Sports

GES’ll Create 8.7m Jobs -Firm

Published

13 years ago

June 5, 2013

The Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme will create 8.7 million jobs and earn rural farmers N289 billion in 2013. the Managing Director, Maslaha Seeds Limited, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, has said.

Abdullahi said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.

According to him, the scheme will not only create jobs and increase the livelihood of farmers but has already increased the production of seeds companies from 1,500 tonnes to 5,000 tonnes.

“ In seeds production, we normally engage out-growers; out-growers are farmers carefully selected and trained on seeds production by the seeds companies to produce certified seeds.

“Before this programme, we used to produce between 1, 500 tonnes to 2,000 tonnes of seeds per annum but with this programme, we have increased our production to 5,000 tonnes; so we employed more out-growers.

“So many people were employed because when you produce the seeds from the farm, you load the seeds to the collection centre and you offload it there.

“From the collection centre, you load again to the seeds factory and then you put it in the stores; from the stores, you load it again to the factory for processing and after processing, you now load it to the warehouses.

“From warehouses, you load it again to supply the respective states and redemption centres; so, you discover one bag of seeds employs about eight to 10 people.

“For 2013 GES, this programme is expected to distribute 54,000 tonnes of maize seeds and 34,000 tonnes of rice seeds.

“For the maize, it amounts to 602,000 bags and each bag employs eight people; so the 602, 000 bags will employ 4.820million people; there is no sector in this country that employs people like this.

“To take the seeds from the farmers to the factory and process it and to start distributing for this 2013, we are expected to employ 4.8 million people just for seeds handling for maize.

“And for rice, we are going to employ 3.8 million people; so if you put these together, we are talking about 8.7 million people.’’

Abdullahi, however, observed that farmers would have increased yield, if they adopted the best agronomic practises in planting the improved seeds given to them by the government and applying the right quantity of fertiliser.

“Fertiliser is also given to the farmers in the required quantity; so we are expecting that these farmers will use the best agronomic practises of using improved seeds and the right quantity of fertiliser.

“The average yield for farmers in Nigeria is 1.2 tonnes per hectare but with this programme, we are expecting an increase of 1.3 tonnes on the average.

“On the low side, we are expecting that farmers will get at least 2.5 tonnes to three tonnes per hectare which amounts to 1.3 tonnes increase from what they used to have.

“When we looked at the maize seeds for this 2013, about 2.738 million hectares will be planted and if you take a yield increase of 1.3 tonnes per hectare, what farmers are going to get is 3, 560, 000 tonnes.

“If you convert this into monetary terms, you are talking about N234 billion.

“When you take the rice, we are expecting that we are going to plant 497, 000 hectares.

“That amounts to 646,000-tonne yield increase and when you convert that to money, you are talking about N54 billion.

“If you put these two together you are talking about N289 billion going to the farmers pocket for just 2013.’’

The managing director explained that his organisation had been able to pay the wages and salaries of its employees through the Public-Private-Partnership with the government.

He said that the scheme had created a huge market for his company, adding that he had been involved in subsidy programmes in the past but none had been fruitful.

According to Abdullahi, there are some little challenges but the government is working hard to address those issues.

He urged the Federal Government to assist seeds companies in accessing long-term loans.

“What we are getting now is short-term loans that we repay after four to six months of seeds production.’’

Abdullahi stressed that long-term loans were needed for the growth and development of the seeds sector.

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues

Published

8 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road

Published

8 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1

Published

8 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.