The Nation Newspaper

Tag: seek

  • Fulani invasion: Tiv seek divine help

    Tiv people in Plateau State have resorted to seeking God’s intervention in the attacks by Fulani herdsmen on their kinsmen in Benue State.

    Hundreds of Tiv people have been killed in attacks by Fulani gunmen and property worth millions of naira destroyed in the last two months.

    The Tiv Community in Plateau State yesterday dedicated their church services to prayers for God’s intervention to halt the bloodshed.

    The special prayer service, which was held at the NKST church in Jos, attracted worshipers from both states.

    Rev Solomon Igyor, who led the prayers, said: “As Christians, we have been warned by God not to seek revenge, no matter the grievances.

    “We don’t know how to use guns to attack our neighbours, the only weapon God gave us is prayers and the situation in Benue State has reached a level we have to deploy our prayers to end the violence.

    “God promised to wipe our tears, if we come to him in prayers. Today, we have gathered before him crying and we have confidence he will hear our cry and intervene appropriately.

    “We must return to God in prayers because prayer is the only weapon that can save every situation.

    “The current insecurity challenge facing our land today is as a result of lack of faith in prayers.”

    Among the congregation was a former governorship aspirant in Benue State, Eugene Aliegba, who said: “The Tiv community in Plateau State has chosen the right part, because prayer is the only key to every situation.”

    Aliegba said the attacks in Benue State were professionally organised and targeted at farmers in five local governments.

  • Reps seek reduction of interest on CBN’s N220b micro-finance funds

    Reps seek reduction of interest on CBN’s N220b micro-finance funds

    The House of Representatives yesterday said the nine per cent lending rate fixed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for lending to micro-finance banks in the country is too high.

    The position of the House hinged on the outcome of the CBN’s 7th Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Finance Conference held in Abuja recently.

    At the conference, the apex bank announced a N220 billion fund for micro-finance banks to borrow at nine percent interest rate, which the MFBs will further lend to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

    However, lawmakers criticised the rate saying it seems rather high, considering the group of people the fund is meant for, who are mainly artisans, small farmers engaged in subsistence farming and small scale business owners.

    The House, thereafter, mandated the committee on Banking and Currency to liaise with CBN to ensure adequate monitoring of the N220 billion for micro-finance banks across the country.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion brought before the House by a member, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale (PDP, Edo).

    Members overwhelmingly adopted the motion when it was put to vote by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over plenary yesterday.

    Ikheriale while presenting the motion noted: “despite the fact that micro-finance banks are currently charging between 30 and 40 per cent as interest, the CBN has granted them powers to fix the rate of interest when they lend to industrialists, a situation that, if not properly monitored, maybe abused and defeat the aim of the scheme.”

    According to him, the fund was aimed at addressing the financial challenges experienced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, adding that in spite of the noble objective of the project, “there are obvious hurdles envisaged in its implementation.”

    He said the CBN’s statement shows the fund would be made available to Participating Financial Institutions (PFI), thereby improving their capacity to meet the credit needs of MSMEs.

    The House directed that efforts be made for easy accessibility of the funds by intended beneficiaries including the 60 per cent reserved for women, at minimal interest rate.

    The lawmakers further urged the CBN to liaise with the relevant associations of micro-finance banks in the disbursement of the funds.

  • Farmers seek enabling environment

    The Executive Secretary, Plantation Owners of Nigeria (POFON),Mr Fatai Afolabi, has urged the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for palm oil investors.

    Speaking in Lagos, Afolabi stressed the need for the government to sustain the implementation of the agriculture policy, especially on zero duty on importation of all agricultural equipment, machinery and processing facilities.

    “We get reports from our members indicating that customs still insist on duty as against the policy that agricultural equipment should be tariff free.

    “Government should help us ensure that the policy is implemented, as it has been a major challenge for palm oil investors.’’

    He urged the government to maintain the 35 per cent duty on importation of palm oil, to enable existing investors to sustain their business.

    “It is difficult for our members to increase their production capacity in a condition where the commodity is being imported into the country extensively.’’

    He appealed to the government to make a decisive policy statement that would assure existing investors of the enabling environment for palm oil production.

  • Imo lawmakers seek automatic tickets

    Members of the Imo State House of Assembly have demanded automatic tickets for the 2015 elections as part of the conditions to approve the 2014 appropriation bill.

    The Nation learnt that most of the lawmakers, who are of the same party with the governor, are worried by his insistence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not ‘anoint’ candidates.

    The legislators, on recess, reportedly made their position known to Governor Rochas Okorocha, through the leadership of the House, after meetings in the home of a senior government official.

    A source, privy to the meetings, said in confidence that the lawmakers agreed to delay the 2014 budget, to compel the governor to give them automatic tickets.

    It was also gathered that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislators in the House were behind the move, as they were said to have demanded automatic tickets as conditions to defect to the APC.

