • Hidden tricks you didn’t know your Android phone could do

    Hidden tricks you didn’t know your Android phone could do

    There’s a whole host of hidden features, in your Android phone, that you may not know about that can make your mobile experience a lot more fun.

    Android has a wide variety of models, and versions which makes it more difficult to find features that will be consistent across all devices but you could dig into the settings and tweaks available for your Android phone and you’ll find a host of clever features and useful tools.

    Here are five (5) tricks you could do with your Android phone:

    1. Find your phone: Usually, you’d have to ask someone to ring your phone or find another phone to ring your phone. But you don’t have to with your Android. Simply search “find my phone” on Google and Google will find it for you. If you own more than one Android device, you’ll be prompted to select one.

    Not only can you see its location on Google Maps but also ring it or erase everything on it. The ring also works even if the phone is on silent and rings for a full 5 minutes. So that’s an advantage over a traditional method of ringing to find your phone.

    1. Dual tab viewing on Chrome: So everyone knows how to split-screen on Android and use two apps side by side. Most people don’t know, however, that you can also view two separate Chrome tabs side by side as well. Just make sure you have two tabs open on Chrome and then launch the split-screen view by long pressing on the recent/overview key. Tap on the three-dot overflow menu button on Chrome and select Move to other window and that’s it.
    2. Use a mouse to operate your phone: Is your display broken and the touchscreen doesn’t work? Connect a USB mouse. You can also connect gamepads, USB sticks and more with the adapter. Do it and your iPhone friends will be turning green with envy. You only need a USB OTG cable, and then you can begin.
    3. Unlock your phone automatically: Android has had a feature called Smart Lock for quite some time now but it isn’t talked about much. You can set it to automatically unlock when you’re at a specified location such as your home, office or any other place. You can set it to unlock when you connect to a device such as your smartwatch or your car’s Bluetooth system. Smart Lock can be found in Settings > Security & Lockscreen.
    4. Turn on the Guest mode: Sometimes you’ve to hand over your phone to someone in need. And then they have to walk away a few steps to get a better signal reception. You have no idea what they might be looking at. A better solution would be to use a Guest mode which has been, again, present on Android for a while. Just pull down your quick settings from the top and tap on your user icon. Select Add guest and you’ll switch to guest mode.
  • 22 danger signs to watch out for when using a gas cylinder

    22 danger signs to watch out for when using a gas cylinder

    By Praise Olowe

     

    There have been many cases of gas cylinder explosions and when this happens, lives are lost and properties worth millions are destroyed.

    However, there are so many danger signs we need to look out for while using a Gas cylinder.

    Some of these factors are:

    •   Cooking gas cylinders must not exceed five years: most people using gas cylinders hardly remember when it was bought. It is important to keep track of the days and replace them as soon as possible.
    •    Do not buy used Gas cylinders.
    •    Watch out for the expiry dates: The steps to check the expiry date are very simple and basic. The expiry of LPG cylinder can be found on one of the metal strips that connect the body of the cylinder to top ring (handle). It is mentioned on the inner side of the strip. The strip has any of the alphabets from A to D painted on it along with a number. Decoding the expiry date is simple. The alphabet represents the month it expires while the number indicates the year. A year is divided into four quarters :

    A – January to March

    B – April to June

    C – July to  September

    D – October to  December

    For example, your cylinder has ‘A 18  painted on the metal strip. The alphabet A represents month March and 18 indicates the year 2018.

    • ·       Use gas cylinders in a vertical position, unless specifically designed to be used otherwise
    • ·       Securely restrain cylinders to prevent them from falling over
    • ·       Always double check that the cylinder/gas is the right one for the intended use.
    • ·       Before connecting a gas cylinder to equipment or pipe-work make sure that the regulator and pipe-work are suitable for the type of gas and pressure being used.
    • ·       When required, wear suitable safety shoes and other personal protective equipment when handling gas cylinders.
    • ·       Do not use gas cylinders for any other purpose than the transport and storage of gas.
    • ·        Do not drop, roll or drag gas cylinders.
    • ·       Close the cylinder valve and replace dust caps, where provided when a gas cylinder is not in use.
    • ·       Where appropriate, fit cylinders with residual pressure valves (non-return valves) to reduce the risk of backflow of water or other materials into the cylinder during use that might corrode it (e.g. beer forced into an empty gas cylinder during cylinder change-over).
    • ·       Ensure the valve is protected by a valve cap or collar, or that the valve has been designed to withstand impact if the cylinder is dropped.
    • ·       Store gas cylinders in a dry, safe place on a flat surface in the open air. If this is not reasonably practicable, store in an adequately ventilated building or part of a building specifically reserved for this purpose.

