By Adedapo Adesanya

Farmers under the aegis of the All Farmer Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have warned of a looming food crisis in 2025, urging citizens to prepare for tough times ahead.

The association based the warning on the macroeconomic instability arising from the triple whammy of Naira volatility, insecurity, and climate change.

AFAN made the call via its National President, Mr Kabir Ibrahim, in a new year message.

Mr Ibrahim warned that Nigeria is on the cusp of experiencing a major catastrophe of food insecurity, adding, “If extreme care is not taken judging from the macroeconomic instability arising from currency volatility, insecurity, climate change and inequity.”

However, Mr Ibrahim emphasised the urgent need for the country to prioritise food sufficiency, particularly during the crucial first quarter of the year.

The AFAN President urged that stakeholders like the government and farmers must work together to get Nigeria out of the stranglehold of hunger and extreme poverty.

“While not trying to sound despondent, I hasten to say that the attainment of food sufficiency for Nigerians in the first quarter of 2025 may be the elixir for the continued existence of Nigeria as a working unit.

“I say this with all sense of responsibility having been involved in agricultural advocacy for the better part of my 66 years on earth.

“In 2024 we saw various efforts at stabilising Nigeria’s food system through various windows of support to the SHFs, the MSMEs, the SSPs and the vulnerable people but food inflation is still at an all-time high at 39.93 per cent which portends extreme hunger to a very good number of Nigerians.

“In 2025 we must coalesce as stakeholders/farmers with the government to get Nigeria out of the stranglehold of hunger and extreme poverty. We can only do this if we work as a unified body with common interests and operating from common ground.”

He noted that there is a possibility of tackling the crisis, only if the proper measures are put in place.

“It may appear ambitious but evidently doable through a collective resolve to extricate our country from looming existential challenges,” he added.

Business Post reports that President Bola Tinubu promised to tackle the food crisis, and reiterated it during his New Year’s message.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A leading life insurance service provider in Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited, has passed a comprehensive audit, resulting in the issuance of an IQNET-recognised certificate.

This rigorous audit process assessed various operational aspects, financial practices, and adherence to regulatory standards, highlighting Stanbic IBTC Insurance’s dedication to exceeding industry best practices and fostering an environment of integrity and accountability.

The underwriting firm passed this audit after implementing and maintaining a Quality Management System by DQS Holding.

This system covers the scope of Life Insurance and fulfils the requirements of the following standard: ISO 9001:2015.

DQS Holding GmbH is the holding company of the worldwide DQS Group, a Frankfurt-based group that provides assessments and certifications of management systems and processes of any type.

This milestone marks a significant advancement for the company and reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, transparency, and operational excellence in the insurance industry.

“We are thrilled to receive this certification, which recognises our commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance and accountability.

“This accomplishment reflects our exceptional team’s hard work and dedication and reinforces our promise to our clients and stakeholders,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Insurance, Mr Akinjide Orimolade, said.

He further emphasised the importance of trust within the insurance industry, acknowledging that it is foundational to building long-lasting relationships with clients.

“In a sector where clients need to feel secured and valued, we understand that trust is crucial. Our team’s commitment to transparency and ethical practises has been paramount in establishing this trust,” Mr Orimolade added.

He reiterated that as part of its mission to provide quality insurance products and services, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited will continue to strive for excellence and uphold stringent industry standards.

The recent certification is an important milestone that further enhances the company’s profile as a leading insurer in the market. It reinforces our reputation for reliability and integrity while demonstrating our readiness to meet future challenges and opportunities in the insurance landscape.

“To that end, we are dedicated to investing in our people, processes, and technology to ensure we remain at the forefront of the insurance industry. We will continue to listen to our clients’ feedback, seek innovative solutions to their needs, and adapt our services accordingly. Our goal is to meet and exceed the expectations of those who trust us,” Mr Orimolade noted.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has denied any merger talks of the party with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) or any other party.

Mr Obi made this statement during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday morning, where he addressed the state of the nation.

The former Governor of Anambra emphasised that no agreement has been reached with any party as of now, calling on all Nigerians to unite ahead of the 2027 elections to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The politician also used the event to speak to the current hardships facing the nation, calling on President Bola Tinubu to feel the pulse of the country across different spheres including education, public infrastructure, and health.

He challenged the president to use local hospitals and visit educational institutions in the country to ascertain the level of development in the nation’s educational and healthcare sectors.

He also tackled the incumbent administration on its skyrocketing cost of governance and heavy reliance on debt to support its operations.

Mr Obi said borrowings must be tied to projects that would bring development to the country as against the current template of borrowing for consumption.

He alleged that government officials willfully mismanaged public funds in 2024 through incessant foreign trips.

Mr Obi condemned the endemic poverty that has led to stampedes for palliatives in parts of the country, as the new minimum wage has not solved the hunger crisis in the land.

He also called the security situation in the country unfortunate, saying Nigerians die needlessly due to banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.

On the controversial tax reform bills, Mr Obi emphasised that it was important that the issues raised by critics be addressed.

He advised that tax should be a function of production, and if the majority of Nigerians live in poverty, the government must first make Nigeria a productive nation before taxing the people.