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Venture Into Agric To Feed Rivers, Fubara Tells Women
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has tasked Rivers people, especially women, to venture into agriculture in order to mitigate the impact of high cost of living and feed the State.
This is as he maintained that agriculture will be accorded top priority in 2025 budget to achieve the agriculture policies of the government for the people of the State.
Governor Fubara spoke when he received Rivers State women under the aegis of Women in Farming and Agro Allied Support Network (WIFAASN) on solidarity visit at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.
Represented by the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr George Nweake, Governor Fubara noted his administration’s agricultural policies geared towards ameliorating the plight of the citizens which are waiting for implementation.
He noted that the agriculture policies of his administration are fashioned in a way that merit will be accorded top priority, as it abhors portfolio recognition.
He said, “The agriculture policies of the government have already been perfected, waiting for the time of execution and implementation.
“The Governor has said it that, that is the main target of next year’s budget: agriculture. But we will not give it to people who don’t have farms. We will not deal with portfolio farmers. Those that will come with jackets are not the farmers we are looking for.
“We will not throw it in the air for the fastest person to catch it. No. If the best person in farming is a lame person, he will get it. Even if a sprinter is there, the sprinter will not be able to reach it. We are going to do things that will have a human face,” he added.
The Governor, who recalled the enormous agriculture potential and produce that abound in the State, and how they are being neglected, sued for a change of heart among the people by keying into farming to catch up with the reality of the times and ensure food security.
This, he noted, is also in line with the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative pet projects: “Agricultural Support Programme” and “Every Home a Garden”, aimed at supporting women farmers nationwide to strengthen the agricultural sector of the economy.
He said, “Before now, this our place, Rivers and Bayelsa, we were known for oil palm production, which is rooted in agriculture. Every part of Rivers State supports that and each of us had palm fruits in our places, and that has been neglected over the years.
“We also have different agricultural products which thrive very well in Rivers State. If you talk of fishing, I think almost every local government area have rivers where they fish. We also have every farm produce and livestock which, over the years, we have neglected.
“Again, there was a research done about ‘Rivers State Without Petroleum’, and we see that the Abua and Ahoada-West areas are noted for fruits. We have fruits everywhere, but their fruits are unique. You talk of plantain: Etche, Omoku are noted for plantain, but they are not in the market.
“So, I am happy that you have come to understand that the way forward is for us to first take agriculture seriously, and then, the rest will be history; Rivers State will be transformed.
“Imagine a situation where every person here can produce one bag of garri. The impact it will have in our nation will be huge.
“You are all aware that there is even a project by the Federal Government, the pet project of Her Excellency, the Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu geared towards women having their own gardens to support women farmers nationwide to strengthen the agriculture sector of the economy. I urge you to key into the initiative.”
He commended members of the organization for their resolve to venture into farming and ensure food sufficiency in the State, and urged them to put their house in order and reach out to the Ministry of Agriculture to incorporate them into the government’s agriculture initiative.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii, thanked members of the organization for the visit, noting that it demonstrates their commitment and dedication to the welfare of the State.
Kii, who noted that the Governor is working assiduously to ensure the development of the State’s agricultural sector, hinted that it is for this reason that the Governor recently approved the state’s participation in the special Agro Processing Zone Project, which will commence soon.
He asserted that, “A lot of you are aware of the policy plan of His Excellency, and in terms of agriculture, at different fora, he has continuously insisted that agriculture is one of his focus areas.
“His Excellency is working tirelessly to ensure that the agriculture sector is developed. A lot of you are aware that quite recently, His Excellency approved that the State should participate in the special Agro Processing Zone Project which is going to kick off very soon.
“And you know that the delegation from the African Development Bank and the Federal Government had been in the State to access the project site. So, it shows that this is a government that has the interest of the people at heart in terms of agriculture,” he said.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Roseline Adawari Uranta, noted the concerns of the Governor, his Deputy and wife of the Governor to the plight of Rivers people, emphasizing that it is against this backdrop that the Governor has prioritized agriculture as well as health and education in his administration.
She noted the concerns of the women over the high cost of living as critical stakeholders in the family, and however, urged them to always put the Governor and his administration in their prayers to enable him succeed.
In her remarks, National Coordinator of Women in Farming and Agro Allied Support Network (WIFAASN), Mrs Glory Coker, said their visit is to intimate the Governor on their desire to go into mechanized farming to ensure food sufficiency in the State.
She said the move will in no small measure reduce the cost of living experienced in the State, and solicited government assistance to achieve set goals.
She said, “We are already farmers, but we want to go into mechanized farming in the State to make sure that if egg is N5,000 in the market, we want to bring it down to N2,500. If garri is N5,000 in the market, we want to bring it down to N1,200. So, we want to go into farming, and by the support of the government, we know that Rivers women are going to make it.
“We want the Governor to support us. If it is garri, we want him to give us garri processing machine. We need fertilizer. We need seedlings,” she added.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Women in Farming and Agro Allied Support Network (WIFAASN), Mrs. Ihuoma Eze, explained that the state chapter of the organization will be launched on Saturday, July 20, 2024, and solicited for logistics support to ensure the success of the programme.
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.