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Zawya
19 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Gombe govt flags off 2025 farming season, rolls out subsidised fertilisers
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday, flagged off the 2025 farming season with the sales and distribution of the subsidised fertilisers. Inuwa Yahaya announced the procurement of 10,000 tonnes of the input to be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate, in a major step aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity in the state. He said that the quantity represents over twice the volume distributed during the 2024 wet season, which he said is part of a sustained efforts to scale up support for farmers and reinforce the position of Gombe in Nigeria's food security drive. The Governor also stressed that the intervention is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda, which recognises agriculture as a vital pillar for inclusive economic development. He noted that over 80% of the population in Gombe state are engaged in farming, and that over the past six years, his government has consistently subsidized farm inputs to support farmers. 'For the 2025 wet farming season, we have procured 10,000 metric tons (200,000 bags) of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser at the cost of N44,000 per bag but will be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate of N27,000. 'This gesture underscores our commitment to making agriculture affordable, accessible, and productive. 'As we are all aware, timely access to agricultural inputs is crucial to enhancing agricultural productivity. In this regard, today's flag-off of the sales of fertilisers to the farmers testifies to our commitment to ensuring timely and affordable access to agricultural inputs for farmers,' he said. Inuwa pointed out several initiatives undertaken to revamp the agricultural landscape in Gombe State which include strategic partnerships with the Federal Government, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank through various projects such as the Sasakawa African Association, NG-CARES, L-PRES, RAAMP, and ACReSAL– all of which have improved productivity and enhanced food security. He also cited the ongoing Agro-Livestock Development Zone project comprising an international livestock and grains market, commercial abattoir, and an inland dry port, along with the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, where Premier Seeds Nigeria Limited has commenced operations with a seed-processing facility as part of ongoing efforts to actualizing his administration's desire of positioning Gombe as regional centre of agro-based commerce in the North-east subregion. The Governor directed the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies, and civil society organizations to monitor the distribution process and ensure the fertilizer reaches the intended beneficiaries up to unit level. He said, 'I would like to assure you that we shall ensure that the fertiliser reaches the grassroots by strengthening the fertiliser sales monitoring system. 'I have directed the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies, and civil society organizations to closely monitor the sales and distribution to the farmers so as to prevent against diversion and ensure that the fertilizer reaches the correct beneficiaries.' He urged farmers to make good use of these inputs and to remain vigilant against natural hazards by adhering to weather advisories for the 2025 farming season. The Governor also called for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, emphasising the need to respect grazing reserves and farmlands, while reiterating his administration's support for the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committees and security agencies to prevent conflict and maintain peace across the state. However, the Governor has again warned traditional rulers against involvement in cases of encroachment on cattle routes and grazing reserves, which is fueling the crisis between farmers and herders in the state, vowing that anyone found culpable in the reports of the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Dispute Settlement Committees will face stringent punishment based on the recommendations of the committees. In a goodwill message, the Acting State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Absalom Akwaras Lansibol, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his vision and commitment to agricultural growth. He said, 'The Governor's steadfast commitment to agricultural transformation in Gombe is inspiring. Today marks another milestone in our effort to secure livelihoods and ensure food security. I encourage continued collaboration for the success of this fertiliser distribution exercise.' He reaffirmed the Federal Government's support for the initiatives of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in the agricultural sector, urging all stakeholders to align with the transformative vision for national agricultural prosperity. Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas M. Malle, expressed gratitude to the Governor for sustaining his support to farmers despite the economic challenges, stating that the Governor's resilience has made it possible for the government to procure farm inputs and distribute same to farmers at a lower rate at a time when many doubted it could happen.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Suicide bomber kills at least 10 in a restaurant in northeast Nigeria
ABUJA, Nigeria -- A suicide bomber in Nigeria's northeast state of Borno killed at least 10 people and injured several others in an explosion in a restaurant, police said Saturday. The blast occurred in the Konduga area late Friday, police spokesperson Nahum Daso told The Associated Press. The suicide bomber was able to slip through unnoticed because of a heavy downpour, said Ismail Ahmed, a resident of Konduga. The town is about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. Local media reported that those injured in the attacks have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. They also reported that the bomber was female. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Nigeria's northeast has been hit by attacks carried out by Islamic militants from the Boko Haram group and its splinter, the Islamic State West Africa Province. Boko Haram, Nigeria's homegrown jihadis, took up arms in 2009 to fight Western education and impose their radical version of Islamic law. The conflict also has spilled into Nigeria's northern neighbours. Some 35,000 civilians have been killed and more than two million displaced in the northeastern region, according to the UN. Despite promises by President Bola Tinubu's administration to address Nigeria's security challenges, the violence has persisted. Dyepkazah Shibayan, The Associated Press
Zawya
20-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Dangote blames shortage of domestic crude oil for reliance on imports from US
The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has blamed shortage of domestic crude oil for the major reason Dangote refinery increasingly relied on imports from the United States to meet its needs in recent months. Dangote stated this during the tour of the facility by the Technical Committee of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) for sale of crude and refined products in naira initiative. He applauded the technical committee for its role in supporting the implementation of President Tinubu's laudable Naira-for-Crude initiative. He also commended the positive impact of the naira-for-crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy, noting that it has led to a reduction in petroleum product prices, eased pressure on the dollar, and ensured the stability of the local currency, among others. However, he noted in a statement: 'Due to a shortage of domestic crude oil, the refinery has increasingly relied on imports from the United States to meet its needs in recent months.' He stressed the importance of bold investment in strategic sectors as a key to industrialisation, revealing that building the refinery required extensive infrastructure development, including a world-class, self-sufficient marine facility capable of accommodating the largest vessels globally. He assured the delegation of the refinery's commitment to national development. Designed to process a wide range of crude types, including African and Middle Eastern grades as well as US Light Tight Oil, the refinery has the capacity to meet 100 per cent of Nigeria's domestic demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation jet fuel, with a surplus available for export. The $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals was described as 'a symbol of industrial revolution, driving Nigeria's economic emancipation' by the Technical Committee of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) for sale of crude and refined products in naira initiative during the tour of the facility on Tuesday. Coordinator of the OSS Technical Committee, Mrs Maureen Ogbonna, who led the delegation, described the refinery as a breath of fresh air, impacting virtually every sector of the economy. 'This refinery touches all our lives. There's scarcely any sector unaffected. From pharmaceuticals to construction, food to plastics, this project is transformational. God has used the President of the Dangote Group to liberate Nigeria. I see this as the beginning of an industrial revolution,' she said. Noting that, in line with President Bola Tinubu's vision of achieving full domestic sufficiency in petroleum products and positioning Nigeria as a major global exporter, the committee is committed to eliminating regulatory, operational and logistical barriers that hinder the smooth supply and sale of domestic crude oil and refined products in naira. Reflecting on the scale and sophistication of the facility, Ogbonna, who had visited during construction and more recently alongside the leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority, expressed continued awe at its execution. 'It is truly mind-blowing that one man could envision and execute such a project. As we toured the refinery, we thought we had seen everything until we reached the laboratory. That lab alone is an institution. I don't know of any institution in Nigeria or even globally that boasts such a laboratory for petrochemical,' she said. Applauding the engineering feat, Ogbonna urged Dangote to remain focused and undeterred by detractors, emphasising that the project is a global achievement, not a personal enterprise. 'We feel truly honoured to have been warmly received by the President of the Dangote Group and his team. My advice to him is: do not be discouraged by critics. He was never self-centred. Despite the obstacles, he was driven by a vision for Nigeria's future, reaching far beyond Africa,' she added. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
