Business
FCT Farmers Seek Timely Release Of Subsidised Fertiliser
Some farmers in the Federal Capital Territory have appealed to the Federal Government to urgently make fertiliser available at subsidised rate to boost food production.
They told newsmen in Kuje on Tuesday that prompt release of the commodity and other farming inputs would ensure food security in the country.
A groundnut farmer at Gaube village, Mr Samuel Azaki, appealed to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to reintroduce the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) to give farmers access to fertiliser at subsidised prices.
“Due to the high cost of fertiliser, many farmers have resorted to using animal wastes as manure in their farms.
“We want the ministry of agriculture to bring back the GESS programme to enable us to have access to fertiliser.
“If the government can make fertiliser available, it will boost crop production,’’ Azaki said.
Mr Luka Zaka, a maize farmer at Tukpechi village, thanked God for the adequate rainfall in the area this year.
Zaka said that the rains were sign of bountiful harvest at the end of the season if the crops were properly cultivated and maintained.
He, however, expressed sadness at the damage being done to farmlands by herdsmen.
He described the damage as worrisome and called on relevant authorities to address the issue to prevent the frequent clashes between the farmers and herdsmen.
“With the way the rain is falling this year, I think we will have a bountiful harvest if the crops are maintained.
“We also want the government to find a lasting solution to cattle grazing to prevent frequent clash between farmers and herdsmen in the area,’’ Zaka said.
Similarly, Mr Joseph Gaji, a cassava farmer at Kiyi village, appealed to the government to provide farmers with adequate pesticides at a subsidised rate to control the pest.
Gaji recalled that there was an outbreak of crop disease recently in the area.
He said that there was the need for immediate attention of relevant government agencies to prevent further spread in order to prevent drought.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.