By Cletus Akwaya

I almost dismissed the sad news as a piece of the age-long  ‘April Fool’ as it came on the first day of the Month of April.

A family friend and Commissioner in the Benue state government broke the sad news to me in a rather blunt manner.

 “Your good friend, Prof Tyotom Keghku is dead”.

Really? I was shocked to the marroe. I wished it were an April Fools Day gimmick. It was real. Prof Tyotom Keghku is gone to be with his creator.

His departure is another hard lesson about life-that we are all mortals and that at the appointed time, we shall answer the Lord’s call.

I      and the late Prof Keghku have come along away.

As far back as 1997, when he served s Director, Membership Services at the secretariat of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR) at Ikeja, he persuaded me to join the Institute and indeed availed me a membership form. I duly completed the form but failed to submit same for processing.

However, when the opportunity presented itself in 2005, Keghku was then the Vice President of NIPR and I was serving as Commissioner of Information in Benue state. He again approached me and this successfully got me into the Benue state chapter of NIPR, where I remained a member till date.

A year after I became a member of the Institute, Benue state was to host the Annual General Meeting and I worked closely with Keghku to successfully host the conference.

Since then, I travelled with Keghku through the corridors of NIPR and along the line got elected as Member of the Governing Council in 2009 in Yenagoa and re-elected in 2011 in Kano for a four year tour of duty as a Council Member before I voluntarily stepped down in 2012 at the AGM hosted in Abuja that year.

Since the time I was elected into the Council of NIPR, Keghku never called be my name. He  addressed me always as “Council Member” and I always reciprocated by calling him “Presido” in recognition of the office of Vice President, he once held.

The late Prof Keghku accomplished many things in his life time. He was a Professor of Mass Communication and at the time of his death, was   Head Public Relations and Advertisement at the Benue State University’s Faculty of Communication  Studies. He was also Rector of the Akawe Torkula Polytechnic Makurdi, owned by the Benue state Government. He had earlier in the early days of his career, served as Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Arts Council.

In all these assignments and more, Keghku discharged his duties and responsibilities most creditably. He was loved immensely by those who came in contact with him.

But it was in the practice of  the Public Relations Profession that Keghku was better known. For over three decades, he bestrode the profession like a colossus as he   served the NIPR in various capacities. He was at various times Editor of the NIPR Journal and was also Chair of the Membership Screening Committee. He was Vice Chairman of Fellows Screening Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute at the time of his death.

In actual fact, Keghku was constantly the power behind the throne of many Presidents. He belonged to a group of “wise men” who understood the workings and politics of NIPR and were always consulted on the right candidate to become the President. Thus from the Presidency of the late Alhaji Muhammed, better known as “General” to the late Prof  Ike Nwosu, and then Mallam Muhktar Sirajo to the incumbent, Dr Ike Neliaku, Keghku  maintained his relevance in the Institute as he worked closely with each President on sensitive assignments.

There were indeed numerous assignments Keghku discharged for the Institute that space won’t permit me to mention here. He will indeed be missed by thousands of members of NIPR nationwide and particularly the Benue state Chapter, which he nurtured to maturity over the years.

Although the late Keghku was an accomplished academic and high flying Professional in the field of Public Relations, the many positions of authority he held in his career did not get to his head.Unlike other Nigerians of his era,  he remained highly approachable, humble and peaceable personality, who was a friend of students, mentees, colleagues and subordinates alike. 

For the many decades I knew Keghku and closely worked with him, I hardly saw him loose his temper. He was a soft-spoken leader, gentle and kind. When he had reason to present an opposing view to any situation, he did so in a manner that was so gentle and persuasive that could hardly be ignored.

In my close association with him, I deepened my life principle on the virtues of selflessness and sacrifice to friendhsip. In February this year, when our Newspaper Company, DAILY ASSET was preparing to stage the 8^th Annual Awards in Abuja, the President of NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku was nominated as one of the awardees. Taking cognizance of Prof Keghku’s close relationship with the President, I engaged him quite a lot to discuss details of the participation of the NIPR President at the event. Unknown to me, Keghku was speaking and chatting with me on his hospital bed! He must have been doing so in pains, yet he betrayed no such emotions of a patient, who was perhaps struggling to live. In one of the conversations, he actually disclosed to me that he was in hospital but assured me that  it wasn’t  something I should worry much about. That was vintage Keghku. He could stand for a friend and professional colleague in whatever circumstance, even while on his  hospital bed. He could give his all at all times.

