AGRIC: 100 tonnes of rice possible in Bayelsa – Ogbeh

From Magnus Eze, Abuja

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has said that Bayelsa State could help in bridging the about two million tonnes rice deficit in the country if the four designated farms in the state become fully utilised.

This came at a time when Bayelsa Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, disclosed that with 4, 000 hectares of rice farm at Peremabiri, 5,000 hectares at Isampou and 2,000 hectares at Kolo, the state had the capacity to grow and produce rice not only for local consumption but for export.

The minister, who spoke at a function in Abuja, lamented that insecurity in communities, like Peremabiri, with the largest rice farm in the state, had not allowed farming to work in the state.

“100 tonnes of rice is possible in Bayelsa State if the militants would allow it thrive,” Ogbeh stated, while giving assurance that the ministry was ready to give farmers in the area all the needed support.

He also disclosed government’s plans to buy machinery, like bulldozers, graders and others and keep at the six geopolitical zones for the development of rural roads.

He further said that the ministry was ready to partner with people to run the machinery, including tractors so that in about three years, they could own them.

Ogbeh said: “We are planning to buy bulldozers, graders and all that and keep them at the six geopolitical zones; use them so that we don’t keep waiting for the budget.”

We will find a way of maintaining them.”

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EDUCATION:  SMEDAN, Nasarawa varsity partner on entrepreneurship

From Fred Ezeh

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) has joined forces with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), to promote entrepreneurial drive of the students, with the hope of making them self-reliant.

Both institutions said that they were also in mutual partnership with some local and international organisations, including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and FADAMA to provide the students and other interested youths with practical agricultural training.

NSUK Vice Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Mainoma, who announced the development at a workshop to finalise the implementation framework in Abuja, explained that the renewed entrepreneurship drive of the institution was in line with the Federal Government’s directive for universities to establish functional Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs) that would promote and encourage entrepreneurial spirit amongst students.

Prof. Mainoma, who was represented by the Director of Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Sam Tende, said that the university was committed to promoting policies that would further inculcate entrepreneurial and vocational training, including agribusiness, as mandatory part of the curricula of all primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

He said that the university was organising NSUK EDC Business Plan Competition (NEBPC) 2016, as a means of inculcating entrepreneurship mindset, skills and knowledge through a competitive platform.

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FINANCE:  $29.96bn loan: Acting Auditor-General enjoys same power as substantive – FG

From Uche Usim, Abuja

As Nigeria seeks $29.96 billion loan from foreign lenders, the Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the Acting Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), Mrs. Florence Anyanwu, enjoys same powers as a substantive helmsman, which is needed to complete the process.

The Senate had last week, expressed fears that the loan sought by the country might be stalled because of the absence of a substantive AuGF.

Clearing the air, the Head, Media of the Office AUGF, Olawunmi Ogunmosunle, explained that Nigeria’s constitution and the Public Service Rules recognised the appointment of an Acting Auditor-General.

He said: “Full power of authority is conferred on the occupant of an office whether substantive or acting capacity. There are several cases in the history of the office to back this statement.

“Section 86 subsection 3 of the Nigerian 1999 constitution, as amended, recognises the appointment of an Acting AuGF. The acting, therefore, has equal statutory powers and privileges as a substantive AuGF. So, Mrs. Florence Anyanwu’s status does not affect the government’s borrowing plan in anyway.

“On the contrary, she has been working with these international financial bodies to facilitate the government borrowing plans as it affects the functions of the AuGF.”

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TECH: Onu urges South East youths to embrace science, technology

From Magnus Eze, Abuja

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, urged the youth to embrace science and technology, noting that everybody must be involved for science and technology to play its noble role in nation-building.

The minister, who made the call when a delegation of South East Youths Mandate (SEYM), visited him in his office in Abuja assured them of government’s resolve to create wealth and jobs as well as provide food security for the nation.

“We believe so much in our youth and we are quite conscious that we must build a new Nigeria that is better than what we have today,” Onu stated.

Earlier, National President of the group, Mr. Victor Igwe Jnr, called on the Federal Government to revolutionise the informal sector by ensuring the enabling environment for its growth.

The group urged government to develop local-based technology research institutes in the communities, saying it would create job opportunities for young people and invariably stem rural-urban migration.

Igwe blamed previous administrations for the nation’s woes, but expressed confidence in the ability of President Muhammadu Buhari and his team to turn things around through the ongoing economic diversification process of the administration.

He, however, called for the involvement of youths in governance, noting that they believe strongly in the Nigeria project.

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