Nigeria Trains 3,000 Irish Potato Farmers Nationwide, Begins In Katsina

December 13, 2021

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has began a five-day training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Farmers Business School (FBS) for 60 Irish potato farmers in Katsina State.

Coordinator of Irish potato value chain in the ministry, Adegoke Adedamola, said at the opening of the training today, December 13 in Katsina, that they are targeting 3,000 beneficiaries nationwide.

According to him, the capacity building training was organised because the irish potato is one of the major crops consumed in Nigeria, and 90 per cent of it has been imported.

“Therefore, we felt it is right to see how we can build the capacity of our farmers in northern states that have the capacity and corporate advantage to produce the crop, especially during the harmattan season.

“And we have seen that Katsina had that comparative advantage. That is why we are here to see how we can quickly build their capacity on the FBS and GAP.

“The ministry is collaborating with a German International Corporation (JIZ) to see how we can promote this innovation around the country.

“We have done it in Adamawa, Plateau, Kano States and Obudu, where they have good locations where Irish potatoes can be developed. And we are still going to other states like Taraba.

“As we are building the capacity of our farmers, we believe that they are going to produce more, and we are also going to support them with an improved variety of irish potato seeds.”

In her opening remarks, the Director, Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), Hajiya Karima Babangida, said the training is on re-educating Irish potato farmers on farming as business rather than as a culture.

“You would agree with me that for decades, farming generally has been practiced from the perception of being a culture of our forefathers instead of being viewed as a profession.

“In the pursuit of food security and nutrition for our country, and if we are to achieve these, we must begin to change the narratives about farming as culture to farming as business.

“It is in this regard that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with GIZ, has been a strong advocate for this paradigm shift in our agriculture.

“Further to the foregoing, it is a known fact that Irish potato is a premium cash crop sought after by many here in the country and other West African countries.

“The purpose of this five-day workshop is to bring together Irish potato farmers in a class of 30 each to build their capacity on best practices and simple farming business model concepts.

“In order to increase their technical knowhow on the job to stimulate productivity and more income from doing the same job,” she said.

She added that it is important to know that GAP/FBS is capable of starting a potato revolution in Katsina that has the capacity to grow potatoes during the dry season.

“In view of the above, it is important for all participants to make good use of this training to learn and adopt best farm practices and new business innovations that would be taught over the next five days.” she disclosed.

The Chairman, Irish potato farmers in Katsina, Alhaji Salele Malumfashi, commended the Federal government’s efforts in ensuring that its members benefited from various interventions.

He further called on the state government to provide them with enough land so that they can produce the crop in large quantities for the people of the state to use.

“On the issue of orange flesh sweet potato, it is very important we give it more attention because bread bakers in the state need it more but the product is not enough.

“The Sokoto and Zamfara governments have provided our colleagues with lands, therefore we are appealing to the state government to do the same for us,”she added.

Source: NAN.

Military Angry With Some Media, Civil Society Groups Over Divisive Antics

Editorial staff

December 13, 2021

The Citizens’ Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA) is angry with media commentators and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) over what it called blowing discontent and acrimony in the Armed Forces.

Speaking today, December 13 at a news conference in Abuja, the group’s National Organizing Secretary, Zakari Mukhtar, warned those he called “paid groups,” to desist forthwith.

He insisted that the activities of some insidious groups are targeted at destabilizing and distracting Nigerian military’s battle against insurgency and other sundry criminalities.

The group was reacting to a statement credited to an orgnisation that alleged ill feelings within the ranks of the military and capable of nurturing sabotage and even mutiny because of the position of Army Chief and Defence Intelligence Chief coming from course 37 while Course 36 officers were allegedly relegated and moved to the Army Resource Center.

The group said that while it would not begrudge or discourage individuals and group from expressing their views about the conduct of military operations, it cautioned CSOs and the media against offering their platforms for the peddling of unsubstantiated allegations or advancement of ulterior motives.

“The natural question to ask the fellows who made the reckless allegations are as follows: what are the yardstick with which the performances of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, General Samuel Adebayo assessed? What was the intention in singling both of them out for excoriation when they spent less than a year on their current positions? How long have they been in the office to earn them such bad reviews? Why should the two military officers be subjected to this grand blackmail and propaganda.

