Kano Disabled Farmers move From Begging to Bagging

A group of Kano farmers with special disabilities.

Traditionally, people with special needs were seen almost same as street beggars. Though different approaches to end street begging have been adopted and implemented, yet the phenomenon seems to have persisted.

However, in recent times, a new approach to tackle the issue was introduced by Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) through Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE) where people with special needs were given training in agricultural practices using modern techniques and also assisting them with land, insecticides, farming among other farming inputs.

Sabi’u Halliru, is a 46-year-old man living in Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State. He said he lost his arm in an accident some years back, and that ever since he has been living under the mercy of his family.

Sabi’u added that with the introduction of SAFE programme, he is now a farmer cultivating rice and soya bean.

“It is no longer an issue of begging to most of us that belong to the farmers group of people with special needs. Our members no longer go out to beg; we are now happy that this programme has seen the potentials in us and it is trying to make us explore them. This year, I harvested 13 bags of rice from my farm which clearly proves that disability isn’t inability,” said Sabi’u.

It was also revealed that such is the case in all the states that run the programme. A visit to some farmer groups of people with special disabilities in Kumo town in Akko Local Government of Gombe State revealed that the farmers with special needs are now fully engaged and those that go out to beg no longer see it appealing.

Waziri Malle of Kumo town is a 48-year-old man, who lost a leg and resorted to begging. He said, however, that with the SAFE intervention, they had formed a farmer group and are presently engaged in full time farmers .

“We are now self-sufficient; we no longer leave our town for the cities to beg.

“With the assistance we received from Sasakawa, we are able to utilize our potentials to be fully engaged on the farm. What we need is more support from the programme in order to expand. It will interest you to know that this year, I have gotten 15 bags of maize and we are very much sure that with more support, we will do more,” said Waziri.

Shedding light on the initiative, SAA Country Director, Professor Sani Miko, stated that, under the programme, the association identified people with special needs and asked them to form social fund groups. He said the SAA then assists these farmers through the groups, by providing training and other farm inputs to them.

Addressing newsmen in Kano during a press conference to mark Sasakawa’s 30th year of existence in Africa held at the Sasakawa head office in Kano, Professor Miko added that the association figured out that people with special needs were excluded in virtually all development programmes on the belief that they were not productive. He added that the intervention has also shown that people with disability have potentials of being productive and that all they needed is a push and motivation.

Daily Trust

Glitz and Glamour @ SSA YouTube Awards 2016

The first ever Sub Saharan Africa YouTube Awards was held in Johannesburg, South Africa last weekend. It was an evening of fun, excitement and glitz as the big names in the YouTube platform were recognised and awarded plaques.

Granted it was held in Johannesburg, so many Nigerians – nominees and guests – added more fun and thrill to the compact event, which also brought together so many Africans across the continent.

Saturday Beats gives you some of the gist of the event.

And Africans unite

Africans have a way of having a united front and at the YouTube Awards, it was not a different story. Though so many people from different parts of the continent converged, it was a period everybody used to talk about their culture and exchange ideas and get to know one another better.

The rain came in torrents

It was supposedly summer time in the city of Johannesburg but at the award night, the heavens opened and the rain poured in torrents. But did it affect the event? No way! Guests had massive fun and never allowed the weather to dampen their mood.

Online personalities are celebs too

Celebrity status is not restricted to onscreen celebs; indeed, if care is not taken, online celebrities will certainly outshine those seen on TV daily. At the YouTube Awards, so many online celebs have come to be known off screen with their huge following. No wonder screams and shouts of excitement rented the auditorium each time a winner was announced.

Jaiye… the keytarist guru

Known as Jaiyekeys, Nigerian-born keytarist, Jaiye, opened the event, showing his expertise on the keyboard. The young man mesmerised the guests who just couldn’t help but get on their feet as he played some oldies with his keyboard.

Tofo Tofo brings Beyonce back

 So many people are in love with Beyonce’s ‘Who Run the World’ video but not many may know that the dancers who performed in that video are Africans.

Known as Tofo Tofo, the young lads from Mozambique brought their unique dance steps to the YouTube awards. They first performed Queen Bea’s song before moving on to other songs. Their dexterity and creativity on the stage made guests give them a standing ovation after their performance.

And Nigerians clinch awards

Nigerians didn’t lose out at the SSA YouTube awards as they came out tops in some of the categories.

Young Emmanuella of the Mark Angel Comedy won the Top Subscribed creator in Nigeria, Channels Television won in the broadcaster category, Ndani TV won in the entertainment category while Ibaka TV won in the Top Subscribed Nollywood channel.

