How Lack Of Political Will Obstructs Agricultural Growth In Nigeria – Osinbajo

March 15, 2022

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has identified lack of political will and commitment as the factors that have been militating against the development of agriculture in Nigeria.

Professor Osinbajo, who looked back at the glorious past said: “the truth of the matter is that the difference between then and now is the political will. There is no question at all that there is far more information today than there was then but someone has to have the will to do it.”

Addressing, today, March 15, members of a delegation from the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, who was on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, insisted that what is required to boost resource mobilisation are hardwork and dedication of all stakeholders in the sector.

Professor Osinbajo stresses that agriculture can be the solution to a lot of the nation’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and a lot of the resource needs.

“There is no question at all, that any part of Nigeria, if there is sufficient dedication and hard work, can feed the entire country. There are smaller countries not up to the size of one State in Nigeria that are producing enough and exporting produce to other parts of the world.”

Osinbajo, who also acknowledged the importance of private sector collaboration in transforming agriculture, however, stressed the need for stakeholders to focus on research and development.

He said that the progress made by some countries of the world, especially in the area of commercial farming have been hinged on research.

Earlier, the Director-General of DAWN, Mr. Seye Oyeleye, said that the commission had developed blueprints for the development of the health and education sectors in the six States of the South-West.

He cited the revitalization of cocoa production and the framework for sustainable agricultural transformation in the region, among achievements recorded by the commission in the nine years of its establishment

Court Jails Innocent, The Treasurer 11 Years, For Stealing N66.5 Million

Greenbarge Reporters

March 15, 2022

An Anambra State High Court, in Awka, presided over by Justice Arinze Akabua, has sentenced a former Treasurer with the Anambra State Ministry of Finance, Innocent Ezeonwuka, to 11 years imprisonment for defrauding pensioners of N66.5 million.
Onwuka, who was a Sub-Treasurer with the Ministry, was accused by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of diverting monies meant for the payment of gratuities to retired civil servants under Aguata Sub-Treasury, Anambra State.
The Commission, in a three-count charge, averred that the convict abused his office by conferring corrupt advantage on himself when he embezzled N66,520,564.62 meant for paying gratuities of the retired staff of the Aguata Sub-Treasury.
Counsel to ICPC, Enosa Omoghibo, told the court that the convict committed the offence between June 2009 and June 2011 when he diverted the entire N66.5 million released by the state government for payment of gratuity to retirees.
The court heard that the former Treasurer was posted to Aguata Treasury office within the period and in defiance to the lawful directives issued to him by the then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to pay gratuities of retired civil servants under the Aguata Sub Treasury, diverted the monies released to other purposes thereby leaving the affected beneficiaries in want and penury.
Justice Akabua, at the conclusion of the trial, found Ezeonwuka guilty on all three counts and therefore sentenced him to five years imprisonment on counts one and two, and one year imprisonment on count three. The sentences will run concurrently, the court ruled.

Over 1 Million Candidates Have Registered For Admission Into Nigerian Universities

Editorial staff

March 15, 2022

Report reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper has shown that no fewer than 1,121, 123 candidates have registered seeking for admission into Nigerian universities through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination UTME).

According to the Head of Media and Protocol of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Dr. Fabian Benjamin in the JAMB’s Weekly Bulletin today, March 14, the registration exercise for the UTME and Direct Entry (DE), which commenced on February19, would close on March 26, with no extension.

JAMB said that it has paid N600 million cumulative amount derived from the regulated N700 service charges of the registration exercise to accredited Computer Based Tests (CBT) centres.

“JAMB had so far remitted over N600 million service charges to respective centres, in line with the cashless policy of the board, which represents the total number of candidates, multiplied by N700.

“This payment, however, excludes JAMB-owned CBT centres.

“N104,899,300 was paid in the first week of registration; N251,730,500 in the second week of registration and N332,150,700 was paid for last week’s registration.

“Cumulatively, more than N600 million had been paid to the CBT centres as centre charges.”

According to JAMB, the new policy of paying directly to CBT owners have reduced the sharp practices associated with warehousing candidates by tying them to non – performing centres.

The board said that it has also helped the proprietors of CBT centres to have a global picture of the total amount being generated by their respective centres.

It said that the cashless policy was introduced to curb the excesses of some fraudulent CBT centres that would want to take advantage of hapless candidates.

Police Not Planning To Go On Strike, Thank You – Force Spokesperson

Editorial staff

March 15, 2022

The Nigeria Police Force has made it clear that none of its men and officers is planning to embark on a nationwide strike as published by some sections of the social media recently.

The Acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement today, March 14, said that the publication is fake and a mischievous attempt by unscrupulous individuals to bring the Force to disrepute, misinform the general public and heat up the polity.

The statement said that the Nigeria Police Force is a regimented and disciplined organization with laid down rules and guidelines for addressing grievances and that in no circumstance is a strike action one of such means.

According to the statement, the men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are fully aware that a strike action or other deliberate disruption of law enforcement services by any security organization is mutinous, adding that the personnel of the Force would not degenerate at any point to that level of disloyalty and indiscipline, as policing services are paramount and essential in the maintenance of orderliness and peace in the nation.

“It is pertinent to emphasize that the IGP (Inspector General of Police) is accelerating efforts to ensure the full implementation of the increment of salaries and allowances proposed by the President and approved by the Federal Executive Council.

“It is important to accentuate that it was the President’s initiative without any demand from the Police to direct the process of increasing salaries and allowances. The Federal Government is therefore fully committed to the implementation of the new salary package.

“Since that approval, the Salaries and Wages Commission has issued an implementation circular, the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs and the IGP have been working with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to ensure the stoppage of tax deductions as directed by the President and approved by the Federal Executive Council.

“Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police reiterates that police officers under his leadership are well motivated with the ongoing reforms, especially the provision of kits, accoutrements, body armor, the cooperative society’s housing scheme, the renovation of training schools, upgrade of police training curriculum, procurement and deployment of technology to boost ICT-driven policing.

“The IGP equally assures that the police are committed to discharging their duties to the nation as expected and renew their commitment to ensuring public safety, and the protection of lives and property of all and sundry.”

Gov Wike To Gov Obaseki: I Have More Stake In PDP Than You

March 14, 2022

Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike has lectured his Edo State counterpart, Governor Godwin Obaseki on the fact that he has more stakes in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) than him (Obaseki).

Responding to Governor Obaseki’s statement that all the PDP members have equal stake in the party, Wike said: “Obaseki, I have more stake in PDP than you. I have fought for this party; mention one thing that you have done for the PDP.”

In the war of words that have ensued between the two governors over the weekend, the Rivers State governor said: “Let me tell you Obaseki, I know your cohorts and I will smoke all of you out. This is not the Benin artefact that you were challenging the Oba (of Benin). This is politics.

“I am not in the class of Obaseki, never! We are not the same, we can’t be the same. I was the DG of his campaign, I went there (to Edo) for three days. I stayed there without having my bath. I have never seen somebody like that in my life – a serial betrayer.

Addressing a crowd at the commissioning of a secondary school in Omuanwa community, Rivers State today, March 14, Governor Wike accused Governor Obaseki of being ungrateful to the party and the people who supported him to be re-elected when he left the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Wike, who apologised to a former national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, for not listening to his warning that Governor Obaseki would betray him in the PDP, said: “if you check the DNA of Obaseki, what you will see in that DNA is betrayal, serial betrayal, and ungratefulness.

“Let me stand today to apologise to Adams Oshiomhole who has been vindicated by telling us that we will see the true colour, the insincerity, the ungratefulness of Governor Obaseki.

“We have voted for PDP since 1999 till now; ask Governor Obaseki if he has done anything for PDP (or) voted for PDP. The only election he voted was his own election – where we gave him an umbrella.”

“Let me clearly say without any apology to anybody that one of the problems in this country is leadership – people who cannot stand firm and say: this is white; this is black at all times.”

Gov Wike Reels In Delusion Of Grandeur To Think He Owns PDP – Gov Obaseki

Editorial staff

March 14, 2022

“It clearly amounts to delusion of grandeur, for any one man (Governor Nyeson Wike) to nurse the idea that he owns or has more stake in the PDP and everyone should pander to him.

“We are all equal stakeholders in the party and an aggregate of the ideas, opinions and contributions of all leaders and members should form the position of the party and not the view of one individual or a select few.

“While Governor Wike is free to use his resources as he deems fit in pursuit of his ambition, he should not attempt to cow, intimidate, cajole and threaten others into doing his bidding. Edo State cannot and will not be procured for anyone’s personal ambition.”

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki made the statement in reaction to what he called personal attacks by his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Nyesom Wike against his Deputy, Philip Shaibu.

Obaseki called on the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call Governor Wike to order, saying that the issues raised by his deputy for which Governor Wike attacked his deputy were germane and needed to be resolved in the interest of the party.

“The recent personal attacks by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Nyesom Wike, against my Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu is, to say the least, most unfortunate and totally uncalled for.

