Northern govs admit open grazing outdated, seek help on modern herding – Newstrends
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Northern govs admit open grazing outdated, seek help on modern herding

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3 years ago

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The Northern Governors Forum has admitted that the current system of open grazing of cattle is no longer sustainable in view of Nigeria’s increasing urban population.

They stated this during an emergency meeting held virtually on Monday to discuss issues affecting the country and expressed concern over the tension generated by the eviction order issued to herdsmen in some parts of the country.

A communiqué released in Jos, Plateau State capital, on Tuesday by the Chairman of the forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, reported the governors as saying they planned to encourage herders to adopt new methods of herding.

It stated, “The current system of herding mainly through open grazing is no longer sustainable, in view of growing urbanisation and population of the country.”

The communiqué also stated, “Consequently, the forum resolved to aggressively sensitise herdsmen to the need to adopt new methods of herding by ranching or other acceptable modern methods.

“It appeals to the Federal Government to support states with grants to directly undertake pilot projects of modern livestock production that will serve as springboard and evidence for breaking resistance to the full implementation of new methods of livestock production.”

The governors noted with concern the tension the eviction notice given to Fulani herders in some South-West states, adding that this had aggravated the security crisis with threats of reprisals in the North.

They therefore stressed the need for the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to meet and discuss the issue holistically with a view to resolving the misunderstanding and conflicts arising from such threats and suspicion for the sake of national unity.

The communiqué stated, “Forum resolved to engage elders and youths in a robust discussion with a view to dousing the tensed security environment in the North. Accordingly, a four-person committee was put in place to be headed by the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.”

It called for restraint from leaders, including those in the South and urged “all the citizens of the North to continue to live in peace with all Nigerians irrespective of their origins and backgrounds.”

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Canadian mayor praises Lagos under Tinubu at event honouring Peter Obi

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5 hours ago

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May 6, 2024

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Canadian mayor praises Lagos under Tinubu at event honouring Peter Obi

Brampton is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario, with a high population of Nigerian immigrants.

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Fubara: I have moved on with governance despite political pressure

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7 hours ago

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May 6, 2024

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara: I have moved on with governance despite political pressure

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has asserted that despite the political turmoil in the state, his administration remains steadfast in providing focused leadership and governance.

During a recent meeting with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, led by Chairman Hon. Mike Etaba, at the government house in Port Harcourt, Fubara emphasized that, as far as his administration and the people of Rivers State are concerned, there are no significant political issues to address.

Reflecting on the challenges posed by the political crisis, Fubara drew inspiration from a movie he watched, “Devil’s Advocate,” where he cited a quote by Al Pacino.

He said, “As far as we are concerned, there are no political issues. I saw a movie many years ago, entitled, ‘Devil’s Advocate.’ I believe some of you must have seen that movie too.

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“One of the starring characters, Al Pacino, said that pressure makes some people retreat or fail, and to others, it makes them focus on succeeding. We have chosen to be focused under this pressure.

“That is why we are moving ahead, making a positive impact on the lives of our people. Governance is about the people, not about self.

“Governance is about touching the core needs of those we are leading, and by the special grace of God, we are doing it.”

“Yesterday, by the special grace of God, we observed the credit line of over 3,066 persons empowered. You can imagine what that will do for the economy of the masses and the state. That is touching the lives of our people. It does not support them for selfish reasons. It does not give a contract because I want somebody to fight somebody in my community. No. This is empowering the economy of the masses and the state.

“Our focus is that, no matter what anybody is doing anywhere, we will not lose focus. We want to leave here better than we met it. And we want to also leave here without fear of anything.”

Fubara: I have moved on with governance despite political pressure

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FG begins disbursement of N50bn grant to small business owners

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7 hours ago

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May 6, 2024

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Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite

FG begins disbursement of N50bn grant to small business owners

The Federal Government, FG, says it has started disbursement of N50,000 grants to nano business entrepreneurs.

Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister for Industry, Trade, and Investment, verified this over the weekend, stating that no fewer than 200,000 small business owners have received the payment.

According to her, 800,000 others will receive their incentives before the program ends on May 31.

This will raise the total number of beneficiaries to 1,000,000 Nigerians, split across 774 local government areas.

She explained that about 3.6 million applications were received out of which the beneficiaries were selected randomly from among those who met the conditions.

The minister said N50 billion is available in the 2024 budget for disbursement.

The programme is one of the palliative measures announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a broadcast on July 31, last year to cushion the pains of petrol subsidy removal.

The President, in the broadcast, said: “Our administration recognises the importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal sector as drivers of growth. We are going to energise this very important sector.”

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In the broadcast, the President also announced that 75 manufacturing firms will be given N1 billion single-digit interest loans each to reflate their businesses.

Dr. Uzoka-Anite, in response to enquiries by our reporter, said: “The application portal was closed at midnight on April 17. The portal had to be closed due to an overwhelming number of applications totalling over 3.6 million.

“The Bank of Industry is ensuring transparency and accountability in the N50 billion disbursement using NIN, BVN and bank account details for verification to prevent duplication.

“They will also perform physical enumeration to re-verify information, including taking photographs of beneficiaries.

“The time frame for disbursement is the end of May 2024. The requirement for determining the beneficiaries is not based on particular criteria. The goal is to reach 1,290 beneficiaries per local government area across the country totalling one million people.”

On why many of the beneficiaries have not been reached, she explained: “We acknowledge that some of the beneficiaries are getting alert while others are not.

“The disbursement is subject to verification of NIN, which became mandatory after the initial application phase which required only BVN.

“The selection is random and without human intervention from those who have passed their NIN and BVN verification.

FG begins disbursement of N50bn grant to small business owners

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