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UNIFEMGA identifies problems confronting Nigeria’s agricultural sector, proffers solutions

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UNIFEMGA identifies problems confronting Nigeria’s agricultural sector, proffers solutions

By: Michael Mike

For Nigeria to get on the right trajectory to agricultural development and food sustainability, she needs to overcome the challenges of limited finance, high cost of power generation, limited storage facilities, inadequate market information, among others.

These challenges were identified by Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA) at a one-day third agricultural conference organised by the Ogun state Chapter of the association in Abeokuta.

it was resolved that to get it right as a country, all the factors listed must be adhered to.

At the Conference, whose theme is: Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Development: Access to finance and funding opportunities”, it was resolved that to get it right as a country, all the factors listed must be adhered to.

UNIFEMGA noted with concern that corruption has been the main factor affecting the Nigerian economy and until it is vigorously tackled, the country will not make any progress, while adding that interventions and aids which could have helped the sector only come as crash programme and never consistent.

According to the foremost Muslim Alumni, natural occurrences such as flood which could lead to famine must also be taken into consideration for Nigeria to move forward in the agricultural sector.

In the communique issued at the meeting, also identified national insecurity and mistrust, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, the Boko Haram insurgence were recognized as some of the factors responsible for the reluctance of financial institutions to provide credit for agriculture venture as it poses a great financial risk and therefore attracts high interest rate that is mostly unaffordable to agriculture entrepreneurs.

The communique read: “Corruption is the bane of our economy and until we drive it out from all the sectors of the economy, we are going nowhere as a nation. The challenges confronting Nigeria as a nation among others are lack of modernisation/mechanisation, market volatility, limited finance, tax and duties laced with inconsistencies by government, high cost of power generation.

“Project interventions and aids come as crash programme and is not consistent. Natural phenomena are very difficult to cope with and manage because of the negativities such as flood which wash away farm settlements and which may result in famine. So also is national insecurity and mistrust, banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram insurgence, etc.

“The presence of these challenges are responsible for the reluctance of financial institutions to provide credit for agriculture venture as it poses a great financial risk and therefore attracts high interest rate that is mostly unaffordable to agriculture entrepreneurs. With less than 5% of banks’ credit granted to the sector, finance from traditional banks remains a major challenge to agriculture development in Nigeria.

“In order to bridge the gap within the agriculture credit market, financial institutions like Lotus Bank has a critical role to play by developing areas around the value chain through product financing, financing of farm inputs, financial advisory and financial literacy. Financial institutions must understand that whatever financing option to adopt must be mutually beneficial,” the Communique added.

The conference advised entrepreneurs to take advantage of Lotus Bank, where there are financing for the purchase of inputs for crop production such as seedlings/seeds, fertilisers, insecticides, manual sprayers, for the acquisition of farm machinery, of working capital needs through forward purchase of agriculture produce, for infrastructure development such as farm house and warehouse as well as equity partnership on agriculture venture.

While calling on those who want to embrace agriculture as business to have sound knowledge of the sector through mentorship and research, he urged government and policy makers to show sincerity of purpose in addressing the multiple challenges facing the Nigerian economy so that people are encouraged to put in their best.

“Government policy must not be anti- people and innovation as we have in most situation in Nigeria where upcoming local business are brutally killed by multiple unexplained heavy financial demands from government agencies.”

Participants at the conference include the former minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Najeemdeen Adewale, UNIFEMGA BOT Chairman, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, Prof. Sabur Adesanya, former Olabisi Onabanjo University Vice Chancellor and chairman of the occasion as well as National President of UNIFEMGA, Alhaji Abdulfattah Olanlege.

Others were the duo of the guest speakers ,Alhaja Kafilat Araoye , MD/CEO of Lotus Bank, Prof. Jimoh Farinde from OAU Ile-Ife, Mr Tairu Olarenwaju, the chairman of UNIFEMGA Ogun state,representatives of various chapters of UNIFEMGA, other stakeholders in agricultural business, among several others.

UNIFEMGA identifies problems confronting Nigeria’s agricultural sector, proffers solutions

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Troops Launch Manhunt for Berom Militia After Attack on Cattle in Plateau Community

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Troops Launch Manhunt for Berom Militia After Attack on Cattle in Plateau Community

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 4 Operation Enduring Peace have launched efforts to track down Berom Militia following an attack on cattle in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources disclosed that the troops responded to a distress report at about 5:12 p.m. on May 23 concerning an attack on cattle belonging to a local herder identified as Alhaji Tambari at Gassa village.

