Premier Seeds Nigeria launches ultra-modern processing plant in Gombe

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state on Tuesday inaugurated an ultra-modern seed processing factory established by Premier Seeds Nigeria Ltd.

The facility, located in the Gombe Industrial Park, was developed with support from the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through its climate and agriculture programme, Propcom+.

Yahaya said the plant is crucial to Gombe’s largely agrarian economy, noting that more than 80 per cent of the state’s residents depend on farming for their livelihood.

“The factory will give our farmers access to high-quality, climate-smart seeds, boosting productivity and food security across the North-East and indeed Nigeria,” he said.

Obasanjo, founder of Premier Seeds, stressed the central role of quality seed in agricultural output.

He commended the state government for creating an enabling environment through the industrial park, saying the initiative would spur investment and tackle unemployment.

Director-General of the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Mr Fatuhu Buhari, said the plant would unlock the North-East’s potential as an agro-industrial hub and aligns with Pillar 3 of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security and job creation.

Propcom+ Country Representative, Dr Adiya Ode, said the UK Government-funded programme’s investment in the seed processing facility would help close the gap in the availability and affordability of certified seeds across North-East Nigeria.

Ode explained that the plant was designed to strengthen the supply chain for improved, certified, climate-resilient seed varieties.

She said the facility would enable smallholder farmers to access high-yielding, drought- and flood-tolerant, disease-resistant, and bio-fortified seeds at significantly reduced costs.

According to her, the intervention will also address critical logistical challenges that hinder farmers’ access to quality seeds in the region.

Premier Seeds’ Managing Director, Dr Ibitoye Oyewale, described the facility as a milestone that raises the company’s processing capacity from 20 metric tonnes per hour to 35 metric tonnes, thereby improving farmers’ productivity and profitability.

Our correspondent reports that the new facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology for the cleaning, grading, treating and packaging of certified, high-quality and climate-resilient seed varieties.

2027: APC Northwest group drums support for Shettima, caution agitators

By: Our Reporter

APC Northwest Reclamation Front has expressed support for the continuation of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued in Kano and signed by the coordinator, Hisham Habib and the deputy coordinator special duties Safwan Isah Umar, the front said Vice President Kashim Shettima remains the best choice for the All Progressive Congress as running mate for President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

The ANRF said the leadership of the party and Nigerians cannot afford to lose Mr Shettima who as the number two citizen will undoubtedly leave a vacuum if dropped from the lofty race and urged the President to intervene in the interest of the party and the nation at large.

It extolled the indispensable leadership qualities of Mr Shettima who as governor in Borno state left a legacy and who has shown a great ability in supporting the president’s renewed hope program with utmost loyalty.

The group said after consultation with stakeholders from Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kebbi and Zamfara, a unanimous decision was reached to support another Tinubu/ Kashim ticket and to appeal to the agitated sides to sheathe the swords in the interest of peace and stability.

“As a leader from the North we see Shettima poised towards bringing the desired dividends of democracy to a united North and a wider consultation will be the best way to resolve all internal misunderstanding within our great party,” the statement noted.

The ANRF also commended the efforts of the party leadership while reiterating the need to support women and youth who are always downtrodden in the scheme of things.

2027: APC Northwest group drums support for Shettima, caution agitators

Killings in Plateau, Benue Could Escalate to Crisis in Violation of Human Rights if not Curtailed

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it is deeply disturbed by the recent escalation of violent attacks and killings in Benue and Plateau States.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr. Tony Ojukwu while lamenting that these incidents have resulted in the tragic loss of lives, displacement of innocent people, and wanton destruction of property, leaving many families and communities in trauma and despair, emphasized that the right to life is a fundamental human right, enshrined in various international and national instruments.

He further expressed concern that these attacks rooted in herders/farmer clashes are degenerating into ethnic, religious, or communal tensions, warning that these, if not checked could exacerbate the situation and lead to further human rights violations.

He noted that the NHRC is worried about the consequences of the ongoing carnage in Plateau and Benue during this rainy season which is the farming season. As we are all aware, Benue is the food basket of the nation. The present insecurity if unchecked means that people can no longer go to the farms this farming season.

He added that: “The ongoing insecurity particularly in the food producing regions of the country all point to the looming famine and food insecurity in the near future. The trillions and billions borrowed from the banks to support Local Agriculture risk being wasted due to persistent insecurity and apparent lack of political will to deal with this menace for the past 10 years and more.”

In light of these development, Ojukwu called on the government at all levels to take immediate and concrete steps to address the escalating security situation in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country. Under both the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights as well as International Convention on Civil and Political Rights including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

He said: “The Government has the primary duty for the protection of civilian. The deployment of adequate security personnel to affected areas to ensure the protection of lives and property; the Conduct of thorough investigation into the incidents and prosecuting perpetrators of violence to ensure accountability and justice; Provision of support and protection to vulnerable populations, including women, children and the elderly, constitute the primary responsibility of the government.

“Addressing the root causes of conflict and violence, including poverty, inequality, and social exclusion; as well as, promote dialogue and reconciliation among communities to foster peaceful coexistence must be pursued genuinely and intentionally by all relevant stakeholders.”

He also urged security agencies to adhere to international human rights standards and principles in their response to the situation, including the use of proportionate force and respect for human dignity.

He called on all relevant stakeholders, including community leaders, political office holders, civil society organizations, and the media, to work together to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding.

Ojukwu said: “The NHRC recognizes the important role that these stakeholders can play in preventing further violence and promoting human rights” he added. Efforts must be made by all to hold perpetrators to account including a public investigation, restitution, justice and compensation to victims and their families.”

He assured that the Commission will continue to monitor the situation and engage with relevant authorities to ensure that human rights are protected and promoted.

He renewed calls for state and local government, police and adoption of a national policy for the protection of civilians and human harm mitigation during conflicts, as well as ranching to forestall escalation of terrorism, banditry and herder/farmers clashes in the country.

Killings in Plateau, Benue Could Escalate to Crisis in Violation of Human Rights if not Curtailed