Business

ABUAD Leads Nigeria’s Drive For Food Sufficiency

Published

3 years ago

September 17, 2021

ABUAD Leads Nigeria’s Drive For Food Sufficiency

Whereas individuals across the globe see it as a conventional university, but the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, ABUAD, has more to its conventional status.
At the moment, the university which sits on several hectares of land leads in the supply of agricultural produce to markets across the States of Nigeria through its ABUAD Farms.

The large farm is powered by an Independent Power Project, IPP of 2. 5 megawatts with a projection for 5 Megawatts.

It comprises crop and animal farming and accounts for major supplies of nutritious farm produce to the Nigerian markets ranging from fruits, vegetables, and different categories of meat.

Revealing his love for contributing to Nigeria’s drive for food sufficiency, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, founder of the university, said during an interactive session with reporters that “I have passion for farming.

“We grew up in a local community where farming was the predominant engagement.
“I even thought I would inherit my father’s cutlasses and hoes because of my love for farming,” he said.
This passion, he maintained, provoked the huge investment into farming which has led to supplies to Lagos for onward distribution to other parts of Nigeria.

It would however be noted that at a time, Nigeria was reputed as an agricultural hub on the continent with regional governments accelerating developments through agricultural revenues.

But following the discovery of petroleum, Nigeria rapidly grew into a major food importing nation as the government neglected the agricultural sector since petroleum became a viable resource for economic development.

This situation quickly polarized the nation into high and low-income groups.
Since then, the country has been grabbling with challenges of inadequate food supply for its teeming population, a development that has been partly adduced as a major factor responsible for unending criminal activities in the system.

But to Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, the food deficit in Nigeria is a task that must be confronted with all vehemence. The ABUAD Farm is the designed vehicle to accomplishing this mission.

The 91 years old legal luminary, described as an uncommon gift to Ekiti State, Nigeria, and the whole world, is reputed as a leading employer of Labour as well as the biggest taxpayer to Ekiti State government through ABUAD.

Related Topics:ABUAD Agriculture Featured

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Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

Published

23 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

…As Dangote Refinery partners MRS to sell PMS at N935 per litre nationwide at its retail outlets

Sahara Weekly Unveils That The Foremost entrepreneur and President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the positive impact of the naira for crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy, which has led to reduction in prices of petroleum products in the country.

To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.

“To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre” he added. This price has already commenced in Lagos, and it will be offered nationwide from Monday.

In his statement, he called on other oil marketers such as the NNPC Retail and all other marketers, “to work with us to ensure that Nigerians enjoy high-quality petrol at discounted prices.”

According to him, “The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value chain players to deliver high quality petrol at cheaper prices. Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets.

Recall that in September, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under the leadership of Mr. President approved the sale of crude to local refineries in Naira and corresponding purchase of petroleum products in Naira. The move, which commenced on October 1, led to reduced pressure on the dollar and ensured the stability of the local currency.

Dangote thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support and the government for creating an enabling environment for the domestic refining industry.

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Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

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1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

NNPC Debunks Shutdown Rumors, Confirms Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports circulating in certain media outlets claiming that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.

In a statement released by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company clarified that the refinery is fully operational. The statement noted that the facility’s operational status was recently verified by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC during a site inspection.

“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” the statement confirmed, emphasizing that allegations of the refinery’s shutdown are baseless and intended to create panic or artificial scarcity in the fuel market.

NNPC Ltd urged members of the public to disregard such misleading reports, labeling them as the work of those seeking to exploit Nigerians.

The Old Port Harcourt Refinery has been in operation since its re-streaming, and the company remains committed to ensuring stability in the supply of petroleum products across the country.

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Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

In a show of solidarity, the Committee of Banks in Nigeria has extended a helping hand to victims of the September 2024 floods in Jigawa State. On Thursday, a high-profile delegation led by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Committee and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), visited Dutse, the state capital, to present relief materials to the state government.

The donated items, worth several million Naira, included essential food supplies such as rice and cooking oil, along with mattresses and beverages. Dr. Alawuba highlighted that the gesture aimed to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims and support critical institutions, especially public hospitals, in their efforts to assist those affected.

“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Jigawa State during this difficult time. This donation is our way of expressing empathy and supporting those who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods,” Dr. Alawuba stated.

The delegation included notable banking leaders such as Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank Plc, and Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Plc, among others. Their collective presence underscored the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and national development.

Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing the visit as a rare and commendable act of compassion. He assured the delegation that the relief materials would be judiciously distributed to the intended beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding lives and communities.

The Committee of Banks also reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigerians during emergencies, drawing attention to previous interventions, including relief efforts during the 2011 and 2013 floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and security initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

This humanitarian gesture reflects the collective resolve of Nigeria’s financial institutions to foster social and economic growth, making a meaningful impact in times of need.