Flavour, Davido lose out

In the music category, once the names of Davido, Flavour and Tanzania’s Diamond Platinum were mentioned, not a few felt either of the above mentioned three would clinch the award because of their popularity. However, it was Yellow Brick Cinema that took the plaque in that category. The group had over one million subscribers and they were even awarded a YouTube Gold Play Button in recognition of that feat.

Timaya never tires

The self acclaimed Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa, Timaya, was among the artistes that performed at the event. Timaya is indeed, a performer! The young man got everybody on their feet and so many people danced to his beats. Some dancers used the opportunity to show off their assets as they almost bared their vitals for everybody to see while dancing erotically to Timaya’s songs.(Punch ) 

Customs seizes bank’s bullion van with smuggled rice

The Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized a bullion van belonging to a commercial bank in Nigeria, but used in smuggling rice into the country through the land border.  The bullion van meant for conveyance of bank currency was intercepted by operatives of Oyo/Osun Customs loaded with smuggled rice through a tip off.

 The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Compt. Ogunkua Tope, who disclosed this, displayed the vehicle at the Command’s office in Ibadan , loaded with 50kg bags of rice. According to him, “The interception of a bullion van meant for carrying cash, but used in concealing smuggled imported foreign rice into the country illegally should send a serious signal to recalcitrant saboteurs of the Nigerian economy that there is no hiding place for them, especially as the juletide approahes”.

He went on, “We are determined to beat all their concealment patterns with our superior intelligence network, because the Service has equipped us with necessary work tools and adequate training to curb the menace of smuggling in the region. 

It is worrisome to see that some Nigerians still remain unrepentant, even as they continue to lose. Not even the Federal Government’s visible efforts in transforming the agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production as well as increase prevalence of expired imported rice with its hazardous health implications have touched their conscience to avoid rice smuggling. 

However, our resolve to deal with them remains unshakened, more so now that the present management has directed thorough investigation with a view to prosecuting all those found connected to this illegal act. I am using this opportunity to appeal to well-meaning members of the public who want to engage in legitimate business to come forward for clarification or visit the Command headquarters for trade facilitation and enquiries.” 

“The recalcitrant ones who still insist on engaging in the illicit business of smuggling should be well advised that they would not escape the long arm of the law, especially as the yuletide approaches. 

You will recall that we had reiterated our resolve to increase the revenue profile of the Command and to tirelessly reduce the incidence of smuggling.

 In keeping to this promise, the Command initiated new anti-smuggling strategies, which led to remarkable exploits seen in the seizures that include  one bullion van loaded with rice, a  fairly used Rover,  one fairly used Toyota Highlander, two fairly used Toyota Camry,  two fairly used Volkwagon, two fairly used Mecedes Truck loaded with rice, two fairly used Nissan Land Rover,  one fairly used Man diesel truck, two fairly used Nissan Urvan loaded with rice, five fairly used Toyota Hiace loaded with rice,    one fairly used Nissan Vannet loaded with smuggled imported rice, two fairly used Toyota Land Cruiser,  one fairly used Mazda 626, one fairly used Honda Accord Saloon,  one fairly used Toyota Duet,one fairly used Lexus GX470,  one fairly used Daihatsu Atrai, one fairly used lite Ace bus, two brand new Land Rover Discovery  truck carrying smuggled brand new Honda Accord, made at different locations within the Command’s area of coverage” - Vanguard . 

Focus on agriculture to avert famine, says Oyedepo

The Chancellor, Landmark University, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said that agrarian revolution will avert the impending famine in the country next year as warned by the Federal Government.

He urged universities and other tertiary institutions in the country to lead the agrarian revolution in order to address food insecurity, national economic recession, lack of industrialisation and the high unemployment rate.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had warned Nigerians to brace for an imminent outbreak of famine by January next year following a huge demand in the global market for Nigeria’s grains and cereals. 

Oyedepo said during the 7th matriculation of Landmark University in Omu-Aran, Kwara State on Friday, “Apart from the security threat facing us in Africa, the greatest threat to the survival of this continent is the worsening food crisis, which has the potential to wipe off the people all together.

“This is why we cannot afford to wait for this closely impending scenario to become a reality. And this is the vision and mission of Landmark University.(Punch) 

Nigerians Advocate The Use Of Local Languages In Education System.

Nigerians have advocated for the adoption of major local languages in the country as official languages for teaching and learning  to ensure proper assimilation of subjects by students.