“What was the essence of trying to pitch the top echelon of our military against the other based on their Courses? How is working to distract the leadership of the military in bringing about the much needed results in the battle against terrorists and bandits? When the petitioners claim that the experience of members of 36 participants has been relegated and that it will nurture sabotage and mutiny, what exactly do they mean? Are they directly or indirectly inciting sabotage and mutiny in the system?

“In what ways are the so-called Civil Society Organisations helping the system by openly encouraging and giving oxygen to inter-service and inter-agency rivalry, in the manner of their press statement? In general terms, how did their intervention help in boosting the morale and fighting spirit of our gallant troops.

“As a civil society group interested in the general security and welfare of Nigerians, and who understands the grave implication of subjecting the military and security agencies to undue politicization and demonization of their leadership, CISA believes that critics of military operations should show objectivity and balance in their analysis and commentaries,” Mukhtar said.

The CISA Scribe said: “For us in CISA, we wish to urge Nigerians, especially those who wish to be identified as civil society organisations, to be mindful of the kind of advocacy or activism they engage in, especially at a time like this.

“It is most unpatriotic, insensitive and treacherous for any so-called CSO to willfully and deliberately offer its platform and legitimacy to be used in fanning the embers of discord or promotion of discontent and acrimony within the ranks of the Nigerian military or any security agency for that matter.

“CISA acknowledges the very challenging security situation in the country but it is not unmindful of the efforts and commitment of the military in stemming the tide. We believe that the time we are in now calls for All-of-the-Nation Approach in confronting the security challenges.

“Every segment of the society is expected to contribute its quota if we must surmount the security challenges. It is no longer acceptable for any group to stay aloof in their comfort zones and be pointing fingers of blame or making wild allegations.”

Source: PRNigeria.

UAE, Nigeria In Diplomatic Row Over Air Flight Schedules

Editorial staff

December 13, 2021

The UAE angrily asked all foreign airlines flying in and out of UAE not to bring any Nigerian into its territory. This could be as a result of the fact that Nigeria reduced the number of time the UAE can fly its aircraft into the country from 21 to just one a week, in retaliation to the UAE insisting on allowing Nigeria to fly into that the country once.

Only on Friday, December 10, Nigeria Minister of Aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika had canceled the 21 frequencies earlier given to Emirates airline and restricted it to one flight to Abuja every week.

This was Nigeria’s reaction to UAE denying Air Peace the three weekly frequency to Sharjah, UAE which the airline requested for.

While announcing the withdrawal of earlier granted approval on Friday night, the Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) , Captain Musa Nuhu had, in a letter with the reference number: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/329, dated December 9, 2021 with the head: ‘Withdrawal of Ministerial Approval of Emirates Airlines Winter Schedule,’ and addressed to the Country Manager, Emirates Airlines, withdrew the initial approval granted the airline.

The letter read: “I write to inform you of the withdrawal of the approval granted to Emirates Airlines winter schedule. This approval was conveyed via a letter with reference number FMA/ATMO/501/C.104/XV/356 dated 1st December 2021. The withdrawal becomes effective on Sunday 12th December 2021 at 23002.

“Please kindly note, henceforth Emirates Airlines is granted approval to operate only one weekly passenger frequency to Abuja on Thursdays.”

Also in March this year, Nigeria suspended Emirates from flying into or out of its territory after the carrier-imposed additional COVID-19 test requirements on passengers from Nigeria .

The suspension was lifted after the issues were amicably resolved two weeks ago.

But in the latest move, and in complying with the UAE’s directive, Nigerian passengers were denied boarding on Ethiopian airline at the Muritala Muhammed International airport, Lagos.

Sources confirmed that Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Air, and other international airlines going to Dubai from their bases have also been directed not to board any passenger with Nigerian passport whose final destination is Dubai, UAE.

Emirates also on Friday, reacted by unilaterally deciding to suspend flights to Nigeria.

The airline had said: “With regard to the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai from 13 December 2021, until the UAE and Nigerian authorities work on a solution to the ongoing issue.”

Police Boss Places Strategic Officers On Red Alert As Christmas, New Year Festivities Beckon

Editorial staff

December 13, 2021

The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered Commissioners of Police in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police, and other Heads of Police Formations, to strengthen their leadership capacity and operational strategies in dealing with crimes associated with the end of the year in their Areas of Responsibilities.

The Inspector General, who addressed the Strategic Police Managers, today, December 13 December, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, said that the engagement is targeted at evaluating policing activities and performance in the year 2021, identifying potential security challenges and threats in the coming year, and outlining operational strategies that could be taken to mitigate the threats.

