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Economy

Climate Change: Agric Experts Advocate Smart Farming Practices

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Society for Climate Action in Nigeria SCAN Smart Farming Practices

By Bon Peters

Agriculture experts have advocated “smart farming practices” to combat climate change, improve productivity and enhance food security in the country.

They noted that if climate change challenges were not nipped in the bud, more than 52 per cent of the country’s agricultural production would be threatened by 2050.

The experts under the aegis of the Society of Action in Nigeria (SCAN), in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt, disclosed this during a workshop organized for women and youth leaders on Thursday in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital.

A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Development Studies at the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Clara Ifeanyiobi, who was the project lead of the programme, said the aim of the workshop was to equip farmers with adaptative skills on climate change.

She noted that the project was a micro grant from Adaptation Research Alliance to the Society for Climate Action in Nigeria (SCAN) in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt and the University of Nigeria Nsuka.

According to Ms Ifeanyiobi, when these skills are incorporated in agri-business, huge losses usually associated with climate change would be averted while farmers’ livelihoods would also gain a positive turnaround.

In her words, “Today’s training is tailored to the identified areas of need which is majorly in the area of crop and soil management practices for cassava, maize and vegetable farming.

“We are excited that there will be a huge turnaround in this year’s harvest, we’ve been in the business of equipping farmers with climate smart agricultural practices for over 10 years and our results from our target farmers have been quite laudable.

“This one is a lot bigger, haven synergized with key agencies like the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IIT).

“Beneficiaries are also expected to go to their various communities and establish the climate smart rural women and youth groups.

“We are also going to support the various trainings at the community level. So, we look forward to a bumper harvest across the 23 local councils of the state.”

The don also stated that improved crop varieties like cassava stems, maize (SC- 526) were also distributed to participants of the workshop (farmers) drawn from the 23 local government areas of the state.

Another resource person, Dr Doris Akachukwu, a Senior Lecturer at the Micheal Opara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, urged the federal government to utilise agricultural resources in the country to tackle current food crises.

“Here in Nigeria, we have the land and manpower; rather than desire things that are far-fetched, we should put in more commitment and funding for agriculture.

“Nigeria should begin to look inward, fund large scale production to ensure food sufficiency and employment for our teaming youths,” she said.

Ms Akachukwu expressed worry over poor commitment to Agriculture by farmers and youths in the country, adding that lack of basic techniques, seedlings and environmental pollution, effects of greenhouse gases were some of the impediments to Agricultural productivity in the Niger Delta area.

Similarly, Dr Bassey Udom, an Associate Professor, and soil scientist at the University of Port Harcourt, said that the training would help the farmers on innovative soil practices to help cushion climate change.

He also urged the Federal Government to tackle security which he highlighted as key to agricultural prosperity.

Our correspondent reports that various resource persons in the field of sciences especially soil scientists and crop scientists proffered solutions to some of the challenges and complaints by the participants.

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Economy

SEC Postpones Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training, Examination for CMOs

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capital market operators

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.

Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.

This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.

The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.

In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.

“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.

“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.

“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.

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Economy

Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange

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fidson

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.

The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.

The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.

They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.

“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”

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Economy

FG Approves Payments to 1,240 Contractors to Ease Liquidity Pressure

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FG contractors protest

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.

This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.

This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.

The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.

In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.

It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.

The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.

“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.

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