“If Governor Wike was one who is wont to show respect and courtesy to his colleague-governors, he would have ordinarily reached out to me to express his concerns about the views made by my deputy governor, rather than embarking on this unwarranted public onslaught.

“My deputy governor was a former National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and his comment is representative of the essence of the nation’s youth population, who are inclined to openly speak up and question the status quo. If Governor Wike cannot understand and adequately respond to the style and character of the Nigerian youth, how can he aspire to lead them?

“His Excellency, Governor Wike should have taken a cue from the manner in which the National Chairman of our party, Sen. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, responded to my deputy’s remarks, as a conscientious leader who is able to show empathy and consideration.

“The concerns expressed by my deputy governor bordered on pertinent issues affecting the PDP in Edo State which since the September 19th 2020 elections, has been able to register over 500,000 members; and till date, these new members have not been properly integrated into our party after two years.

“Also, the leaders, executives and members who came with me into the party have still not been accepted, integrated or harmonized into the party.

“More worrisome is the fact that old members of Edo PDP, who are open to inclusion and supportive of building a large party are being vilified and ostracized by a cabal purportedly led by Chief Dan Orbih, who is your perpetual guest in Port Harcourt and is remotely used to orchestrate the destabilization of the party in Edo State.

“It is necessary to recall at this point that a political solution gave rise to the emergence of Chief Dan Orbih first as Acting and then as Substantive National Vice Chairman, South South, of our party, when Chief Emma Odidi resigned that position to allow Chief Orbih to ascend.

“It is therefore curious why this type of political solution is no longer tenable to resolve the political impasse in Edo State PDP.

“We can categorically state that in the comments of the deputy governor, he at no point threatened the party as Governor Wike has alleged. Rather, it is Governor Wike, who has at different times, threatened the PDP. Some of these instances include:

On September 16, 2018, Governor Wike threatened the party that there would be grave consequences if it moved the National Convention from Port Harcourt in the run up to the 2019 presidential election.
On September 12, 2019, Governor Wike also threatened to cause trouble for the party over the emergence of Hon. Ndudi Elumelu as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.”

Noting that Governor Wike has contributed to the advancement of the party, just like others, since 1999, he stressed: “No one is against his desire to run for president, however, his ambition should not be embarked on in such a way that it would cause disruption at different levels, such as the PDP Governors’ Forum as well as different chapters of the party across the country.

“What Nigeria needs now are strong democratic institutions and not strong men; that is why we will join the great leaders of our party across the country to build PDP into a strong, large and indomitable party that will win next year’s presidential election.

“Governor Wike and his collaborators headed by Chief Dan Orbih in Edo State will not succeed in destabilizing the PDP in Edo State as they did other states like Cross River just to secure delegates to actualize his alleged personal ambition to run for presidency in 2023.

“In Edo, we don’t accept political bullies and overlords and historically, we have demonstrated our capacity to unshackle ourselves and dethrone bullies and highhanded leaders.

“I appeal to all well-meaning leaders of our great party to call Governor Wike to order to desist from his current unguarded and disruptive tendencies. From all indications today, PDP is set to take over the leadership of Nigeria provided we can rein in the self interest of a few leaders to put the task of rescuing Nigeria above their personal ambitions.”

We Have Gone “Green”

Greenbarge Reporters

March 14, 2022

As our name implies, we in the Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper, have really resolved to go green, by which we would like to be identified with news, mainly on agriculture, agro-allied ventures and their development or otherwise.

For over nine years since we started this online newspaper business, we have opened the site to featuring general stories. Along the line, we realised that choosing a particular field of human endeavour to focus on has a way of attracting particular kind of readers/visitors.

henceforth therefore, while we are not jettisoning news in all other fields; economy, politics, health, sports, foreign, etc, we would place greater emphasis on the “green.”

we are therefore, soliciting stories, analysis and related materials, and articles from our dynamic readers across the world.

Food Supply Crisis Looms In Nigeria – Lagos Chamber of Commerce

Greenbarge Reporters

March 14, 2022

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has warned that the ongoing war Between Russia and Ukraine will affect Nigeria’s food supply.

It’s President, Asiwaju Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, said that Nigeria’s food supply will come under some pressure as it imported four per cent of wheat from Ukraine and 27 per cent of wheat from Russia in 2021 according to Gallup News.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that Russia was the sixth major exporter to Nigeria as of the third quarter of 2021 coming only after China, India, USA, Netherlands, and Belgium in that order”.

He also said “It is unclear how long the current disruptions in the food supply chain will last, even though it has already triggered higher wheat prices around the world.

