Connect with us

General

Stakeholders to Discuss Agro-industrialisation of African Agriculture

Published

on

Agro-industrialisation

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Some key stakeholders in the agricultural sector in Africa will gather at NAF Conference Centre and Guest House, Abuja, Nigeria from September 21 to 26, 2020 for the 2020 edition of an international conference organised by the Pan African Society for Agricultural Engineering (PASAE) and the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE).

President Kagame of Rwanda is expected to chair the opening ceremony on September 22, of which the AfDB President, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, will give the conference keynote. Six high-level workshops and master classes to serve as continuous professional development opportunities for Engineers will take the-centre stage on Monday, September 21, 2020.

This week, specifically on Thursday, delegates and conference organising committee of the event led by Prof Micheal Faborode, former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, paid a visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Muhammad Sabo Nanono in Abuja.

The purpose of the visit was to brief the Minister on the programme which focuses on Agro-industrialisation of African Agriculture. This is in line with the African Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

The delegates pledged their readiness to support the laudable initiatives of the Ministry to boost farmers’ productivity and bring the youths back into farming.

In his address, the Minister welcomed the idea of the conference as being very apt, timely and well planned, pledging his personal support and that of the entire Ministry.

He enumerated three imperatives on which the Ministry is focusing to lift Nigeria’s agro productivity, agro industrialisation and job creation.

He said the present administration hopes to use appropriate and private sector-led mechanisation for the provision of not less than 10,000 tractors to support farming input centres in 732 LGAs and 138 agro-processing centres.

He added that government plans to provide good viable seeds and cultivars, which requires research support and then put in place an effective extension service.

Mr Nanono admonished the Institution of Agricultural Engineers to collaborate with government to provide effective frameworks to make the new initiatives successful.

Prof. Faborode subsequently commended the Minister for his vision and forthrightness and assured that launching an NIAE Agricultural Engineering Transformation Roadmap will be one of the highlights of the conference opening in September.

He further promised that members of the NIAE will work together to achieve food security and agro-industrial Nigeria, pointing out that the upcoming conference will be a watershed for agriculture in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

General

Dangote Unveils Phone Number to Report MRS Stations Selling PMS Above N739

Published

on

Dangote monopoly Political Economy of Failure

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.

This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.

“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.

“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.

The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.

Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.

By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.

The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.

“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.

Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.

Continue Reading

General

ANLCA Airport Chapter Scores Salamatu High on Stakeholder Engagement, Trade Facilitation

Published

on

ANLCA Airport Chapter

By Bon Peters

The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.

At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.

At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.

“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.

He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.

The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating  trade and increasing Revenue generation.”

“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.

“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.

“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.

Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.

Continue Reading

General

FG Declares Holidays for Christmas, New Year Celebrations

Published

on

as public holidays

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.

The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.

He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.

Continue Reading

Trending