NEWS
12,290 Zamfara Cotton Farmers Benefit From CBN/ABP Loan — NACOTAN
A total of 12,290 cotton farmers in Zamfara State have benefited from 2020/2021 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loan under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).
The state Chairman of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), Alhaji Sani Dahiru, disclosed this in Gusau on Wednesday.
Dahiru spoke at a brief ceremony to hand over recovered cotton from the 2020/2021 beneficiaries of the programme in the North West and distribution to some selected cotton ginneries in the state for processing.
He said that about 4,000 tonnes of cotton, representing 40 per cent of the loan, had been recovered from the beneficiaries.
“We are expecting the recovery of 10,000 tonnes of harvested cotton in the state from the beneficiaries,” he said.
He commended the Federal Government for initiating ABP, saying it had boosted cotton farming in the state.
According to him, five years back before the intervention, some of the ginneries in the state were closed down, while some were working below 30 per cent capacity.
“Today, with the ABP, many ginneries have begun operation at over 50 per cent capacity.
“This has enhanced the economy of many families by engaging them in farming and processing activities,” Dahiru said.
In a remark, the National President of NACOTAN, Mr Anebi Achimugu, said: “We are happy with what we are witnessing today in Zamfara.
“This is an evidence that the ABP is existing in the country.
“The programme where farmers are supported with loan to produce cotton in a collective form and the products recovered as loan repayment is a welcome development,” Achimugu said.
He called on the federal government to sustain the programme because of its many economic benefits to the nation.
“The advantages of the value chain of cotton are numerous, especially in job creation, provision of raw materials to textiles and other industries, among others.
“We are happy with the successes recorded in Zamfara and other North West states.
“We recorded similar successes in the North East and hope to have the same in the North Central,” he said.
The CBN Governor, Mr Goodwin Emefiele, said ABP was established to create linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holders of the required key agricultural commodities.
Emefiele, represented by the Controller of Gusau CBN Branch, Mr Buhari Abbas, said CBN financed at least 100,000 cotton farmers through ABP in the 2020 wet season and 17,290 were from the state.
“This is in addition to 20,000-hecter farmers financed under the Prime Anchor Model, which represents over 30 per cent of the ABP portfolio,” he said.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to ensuring food security through provision of loans to smallholder farmers to commercial farmers.
Emefiele called on the beneficiaries to reciprocate government’s gesture by repaying their loans as and when due.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi, expressed joy over federal government’s initiative to revive cotton farming in the country.
Abdullahi also thaked the leadership of NACOTAN for complementing government’s efforts toward achieving the desired objectives.
He said Gov. Bello Matawalle initiated some policies to support cotton farming in Zamfara, which is known as the center for cotton farming. (NAN)
NEWS
Ohanaeze Ndigbo President Iwuanyanwu for Burial Nov. 1
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
NEWS
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to UNGA
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)NEWS
NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)