Business
Fears over food scarcity as Niger farmers flee
AS bandits continue to attack and get away with their atrocities without serious challenge from security operatives, many farmers in Niger State have fled their farms and have vowed never to return until security is beefed up around them.
To underscore their seriousness, many of them have already relocated from the farming communities to Minna, the state capital, to escape the brutality of criminals variously described as bandits, kidnappers, hoodlums, cattle rustlers and armed robbers.
Things got to the worst in recent times when the criminals not only attacked and dispossessed the farmers of their possessions, but began to set their houses ablaze as a conquered people, leaving them with nothing to manage their lives with.
The bandits have successfully taken their atrocities to no fewer than 18 of the 25 local government areas of the state and are unwilling to halt their infamy despite threats from security agencies.
They appear to be more daring after being challenged by the security organisations, thereby sending fears into residents of the remaining local government areas.
Farmers whose areas have not yet been visited by the hoodlums now live in fear of possible attack by the daring bandits.
As a result of the unrelenting onslaughts by bandits on farmers, many have since abandoned farming and harvesting of their mature crops, a development that is already forcing an increase in the prices of foodstuff. Many of the farmers interviewed by Arewa Voice said they would not risk their lives by going back to the farms except adequate security is assured.
A yam farmer, Adamu Useni Allawa, who also cultivates maize and millet, lamented that although he was eager to return to his farm, he would only do so when there is improved security in the farms.
He said, “I am eager to go back to my farm but my fear is this insecurity. It troubles my mind to go back because of insecurity. Any time it pricks my heart to go back to the farm, I often have another premonition that going back there might be a journey of no return. I am not in any way preparing now because I don’t have the confidence. I don’t do any other work than farming but I cannot risk my life for farming as it is.
“I have a bitter experience, which is still fresh in my memory. It is about my uncle and his friends who the bandits met in their farms and shot them to death instantly without any sympathy. Some of these bandits after attacking and killing our people even run away with their seedlings and we are left with virtually nothing to start fresh planting. We have relocated to Pandogari and have become refugees in a strange environment, doing nothing.”
Another farmer, Umaru Adamu Allawa, said his hope rested on government to provide more security to enable him and others go back to their various farms.
Allawa said, “If the banditry situation continues like this, there is no hope for us to go back to the farm. Our yearly turnover is massive and even if we cannot feed the state or the entire nation, we can feed our zone that comprises eight wards in Shiroro Local government effectively.”
Bala Usman, a public servant who also is also a farmer, said, “With the present insecurity in my area-comprising Lakpma, Munyan and Rafi local government areas, the farmers are no longer able to go to their farms. The implication is that it will surely affect the economy of the areas concerned, the state and the country in general. That is why we call on government at all levels to intervene immediately in order to enable farmers go back to their farms.
“Even if we are supplied the necessary farming inputs like fertilisers, seedlings, among others, it will be difficult to transport them to the affected areas because of these bandits. Also, we will find it difficult to start all over again because apart from killing our people, the bandits also steal and burn down our seedlings and we are now left with virtually nothing to take off again.”
Shuaibu Yusuf, who is from Manta, one of the ravaged areas by bandits, said from the look of things, it will be very difficult for farmers in the troubled communities to farm this year.
The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Idris Usman Gbogan, however, assured the farmers that the Niger State government was aware of the security challenges and has taken steps to further protect lives and property of its people, especially those areas constantly raided by the bandits.
Gbogan told Arewa Voice in an interview that the state government has procured farming inputs in preparation for the coming planting season.
He said, “The step taken by the state government is to cushion the effect of transportation cost for the agro input companies as a way of reducing the cost of agricultural inputs.
By the first week of next month, the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, will launch the 2021 farming season and, thereafter, all these agricultural inputs will be ferried to all parts of the state under tight security.
“As at now, we have one extension worker to about 5000 farm families which is not acceptable because the ideal situation is to have one extension worker to between 800 and 1,000 farm families so in each of our stores presently across all the 25 local government areas, we are going to position extension workers so that as the farmers come to buy their inputs, we have the extension workers who will educate them and give them necessary extension knowledge on the inputs they are buying from the stores.
Gbogan said despite the insecurity and other challenges, there is still hope for bumper harvest in the state and this is why government is ensuring that they get the necessary inputs they need.
The state Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Niger State Chapter, Alhaji Shehu Galadima, told Arewa Voice that banditry was a bad omen for the state and its people and should be tackled with immediate effect.
