Apex Bank Spends N864b On Anchors Borrowers Programme, Nigerian Farmers Seek Extension To States

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April 19, 2022

Farmers in Nigeria have called for the spread of the coverage of the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), a project targeted at boosting food production under the supervision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to more states in the country due to the impressive results recorded in rice and maize production.

Although the country is said to be deficient in the two commodities, production have increased significantly through the ABP.

The farmers lamented that seeds, fertilizer and other inputs for food crop production have become too expensive, and escalating assistance to them through the ABP scheme is not only desirable but also expedient for the country.

The umbrella body of various commodity associations in Nigeria, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), said without deepening various existing funding systems and intervention programmes of the apex bank, improved seeds, fertilizer and other agro-chemicals that would help farmers to produce adequate quantity of food would be a mirage.

Linking more off-takers, financial institutions and insurers to empower more farmers with inputs and finances with pre-agreed buy-back prices should be spread to every state, the association disclosed.

“Without such assistance, most farmers, due to financial constraints, would only recycle grains as seeds, avoid use of fertilizer and agro-chemicals and would do manual tillage, planting and weeding with resultant poor yields,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently disclosed that it would finance the cultivation of 600,000 hectares of grains in the 2022 wet season farming.

The partnership between the CBN and Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) through the ABP had produced a total of 300 metric tonnes in 2021, which were displayed in 12 pyramids and released to the market through allocations to food and agro-allied stakeholders.

The governor of the bank, Godwin Emefilele, said: “As we prepare for another wet season programme, the Central Bank of Nigeria is committed to financing over 600,000 hectares. Our strategy is hinged on improving productivity by providing more funding for the anchors to enable them to utilise high quality inputs and good agronomic practices to boost output.”

The apex bank has spent N864 billion on 4.1 million farmers cultivating 5.02 million hectares through the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) so far.

The farmers include grain, cereal, cassava, cocoa, yam and sweet potato farmers, among others.

During the Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) rice pyramids in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari said the ABP had supported over 4.8 million small-scale farmers with planting inputs and market linkages that have boosted their means of livelihood and food production, saying, “The ABP has so far supported over 4.8 million smallholder farmers across Nigeria for the production of 23 agricultural commodities, including maize, rice, oil palm, cocoa, cotton, cassava, tomato, and livestock. Today, rice production in Nigeria has increased to over 7.5 million metric tonnes annually.”

Nigeria produces about 12.0 million tonnes of maize, while yearly demand hovers around 20.0 million metric tonnes, fueling hike in price, and productivity of farmers has remained as low as 1.5 to 2.5 metric tonnes per hectare.

A maize breeder at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Professor Samuel Olakojo, said improved seeds and new production technologies would boost productivity of farmers and ensure closing the production gap.

He also emphasised higher plant population per hectare to reduce empty spaces and weeding cost while boosting yield.

He added that in the face of financial constraints of smallholder farmers in the country, and unwillingness of financial institutions to advance loans to farmers individually, the ABP scheme of the Federal Government should be made more elaborate and all-encompassing so that more maize and other grain farmers could participate.

This, he explained, is a national investment that would pay off in terms of food sufficiency and employment opportunities while feeding industries with raw materials, in the long run.

40MW Kashimbilla hydro-power Plant Illuminates Ancient City Of Wukari

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Angel Gimalo

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April 19, 2022

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The ancient city of Wukari, in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State was thrown into excitement weekend, as the 40MW Kashimbilla hydro-power plant illuminated the town.

Though the project is yet to be commissioned, the town is now powered by the substation.

The project, which started during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, was completed by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reacting to the development, the Paramount ruler of the Jukun race and Aku-Uka of Wukari, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali, Amatakhitswen, yesterday appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for completing the electricity project.

He said the completion of the project had been the dream of Tarabans who had been longing for a reliable power source that will cater for their needs.

He said: “Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, who was then Minister for Power, contributed immensely to the realization of the project and is greatly commended for his passion for his home state.