    Read Also: Family of six burnt in Anambra gas explosion

    • ·       Cylinders containing flammable gas should not be stored in part of a building used for other purposes.
    • ·       Protect gas cylinders from external heat sources that may adversely affect their mechanical integrity.
    • ·       Gas cylinders should be stored away from sources of ignition and other flammable materials.
    • ·       Avoid storing gas cylinders so that they stand or lie in water.
    • ·       Ensure the valve is kept shut on empty cylinders to prevent contaminants from getting in.
    • ·       Store gas cylinders securely when they are not in use. They should be properly restrained unless designed to be free-standing.
    • ·       Gas cylinders must be clearly marked to show what they contain and the hazards associated with their contents.
    • ·       Store cylinders where they are not vulnerable to hazards caused by impact, e.g. from vehicles such as fork-lift trucks.

  • Buhari seeks Reps approval for 2016/2018 borrowing plan

    Tony Akowe, Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the House of Representatives to approve the 2016/2018 external borrowing plan which was not approved by the 8th Assembly.

    In a letter from the President read on the floor of the House at resumption of plenary on Thursday by the Speaker, the President said the approval of the borrowing plan will enable the government fund some of the projects listed in the plan.

    He said only the North East development plan and the China Exim bank funded Lagos to Ibadan rail line were approved by the 8th Assembly.

    Read Also: NDDC Budget: Senate bars Interim Management

    He said the remaining projects not approved are no doubt important to government policies and programmes as they relate to power, education, agriculture, education among others.

    He said the projects to be funded under the borrowing plan were approved by the Federal Executive Council in August 2016 under the 2016 external borrowing plan.

    He informed the House that he has directed the Minister of Finance to make herself available to provide necessary clarifications that may be needed for the House to pass approve the plan without delay.

  • 2Baba, Blackface settle out of court

    Nigerian legendary Musician, Innocent Idibia, famously Known as 2baba, has settled the long existing legal battle with his former group member Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo, famously known as Blackface. This happened on Wednesday when they opted for an out-of-court settlement.

    They signed a yet to be disclosed settlement agreement at the Ikeja High Court shortly after 2baba dropped the N50m defamation suit filed against Blackface.

    Blackface had since accused 2baba that he stole the song from him after he composed it, without giving him credit on the sang after he sang it.

  • LAKE Rice: Lagos to crash price

    There is no better time to flood the market with Lake Rice, Lagos State’s flagship local rice brand. Lagos State is providing incentives for local food production, writes DANIEL ESSIET

    Since its incursion into Nigerians culinary menu list in the 60s, rice has become the most popular staple food.

    An average resident of Lagos State consumes rice at least once a day.

    With population hitting 26 million, the state government is looking for ways to boost rice production.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu revealed that the government is in the process of acquiring an estimated 32,000 hectares of farmland for rice cultivation in seven states.

    Sanwo-Olu, who spoke in Lagos during the World Food Day celebration in Lagos, listed the states as Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo and Kebbi as well as Lagos.

    He said as a key component in its food security programme, the State government intends to accelerate the completion of the 32 metric tons per hour capacity Integrated Rice Mill in Imota in the next seven months.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folasade Jaji, said when completed, the mill would ensure sustainable supply of wholesome rice at an affordable price to the people.

    The governor said the only way to effectively fight poverty and hunger in the country was to boost agricultural production and prevent post-harvest losses and wastages.

    According to the governor, Lagos State was one of the participating states in the World Bank -ssisted APPEALS Project which was aimed at enhancing the agricultural productivity of small and medium-scale farmers and improve value addition along priority value chains.

    He added that the project was also collaborating with Africa Rice for the development of Pure Ofada Rice Strain; capacity building for seed out growers and rice-based products and as such no fewer than 35 farmers and officers had been trained while the Institute is expected to supply 200kg of foundation Ofada seed by February, 2020 for cultivation.

     

    Lake Rice

    The rice value chain project is very important to Lagos State. To be implemented through the value chain by the private sector  Lagos  include supporting  to construct storage facilities, rice conditioning facilities, rice processing plants, rice drying areas and parboiling processing facilities.

    But the flag ship project is the LAKE Rice that began in 2016. The bilateral initiative, which is projected to capture 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice market share, was premised on harnessing the economies of scale of Kebbi State in rice production and the readily-available market in Lagos State.

    Lagos State Government is taking delivery of LAKE Rice, in preparation for Christmas celebration, the Public Relations Officer Ministry of Agriculture, Jide Lawal told The Nation.

    The rice will be available at sale centres across the state, including Agricultural Development Authority Complex, Oko-Oba, Lagos State Agriculture Inputs Supply Authority (LAISA), Ojo and the Blue Roof at Lagos Television (LTV) complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja.  Other centres are Temu Farm Service Centre, Epe; Odogunyan Farm Service Centre, Ikorodu; Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere; Ministry of Agriculture Area Office, Ajah and Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba.

    Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Bagudu said the partnership between his state and Lagos on rice value chain that produced the Lake rice had solved the challenge of glut by providing ready made market for farmers.

    The Kebbi State Government’s key focus is on rice crop production to meet the country’s demand.

    Rice production in the state has increased. Last year, total production was 2.5 million metric tons (MT). The rise, according to analysts is associated with several government and donor programmes in the state.

     

    Distribution of LAKE RICE

    To increase the availability of Lake Rice beyond the 10 sales points, the state government sought the participation of major rice distributors by signing a partnership with them for the transportation, distribution and marketing of Lake Rice.

    One of the distributors is the Iyaloja of Daleko Rice Market, Mrs. Ibilola Sholaja  who assured that distributors would abide by the terms of the agreement.

     

     Scarcity of LAKE Rice

    In June, farmers in Kebbi State had called on government to intervene and save them over the fall in price of paddy occasioned by the large volume of rice produced in the state during this year’s dry rice harvest.

    The Chairman, Kebbi State Rice Farmers’ Association (KSRFA) Alhaji Muhammad Sahabi Augie said the rice harvested in the state this year was unprecedented compared with what was produced between 2016 and 2018.

    He said: “We are very lucky in Kebbi the weather was friendly. This and other factors had helped our farmers to record good yield in rice production. The harvest was so high that it forced down the price of paddy at the market. The market is currently flooded with large volumes of bags of paddy. If you see the bags of paddy in the markets you will wonder if they are falling from heaven. Our farmers have never had it this good in their harvest.”

    He added that despite the fall in price of rice, harvesting is still ongoing in different farm locations in the state.  ”In 2017, we produced about 2 million metric tons. I can assure you that with this bumper harvest we will achieve over 3million metric tons of rice this year,” he said. In Bagudo, Suru, Bunza, Yauri, Shanga and Ngaski, where farmers were said to have harvested their rice almost two months earlier, the farmers said they had never had it so good in the last three years.

     

    Despite this, scarcity of `LAKE Rice’, has hit the Lagos markets.

    Local rice traders, especially in Lagos and its environs, are lamenting the non-availability of local rice as demand and price for the product increases due to the shutting down of land borders in order to curtail the influx of smuggled rice, which was already threatening the survival of the budding Nigerian rice industry.

    Besides this, the prices of local rice has risen in some markets in Lagos.

    At the Ile Epo Market, Daleko, Mile 12, Isheri and Ogba, local variants of 50kg bag had risen from N14, 000 to N18, 000.

    Speaking with The Nation, Augie attributed the rise in rice prices to the fact that paddy is being harvested now.

    At the time of the border closure, he explained that the price of rice was high because it was not harvest time. After last quarter, many farmers have gone back to farms and millers have also gone back to their business due to the demand for local rice.

    Now that rice is being harvested, he said the price of paddy is sold for around N9, 000.

    He said prices of rice and paddy are interrelated and when the prices of paddy fall, rice prices follow suit.

    Rice takes three months before it grows to harvest stage. According to him, the harvest will bring down the price of locally-produced rice to curtail smuggling of foreign rice into the country and make it affordable for the common man.

    Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), President Aminu Goronyo told The Nation, that there was an unprecedented harvest of rice that should crash prices across the country.

    Goronyo stated that the target is to ensure dealers don’t sell a N50kg bag for more than N16, 000.

    He said any dealer who sells a bag of rice for more than N16, 000 during the Yuletide should be prosecuted.

    He said there was an agreement to sell 75 kg of paddy at N8, 000 and N8, 500 to millers for processing to rice.

    The millers will spend between N2, 500 and N3,000 to process the paddy to rice and sell to dealers for N14, 000.

    With their mark up, he said a 50 kg bag should sell for N15, 000 to N16, 000.

    Goronyo said: “There are enemies of this country who buy and store this commodity just because they want to create artificial scarcity.

    “No matter who is trying to hoard or create artificial scarcity as seen in certain locations, such persons will be disappointed.”

    For him, the closure of the borders was meant to promote the growth of the Nigerian economy and the association wants to work with the government to ensure that the country attained food self-sufficiency in the rice value chain.

     

    Sustainable rice production

    In Lagos, the price of rice changes frequently over the year because of several reasons including strong syndicates, creating an artificial crisis, high-profit tendency, the high price of seeds and fertiliser, etc. In most of the cases, consumers enjoy low price in January, February and March.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Gbolahan Lawal said the state was  determined to improve rice production and productivity in a safe and sustainable manner and enhance the value of rice products to meet consumer standards and market demands, based on research and development.