He said, “Last year, it was not easy for farmers because many of them could not conclude their farming processes. Some of them who fled their ancestral homes because of the bandits cannot even go back to their homes to get their seedlings and other property in readiness for this planting season.
“Just about two days ago, in Kuchi Town in Sarkin Pawa Local Government Area of the state, the entire community was sacked and the people had to run for their lives.
“Other places having similar problems are Shiroro, Mariga, Munyan and parts of Paikoro, Rijau, Mashegu local government areas, just to mention a few. They are all overwhelmed with this type of problem.
“We are afraid that this year’s farming is being seriously threatened and it is not going to be easy for our farmers in the state because of the security issues. If the lives and properties of people are not secured, nobody will be able to do anything.”
-Vanguard
Auto
Coscharis Motors clinches Nigeria’s Multi-Luxury Company Award as Range Rover Autobiography emerges Luxury SUV
Coscharis Motors clinches Nigeria’s Multi-Luxury Company Award as Range Rover Autobiography emerges Luxury SUV
It is a double honour for Coscharis Motors Plc, one of the subsidiaries of the respected conglomerate, Coscharis Group, as it was declared Multi-Luxury Company of the Year and one of its iconic luxury brands, Range Rover Autobiography, was adjudged the Nigeria’s Luxury SUV of the Year at the 2024 edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association Awards.
The well attended event was held recently at the prestigious Oriental Hotels, Lagos.
Coscharis Motors, a household name in topnotch globally respected luxury automobile brands in Nigeria, has been the exclusive representative of the British iconic luxury brand of the Jaguar Land Rover and the German pride in the luxury segment of the BMW brand over many decades.
The company in 2023 added another new luxury brand from United Kingdom into the Nigeria market which is the Grenadier from the Ineos group in UK. The Grenadier is a brand new product globally which is equally being represented in Nigeria by Coscharis Motors as a new addition to its existing ‘House of luxury’ when it comes to automobile of repute.
The luxury SUV category was keenly contested with other tested luxury brands but the Range Rover Autobiography came tops, according to the organizers, after strong consideration of the market acceptance of the Autobiography in all ramifications.
The All New Range Rover Autobiography variant is revolutionary, reliable and a class on its own with its special appeal, style that resonates with its priority audience when it comes to luxury, class, comfort and performance.
Receiving the award on behalf of Coscharis Motors, the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Mr. Abiona Babarinde, dedicated the award to all the Coscharis Motors customers, especially the luxury brand enthusiasts for their acceptability of all the luxury brands in the Portfolio namely the Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and the new Grenadier respectively as their preferred luxury automobile of choice.
He said, “These awards only reconfirm our expertise in delivering top notch luxury experience to our premium customers while maintaining the global standard of brand positioning to discerning customers in the ever dynamic Nigerian market.
“Representing these globally respected iconic brands over the years exclusively in Nigeria involves consistent delivering of value for money that involves the total luxury experience from the point of brand awareness to the purchase stage and the aftersales service experience to deliver the peace of mind required.”
Group Managing Director of Coscharis Motors Plc, Mr. Josiah Samuel, also dedicated the awards to the company’s ever loyal customers for their patronage and acceptance of the brands with a promise to continually create more value in the automobile industry in Nigeria.
He said, “There can’t be another best way to end the business year in 2024 than with these set of prestigious awards despite all the business challenges in the year and more importantly that the awards are coming from a very critical stakeholder / partner like the media.”
The award event attracted various stakeholders that are players in the automotive sector in Nigeria.
Auto
Leadership by example: FRSC Corps Marshal leads field operations, patrol highways
Leadership by example: FRSC Corps Marshal leads field operations, patrol highways
By Bisi Kazeem
As the year winds down and Nigerians embark on end-of-year travels, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intensified its efforts to curb road crashes and ensure safer highways. Leading this charge is the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, who has set a sterling example of sacrificial leadership by actively participating in frontline operations during this critical period.
The end of the year is a notoriously perilous time on Nigeria’s roads, marked by increased traffic, heightened road traffic crash risks, and a surge in reckless driving.
However, under the proactive leadership of the Corps Marshal, the FRSC rolled out an unprecedented campaign to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities, ensuring that the festive season is marked by joy rather than tragedy.
True leadership is not defined by words but by action. The Corps Marshal exemplifies this by personally leading field operations, patrolling highways, monitoring traffic flows, and directly engaging with road users.