“As governor, his commitment to the project saw his several visits to the site and close monitoring of the work at its various stages.

“As a way of reciprocating the gesture of the government, I hereby appeal to all and sundry to safeguard electricity equipment/properties around them and help in conserving energy by using only what they need.”

He also urged his subjects to comply with prompt payment of bills to help in the smooth operation of the provider.

The First class monarch also enjoined the government to extend electricity to the nooks and crannies of the state and other communities in need of power supply.

LASG shuts down Warehouse over sale of Contaminated Milk

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Cleopatra Okohai

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April 19, 2022

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The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency has ordered the closure of a distribution warehouse located at Wilmer Street, Isheri-Ojodu Area of the State.

According to a statement by the state government, the closure was ordered after the General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo (Esq.), led an enforcement team to the distribution warehouse.

A video had surfaced online showing a middle-aged man selling hazardous and contaminated milk to unsuspecting members of the public at Ibidun Street, in the Ojuelegba area of the State.

According to Solebo, the man disclosed during an earlier interrogation by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Area C Police Station, Surulere, that the products were collected from the warehouse at Wilmer Street in Isheri, Berger.

The LASCOPA boss said the actions taken against the warehouse were meant to ensure that further sales of the hazardous and contaminated milk are stopped and withdrawn from circulation in order to protect residents from consuming milk that is harmful to their health.

He said the warehouse personnel distributing the unwholesome products to retailers flouted safety regulations of the food and beverage sector.

This is as he reiterated that the state government has zero tolerance for the sales of hazardous and expired products.

The LASCOPA boss was quoted as saying, “We, on our own part, will carry out a forensic investigation, through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, to confirm the actual state of those products, because mere opening the product, we discovered that they smell.

“I will want to warn the members of the public to ensure that they check whatever they are buying, check the product information such as the manufacture and expiry dates and all other relevant information about the product”.

The General Manager gave an assurance that the state government will not leave any stone unturned irrespective of whose ox is gored, just as LASCOPA will continue to promote consumers’ rights and ensure that Lagosians are protected at all times.

Solebo also called on members of the public to support the Agency in ridding Lagos of illegal activities by reporting traders or persons who sell fake, expired, and substandard products.

Meanwhile, LASCOPA had said that the warehouse located at Wilmer Street, Isheri Berger will remain closed until it gets the court order to seal up the premises according to the Agency’s law.

Sitting for long on Toilet seats can cause Hemorrhoids -Expert

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Cleopatra Okohai

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April 19, 2022

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A Medical Practitioner, Dr. Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, has warned against sitting on the toilet seats longer than 10 minutes, noting that it increases an individual’s risk of developing hemorrhoids

The physician, who is popularly known as ‘OurFavOnlineDoc on social media disclosed that a mobile phone has 17 times more germs than a toilet seat and that using it in the toilet can predispose one to stomach ache and diarrhea

Taking to his Twitter handle @Drolufunmilayo, he explained that many individuals develop what is known in local parlance as jedi-jedi (hemorrhoids), not as a result of consuming sugar or sweet drinks but because they usually sit for too long in the toilet.

He tweeted, “You have piles and itchy anus because you turned your toilet to a lounge and phone booth.

Woman using digital tablet computer while sitting on a toilet in bathroom

“When you sit for long on a toilet seat straining, this eventually increases pressure in your anus area, which causes the veins there to get engorged.

“The engorged vein becomes painful, itchy, and sometimes bleeds. This is called hemorrhoids or pile, which is popularly known as jedi jedi.

“When you go to the toilet, don’t sit for too long. Also, your phone acquires germs there. If you touch the phone and touch your mouth or put it in your mouth, you can have diarrhea.”

Hemorrhoids, also known as piles are enlarged or swollen veins in the lower part of the rectum. Its common symptoms are rectal bleeding, itching and pain.

According to Healthline, a medical portal, hemorrhoids can be visible, meaning they can be seen or felt in the outer part of the anus or they may be hidden inside.