The participants at a one day seminar on Skills Building, Career Mentoring and Development for students in Government Secondary School in Nigeria agreed that solving language barrier in learning process would go along way to improve standard of education and enhance value orientation.

Mr Obasi Sunday, one of the participants at the seminar organised by the Skills Outside School Foundation in Abuja said in an interview that use of local languages in teaching and learning by countries like China, India, etc facilitated their advancement socially and technologically.

According to him, “If Nigeria continues in the light of what we are doing today we are not going to see the light of the day interms of advancement.”

The Programme Manager of SOS, Bar. Ann Eze, noted that several factors contributed to the poor standard of education in the country.

She maintained that every child in Nigeria is talented, disagreeing with the submission by some quarters that Nigerian graduates are not employable.

Ann, who explained that the workshop was to equip growing up students with requsite knowledge needed to assist them in choosing their long-lasting career, disclosed that the fundation would still give scholarship to disadvantaged bright students (Punch)

Innoson Vehicles presents Military grade Vehicles to Military High Command

Chairman of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma OFR has presented the latest version of Innoson IVM G12 designed solely for military operations to the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen T. Y Buratai.

The Army Headquarters received the vehicles at the Tactical Headquarter of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maimalari Barracks Maiduguri, Borno State.

7 Years Old Burnt Alive Because He Stole Garri!!!

Hehehee!  Seriously this country  called Nigeria is truly a zoo like my roommate will always say.

Just  on Monday a man was shot and brutally killed for some stupid reasons known to them and today,  a 7 Years Old was burnt because he stole Garri. Ah! 

This is just too much,  am short of words and this is something that rarely happen to me.  For Christ sake even if he stole diamond or gold - such death penalty is just too inhumane and unacceptable.

Worst is the very people standing around and watching this evil go on.  Whereas they have done worst and still will do worst. And here is a child out of hunger and frustration - stole Garri and he was killed.

Where there no religious fanatics  among the people there,  where was those that  carry  Bible in the morning to disturb their neighbor's sleep,  where was the early morning mosque goers, where was the upright in heart,  the Mr perfect and Mrs perfect that are quick to judge  others evil, where was the supposed religious Nigerian that parade this country. Hmmmm.  The same God will call on and do all sorts of evil under his shadow will judge us.

Like am wowed.... Ihe n'eme Kwa oooo.

Am afraid of people and how black lives matters indeed.

Tufia Kwa oooo.

Researchers produce bio-gel cooking fuel from moringa plant

Researchers from the Institute of Agricultural Research & Training Ibadan, Oyo State, in collaboration with the Raw Material Research & Development Council, University of Ibadan, have produced bio-gel, a cooking fuel, from Moringa stem.

The process of the production was exhibited on Wednesday at the End-of-project workshop on climate change & fossil fuel reduction and environmental conservation using Moringa Oleifera plant at IAR&T.

The workshop was organised by Lifebuilders organisation, an NGO, in collaboration with IAR&T and Raw Material Research & Development Council, Oyo State.

Speaking at the event, the IAR&T Director, Prof. James Adediran, noted that the bio-gel production was consistent with one of the institute’s objectives of mitigating effects of climate change.

He said the use of Biochar for soil fertility management, botanical for plant protection and planting of improved varieties of crops adapted to Southern ecology received attention in the institute’s programmes.

Adediran said: “All our efforts in these areas contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

“Science is now exploring ways out of fossil fuel for an environment-friendly source of energy and all hands must be on deck to make a success.”

The Executive Director of Lifebuilders organisation, Chief Grace Oluwatoye, said it decided to invest in Moringa because of the plant’s numerous micronutrients required for the body.

Oluwatoye said: “For the first time in the history of the world we have been able to generate bio-gel from moringa plant.

“The plant’s potential ought to be explored; so, we call on other researchers to join hands to escalate the breakthrough.

“Through this we can generate a lot of jobs for rural and young people, we have the POP sector, organic fertiliser industry, etc from it; investors, who could use the waste product of the plant should invest in it.

“This will earn Nigeria a lot of money that will save its foreign exchange.”

She emphasised that the organisation was registered for health and sustainable development interventions targeted at young people and rural dwellers.

She said: “Part of our goals is to enhance self-employment among women and out-of-school youths in the non-formal sector including agriculture and other vocations of their choice.”

Earlier, the Project Implementation Committee Chairman, Prof. Lateef Taiwo, said the project was funded by UNDP and commended the NGO for deeming it fit to embark on such a project.

