Business
4,601 Farmers Get CBN Loan
A total of N738.78 million was guaranteed to 4,601 farmers under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS). This amount represented a decline of 74.5 per cent from the level in the preceding quarter but an increase of 34.1 per cent over the level in the corresponding quarter of 2008.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) economic report for the first quarter of this year which shows this figure revealed that a sub-sectoral analysis of the loans guaranteed indicated that the country’s food crop sub-sector had the largest share of N367.90 million or 47.8 per cent to 3,659 beneficiaries, while the livestock sub-sector received N234 million or 31.7 per cent to 486 beneficiaries.
Also, 337 beneficiaries in the Fisheries sub-sector obtained N107.3 million of 14.5 per cent.
In the cash crops sub-sector, 39 beneficiaries got N18.60 million or 2.5 per cent, while 80 beneficiaries in ‘others’ had N11 million or 1.5 per cent. Further analysis showed that all the 23 states benefited from the scheme during the quarter, the highest and lowest sums of N85 million (11.5 per cent) and N1.30 million (0.2 per cent) went to Oyo and Akwa Ibom States, respectively.
The retail prices of most states recorded increases in the first quarter of 2009. thirteen of the fourteen commodities monitored recorded price increases, which ranged from 1.7 per cent for white garri to 250 per cent for palm oil over their levels in the preceding quarter, while millet recorded a price decline of most commodities was attributed to the subsisting food situation in the country.
Aggregate output growth in the economy measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at 6.3 per cent in the first quarter 2009 compared with 5.8 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2008. the project growth was driven mainly by the non-oil sector particularly agriculture which constituted 358 per cent of total (GDP) and contributed 2.2 percentage points to the growth in real GDP in the quarter. The major agricultural activities in the first quarter, 2009 were harvesting of late maturing grains and pre-planting operations for dry season farming.
Crude oil production was estimated at 1.89 million barrels per day (mbd) or 173.88 million barrel for the quarter. The end-period 2009 on a year-on-year basis, was 15.1 per cent in the preceding quarter.
The inflation rate on a 12 month moving average basis was 11.6 per cent, compared with the preceding quarter’s level of 9.2 per cent.
Industrial activities during the first quarter, 2009 declined relatively to the preceding quarter. At 115-9 (1990=100), estimated index of industrial production fell by 1.1 and 2.6 per cent from the levels attained in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2008, respectively. The fall reflected the activities, mining output and electricity generation.
The estimated index of manufacturing production, at 89.9 (1990=100), declined by 1.9 and 0.9 per cent from the levels in the preceding quarters and corresponding period of 2008, respectively.
The estimated capacity utilisation also fell by 1.6 percentage points during the review quarter. The development was attributed to the fall in manufacturing production arising from weak demand and influx of imported goods.
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the country’s satellite operator, has called for immediate promolgation of policy action that will enable the country to harness the potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
NIGCOMSAT, also warned that Nigeria risks missing out on Africa’s projected $1.2trillion share of the global AI economy by 2030.
Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend following her participation in the Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections that it will contribute up to $15.7trillion to the global economy by 2030. Africa stands to gain $1.2trillion of this if the right policies and innovations are in place”, Idehen said, citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
The NIGCOMSAT MD underscored the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, highlighting its applicability in Benue State, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket.”
According to her, machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly”, she added.
Idehen also noted that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria.
“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority.
“AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance”, she said.
In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI.
Corlins Walter
The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Chief David Omereji, has said the council has so far spent over N1 billion for the electrification of communities in the area.
Omereji said this while addressing staff of the council at the council headquarters recently.
He said the move was part of his administration’s resolve to ensure peace and development of the LGA.
According to him, the Council spent about N29 million on monthly basis for the maintenance of the Emohua Local Vigilante group known as OSPAC, with each member being paid a stipend of N100, 000 monthly.
He diaclosed that 11 out of the 14 wards are currently enjoying electricity, while efforts are on to light-up the remaining ones.
“I also want to use this opportunity to inform the political class for purposes of records and for the understanding of the people that the Council under my watch have done more than enough”, he said .
The Emolga boss explained that all that have been achieved were through the personal effort of the Council, without support from anybody as rumoured in some quarters.
Omereji further reaveled that a number of other projects, including roads, fencing of schools, hospitals, courts premises, and reconstruction of some abandoned buildings at the Council Headquarters are being undertaken by his administration.
He enjoined the people of the area to support his administration’s drive to bring purposeful development to the LGA.
The Emohua Council boss, who reiterated his hatred for noise making, stated that his works would speak for him, and solicited the support of staff of the council and the entire people of the area.
He noted the fact that some people may not be happy with his achievements, saying that he would remain focused, while advising critics of his government to do so constructively with facts and figures.
King Onunwor
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has raised some ethical questions over a Financial and Technical Services Agreement (FTSA) between Sahara Energy and West African Gas Limited (WAGL), an affiliate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
MOSOP said the agreement was not done in good faith, not in the interest of the Nigerian people, and did not follow due process.
Foremost Ogoni born activist and MOSOP leader, Fegalo Nsuke, who made this known in Abuja, weekend, described the Sahara-WAGL deal as fraudulent, deceptive and an insult on the intelligence and integrity of the Nigerian nation.
Nsuke called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel that FTSA between Sahara Energy and WAGL, noting that the agreement is fraught with irregularities and deceptive.
“What Sahara and the NNPC did in the FTSA between Sahara and WAGL is shameful and depicts high level corruption in public service of our country.
“WAGL is an affiliate of Sahara and the NNPC. How then can Sahara go into an agreement with its own affiliate? It’s as good as going into an agreement with itself. This is deceptive and fraudulent”, Nsuke said.
He continued that “Sahara Energy is certainly not a company the Ogoni people want on their soil and we are calling on Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to terminate any deal between the NNPC and Sahara Energy over OML 11, and to allow for an inclusive arrangement that considers a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in the distribution of revenues from natural resource extraction on Ogoni soil.
“The last Ogoni Congress has been unequivocal on the Ogoni demand for justice and has given a clear path to resolve the three decade old conflict between all critical parties.
“It will be good to explore this path to peace and development for Ogoni and for our country”.
Nsuke accused Sahara Energy and the NNPC of frustrating the progress made by MOSOP to achieve a permanent solution to the Ogoni problem.
He urged a presidential intervention with deep consideration for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in order to permanently address the problem.
He noted that Sahara Energy should give up on the Ogoni area to allow for an engagement in the interest of the country and the people.
Recall that MOSOP and Sagara Energy have recently been engaged in a row in what MOSOP describes as an unholy relationship between Sahara Energy and the NNPC over OML 11.
MOSOP expressly rejected Sahara Energy and called for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in natural resource extraction in Ogoni.
It noted that Ogoni people, led by MOSOP, paid the sacrifice to take the oil from Shell, hence “the position of MOSOP must be taken into consideration in decisions relating to resumption of oil production in Ogoni”.