Agriculture
Ogun Farmers Demand Justice for Slain Member.
From Dooyum Naadzenga, Lagos
The Yemule-Ikangba-Agoro Fish Farmers Association, Odogbolu Local Government, Ogun state, Friday 23rd December,2022 descended so hard on the Ogun State Government as well as Government Security Agencies over what it termed a failure of government in securiting it’s citizenry while demanding justice for Amos Oyemachi, a slain member of the association, murdered in very gruesome manner.
The killing of Amos Oyemachi, the group demanded that Police Authorities must ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice without delay.
Amos Oyemachi was killed Monday, December 12, 2022 along the old Lagos- Benin Express road by yet to be identified arsonists.
According to the group, the death of Oyemachi “is one death too many as Agoro-Okun Owa axis of the old Lagos-Benin road which has become a den of criminals murdering commuters and other road users passing the route”
Speaking to newsmen in Kajola, Ikangba, Eko, John Nicholas who spoke on behalf of the group reiterated the group’s call all on well-meaning citizens, NLC, TUC and CSO to prevail on Ogun state and the federal governments to fix the road immediately and make it safe for all.
“It is with heavy hearts and tears, we members of Yemule-Ikangba-Agoro Fish Farmers Association, Odogbolu Local Government, Ogun state, regret to announce the untimely death of our departed member from Kajola fish farm cluster: Amos Oyemachi (32years old), who was brutally hacked to death by yet-to-be identified assailants on 12th December, 2022, along the old Lagos-Benin road, who made away with his tricycle (Keke Maruwa) with which he used to ply the route from Obalende in Ijebu Ode to Okun Owa; took away his phones and money; and dumped his mutilated body in a bush nearby Agoro town, where he lived!”
Amos has since been buried on Saturday 17th December,2022 at his residence in Agoro town. May his soul continue to hunt his killers. Beyond this prayer, we call on the police to ensure that the long arms of justice catch up with them.
The late Amos Oyemachi was last seen on Monday 12th December, 2022. The family raised alarms when he didn’t return home as usual, late that evening. A search part swung into action that same day. But not until the evening Tuesday 13th December, before the near decomposing mutilated body was found in a bush path less than 200 meters from the main road: old Lagos-Benin road, not far from Agoro town. He’s survived by a young wife and two children of between age 5 , and 2 years respectively.
This death, according to the group, “is one death too many as it was not the first time such a dastardly act had happened. Last month, a motorcycle rider on that same route in a nearby bush was severely wounded and dispossessed of his new Bajaj motorcycle, phone and money by yet-to-be identified persons. He later died before he got to the hospital”
These incidents have become a recurring decimal along that route, and nothing has been done to arrest and checkmate this ugly trend by the security operatives.
The route appears to has become a den of criminals and killers, and, road users who have no choice but pass the route, do so with fears and trepidation on a daily basis.
The group condemns these murders in totality and demand compensations for the families of victims that have lost their loved ones and properties to these assailants, and call for prompt investigation and arrests of those responsible for these heinous crimes and ensure they are brought to justice to serve as deterrent to other criminally minded elements having free reign on that route. We demand justice.
What appears more annoying is that, “Obalende divisional police station and Okun Owa police post are both situated along that road. And on daily basis, the police mount not less than four(4) road blocks between Obalende-Ikangba and Asejere/Kajola fish farms junction onward to Agoro-Okun Owa – a distance of less 10 km with heavy vehicular and human traffics, extorting, harassing and intimidating commuters and drivers. But the isolated, less frequented Agoro-Okun Owa axis of the old Lagos-Benin road, enclosed by vast swaths of forest on both sides is left without police presence, something that makes it vulnerable for all sorts of criminality, why the police look the other way. This must stop. And we demand that the police are also present and do routine patrol along that axis which is less frequented by commuters, so as to guarantee security of lives and property and prevent reoccurrence”.
Meanwhile, the Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State and the federal government are vicariously liable and most culpable.
“The unsurpassed irresponsibility, unresponsiveness and insensitivities of both the state and federal governments to the plights and yearnings of the mass majority of suffering Nigerians, and the continued implementation of anti poor capitalist policies, meant to guarantee profits for a few privileged rich at the expense of the needs of the workers and poor people provide a fertile ground for recourse to criminality and the present state of anomie. This is because the resultant effects of these anti-poor policies are rising youth unemployment, underfunding of public education, privatization and commercialization of public utilities, direct stealing and corrupt enrichment from the common wealth by both elected and appointed officials, contract system etc, have engendered the current state of insecurity and other ills being experience across the country.”