It also warned that sitting and scrolling is bad for the anus.

“Prolonged sitting, which can happen if you get very absorbed in your smartphone, can up your risk of hemorrhoids. There’s no concrete research yet (although a clinical trial is in the works), but still, experts are concerned.

“Another big risk of using your Smartphone in the toilet is that you may contaminate it with fecal bacteria.

“And while you may be a stickler about cleanliness in your home, you never know what the level of sanitation is like in public bathrooms, especially in places where multiple people spend a lot of time, like offices or other workplaces.

“You should spend anywhere from one to 15 minutes pooping; anything longer can indicate an issue with constipation.

“Avoid sitting and straining for long periods of time. If you get distracted, try setting a timer so you will know when to get up and move on if nothing has moved, so to speak,” Healthline advised.

According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, About 75 per cent of people will have hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. Hemorrhoids are most common among adults aged 45 to 65.

SDGs is achievable despite COVID-19 pandemic, Poor health infrastructure -UN deputy chief

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Cleopatra Okohai

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April 19, 2022

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The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, has expressed optimism that there is still hope for developing countries, including Nigeria, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

The UN General Assembly set the goals in 2015 with a target date of attainment fixed at 2030.

Fielding questions on the possibility of achieving the SDGs from the News Agency of Nigeria, Mohammed emphasised that the goals are achievable.

She said with sustained investments and political will, developing countries could achieve the SDGs in spite of high debt profiles, mass illiteracy, poor health infrastructure, COVID-19 pandemic and poor performance in child rights.

The deputy secretary had earlier briefed newsmen on the “2022 Financing for Sustainable Development Report: Bridging the Finance Divide’’ lunched by the UN on April 12.

The report was produced by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs in collaboration with more than 60 international agencies, including the UN System, and international financial institutions.

The report came at a critical moment for humanity, adding to the compounding crises of climate change, assaults on our natural systems, and the protracted COVID-19 pandemic, she noted.

Mohammed also said it came at a time the world was experiencing the fallout of the war in Ukraine, which had been rapidly impacting food, energy, and finances across the globe.

The deputy secretary-general said the report estimates that in the poorest countries, a 20 per cent increase in spending will be required for key sectors.

She acknowledged that multiplicity of crises had put developing countries at a disadvantage in making progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, when compared with strides made by developed countries.

“There is still hope of achieving the goals. Every day, we work on different scenarios and opportunities for investments and to ride on the back of climate actions and energy transition.

“We are looking at the involvement of the private sector and we have seen good signs at COP 26, where unmanaged fund was committed to sustainable investment planning,’’ she said.

COP26 was the 26th UN Climate Change conference held in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31 to November, 13 2021.

It brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“We have looked at commitments made at COP26 and there were lots of commitments.

“So, we are pushing; we are targeting G20 and Spring Meetings. We are targeting those meetings to help to mobilise resources and to create the enabling environment,’’ Mohammed added.

According to her, attention is on multilateralism to get different ways to finance, to achieve the goals.

The deputy secretary-general, however, expressed dissatisfaction at the level of institutional and corporate support for the SDGs in developing countries.

“We are not satisfied with what we have seen so far. We didn’t see that commitment in COVID-19 response,’’ she lamented.

Mohammed urged leaders in developing countries to deliver on their commitments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Earlier, she said without immediate policy action, the window for delivering the SDGs by 2030 would close.

She noted that the majority of developing countries would need active and urgent support to get back on track to achieve the SDGs.

Mohammed said an estimated 77 million more people were still living in extreme poverty globally, a worse situation when compared with the pre-COVID-19 era.

According to her, UN analysis indicates that 1.7 billion people are facing exposure to spiking food prices, energy and fertiliser costs as a result of the on-going war in Ukraine.

The UN deputy chief gave an assurance that the recommendations from the reports pointed out the way forward to revert the threat posed by the COVID-19 and other challenges.