Taiwo said: “This is the end of the first phase of the project, we have put in another proposal to UNDP for the next stage; we are optimistic that they will support us and we will make more progress.”(Punch) 

Immigration intercepts 50 Nigerians travelling illegally to Europe

The National Agency for the Prohibition for Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, rescued 50 persons in the past four days, an official said in Kano.

The Kano Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Shehu Umar, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Tuesday that the victims included women and children.

He said that the victims were intercepted by the Nigeria Immigration Service in Katsina on their way to Europe through Niger and Libya.

“There are males and females as well as three minors in the group and they all fall within the ages of three and 45 years,” he said

The zonal commander said that the victims hailed from Abia, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo and Kwara states.

Mr. Umar said that the zonal office had rescued a total of 343 victims this year.

He said that the victims comprised 321 females and 122 males.

Mr. Umar said that the victims were discovered due to three main reasons – lack of legal documents, lack of enough fund and use of illegal routes.

He appealed to members of the public to volunteer to the agency, useful information on suspicious people and their movements.

He advised parents to suspect anybody who would promise to take their wards for employment abroad.

He, however, said that traffickers changed tactics as government uncovered their plans.

The zonal command has secured eight convictions this year and is currently investigating eight cases and prosecuting six.(Punch) 

Reps seek life imprisonment for terrorists, sponsors

The House of Representatives moved on Tuesday to prescribe tougher penalties for terrorism, including “a maximum of life imprisonment.”

A person, who facilitates the escape of a suspect held for an act of terrorism also faces a life prison sentence.

Sponsors of terrorism face the penalty of life imprisonment as those who commit the act itself.

Under the new law in view, planning a terror act is punishable even when the act is not committed eventually.

The provisions were contained in two consolidated bills, which passed second reading at the House in Abuja.

They bills were a “A Bill for an Act to Make Provisions for Offences Relating to Terrorism, Prohibit the Financing of Terrorism and Consolidate all Acts Relating to Terrorism and for Related Matters” and “A Bill for an Act to Amen the Terrorism Act 2011 for the Purpose of Applying Stringent Prison Terms for Offences of Terrorism, an Remove the Ambiguities in the Act and for Related Matters.”

The bills were sponsored by Mr. Mohammed Monguno and Mr. Ahmed Kaita.

While the first bill sought to repeal the existing terrorism (prohibition) law and make entirely new provisions for offences, the second bill sought to amend the extant law by strengthening it.

Section 19 of Monguno’s bill states, “A person who knowingly, directly or indirectly (a) aids and abets, (b) induces, instigates, instructs, (c) counsels or procures another person by means to commit an act of terrorism, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to life imprisonment. “

It adds, “Where the offence of terrorism is not committed, to an imprisonment for a term of 20 years.”

The bill defines terrorism broadly to mean any “deliberate” act of “malice”, which may cause harm/damage to a country, its government, economy, national assets, international organisations or result in loss of lives.

Kidnapping and the use of biological or chemical weapons, among others, are classified as terrorism under the bill.

It also includes “interference with or disruption of the supply of water, power or any other fundamental natural resource, the effect of which is to endanger human life.” (Punch) 

$50 up for grabs in Socialmediacreatives.com #BlackFriday contest

$50 Is the cash price up for grabs in the social media creative design contest, organised by Socialmediacreatives.com

Socialmediacreatives.com the new free do it yourself social media creative design website is assisting small businesses to get the most benefit possible from the upcoming black Friday (25th of November 2016) with a contest to promote early creative campaign start and good creative designs for black Friday sales.

Black Friday is a day when most big online businesses make the highest sale on a single day while few small businesses take the advantage.

The main reason why most small businesses don’t make many sales taking advantage of the black Friday is because most small businesses start campaign late and don’t use professional social media designs to engage their audience daily long before black Friday. The late campaign start and poor social media creatives, results in low/ poor brand awareness and visibility ,leading to poor patronage for small businesses ,during the black Friday opportunity.

The total value of transactions on Alibaba’s Singles’ Day shopping festival on November 11, 2015, was estimated at $14.32 billion, big Nigerian e-commerce brands also earned revenue in multiples of what they earn daily.

Speaking of the creative contest, one of the co–founders of Socialmediacreatives.com, Sobowale Temiloluwa, said “We want to create a level playing ground this year for small businesses to compete with the bigger businesses come 2016 black Friday,so we have come up with a creative design contest to reward the best creative designer during this two weeks contest starting from Today. Our winner will be rewarded with a $50 cash price.

