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HERDSMEN/FARMERS CLASHES: NEC WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDS RANCHING IN 5 STATES *Says ranching sustainable model for livestock industry *Agriculture has contributed about 27% to the expansion of the Nigerian economy in 35 years

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The Technical Sub-Committee set up by the National Economic Council (NEC) Working Group has recommended the adoption of ranching in some of the states affected by farmers/herdsmen clashes as a sustainable solution to the conflicts.
 
Contrary to some online media reports, NEC did not discuss or pronounce a ban on the movement of herdsmen.
 
The Committee presented an interim report at this month’s NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.
The sub-committee is headed by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, with the governors of Plateau and Adamawa states among the committee’s membership.
 
The Working Group also recommended that the state governments of the five affected states allocate land for this purpose.
 
The NEC Working Group, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, which noted that ranching would enhance the production of healthy cattle in the country, identified the need to transform the livestock industry into a model for cattle production as one of the remedies for constant clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
 
Following its visit to five out of seven of the affected states, including Zamfara, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba and Benue, the committee, in its report to NEC today, noted that a root cause of the conflict was the struggle for scarce land and resources.
 
Briefing the press after the NEC meeting, Governor Umahi said most of the killings, especially in Benue State, are carried out by herdsmen from outside the country and called for the deployment of more security operatives in the area.
 
Also, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, at the meeting, gave an overview of the Agriculture production initiative, which he said has contributed about 27% to the expansion of the Nigerian economy over the past 35 years.
 
“Agriculture is Nigeria’s single largest economic sector, accounting for 24% of the GDP in 2016 in spite of recession, and has consistently increased to 25.08% as at 2017,” he stated.
 
He listed out intervention programme rolled out by the Ministry for the Agriculture Production Initiatives in Rice, Maize, Sorghum, Wheat, Groundnut, Cowpea, Soybean, Millet, Sesame, Tomato, Onion, Okro, Cocoyam, Cassava, Yam, Ginger, Cotton, Cashew, Oil Palm, Cocoa, Fish, as well as Animal and Livestock.
 
Below are the highlights of the fourth NEC meeting in the year 2018:
 
NEC (4TH IN 2018) 87TH NEC MEETING – 
THURSDAY, 26TH APRIL, 2018
 
A.     PRESENTATION ON THE REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT IN THE AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN IN NIGERIA BY HONOURABLE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
 
Highlights:
·        The Minister gave an overview of the Agriculture production initiative, which he said has contributed about 27% to the expansion of the Nigerian economy over the past 35 years
·        He said that Agriculture is Nigeria’s single largest economic sector, accounting for 24% of the GDP in 2016 in spite of recession, and has consistently increased to 25.08% as at 2017.
·        He listed out intervention programmes rolled out by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) for the Agriculture Production Initiatives in Rice, Maize, Sorghum, Wheat, Groundnut, Cowpea, Soybean, Millet, Sesame, Tomato, Onion, Okro, Cocoyam, Cassava, Yam, Ginger, Cotton, Cashew, Oil Palm, Cocoa, Fish, as well as Animal and Livestock
·        He said the Federal Government is prioritizing improving productivity in a number of domestically focused crops with the aim of closing the gap between the demand and supply of these products through partnership with private investors.
·        Under the Rice Value Chain – all rice producing states recorded an increase in rice production, with Lagos State having the highest increase of 30.5%.
·        Milling capacity of the functional integrated rice mills has increased from 13 to 21 mills and from less than 600,000 MT capacity to the current 1,295,000 MT
·        There was a total investment of a little over N300 billion, thereby saving $300 million Forex from import substitution through local processing.
To ensure food sufficiency:
·        FG has a total of 33 Silo Complexes in different States of the federation for storage of grains produced, as well as Agricultural goods produced for exports under the Agricultural Commodities Exports scheme.
·        Agricultural development in Nigeria has stimulated a lot of Private Sector Interests as manifested in the level of proposed investments so far appraised for agricultural sector, at the end of 6th week of ERGP Focus Labs. Notable among them is the launch of the “Green Alternative” which is to provide a disciplined approach to building an agribusiness ecosystem to solve food security, import substitution, job creation and economic diversification.
·        Agricultural Development is also being funded by the Bank of Agriculture in 3 dimensions of Short Term, Medium Term and Long Term basis.
 
