News
Obasanjo Flays African Leaders Over Food Insecurity
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has identified the lack of continuity of agricultural policies and programmes by successive governments as a major factor responsible for food insecurity in Africa.
Obasanjo made the observation in Abeokuta on Saturday at a forum organised by the Centre for Human Security (CHS) and Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) on “Best practices in fostering food security in Africa’’.
He said that the lack of food security in Africa could be attributed to the failure of successive administrations to sustain the good agricultural policies and programmes initiated by their predecessors
Obasanjo noted that most of the programmes he initiated for the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector were abandoned after his exit from power.
He, nonetheless, said that he did not believe that Africa was jinxed, stressing that the continent would be able to overcome the challenges of food insecurity once its leaders were able to demonstrate political will and eliminate corruption in governance.
He reiterated that Nigeria would have since become self-sufficient in food production if the agricultural policies and programmes, implemented during his tenures as military and civilian head of state, were sustained.
Obasanjo recalled that his administration was able to improve the country’s cocoa production from 150,000 metric tonnes to over 400,000 metric tonnes within five years.
He also noted a similar improvement in cassava production from 30 million tonnes to 60 million metric tonnes within the same period.
“When I was Nigeria’s head of government, whether as military head of state or as elected president, the progress we made in agriculture and food security was because I personally sat at the driver’s seat.
“I recall that when I was the military head of state, we had a programme called ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ to improve agriculture and enhance food production. And we made some appreciable progress.
“We were self-sufficient in the production of agricultural produce such as poultry, rice and vegetable oil.
“However, when we left government and our successor came in, they set up a presidential task force for the importation of rice; not for the production of rice.”
Besides, Obasanjo noted that certain government officials undermined efforts to develop the country’s agricultural sector and promote food security through their corrupt practices.
“We need to find a better way not to harm ourselves; a way to consistently, continually and, indeed, continuously promote food security in Africa.”
He, therefore, urged the Federal Government, the private sector and farmers to collaborate and work out modalities to salvage the country from an imminent food crisis.
Also speaking, the CHS Chairman, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, said the centre was established to provide the necessary platform for a collective and knowledge-driven response to obstacles hindering Africa’s development.
“This regional forum is thus an attempt to facilitate the exchange of experiences in what various institutions and organisations have been doing to confront the challenges of food insecurity.
“The emphasis has been on best practices, whether in agricultural production, research, soil management, education, extension services or the overall mobilisation of farmers for sustainable agriculture.”
Mabogunje noted that in spite of its huge population and potential, Africa had not been able to cultivate viable agricultural practices, thus compounding the problems of human security on the continent.
Adesina said the programme would terminate by 2014 as against the earlier duration date of 2012.
In a related development, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina , , said that the National Programme on Food Security (NPFS) was still on course and had not been scrapped as reported.
“The NPFS is the flagship programme on food security and cannot be scrapped as it is relevant to government’s plan of growing the size of the present agricultural sector to over 300 billion dollars by 2030,” Adesina told newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
“The NPFS is still on course; the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other donor agencies are fully involved in the programme.
“The activities and the agreement we reached are still on and we have to abide by it by respecting our obligations.
“NPFS is a programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and all the activities under the programme are still relevant, but there is modification on the programme.”
According to him, the successful implementation of the second phase of the programme in 2007 led to its sustainability.
He said the success prompted government to increase the number of sites from 109 to 327 in the 36 states of the federation and FCT.
He noted that Borno state which had earlier backed out of the programme had rejoined.
Adesina further noted that following a review of all the food security programmes of the ministry, President Goodluck Jonathan directed that the NPFS should not stand alone, but be mainstreamed back into the Ministry, under the Department of Rural Development.
He said based on this directive, government cut down on overheads to reduce wastage of resources, and that all the components of the programme were still intact.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested four notorious female drug dealers in Edo, Imo, Kano, and Gombe states.
The Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Giving a breakdown, Babafemi said that in Edo, an intense sweep of notorious drug hotspots within Benin City by NDLEA operatives on June 2 led to the arrest of four key traffickers, including three females.
“At Uyosa, Benin City, two female suspects were nabbed with a cocktail of illicit substances, including 176 grams of skunk, 65g of Loud, and 5 grams of Methamphetamine.
“Along Agbor road in Benin City, another female suspect, 21-year-old Anita Abraham, was apprehended with 95 grams of Scottish Loud and 329 grams of regular Loud.
“At Upper Mission, Benin City, a male suspect was arrested with a diverse cache of psychotropic substances consisting of Loud, Colorado, Swinol, and Methamphetamine.
“A swift operation by operatives in Kano State on Thursday, June 4, led to the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect, Saifullahi Lawan at the Kafi area of Madobi, with 40 blocks of skunk weighing a total of 38 kilograms,” NDLEA said.