Daily customer engagement is key so interested organisations have to create image designs daily using www.socialmediacreatives.com (10 designs, is the minimum required to qualify) over the next 14days (Friday 11th November-Friday 25th )and engage their audience with such over the next weeks.

Contest guidelines

1)create design on socialmediacreative.com
2)Download your free design from www.socialmediacreatives.com
3)Use the #blackfridaycreativecontest and tweet your image design numbering it appropriately by days it (#blackfridaycreativecontest #day1, (#blackfridaycreativecontest #day2…………..,(#blackfridaycreativecontest #day10).
4)Create 10 image designs over the 14 day period and tweet them all to qualify.

Our creative directors will choose the best design using the guidelines below

Qualification and ratings criteria

Every design submitted attracts 10 points and total of 100 points will be used for all contestant, meaning if your designs are not up to 10 your chances of winning is limited as someone with 10 designs has the better chance of winning.

Designs will be rated on these five creative criteria

1 General creativity of your copy (text /content) 2 points
2 Creative positioning/alignment (2points)
3 Use of background and images (2points)
4 Use of fonts, and colours (2points)
5 Over-all blend of creative design (2points)
Total per creative (10points)

The final winner of the $50 price will be announced on Monday 28th November on Twitter @smediacreative.

Only designs done on Socialmediacreatives.com qualify to be used for contest submissions. Designs from other creative platforms will be disqualified.

Join now, start creating ,start engaging your audience take advantage of the black Friday sales and you may also win our best creative designer award.

You may start at any time but note your 10 designs must be tweeted before the end of day 25th November 2016 using the #blackfridaycreativecontest and proper design labels #day1……………………. day 10

JAMB To Reduce 180 Cut-Off Mark

There are strong indications that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) may approve the reduction of 180 cut-off mark for admission to tertiary institutions.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who made the disclosure during the 2nd Technical Committee Meeting for 2016 Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, at the Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, stated that the decision became imperative as a result of the inability of some of the institutions to implement the cut-off mark.

According to the Registrar, “it was in a meeting of the Board of higher institutions and other Stakeholders that a decision of 180 as the 2016 National cut-off mark was reached”.

He continued that, “however, many Institutions, though part of the decision, have expressed concern on their inability to effect this cut-off mark as they are finding it difficult to fill a reasonable percentage of their quota if the rule is strictly applied as we insist.

“A large number of institutions, particularly the budding ones, have applied for a waiver to enable them admit candidates who in some instances scored below 180 marks. For some, this may sound unreasonable with the largely false impression that a large percentage of those who score above 180 and are qualified for admission cannot find any placement in our institutions.

“I think this cry needs attention, otherwise, some of these institutions whether public or privately-owned may soon begin to wobble or even close shops. This will be counter-productive and even defeat the Government Policy of expansion of access to higher education and manpower development”.

Oloyede therefore added that, “as a Board, we have studied the trend of admissions and have come up with a finding that hardly do the institutions collectively fill their quota annually. Indeed, in some cases, up to 50% of approved quota is wasted particularly by upright institutions which do not circumspect the rule. Unfortunately, a large number of institutions flagrantly disregarded the cut-off and many other policies yet they found a way to eventually regularize the illegal admissions through corrupt process”.

He however noted that the new flexible cut-off will only be applicable to institutions that have exhausted the list of candidates that scored the 180 cut-off mark.

“As a Board, we have collated the requests from the various Senates and Academic Boards and have made your pleas known to appropriate authorities . Just this morning we received a green light on flexible cut-off mark only for institutions which have exhausted the list of candidates with 180 and above, subject , of course to a minimum acceptable to JAMB and meeting of other pre-requisite”, he added.

He however assured that the Board would cooperate with the various institutions in carrying out the mandates of their respective Senates and Academic Boards on admission matters, adding that, “the Board would not impose candidates on them but, as a referee, would ensure that no applicant is unjustifiably denied the opportunity of access to Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.

“In this respect, together, we should be seen in a conspicuous and proven manner that we have the interest of the nation in mind in carrying out our statutory functions”.

He warned that no institution, whether Federal or State, will be allowed to continue with admission of students after the November 30 deadline. (Today) 

GETTING AGRICULTURE TO DO WHAT OIL IS FAILING TO

By Food and Agro-Allied Group (FMN) 

 In Nigeria, ‘oil money’ has been at the centre of national discourse in the last four decades. It has captured the imagination of Nigerians across divides for one singular reason: Oil has been the symbol of power, wealth, opulence, growth, and development.

