From Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna

Hundreds of protesters under the auspices of Nasiriya Movement on Thursday stormed Kaduna State Capital supporting the ongoing probe of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-rufai by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) stressing that the former Governor be made to refund over 400billion naira he allegedly embezzled while in service.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters Alhaji Garkuwa Ibrahim Babuga, National President Nasiriya Movement said “Justice must take it full course, the EFCC and ICPC have a duty to ensure the exact figures Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-rufai allegedly embezzled are ascertain, however we know that the former Governor misappropriated over 400billion naira which is taxpayers money.

Garkuwa maintained that under the Stewardship of Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-rufai, thousands of workers were arbitrarily sacked without gratuity and other work benefits so many of whom have been bedridden and without proper accommodation.

“We are going to sustain these protests until justice is served. The accused must not be set free without due process, if we are not satisfied we will march to Abuja to protest until justice is served.

Also speaking, one of the leading women protesters Patience John who lauded the anti-graft agencies probe on Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-rufai said, the former Governor flaunted court orders with impunity while executing demolition of individual properties within the metropolis.

According to her, the Governor’s inactions compounded the security situation in Kaduna leading to the death of somany citizens within the state.

The protesters carry placards bearing messages such as “Thank u EFCC for the probe of El-rufai”, El-rufai must refund our N400 billion”, “Uba Sani must continue to deliver Kaduna”.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has described the death of the senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Barinada Mpigi, as a loss, not only to the Ogoni people of Rivers State, but to the entire country, describing the late Senator as “a dependable ally who stood by his friends, even during trying times.

Mpigi died at 64, last Thursday, after a brief illness.

In a statement in London on Thursday, by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister, who led the delegation of Rivers State leaders on Thursday, to visit the wife of Senator Mpigi, Patricia Obiageri Mpigi, and her children, promised to stand by the family and ensure a befitting burial for the deceased.

The Minister was accompanied by his two sons, Jordan and Joaquin, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, Senators Magnus Abe, Allwell Onyesoh and Olaka Nwogu, as well as Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Aaron Chukwuemeka, Felix Nweke, Kenneth Chikere and Hon. Dum Deekor.

Condoling with Senator Mpigi’s wife and children, Wike said; “We are here as a delegation sent by the leader of Rivers State. Actually Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Chief OCJ Okocha and Sergeant Awuse would have come, but considering their age, they couldn’t. We were asked to come and see you before you return home.

“I don’t know where to start from, but one thing that is key is that all of us know that certainly, a day will come that we will go and meet our maker. But when it will be, nobody knows.

“I do know that your husband has tried. He really was very strong to overcome whatever was the problem. And you too, as a very strong woman, gave him the necessary support.

“You know how close all of us were to your husband, particularly myself. I was council chairman with your husband, and we have been together. Your husband was a strong pillar in the politics of Rivers State.

“There is nobody among us that does not know the impact of Barinada Mpigi. When he says he is your friend, he is your friend. If Bari says he is not going to work with you, you don’t need to go and ask anyone whether he will change his mind. He stands with his friends through thick and thin. It is very unfortunate that this is the period we really need your husband to be around. But we can’t question God.

“I had thought that he would overcome it, but God knows better. There is nothing we can say today that can bring Bari back. In fact, I was telling one of our friends that the day we will know that Bari is no longer with us is when he will be lowered. Up till now, some of us are still having that belief that anything can happen.

“God gives, God takes. I believe that He will give all of you the strength, just as we pray that God will also give us the strength to bear this irreparable loss, which is not only to the Ogoni people, Rivers State, but to Nigeria as a whole.”

Promising to stand by the family, the Minister, in an emotion-laden tone said, “We will play our own part. We will not forget Bari.

Like I have said, it is our own loss, we will be there with you. We will play our roles to ensure that he is accorded a befitting burial.

“On behalf of the leaders of Rivers State, we say take heart and remain strong.”

Responding, wife of the deceased, Patricia Mpigi, thanked the Minister for always standing by the family, saying “I thank you for your presence and support. All I can say is thank you. Thank you for all you have done.”

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has expressed concern over high post-harvest losses threatening Nigeria’s export competitiveness.

NEPC Regional Coordinator, South-South Office, Ngozi Ibe, made this known on Thursday in Port Harcourt during a capacity-building programme on the Preservation, Storage and Processing of Agro-based Products.

The programme was themed, “Best Processing and Handling Practices of Agro Produce for Export Competitiveness.

Quoting the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Ibe said that about 14 per cent of food produced globally was lost after harvest.

“In Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, losses for perishable crops such as fruits and vegetables reach up to 50 per cent,” she said.

She added that grain losses averaged between 20 and 30 per cent across the region.

Ibe explained that NEPC convened producers, processors, regulators and development partners to strengthen capacity within the agricultural sector.

She said agriculture remained one of Nigeria’s strongest economic pillars, providing food, creating jobs, driving rural development and contributing significantly to national revenue.

‘’Poor handling, inadequate preservation and substandard storage facilities contribute to high post-harvest losses.

“Limited knowledge of export requirements often leads to rejection in international markets.

“The effort invested in planting and harvesting is sometimes undone by what happens after harvest,” she said.

Ibe stated that the losses resulted in reduced export volumes, lost revenue and missed growth opportunities.

She noted that global trade standards are becoming increasingly stringent, with institutions such as the World Trade Organisation emphasising sanitary and phytosanitary measures in international trade.

“Export competitiveness is not only about producing more; it is about producing better and handling more effectively,” she said.

The NEPC Regional Coordinator stressed the need for proper preservation techniques to extend shelf life and underscored the importance of appropriate storage systems to prevent spoilage and contamination.

She urged participants to engage actively, share experiences and adopt practices that would reduce losses and improve export readiness.

In his remark, Dr. Ofon Udofia, Executive Secretary of the Institute of Export Operations and Management Nigeria Limited, said about 30 per cent of Nigeria’s agro exports are rejected abroad.

Udofia, who served as a resource person, said sesame seed records the highest rejection rate among exported produce.

He said that stakeholders had been informed why most agro products exported from the country were rejected and how proper preservation and record-keeping could prevent further losses.

“Participants were guided on acceptable pesticide levels and other compliance requirements, including how to test for moisture content in exported agro produce.

“Proper testing and documentation will significantly reduce export rejections.

“We must address knowledge gaps before discussing financing; knowledge is the major gap in the sector,” he said

Udofia commended NEPC for strengthening the capacity of farmers and processors, saying that the initiative would reduce the volume of agro produce rejected in international markets.

He added that the move aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s one trillion-dollar economy vision and Renewed Hope Agenda.

Udofia noted that agro exports remained significant foreign exchange earnings for the country.

‘’Products such as fish bladder sell for about 3,000 dollars per kilogramme, while palm kernel cake commands about 300 dollars per metric tonne on the international markets,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Dr Madu Inani, Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NESPRI), said that NESPRI and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had approved incubation centres for start-ups.

She stated that the centres were designed to support new agro produce exporters in meeting the regulatory standards.

She urged stakeholders to form co-operatives to raise funds and improve exports, stating that such collaboration would enhance access to finance and improve competitiveness in the global market.