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

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
News
Nine passengers perish in Ghastly vehicular crash on Maiduguri Damaturu road

Nine passengers perish in Ghastly vehicular crash on Maiduguri Damaturu road
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Nine passengers have died on the spot after their vehicle a Borno Express commercial bus heading to Maiduguri crossed its lane recently to collide with an on coming heavy duty vehicle headed for Damaturu.
The devastating crash occurred at Auno community area on Friday, at about 1530 hrs said the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) Commander Usman Mohammed.
The Sector Commander told this reporter that while eight of the commuters died on the spot, one died in the specialist hospital obviously after profuse bleeding making the total casualties to be nine which is the highest figure for this year in Borno state.
“The breakdown of the crash was the loss of Five adult Males, one adult female,, Two boys and One girl child not beyond the age of about 10.” Said the commander.
The sector commander noted that out of the total number of passengers in the hummer bus, seven others sustained various injuries and were rushed to the Maiduguri specialist hospital for treatment.
“The crash involved two vehicles a Toyota Hummer bus belonging to Borno Express carrying loads of papers possibly for a non governmental organization from Kaduna and a commercial Trailer heading towards Yobe.
“The hummer bus had stopped at Potiskum to drop some passengers he had from Kaduna and took another set for Maiduguri which was his ultimate destination with the cargo.
” The obvious cause of the crash is attributed to over speeding which resulted into loss of control which took him to the wrong lane.
” Sadly, you know that Auno is a dangerous zone on that route which is why many commuters refused to stop on the way to help them even after eight passengers died on the spot while the ninth one perished in the maiduguri Specialist hospital.
“This is the worse crash we have had this year unlike what we had early this year at Beneshek in which four people lost their lives on the spot.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased. The motoring public are urged to exercise caution on the road while traveling.” Said commander Musa Adamu.
Nine passengers perish in Ghastly vehicular crash on Maiduguri Damaturu road
News
Flash Flooding: Betara Clears Drainages, Gives Relief Materials in Biu

Flash Flooding: Betara Clears Drainages, Gives Relief Materials in Biu
By: Michael Mike
Member representing Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo, and Shani federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu has swiftly responded to the devastating flood in his constituency by mobilizing emergency relief efforts to repair damaged areas and provide support to affected residents.
After a sudden flash flood that has hit several wards in Biu local government area, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure, the lawmaker mobilized people to clear the drainage to forestall future reoccurrence.


He equally dispatched truckloads of relief materials to be shared to people affected by the flood.
The flood which was triggered by heavy rainfall recently, making overflowed bridges and inundated homes in various parts of the Biu.
According to recent of Biu town, Dauda Yusuf: “Rt. Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu, the federal lawmaker representing Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo, and Shani federal constituency in his usual manner has swiftly responded to the disaster that ravaged parts of Biu.
“He mobilized emergency relief efforts to repair damaged areas and provide support to affected residents.

“We could not have asked for better representative, Betara has always been supportive in all situations, in times of troubles just like this present flood and in times of celebration during Ramadans and many Sallahs, he always found something to give.”
A statement from Betara Youth Team (BYT) at the weekend, read that: “The feedback from the community resident was inspiring, and it is clear that this intervention will have a lasting impact on the lives of those who live there.
“Rt. Hon Muktar Betara Aliyu is committed to continuing to bring the benefits of democracy to his people and he will continue to work tirelessly to improve their lives.”
End
News
Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies

Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled an attempted infiltration by terrorists into Monguno town through the Charlie 15 axis in Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama on Sunday that the attempted attack occurred at about 0255 hours on Sunday but was swiftly repelled by alert troops who engaged the insurgents in a firefight.
The source said that during pursuit, the troops observed blood stains along the withdrawal route of the fleeing terrorists, suggesting that some of them may have sustained injuries.
Items recovered from the scene included seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one PKT machine gun belt, an empty AK-47 rifle magazine, an RPG bomb, spaghetti, and a pair of slippers.
There was no casualty on the side of the troops, and there was no further contact with the terrorists as they retreated into the bush.
Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies
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