News
FG begins construction of Farm Estate in Ogun
The National Agricultural Land Development Authority has commenced the construction of its Integrated Farm Estate in Ogun State.
This follows the successful commissioning of the Daura Farm Estate by President Muhammadu Buhari last month.
The President, after resuscitating NALDA, mandated the agency to particularly revive and build new farm estates across the country to accelerate his job creation drive through agriculture.
Located on a 100 hectare in the state’s Special Agro-Industrial Zone, at Makun-Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, the integrated farm would be NALDA’s biggest in fish, poultry, sheep/goat, snails and garri production.
When completed, the Ogun farm project is expected to engage 1500 beneficiaries and generate about N2 billion annually after its first year.
In an interactive session with journalists after the visit to the site, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, explained NALDA’s plan for the Ogun farm, saying the farm estate in Ogun would be the biggest in production of fish, goat and snails due to its proximity to the commercial city of Lagos.
“The reason we want to make Ogun farm one of the biggest in production is its proximity to Lagos, and you know that there is a market for everything in Lagos and our target for the farm in Ogun is proximately N2 billion annually after the first year of the startup.
“Ogun is one of our key farm estates because of its proximity to the seaports for export purposes and the farm estate would give Nigeria and Nigerians an image in food production.
“What the farm estate would do to the community is first, development, reduce migration from the community to the urban areas, increase their incomes through agriculture, increase the GDP such that the living standards within the communities that are hosting NALDA integrated estates would definitely go up.
“The prospects are high because there would be a traffic of people coming into the community to buy from the farm estate based on what is being produced in the farm estates.
“So it’s a win-win for all the communities that are hosting NALDA Integrated Farm Estate,” he explained.
Price Ikonne said the integrated farm estate is purely organic and would be fully mechanized with all-year-round farming activities as an irrigation system would be deployed to the site.
The project is expected to be completed by January 2022.
News
No child should go to bed hungry, Tinubu seeks French investment in Nigeria’s food security
No child should go to bed hungry, Tinubu seeks French investment in Nigeria’s food security
President Bola Tinubu, Thursday, at the prestigious Palais des L’Élysée, told France President, Emmanuel Macron, that a starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and that in the 21st century no child should go to bed hungry.
President Tinubu at a high-profile meeting with President Macron also affirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense. At a joint press conference, President Tinubu highlighted the vast, yet largely untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector and beckoned international investors to capitalize on the nation’s welcoming investment climate.
Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said: “The French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another’s country.”
He emphasised Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to bolster food security.
“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in the area of food security.
“It is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country.
“We are working on stability and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better,” the President stated.
READ ALSO:
- Increase in first-class degrees from private varsities worries ASUU
- Increase in first-class degrees from private varsities worries ASUU
- Police, immigration officers jailed seven years for employment fraud
President Tinubu said Nigeria’s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investment that will directly impact the livelihood of the citizens.
“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business and close to this, we have a vibrant youth population that is educated, and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development,” he said.
No child should go to bed hungry, Tinubu seeks French investment in Nigeria’s food security
News
2023 Hajj: NAHCON refunds N5.3b to states, tour operators
2023 Hajj: NAHCON refunds N5.3b to states, tour operators
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said it has disbursed refunds amounting to N4.4 billion to 36 States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Armed Forces pertaining to the Masha’ir (core Hajj period) electricity services not rendered properly by the Saudi Authorities during the 2023 Hajj
The Head, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Malam Muhammad Musa, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Musa explained that in addition, the Commission has refunded a sum of N917,148,479.99 to 192 accredited Tour Companies that participated in the 2023 hajj.
” This amount is intended for onward disbursement to their respective pilgrims, while the remaining participating companies will also be refunded after due reconciliation.
“This refund underscores NAHCON’s commitment, under the leadership of its Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, to uphold transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj operations.”
Musa explained that all pilgrims who participated in the 2023 hajj were advised to contact their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies, Boards and Commissions or tour operators to claim their refunds.
READ ALSO:
- ‘How I collected $400,000 for Emefiele as his aide’
- What NNPCL staff revealed about reported revival of PH Refinery – Farooq Kperogi
- FG hands over 15 CNG buses to transport unions
“Each Pilgrim, is entitled to receive a refund of N61,080.00. A detailed breakdown of the number of pilgrims per state and the corresponding amounts is attached to this press statement.
“The commission hereby calls upon all 2025 hajj intending pilgrims to promptly deposit their hajj fares with their respective state pilgrims boards.
“This measure is essential to ensure the timely transmission of funds to NAHCON, thereby facilitating early arrangements of the 2025 Hajj in strict compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“In the interest of transparency and due process, NAHCON calls upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant security agencies to closely monitor the refund process.
“This collaboration aims to ensure that all refunds are appropriately disbursed and reached the intended beneficiaries without any discrepancy,” Musa said.
2023 Hajj: NAHCON refunds N5.3b to states, tour operators
(NAN)
News
Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit
Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday began a two-day visit to France, with both countries seeking increased economic cooperation and Paris looking to boost ties in English-speaking Africa following a series of setbacks with former allies on the continent.
French President Emmanuel Macron met his counterpart at the historic Invalides Memorial Complex, with the first official state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades.
The two national anthems sang out in the courtyard of one of Paris’ landmarks, kicking off a visit focused on encouraging economic partnerships between France and Africa’s most populous country.
Macron has sought a “renewal” between Paris and Africa since his 2017 election and after military coups and changing attitudes lessened France’s influence in Africa.
READ ALSO:
- $6bn Mambilla Contract: Appeal Court suspends judgment barring EFCC from probing Leno Adesanya
- Senate passes tax reform bills for second reading
- Why we jettisoned regional system, split Nigeria into 12 states – Gowon
The visit is “an opportunity to deepen the already dynamic relationship between France and Nigeria”, Macron’s office said.
Nigeria is Africa’s leading oil producer and has a robust film and entertainment industry.
However challenges posed by insecurity and corruption have left 129 million Nigerians — more than half the country’s population — living below the poverty line.
Nigeria is seeking to build ties in “agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, innovation and energy transition,” Tinubu’s office said in a statement, adding that the president had landed in Paris on Wednesday evening.
Tinubu and Macron will also address “shared values concerning finance, solid minerals, trade and investment, and communication,” it added.
Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit
-
metro3 days agoWhy we relocated Osun airport — Gov Adeleke
-
Opinion2 days agoWhat NNPCL staff revealed about reported revival of PH Refinery – Farooq Kperogi
-
metro2 days agoJUST IN: DSS arrests Kano-based activist over suspected Facebook post
-
News2 days agoNo child should go to bed hungry, Tinubu seeks French investment in Nigeria’s food security
-
Politics20 hours ago2027 Lagos gov race: Opposition heightens against Seyi Tinubu, Obasa
-
metro2 days agoAppeal court frees Lagos doctor convicted for defiling wife’s niece
-
Business3 days agoNNPCL says Port Harcourt refinery products only for its outlets
-
International2 days agoFinnish court fixes May 2025 for Simon Ekpa’s trial