There is so much we can learn about the life and times of the departed Scholar. One of such lessons is that those who are truly knowledgeable are actually humbled by the depth of their knowledge. Prof Tyotom Keghku was a Guru, who was unmistakable in the field of Public Relations not only in Nigeria but across the African continent. His story  typifies the   adage of “rise from grass to grace”. From his humble beginnings from Igbor, Gwer LGA, Benue State, Professor Keghku became an acclaimed international Scholar, who left indelible footprints on the sands of time. We shall surely miss this academic giant, Intellectual heavy weight and Public Relations Guru. May the good Lord rest his gentle soul in Heaven. Adieu, Presido!!!

Dr Cletus Akwaya, former Council Member of NIPR is Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, DAILY ASSET.

Meat business is a huge business. The global beef market alone is massive.

According to Global Beef Market Report for 2023, global beef market is projected to hit 421.61 billion dollars by 2028, with a 4.05 per cent compound annual growth rate.

The figure is a leap from 332.

29 billion dollars in 2022, In other words, over the next couples of years, the world’s beef industry is forecast to grow by 90 billion dollars.

The United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade) says Nigeria Exports of meat and edible meat offal stood at 200.66 dollars in 2021.

According to Statista, the Meat market in Nigeria is projected to grow by 10.

90 per cent between 2025 and 2029 resulting in a market volume of 71.84 billion dollars in 2029.

Annually, the country consumes around 360,000 metric tonnes of beef, it says.

China is the world’s largest importer of beef, importing more than 63 billion dollars worth of beef in the past 5 years, according to Iowa Farm Bureau.

One of the largest livestock breeding states in the country, Borno, sees the livestock market as a huge opportunity to improve revenue and become less dependent on handouts from the Federation Account.

It was against the background that the Prof. Babagana Zulum-led administration inaugurated the Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement Estate, the first of its kind in the state at Mafa Local Government Area.

According to Dr Umar Kadafur, Deputy Governor and Supervising Commissioner, Livestock and Fisheries Development Ministry, the Ngarannam livestock estate was designed in line with the required operational tools, equipment and infrastructure.

“These centres will play a vital role in enhancing the quality of livestock breeds, with a particular focus on improving milk and meat production.

“Borno State Government built and equipped the multi-million-naira Ngarannam Breeding Centre and Provided over 1.5 billion naira  for AI, Embroy Plssma Transfer Centres as well Liquid Nitrogen complex in the 2025 Budge,’’ he said

Kadafur said the pasture Development Centres, were critical for sustainable grazing, as they offer dedicated spaces for pasture cultivation to ensure year-round feed availability for livestock as designed in the project.

“Currently Borno State Ministry of Livestock is managing 20 hectares of pasture under irrigation and cultivated well over 200 hectares of Rain fed pasture across the state.

“By establishing milk collection hubs, we create opportunities for dairy farmers to earn a stable income, increase local milk production, and meet our state’s dairy needs,” the deputy governor said.

It is important that Borno takes advantage of its location, human and material resources to tap into the huge livestock market, said Prof. Attahiru Jega in his keynote at the event at the inauguration.

Jega, who is also the Co-chair of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Committee, spoke on: “Reforms in the Nigerian Livestock Sector: Unlocking Great Potentials for Economic Growth and Peaceful Coexistence.”

Jega’s paper focused on the long-term impact of the livestock industry in Nigeria and the effects of business expansion without perfecting viable marketing strategies.

“It is essential to prioritise and address the unique challenges faced by different regions,” he said, even as he emphasised improving productivity across the livestock value chain is a national priority.

Jega pointed out that regions with low animal output and market access may benefit more from first addressing market-related issues rather than focusing on productivity.

“Already a media report had established that China has been identified as one of the biggest beef markets in the world.

“If I were Zulum, I would take advantage of this information and see how the state’s livestock breeders could fashion their business standard to international best practices.

“This is in order to suit the demands of the teeming beef consumers in China and beyond,’’ Jega said.

Jega also urged the expansion of successful practices and models in managing the ranches, noting that many effective practices were currently being implemented on a small scale.

“Borno government has to start preparing the state’s livestock products to be competitive by  showcasing their healthy and well-fed cows before the international markets.

“For example, the development of improved animal breeds suited to various regions should be prioritised, especially for poultry adapted to specific agro-ecologies.

“Small and medium-scale dairy producers must embrace innovation and growth to remain competitive.

“Evidence indicates that start-ups and smaller dairy producers can thrive as demonstrated by small and medium-sized dairy companies driving the 1.1 billion dollars growth in the US dairy sector between 2015 and 2018,” he said.