    To this end, the government is working with public and private partners to transfer agricultural technologies to farmers to boost rice production.

    The project aims to promote sustainable rice production, strengthen value chains, raise incomes of rice farmers, develop capacity, and contribute to improved nutrition. Participating rice farmers are expected to apply sustainable farming practices to increase yields, quality and incomes. Rice farmers should also be better linked to local markets.

     

    Challenges

    Rice is facing a challenging time with increasing competition for dwindling resources such as land and water, unpredictable climate, farm labour shortages and lack of technical expertise.

    Experts agree that to unlock the full potential of rice production and overcome the threats, all stakeholders must collaborate to find innovative solutions toward a sustainable sector that will transform lives for the better.

    They said Nigeria cannot build a brand for its rice with its current small-scale production. Once the large-scale rice field model is successful, they want operators supported to re-organise the production process. In the value chain, major enterprises should play a greater role.

    Read Also: Nigeria saves $800m from rice production

     

    Citing Asian countries and their success in adding value to their rice industries, National President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama   believes Nigeria has the resources to grow rice but major problems are hindering the success of the industry.

     

    The future of rice

    One of the measures for the country to move forward is modernising the agrifood sector via the adoption of technologies based on the Industry 4.0.

    In the next five years, paddy field in Nigeria can reach between 10 and 14 tons per hectare (ha) of yield as farmers are going to use new technologies. They are going to learn about soil profiling, fertiliser utilisation, implementation of drones for land mapping and the use of artificial intelligence technology. Many emerging agropreneurs will be carrying out both upstream and downstream activities to provide a sustainable production for raw and value-added agricultural products.

    Lawal said businesses to have invested in high-quality products from design and appearance to good quality of rice as well as maintain high quality of rice during storage and trading. However, the number of producers doing that is not many compared to the large rice volume.

    Therefore, the application of advanced technology in preservation and processing is very important in the rice value chain to increase to meet the strict requirements of major rice export markets, he said.

    He said the state is restructuring production and focusing on links, processing, and market organisation.

  • JUST IN: Tension at INEC headquarters as security operatives deny Melaye entrance

    Tension was high on Wednesday at the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as security operatives denied Senator Dino Melaye and others journalists from gaining entrance into its premises to submit what was taken to be “additional petition.”

    It was gathered that a camera belonging to one of the Journalists was seized but later released when Melaye intervened.

    Details shortly..

  • Minimum Wage: ‘Workers to have bumper harvest in December’

    Toba Agboola

     

    There are clear indications now that workers at the Federal level and Lagos State will begin collecting the N30,000 Minimum Wage by December this year.

    The Association of the Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) Tuesday in Abeokuta at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting confirmed that both the federal government and Lagos State workers will have a bumper salary in December.

    This is even as it has warned that it would move to states in January to shut down the erring ones who fail to conclude the consequential negotiation by the December deadline issued by the two labour centres.

    Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) last month after the completion of the consequential adjustment at the federal level have charged the states to commence their negotiations and ensure that they wrapped it up by December.

    The President of the union, Bobboi Bala Kaigama said the states that are yet to commence negotiations should take a clue from Kaduna state that has commenced payment even before the consequential adjustment was concluded at the federal level. He said, “At the states level, we know the game they want to play and we are ready for them.

    Read Also: Ihedioha directs Imo AG to plan release of child prisoners

    Labour will take joint action against those states. The law of Minimum Wage is explicit, unlike before, now defaulting states can be prosecuted. This time around they have no escape route.”

    The ASCSN President said Kaduna state government has played safe because it’s paying more than what was negotiated at the federal in spite that it commenced payment early.

    He however warned that by January, the union will start taking stock to get the defaulting states and take appropriate action against them.

    On the payment of the consequential adjustment at the federal and Lagos State, the Secretary General of the Association, Bashir Alade Lawal said the union has it on good authority that workers would be paid in December.

    He noted that the table which had delayed the payment finally came out last week Monday, but it was too late for the November salary. “By the time they issued circular, the porter has already been closed, but now it has been prepared and definitely by December the consequential adjustment will be paid,” he said.

    The Secretary General said the payment will also take care of all the arrears from April when it was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said, “For the federal civil servants and the Lagos State workers, it is going to be a bumper salary and we are happy about that.” He maintained that the union would ensure that all the workers be it federal and the states enjoy the new wage.

    “The Secretariat is ready to support all the state council and we will move in by January to shut down the states that fail to commence payment in December,” he affirmed.

    Meanwhile the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun represented at the meeting by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele promised that the consequential adjustment negotiation at the state would be seamless.

    The state has explained that the delay in the negotiation at the state was due to the Treasury meeting which has just been concluded.

    According to the state, the Treasury meeting was important to enable the state knows the state of its finances before moving to the negotiation table.