B.     EXPERIENCE SHARING BY STATE GOVERNORS
·        Meanwhile, some States shared their experiences on their Development Interventions and Investment in the Agricultural Value Chain in Nigeria. 
–      The States are Jigawa, Delta, Anambra, Lagos, Taraba and Kwara.
·        The general objective, among others, is to transform the agricultural economy of their States and make it more competitive and investor-friendly;
–      To create jobs for teeming unemployed youths
–      Improve incomes and create wealth for farmers, processors and value chain operators.
–      Diversify the State economy from crude oil.
Summary of the shared experiences by the States:
JIGAWA STATE
–      Introduced Cluster Farming Initiative to refocus the mind-set of smallholder farmers to commercial potentials of farming activities to attain SDG.
–      Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework in conjunction with DFID – a framework for large scale land acquisition, compensation, integration and dispute resolution.
DELTA STATE
–      Introduced State commodity prioritisation based on production efficiency and potentials for jobs and wealth creation.
–      Youth Agricultural Entrepreneur Programme (YAGEP) Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) and Tractorization Scheme to boost development and investment in the commodity value chain.
KWARA STATE
–      Farmers Cooperation Organisation to Compliment agriculture programmes.
–      Acquisition of over 1,000 hectares of land for the training of youths in commercial farming.
ANAMBRA STATE
–      Two-pronged strategy:
*   Large scale commercial farmers.
*   Smallholders farmers.
–      Standardisation of farm products
*   Improved activities of the extension officer
*   Developed seed multiplication centres for various crops and on demand.
 
C.     INTERIM BRIEFING OF NEC WORKING GROUP ON HERDSMEN/FARMERS CLASHES
Below are the highlights of the report:
·        NEC Technical Sub-Committee visited five (5) front-line States out of seven (7) identified.
·        The five (5) States visited are; Zamfara, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Taraba and Benue.
·        The Sub-Committee identified broad issues common to the affected States, as well as unique circumstances and causes among them.
Outcome
·        Conflicts in these States may have been exacerbated, but at their root is a common struggle for scarce land and resources.
·        Livestock industry found to be extremely important in Nigeria with estimated cattle population of 19.22 million valued at N3.4 trillion.
·        Livestock industry needs to be transformed by working towards peace and sustainable model for cattle production.
·        Immediate need for FG, States, Private Sector Development Partners to act in the following areas in  the selected States:
–      Economic investments
–      Security and peace building
–      Information, education and strategic communication
–      Regional collaboration
–      Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
·        Other needs: 
–      Ranch Design Plan – can be proposed/adopted for future use in other regions.
–      Ranching policy – more important now for FG/States to explore ranching as a sustainable and perfect solution to prevailing farmer/herdsmen conflicts in Nigeria.
–      Land allocation – Governors of the five (5) States will allocate land for this purpose.
–      Youth Empowerment and Poverty alleviation should go hand-in-hand with ranching reforms.
–      Consolidated Implementation – FG/States develop soon-to-be finalized consolidated plan based on the 5 pillars- Economic, Law and Order, Conflict Resolution, Communication and Humanitarian Relief.
 
D1.   UPDATE ON ACCOUNTS BY ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION
A.     Report on Excess Crude Account (ECA)
·        Accountant-General of the Federation briefed Council that the balance in ECA as at April 23, 2018, stands at $1,829,862,047.42
B.     Balance in Stabilization Fund Account
·        Accountant-General of the Federation also informed the Council that the balance in the Stabilization Account as at April 23, 2028 stand at N14,226,835,11.88
C.     Balance in Natural Resource Development Fund Account
·        The current balance in the Natural Resources Development Fund Account as reported by the Accountant-General of the Federation as at April 23, 2018 stands at N134,912,870,528.84.
D.     Update on Budget Support Loan Facility
Accountant-General of the Federation reported to the Council as follows:
·        35 States commenced in 2016 collected N1.39 billion thereafter, they collected N1.11 billion
·        The repayment of the facility was extended from 1 year to 2 years.
·        Analysis of compliance level indicates that 52.5% was the highest, while 13% was the lowest with respect to the conditionalities for the Budget Support Loan Facility.
D2.   UPDATE ON ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND GROWTH PLAN FOCUS LABS BY MINISTER OF BUDGET AND NATIONAL PLANNING
· The Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning informed the Council that the six (6) weeks Focus Labs ended last week Friday, April 20, 2018.
· The next step is the open day scheduled for May 7, 2018 to display all the outcomes of the Labs. He urged States Chief Executives to attend or send representatives.
· The Honourable Minister appreciated the Vice President and other stakeholders (Governors and Ministers) that participated.
 