Jega, therefore, called on the state to adopt diverse and integrated strategies, saying a multifaceted approach may be more effective in enhancing livestock value chains.

According to him, the transformative reforms in Nigeria’s livestock sector will enhance productivity, reduce poverty, generate wealth, and bolster both domestic and international trade through import substitution.

“The livestock sector holds vast potential to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and promote sustainable development throughout Nigeria.

“However, significant challenges persist, and addressing them strategically and systematically, is the best, if not only way, to pave the way for a prosperous and peaceful future,” he argued.

But given the huge potential in the market, abandoning or neglecting it because of challenges is not an option.

“It is crucial to evaluate what works best for different producer categories and end-users, tailoring solutions accordingly.

“Additionally, building the ability of smallholder farmers is necessary to help them fully capitalise on the opportunities offered by value chain development.

“Strengthen commitment to animal agriculture research with a long-term focus Research should not be solely focused on quick, short-term solutions but should also prioritise sustainable models that foster long-term growth.

“The animal agriculture sector requires research that is responsive to the evolving needs of consumers and end-users.

“Develop more practical research-business strategies for the sub-sector, especially in vaccine production.

“The livestock sector needs strategies that bridge research and business, particularly in areas like vaccine development, to ensure greater industry resilience and sustainability,’’ Jega recommended.

He further advocated the establishment of “appropriate regulations with a focus on animal welfare, implementation of clear regulations that prioritise animal welfare, among others.

The Ministry of Livestock Development is at the centre of ensuring that the dream of leveraging the livestock market to boost internally-generated revenue is a reality.

The minister in charge of the ministry, Idi Maiha says in spite of challenges, it is achievable in line with Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Maiha said identifying with the Ngarannam Livestock Estate was a demonstration of collective agenda of expanding the commercial value of the nation’s livestock sector.

Maiha further said his ministry was currently embarking on key interventions to support the efforts of state governments to harness the inherent potential of the sector.

“These include rehabilitation of the grazing reserves and livestock markets across the country, breed improvement and vaccination against trans-boundary animal diseases such as contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste-Des-Petits-Ruminants (PPR).

“Furthermore, feed and fodder value chain is being organised through the cluster and productive alliance models for sustainable production.

“The goal is to transform the feed and fodder component of the value chain into growing businesses that would guaranty profit for the farmers,” the minister said.

One major obstacle to the growth and development of Borno State and other states in the northeast region over the decades is the Boko Haram insurgency.

Livestock farming is major aspect of life that took a hit as the insurgents took over swaths of land in the state.

Fortunately, Chief of Army Staff, Lieut.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, during a recent visit to expressed commitment to end the insurgency as soon as possible even as most portions under insurgents’ control have been reclaimed.

With peace returning to the area, it is expected that livestock business will begin to thrive once again. Ngarannam Livestock Improvement and Ranch Settlement Estate will be in a prime position to flourish.

Zulum appreciates the role of livestock sub-sector in supporting rural livelihoods and enhancing food security within the state’s borders as encapsulated in his 25-Year Development Plan as well as the 10 –Pact Agenda.

“The creation of these three Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) centres marks a significant milestone in our journey towards economic revitalisation and sustainable development.

“Each of these centres is a hub of comprehensive infrastructure, encompassing over 27 essential facilities that will enable our people to thrive and prosper in livestock and agricultural activities.

“These facilities include a housing estate complete with road networks, schools, health clinics, veterinary services, and state-of-the-art dairy and beef upgrading centres.

“We have established pasture development centres, milk collection centres, earth dams to secure water supply, markets to foster local trade, and security outposts to ensure a safe and secure environment for all,’’ he said.

These infrastructure, according to him, represent not just physical structures but a beacon of hope, restoration, and resilience for the people of the state.

“Beyond establishing these centres, my administration has taken additional steps to restore livelihoods affected by insurgency.

“Each of the 461 households from eighteen communities in the Ngarannam area, who have been victims of Boko Haram insurgency, will receive pairs of bull and heifer, goats, and a humanitarian relief package consisting of essential food and non-food items.

“This support is not merely a gesture but a solid investment in the livelihoods of our citizens and a vital step in their journey towards self-sufficiency and dignity,’” Zulum said.

Experts say the effective application of the business principles as outlined by Jega will go a long way towards the realisation of the potential inherent in Zulum’s ambitious livestock business outlay.

(NANFeatures)

Citrus farmers in Benue state are facing severe post-harvest losses.