His visible presence has reinvigorated the morale of FRSC officers and demonstrated to the nation that leadership is about service and sacrifice.
He defied insecurity on the highways and embarked on a traffic monitoring operation from Abuja, the Federal Capital, through Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo, Owo, Ore, down to Edo and Delta.
His decision to lead from the front underscores his commitment to the FRSC’s mission of saving lives and highlights the urgent need for compliance with traffic rules and regulations.
From the beginning of the Ember Months sensitisation campaign in September, the Corps had gone ahead of time, implementing series of robust measures aimed at addressing road safety challenges during the festive season. These remedies include; increased patrols and checkpoints as additional officers and vehicles have been deployed in strategic points on highways to monitor and enforce compliance with traffic laws; organised nationwide safety campaigns targeting speed violations, drunk driving, overloading and seatbelt use.
These campaigns educate drivers on the dangers of reckless behaviours and emphasize the importance of safe driving practices.
The Corps also ensured Emergency Response Preparedness: ambulances, tow trucks, and rescue teams are on standby to ensure rapid responses to emergencies, reducing fatalities and injuries in the event of crashes.
Knowing that the task of making the highways safe is a collective action, FRSC went into the season with strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force, transport unions, traditional rulers and local communities, to foster a united front in the battle against road crashes.
The Corps Marshal’s leadership has inspired not just his officers but also the general public.
His direct involvement sends a clear message that road safety is a shared responsibility requiring the commitment of all stakeholders.
The Corps Marshal’s hands-on approach during this critical period has not only motivated the FRSC team but has also restored public confidence in the agency’s commitment to saving lives,” said a motorist who witnessed the Marshal’s activities firsthand on the Niger Bridge.
The monitoring activities carried out across major corridors suggest that the intensified efforts are yielding positive results, with a noticeable reduction in road crashes and fatalities compared to previous years.
The Corps Marshal’s example of sacrificial leadership has brought renewed vigor to the FRSC’s operations, ensuring that every life is valued and protected.
Needless to state that the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, is indeed an enigma, a force to be reckoned with and a true example of practical leadership in public service as he leads yet again by example in the fight against road crashes in Nigeria.
Taking active front-line roles, dedicating to sacrificial leadership and willingness to take bold steps to address the challenges facing Nigerian roads.
By setting the pace, he’s inspiring his team and other stakeholders to join forces in the quest for safer roads in Nigeria.
As the festive season continues, let us all join the FRSC as they call on all Nigerians to support its efforts by adhering to traffic rules, avoiding risky driving behaviours, and prioritizing safety on the roads.
Together, with the leadership of the Corps Marshal and the dedication of FRSC personnel, a safer, accident-free festive season is achievable.
The Corps Marshal’s leadership reminds us all that effective leadership requires sacrifice, action, and a deep commitment to service.
As Nigerians embark on their journeys this season, they can take comfort in knowing that the FRSC is working tirelessly to make the roads safer for everyone.
*DCM Bisi Kazeem (Rtd), fsi MNIM anipr, a public relations expert and media guru writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
Auto
FG deploys Lanre Shittu CNG buses as airport shuttle
FG deploys Lanre Shittu CNG buses as airport shuttle
The Federal Government has commenced the deployment of Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM)-branded Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in the nation’s airports for passengers shuttle.
The first batch of the CNG-powered buses has been launched at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, and Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku.
Speaking during the unveiling at the Lagos airport, the minister said the deployment was in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
He said it was part of Nigeria’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and meeting global climate targets.
‘’What you see here today is a fleet of CNG buses for FAAN to commence passenger movement at all our airports immediately,” the minister said.
He said the newly acquired CNG-powered LSM buses unveiled at the Lagos airport are eco-friendly with zero emission and designed with accessibility features for persons with disabilities.
The deployment, he added, was in compliance with the President’s goal of reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels of petrol and diesel and promoting sustainable use of CNG to power vehicles in the country.
The introduction of the CNG to power automobiles is one of the Federal Government’s initiatives to ease the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the masses.
The CNG buses, according to the Managing Director of Lanre Shittu Motors, Taiwo Shittu, come in two specifications: a 31-seater for airport shuttle services and a 54-seater for mass transit city buses.
He said they had been equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning, viewing screens, and charging stations.
With the introduction of the CNG buses, he said LSM aimed to provide a more sustainable and efficient transportation solution not only to Lagos but other parts of the country.
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