Category: News

President of African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, disclosed this at the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, World Food Prize 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is attending the event in pursuance of the food security and diversification policy of the Tinubu administration, had on Wednesday delivered his keynote address at the ongoing Dialogue.

Delivering his own speech titled, “From Dakar to Des Moines,” Dr. Adesina noted that the decision to pump such huge funds into Nigeria’s agribusiness was part of the resolve to develop Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in 13 countries.

Explaining that it was the core of the food and agriculture delivery compacts from the Dakar 2 Summit held earlier this year in Dakar, Senegal, the AfDB President said, “We are investing heavily in the development of SAPZs to support the development of agricultural value chains, food processing and value addition, enabling infrastructure and logistics to promote local, regional, and international trade in food.

“The African Development Bank Group is investing $853 million in the development of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, and it has mobilized additional co-financing of $661 million, for a total commitment of $1.5 billion. We are deploying effective partnerships at scale. We are currently implementing 25 Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones in 13 countries.

“For example, the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development provided $520 million for the development of 8 special agro-industrial processing zones in Nigeria. The second phase of the program aims to mobilize an additional $1 billion to deliver special agro-industrial processing zones in 24 States of Nigeria”.

Dr. Adesina regretted that while much progress had “been made in African agriculture, 283 million people still go to bed hungry in Africa, about a third of the 828 million people that suffer hunger globally.”

He however described the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue World Food Prize 2023, as a “journey and narrative of how we are combining the power of science, technology, policies, and politics to ensure that Africa fully unlocks its agricultural potential, and feeds itself, with pride.”

The AfDB President thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, for participating in the global event, saying their presence is an indication “that Africa has the political will and is fully ready to tackle food insecurity and make hunger history” on the continent.

Also speaking during the fire-side chat with the AfDB President, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Vice President Kashim Shettima who spoke on the Tinubu administration’s initiatives for food security said the quality of present leadership in Nigeria and the rest of Africa will drive transformation in agriculture and other sectors.

According to him, “a nation falls or rises fundamentally due to the quality of its leadership. Right now Africa is blessed with quite a handful of quality leaders that have the drive, passion and skills set to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

“Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my boss, is a good example, Macky Sall of Senegal and of course, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt are doing wonderfully well, just to mention a few of the African leaders that are distinguishing themselves in leadership.

“I want to assure this gathering of investors and stakeholders in the agricultural sector that my boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a quintessential 21st century modern African leader who is determined to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

“Be rest assured that there will be a sea change in the fortunes of the Nigerian nation and by extention the African continent in the next couple of years because Nigeria is an anchor nation,” the VP added.

On wheat production, Sen. Shettima said “our target towards wheat production in Nigeria is to achieve 50% self sufficiency in the next 3 cycles. It is inconceivable that we are the second largest wheat importer in the world.

“Luckily, we have already procured the heat tolerant variety of wheat seeds and we are going to drive that process by supporting the farmers with the heat tolerant variety, agricultural extention services, fertilizer and also hope to increase the irrigation areas to 1 million hectares in the next cropping cycle.

“We need to produce about 2.4 million tonnes of wheat grains in Nigeria. We are going to reach out to our farmers through small irrigation schemes and through digitalisation. All the actors in the value chain will be sufficiently taken care of through innovative finance, partial credit guarantees and crop insurance,” the VP emphasized.

For rice production, the VP said the major challenge for Nigeria is the insufficiency of paddy rice. He noted that Nigeria has adequate milling capacity but “we need to produce 3 to 4 million tonnes of paddy rice to meet our requirement of about 2.5 million tonnes per annum. We have 75 million hectares of arable land and most of it suited for rice cultivation.”

He added that “we will provide our farmers with certified seeds, fertilzer, extension services, the digitlization of services, inputs, finance and market information. Our target is to achieve self sufficiency in rice latest by 2027.”

The VP also spoke about the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), reiterating the Tinubu administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for investors in the zones.

He said government would create an SAPZ development authority that will operate like a one-stop shop where regulatory and associated issues will be addressed.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has visited President Bola Tinubu at the State House.

The purpose of the visit was not disclosed, but it may not be unrelated to Tinubu’s recent victory in court.

The visit comes a day after the Supreme Court upheld Tinubu’s election victory and dismissed the appeals of his main challengers, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).

Former President Goodluck Jonathan described himself as a “roving ambassador” while speaking to newsmen.

He spoke on Friday while fielding questions from State House reporters after a closed door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The former president called on political leaders and former presidents to come together so that citizens would not suffer.

When asked about the Supreme Court verdict, he said: “We need to bring all our political leaders including all our former Presidents together, we will not be fighting, if top leaders continue fighting they will not suffer that much but the down trodden will suffer. And we want to end that tension so we move forward.”

