News
FG Trains 40 Extension Agents In Rivers
To ensure sufficiency in food production and enhance agricultural development in Rivers State, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has commenced the training of 40 extension agents selected from the 23 local government areas of the state.
The four-day capacity training is the second batch of the training series designed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the National Agricultural and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) to acquaint the selected participants with the knowledge of extension tools, methodologies and selected agricultural value chains.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the programme held at the Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Rumuodomaya in Obio /Akpor Local Government Area of the state, Wednesday, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development stated that extension workers are critical and invaluable to the development of agricultural sector in every given society.
Represented by the state Director FMARD, Mr Ebinimi Tobin, the Minister said that agricultural extension services predate the independence of the country, about 120 years ago precisely in 1893, saying that the agric extension services have metemorphosed from one stage to another as it is important to rural and semi urban development with regard to food and job provisions.
He described agricultural extension delivery services as a vehicle for all agric policies and research, adding that without which, all efforts in the ecosystem would not realise its objectives
“This training is one of the various strategies planned by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to halt the drift in the extension services with the aim to pursue revalidation agenda of the nation’s economy. This training is the second batch that will empower you all with the knowledge that will enhance service delivery to farmers both in terms of production practical and equipment technical support. It is the desire of the Federal Government and every Nigerian that the nation agric extension services meet up global competitiveness to have adequate food provision for the growing population and augment foreign earnings,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Director of Extension, FMARD, Engr Frank Satuman Kudia represented by the Agric Officer, Mrs Gloria Ibroma said the training is one among the various recommendations of the special technical committee set up by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to among other things assist to develop a workable framework and actionable programme for the immediate training of 75 extension workers in collaboration with state ADPs.
According to him, the unwillingness by the youth to embrace agricultural entrepreneurship, poor funding, retirement and death of extension workers are key factors responsible for the decline in the national agricultural extension services in the country.
“The training is designed to empower participants with desired skills in the use of extension delivery methodologies and tools as well as best global agricultural value chains chosen by the various state ADPs. This training provides you with various logistics and manuals which will help you all practise in the emerging technologies in the sector. So, take the workshop seriously, “he stated
Declaring the training workshop open, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Fred Kpakol commended the Federal Government for taking the bull by the horn by training the extension agents whom he described as essential workers for the advancement of the agriculture sector in the society.
The state Commissioner who was represented by the state Coordinator of FADAMA, Sir Kingsley Amadi, described the extension workers as pivotal to the development of agriculture.
He disclosed that it was the importance the state government attaches to agriculture that is responsible for its investing in the sector through building model garri factory, model Abattoirs as well as building a modern Veterinary Clinic, among others.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Programme Manager, ADP, Chief David Darius urged the participants to take the workshop seriously, adding that they are to carry the message to the farmers at the rural communities even as he described the roles of extension workers as very essential in every aspect of human endeavor.
By: Akujobi Amadi
News
Let’s Approach Regional Development Issues Differently – Fubara …As S’South Govs Host Fubara To 50th Birthday Celebration
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has sued for a change in the current approach adopted by South South Governors in their pursuit to achieve holistic regional development and economic prosperity.
The governor insisted on de-emphasis in vested individuals’ political interests while looking at the bigger picture of achieving enduring regional integration that will strengthen unity of purpose to change the trajectory of development in the region.
Fubara made the appeal during the meeting of Governors of South-South States, under the auspices of BRACED Commission, at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yanagoa on Tuesday.
This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi.
BRACED is an acronym for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta.
He said: “I want to appeal that if we have to succeed in this drive, we need to keep our political differences aside and understand that the struggle, as at today, is for posterity, for the development of our region.
“It is really sad that in Niger Delta that is the economic base of this country, the construction of a road that you tagged ‘East-West Road’ could be an issue, that we need to beg, protest, and complain to get it fixed. I don’t think it is proper.”
Governor Fubara stated that it is not that the federal authorities do not understand that Niger Delta needs the road but quickly added that they have seen that even the people of the region do not take themselves seriously.