She said, “First, the international community must urgently address financing gaps and rising debt risks and it would be a tragedy if developing countries continue to default at the expense of investments in social services and climate resilience.”

Mohammed also said that policy makers must ensure that financing is aligned with the SDGs and climate actions, adding, “This includes public budgets, tax systems, regulatory frameworks, and corporate reporting requirements.

“Climate-related risks should also be integrated into debt contracts and financial frameworks.”

She also said developing countries should improve on information ecosystems, as it would help policymakers to improve on planning, which would help to manage risks better and to combat illicit financial flows.

“It will also help markets to better evaluate sovereign risks, including the impact of credit ratings. Across the board, we must also take steps to improve our global financial system to ensure that it reduces inequality while increasing resilience.

“As things stand now, those member states that have the power of the global financial system appear to be moving in the opposite direction,’’ Mohammed said.

Nearly Five Million Ukrainians Flee War

By

Zoe Maven

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April 19, 2022

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Nearly five million Ukrainians have fled the war since Russia’s invasion, the United Nations said Tuesday, sounding alarm at the rapid exodus and voicing concern that the situation may worsen.

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said 4,980,589 Ukrainians had left since Russia invaded on February 24 — a figure up 46,174 on Monday’s total.

The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) says nearly 215,000 third-country nationals — largely students and migrant workers — have also escaped to neighbouring countries, meaning around 5.2 million people in all have fled Ukraine since the war began.

Officials call it the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.

On Tuesday, Russia’s defence minister said Moscow was seeking to “liberate” east Ukraine and the ministry said Moscow launched dozens of air strikes across eastern Ukraine overnight.

Kyiv accuses Russian forces of unleashing a major new offensive in the Donbas region.

Women and children account for 90 percent of those who fled, with men aged 18 to 60 eligible for military call-up and unable to leave.

Nearly two-thirds of all Ukrainian children have been forced from their homes, including those still inside the country.

More than 2.8 million Ukrainian refugees have fled to Poland. Three quarters of a million have reached Romania.

UNHCR figures show nearly 645,000 Ukrainians fled in February, with nearly 3.4 million doing so in March and 945,000 leaving so far this month.

Beyond the refugees, the IOM estimates 7.1 million people are displaced within in Ukraine.

U.S. To Seize Superyacht In Fiji From Suspected Russian Owner

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Zoe Maven

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April 19, 2022

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The United States seeks to seize a superyacht that is suspected of belonging to a Russian oligarch and is docked in the Pacific island nation of Fiji, according to an application for a restraining order filed on Tuesday by Fiji’s public prosecutor.

The luxury vessel the Amadea is widely believed to be owned by Russian tycoon Suleiman Kerimov, who has been sanctioned by the United States and European Union. The vessel arrived in Fiji a week ago after leaving Mexico 18 days earlier and crossing the Pacific. Police are investigating.

Authorities in various countries have confiscated luxury vessels and villas owned by Russian billionaires in response to sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which Russia calls a special military operation.

Fiji’s director of public prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, filed an application to the High Court seeking to prevent the Amadea from leaving Fiji.

The application requested “the motor yacht Amadea be restrained from leaving Fijian waters until the finalisation of an application to register a warrant to seize the property and (ii) that a US warrant to seize the Amadea be registered”.

The U.S. embassy on Tuesday referred questions on the case to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The court has not heard the application.

A superyacht agent in Fiji acting for the Amadea told Reuters last week the vessel’s lawyers were contesting that Suleiman was the owner.

Registration records show the yacht is registered to a company in the Cayman Islands.

Kerimov was sanctioned by the United States in 2014 and 2018 in response to Russia’s actions in Syria and Ukraine.

Kentucky Becomes 15th State To Ban Boys From Competing In Girls’ Sports

By

Koko Lawrence

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April 19, 2022

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Kentucky Legislature — FILE - The exterior photo of the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., is shown on April 7, 2021. Kentucky lawmakers took aim Wednesday, March 2,3 2022, at reversing the state's chronically high rates for child abuse and neglect, passing a sweeping measure to bolster prevention and oversight efforts. The bill won 94-0 final passage in the House, sending the measure to Gov. Andy Beshear. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Kentucky has passed a law that prohibits biological males from participating in girls’ sports, with the Republican-controlled legislature overriding a veto by Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear.