These losses are primarily caused by inadequate storage facilities, poor transportation networks, and limited access to processing plants.

These challenges have undermined their efforts to maximise production and profitability.

Benue, often called the ‘Food Basket of the Nation’, is a major producer of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.

However, in spite of its agricultural prominence, farmers lament that much of their hard work goes to waste.

A large portion of their harvest rots before it reaches the market.

For example, Mrs Esther Tor, a citrus farmer from Gboko, revealed that over 60 per cent of her annual produce is lost.

“We put in so much effort to cultivate and harvest these fruits, but without proper storage or buyers, they just rot in heaps,” she said.

Similarly, Mr James Afia from Ushongo highlighted transportation challenges as a major contributor to their woes.

“Many of us rely on rural roads that become nearly blocked during the rainy season. Trucks frequently break down, leaving the fruits stranded and spoiled,” he explained.

Moreover, local farmers attribute their struggles to insufficient investment in agro-processing industries and limited access to credit facilities.

They also stress the absence of cold storage systems and modern preservation technologies that could extend the shelf life of their produce.

Noting the urgency of the situation, Mr Vincent Atim, another citrus farmer, stressed the need for immediate government intervention.

“We urge both the federal and state governments to subsidise storage facilities, provide modern drying and juicing equipment, and rehabilitate rural roads,” he said.

Atim further warned, “If urgent action is not taken, Benue’s citrus farmers may be forced out of business, threatening livelihoods and the state’s position as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural sector”.

He added that the sight of rotten oranges across farms is a painful reminder of wasted potential and resources.

Post-Harvest Losses (PHLs) have impacted food security and economic stability across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria.

In 2011, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated that up to 37 per cent of food produced in the region is lost between production and consumption.

Specifically, cereal losses were estimated at 20.5 per cent, with post-harvest handling and storage losses around 8 per cent.

In Nigeria, post-harvest losses are a major concern, particularly for staple crops like maize and grain legumes.

Comparatively, while Nigeria faces substantial post-harvest challenges, the issue is pervasive across many African nations.

Also, the African Postharvest Losses Information System (APHLIS) reports that post-harvest grain losses in Sub-Saharan Africa range from 10 to 20 per cent, depending on the country and crop.

Many stakeholders assert that addressing these losses requires improving storage, transportation, and handling practices.

These measures, they argue, are vital to reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing food security across the continent.

According to the FAO, post-harvest losses of citrus fruits in Benue were as high as 40 per cent in 2019.

The organisation attributed these losses to several factors, including inadequate storage facilities, poor handling practices, and insufficient market access.

The FAO further noted that farmers face significant challenges in accessing markets, which often leads to a build-up of unsold produce and increased losses.

In response to these challenges, agriculture expert Mr Edwin Asue advised the Benue State Government to introduce initiatives to address post-harvest losses.

He proposed establishing citrus processing plants in the state, ideally one in each of the three Senatorial districts.

“These processing plants would provide a ready market for farmers and significantly reduce losses,” he noted.

Additionally, Asue suggested that the government train and support farmers on best practices for handling and storage.

He recommended partnerships with local organisations to facilitate these trainings.

Furthermore, he emphasised the need to provide improved packaging materials to citrus farmers, which can reduce damage and spoilage during transportation and storage.

Asue also advocated for the use of technology, such as mobile apps and digital platforms, to connect farmers with buyers and provide real-time market information.

“Online marketplaces should be established to reduce the role of intermediaries and increase farmers’ earnings,” he said.

In addition to these recommendations, another agriculture expert, Mr Moses Angwe, emphasised the need for more concerted efforts to tackle post-harvest losses.

To address these gaps, Angwe urged the government to provide citrus farmers with access to finance, enabling them to invest in improved storage facilities, handling practices, and packaging materials.

He also called for the establishment of more markets and improved access to existing ones, which would help farmers sell their produce more easily and reduce losses.

Furthermore, Angwe stressed the importance of value addition activities.

“Encouraging farmers to engage in activities such as juicing, jam-making, and drying can increase their earnings and minimise losses.

“Reducing post-harvest losses requires a multi-faceted approach involving technology, training, and infrastructure development.

“By working together, the government, farmers, and other stakeholders can unlock the full potential of the citrus sector and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr James Toryila, a supporter of Gov. Hyacinth Alia, stated that the government is addressing the issue by attracting private sector investment into the agricultural value chain.

“The government is engaging stakeholders to build processing plants and create market linkages that will help farmers reduce post-harvest losses,” Toryila stated. (NANFeatures)