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Obasanjo Flays African Leaders Over Food Insecurity

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has identified the lack of continuity of agricultural policies and programmes by successive governments as a major factor responsible for food insecurity in Africa.

Obasanjo made the observation in Abeokuta on Saturday at a forum organised by the Centre for Human Security (CHS) and Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) on “Best practices in fostering food security in Africa’’.

He said that the lack of food security in Africa could be attributed to the failure of successive administrations to sustain the good agricultural policies and programmes initiated by their predecessors

Obasanjo noted that most of the programmes he initiated for the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector were abandoned after his exit from power.

He, nonetheless, said that he did not believe that Africa was jinxed, stressing that the continent would be able to overcome the challenges of food insecurity once its leaders were able to demonstrate political will and eliminate corruption in governance.

He reiterated that Nigeria would have since become self-sufficient in food production if the agricultural policies and programmes, implemented during his tenures as military and civilian head of state, were sustained.

Obasanjo recalled that his administration was able to improve the country’s cocoa production from 150,000 metric tonnes to over 400,000 metric tonnes within five years.

He also noted a similar improvement in cassava production from 30 million tonnes to 60 million metric tonnes within the same period.

“When I was Nigeria’s head of government, whether as military head of state or as elected president, the progress we made in agriculture and food security was because I personally sat at the driver’s seat.

“I recall that when I was the military head of state, we had a programme called ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ to improve agriculture and enhance food production. And we made some appreciable progress.

“We were self-sufficient in the production of agricultural produce such as poultry, rice and vegetable oil.

“However, when we left government and our successor came in, they set up a presidential task force for the importation of rice; not for the production of rice.”

Besides, Obasanjo noted that certain government officials undermined efforts to develop the country’s agricultural sector and promote food security through their corrupt practices.

“We need to find a better way not to harm ourselves; a way to consistently, continually and, indeed, continuously promote food security in Africa.”

He, therefore, urged the Federal Government, the private sector and farmers to collaborate and work out modalities to salvage the country from an imminent food crisis.

Also speaking, the CHS Chairman, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, said the centre was established to provide the necessary platform for a collective and knowledge-driven response to obstacles hindering Africa’s development.

“This regional forum is thus an attempt to facilitate the exchange of experiences in what various institutions and organisations have been doing to confront the challenges of food insecurity.

“The emphasis has been on best practices, whether in agricultural production, research, soil management, education, extension services or the overall mobilisation of farmers for sustainable agriculture.”

Mabogunje noted that in spite of its huge population and potential, Africa had not been able to cultivate viable agricultural practices, thus compounding the problems of human security on the continent.

Adesina said the programme would terminate by 2014 as against the earlier duration date of 2012.

In a related development,  Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,  Dr Akinwunmi Adesina , , said that the  National Programme on Food Security (NPFS) was still on course and had not been scrapped as reported.

“The NPFS is the flagship programme on food security and cannot be scrapped as it is relevant to government’s plan of growing the size of the present agricultural sector to over 300 billion dollars by 2030,” Adesina told newsmen yesterday in Abuja.

“The NPFS is still on course; the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other donor agencies are fully involved in the programme.

“The activities and the agreement we reached are still on and we have to abide by it by respecting our obligations.

“NPFS is a programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and all the activities under the programme are still relevant, but there is modification on the programme.”

According to him, the successful implementation of the second phase of the programme in 2007 led to its sustainability.

He said the success prompted government to increase the number of sites from 109 to 327 in the 36 states of the federation and FCT.

He noted that Borno state which had earlier backed out of the programme had rejoined.

Adesina further noted that following a review of all the food security programmes of the ministry, President Goodluck Jonathan directed that the NPFS should not stand alone, but be mainstreamed back into the Ministry, under the Department of Rural Development.

He said based on this directive, government cut down on overheads to reduce wastage of resources, and that all the components of the programme were still intact.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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