Business
C’River ‘ll become largest cocoa producer in Nigeria soon – CFAN President
C’River ‘ll become largest cocoa producer in Nigeria soon – CFAN President
NATIONAL President of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Mr Adeola Adegoke, has said that Cross River will soon become the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria.
Adegoke stated this at the inauguration of the Executive Committee of CFAN in Cross River’s, on Friday in Calabar.
According to him, Ondo State is presently known to be the largest producer of the crop in the country.
He said that the average age of a cocoa farmer in the state was between 55 and 60, describing this as an ageing population.
Adegoke said that Cross River had the potential in massive land and forest for cocoa farming, coupled with the youthful population cultivating the crop in the state.
Though the CFAN national president acknowledged the potentials, he, however, said that the state had to tap into them to succeed, as cocoa alone could run the state’s economy effectively.
“Enough of talking about cocoa estates established by the old Eastern Region. We need to start establishing new estates now.
“We want to see nothing less than 1,000 hectares of new cocoa estates established by the state.
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“Enough of export of raw cocoa beans. We need to start adding value and coming up with cocoa wines, biscuits, sweets and soaps that we can consume and export.
“We cannot prosper by just exporting raw cocoa beans. It is, therefore, important for the state government to be deliberate in infrastructural development in cocoa farming communities,’’ he said.
Adegoke also stressed the need for extension services in the state through innovation.
He urged CFAN members to repay the loans they collected from government and also pay their annual dues to the association.
The CFAN national president disclosed that in 2024, the Third Cocoa Festival would be held in Calabar.
On his part, Gov. Bassey Otu, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, said that the state would do all within its powers to ensure that cocoa farmers got all the necessary inputs.
According to him, the state has been shortchanged for so long because it produces cocoa but doesn’t get the necessary recognition.
“Others come to the state to buy their cocoa but at the end, it is not counted for Cross River as the producing state.
“Going forward, Cross River will produce, sell and export, because we have the capacity and the farmers will get maximum yields for their investments.
“I will have a private meeting with the newly-inaugurated chairman of CFAN in the state, where he will table the concerns of the farmers so we can chart a new course for the sector,” he said.
In his remarks, the new CFAN chairman, Dr Ramsey Tiku, said that cocoa remained the mainstay of the state’s econony.
According to him, if cocoa development is relegated, the state will be relegating the development of its people.
Tiku said that CFAN would partner with different groups and ministries to create an action plan that would add value to cocoa production in the state.
While thanking members of the association for the confidence reposed in him, he stressed the need for them to start looking at the regeneration of cocoa estates in the state and how to generate data for farmers.
C’River ‘ll become largest cocoa producer in Nigeria soon – CFAN President
(NAN)
Auto
Easter travels: ABC Transport injects 2025 Toyota Hiace buses into operations
Easter travels: ABC Transport injects 2025 Toyota Hiace buses into operations
Ahead of Easter, ABC Transport Plc has added a fleet of brand new, 2025 model Toyota Hiace buses to its operations.
This, it said in a statement, was a strategic move to enhance customer satisfaction and operational reliability.
It aligns with the company’s mission of providing safer, more reliable, and comfortable travel experiences, particularly during the busy Easter season.
The new vehicles, which are equipped with state-of-the-art GPS trackers and speed limiter devices, are part of ABC Transport’s historic culture of prioritising passenger safety.
These features, which are standard across the company’s entire fleet, allow for real-time monitoring and ensure adherence to safe driving practices.
Apart from the fleet upgrade, ABC Transport recently concluded its quarterly Pre-Peak Season Crew Seminar, aimed at reinforcing the company’s commitment to safety, maintenance, and customer service ethics.
It said the seminar provided a platform to engage all crew members, focusing on best practices in vehicle handling, passenger care, and emergency preparedness.
Speaking on the importance of these initiatives, Managing Director of ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Jude Nneji, said, “Safety and service excellence are at the heart of everything we do at ABC Transport.
“The addition of these modern vehicles, coupled with our crew’s enhanced training, ensures that passengers can travel with peace of mind and enjoy an exceptional travel experience, even during the high-demand Easter season.”
The 2025 Toyota Hiace buses, known for their durability and fuel efficiency, also feature air-conditioned interiors and spacious seating, making them ideal for long-distance travel.
Designed to handle Nigeria’s road conditions, these vehicles further solidify ABC Transport’s reputation as a leader in the intercity transport sector.
Industry analysts view this dual approach—upgrading fleet technology and investing in human capital—as a testament to ABC Transport’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve.
This is also in line with the trend of new fleet injections and investments that have been noticed at ABC Transport since late last year following the acquisition of over 50 heavy duty trucks in their Haulage and Logistics subsidiaries as well as wide adoption of CNG in its Haulage division.
ABC Transport Plc is Nigeria’s foremost provider of intercity and regional transport services, known for its focus on innovation, safety, and customer satisfaction.
It is also the most diversified and only publicly quoted transport company in Nigeria listed on the Nigerian Stock exchange.
Business
Naira rises to N1,618/$ in parallel market
Naira rises to N1,618/$ in parallel market
The naira yesterday appreciated to N1, 618 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,620 per dollar on Monday.
But, the Naira depreciated to N1,604 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
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Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,604 per dollar from N1,599 per dollar on Monday, indicating N5 depreciation for the naira.
Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N14 per dollar from N21 Monday.
Naira rises to N1,618/$ in parallel market
Insurance
Lasaco Assurance Plc attains ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification for Information Security Management
Lasaco Assurance Plc attains ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification for Information Security Management
Lasaco Assurance Plc, one of the leading insurance companies in Nigeria, is pleased to announce that it has successfully obtained the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, a globally recognized benchmark for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).
This certification comes after a thorough and detailed re-certification audit, validating its commitment to upholding the highest standards in information security and cybersecurity.
The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification highlights Lasaco’s ongoing efforts to protect confidential information, manage risks, and enhance its approach to information security, aligning with global best practices.
Speaking on this new development, the Managing Director, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Mr. Razzaq Abiodun, said, “We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which demonstrates our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
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“In today’s digital age, ensuring the safety and security of sensitive information is of paramount importance, and this certification reaffirms our commitment to being a trusted and responsible organization.”
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 offers a structured framework for managing and securing critical business information, ensuring that all aspects of the organization’s information security are addressed through proactive risk management. This certification affirms Lasaco Assurance’s robust commitment to safeguarding sensitive data against emerging cyber threats.
“Moving forward, we remain dedicated to ensuring the highest level of information security, compliance, and excellence in all our operations,” the Head of IT, Lasaco Assurance, Mr. Dimeji Ogundele said.
The company extends its deepest gratitude to its entire team, clients, and partners whose support was pivotal to achieving this certification. Lasaco Assurance Plc is a composite insurance company, providing a wide range of insurance solutions.
With a rich history of trust, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Lasaco continues to deliver reliable and cutting-edge services to individuals, businesses, and government institutions.
Lasaco Assurance Plc attains ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification for Information Security Management
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