“In developing economies including Nigeria, where populations already struggle to afford food, disruptions to food supply may result in substantial additional hardship and instability. “Disruption of Ukrainian wheat supplies may prove doubly painful for countries already squeezed by food insecurity and rising food prices as we have in Nigeria.

“Ukraine was the second-largest supplier of wheat to the United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP) in 2020 and 2021. Unable to procure wheat from Ukraine, the WFP will likely have to purchase the grain from other, more expensive sources and thus have less aid to provide to those at the greatest risk. This means that humanitarian assistance to developing countries will be disrupted at least in the short term.

“The War between Ukraine and Russia will likely make the world’s hunger crisis even tougher to fight. The countries are two of the world’s major suppliers of staple grains like wheat. A protracted crisis increases the likelihood of supply interruptions and higher food prices for many people — including those who can least afford them.

“The government at all levels, at this time, should open up their reserves (if there are any) to boost supply in order to stabilise prices at least in the short term. Alternatively, the government should intervene by way of initiating imports from other sources outside the war zones. However, the most sustainable solution is for the government to boost local production of these staples to levels that meet local demand.

“The world economy is already feeling the impact of the disruptions caused by the war on global supply chains. This is reflected in rising local prices of petrol and diesel, as in the case of Nigeria where we depend on oil imports. Today, it is not just about the skyrocketing price of diesel which has risen above N700.00/litre, but that the product is now scarce and difficult to get.

“While we commend the evacuation efforts so far made by the Federal Government, situation reports confirm that there are still stranded students in Ukraine and neighbouring countries whose fate of escape or survival is becoming uncertain by the day.

“We can only call for more efforts to speed up the evacuation of Nigerians from the war-torn region. Looking at the economics of these crises, Nigeria should have been a major harvester of opportunities from the war between Russia and Ukraine in areas like gas supplies to Europe where Russian oil and gas have been rejected as part of sanctions on Russian for invading Ukraine. Unfortunately, we do not have the infrastructure in place to produce enough gas for supply to Europe. In preparing for the reality of our near future, we urge the Federal Government to take seriously the completion of projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, a planned natural gas pipeline from Nigeria to Algeria.

“With this, we can explore the opportunity of exporting gas to Europe. We should also target Trans-Saharan and European markets with the ongoing construction of the Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano Gas Pipeline, popularly known as AKK Gas Pipeline. Arising from the calamities of this war, Nigeria can explore emerging opportunities to earn huge foreign exchange inflow in the medium to long-term.

“We call on the Federal Government to deploy the instrument of diplomacy in reaching out to well-meaning world powers towards a speedy resolution of this crisis. The duration of this war is a critical variable in determining the extent of damage that may occur as a result of this war. Time is of the essence. Secondly, we reiterate our earlier recommendation that refining of our crude remains the most sustainable option especially when we consider the huge cost of subsidy on government finances. On refurbishing the refineries, government should consider the joint venture model similar to the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) model.”

US Cautions China Not To Support Russia In Anyway

Greenbarge Reporters

March 14, 2022

The United States of America has warned China not to give any form of support to Russia which is believed to have asked for military assistance, including drones in the current war between it and Ukraine.

White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, who responded to the development yesterday, March 13, made it clear that China providing Russia with support is a “concern.”

“We also are watching closely to see the extent to which China actually does provide any form of support, material support or economic support, to Russia. It is a concern of ours.”

Sullivan said that the US has communicated to China, warning that it will not stand by and allow any country to provide support to Russia for its losses from the economic sanctions.

He said that China has been warned that there would be “absolute consequences” for “large-scale” efforts to give Russia a workaround to US sanctions.

“We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country anywhere in the world,” he said.

And for this reason, Sullivan would be meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi in Rome today, March 14.

Source: CNN.

Russia Warns US: Stop Supplying Ukraine Weapons, It’s Dangerous

Editorial staff

March 13, 2022

Russia has warned the United States of America to stop transferring weapons to Ukraine to avoid what it called, the dangerous consequences.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Ryabkov, who gave the warning also said that convoys with foreign weapons would be “legitimate targets,” if the US would not heed the warning.

Speaking today, March 12 on the state-run Channel One, according to Russia’s state-owned RIA Novosti news agency, Ryabkov said: “we warned the United States that pumping Ukraine with weapons from a number of countries orchestrated by them is not just a dangerous move, but these are actions that turn the corresponding convoys into legitimate targets.”

The war between Ukraine and Russia began in February. The war enters its sixteenth day today, with massive casualties already recorded.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had ordered the invasion of Ukraine over disagreements on some political issues, had listed some conditions to end the war.

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