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‘Nigeria Must Stop Importing What It Has’

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Zonal Coordinator, North Central, National Film and Video Censors Board, Mr Ailewon Danlami (L), presenting letter of  partnership to Chief  Imam of Jos, Sheik Lawan Adamu, during the Media Literacy Project and Sensitisation on Nigeria Movies to the public in Jos.With them is the administrative secretary, Jama'atu Nasril Islam Sheik Abdulaziz  Yusuf.

Zonal Coordinator, North Central, National Film and Video Censors Board, Mr Ailewon Danlami (L), presenting letter of partnership to Chief Imam of Jos, Sheik Lawan Adamu, during the Media Literacy Project and Sensitisation on Nigeria Movies to the public in Jos.With them is the administrative secretary, Jama’atu Nasril Islam Sheik Abdulaziz Yusuf.

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji
Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Saturday said Nigeria must stop importing what it has in order to boost local industries and create jobs.
The Emir stated this in Kaduna while inaugurating the new Council Secretariat of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA).
Sanusi said the current economic crisis induced by the crash in global oil price, should serve as a wake up call for the country to utilise its resources judiciously.
“Nigeria is full of experts in importing what we have and exporting what we do not have.
“We have cotton but we import textile materials from China; we have crude oil but we import fuel refined from our own crude from Russia and other countries.
“We have gas but we let it flare away instead of utilising it to produce power, yet import generators from outside.
“We eat our hides and skin and import shoes from outside, and we eat our tomatoes and import canned tomatoes paste from China.”
The Emir said things must change, and advised the Federal Government to give priority to education, industries, power and agriculture.
Sanusi noted that the textile industries in the past had employed more than 600, 000 people at a time.
He therefore advised industrialists to be in the vanguard of advising the administration on key directions to move the economy forward and always draw the attention of government when it derails from targeted national goals.
The Emir stressed that the persistent conflicts in the country were largely due to economic hardships and not religion or tribal sentiments.
He expressed the belief that the resuscitation of Nigeria’s industrial base would offer massive employment ant take off the streets, the huge number of idle youths used to foment crisis.
On the current economic hardship in the country, the Emir said Nigerians must be educated to appreciate that it was due to the low revenue accruing to government as a result of the fall in oil price.
“It is not possible to continue doing what you are doing when the price of oil was at $110 and now that it is selling at about $30.
“People ought to realise that the price of oil has bearing on the current hike in goods and services, and until things change, we must have to adjust our needs as a nation.”
Sanusi also spoke on the effect of smuggling on the nation’s economy and called for massive enlightenment to educate those involved on the harm they inflict on the wellbeing of the common man.
He called on religious leaders, to use their sermons in Mosques and Churches, to call for boycott of foreign goods and for patronage of Made-in-Nigeria products.
Earlier, the President of the Chamber, Dr Abdul Alimi-Bello, expressed the group’s appreciation to the Emir for his continuous support.
He disclosed that the chamber had set up a committee to establish a library on Nigeria’s economic potentials.

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USAID Re-emphasizes Agricultural Collaboration With Nigeria 

