Business
Boosting Industrial Utilisation Of Cashew In Nigeria
Anyigba is a major town in Kogi State and the serene community, which hosts the Kogi State University, is the site of a new cashew processing plant.
Analysts believe that the siting of the plant in Anyigba is apt because of the abundance of cashew in the neighbourhood to sustain full-scale production all-year round.
The cashew processing plant was established by Kogi State University in collaboration with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMDC) because of the abundant cashew available in Kogi State and neighbouring states.
The university contributed the plant’s infrastructure — the building — while the RMRDC contributed the equipment. The RMRDC supplied the equipment through Abod Success Investment Ltd., a company which processes cashew nuts into spiced kernels.
Prof. Peter Onwualu, the Director-General of the RMRDC, says that 400, 000 metric tonnes of cashew are produced annually in Kogi State, for instance.
“About 60 per cent of the cashew is processed into intermediate products, such as cashew kernels, by an Indian company; Olam International, while the remaining 40 per cent is virtually wasted.
“The processed cashew products are shipped to India for further value addition and they are exported to the US and some parts of Africa as finished products,” he says.
The establishment of the cashew processing plant is, therefore, considered by analysts to be the climax of the efforts of the RMRDC to utilise the abundant cashew crop in the state and process it for value addition.
Observers say that Anyigba, a sleepy town, is now experiencing a flurry of business and entrepreneurial activities because of the cashew processing plant.
Onwualu says that Kogi State University had stockpiled enough raw materials that would sustain commercial production until the next harvest season, adding that the plant’s equipment had also been installed by the RMRDC.
He notes that that the equipment were locally designed and fabricated to promote local engineering capacities of the plant.
“This is the beginning of the actualisation of the policy of developing industrial clusters as a means of facilitating the growth of small scale industries in Nigeria,” Onwualu says.
The plant, which was inaugurated on October 14, 2010, is widely described as a venture which signifies the transformation of Kogi State University into a centre of purposeful learning and entrepreneurship.
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Dr Philip Salawu, shares similar sentiments. He believes that the launch of the cashew processing plant connotes the development of the university into “a citadel of manpower development and enterprise’’.
He says that the plant will stimulate economic activities in the state and the community in particular.
Salawu stresses that the inauguration of the plant is a fulfillment of the vision of the administration Gov. Ibrahim Idris to transform the state university into a centre of excellence.
Commenting on cashew production, the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Muhammad Ka’oje, says that the Federal Government is aware of the economic value of cashew, adding that efforts are being made to improve its production.
He says that cashew production in Nigeria increased from about 30,000 tonnes in 1990 to more than 176, 000 tonnes in 2000, adding that the development has made Nigeria to become an important participant in the world cashew market.
The minister, who gave the approval for the Anyigba cashew processing plant in 2009, underscores the importance of the project in efforts to actualise the industrial targets of the Federal Government’s Vision 20:2020 programme.
In most cases, the juicy cashew fruit is eaten raw, while its nuts are processed to be eaten or used as raw materials for industrial or medicinal products.
Diet Foods and Nutrition, a web-based health publication, says that cashew nuts, like all edible nuts, are an excellent source of protein and fibre.
It says that cashew nuts are rich in mono-unsaturated fat, which may help in protecting the heart, while they are also a good source of potassium, B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorous, selenium and copper.
Research has also shown that Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL) — a by-product of processed cashew nuts — contains anacardic acids, which could be further processed into alcohol or used for treating tooth abscesses.
In spite of the multifaceted benefits of cashew, cashew processing is largely nonexistent in Nigeria and experts say that 90 per cent of cashew nuts produced in the country are exported to overseas countries.
Ka’oje bemoans the situation where the countries importing Nigeria’s cashew have established cashew processing factories to process the nuts, in particular, into various value-added products.
He insists that the country is losing a lot of revenue by merely exporting cashew as a raw farm produce.
The minister says that the Anyigba cashew processing plant, therefore, demonstrates the government’s determination to reverse the trend and ensure the optimal exploitation of farm produce to enhance their value addition.
Prof. Hassan Isah, the Vice-Chancellor of Kogi State University, says that the cashew processing plant currently has a workforce of over 200, including a management team.
He says that the plant, which commenced production in July 2010, is a product of a synthesis of ideas and a strong desire to harness the potential of the abundant cashew available in the country for development efforts.
Isah notes that every part of the cashew fruit is useful, saying: “The fruits are edible and they are a reliable source of protein, fatty acids and minerals. They are also used in confectionery and bakery industry.
“The cashew CNSL is an important multipurpose industrial raw material in the production of resins and friction powder for the automobile industry,” he says.
Isah says that cashew has an excellent international market value, with the US importing about 10 million dollars (about N1.5 billion) worth of CNSL annually.
Nwoko is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Ifeanyi Nwoko
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”.