Recall that sometimes in December 2021, the fish farmers and their host communities along this said road did stage a protest calling on both the state and federal governments to fix the road and dredge the Yemule river to prevent flooding, insecurity, and other associated ills linked to the dilapidated road. But nothing was done. And when the rains came in torrent on July 8, 2022, the predictable happened, flood disaster that claimed over N500 million investment in aquaculture, resulting in hundreds of farmers losing their means of livelihoods.
The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has urged the media to stand in the communication gap in favour of biotechnology development n Nigeria, re-affirming the safety in the consumption of genetically modified foods.
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, affirmed this during a one-day media field trip to NBRDA FARMS on Monday in Abuja.
The trip was organised by Open Forum On Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), an initiative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
“Today, you shall be visiting our TELA Maize farms. This provides an exciting opportunity to see for yourselves what we have been doing here and equally gather your findings on what you have seen today and then take back the message to the people to quell some of the miscommunications about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops.
“TELA Maize hybrid varieties were developed to address some of the pressing challenges facing our farmers, including pests and diseases that can significantly reduce crop yields,” he said.
According to him, the production of the TELA MAIZE hybrid was done through the combined efforts of scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Zaria in collaboration with stakeholders in key institutions such as NBRDA, NBMA, NASC, and the AATF Research Team.
“We are here to showcase our demonstration farms of genetically modified versions of commonly consumed crops developed by our scientists that have enjoyed rave reviews from the global world of science and the agricultural sector.
“These experts have worked tirelessly to ensure that this crop is not only high-yielding but also safe for human consumption,” he added.
He noted that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has been instrumental in ensuring the safety and efficacy of TELA Maize which is believed to have the potential to transform the agricultural landscape in Nigeria and beyond.
Dr Jean Baptiste, the Regional Representative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, said that GMOs were aimed at leveraging the potential of biotechnology to develop a system that will help farmers.
He said Tella maize is a variety, developed using biotechnology methods to control insects.
“It also checks the resistance to drought and controls army worms, and stem borers in maize.
“At the end of the day, the benefits are enormous because it helps farmers increase yield and to be able to meet food security issues.
Dr. Francis Nwankwo, a TELA MAIZE developer from the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF) explained the processes saying Tela maize passed through a genetic transformation that happens at the DNA level .
“They are not manufactured. What happens is we identify genes that can inhibit the infestation or reduce the infestation of some lepidoptera pests that affect some crops.
“So when we identify those genes we incorporate them into the DNA of maize thereby making it the maize, plus the genes.
“That way we increase the genes and reduce the struggles that our conventional maize go through on our farms like the stem borrower and others,” he said.
In her presentation, Dr Rose Gidado, Director, Agricultural Biotechnology Department, NBRDA, explained that many countries have derived huge benefits from TELA maize citing countries such as the U.S. and Canada.
“We actually brought you here so you could see the disparities between the TELA MAIZE and the non-TELA MAIZE species, and the environment which is far different from what we see on social media.
“We have other crops like beans that have actually been through the same gene transfers and are doing perfectly well and are safe for consumption,” she said.
She, therefore, urged the media to be on the guard in view of a lot of misinformation going round on social media and take responsibility in providing related information to the public adequately and objectively. (NAN)
Ms Surah Animashaun, the Chairperson, Epe Local Government, has empowered 200 farmers with cash and other agricultural inputs to boost food production in the area.
Animashaun distributed the agricultural inputs to the beneficiaries at the council secretariat in Epe on Thursday in Lagos.
She said the initiative was aimed at supporting farmers in order to boost food production in the various communities of the council.
Animashaun said the farmers who benefitted from the gesture are expected to be considerate in their price fixing after harvest to ensure the affordability of food for all Nigerians.
“With the economic situation now and the support being giving to you, farmers should be reasonable in fixing prices after harvest to ensure that ordinary Nigerians source food at a more convenient price nationwide.
“We are here to give you support for your farming activities today, we expect that you reciprocate tomorrow by selling at a more affordable price to the people tomorrow,’’ she said.
Animashaun explained that each of the benefiting farmers received N50,000 and essential grains such as maize and sorghum.
She said the council would continue to support the farmers for them to be strong in farming activities.
Animashaun also used the medium to highlight her administration’s ongoing efforts in the extension of palliatives to other sectors of the economy.
She urged the communities in the area to maintain harmony, love, hospitality, and compassion, particularly in the face of the present economic challenges.