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The United States Agency for International Development (UNAID) has said its programmes operate transparently and align with the Nigeria’s laws.
A statement issued by the US Mission in Nigeria highlighted the significant achievements of its agricultural collaboration with Nigeria,  within the week,  saying it  has supported over five million Nigerian farmers since 2019.
The agency stated that it has boosted food production and strengthened rural economies across the country through its efforts.
“Recent media coverage has presented an inaccurate picture of US agricultural initiatives in Nigeria, such as assisting local agencies’ efforts in strengthening regulatory processes for agricultural biotechnology”, the statement noted.
The US Mission stressed that its agricultural programmes are developed and implemented with Nigerian experts, farmers, and government officials.
USAID explained its initiative’s focus on practical support for farmers, including market access, agricultural training, and research collaboration.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all research findings and programme details remain publicly accessible through official channels.
“Our agricultural partnership represents a shared commitment to addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges through locally-driven solutions”, it  stated.
The US Mission also underscored its ongoing consultations with Nigerian stakeholders, maintaining regular dialogue with farmers, experts, and government agencies.
It reiterated its respect for Nigeria’s agricultural sovereignty and traditions.
“We are proud of our record of supporting Nigerian farmers while respecting local agricultural traditions and practices”, it added.
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Nigeria’ll Lead In Agricultural Export This Year – Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed his administration’s ambition to position Nigeria as a global leader in agricultural exports as a cornerstone of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He disclosed this recently at the Road to South-South National Convergence for the Renewed Hope Agenda at the Presidential Villa.
Represented by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, he also unveiled the Earn from the Soil Initiative, which aims to transform subsistence farming into a robust, export-driven sector.
“This initiative is a powerful declaration that we are committed to turning our non-oil resources into collective prosperity. Nigeria will be a leading agricultural export nation”, he said.
The Earn from the Soil project was designed to revolutionise Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, creating export opportunities and ensuring national food security.
According to the President, the initiative will empower citizens to become agents of economic prosperity, transforming local farming practices into global economic drivers.
He also highlighted the untapped potential of the South-South region, known for its rich natural resources and talent, and called for more significant investment in non-oil sectors.
“The South-South is open for business just as the whole of Nigeria is ready for business. We are creating an ecosystem of opportunity, innovation, and sustainable growth”, he said.
Tinubu’s administration seeks strategic support from local and international partners to build a resilient economic ecosystem, moving away from reliance on traditional aid.
Tinubu also emphasised the crucial role of young people and women in driving the initiative’s success.
The President assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to fulfilling its promise of restoring hope and confidence, with the Earn from the Soil initiative marking a significant step in achieving that vision.
On her part, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), Hon Gift Johnbull, has spotlighted the South-South region as a critical hub of untapped economic potential, calling for strategic partnerships to unlock its vast resources and foster national growth.
She underscored the region’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy, particularly in oil and gas, while emphasising its underutilised agriculture, innovation, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
She also called on investors, policymakers, and stakeholders to see the South-South as a gateway to new opportunities, citing initiatives such as the Pitching Den, launched at the event, as a platform to attract bold entrepreneurs and visionary investors.
“This is your moment to recognise the South-South as a hub of untapped potential”, she said.
The event also featured the unveiling of the Impact Report, highlighting milestones achieved under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The report showcased how targeted initiatives have empowered communities and driven progress in the South-South.
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NDLEA, NIMASA Strengthen Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking 

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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has recommited to supporting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), emphasized this during a courtesy visit by the NDLEA to the NIMASA Towers in Lagos.
Speaking during the visit, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, commended the NDLEA for its remarkable achievements in combating drug-related crimes across Nigeria.
He pledged NIMASA’s commitment to collaborating with the NDLEA to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain against illicit shipment of drugs.
“We are glad to welcome the NDLEA team, led by Brig. Gen. Marwa, whose exemplary leadership has brought significant progress in the fight against illicit drugs.
“NIMASA is firmly committed to partnering with the NDLEA to tackle the menace of drug trafficking, particularly through our nation’s ports and terminals.
“Together, we can ensure that the Nigerian maritime domain is not exploited for criminal activities”, Mobereola stated.
Responding, Marwa expressed gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized the need for collaboration to address the rising threat of drug trafficking through maritime channels.
“As the agency responsible for controlling drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, we recognize that this task requires collaboration with critical stakeholders like NIMASA.
“The global maritime space has increasingly become a conduit for the illegal movement of drugs, and we are keen to work with NIMASA to address this challenge”, he said.
He continued that “Recent seizures of illicit drugs transported through Lagos ports underscore the need for joint efforts to secure our ports. Within the NDLEA, we have established a Marine Command to focus on this emerging threat.
“We propose close collaboration between this unit and NIMASA, particularly through the Deep Blue Project, to enhance the protection of Nigeria’s maritime space”.
The NDLEA Chairman also pledged the agency’s support in sensitizing NIMASA staff and cadets under the National Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) on the dangers of drug abuse.
Mobereola assured Marwa that NIMASA would explore avenues to integrate NDLEA personnel into the existing maritime security architecture, particularly the Deep Blue Project.
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