Business

Ahiamakara Demolition: N139m Compensation Tears PHALGA Community Apart … EFCC Quizes Factions

Published

8 years ago

April 18, 2018

The sum of N139million paid to Rebisi Central Age Group by the Rivers State Government as compensation for the demolition of Ahiamakara market at Waja area of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State is currently causing crisis among three groups in Rebisi Kingdom.
The Tide gathered that the two opposing camps in Rebisi Council of Chiefs and Elders are at loggerheads over the compensation sum of N139 million paid for the demolition of market shades being managed by a socio-cultural organisation, Rebisi Central Age Group.
The Tide source hinted that the N139 million is now a subject of investigation by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The sources further hinted that all the groups have been invited by the anti-graft agency for questioning.
Those invited include the leadership of Central Age Group and the other chiefs led by Chief Azubuike Nmerukini and Eze Uche Elikwu.
It was also learnt that the Rebisi Central Age Group headed by Elder Bennett Amadi as president general, Sunny Chuku as Secretary and Godspower Owhonda as treasure, respectively were petitioned by Rebisi Owhor Holders Council and Elders and Chiefs of Rebisi Kingdom in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
The chiefs, in a petition by their counsel, U.G. Nwokocha alleged that the leadership of the age group and others tampered with the sum of N139 million paid as compensation by the state government for the acquisition of the said expanse of land and the payment was made through Zenith Bank into the account of Rebisi Central Age Group domiciled at First Bank of Nigeria PLC.
The petition urged the financial crimes agency to stop those concerned from the disbursement of the said sum of money, stressing that if not stopped, nothing would be left for the entire Rebisi Kingdom as they claimed that the demolished property was owned by the entire kingdom but managed by the Central Age Group.
It was also gathered that two weeks ago, the leadership of the Rebisi Central Age Group summoned a meeting of all Chairmen and secretaries of age groups affiliated to the Central Age Group and informed them that the President was made to sign an undertaking by the chiefs and elders headed by Nmerukini and Elikwu to return the sum of N69million to his group of chiefs and elders’ council.
According to the sources, this threat made the president general, to transfer the sum of N69 million from the coffers of the Central Age Group to the chiefs headed by Chief Nmerukini and Elikwu after the disbursement of N1.5million to each age group affiliated to the central age group.
It was on that note that the other group headed and a contender to the throne of Eze Apara Rebisi, Eze Victor Worluchem petitioned the Rebisi Central Age Group and other chiefs to return the said sum of N139 million to Rebisi kingdom.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the President General of Rebisi Central Age Group, Benneth Amadi confirmed that he was invited by the EFCC, last Thursday, and explanations were given as the area concerned was managed by the group.
Amadi regretted that the compensation had brought so much interest, but added that all along the Rebisi Central Age Group has been managing the stores and expanse of land which the money was paid for.
He argued that the expanse of land belongs to the Central Age Group, adding that the group has a judgment to that effect.
Nmerukini and Elikwu could not be reached for comment, but one of the chief whose counsel wrote the petition,Chief Cyprian Worenwu confirmed that they were all going to EFCC to sort out the issue.
He vowed that the alleged Eze Apara Rebisi Chief Victor Worlechem and his group of chiefs and elders would ensure that all legal means were exhausted to get the compensation to the owners.
‘’Our prayers is to the further sharing of the N139million and the N69million handed over to Eze Elikwu and Chief Nmerikini be retrieved immediately because the money was meant for all Rebisi indigenes and not a particular group.
When contacted, the Head, Public Affairs, Port Harcourt zone of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale confirmed that the commission was still investigating the matter, adding that those involved were also in the office of the commission for another round of interrogation, yesterday.
Oyewale said the commission would give those involved fair hearing while investigations are still on.

Business

Customs Seek Support To Curb Smuggling In Ogun

Published

5 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, has solicited support in fighting smuggling and other economic crimes at the Nations border.

The Area Comptroller, Olukayode Afeni made the appeal in an interview with Newsmen in Idiroko, Ogun.

The comptroller stressed the need for the public to provide timely and reliable information to the Service, saying noting that fighting smuggling is a collective effort

“I urge the general public to join hands with NCS by providing timely and credible information that would help toward suppressing smuggling and other economic crimes.”

“Together, we can build a prosperous nation where compliance is the norm, and criminality has no place,” he said.

Afeni reiterated the command’s commitment to combat smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade, as well as generate revenue for national development.

Chinedu Wosu

Business

IFAD: Nigeria Leads Global Push For Youth, Women Investment In Agriculture

Published

6 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The 49th Session of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Governing Council has concluded in Rome, with Nigeria taking a prominent leadership role in advancing global agricultural development priorities, particularly strategic investment in youth and women.

The biennial meeting, themed “From Farm to Market: Investing in Young Entrepreneurs,” underscored the growing recognition of young people as critical drivers of job creation, innovation, and inclusive economic growth across global food systems.

The session opened with the election of Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, as Chairperson of the IFAD Governing Council.

Having previously served as Vice Chair, his emergence as Chairperson reflects the strong confidence reposed in Nigeria by Member States, recognising the country’s constructive engagement and leadership in promoting global food security.

