Business

Focus On Agric Would Ensure Food Security, Employment/Wealth – Fubara

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2023

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated his administration’s interest to invest in agriculture as an effective tool to ensure food security, massive employment and wealth creation.
Governor Fubara made this known at the exhibition and town hall meeting for all farmers in Rivers State themed, “Made In Rivers State Farms”, organised by SIDAFECO Event Centre Limited in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt.
The Governor, who said his leadership would focus on farming, noted the state plans to embark on the training and support of young entrepreneurs, corporate and commercial organisations, research institutions willing to engage in commercial farming.
Represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Maurice Ogolo, the Governor said, “My administration will support fish and other aquatic farming, livestock farming.
“Government will stimulate the growth of agro allied industries, encourage large scale production of palm oil, cassava, rice, sweet potato, and plantain, which the State has comparative advantage to undertake along their value chain.
“Government will also ensure that farmers have regular supply of fertilizers, improved seedlings, and other Agricultural imput and support services”.
He called on all farmers, stakeholders, captains of industries and key players to contribute in making food security achievable in the state, adding, “by the end of the meeting, we would be able to know the challenges that farmers are facing, and the achievements they have made to enable Government to proffer solutions”.
Also speaking, the Royal Father of the Day, who is the Chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Ohna Sergeant Awuse, explained that “farming had been the tradition of our people long ago when farmers used food items in exchange during the trade by barter period.
“Oil exploration had denied the people of the state some of the good things they used to enjoy as farmers”.
He commended those still farmingPage 14, Friday, Oct 6, 2023 for refusing to give up in spite of the many challenges they are facing.
The Royal Father, who was represented by King Suanu Baridam, Gbene Mene Bangha, stressed the need for government at all levels and captains of industries to give support to Rivers State farmers in order to boost productivity, grow local economy and guaranty food security.
He charged the youth to avail themselves the opportunity provided by agriculture to better their lot.
The Chairman, Catfish And Allied Farmers Association Of Nigeria (CAFFAN), Dr. Momoh Mustapha, noted the importance of fish farming in the country, adding, “Rivers State has the capacity to produce the quantity of fish the country needs.
“Oil well would dry up, stock market would fall, but the fresh water will remain in the states for fish farming. Disappointedly, sixty four percent of the fish we eat in the country is imported”.

By: Lilian Peters

Business

NPA Assures On Staff Welfare

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive with the development of the welfare of its personnel.

Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the clearing of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.

A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying, “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.

The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.

“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”

Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.

“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.

Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).

The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.

Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.

The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.

The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.

The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.

He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.

“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.

Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.

The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.

“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.

Chinedu Wosu