    “The PDP lawmakers wanted to be assured of automatic tickets before they join the APC. They are plotting to delay the budget to compel the governor to accept their demand.”

    The Chairman of the House Information Committee, Acho Ihim, described the insinuation as a falsehood, fabricated by those, who wanted the House’s downfall.

    He said: “It is a falsehood. We never met to discuss any such thing. After receiving the budget proposal from the governor last December, we went on a recess and will resume on Tuesday. The speculation was fabricated by those, who do not mean well for the House. It is a lie.”

     

  • Town planners seek standard practice

    The Nigerian Association of Town Planning Consultants (ATOPCON) has urged its members to initiate instruments of practice that will ensure adherence to practice regulations.

    The association advised the practitioners to also obtain the required skills and capacity before venturing into consultancy.

    The chairman of the Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Mr Ayo Adediran, spoke at the maiden annual general meeting (AGM) of the association.

    He called for a uniform scale of fees for town planners across the nation to make the profession competitive.

    The town planner decried the non-moderation of fees among practitioners, saying this leaves them at the mercy of the negotiating strength of their clients and sharp practices among some unethical practitioners.

    NITP’s former President, Bunmi Ajayi, regretted that some planners refused to go through tutelage after graduation with registered practicing firms.

    He said this made it difficult for them to strengthen skills before setting up practice offices as consultants.

    Ajayi said the absence of mentoring has led to poor planning of towns and cities.

    The former NITP president advised the institute to implement the policy that stipulates at least two-year mentoring for graduate planners under registered planners before they can become consultants.

     

  • Reps seek extension of litigation period

    Reps seek extension of litigation period

    The House of Representatives is set to extend limitation period for litigation and arbitration from six to 12 years.

    The decision of the lawmakers followed the second reading of a bill to amend the Limitation Act, sponsored by Femi Williams (APC, Ogun).

    Williams, who noted that the people would benefit from the amendment, said there was need for disputing parties to be given time to explore other avenues of settlement before going to court.

    “The extension would also assure fair hearing for unsuspecting defendants,” he said.

    Supporting, Ali Ahmad (APC, Kwara) noted that Nigerians are not litigious and as such, the extension sought by the bill is commendable.

    “It is wrong to assume that it is only the right of the litigant that is protected by the extension, that of the defendant is also protected.

    “This is because, more often, the defendant sitting on a property might not be aware, thinking that he is right and continue to sit on the property.

    “With the extension, he is given an opportunity to explore other avenues of settlement.

    “On the other hand, he might lose just because of the limited and inadequate time and out of ignorance,” he said.

    Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo), Peter Ede (APC, Ebonyi), Simon Arabo (PDP, Kaduna) and Frank Enekorogha (PDP, Delta) spoke against the bill.

    According to them, no number of years would be adequate if a litigant fails or refuses to institute a legal action within six years.

    The lawmakers opined that litigants could also manipulate the limitation period to surprise the defendant at the expiration of the period.

    The bill scaled second reading after it was supported and was referred to the Committee on Justice.

    The lawmakers also commenced work on ensuring that graduating students from the nation’s tertiary institutions are issued their certificates immediately.

    The bill to amend the National Universities Commission Act sponsored by Eddie Mbadiwe (APC, Imo) scaled second reading.

  • Hausa residents seek more development

    The Sarkin Hausawa and Chairman, Council of Arewa Chiefs in Lagos State, Alhaji Sani Kabir, has urged the chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Jide Jimoh, to do more for Hausa community in the area.

    Kabir, who made the call during a courtesy visit to the council chief in his office, described his administration as very progressive in terms of developing the Hausa community.

    “We really appreciate what the council chairman has done so far especially by carrying the Hausa community along in his administration. But we want him to do more. We are happy to we have some Hausa people in his cabinet and those working in the council; this is a welcome development, but we want more,” he said

    He added: “This administration has really done well in the health sector, especially in taking care of our women’s ante-natal needs and so on. We thank him and want him to do more for the Hausa community.”

    Hon Jimoh, who thanked the Sarkin Hausawa for the visit, promised that his government would continue to provide good governance that will continue to put broad and genuine smiles on the faces of the people, both the Hausa community and others.

  • GES: Kogi women farmers seek access to fertiliser

    Women farmers in Kogi State have appealed to the Federal Government to improve on the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme and make fertiliser and other farm inputs more accessible to them.

    The leader of the women farmers drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state,Hajia Hazarat Momoh, made the appeal at the Annual Women Farmers’ Forum in Lokoja.

    She said the meeting was facilitated by Actionaid Nigeria and Kogi-based Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID), a non governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the state Ministry of Agriculture.

    Mrs Momoh said the women farmers organised themselves into groups to be able to participate in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of Federal Government, which the GES is a critical component.

