News
GES: FG Registers 15.5m Farmers …Launches Productivity Policy
Governor Chibuike Amaechi (right) and former minister, Alabo T.O Graham-Douglas, admiring proceedings at the just concluded 2013 International Fashion Week in Port Harcourt. Photo: Egberi Sampson
The Federal Government yesterday said it had registered about 15.5 million farmers under the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES).
Regional Director for North Central, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sunday Edibor, announced this in Minna at a stakeholders’ meeting.
He said the farmers were from Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa and FCT, to ensure national food security.
Edibo said the scheme, which would boost agriculture and ensure self reliance for the farmers, was to help the country in its effort to stop food importation by 2015.
“We intend to stop importing food by 2015, so we have to take steps that would aid the intention of the Federal Government in producing its own food.”
He said the states and number of farmers registered between 2012 and 2013 included Niger, 270,000; Plateau, 360,000 and Benue, 252,000.
The regional director said the meeting involved GES and Agricultural Development Project coordinators in each of the states, agro-allied dealers and suppliers.
The meeting also involved the state directors of agriculture where the 2013 performance of the scheme in the region was reviewed.
Edibo urged rural farmers in the region to register in their various states, to ensure their reliance and food security for the country.
“They should come out to register before we conclude this programme in 2015; they stand the chance of improving their finances and ensuring food security for the nation,’’ he said.
He said the stakeholders deliberated extensively on the issue of inadequacy of fund and extension workers.
The director, however, said that the issues would be tackled by the ministry in the 2014 budget.
Edibo thanked the Niger Government for supporting the scheme and its agricultural regeneration programmes.
He urged other states in the region to emulate the political will of the government to revamp agriculture in their states.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday launched the National Policy on Productivity, with a call on Nigerians to imbibe the culture in all sectors of the economy.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, while launching the policy in Abuja, said it was critical to the economy and development of the country.
Wogu said that meaningful and sustainable development would be achieved without a concerted effort to institutionalise productivity.
He urged Nigerians to advance the structure at all levels of governance and sectors of the society.
“Against this premise, the place of productivity as a veritable tool in the achievement of government Transformation Agenda and Indeed the actualisation of vision 20:2020 cannot be over emphasised.
“The National Policy on Productivity is, therefore, our concerted response to the challenges of our under-development due to the nation’s low level of productivity.
“The low level productivity observed in our services and social sectors has highlighted the need to develop the policy on productivity.’’
The minister said that the his ministry, state governments and the National Productivity Centre had the responsibility to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the policy.
He enjoined all stakeholders to be committed to the partnership aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the provisions of the document.
The minister also requested the state and local governments to quickly inaugurate their productivity councils and committees as enunciated in the policy.
He said the ministry would offer relevant technical assistance, where necessary, to ensure the immediate take-off of the implementing organs at other levels of governance.
Wogu said Nigeria was not bereft of good ideas, socio-economic programmes and well-articulated policies capable of transforming the country into a developed economy.
He said the lack of explicit policy had been identified as the missing link that deprived policies, plans and programme as well as synergy for effective and efficient implementation.
He said the policy was a strategic document that established the vision, mission, goals, objectives, guidelines and the modus operandi for the mobilisations, participation and promotion of productivity culture among the citizenry.
In his remarks, the Head of Federal Civil Service, Alhaji Bukar Aji, said his office would make adequate copies of the document available to Nigerians.
He advised that the document should not be seen as a material for drawers, but must be studied thoroughly to boost the economy and enhance productivity.
“ You must be productive. The document should be studied very well in order to boost your productivity and that of the economy.
“It doesn’t matter the level you are, whichever sector you find yourself, you must contribute to the development of the nation.
“People should be conscious of that fact.’’
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Mr Paul Bdliya, said the importance of productivity in any economy could not be overstressed.
According to him, it is the level of productivity that makes the difference between the relative poverty of the developing countries and the national affluence of the developed and industrialised nations.
He said to survive economically, a nation needed to evolve a culture of productivity in all its undertakings.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in heads of imported dry stock fish and arrested a key member of the syndicate responsible for shipping the drugs abroad.
The agency disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
He said the arrest and seizure followed intelligence on trans-border criminal activities.
Babafemi said the intelligence led to a sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command of the Agency at the Ojo area of Lagos on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
“In the course of the operation, three jumbo size bags were found in possession of the kingpin 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike.
“A search of the bags led to the recovery of Two Hundred and Thirty-Seven (237) wraps of cocaine buried in the heads of imported dry stock fish locally known as ‘Okporoko.’
“The cocaine pellets have a gross weight of 5.80 kilograms. The consignment was intended for export to Delhi, India,” the statement read.
In a separate operation on Wednesday, March 25, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two consignments bound for the United Kingdom at a courier company in Lagos.
“In one of the shipments that originated from Cotonou, Benin Republic, 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine were found concealed in automobile filters while the second parcel contains 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl,” the statement said.
Babafemi added that on March 26, a Special Operations Unit (SOU) raided the home of 46-year-old Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, known as “Iya Ghana,” at 13 Carter Street, Yaba, Lagos.
According to him, she and her associate, 31-year-old Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka, were arrested after operatives recovered 135 blocks of cannabis weighing 76.30 kilograms.
