Headline

Rewane, Others Hail Rotary, Proffer Solution For Food Insecurity

Published

4 years ago

February 27, 2020

Editor

Financial expert, Mr Bismarck Rewane and many technocrats in the agribusiness industry have hailed Rotary International District 9110 for seeking an end to food insecurity while advising government on steps to end the scourge which is capable of disturbing world peace.

Navy Commodore Daniel Atakpa, Dr Aliyu Samaila, Mr Mezuo Nwuneli, Dr Biodun Adedipe and Rtn Dayo Adeyeri

Mr Rewane who was the keynote speaker at the World Peace and Understanding Day 2020 Seminar organised by Rotary International District 9110 stated that Nigeria is presently experiencing food insecurity because of factors such as conflicts, poverty and high population growth.

Rtn Michael Effiong, Rtn Ehi Braimah, Rtn Larry Agose, Rtn Toyin Emeordi & Rtn Niyi Sowemimo

Addressing the theme: “Promoting World Peace and Understanding through Food Security”, Rewane stated that to achieve food security, government has to increase investment in agricultural research, improve storage and processing as well as sensitization of citizens on healthy diet.

Governor Rotary District 9110, Rtn Jide Akeredolu with R-l: Rtn Kefe Adedibu, Rtn Annie Essienette, Rtn Olubunmi Taiwo, Rtn Gbenga Summonu, Rtn John Senaya, Rtn Bisi Taiwo & Rtn Michael Effiong James

Rtn Tayo Alabi & Rtn Niyi Raji

He also applauded Rotary International for its years of service to humanity, noting that its decision to beam a search light on food insecurity was timely.

Rtn Tunji Funsho, Special Guest of Honour delivering his speech

Rtn Sofy Eldiehy

Some members of the Organising Commitee

Also speaking at the occasion, Navy Commodore Daniel Atakpa urged governments across the federation to pay special attention to the blue economy, he said the ocean economy which has been largely ignored for years if unlocked, can be used to provide, energy. transportation, healthcare, end poverty, economic empowerment and food security.

Rtn Rita Eze, Rtn Michae Effiong James & Rtn Bolatito Olaboye

He was optimistic that Nigeria can witness a reversal of fortunes economically if it looks beyond oil to its coastal resources.

Mr Mezuo Nwuneli, a panelist on the programme stated that Nigeria would continue to have more poor and hungry people over a period of time unless it broadly distributes growth without concentrating on Lagos and Abuja alone. Growth distribution according to him would discourage urban migration.

Nwuneli stated that an average Nigerian spends about 56 per cent of his or her income on food which is high when compared to South Africa and other countries on the continent.. In his words ” We have to find a way to change this trend”

He listed poor seedlings, low mechanisation, poor irrigation and lack of infrastructure as issues affecting agricultural productivity in Nigeria. He urged governments to tackle issues one after the other to ensure food security.

In their remarks, other speakers and industry experts at the occasion such as Dr Biodun Adedipe, Dr Aliyu Samaila, Dr Tunji Funsho and Dr O.Olumide Phillips highlighted the importance of food security to Nigerians, and emphasized the fact that it was essential to the growth and wellbeing of the country. They also thanked Rotary for drawing attention to this all important issue, adding that it was a welcome intervention.

Rtn Larry Agose, the Chairman, Planning Committee for the World Peace and Understanding Day said that governments have do the right thing in terms of stopping the herders/ farmers clashes, provision of critical infrastructure and financial incentives in order to end the food insecurity problem

Dr Jide Akeredolu, Governor, District 9110 noted that Rotary decided to highlight the scourge of food insecurity because it has noticed that over the years, experts and governments have not linked food insecurity to world peace.

He stated that food insecurity was a time bomb that was ticking, urging that urgent attention is needed to stem the tide

Headline

Bribery, Corruption: APC Suspends National Chairman, Ganduje

Published

20 hours ago

April 15, 2024

Eric

The All Progressives Congress ward in Ganduje, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, has suspended the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

The party ward legal adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, announced the suspension while addressing newsmen in Kano State on Monday.

Gwanzo cited allegations of bribery against Ganduje levelled by the Kano State Government as the reason for the suspension.

“We decided to suspend Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje from the party due to the seriousness of the allegations against him,” Gwanzo said.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact the Chief Press Secretary to the APC National Chairman, Mr Edwin Olufo, failed as his mobile phone was unreachable.