According to the sources, the cattle were grazing in the area when the attackers struck and fled before the arrival of security personnel.

Upon reaching the scene, troops discovered that one cow had been shot dead during the incident.

The Berom militia were said to have escaped from the area before security operatives arrived.

Troops have since intensified efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack while patrols have been heightened within the community and surrounding areas to prevent further incidents.

Security authorities reiterated the commitment of Operation Enduring Peace to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace in communities across Plateau State.

Troops Launch Manhunt for Berom Militia After Attack on Cattle in Plateau Community

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Gombe 2027: Pantamiyya Movement to galvanise grassroots support for Gwamna’s guber bid

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Gombe 2027: Pantamiyya Movement to galvanise grassroots support for Gwamna’s guber bid

The Pantamiyya Movement Brothers, led by prominent grassroots mobiliser, Sanusi Hamisu Usman, popularly known as Ameer Sanusin-Gombe, has declared its full support for the governorship ambition of APC candidate in Gombe State, Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a solidarity visit to Dr Gwamna, Ameer Sanusin-Gombe described the meeting as strategic and timely, noting that the movement was determined to support what he called “the emergence of a worthy successor” capable of consolidating the achievements of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

The movement, which boasts more than 100 coordinators spread across all wards in the 11 local government areas of the state, said its decision to align with Dr Gwamna was driven by his growing acceptability within the APC family and among the wider grassroots population.

Sanusin-Gombe appealed to the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, and other aspirants in the APC governorship race to close ranks with Dr. Gwamna in the overall interest of the party and the development of Gombe State.

He stressed that unity among party stakeholders remained critical to securing a landslide victory for the APC in both the governorship and presidential elections.

According to him, Dr Gwamna’s political experience, grassroots connection, and wide acceptance across different blocs within the party made him the right choice for the task ahead.

“We are here to demonstrate our solidarity and commitment to the project of ensuring APC remains united and victorious in 2027. Dr. Gwamna has shown humility, experience, and the capacity to carry everyone along,” he said.

Responding, Dr. Gwamna expressed appreciation to the Pantamiyya Movement for placing party unity above other interests, describing the visit as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to the future of the APC in the state.

The APC governorship candidate assured party members that he would pursue an inclusive leadership style that accommodates all interests and tendencies within the party.

He called on all former contestants and stakeholders to set aside differences arising from the primaries and work together as one family toward sustaining the developmental strides recorded under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration.

Dr. Gwamna, therefore reaffirmed his commitment to mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections, insisting that unity and collective purpose would remain the party’s greatest strength in Gombe State.

Gombe 2027: Pantamiyya Movement to galvanise grassroots support for Gwamna’s guber bid

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NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security

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NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security

By: Michael Mike

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) through the deployment of secure digital identity systems aimed at improving governance, enhancing national security, and expanding access to public services.

Speaking at a digital conference in Abuja themed “Building Africa’s Digital Foundations Together,” the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, represented by the Head of Infrastructure Technology and Identity Databases, Mr. Sulaiman Falade, said the commission is driving reforms and institutional partnerships to build an inclusive and interoperable digital identity ecosystem.

According to her, the National Identification Number (NIN) has become central to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, serving as a key tool for identity verification, biometric authentication, and access to both government and private sector services.

She noted that following the Presidential Directive issued on April 5, 2024, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were mandated to integrate the NIN into digital services, particularly in areas involving data capture, identity verification, and authentication processes.

Coker-Odusote stated that NIMC has already established implementation structures to ensure compliance with the directive and to deepen the adoption of digital identity solutions across the country.

She further stressed that the Federal Government’s vision is to establish a unified, secure, and transparent digital identity framework capable of supporting efficient service delivery and accountability in governance.

The NIMC boss added that the commission is also advancing Nigeria’s broader digital governance goals through the deployment of the National Public Key Infrastructure (nPKI), a system designed to strengthen trust in digital transactions, safeguard citizens’ data, and promote secure online interactions.

She called on stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to continue supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem, noting that the initiative is critical to national development and economic growth.

According to her, NIMC remains committed to leveraging technology and innovation to build a more connected, efficient, and resilient nation.

NIMC Pushes Digital Identity Reforms to Boost Service Delivery, Security

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