The governor said the moment Niger Delta people stopped playing to the gallery, and place value on themselves, outsiders will have no option than to accord the region and its people due regard.
Fubara said: “On my part, I want to say this: This is not the first time we are meeting. For me, I followed the course of the region meeting in a forum that we tagged “BRACED Commission.”
“BRACED Commission is also one of the bodies that was constituted at that time to support and work out development strategies for this region. But what I am seeing today is just limiting this meeting to only BRACED COMMISSION.
“We need to widen the scope where other leaders of the region should be part of the discussion of the development of the region, and I think this is the direction that will help the region.”
Reading the Communique of the meeting, the new Chairman of the Forum of Governors of South-South States, and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, said they support the Federal Government Tax Reform Bills, and urged President Bola Tinubu to extend the Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing percentages to oil and gas derivation.
He stated the Forum’s request to the Federal Government to urge relevant stakeholders and agencies to extend remediation of polluted environment ongoing in Ogoni land to other impacted communities and States in the region.
Governor Diri also said that the Forum resolved to establish a structural regional security network to enhance safety and security, foster stable Niger Delta region conducive for economic growth and prosperity.
Highlight of the event was the hosting of Governor Fubara to a surprise 50th Birthday celebration by the Governors of South-South States at the Government House in Yenagoa.
News
Fubara Lauds Tinubu For Setting Up Education Load Fund … Vows To Ensure Rivers Benefit Maximally From Scheme
The Rivers State Government has applauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for conceiving the idea of setting up the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) which has opened up opportunities for youths to acquire tertiary education irrespective of their financial status.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, gave the commendation while playing host to a delegation from NELFUND who came on an advocacy visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said in developed countries it is common for people to go through school with loans which they sometimes pay all throughout their lives, noting that “for us, it is more accessible and more friendly because you would be required to pay back the loan two years after your National Youth Service.
“It is a win-win situation; it is a situation where the youths in Nigeria should not say because my parents are poor or passed away I cannot improve on my educational growth. This offers them a golden opportunity and I am glad you came for this advocacy.”
The governor urged NELFUND to intensify its advocacy to let the people know how they can benefit from it, adding that it is more important when talking about vocational institutions.
“If you look at the developed countries it is people that went to the vocational schools that make so much money, because it is pricey to get somebody to do anything, we need to instil this into our people, our youths, because people sometimes tend to look down on people that went to vocational schools, it should not be,” he said.
Fubara expressed delight with the NELFUND programme and assured that the State Government would do whatever it can to ensure Rivers State benefits maximally from the scheme.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of NELFUND, Dr. Akintunde Sawyer, informed the governor that they were in Rivers State to seek the support of the State Government towards the loan, stressing that President Tinubu has directed them to ensure no Nigerian student who has the ability and desire to get educated at tertiary level is denied the opportunity due to lack of funding.
He explained that the scheme provides interest-free loans to students who apply, adding that these loans are not repayable until two years after their Youth Service when they must have gotten a job.
A British-Nigerian politician, Florence Eshalomi, has been appointed as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy to Nigeria.
Her appointment makes Eshalomi the second Nigerian to hold the position.
Confirming her appointment on X on Tuesday, she wrote: “It is an honour to have been appointed as the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria.
“I’m looking forward to building on my close ties with Nigeria to promote a strong and flourishing economic relationship between our two great nations.
“I am looking forward to strengthening the UK’s relationship with Nigeria to explore shared growth and opportunities for both countries.”
Announcing the appointment in a statement on Tuesday, Jonathan Reynolds, the UK’s Business and Trade Secretary, said the decision was aimed at attracting investment into the UK and boosting economic growth.
“I’ve launched a new team of trade envoys who will use their experience, expertise, and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, attract investment into the UK, and ultimately drive economic growth,” Reynolds said.
Eshalomi, 44, is an MP representing the Vauxhall and Camberwell Green constituency.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political and International Studies with Law from Middlesex University.