Agriculture

Africa Spends $50B Annually on Food Imports – President Maada Bio

By Web News 91

By Iyabo Adebisi

Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has criticized the $50 billion spent yearly by African nations on importing food that could be grown locally, urging a shift in the continent’s agricultural narrative.

He made these remarks during a panel discussion at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, in Ibadan, as part of his visit to Nigeria to explore collaborative opportunities between the two countries.

President Maada Bio while stressing the significance of innovation, technology, infrastructural development said Africa would be a great continent if it was investing 50 billion dollars yearly on agriculture instead of importing food that could be grown locally.

He said unless Africa act concertedly, its people will continue to suffer hunger in the midst of plenty, while urging leaders to allocate and efficiently utilise resources set aside for the agricultural sector.

Also, speaking, Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde stressed the importance of exploring local solutions, while also calling for public-private partnerships, which could help to increase production and expand value chains.

On his part, Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum explained that the suspension of USAID funds by the US government is a wake-up call for Nigerian leaders to enhance their capacity and strengthen Africa through local mechanization and technological deployment in the agricultural sector.

Former World Bank Vice President, Hafez Gbanem noted that low-income countries allocate insufficient funds to agriculture and food security.

Mr Gbanem then tasked African leaders to foster regional economic ties, create policies supporting local farmers, and mobilize domestic resources to reduce reliance on foreign financial assistance.

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Governance

FRCN to establish more stations to counter violent extremism – Dr Bulama

By Web News 364

By Dauda Iliya

The Director General, DG, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Dr Mohammed Bulama says the corporation will establish more Frequency Modulated FM stations to counter the narrative of violent extremist groups in the North East region.

Dr Bulama stated this when he led the management of the corporation on a courtesy visit to Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum at the Government House, Maiduguri.

This is the first time the Director General is paying a courtesy visit to any State Chief Executive since his appointment three months ago.

Dr Bulama said as an indigene of the state, he owes it a duty to visit Governor Babagana Zulum as a mark of respect and honour.

He pledged to be a good ambassador of the state during his tenure as the Director General.

The DG observed that over the years, the corporation has been underfunded, thereby negatively affecting its operations and performance.

He promised to reposition Radio Nigeria to be at par with other reputable radio stations across the world.

Dr. Bulama also said FRCN will extend its services to cover the entire state and even beyond by establishing more FM stations to help counter violent extremism in the region.

“We know that Borno state is grossly undeserved, that is why we are making effort to see that in the next two to three years Borno state is fully served by radio services. So in earnest, we are going establish an FM station in Gwoza that will serve surrounding local government areas“, Bulama remarked.

The Director General acknowledged that if not for the support of the state government, Radio Nigeria Peace FM Maiduguri will not be operational.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described information dissemination as critical to curbing the menace of insurgency and terrorism.

He promised to partner with Radio Nigeria to improve means to communication to people at the grassroots.

“We shall partner with you and provide the needed support for your organisation to function effectively, especially those organisations that are in our home state“, Zulum assured.

The governor commented Radio Nigeria Peace Maiduguri for the services they have been rendering to people of the state despite their challenges.

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Religion

Gov. Zulum Billed for MSSN Symposium in Ibadan September 18

By Web News 875

Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum will be in Ibadan on Sunday, 18th September as the lead speaker at the 11th annual symposium of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria,  MSSN, B- Zone.

Professor Zulum will be speaking on the theme of the symposium “The Nation’s Destiny” which holds at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

Professor Afiz Oladosu of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies,  University of Ibadan is the first guest discussant on the topic  “Redefining Nigeria’s Destiny through Credible Poll” while another guest discussant and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria,  Dr Muiz  Banire’s focus is on “Ethno-religious agitation & imperative of inclusiveness”.

In a statement issued in Ibadan by the Chairman,  Media and Publicity Committee of the symposium,  Alhaji Ridwan Fasasi,  the Chairman of the occasion is the former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the Distinguished Guest of Honour is Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State while the father of the day is Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland,  Edo and Delta,  Alhaji Dawud Akinola.

Other guests include the Royal Father of the day, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun,  the spiritual father is Chief Imam of Ibadanland,  Shaikh  AbdGaniy Agbotomokekere , while the mother of the day is Iyaloja of Ibadanland,  Alhaja Iswat Ameringun.

 Mallam Uthman Abubakar, National Amir, MSSN is the special guest of honour, the MSSN B-Zonal Amir, Barrister Qaasim Odedeji is the Chief host while the Amir, MSSN, Oyo State Area Unit, Engr Abdulkabir  Al’Yakeen is the host.

According to the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mallam Shakirullah Adedoja, the annual symposium is aimed at addressing issues of national interest with a view to bringing about a better Nigeria.

The annual symposium which began in Lagos in 2012  with the theme ” Insecurity in Nigeria: Myth,  Reality and Panacea” has been held in different States in the Southern part of the country.

Some of the States include Ogun,  Osun, Ondo,  Ekiti and Edo.

The 10th edition of the programme was held last year at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library,  Abeokuta with the theme” Saving a Nation on the Precipe “.

The 11th edition holding at the International Conference Centre, the University of Ibadan on the 18th of this month starting from 10 am has a feature of a pre-registration tagged ” Get yourself a seat”.

The registration according to the Chairman, Planning Committee,  Alhaji Mushafar Alaran would give the online registered participants the opportunity of getting seat tags and symposium materials earlier while those who will engage in physical registration will have to face the rigour of the exercise at the venue.

The link for the online registration is

bit.ly/mssnsymposium while not less than 2,000 participants have booked their spaces through the pre-symposium registration. 

Apart from students, others from all walks of life are expected to participate in the epoch-making symposium while those who might not be available will have the luxury of joining through a virtual platform. 

Rilwan Fasasi