Arguably, everything that is lovable about Nigeria today is a direct consequence of oil wealth. So our preoccupation with oil is apparently justified.

However, like most love interests, there comes a time when things start to go sour; when the fireworks begin to sizzle. Crude oil appears not to be as alluring to the west as it once was, and the result is, our beloved.  oil money is not as buoyant as it once was.

And what do we do in times like this? Do we look for new love interests, or we go back to neglected or abandoned ones?

Before oil was discovered, agriculture was the mainstay of our economy. At one time it accounted for almost 70 percent of our Gross Domestic Product, and provided the basis for some of our major infrastructural accomplishments. In other words, we were as dependent on agriculture back then as we are on oil today.

Agriculture provided for Nigeria: jobs were available, social infrastructure and amenities were built. The economy was vibrant. As the world’s largest producer of groundnut and palm oil in the 1960s, the second largest exporter of cocoa, and the supplier of 65 percent of tomatoes consumed in West Africa, agriculture had a great future laid out for us all. Sadly, this is no more the case. The power of oil and our fixation on it have made us forget how important agriculture was to us at the beginning.

Oil is not what it used to be again! A slump in crude prices, Nigeria’s mainstay, has seriously impacted public and private finances, the naira currency, inflation rates and general welfare of Nigerians all across the various social classes. Presently, crude oil sales account for more than 70 percent of government revenue, and with any sneeze in price, governments at both local and federal levels across Nigeria catch a cold!

Compounding the impact of low oil prices, attacks by militants on oil and gas installations in Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom have cut crude production by over one million barrels per day (bpd) to slightly above 1.1 million barrels per day. The government’s 2016 budget assumed 2.2 million barrels per day production level.

With oil disappointing us presently, we have been left wondering what could have been if we never took our foot completely off the agriculture pedal. Fortunately, all is not lost! So we can go back. Over the years Nigeria has made numerous commendable efforts in that respect.

Sunti Farm is one of the many ways that FMN is contributing to this development. Sunti Farm is a 16,000-hectare sugar and rice plantation close to the town of Mokwa in Niger state. It is operated by Golden Sugar Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of FMN with the purpose of producing milled sugar for local consumption and export. Aside from cultivating sugar cane and rice, the estate also includes mills and a refinery for processing harvested crops.

With sugar being an indispensable part of the Nigerian diet, this is an important investment. The climate, soil, drainage, access to irrigation and availability of labour all work together to impact favourably on crop production and yield.

As an Agro-Allied practitioner, when you discover a right fit such as Sunti is, you make the most of it. The first phase of our sugar operation comprised 3, 000 hectares of sugar cane, and 250 hectares of rice. The second phase comprised a further 3,000 hectares and effectively serves in the expansion of our sugar production. Since we established Sunti farms, it has grown in scale to cover a whopping 30,000 hectares with the cultivation of thousands of hectares and has attracted technology which was hitherto none existent in the region where it is located.

This carefully conceptualised and executed operation ensures that in a region that provides an average yield of 60 to 80 metric tonnes of cane per hectare, we succeed in producing yields more than 100 metric tonnes per hectare. Moreover, with brand new state of the art sugar mill, we will maximize sugar recovery and minimize downtime, getting more sucrose per 100 metric tonnes of sugar cane.

In terms of numbers, we have spent well over N40 billion on the investment and in terms of social impact, the Sunti sugar plantation is expected to provide jobs for over 10,000 people once fully developed. It is spreading development to communities in the region where it is located through various social and economic intervention programmes.

We understand that restoring the glory of agriculture will not be an easy feat. As a nation, we have a lot of catching up to do, a lot of skills and specializations to master and a lot of policy challenges to sort and smoothen out. However, with commendable efforts like FMN’s Sunti Farms, we are well on our way there.

Today, as oil revenue comes in trickles, other opportunities beckon on us.

Authorities Hoard Furniture In Sokoto School Where Students Sits On Bare Floor.

When will we take education seriously  in this country, it is so disheartened to hear this.  Will they even eat the chairs or what?.  

 The Sokoto State Committee on the Implementation of State of Emergency in Education, has discovered 200 sets of furniture locked up at a school where students sit on bare floor for lessons.

A statement issued by Imam Imam, spokesman to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, said the discovery was made during an assessment visit to Hafsat Ahmadu Bello Memorial Secondary School, Sokoto.

It said: “Only a few classes in the school have enough seats to accommodate them. For long, they have to put up with taking lectures while seated on bare floor.