In a related development, Babafemi said, operatives in Gombe state intercepted a 28-year-old suspect on June 1 near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area of Gombe.
“The suspect was caught with 15,000 capsules of tramadol,” he said.
He said the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands and formations equally continued across the country in the past week.
Reacting to the string of successful operations, the NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa commended the officers, men and women of the Imo, Edo, Kano, and Gombe commands for their resilience and vigilance.
Marwa also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
He re-emphasised that the agency remains fully committed to dismantling drug supply chains and would continue to target traffickers regardless of age, gender, or concealment methods.
The Nigerian Navy says its operatives under Operation Delta Sentinel have intercepted over 135,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during separate operations in Rivers State waterways.
Director of Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operations were carried out by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder around the Onne and Abonema axis.
He said the seizures were made during routine patrols aimed at curbing crude oil theft and illegal fuel transportation across creeks in the state.
In one of the operations, naval personnel intercepted a fibre boat at the entrance of Owogono Creek in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area carrying drums and jerrycans filled with suspected stolen AGO.
According to him, the occupants abandoned the boat and fled into nearby creeks, while the vessel and about 63,000 litres of product were recovered.
In another operation around Abonema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, patrol teams intercepted a wooden boat conveying about 72,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO concealed in sacks.
The Navy said the products were being transported through waterways for onward distribution before the operation disrupted the movement.
Folorunsho said the recoveries highlight the continued exploitation of creek networks by criminal elements for illegal petroleum product transportation.
He added that all recovered items were handled in line with established procedures on anti-crude oil theft operations.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling illegal oil networks and protecting Nigeria’s maritime economic assets.
The Permanent Secretary of Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honour Sirawoo mni, has charged public servants to embrace accountability and prudent management of public resources, stressing that government funds must be utilised responsibly.
Dr. Sirawoo made the assertion during the 41st anniversary of The Rivers State Television (RSTV), in Elelenwo.
He noted that public service demands commitment and sacrifice, urging workers to justify the opportunities entrusted to them through diligengence and productivity.
“All I try to do is to see that we have value for every kobo that we spend and value for our time.
“Government has a social responsibility to provide opportunities, but when you have one, you must guard it through hard work and ensure your presence is justified,” he stated.
The Permanent Secretary further appealed to workers to see themselves as ambassadors of their respective institutions, adding that government remains committed to creating employment opportunities and improving public service delivery.
Also speaking, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr (Mrs.) Christiana Atako, praised the station’s professionalism and consistency despite operational challenges.
“We have never been disappointed. In spite of all the challenges RSTV had at that time, they never failed us. They carried our stories very well,” she said.
Dr Atako encouraged staff members to continually improve themselves through training, education and professional development in order to remain competitive in the evolving media industry.
Earlier, Acting General Manager of RSTV, Ambassador Paul Damgbor, described the anniversary celebration as an opportunity to reflect on the station’s journey of over four decades and appreciate those who have contributed to its development.
Pastor Damgbor said that the station had recorded remarkable improvements in recent months through the acquisition of digital cameras, computers as well as upgrades in audio and visual production facilities.
“We have seen great change. We were able to get new brand digital cameras and improve on our audio. We have also provided new computers for key departments, including News, Programmes and the Library,” Damgbor remarked.
He also unveiled a commemorative magazine chronicling the history and achievements of the station, describing it as a valuable reference material for preserving RSTV’s heritage.
The Acting General Manager, however, expressed concern over the theft of critical equipment from the station’s transformer, a development he said had forced the organisation to rely heavily on generator power supply.
The Senior Pastor of Gateway International Church, Pastor George Izunma, who gave a short charge during the event, urged media practitioners to uphold the ethics of journalism and remain committed to accuracy in reporting.
“You are pressmen. You are okay to doubt, but verify,” he advised, stressing the importance of credibility and responsibility in the profession.
He equally highlighted the need to “ask the help of God, sow a seed of help, and step into something as if you have help” stressing the need to move by faith for growth.
Some participants at the event also raised concerns about employment opportunities while commending RSTV’s growth and contributions to public enlightenment in Rivers State.
A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of an award to the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications in recognition of its diligence and service to the people of the state. Dr Honour Sirawoo also received a special award for his contributions to the growth and development of RSTV.
Awards were equally presented to outstanding members of staff of RSTV for exemplary performance and their dedication to duty.
The event also featured the unveiling and launch of the RSTV commemorative magazine as well as a tour of the station’s newly built cafeteria and other facilities.
The celebration marked another milestone in the station’s 41-year history and reaffirmed its commitment to excellence in public broadcasting.
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