Young Duu’s charge came after his former boss, Portable, claimed that he betrayed him after assisting him in becoming popular. In response He alleged that Portable had physically attacked him on multiple times while he was with his record label.

Young Duu, a former signee of Portable, has claimed that the Zazu crooner turned him into a vehicle washer and attacked him.

He also alleged that Portable had physically attacked him on multiple times while he was with his record label.

Young Duu’s charge came after his former boss, Portable, claimed that he betrayed him after assisting him in becoming renowned.

Recall how Portable warned Young Duu not to cut the ladder he used to achieve his goal because he could need it in the future?

In response to his prior employer’s accusations, Young Duu stated that he did not cut any “ladder” and that he left Zeh Nation in quest of success.

Speaking during an Instagram Live session with fans, Young Duu said, “I did not break any ladder. For those people that know me, I did not break any ladder. The ladder is still strong there. The person that owns the ladder said I should cut the ladder but I refused. Now, he’s saying I’m the one who wants to break the ladder.

“I did not break any ladder. I’m not backstabbing Portable. I’m out for success. I don’t think I did anybody bad. I left Zeh Nation for success. It’s just a help that Portable gave me.

“For how long? Na now una know say… Bro, no whine me o! Make we just forget about all these things. I don’t have much things to say online…Make una [Netizens] know wetin una dey tok. When I dey wash cars, when I dey suffer, when dem dey beat me, when dem dey slap me, when dem dey hit me, where una dey that time?”

The kingmakers in Oyo town have dragged Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to court over the vacant Alaafin stool.

The suit, which was filed at the Oyo State High Court sitting in Oyo town, by five kingmakers is seeking to restrain the governor and his agents “from aborting the process for the selection/appointment of the candidate for filling the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo duly conducted by the kingmakers.”

The claimants in the suit are the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Lagunna of Oyo, High Chief Wakeel Oyedepo; Akinniku of Oyo, High Chief Amusa Yusuf; Areago Basorun, Chief Wahab Oyetunji; and the Alapo of Oyo, Chief Gbadebo Mufutau.

The kingmakers claimed they had unanimously selected Prince Lukuman Gbadegesin at meeting on September 30, 2022 , to fill the stool of Alaafin of Oyo, which had become vacant since April 2022 when the 45th Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III died.

They are praying the court to restrain Makinde and his agents from nullifying the choice of Gbadegesin and “approving or recognising any other candidate” as the next Alaafin “after a duly conducted process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo in accordance with the native law, custom and Chieftaincy Declaration of Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy.”

The kingmakers also want the court to restrain the governor and the other defendants from removing them as Oyo kingmakers or “dissolving the Oyomesi in Council or appointing or selecting warrant chiefs to conduct or start a fresh process for the filling of the vacant stool of Alaafin of Oyo.”

A lawmaker representing Kajola state constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Azeez Akintola Musibau has assured members of the constituency of adequate representation and prompt delivery of dividends of democracy to the people in his administration, saying plans are on to ensure that life become meaningful to them through his empowerment schemes.

The legislator, a member of All Progressive Congress (APC), who is fondly addressed as “Action” gave the assurance at the official flagg off of his education empowerment scheme marking his hundred days in office.

The ceremony which attracted top politicians, dignitaries and students of secondary schools in the local government was held at the Okeho town hall amid pomp and colour.

In his address, the lawmaker, Hon. Musibau said the education empowerment scheme which had the 17 Secondary Schools in his constituency benefited from free exercise books among other writing materials was borne out of his passion to contribute meaningful to education development of his constituency, adding that the development was also aimed at fulfilling his electioneering promises to the people.

“What informed the initiative was the need to give back to my constituency what I promised them during my campaign. I recall that the people requested for free education among other things, hence, my resolve to give free exercise books to them, packets chalk among other writing materials irrespective of the party they belong.

“The second reason has to do with the importance which the progressive party attach to free education since the days of late political sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Bola Ige, that is path I am following.

“During their time, many people were raised and given the opportunity to go to school, today, all is in the good record of history, that’s my approach to the education sector. I assure the people of more of these development and I pray God will help me to achieve and fufill the objective before the end of my administration.”

“I want to assure the people that after the free education scheme, we will attend to the farmers, health sector, and every other sector to boost and improve their standard of living.

“I urge the students to be good ambassadors, be focused, disciplined and face their studies in order to make them to come out in flying colours in the future.”

Speaking at the well attended programme, the President, Oyo State Chapter of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, (ANCOPSS), Pastor Abraham Mojisola Ojetunde commended Hon. Musibau for his huge contributions to the education sector of Kajola constituency, describing the gestures as the right step in right direction.

According to him, the place of education in the development of the young ones cannot be under estimated, adding that the contribution of Hon. Musibau would go a long way in addressing the hardship facing the students in their studies.

