NEWS
Stakeholders Brainstorm as 46th National Council on Agriculture Commences in Calabar
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has convened the 46th National Council on Agricultural and Food Security (NCAFS) meeting to exchange ideas aimed at advancing agricultural development in the country, setting key topics for consideration and discussion.
The meeting, themed “Resilience to Climate Change Towards Sustainable Food Security,” held at the Calabar International Convention Center, attracted participants from across the states to engage in meaningful dialogue, enhance the issues discussed, and provide practical recommendations to help the Council make informed decisions for the agricultural sector’s economic impact. During his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary Temitope Fashedemi highlighted that the agricultural sector remains essential for the nation’s economic recovery, stabilization and growth.He stated, “At this gathering, we must objectively explore the best ways to maintain food security, generate employment, and create wealth. This involves assessing the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives and refining strategies for a significant economic impact.”He stressed the importance of sustaining the commodity value chain, enhancing sector linkages, promoting import substitution initiatives, and fostering value-added processing and export-oriented activities.Fashedemi underlined the need for ongoing collaboration on agribusiness initiatives by providing incentives to researchers, farmers, and processors to boost agricultural output and meet national needs, thereby encouraging greater investment in agriculture and creating jobs.Earlier, Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, emphasized the importance of addressing the pressing global challenge of climate change and forming a collective commitment to develop resilience against its effects.He remarked, “Food security is central to the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and underpins the policies of state governments, particularly the people’s first agenda of our visionary Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.”As discussions continue on this theme, Ebokpo urged participants to engage in constructive dialogue, share best practices, and work together towards sustainable solutions for food production amid climate change challenges.The event also featured goodwill messages from various stakeholders, including Actionaid, the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, among others.NEWS
We’ll Comply with PenCom’s 3-day Pension Payment Directive- PenOp

The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) has assured the National Pension Commission (PenCom) that its members will comply with the recent directive to settle all pension benefits within three working days.
The Report says that the National Pension Commission has mandated Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Fund Custodians to approve and pay pension benefits to eligible applicants within three working days of receiving complete applications. Mr Oguche Agudah, Chief Executive Officer, PenOp, speaking with newsmen in Lagos, said that the directive was positive and capable of fostering accountability. Agudah said that PenOp members were fully aligned with PenCom’s efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the pension system in Nigeria.He said, “This is a good development for pensioners, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and the entire system.“PFAs are going to comply with this new directive, which is set to begin in June. We will ensure servicelevels are maintained, and we will also ensure people get their money as and when due.“We recognise the importance of timely payment of pension benefits to retirees, and we are committed to working with PenCom to achieve this goal.” (NAN)NEWS
Food Security: Benue Govt. partners FACAN on Pricing of Agric. Commodities

The Benue State Government is partnering with the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) on pricing of agricultural commodities in the state.
Mr Donald Akule, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Agricultural Development Company (ADC), who made the disclosure on Monday in Makurdi, said that the partnership would enhance food security. Akule restated the state government’s willingness to work with FACAN to mediate between the farmers and the government on the prices of commodities. The MD said that the aim was to ensure that all farmers get value for their produce and also ensure food availability. “We have declared a state of emergency on food insecurity. We want to make sure that every farmer gets value for what they produce. “In the coming days we are going to roll out a template of how this produce can be bought or mopped by the ADC and to make sure that we fill up our silos and food banks,” he said. Akule advised farmers to form cooperatives or groups for easy transactions, adding that the government would not work with individual farmers. “Agriculture business is a collective business; it is a collaborative business. We are going to liaise with FACAN to make sure that we regulate the prices of grains. “We will not recognise any person that is working in isolation. Any farmer that is not part of an organised working group would not be accepted,” he said. FACAN State Coordinator, Mr Vitalis Tarnongu, said Benue farmers were ready to partner with government in the regulation of prices enable them get value for their produce. Tarnongu said that their mandate was to ensure that the prices of commodities are set in such a way that both farmers and government make gains. The new state coordinator assured government of FACAN’s commitment with ADC to boost agricultural production.“We are ready to work closely with ADC to ensure food sufficiency.“We solicit your support and cooperation for the association to succeed in its assignment,” he added.(NAN)NEWS
Court Orders Man to Pay N140,0000 Feeding Allowance for Child

A Shari’a Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State on Monday ordered one Bilya Isah to pay the sum of N140,000 as feeding allowance for his child.
The Judge, Malam Kabir Muhammad made the ruling after one Rabi Musa, an ex wife to the defendant prayed the court to grant her custody of her one year and seven months old son. The Judge granted her custody and ordered Isah to pay N140, 000 as feeding allowance for the seven months he failed to provide and to continue paying N10, 000 monthly. Earlier the complainant said through her counsel, A. Badamasi that her ex husband had neglected their child for seven months and prayed the court to order him to pay N1 million as compensation for the months he missed.She also prayed the court to order the defendant to pay N30, 000 monthly feeding allowances.Meanwhile the defendant on his part said he can only afford N3, 000 monthly allowance.(NAN)