Business
Senator Advocates Sufficiency In Rice Production Before Import Ban

Chief Marketing Officer, Dangote Group, Mr Oare Ojeikere (left), beneficiary, Mrs Ebiokpo Endurance (middle) and South-South Zonal Cordinator, Prince Chinonye Ikegwuraka with the cheque,during a mega million promo in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Nwiveh Donatus Ken
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu says sufficiency in rice production by Nigerian farmers must be certain if ban on rice importation is to make any meaning.
Adamu told newsmen in Abuja on Friday that Nigeria‘s current level of rice production was not commensurate with its teeming population.
The senator said ban on importation of rice would be sustainable if certain factors were properly addressed, including the issue of supply and demand and accurate census of the population.
“There are quite a number of factors: we must not kid ourselves, the population that we say we have, I believe we are more than the official figure we are throwing around.
“We are more than 170 million people: the fact is that we are not producing enough to feed this population,
“So, even if you wake up tomorrow and say stop bringing in anything food, yes; you can do that.
“You can start tuning the psyche of the population to accept the reality and try to adjust but is that the best approach?
“What is inhibiting our capacity to stop importation is the issue of supply and demand and unfortunately we don’t have enough of what we want.”
He, however, said that the ban on the importation of food crops would go a long way in stimulating the indigenous farmers to increase their level of production of the banned items for improved earnings.
The erstwhile President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) further said that rice importation was in a way increasing unemployment and inducing more losses for Nigerian farmers.
“Those who are into the business of importing, they will do anything to make sure that the import regime continues because that is how they make their money.
“The countries from where they import the commodities support our people buying from them and support the government or talk good of the government that supports import to our country from their countries.
“Each time we import from these countries we are putting their farmers in business and we are making their economy tick to the extent of our involvement economically with the produce we buy.
“I believe that the very fundamental responsibility, basis of any government, as we keep saying, is the protection and security of life and property.
“It starts with life and without food there can be no life; when you eat good and nutritious food that ensures your health and growth then you can pursue other legitimate businesses.
“So protection of life and property starts in a very ordinary way with capacity to feed: every citizen should be able to have three meals.”
He gave assurance that the present administration would make good its promises to improve the agricultural sector.
Adamu stressed the imperativeness of making food available at affordable rate to all Nigerians to enhance the general wellbeing of the populace.
The Tide source reports that ban on importation of food crops such as rice and wheat has been on the agenda of successive administrations.
Statistics indicate that Nigerian spends more than N600 billion annually on food importation.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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