News
Let’s Heed Audu Ogbeh’s Call
The Minister of Agri
culture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, recently raised an alarm that Nigerians risk starvation by 2050 if nothing is done to introduce an all-year-round farming. This call underscores the urgent need to improve on our farming method to achieve increased productivity.
In the first place, do we have to wait for the Honourable Minister’s admonition before we realise that the current mode of farming in the country is archaic or outdated and is incapable of sustaining our soaring population and ensuring food security in the near future? That is the issue.
That is why we must heed Chief Ogbeh’s call. All stakeholders in the agricultural sector must work very hard to improve mechanised farming and irrigation. This will ensure that farming, contrary to the way it is done currently, can become an all-year affair.
The Minister’s warning is important and must not be taken lightly. It is imperative that we change our low mentality on farming and introduce technology-driven agriculture that is the practice globally. This nation must invest massively on irrigation activities so that our output is not determined by the vagaries of the seasons.
Ogbeh’s clarion call highlights some of the things Nigeria needs to avoid a food crisis. But the responsibility to ensure that his prediction does not happen rests squarely with his ministry on one hand, and the other tiers of government on the other hand.
Therefore, a framework for the promotion of a mechanised agriculture and a profitable marketing strategy of farm products are needed urgently. Also, farmers have to be educated on good and healthy farming practices like shifting cultivation and irrigation. Of course, if the goal of commercial and mechanised farming is to be achieved, improved funding of the sector cannot be left out.
If we must be successful in our drive towards mechanised farming, the nation must return to the template with which we recorded huge successes in agriculture in the time of the regional administrations. At that time, the Western Region, known for the production of cocoa, attained huge successes. The Eastern and Northern Regions produced coal/palm oil and groundnuts respectively as their major revenue earners and were very successful in them.
Those agricultural products sustained the economy of the nation as well as the respective regions. A return to this template and massive investments in the sector will transform Nigeria into a food basket and a major exporter of agricultural products.
I am particularly sad that despite our great potentialities to grow food massively enough to take care of our needs and our greed, the prices of virtually every food item is on the rise. Shouldn’t we take advantage of the brazen fall of crude oil price in the international market to invest in agriculture and boost our economic fortunes?
We must not allow the hardship of the times to shift our focus from food production. If anything, it should motivate us to take agriculture seriously and make it a major revenue earner for the country. It is important we do all that is required to boost agricultural production.
It is time we viewed agriculture as a serious business. Therefore, individuals and all relevant government agencies have to support farming projects while banks and other financial institutions are made to assist with the availability of necessary credit facilities.
It is also necessary for research institutions, universities and other tertiary institutions to step up research that can aid food production. For this business to thrive, it must be put on genuine scientific or technological basis. Fortunately for us, Chief Ogbeh, who raised the alarm on the impending food crisis, is no stranger to farming. That is why he has to do everything to avert the starvation he warned the nation about.
In a country where agriculture is at best paid lip service, the Agriculture Minister must develop long and short term strategies to prevent the predicted food shortages. I would want him to lead Nigeria away from the current subsistent farming to big time all-year-round farming. Let him also do whatever is required to link agriculture to the industries so that value can be added to the products.
If these actions and many more are taken by the authorities, in the not very distant future we may hope for a better state of things in that sector.
We must act timely.
Arnold Alalibo
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.