He charged the Senior Police Officers to brace up to the anticipated internal security challenges in the coming year 2022, observing that being the year preceding the general elections, there is a high possibility that the charged political activities could set the stage for increased criminal activities, especially politically and economically related crimes.

The IGP commended Police personnel across the country for their resilience, courage and loyalty to the Force and the country.

He observed that the new spirit of professionalism and patriotism had impacted positively on efforts at stabilizing internal security order, improving public safety, law and order, combatting crimes and criminality, arresting criminal elements and carrying out specialized national assignments as seen in the just concluded Anambra State Gubernatorial Elections.

He charged them to imbibe the virtues of professionalism, respect for rule of law as well as the rights of the citizens and warned against excessive and unjustifiable use of force on the citizenry.

Meanwhile, the police boss has ordered the immediate deployment of personnel of the Force Provost Unit, X-Squad and the Monitoring Unit to ensure that Police personnel deployed for security operations during the Yuletide season, particularly on major highways, carry out their duties in the most professional manner.

A statement by the spokesman of the Force Headquarters, Frank Mba said that the operatives from these specialized units are expected to provide immediate supervision and oversight on police personnel deployed to the highways, and bring to book those found operating in manners inconsistent with the rules of engagement of the NPF.

He quoted the Inspector General of having reassured the citizens and the nation of the unwavering determination of the Force to ensure a peaceful Christmas and New Year festivities.

He called for improved understanding, partnership and working relationship between the Police and the citizens, especially in the area of volunteering information to aid police capacity in securing the public space in the most pro-active manner during the yuletide season and in the coming year.

As Coronavius Hits South African President, Buhari Warns Nigerians: It’s No Respecter Of Persons

Editorial staff

December 13, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned Nigerians that Coronavirus is real and is no respecter of persons.

The President, who reacted to the news that his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa had tested positive for COVID-19, in a get well message today, December 13, said: “the coronavirus pandemic is a reality and no respecter of persons.”

President Buhari asked Nigerians to disregard the allegation that the pandemic is a foreign creation to depopulate Africa and boost the financial interests of western pharmaceutical companies through vaccine production.”

He warned that lack of attention to medical advice and apathy are damaging to the government’s efforts to contain the spread of this deadly viral disease, even as he advised Nigerians to come out fully and get vaccinated.

In the statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, President Buhari said: “my heart and prayers are with Mr Ramaphosa of South Africa at this difficult moment of health challenge, and I pray for his speedy and full recovery.

“Mr Ramaphosa is a friend of Nigeria and an important partner in our joint continental efforts to tackle Africa’s social, economic and political difficulties.”

We’re Working To Make Tax System Work For All Nigerians – Revenue Boss

Greenbarge Reporters

December 13, 2021

Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami has insisted that the nation’s tax system, being upgraded through the Finance Bill 2021, is to create an efficient

tax system that will work for every Nigerian.

Speaking to newsmen today, December 13 after a stakeholder engagement on the Finance Bill 2021, at the House of Representatives, Abuja, the revenue boss said: “our laws and policies must first and foremost work for the Nigerian people who we have either been elected or appointed to serve.

“Whatever proposals that have been submitted for consideration should be looked at critically vis-a-vis what works for Nigeria, the business community, the taxpayers, tax consultants, and the Nigerian system altogether. It will help us more if we realise that our collective effort and service is not about us. It is about our country.

“We must build a tax system that is not only robust but that will outlive our respective services to this nation; whether as members of the executive, the judiciary or the legislature. In other words, these laws must be made in a manner that reflects not just what we feel is right, but what is indeed right—yesterday, today, and continues to be right tomorrow.”

Muhammad Nami appealed that the Fiscal Policy Reform Committee and the House Committee on Finance should continue to make laws that stand the test of time and reflect economic realities.

He called for laws that will not only assist government at the three levels in mobilising revenue but that will also assist small and medium scale enterprises to grow, and become taxpayers in the future.

The FIRS Executive Chairman commended the leadership of National Assembly and members of the Executive for the annual review of the Finance Act which he said has afforded the Federal Government the opportunity to deploy new ways of enhancing domestic revenue mobilisation and improving tax administration in the country.

“The Finance Bills have accorded the Federal Government and the Fiscal Policy Reform Committee the opportunity to annually review and identify gaps in our tax system, to fix them and ensure that government can earn the much-needed revenue for the execution of its mandate.