Headline

Akpabio Commits to Collaboration with Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno

Published

4 days ago

April 12, 2024

Admin

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has stated his commitment to working closely with Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Governor Umo Eno to ensure the delivery of democratic benefits to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio stated this in his country home, Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, while briefing his constituents on the journey so far as their representative in the red chamber.

He assured the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District of his commitment to their welfare in appreciation of their total support for him, President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s election.

The Highpoint of the constituency briefing was the distribution of over 10,000 bags of rice and other essentials for his constituents from the wards, to the local governments.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying, “I am here once again, to thank you for standing by me, our President and the party, before, during and even after last year’s elections. I have come to say thank you and also bring Renewed Hope to you all.

“As the President is doing his own, the Senate President is also doing his bit and being complemented by the state governor, Akwa Ibom would be the better for it. We have finished elections and politics, we are now into governance. The governor of the state must touch you, because he is the governor of all the people in the state irrespective of political affiliation.

” As I am touching you now from the political angle, I will also touch the state without any political party affiliation. Most of the projects we are putting in place would be used by people resident in the state. Relax, things are getting better.”

The former Governor of the state, assured his constituents that his current position as the Senate President would be used for the development of the state in collaboration with the President and the Akwa Ibom State Governor.

Hear him: This Senate President is not the one that would be fighting the state government. I will collaborate with , I will collaborate with , to make the state better for us all. We cannot be out of government for a long time. You have to go to a government that carries you along”

Akpabio promised to work for his constituents and Nigeria with all his strength, noting that, “as the President of the Senate, I am for the Southern region and the entire country. I may not come here regularly to tell you what I have been doing for you, but you will be feeling the impact on way or the other. Our unemployed youths would be gainfully employed. I will construct a mini stadium in all the local governments in the district, for our youths to develop their sporting potentials. ”

Headline

Akwa Ibom Government Invests N112 Billion in Road Infrastructure Projects

Published

5 days ago

April 11, 2024

Admin

…DAKKADA OIL PALM FACTORY COMMENCES MILLING SOON

“Since May 2023, Akwa Ibom State Government Invests N112 Billion in Road Infrastructure”

Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga disclosed this when he presented a breakdown at the State Executive Council meeting in Uyo.

He revealed that 39 new road projects have been undertaken with N78.77 billion released to fund them, while old projects have been funded to the tune of over N30 Billion, with an additional N12 Billion recently released by the Governor.

Details of the Exco meeting were made public by the Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong.

The Executive Council also approved the increment of pension for pensioners who retired before 2012, effective April 2024.

Following the ongoing harvesting of fruits, milling will soon commence at the Dakkada Global Oil Palms.

The Managing Director of the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob announced this during his presentation at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Umo Eno.

Two projects executed through the Direct Labour Agency have been completed with 19 other ones ongoing.

The Director of Operations of the Agency, presented a status update on the projects under their supervision, also disclosed that 31 of the 100 initial ARISE Compassionate Homes will be completed and presented soon.

The Council was also briefed on the progress at Ibom LED, where 800 people have been trained and N400m has been approved to fund the grant of N500,000 to each of the participants, which will soon be done.

The Governor charged all the Executive Council members to ensure that all the projects and programmes under their supervision are people-centric from ideation to execution. He advised that project monitoring should be ramped up to ensure quick completion.

Major Highlights of the meeting are as follows:

√Status update on Food sufficiency received; proposal on increased cocoa, rice production & Ibom Model Farm submitted by HC for Agriculture & Rural Development

√Presentation of proposal by MD, AKICORP on Ibom Towers, FalconNext, Landmark Beach Resort.

√Dakkada Global Oil Palms Ltd ready to commence milling of ongoing harvested fruits

√Confirmation of N400m disbursed at N500,000 each to 800 IBOM-LED trainees in two batches

√Briefing by HC Works & Fire Service on N112 billion disbursed by the Governor for road infrastructure since May 2023, with 39 new road projects receiving N78.77 billion & N30 Billion for old projects, with additional release of N12 Billion

√Presentation by HC Culture & Tourism on tourism blueprint for proposed development of Tourism hubs at Ikot Abasi, Itu, and Oron

√ Two projects ready, 19 ongoing through Direct Labour Agency on 1 Project per Local Government Area; 31 ARISE Compassionate Homes nearly completed

√Approval for increment of pension for pensioners who retired before 2012, effective April 2024.