“Most use prayer mats to protect their white tops from the floor’s dust, while others come to classes with extra wrappers to spread on the floor.

“While they have to put up with the most uncomfortable situation to take lectures daily, a few blocks away, 200 sets of classroom furniture were locked away, unattended to, and left to rot.”

It said that the suffering of the students came to an end last week when the committee went to assess the facilities and make recommendations to remedy identified problems.

The statement added that the team leader, Dr. Shadi Sabeh, immediately ordered that the furniture be arranged in the classrooms, and admonished the school management to always prioritise the need of the students. (NAN)

Why We Quarrelled - Psquare.

When twin brothers and singers, Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square, were ‘threatening’ to go their separate ways some months back, a lot of reasons were adduced for their ‘bizarre’ action. Some believed that the brothers were truly at each other’s jugulars, and that their elder brother, Jude, was taking sides. Meanwhile, others attributed it to a publicity stunt.

Even though they seem to have hugged and made-up, the duo unwittingly, let it slip that their fight may have been stage-managed afterall.

It was at the AFRIMA event, and the singers were on stage to close the show with their performance. Halfway through their performance, the twins stopped and decided to engage in chit-chat with the audience.

“Did you miss P-Square? Well, we didn’t go far. P-Square don old o. That time wey we dey fight, na bcos we want retire,” Peter said.“Their one-time label mate and ‘protégé’ May D also joined them on stage to perform the hit-song, ‘Chop My Money.’
- Vanguard.

I Wish All My Children Were From One Woman - Tuface.

Bukola Bakare

Unarguably one of the iconic musicians in Nigeria and Africa, Innocent Ujah Idibia, aka Tuface, talks about his music, life and inspiration

When it comes to churning out good music, Tuface knows his onions. One of Africa’s finest musicians by a long way, the number of devoted followers he has garnered over the years readily attests to his prominence.

Born in Jos, Plateau State even though he hails from Benue State, the 41-year-old singer, songwriter, record label owner and entrepreneur, who has been under the radar in recent times,says he’s making more music.

 “At the moment, I am recording a couple of songs which I hope to release much later, so that is what I am preoccupied with now and has kept me away, ’’ he says.

With a new single, Hate what you do to me, which is currently trending in the music circle, the boisterous entertainer, without much prompting opens up on the inspiration behind the song. He says, “The song is just about relationships. There are some relationships that work and some just don’t work. The song explains itself and I think everyone should listen to it.”

  With a music career that dates back to the nineties, Tuface discovered his flair for music when he was a student at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, where he studied a diploma course in Business Administration and Management. At that time, he had yet to be in the limelight and only performed at school gigs. He would eventually drop out of school to pursue a career in music. Afterwards, he relocated to Lagos and that was where he teamed up with Blackfaze and Faze. Together ,they formed the hugely successful Plantashun Boiz.  Before the group disbanded and each member went to pursue solo careers,  they churned out three albums; Body and Soul, Sold Out and Plan B.

Many years after, a reminiscing Tuface  admits to missing his former group members.  In a nostalgic voice, he says, “Sometimes, I miss the group and we have tried to get back together a couple of times but as you know, we have all grown as individual artistes and there are so many differences now compared to when we came together as a group. Some things are not as smooth as they ought to be but it would be a nice thing to come together and do something really big.’’

   When he started out, Tuface says that he never envisaged that he would hit it big in music. Hear him: “One thing about life is that when you embark on a journey, you never know your final destination.  At a young age,  I had a mental picture of what and who I wanted to be and I pursued  it. I must say that I have yet to  reach the pinnacle of my career and that is why I am still working extremely hard.’’

He freely acknowledges that there is not much difference between his persona as an artiste and Innocent Idibia. Changing the tempo of the interview, he expresses himself in a mix of Pidgin and English. “The thing is this, Tuface dey craze pass Innocent if I can put it that way but by and large, there is not much difference between both personalities,’’ he says.

  Going down memory lane, he  recalls that he listened to several  genres of music as a child and that shaped his craft. He says, “I actually fell in love with reggae and country music more and these are reflected in most of the songs that I sing from time to time. I think that I wrote my first song when I was in secondary school. I was in Junior Secondary School at that time.  I do know that the song was titled 123 and it was a reggae song.”

A recipient of several national and international awards which include an MTV  Europe Music Award,  a World Music Award, five Headies Awards, four Channel O Music Video Awards, a BET Award, four MTV Africa Music Awards and one MOBO Awards among others, Tuface, seems poised to continue his winning streak as an international artiste.