“Without the commitment of the National Assembly leadership and members of the Executive, from day one, to the fiscal reforms that the Finance Bills were aimed to achieve, we would not have been able to attain the resounding successes we have recorded since 2020.”

He described the annual review as a “clear demonstration of political will for the actualisation of good governance,” adding that it is the enablement provided by the Finance Act 2020 that gave the FIRS the powers to deploy its own digital tax administration solution, TaxPro Max with its attendant results.

“That single revolutionary amendment to the FIRS Establishment Act gave us the power to deploy our homegrown digital Tax Administration Solution called the TaxPro-Max.

“This platform allows for seamless electronic registration of taxpayers, electronic filing of returns and payment of taxes.

“Consequently, it is not surprising that the FIRS was able to collect over N5 trillion between January this year to date while we are confident that we will achieve our total VAT target for the year.”

Presidency Hits Back At Daily Trust: You Are playing ‘Lurid Political Journalism’

Editorial staff

December 12, 2021

The Presidency has complained about the editorial published today, December 12, in a privately owned Daily Trust newspaper, captioned “Life Has Lost Its Value Under Buhari’s Nigeria.”

In a statement today reacting to the editorial, Senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said: “now is not the time for this sort of lurid political journalism.

“Now, our focus as Nigerians must be on coming together and ending the violence.”

Garba Shehu admitted that the growing instability and violence in the North of Nigeria and elsewhere is unacceptable.

“No one, not least the Presidency underestimates the seriousness of the situation. Everyday, the President holds the victims and their families in his thoughts and prayers.

“Above all, he wishes to reassure them – and all Nigerians – that tackling the scourge of banditry and terrorism remains this government’s first priority.”

The spokesman said that Nigeria is not unique in the challenges being encountered, adding that violence and terror have risen steadily across the entire African continent over the last decade.”

He referred to The Economist magazine, which he said recently wrote about “The Next Afghanistan,” and warned the global community of the horrifying security in the neighborhood, citing specifically the states of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

“So we understand the frustrations of the Daily Trust and Nigeria’s northern communities about the ongoing challenges of security, and the Buhari administration is no less worried.

“But it is only fair to say that Nigeria’s persistent and continued efforts to suppress that instability have seen results, with the terror group: Boko Haram among others reduced to a shell of its former self.

“Yet, now we Nigerians face a new threat: the worst global health crisis in living memory.

“Even Nigeria that proudly holds the mantle of Africa’s largest economy is not immune from the debilitating economic impact of COVID-19.

“The economic instability that the pandemic has wreaked has proven an effective recruitment tool for bandits and terrorists across the continent.

“Indeed, the Daily Trust has correctly identified the source of the violence as “an amalgam of many complex issues” such as poverty and unemployment.

“It is equally right to note that, in tackling the violence, force alone will not be enough. It is quite wrong, however, to suggest the problem of insecurity is intractable, and more wrong still to claim apathy on the part of the government.

“So what is the government doing?

“First, our military efforts have not let up. It is true that in the face of today’s growing number of threats from Boko Haram, kidnappers and IPOB to your run-of-the-mill bandits, our forces are stretched increasingly thin. But our dedicated soldiers are working around the clock to keep Nigerians safe.

“Second, alongside military force, this government is seeking to address the violence at its economic source. Massive infrastructure projects like the coastal rail and new train from the southern coast through the north-east to our neighbour Niger, aim to expand employment and opportunity across the country, bringing hope to our more remote and poorer regions where bandits and terrorists thrive.

“Third, even as the West continues to extricate itself from Africa militarily, we are lobbying our Western allies aggressively for partnership, investment and support in other areas, such as proscribing Boko Haram, bandits and IPOB as terrorist groups, which would severely dent their funding; for investment in trade and infrastructure, to help lessen economic instability; and to help with technical assistance, advanced weaponry, intelligence and ordinance.

“This will likely be small comfort to the families and loved ones of those already lost.

“But make no mistake: this is a battle we are fighting without let up. The Daily Trust’s suggestion that the President exchanges violence for the support he got electorally is beneath a publication that claims any kind of political neutrality or integrity.

“As President Buhari wrote recently of the terrorists in the UK paper, The Financial Times: “We will defeat them, one highway, one rail link – and one job – at a time.”

