Kebbi Governor Heads Federal Government Task Force On Rice, Wheat Production
Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has been appointed to chair the National Rice and Wheat Task Force by the Federal government has established
The Task Force was set up on Tuesday to set up targets that will yield comprehensible and self-evident results in rice and wheat production in the country.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who inaugurated the Task Force at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said: “what we are trying to achieve is that agriculture is our main stay and we are trying to evolve a strategy for our economy, a strategy for employment and a strategy for feeding our people.”
Osinbajo said that the need to feed our population is the focus of the Buhari administration, adding: “Rice and wheat is our main focus, and making sure that in one year we can show the world that we are serious.”
He emphasised the need to develop strategies to rejuvenate the whole value chain, even as he gave the following as terms of reference to the panel;
i. to set up production targets for rice and wheat in the participating states;
ii. to determine the scope and particulars for government support needed towards the attainment of the set targets;
iii. to consider and proffer the best off-take and marketing arrangements that will encourage maximum effort among the farmers/millers;
iv. to determine the rice and wheat value chain deficiencies and recommend solutions for addressing them;
v. to mobilize farmers and millers in identified target states to engage the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and other available support facilities;
vi. to establish timelines for the delivery of goals set by the Task Force.
Responding, the Chairman of the Task Force said that the disconnect between farmers and millers needs to be addressed, adding that the two bodies in the value chain need to be mobilized for maximum results.
Members of the task force include Governors of Kebbi State Senator Abubakar A. Bagugu, Dr. A. U. Ganduje of Kano State, and Engr. David Umahi of Ebonyi State. Others are the Minister of State for Agriculture Lokpobiri Heineken, the President of Rice Farmers Association Mallam Aminu Goronyo and the President Wheat Farmers Association Saliu Mohammed. [myad]
Ramadan: The Month Of Spiritual Reformation, By Deen Adavize
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is the third pillars of Islamic faith. Ramadan is a month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The month offers a great opportunity for Muslims to reform and refine their spiritual being.
Allah (SW) in the Holy Quran commanded all Muslims to fast during this sacred month. It reads: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Taqwa (God-consciousness).”– Qur’an, 2:183.
It is therefore an obligatory for every Muslim believer to fast during this month, except those who are exempted from fasting which include: Children, sick people, elderly, travelers and menstruating women, postnatal, pregnant or breast-feeding.
During this period, Muslims all over the world redesign their lifestyles to focus on the goals of Ramadan.
A whole body awareness of God and a humble thankfulness for whatever blessings He has granted. Where there is awareness of God, there is spirituality. Once we attain spirituality, we are bound to attain self-righteousness, which is the key to success in this world and in the hereafter.
Ramadan is not just abstaining from eating and drinking. It requires restraint from a lot of things that are permissible at all other times, such as eating, drinking, intimacy etc. It also provides opportunity for Muslims who consciously or unconsciously engage in the acts that are prohibited by Allah to restrain from them during this month. By doing this for most of the day, it teaches discipline and the ability to fight and control desires of the soul at all times.
For example, a man who is in the presence of his beautiful wife, within the privacy of his home, and in a very romantic environment, and still control his permitted desire just out of obedience to Allah does wonders for his self-discipline, self-control, and sacrifice.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said: “The blessed month has come to you. Allah has opened the gates of paradise and closed the gates of hellfire, and the devils are chained. And, there is a night (during this month) which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived (of something great).”
According to medical practitioners, there are many health benefits of fasting as well. When one is fasting, the entire digestive system is at rest and gives the organs time to repair and rejuvenate. This enables better functioning of the systems and prevents many illnesses.
Apart from these, fasting also improves mental acuity and physical and mental stamina, as the body gets trained to survive without continuous and instant gratification provided by food and drink.
Ramadan is an opportunity to abandon bad habits and attempt at reaching a higher degree of moderation and spirituality in order to be closer to Allah and away from the negativity of the world.
We must reflect on our lives in order to view this world and the purpose of our existence with more penetrating insight. We must therefore strive to imbibe the spirit of this Holy month at all times.
Habits such as night prayer, recitation of the Holy Qur’an, repentance, supplication, charity, love for one another, and abstinence from all forms of immoralities should be retained even after Ramadan. If we are able to achieve all these, then no doubt, we have really benefited from the Holy month and are one step closer to gaining God-consciousness. We will also be sure of coming out of this month with a reformed soul.
May Allah accept our struggles, forgive our shortcomings during this month and help us to achieve all the good benefits of Ramadan. May He admit us in His paradise and save us from the torment of hellfire (Ameen). [myad]