Agriculture
Campaigns End As Rivers Gears For LG Elections
The past two weeks have been filled with campaigns by various political parties ahead of tomorrow’s local government elections in Rivers State.
In Port Harcourt and Obio, Akpor Local Government Areas, the campaigns have taken the colour of carnival as youths move from Ward to ward to sell their candidates.
Already, youths in Obio/Akpor LGA had thrown their support behind Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, the APP (Action Peoples Party) candidate for tomorrow’s elections.
At a campaign gathering in Rumuodomaya Civic Centre, they pledged to mobilize voters across all units to ensure his victory.
Hon. Prince Bekwele Wopara, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Obio/Akpor Chapter), praised Ihunwo for his past efforts in empowering the youth, both as a former youth leader and caretaker chairman. He emphasised that the youths would be out in full force to vote for him.
Comrade Lucky Ayaogu, leader of One Million Youths for Sim, echoed the same sentiment, urging the youths to vote en masse on election day.
In response, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo promised more empowerment initiatives and grassroots development, assuring them that no outside influence would derail the election.
Meanwhile, as part of support for the local government elections, a pro-political body that labeled itself Simplicity Movement has thrown its weight in support of the elections.
Leader of the Simplicity Movement in Rivers State, Chief Sogboma Jackreece during a solidarity march in Port Harcourt, said the body is founded out of the love for the state Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership style.
He noted that the governor’s leadership has brought unprecedented achievements in Rivers State within the short period in office.
He declared the total support of the body to Governor Fubara to promote good governance, stating that plots by some elements to frustrate Governor Fubara’s leadership will be resisted.
Receiving the group, the State Governor, Sir. Fubara charged members of Simplicity Movement to protect the integrity of Rivers State, defend its commonwealth and dispense the dividends of good governance in the State.
The governor tasked the body to shun violence and embrace the peace mantra that has been the hallmark of his administration.
He thanked the group for their voluntary support to his administration at a time when some people are procuring artificial loyalty and support.
“I need to set the record straight. I hardly come out to receive people when they come for solidarity. But I had a reason for coming out today. My coming out here is to show the leadership of this movement that I didn’t lobby them, they gathered and said they want to support us.”
“You know at this time, people are paying people to support them but we don’t do it, people come out on their own to show support. Knowing the calibre of the founder of this group and the role he played with the other people and him choosing to be part of the success of our administration, I decided to honour him by coming to address you.”
“Our message is very simple and straight. We must join our hands together, everyone of us must protect our State. We must defend the dignity of our State. We must ensure that the common wealth of this State belongs to everyone, that is why our slogan is Rivers first. Because we believe that if we take Rivers first, there won’t be crime, there won’t be hunger, and there will be employment.”
Fubara said the local government elections in the State will hold as scheduled on October 5 and urged the group and Rivers people to participate actively in the LG polls.
“Our journey is just starting. We are preparing for elections on October 5. I want you to participate actively in that election. That election is going to be the turnaround. It will be the rebirth of a new and strong structure that doesn’t belong to anybody. And you can see that is why they are running everywhere to stop it.”
“What is structure? Structure is ownership, the one who controls the LGA, the one who controls the resources, the one who gives employment to our people, the one who shares the State and the local government resources among his people. And that is what I want this government to stand for. So please ensure that you participate in that election.”
“That election is a very important ingredient that will help us chart the new phase or will I say, the second phase of our struggle. But the most important thing is that I want you to maintain the peace that I preach all the time. This State is dear to me and anyone who loves this State will understand that what is important is to maintain peace.”
Governor Fubara described his emergence as Governor of Rivers State at this period as an act of providence which goes with a deep sense of responsibility and called for the total support of Rivers people to succeed.
“I can also say this here, if Fubara is not here, God would have also provided another person that would have also taken this cause, because it is a divine cause. However, we are the one here, we will stand with you and with your support we will do the work to the end.”
Kevin Nengia
This the farmers attributed to inadequate pest control facilities, lack of in-depth managerial skills, crisis, Climate control and other factors.
These were the observations of the farmers during the training of 6000 Cassava farmers and facility tour both at Fashola Agribusiness hub and Iseyin.
The training was coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology (AATF) Foundation and National Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia state, funded by Germany based Foundation.
The project coordinator of AATF, Samuel Ogunleye said the training has benefited the farmers immensely.
According to him, ‘the training is designed to benefit 6,000 Cocoa farmers in the 33 local government areas of the state.
‘The programme was incubated in 2023 but inaugurated in 2024. The programme has taken place in Ido and Ibarapa areas with the training of over 1,200 farmers.
‘Today similar programme is taking place here in Iseyin with over 2,000 farmers in attendance.
Farmers are being trained on how to increase their output as well gets it to the market through modern technology.
‘In Iseyin, there is a modern Cassava processor machine aimed at easing the processes.
‘The local farmers have access to the processor at a subsidize rate. Also, the foundation is assisting them at getting their products to the market”.