Also speaking, Mr Sikiru Owolomoshe, the Vice Chairman of the council, urged the farmers to take advantage of the gesture to improve their activities in order to encourage others.
Mr Olayinka Kazeem, the Secretary of Epe Farmers and a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the council chairperson and her management.
“This is the first time we are witnessing this kind of programme and it is coming at a critical period when many states are facing food shortage,’’ he said.
He assured that the beneficiaries would do their best to ensure the objective was achieved.
Mr Ahmed Surakat, the Public Relations Officer of Lagos State Fishermen Cooperative Association, and Mrs Kafilat Animashahun beneficiaries, extended their gratitude to the council chairman for her unwavering support to farmers.
Earlier, the President of the Epe Farmers Union, Mrs Aminat Shabi, lauded Animashaun for the comprehensive support to other agricultural value chain such as fish farmers and livestock producers.(NAN)
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has been described as an appropriate and very effective means of realising food sufficiency and security across the country.
The National Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr Aminu Bodinga Mohammed who made the assertion during the 7th Joint World Bank and French Development Agency Implementation Support Mission of RAAMP at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, pointing out that most urban centers derive their supply of food from farms, which are located at the rural communities.
His words: “the primary objective of RAAMP is to improve rural roads and trading infrastructure through to boost food production.
Therefore the successful implementation of this project could go a long way towards guaranteeing food sufficiency and security across the country”.He solicited for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to ensure an all-round success of the project.
Aminu noted that the mission was to evaluate the current implementation status, milestones as well as challenges faced by the 19 states participating in the project and announced that arrangements had reached an advanced stage for the commencement of civil works on agro-logistics centers (ALCs) latest by September, 2024 with 23 major contracts that would be awarded across the states.
ALCs refer to market hubs that have been prioritised for transformation to ultra-modern standards at various locations across the country , notably in rural communities to empower and enhance the livelihoods of the people.
Also speaking, the Task Team Leader of the World Bank, Mr. Rakeesh Tripathi hinted that a scale-up was being mooted for the project but emphasized that only states which must have established and operationalised the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF), backed up with the required standing on counterpart funds would be eligible to access the scale-up funds.
He therefore advised all states to take advantage of the mission and get the needed support to tackle every challenge facing their State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), adding that all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would be encouraged to embrace the scale-up project.
Highpoints of the exercise were presentations by the State Project Coordinators of the respective participating states, question and answer sessions, comments and observations, among other inputs by the stakeholders.
The Task Team Leader of the French Development Agency, AFD; Consultants from the World Bank; the Federal Project Management Unit, FPMU as well as State Project Implementation Units, SPIUs of RAAMP also attended the mission.
NDA Commandant Decorates Ombugadu, Others as Fellows of Solar Energy Society of Nigeria
ShareFrom Abel Zwànke, Lafia The 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, His Excellency Rt....
Yuletide: Bode George Urges Tinubu to Reduce Petrol Price
ShareChief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to...
Tinubu Set for Groundbreaking of Renewed Hope City in Lagos
Share President Bola Tinubu, is set to perform the groundbreaking of 2,000 housing units of the Renewed Hope City in...
Gov. Alia Presents N550.1bn as 2025 Budget Estimate to Benue Assembly
ShareGov. Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday presented the sum of N550.1bn as the 2025 appropriation bill to the Benue State House...
Tax Bills: NASS will not Betray the Trust of Nigerians, says Akpabio
Share The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, says the National Assembly will prioritise the interest of all Nigerians...
Alia Has Demonstrated Capacity, Courage to Entrench Good Governance—Speaker
Share The Speaker, Benue Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajo, has said that Gov. Hyacinth Alia has so far demonstrated capacity, courage,...
Investors Gain N183bn on NGX
Share The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) continued its bullish trend on Wednesday, gaining N183 billion. Accordingly, the market capitalisation, which...
Energy, Solid Minerals Top Priority, Tinubu Tells German Businessmen
Share President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, assured the German government and businessmen of Nigeria’s preparedness to expand frontiers for investors...
Nigerian Who Wrote WASSCE 17 Times Bags Distinction from London School
Share Dr Emmanuel Ahmadu, a Nigerian who wrote the West Africa School Senior Certificate Education 17 times, has earned a...
INEC Staff Welfare Association Warns Members Against Manipulating Election Results
Share The Abia Chapter of the INEC Staff Welfare Association (ISWA) has warned its members to uphold the integrity of...