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Prophecy for 2025: A Year of Vengeance, Harvest, and Divine Shifts By Pro. Kingsley Aitafo

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Prophet Kingsley Aitafo's Prophecy Fulfilled: Alhaji Muyideen Bello Passes Away

Prophecy for 2025: A Year of Vengeance, Harvest, and Divine Shifts By Pro. Kingsley Aitafo

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That Prophet Kingsley Aitafo, under the grace and spiritual leadership of His Eminence Rev. Pastor Samuel Belehou Oshoffa, founder of the Celestial Church of Christ, has unveiled 25 prophecies for the year 2025. These revelations call for vigilance, prayer, and alignment with divine purpose. Below is the detailed list of the prophecies:

 

 

1. A Year of Divine Justice

2025 will be a year of vengeance upon the wicked and a season of abundant harvest for the righteous. This is a time for reflection and spiritual alignment.

 

2. Weather Disasters to Pray Against

The world must unite in prayers against severe weather disasters, including excessive winds, water overflow, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis. These natural calamities threaten to disrupt lives and properties globally.

 

3. A Major Technological Advancement

WhatsApp is predicted to receive a significant upgrade, potentially integrating email functionalities. This innovation will redefine digital communication.

 

4. Nigeria’s National Football Team

The Nigerian national football team should be prayed for, as a painful defeat could occur.

 

5. A Great Man of God in Danger

One of the most celebrated men of God is at risk of sudden death. Prayers are needed to avert this tragedy.

 

6. Sunday Igboho

The activist should be prayed for to avoid heart-touching news that could cause widespread concern.

 

7. Nnamdi Kanu

Freedom is within reach for Nnamdi Kanu, but prayers are needed to ensure he lives to see it.

 

8. Fire Disasters Worldwide

Serious fire disasters are foreseen and must be prayed against to protect lives and properties globally.

 

9. NYSC and PHCN Reforms

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) will be empowered and reshuffled for greater effectiveness.

 

10. Global Police Forces

The police worldwide are warned of potential brutal revolts from the masses. Prayers are needed to prevent such events.

 

11. African Nations and Coups

Several African countries are advised to pray against unexpected coup plots.

 

12. Goodluck Jonathan’s Political Path

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is encouraged to follow God’s leading and refrain from contesting future elections.

 

13. Changes in EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will be more empowered, but significant transformations will occur within the agency.

 

14. Passing of Aged Leaders

Several aged ex-presidents, traditional rulers, and military leaders will pass on in 2025.

 

15. New Religious Leaders

New leaders will emerge in white garment denominations and the Catholic Church, marking significant transitions.

 

16. Churches in Danger of Scandals

Great churches like RCCG, Winners Chapel, Christ Embassy, Mountain of Fire, and COZA are urged to pray against confusion and scandals that could lead to divisions.

 

17. Exposure of False Churches

Churches that operate under the guise of Christ without genuine faith will be exposed.

 

18. Protection of Yoruba Entertainers

Yoruba actors and actresses should pray against strange illnesses, while English-speaking entertainers must pray against sudden deaths.

 

19. Plane Crashes

A major plane crash could occur, causing widespread pain. Prayers are needed to prevent this disaster.

 

20. National Unity in Nigeria

Despite ongoing agitations, Nigeria will remain undivided.

 

21. The Monarch and Pope’s Seat

Prayers are required to prevent sudden vacancies in the monarchy of England and the papal seat.

 

22. Deadly Disease and Global Conflict

A new, more deadly ailment than COVID-19 and the potential of a mini-war loom on the horizon. The world must unite in prayer to avert these crises.

 

23. Rising of True Last-Day Churches

The emergence of last-day churches will bring forth spiritual giants and miraculous powers reminiscent of the apostles of old.