Known as Senate Bill 83, or the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,” the legislation would mandate that students can only participate in sports that correspond with their birth sex.

The biological sex of the student-athlete would be determined either by their original birth certificate or via a sworn affidavit by certain medical professionals.

Although Beshear had vetoed the bill last week, the veto was overridden by the state legislature on Wednesday, with a vote of 29-8 in the Senate and 72-23 in the House.

The American Principles Project, a conservative group that has advocated for similar legislation in other states, released a statement celebrating the overriding of the governor’s veto.

“Kentucky lawmakers made the right decision in overriding this veto in order to protect their state’s female athletes,” stated APP President Terry Schilling.

“We commend them for standing up in defense of a fair playing field for women and girls, and we continue to encourage leaders in other states without such protections to join this rapidly growing movement to protect women’s sports.”

With the veto override, Kentucky becomes the 15th state to pass a law barring biological males from girls’ sports. The other states are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

UK’s Johnson To Apologise To Parliament Over Lockdown Fine

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Zoe Maven

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April 19, 2022

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was to apologise to parliament on Tuesday for breaking lockdown rules as opposition parties push for an investigation into whether he misled lawmakers by repeatedly insisting that he did not breach the COVID-19 regulations.

Johnson was fined by the police last week for attending a birthday party thrown in his honour in June 2020 when people from different households were not allowed to meet indoors.

Opponents have called for Johnson to resign, accusing him of misleading parliament after he told lawmakers last year that all rules were followed in Downing Street – the prime minister’s official residence and workplace – during the pandemic.

Opposition lawmakers are in talks about how best to seek to censure Johnson, either by pushing for a vote on whether he is in contempt of parliament, or to refer him to a parliamentary committee to investigate whether he deliberately misled lawmakers.

The speaker will decide whether to grant a vote on whether to investigate if Johnson misled parliament, and if the house votes in favour then a parliamentary committee which will investigate.

Johnson, who was to address parliament at around 1530 GMT, will attempt to deflect some of the criticism by talking about other issues he is dealing with, including the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis and immigration.

Britain’s Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis played down claims that the prime minister had misled parliament and suggested that the fine he paid was similar to ministers who have previously received parking fines.

Johnson has said it hadn’t occurred to him he was in breach of the rules but he now “humbly” accepted he was.

Cameroon Deploys Troops To CAR Border To Stop Abductions

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Zoe Maven

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April 19, 2022

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Cameroon’s military has deployed hundreds of troops to its eastern border with the Central African Republic after CAR rebels this month abducted at least 35 people. The military says the rebels are targeting merchants, farmers, and ranchers and stealing money and cattle.

Cameroon’s military says scores of troops on Monday raided villages and forests on its eastern border with the Central African Republic to free civilians held captive by CAR rebels.

Speaking via a messaging application, Colonel Dominique Njoka says he led troops on the rescue mission in Mbere, a border administrative unit, where rebels were holding hostages.

Njoka said some of the rebels escaped across the porous border while others are still hiding in forests in Cameroon.

He said they deployed hundreds of troops to the area to flush out the rebels, who have abducted at least 35 civilians in Cameroon in the past three weeks.

CAR authorities say since March fighting with rebels has increased.The U.N. peacekeeping mission to the CAR, MINUSCA, last week said rebels pushed out of several towns were hiding on the border with Cameroon.

MINUSCA said the CAR rebels were fighting to control border towns, including Bambari and Alindao.

Authorities say the rebels are crossing the border to escape fighting with the CAR’s military and to steal and abduct for ransom.

The Central African Republic descended into violence in 2013 when then President Francois Bozize was ousted by the Séléka, a coalition from the Muslim minority that accused him of breaking peace deals.