“This initiative is historic and highly commendable. With this laudable scheme, you have indeed registered your picture in the heart of the young students who are tomorrow’s leaders of this nation. This is now on record, and your contributions will always be remembered, he avered.

Also speaking, a leader of the party in the federal constituency of the area, Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi Adejare lauded the efforts of the legislator, just as he admonished other political office holders to emulate the gestures of Hon. Musibau.

He said the constituency and the state as a whole can do better in education if the well to do and highly placed politicians of the area invest massively into the sector, saying the task is a collective exercise.

Earlier in his opening speech, a member of the party, Hon Olaaje Yaqub said purpose of the hundred days in office was to thank God for the gift of life and the opportunity to serve as member of Kajola state constituency in the Assembly.

“One of the reason for this occasion is to enable Hon. Musibau thank God for the opportunity to serve and give account of his hundred days stewardship to people of the constituency, and also, to empower the students and the schools with provision of exercise books, chalk and other education materials.

Apparently moved by the development, the Onjo of Okeho, Oba (Dr) Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha, Adeitan II lauded the lawmaker for deeming it fit to fufill his promises, describing him as a true representative of the people.

The monarch while encouraging Hon Musibau to continue the good work gave him royal blessings and assured him of his royal support, and that of the people of the area

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Senior Secondary School (SS3) students of ADS Comprehensive High School, Adesina Qowiyu and Olagoke Elizabeth Olamide of Baptist High School, Okeho thanked Hon. Musibau for the gestures.

They said many students have dropped out of school due to inability of their parents to purchase books and writing materials for them.

The students then called on spirited leaders and public office holders to emulate the gestures of Hon. Musibau in order to assist those who could not afford education, urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the books and items giving to them.

Suspected robbers invaded some hostel of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State and allegedly raped four students.

It was gathered that the robbers who broke into the hostels in the Abapawa area of the town, in the early hours of Tuesday, October 24, 2023, also dispossessed other students of their valuables.

A source who spoke with the punch on condition of anonymity disclosed that the incident led to an uproar among the students which eventually caught the attention of the state government.

“The students’ protest against the unfortunate event caught the attention of the state government. This led to the intervention of the state Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who paid a visit to the rape victims, at the state hospital where they are receiving treatment,” the source said.

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso, on Wednesday, upturned the appointment of the new Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye.

Earlier, Ghandi was announced as the new Soun by the Oyo state government and installed as king, on September 8, 2023.

Details later.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, on Tuesday, directed staff of the Commission to declare their assets.

Olukoyede, who gave the directive at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency, Abuja, said it was in line with civil service regulations and procedures.

The EFCC boss, while addressing senior members of staff of the commission, stressed that fighting corruption required those at the vanguard to be above board.

“All of us are going to declare our assets; from level 17, downward. I did mine, so there’s no reason for anyone to be afraid to do the same.”

“Even the Commission Secretary did, you all may also have done it in the past, but there’s a need for all of us to do it again.

“We will declare our assets, and we are going to investigate it. We must live above board by setting the pace with good examples.

“As anti-corruption fighters, our hands must be clean, so we must declare our assets,” Dele Oyewale, the acting spokesman of the agency quoted Olukoyede as saying.

He called on staff of the commission to pay more premium attention to the basis of fighting economic and financial crimes.

South-West governors on Tuesday paid a visit to the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Akeredolu who shared pictures of the visit on his X account on Tuesday said, “It was a delight to receive my brother Governors from the Southwest today, as we discussed National and other issues of interest to the region and the people.”

Governors present include Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, and Seyi Makinde of Oyo.

Only Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was absent from the meeting.

Since Akeredolu returned from his medical vacation abroad in September, the Ondo State governor has been working from Ibadan.

Due to the twin policy measures of the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the floating of the exchange rates by the Federal Government, the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has forwarded a bill for the upward review of year 2023 approved budget to the Oyo State House of Assembly.

The bill scaled first reading on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

It is seeking to revise 2023 approved budget for Oyo State from three hundred and ten billion, four hundred and thirty two million, five hundred thousand naira (#310,432,500.00) to three hundred and fifty two billion, two hundred and eighty two million, five hundred thousand naira only (#352,282,500,000.00).

According to the Bill, there was the need to have a budget realignment as the twin policy measures of the Federal Government has changed the dynamics of macroeconomic environment in the country and affected the business activities of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Oyo State.

” The supplementary budget will help in achieving the roadmap for Sustainable Development Agenda 2023 to 2027 of the present administration in Oyo State, and will also ensure that the business activities of the MDAs can thrive in the context of the current macroeconomic challenges in the country.”

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin said the effects of the twin policy measures of the Federal Government are being felt across the country.