In his acceptance remarks, Senator Kyari expressed deep appreciation to Member States for the trust placed in him, pledging to serve with humility, diligence, and a strong commitment to improving the livelihoods of rural women and men across the world.

Addressing delegates during the session, the Chairperson emphasised that prioritising youth and women in agriculture is key to unlocking economic opportunities, accelerating innovation, and driving inclusive growth.

He noted that such investments would ultimately strengthen global food systems while helping to reduce hunger and poverty.

Senator Kyari also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for placing food security at the centre of Nigeria’s national priorities.

He noted that Nigeria’s leadership role at IFAD aligns with the President’s directive to boost agricultural productivity, expand economic opportunities for youth and women, and build resilient food systems capable of withstanding climate and market shocks.

The Minister further praised the IFAD Nigeria Country Office, led by Country Director Ms Dede Ekoue, for translating global development commitments into measurable outcomes for rural communities.

He highlighted the office’s role in strengthening agricultural value chains, empowering youth and women, and improving resilience among smallholder farmers nationwide.

Business

Expert Tasks FG On Food Imports To Protect Farmers

Published

7 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has been urged to balance consumer protection with farmers’ sustainability by ensuring timely food imports, input subsidies expansion and price stabilisation mechanisms to secure investments across the agricultural value chain.

An agriculture expert, Dr Fatai Afolabi, gave the advice at a forum organised by the Plantation Owners’ Forum of Nigeria (POFON), in collaboration with the Oil Palm and Other Oil Seeds Value Chain, themed ‘Current Government Food Strategy, the Concomitant Effects and Implications for Food Security in Nigeria’, and held in Lagos, Wednesday.

Afolabi cautioned that the recent food import policies, while easing consumer prices, could undermine local farmers and long-term food security if not carefully managed.

He noted that Nigeria’s food system was navigating an exceptionally difficult period, marked by inflationary pressures, climate variability, insecurity in major food-producing regions, and rising energy and logistics costs.

He said the Federal Government’s decision to temporarily relax restrictions on selected food imports was understandable, noting that the market had responded swiftly with a reduction in prices of major staples.

However, the convener observed that while the policy had brought much-needed relief to consumers, it posed significant challenges for local farmers and agriculture value chain investors.

“While output prices have fallen, the cost of producing food in Nigeria remains stubbornly high.

“Farmers continue to contend with expensive fertilisers, rising transport costs, costly improved seeds and agrochemicals, limited access to affordable credit, poor electricity supply, weak road infrastructure, and inadequate storage and processing facilities, which result in significant post-harvest losses.

“This situation, where farmers sell produce at declining prices while production costs remain elevated, has created widespread distress across agricultural ecosystems,” he said.

Afolabi said the effects were being felt across all segments of agriculture, with rice farmers among the hardest hit.

He said reports from producing states indicated that about 3,500 rice farmers were considering exiting rice cultivation after incurring estimated losses of over N93 billion.

He added that cassava farmers were selling produce at prices that barely covered harvesting costs, leaving them unable to recover their investments.

According to him, vegetable and edible oil producers are also under pressure as imported vegetable oil brands reduce demand for locally processed alternatives.

He added that cocoa farmers continue to battle price volatility in international markets amid rising domestic labour and maintenance costs.

Afolabi noted that tree crops such as oil palm and cocoa, which require long gestation periods, were particularly vulnerable to sudden market disruptions that undermine investor confidence and discourage new investment.

He said the effects extended downstream to agro-processing and value addition, with soybean farmers supplying vegetable oil processors experiencing reduced demand and lower prices.

He said the development threatened not only farm incomes but also rural employment and agro-industrial growth, raising concerns about national food security.

According to him, sustained losses could force farmers out of production, increasing Nigeria’s dependence on food imports and exposing the country to global supply shocks, foreign exchange pressures and long-term vulnerabilities.

Afolabi cited India and the Netherlands as countries offering useful lessons in balancing consumer protection with farmer sustainability.

He said India deploys food imports strategically during shortages, while complementing them with strong domestic support systems.

He added that the Netherlands, despite being one of the world’s leading agricultural exporters, supports farmers through input subsidies, tax incentives, affordable energy, strong cooperatives, and close integration with research and extension services.

He said agricultural students in both countries also benefit from subsidised tuition, transportation and meals, as well as grants and start-up support for farm enterprises.

“This approach ensures generational continuity and innovation in the agricultural sector,” he said.

Afolabi said Nigeria’s current food import policy could play a stabilising role if complemented by deliberate measures to protect local producers.

He recommended carefully timed imports to avoid peak harvest periods, strengthened price stabilisation mechanisms, aggressive subsidies for critical farm inputs, and support for agro-processors to remain competitive.

He also called for clear communication of policy intentions to reassure farmers that import measures were strategic and temporary.

“Food imports should function as a strategic shock absorber rather than a permanent market feature.

“Government should develop and publish a national crop production and harvest calendar for major staples and align import decisions with documented supply gaps.

“Affordable food and profitable farming are not mutually exclusive goals. With thoughtful coordination and sustained support for farmers, Nigeria can achieve both,” he said.