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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 Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina, Pursue Fleeing Suspects

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Troops Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina, Pursue Fleeing Suspects

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have successfully repelled an attack by armed bandits who invaded Sabon Layi and Kakumi villages, firing sporadically, in an attempt to terrorize residents.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on Friday, prompting an immediate response from combined troops comprising Nigerian Army, personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF)and vigilant group in Kankara Local Government Area.

The troops engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat with varying degrees of injuries.

No casualties were recorded among the security forces or civilians.

Troops Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina, Pursue Fleeing Suspects

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Special Forces Troops Intercept Terrorists Planting IEDs in Zamfara

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Special Forces Troops Intercept Terrorists Planting IEDs in Zamfara

By Zagazola Makama

Special Forces Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have intercepted terrorists attempting to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along a strategic route in Gando Forest, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops, operating under Operation TSAFTA DAJI III Phase 3, launched an ambush when they encountered a group of terrorists laying IEDs.

On sighting the advancing troops, the terrorists fled into the forest under the cover of darkness, abandoning their explosives and equipment.

Recovered items include: One motorcycle, Three 25-litre jerrycans filled with IED components, 300 meters of sapper cable, one DET 33 electric detonator and one hoe used for planting explosives.

The Nigerian military has continued to maintain an aggressive posture against terrorists and criminal elements in Zamfara State, with Operation FANSAN YANMA and Operation TSAFTA DAJI III targeting bandit strongholds across Anka, Bagega, and Bukkuyum axis.

Special Forces Troops Intercept Terrorists Planting IEDs in Zamfara

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Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Dogo Wise Killed in Zamfara Rival Clash

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Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Dogo Wise Killed in Zamfara Rival Clash

By Zagazola Makama

A violent clash between rival bandit factions has resulted in the killing of notorious bandit leader Kachalla Dogo Wise in Zamfara State, sources familiar with the incident have confirmed to Zagazola Makama.

According to the source Dogo Wise was killed by another bandit commander, Kachalla Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka, following a dispute over ransom money. The deadly confrontation occurred at Dutsin Daru, Maradun Local Government Area.

Security sources revealed that the conflict erupted after Kachalla Dogo Wise allegedly seized ransom money that was meant for Kachalla Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka. The money was reportedly delivered by families of kidnapped victims, but Wise took full possession of it, refusing to share it with Kanin Na Eka.

Feeling betrayed, Kachalla Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka ambushed and killed Dogo Wise in retaliation, a move that has heightened tensions within the criminal underworld in Zamfara State.

“These bandits have no loyalty among themselves. When money is involved, they turn against each other. Dogo Wise made the mistake of crossing Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka, and it cost him his life.” sad the sources.

Meanwhile, following Dogo Wise’s killing, another powerful bandit leader, Kachalla Jimmu Sumoli, has vowed to avenge his death.

Jimmu Sumoli, a feared commander operating in Zamfara and parts of Sokoto State, reportedly declared that he would retaliate against Sa’idu Kanin Na Eka and his followers.

Source in Maradun LGA confirmed that Sumoli’s men have already begun mobilizing for a possible counterattack,
Implications for Security in Zamfara

The killing of Kachalla Dogo Wise adds to the growing infighting among bandit factions in the North-West, a trend that could weaken their operational strength but also trigger more brutal retaliatory attacks.

“While their internal conflicts reduce their cohesion, it also makes them more unpredictable and dangerous. We are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further violence spilling into communities.” said a military sources.

Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Dogo Wise Killed in Zamfara Rival Clash

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