News
Oyo/Dangote Partnership yields impressive results as 292 farmers received 25 Metric tons seedlings.
THE Oyo state government was impressed by the collaborative achievements of Dangote’s partnership as it disclosed at the Weekend that it has received 25 Metric tons of fertilizers and rice seedlings from Dangote Group of Companies which is to be distributed to 292 rice farmers in the state.
Contained in a statement issued and signed by the stats Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, the Government informed that the distribution of the seedlings will start on Wednesday July 19, 2017, explaining that the fertilizers and rice seedlings received by the State Government is in furtherance of the Dangote Rice Outgrowership Scheme under the Oyo State Agric Initiative (AgricOyo) which was announced by the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi during the official launch of WAMCO Milk Collection Centre, Saki last month.
Receiving the seedlings on behalf of the state government at OYSADEP Warehouse Saki, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Hon. Fajimi Shakirullahi stated that about 800 bags of the fertilizers have been delivered at a warehouse in Awe to take care of rice farmers in the area.
He noted that the remaining seedlings are for the benefit of farmers in Oke-Ogun zone of the State with about 500 hectares of farmland which has been earmarked for pilot project, stressing that the farmland is expected to be increased to 6,000 hectares next farming season.
The Governor’s aide allayed fears that the fertilizers and seedlings might not get to genuine farmers, saying, “farmers who registered with government will benefit from this gesture. We know them, we have been meeting with them and they will surely benefit”.
Hon. Fajimi explained “the programme is an outgrowers scheme between the Dangote Group of Companies and the Oyo State Government, whereby the farmers will plant rice with the fertilizers given to them free of charge and Dangote Group will further assist in buying up the produce from them, serving as the off-takers between the farmers and the market. We want to urge our farmers to put in their best in the cultivation of their farms as there is ready-made market for them.”
He assured farmers in the State that with the enabling environment created by the Governor Ajimobi led administration as well as its drive for investors to come to the state, food production especially rice, poultry and other crops will receive necessary support needed to boost the agricultural sector.
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande, has extended warm felicitations to Barrister Sarafadeen Ali, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial district, on the occasion of his 61st birthday.
In a statement released on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Saturday, Akande lauded the lawmaker, describing him as a luminary whose life has been marked by distinguished service to the nation.
“Today, I join the world in celebrating you on your special day, as you mark 61 years of God’s abundant love and glorious impact on humanity,” the former NCC gaffer expressed.
He added, “I wish you many more years of God’s grace in your life.”
The headquarters of Heritage Bank at Victoria Island, Lagos, was besieged on Thursday by members of the labour union, protesting the recent dismissal of 1,000 support workers.
The National President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, Comrade Anthony Abakpa, led the demonstration, condemning the bank’s management for what he deemed a lack of adherence to due process in the termination of employment contracts.
Speaking during the protest, Comrade Abakpa asserted that the leadership of Heritage Bank failed to follow established protocols before executing the mass layoffs.
He emphasised the union’s commitment to pursuing justice for the affected workers, vowing to escalate their demands until the bank’s management rectifies the situation.
“We will intensify our demands for justice,” declared Comrade Abakpa, urging the bank’s management to take corrective action to address the grievances of the dismissed workers.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, clarified that Nigeria is not utilising its foreign reserves to bolster the naira, despite recent fluctuations in reserve levels.
Speaking from Washington DC, where he is attending the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings, Cardoso highlighted the influx of $600 million into Nigeria’s reserves account within the past two days.
While the naira has experienced a notable appreciation against the dollar in recent weeks, climbing over 40% from approximately N1,900/$ to about N1,000/$1, Nigeria’s foreign reserves have been dwindling. As of April 15, reserves dropped to approximately $32.29 billion, marking the lowest level in over six years.
Cardoso emphasised that the shifts in reserves are typical for any country, where various financial obligations, such as debt repayments, necessitate withdrawals.
He stated, “What you’ve seen with respect to the shift in our reserves is normal in any country’s reserves where, for example, debts are due and certain payments need to be made. They are made because that is also part of keeping your credibility.”
Continuing, Cardoso underscored the dynamic nature of the market, advocating for a system driven by willing buyers, willing sellers, and price discovery.
He emphasised, “The shift in our reserves has really little or nothing to do with defending the naira, and that is certainly not our objective.”
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