Buhari Marvels At Unprecedented Tornadoes In America, Sends Sympathy To Victims

Editorial staff

December 12, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed surprised at the rate which tornadoes devastated and ripped across six states of the United State of America, leaving destruction and death on their trail.

Reacting to the catastrophe shown around the globe since Friday, President Buhari said: “the destruction of whole towns, flattening of houses, schools, hospitals, businesses and other social infrastructure on a scale never seen before is deeply saddening.”

In a statement today, December 12 by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President expressed deepest sympathies to all those affected, as well as the government and the American people.

President Buhari asked fellow citizens to join the rest of the world in praying for the deceased and for the quick recovery of other victims and their families at this difficult time.

Africa Is Under Siege, Buhari Laments; Asks Leaders To Wake Up And Do More

Editorial staff

December 12, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked his fellow African leaders to unite and face numerous challenges, ranging from criminal terrorists to pandemic, that have overwhelmed the continent recently.

President Buhari, who spoke today, December 12, at the opening ceremony of the 60th Session of the ECOWAS Authority Heads of State and Government at the presidential villa, Abuja, expressed great worry that West Africa continues to suffer from various challenges, including socioeconomic, political, security and environmental fragilities, linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The challenges of the coronavirus and the catastrophic consequences posed on our socio-economic environment continues to torment us.

“The regional resilience, determination and resolution of working together in solidarity with each other assisted us greatly in lessoning the burden of the pandemic.”

The president said that the coming together by the leaders in Abuja is a clear demonstration of their commitment to the effective integration of the subregion.

“As a people, we aspire to create a borderless, peaceful, prosperous subregion where people have capacity to access and harness its resources through the creation of opportunities for sustainable development, job creation and environmental resolution.

“Our subregion continues to face economic, political, security and environmental fragilities linked to coronavirus pandemic

“Our democracy is being challenged in Mali and Guinea.

“Furthermore, threats are looming around – environmental degradation and climate change on our farming system. We are facing a network of criminals including terrorism

“All of these challenges require our collective action to work in concert with each other to pragmatically address and provide our people better prospects in life

“These realties remind us of the need to continue to forge stronger solidarity to address the new challenges including this third wave of the pandemic and its omicron variant.”

He expressed delight that the countries’ centers for disease control are already working together to curtail the pandemic.

NNPC Announces Huge Trading Surplus Of ₦141.96 Billion In June

Editorial staff

December 12, 2021

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced a huge leap in trading surplus of ₦141.96 billion recorded in June 2021 compared to a deficit of ₦37.46Billion in May 2021.

This is contained in the June 2021 figures of the NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR), released today, December 12.

The report described “trading surplus” or trading deficit as being derived after deduction of the expenditure profile from the revenue for the period under review.

It said that in June 2021, NNPC Group operating revenue as compared to May 2021, decreased by 9.07 percent or N89.27 billion to stand at N894.64 billion.

It said that expenditure for the month decreased by 29.32 percent or N299.44billion to stand at N721.93billion.

The report said that expenditure in the period under review revenue was 0.81 percent, compared to the figure in May which stood at 1.04 percent.

The report said that the increase in trading surplus was due mainly to the increased sales of crude oil and gas by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), an Upstream subsidiary of the NNPC, and the increased gas sales and depreciation postings by the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC).

It said that the positive outlook was further bolstered by the performance of Duke Oil and the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC) which also added to the improved bottom line.

According to the report, to ensure continuous supply and effective distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the country, a total of 1.63 billion litres of PMS translating to 54.50mn liters/day were supplied in June 2021.

The report indicated that in June 2021, 47 pipeline points were vandalized, representing 26.56 percent decrease from the 64 points recorded in May 2021.

“Port Harcourt Area accounted for 43%, while Mosimi and Kaduna Areas accounted for 51% and 6% respectively, of the vandalized points.

“In the gas sector, a total of 223.77billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas was produced in the month of June 2021 translating to an average daily production of 7,459.88million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd).

“For the period of June 2020 to June 2021, a total of 2,890.11bcf of gas was produced representing an average daily production of 7,321.36mmscfd during the period.

” Period-to-date production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and NPDC contributed 59.84%, 20.26% and 19.90% respectively to the total national gas production.

The 71st edition of the MFOR highlights NNPC’s activities for the period of June 2020 to June 2021.

“In line with its commitment to transparency and accountability, NNPC has continued to sustain effective communication with stakeholders through this report via publications on its website, independent online news portals and in national dailies.”

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