    She said the scheme was designed for the specific purpose of making affordable, agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and hybrid seeds through the e-wallet system, to registered farmers.

    Mrs Momoh said the major goal of the GES was to increase yield per hectare for all Nigerian farmers.

    She however, expressed concern that none of her registered members in the state received fertiliser for last year’s farming season.

    The Director of Women in Agriculture in the Ministry, Mrs Rachael Tokula, commended members of Women-in-Agriculture and Small-Scale Women Farmers Association of Nigeria (SWOFAN) for their commitment to agriculture.

    She advised them to always liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture instead of the Ministry of Women Affairs to pursue their demands.

    After a careful evaluation of the impact of GES scheme on the ATA, the participants identified some areas to be enhanced.

    They listed inadequate awareness, distance between beneficiaries and agro-dealers, communication, time of delivery and quantity of the inputs, among others, as areas to be improved upon.

    The Executive Director of PIBCID, Mr Victor Adejoh, said the forum was aimed at enhancing the involvement of women farmers in the scheme.

    Mr Alemeru Olusegun of the GES Unit of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture assured the women that the government was committed to improving on its services.

    The women farmers also elected nine members, three from each of the senatorial districts of the state to serve as link between them and the government.

  • GES: Kogi women farmers seek access to fertiliser

    Women farmers in Kogi State have appealed to the Federal Government to improve on the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme and make fertiliser and other farm inputs more accessible to them.

    The Leader of the women farmers drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state,Hajia Hazarat Momoh, made the appeal at the Annual Women Farmers’ Forum held in Lokoja.

    She said the meeting was facilitated by Actionaid Nigeria and Kogi-based Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID), a non governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the state Ministry of Agriculture.

    Mrs Momoh said the women farmers organised themselves into groups to be able to participate in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of Federal Government, which the GES is a critical component.

    She said the scheme was designed for the specific purpose of making affordable, agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and hybrid seeds through the e-wallet system, to registered farmers.

    Momoh said the major goal of the GES was to increase yield per hectare for all Nigerian farmers.

    She however, expressed concern that none of her registered members in the state received fertiliser for last year’s farming season.

    The Director of Women in Agriculture in the Ministry, Mrs Rachael Tokula, commended members of Women-in-Agriculture and Small-Scale Women Farmers Association of Nigeria (SWOFAN) for their commitment to agriculture.

    She advised them to always liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture instead of the Ministry of Women Affairs to pursue their demands.

    After a careful evaluation of the impact of GES scheme on the ATA, the participants identified some areas to be enhanced.

    They listed inadequate awareness, distance between beneficiaries and agro-dealers, communication, time of delivery and quantity of the inputs, among others, as areas to be improved upon.

    The Executive Director of PIBCID, Mr Victor Adejoh, said the forum was aimed at enhancing the involvement of women farmers in the scheme.

    Mr Alemeru Olusegun of the GES Unit of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture assured the women that the government was committed to improving on its services.

    The women farmers also elected nine members, three from each of the senatorial districts of the state to serve as link between them and the government.

  • GES: Kogi women farmers seek access to fertiliser

    Women farmers in Kogi have appealed to the Federal Government to improve on the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme and make fertiliser and other farm inputs more accessible to them.

    Leader of the women farmers drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state , Hajia Hazarat Momoh, made the appeal at the Annual Women Farmers’ Forum held in Lokoja.

    She said the 2013 meeting was facilitated by Actionaid Nigeria and Kogi-based Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID), a non governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the state Ministry of Agriculture.

    Momoh said the women farmers organised themselves into groups to be able to participate in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of Federal Government of which the GES is a critical component.

    She said the scheme was designed for the specific purpose of making affordable, agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and hybrid seeds through the e-wallet system, to registered farmers.

    Momoh said the major goal of the GES was to increase yield per hectare for all Nigerian farmers.

    She however expressed concern hat none of her registered members in the state received fertiliser for the 2013 farming season.

    The Director of Women in Agriculture in the Ministry, Mrs Rachael Tokula, commended members of Women-in-Agriculture and Small-Scale Women Farmers Association of Nigeria (SWOFAN) for their commitment to agriculture.

    She advised them to always liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture instead of the Ministry of Women Affairs to pursue their demands.

    After a careful evaluation of the impact of GES scheme on the ATA, the participants identified some areas to be enhanced.

    They listed inadequate awareness, distance between beneficiaries and agro-dealers, communication, time of delivery and quantity of the inputs, among others, as areas to be improved upon.

    In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of PIBCID, Mr Victor Adejoh, said the 2013 forum was aimed at enhancing the involvement of women farmers in the GES scheme.

    Mr Alemeru Olusegun of the GES unit of Federal Ministry of Agriculture assured the women that government was committed to improving on its services.

    The women farmers also elected nine members, three from each of the senatorial districts of the state to serve as link between them and the government.