“Same day, the SOU operatives also arrested Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, 39, at Doyin bus stop, Surulere, Lagos following credible intelligence. A total of 78 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 41kg were seized from him,” he said.
In Ekiti State, the statement added that “an 80-year-old grandpa, Oke Samuel, was on Thursday 26th March arrested by NDLEA operatives during a special raid operation at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo road, Efon-Alaaye Ekiti. A total of 2.2kg skunk and 1.8grams of methamphetamine were recovered from him.”
Another suspect, 37-year-old Enuwa Kehinde Kingsley, had 894.72 kilograms of skunk seized from an uncompleted building in Ogbese, Akure North, Ondo State.
Elsewhere, 35-year-old Saater Nyam was apprehended at Pevi village, Guma LGA, Benue State, with 116.7 kilograms of skunk on Tuesday, March 24.
In Edo State, a warehouse raid in Ekpoma town, Esan West LGA, on Monday, March 23, led to the arrest of 25-year-old Felix Donald and the seizure of 576.5 kilograms of skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
In Taraba State, Babafemi said NDLEA officers intercepted a truck carrying 100 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 135 kilograms concealed in animal feed bags from Garbachede to Gombe State on Tuesday, March 24.
Two suspects, 21-year-old Osama Mamuda and 22-year-old Auwal Umar, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Babafemi noted that the agency has also continued its War Against Drug Abuse social advocacy, conducting sensitisation lectures in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano, and Lagos states.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (Rtd), commended operatives from MMIA, SOU, DOGI, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Taraba Commands for their efforts and praised all commands nationwide for balancing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction initiatives.
The Christian Association of Nigeria has called on political leaders at all levels to demonstrate empathy and take urgent steps to ease the growing economic hardship facing Nigerians, as Christians mark Palm Sunday.
In a statement issued on Sunday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the significance of Palm Sunday offers timely lessons for leadership, particularly during a period marked by economic strain and global uncertainty.
Reflecting on the biblical account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, Okoh noted that the moment symbolised humility, peace, and purposeful leadership rather than a display of power.
“Jesus entered Jerusalem with calm resolve at a time of uncertainty and expectation. It was not a show of force, but a message of peace, purpose, and hope,” he said.
He stressed that the country’s current socio-economic realities demand similar qualities from those in authority.
“Across Nigeria, many are feeling the weight of the times. The cost of living is rising, and for countless families, daily life is getting harder,” Okoh said.
He linked domestic economic challenges to global developments, particularly tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which he said are disrupting energy markets worldwide.
“The impact is already here. Fuel is more expensive. Transport costs are rising. Food prices are climbing,” he said, warning that such pressures are intensifying the hardship faced by ordinary citizens.
The CAN president emphasised that in times of uncertainty, the tone and actions of leaders are critical in restoring public confidence.
“For many Nigerians, the concern is simple and immediate: how to cope, how to plan, how to stay afloat. When life feels this uncertain, people need reassurance, stability, and the quiet confidence that those in positions of responsibility understand what they are going through,” he stated.
He further urged leaders to embrace a style of governance rooted in restraint, compassion, and commitment to the common good.
“True leadership is not always loud. It is seen in empathy and in decisions that ease burdens, calm anxieties, and bring people together. This is a time for such wisdom,” Okoh added.
Beyond government, CAN also called on the Church and citizens to promote unity and peace, drawing inspiration from the collective spirit associated with Palm Sunday.
“It reminds us of a moment when people from all walks of life came together with one purpose. That same spirit is needed now. We must stand for peace, strengthen unity, and support one another,” he said.
Addressing young Nigerians and those most affected by the economic downturn, Okoh encouraged resilience and hope.
“The challenges are real, but they are not the end of the story,” he said, urging citizens not to lose faith amid difficulties.
He expressed hope that the lessons of Palm Sunday would inspire renewed commitment to national cohesion and shared progress.
“As we journey through this sacred season, may the spirit of Palm Sunday guide us towards quiet courage, shared purpose, and a renewed commitment to the good of all,” the statement added.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South -South to be united and work together to ensure that the ruling party achieves its ultimate goal in the region.
The governor who spoke at the South South Zonal Congress in Asaba, Delta State, said working in unity and with a common purpose will enable them deliver optimally to the electoral fortunes of the party in 2027.
“We can only achieve our goal when we are united and we work together. I surely believe that this is the right time, the right people and the right place. My charge to those of you elected today is that the responsibility is going to be very tasking but I believe strongly that they will deliver for our party,” he said.
Fubara expressed confidence that the newly elected leadership of the party would be equal to the task.
He expressed profound gratitude to the Delta State Government for hosting the Zonal Delegates Congress, stressing that he believes that the best will come from the South South region.
The Congress which attracted the creme de la creme of the APC in the zone, saw the re-election of the zonal leadership through consensus. The reinstated leaders were promptly inaugurated at the ceremony.
Some of the dignitaries in attendance include the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Duoye Doris of Bayelsa State, Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Bassey Otu of Cross River State and Sheriff Oboroevwori of Delta State.
Also in attendance were the members of the National Assembly as well as members of the State Houses of Assembly from the South South Zone.
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