 

24. Business Tycoons in Nigeria

Successful Nigerian business magnates should seek divine protection against untimely death.

 

25. Christ’s Return is Near

Finally, Prophet Kingsley reminds the world that the return of Jesus Christ is near. Embracing holiness and righteousness is the only path to prepare for His coming.

 

Prophet Kingsley’s prophecies serve as a divine reminder for individuals, nations, and institutions to seek God’s guidance and protection. Let 2025 be a year of faith, reflection, and readiness for what lies ahead.

 

Let us watch, pray, and align with God’s will.

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Politics

Peter Obi Offers to Fulfill Bail Conditions for Dele Farotimi, Advocates Justice

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Peter Obi Offers to Fulfill Bail Conditions for Dele Farotimi, Advocates Justice

Peter Obi Offers to Fulfill Bail Conditions for Dele Farotimi, Advocates Justice

The global coordinator of the Obidient Movement has announced that Peter Obi, former presidential candidate and leader of the movement, has stepped forward to fulfill the bail conditions for human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.

Farotimi, a prominent activist known for his bold stance against systemic issues in Nigeria, was recently granted ₦30 million bail by a Federal High Court following charges filed against him. The case has attracted significant public attention, with widespread support for Farotimi from various quarters.

In a statement, the Coordinator revealed that Obi expressed his gratitude to the judiciary and all stakeholders involved in the legal process. The former presidential candidate emphasized the importance of fairness, transparency, and the rule of law in resolving the matter.

The Obidient Movement, known for championing justice and accountability, has remained vocal in its support for Farotimi. The group reiterated its commitment to upholding the principles of justice and transparency in Nigeria’s judicial system.

The next hearing in Farotimi’s case is scheduled for January 2025, with supporters hopeful for a resolution that upholds the integrity of the legal process.

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Politics

Breaking: Speaker Obasa Debunks Allegation Of Spending N17b On Assembly Gate

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Breaking: Speaker Obasa Debunks Allegation Of Spending N17b On Assembly Gate

Breaking: Speaker Obasa Debunks Allegation Of Spending N17b On Assembly Gate

 

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday described the allegation that the House spent N17 billion on the fixing of a gate as spurious and funny.

Breaking: Speaker Obasa Debunks Allegation Of Spending N17b On Assembly Gate

A self-proclaimed group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, had accused the Assembly of spending the amount to construct a gate. The group also sought investigation of the claim.

Speaking at plenary, Dr. Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over 2027 which is still more than two years away.

Obasa further debunked the claim that the House spent N200 million on its recently organised 22nd thanksgiving service for staff.

“It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we expended 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.

“We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared and I don’t know why.

“This House did not and has not embarked on any such project. We are not that reckless. We had our thanksgiving last Friday and dignitaries from various parts of the State attended it,” the Speaker said.

Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, the Speaker denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.

“They said that I was at the National Assembly when they were confirming the EFCC chairman. I want to believe that there are CCTV cameras at the National Assembly to identify those who attended the event. The press must have written about it too. So the group should do more to confirm if I was there.

“This is just to deny the allegations in the interest of the public and not the writers because the writers are not those we should be joining words with,” the Speaker said.

Earlier, the House, through its spokesperson, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, had addressed the allegations noting that the Assembly bases its activities on integrity, transparency and accountability.

“It is ludicrous the claim about constituency intervention funds and constituency project funds and their handling by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko as claimed by the group.

“One would have expected a self-acclaimed anti-corruption crusading group to do its groundwork before jumping across the fence with conviction that it hit a jackpot to malign an institution of repute in the name of politics.

“Simply put, the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have any such funds. The Assembly does not embark on constituency projects. Instead, once every year, the House holds stakeholders’ meetings simultaneously across the state where constituents have the opportunity to tell the lawmakers their expectations and make requests for the betterment of the state.

“These requests and expectations are compiled and sent to the executive arm of government for consideration as inputs in subsequent budgets. If this is what the group takes as constituency intervention or project funds, we are sure this explanation has given the required education, moreover, it is common knowledge that it is the responsibility of the Executive arm to execute such projects,” the earlier statement by Ogundipe read.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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