 Nonetheless, in spite of these huge successes that have come his way, he is not without some attendant personal issues. With seven children from three women including his wife Annie Idibia, Tuface expresses his displeasure at having children from multiple women.   After a long pause, he decides to respond in a measured tone . “It is really tough to talk about it.  Honestly, when I look back and  examine that  aspect of my life, I wish it never happened. I wish all my kids came from one woman.  I love my children and there is nothing I can do to change the situation . I have moved on and I am married to one of the women who bore me kids. I no longer dwell on that issue.”

He goes further  to  describe his relationship with his children. “I am not the strict type because I have a soft spot for kids. As such,  my children always get away with so many things when I am around. Their mothers are the ones who  discipline them. I pamper my kids,’’ he tells with delight in his voice.

Does it seem likely that any of his children would follow in his footsteps? He affirms this and adds that some of them are already exhibiting  signs of taking up music as a career and rather than dissuade them, he is prepared to give them the encouragement they need to succeed.

When he is not making melodious music, the international act always takes a break from his hectic schedule to relax. For him, this comes in different forms he quips. “Sometimes, I could just sleep but most times, I like to hang out with my friends. We laugh, gist, crack jokes and generally have fun,’’ he says.

 Commenting on the motivators in his life, Tuface says that one of the things he strongly believes in is the fact that the sky is big enough for everyone to fly as there is adequate space. He continues: “It is just like the millions of stars that you see in the sky at night. Notwithstanding their number, there would still be space for more stars to shine. That is life and nature at work, so there is space for all of us.  I always say that nobody should think that he or she is luckier than everyone else in life because that is a farce. As an individual, do not think that there is no space for the next person to thrive. For me, that is how I see life.’’

Even though he dropped out of school many years ago, he reiterates that in spite of his itinerary as an international musician, he looks forward to a time when he would be able to go back to earn a university degree. In a pitch that shows sincerity,  he says,  “Maybe I’d give it a thought once again. I am going to keep trying and I would never give up on education.’’

His role models he says must not necessarily be musicians. He argues, “They are people from different professions and surprisingly  music is not one of them . I look up to many people and I do so for countless reasons.”

 Still speaking, he says Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Richard Mofe-Damijo and comedian, Ali Baba stand out for him and the reason is not farfetched. In a revealing tone, he enumerates some of the reasons why he regards them so . “These are people who have remained on top of their game in their respective fields of endeavour and they are doing very well so I have tremendous respect for them. For instance, take a look at Ali Baba, he is a very humble man, yet he is on top of his game as a comedian and I always strive to do same,’’ he states.

Tuface is not exactly a trendsetter yet he manages to keep it simple and sharp even though he is not proficient at fashion as he is at music.  In describing his style, he keeps it brief. “Nothing in particular determines what I wear . I just like to dress in clean clothes and also look sharp when I go out,” he explains.

   He sums up his philosophy about life in just one short sentence, ‘Live and let live’ and adds that he just wants to be remembered as that guy that came to the world to do his thing and also allowed others do their own thing, all in the spirit of one love.

   Having weathered several storms in his career, Tuface has a word of advice for up-and-coming artistes. “I just want them to know that going into music is serious business. More so, they should challenge themselves creatively and be able to explore all avenues. They must not be held back by any challenges that may come their way. When they combine all of these together, the road would be easy. On my part, I am just going to keep doing good music and keep bonding with my family. For me, I am just doing my own thing so I am not in competition with anyone. I am on my own lane and wouldn’t have it any other way,’’ he concludes.
- Punch.

Being Dark Has Denied Me Movie Roles – Mercy Johnson

5 days after mercy's interview with the Saturday beat,  I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that we "Black"  are Racist to our own self.  Like seriously what's wrong with  people.

 In the chat, she revealed that some movie producers did not give her slots in their production because of her dark complexion.

She said that when she started out in the Nigerian movie industry, most movie directors and producers always preferred to cast fair-skinned ladies at the expense of talented but dark-skinned ones.

“It is very true that when I was starting out in the movie industry, it was difficult to get roles because of my complexion. I faced that a lot and I tell people that my success is just grace. Somebody once told me that I am too dark but that is where the grace and favour of God comes in. Regardless of everything, most of the dark-skinned actresses that are my contemporaries made it,” she said.

Hmmmm!  Something is seriously wrong with  most people.  Since when did  complexion an additional advantage to skill and talent.  And the  same producers  will be the same people to complain that Nigerian Ladies like bleaching.