In his own presentation, the team leader, National Root Crops Research Institute, Dr. Adeyemi Olojede said the training was designed to address the decline in the
production of Cassava nationwide.
He said: ‘The training is designed for the off season in order to allow active participation of farmers.
‘Some of the challenges confronting the farmers are tabled while the solutions are proffered.
On the issue of funding, the University don blamed successive administrations in the Country for paying lip service to the sector.
According to him, the Research Institutes in the Country have not been able to access the Budget in the past five years.
The researchers are using their personal contacts to access funds from local and international organization to carry out research.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State Chapter, has lauded the Federal Government’s approval of 57 crop varieties to strengthen agricultural productivity in the country.
The Lagos State AFAN Chairman, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen, Wednesday in Lagos.
Reports said that in March 2026, the Federal Government approved 57 new improved crop varieties to boost food security, improve nutrition, and strengthen agricultural productivity.
The crops, selected for early maturity, higher yields, and resistance to pests and diseases, include 14 different types of staples, with notable advancements in rice, maize, yam, soybean, and plantain.
Agbayewa noted the approval of the crop varieties would help improve the yields of farmers in the state.
“We are excited to hear about the 57 new varieties of crops recently approved.
“What we desire currently in crop farming is not just about planting, it is about increased yield.
“A farmer can have a plot of land and have a high yield and another can have big plots of land and have a low yield.
“So, if when are talking about food security, it starts from the varieties you are planting and it starts from the seedlings”, Agbayewa said.
He described the introduction of the crops as a new development for crop cultivation.
“This newly approved 57 crop varieties should however be popularised among local farmers because not everyone is aware of this latest development.
“There are lots of issues currently affecting the cultivation of crops and the development of improved crop varieties will help the farmer’s productivity.
“Issues such as climate change effects, inconsistent rainfall patterns and weather clash among others are affecting farmers’ yield,” he said.
Agbayewa said there should be massive advocacy of the approved crop varieties across the board for farmers, adding, “The government is now waking up to their responsibility. So, we are”
The event, with the theme “Aligning Science, Enterprise, and Policy to Scale Insect-based Feed Solutions,” brought together policymakers, researchers, regulators, private investors, and BSFL farming entrepreneurs to map out strategies for integrating insect protein into Nigeria’s agricultural system.
According to him, black soldier fly larvae can feed on organic waste including market and kitchen refuse and develop into high-protein feed within 10 to 14 days.
“It contains about 40 to 45 per cent protein, making it a viable alternative to some protein source feed ingredients in poultry, fish, and pig feed ration if produced sustainably” he said.
Amole noted growing interest from feed manufacturers, stressing that supply, not demand remains the major constraint
“The question now is who can produce at commercial scale,” he added.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s comparative advantage, citing its tropical climate and abundant organic waste, which support year-round production without the need for expensive temperature control systems.
He however emphasised the need for standardisation to ensure consistency in nutrient quality and safety across producers.
Also speaking, a Senior Scaling and Innovation Expert from the institutes ‘headquarters in Nairobi, Dr. Ijudai Jasada, identified fragmentation within the BSFL value chain as a major barrier to scale.
“We need a coordinated system that connects all actors and reduces inefficiencies,” he said.
Stakeholders at the Roundtable reached a consensus that ILRI should take the lead in establishing and championing a national platform on BSFL.
Jasada said plans are underway to establish a national coordination platform to improve collaboration, attract investment, and support long-term growth of the sector.
He said the goal is to integrate insect-based feed into Nigeria’s mainstream feed industry by 2030, while creating employment opportunities for women and youth.
On capacity development, Prof. Cordelia Ifeyinwa Ebenebe of Nnamdi Azikiwe University acknowledged ongoing training efforts by development partners and institutions but warned that Nigeria’s regulatory framework for insect-based feed remains underdeveloped.
She noted that standards are still evolving and are expected to align with benchmarks being developed by the African Organisation for Standardisation.
Similarly, Prof. Olugbenga Adeniran Ogunwole stressed the importance of safety assurance and regulatory clarity, warning that policy gaps could hinder large-scale adoption.
He identified key challenges, including variability in nutrient composition, digestibility concerns linked to chitin content, and relatively high production costs.
A BSFL producer, Mr. Kolawole Ogunleye, said large-scale production remains difficult due to limited access to equipment, financing, and infrastructure, adding, “The process is labour-intensive, and most of the equipment is still imported,” he said.
From the private sector, Mr. John Amole, Country Representative of New Generation Nutrition (NGN), described insect protein as a growing but still underutilised solution in Nigeria.
He noted that although insect meal has been approved as a feed ingredient, it has yet to gain widespread market acceptance.
“There is interest, but the ecosystem is still developing, and there are no guaranteed off-takers,” he said.
Sharing international experience, Ms Talash Huijbers of InsectiPro, Kenya, highlighted the success of circular economy models that convert organic waste into protein and fertiliser.
The roundtable concluded with key recommendations, including the establishment of a clear legal framework for insect-based feed, financial incentives for startups, standardised substrates, integration into national waste management systems, and increased funding for research and extension services.
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