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Nigeria leads West Africa in Organic Agriculture promotion – ECOWAS

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Nigeria leads West Africa in Organic Agriculture promotion – ECOWAS

Nigeria leads West Africa in Organic Agriculture promotion – ECOWAS

By Ebere Agozie

 

Nigeria leads West Africa in Organic Agriculture promotion – ECOWAS

 

Mr Ernest Aubee, the Head of Agriculture Division of the ECOWAS Commission, Abuja says Nigeria is leading West Africa in the promotion of Organic Agriculture in the region.

 

 

 

Aubee said this during his closing remarks at the cocktail event on `Reporting Back Achievements of Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative activities in Nigeria for years 2014 – 2020 and Award presentation recently held in Abuja.

 

 

 

Nigeria leads West Africa in Organic Agriculture promotion – ECOWAS

He said that the efforts of Nigeria in organic agriculture are commendable and indeed very timely, as this is coming at a time when people must pay closer attention to what they eat.

 

 

 

“What Nigeria is doing will benefit, not only Nigeria as a country, but also the other 14 ECOWAS member states and we hope other member states will take a cue from your strides so far.

 

 

Aubee, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Steering Committee of EOA in West Africa, said EOA has been given a pride of place in the ECOWAS Commission which will help drive the organic agriculture initiative for the benefit of the region.

“We must look at how best to mainstream organic agriculture into every sector of the economy to encourage and promote its sustainability in the region”.

He encouraged other ECOWAS member states to follow suit and start work immediately on how best to make sure that organic agriculture becomes part of their lives.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event had in attendance representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Trade, and Industry and Investments.

Also present were the Agriculture Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), NAFDAC, as well as partners of EOA Initiative in Nigeria.

Mr Isah Adamu, the Chairman of the National Steering Committee of EOA in Nigeria represented by Mrs Janet Igoh of the Farm Input Support Services Department of FMARD commended the partners of EOA in Nigeria for a job well done in promoting organic agriculture.

Earlier, Dr Olugbenga AdeOluwa, the Country Coordinator of EOA in Nigeria reported that the initiative has the support of the African Heads of States’ Decision EX.CL/Dec.621 (XVII) on Organic Farming in 2010 and Nigeria has been part of the EOA processes from 2011 till date.

Mr Oyewole Gbadamosi, the Project Manager, while reporting back the achievements said the goal is to mainstream EOA into national agricultural production systems by 2025 in order to improve the quality of life of African citizens.

“A database of organic agriculture research on crop and livestock was produced and distributed in strategic institutional libraries in Nigeria, aimed at bridging organic research gaps in the country.

“We have supported the production of the current revised version of Organic Agriculture Standard in Nigeria, and the Initiative has successfully supported one PhD degree programme while support of the another one is ongoing.

“We also supported eight Masters studies and publication of seven research articles in an international journal.

“The curriculum for a full programme on Organic Agriculture Technology (OAT) in the Colleges of Agriculture has been produced. The material is ready to be subjected to pre-critic and national validation workshops before absorption by the colleges, after approval from the National Board for Technical Education”.

The Project Manager also noted that intensive sensitisation on benefits of organic agriculture with production of a lot of information and educational materials on organic agriculture in English and different indigenous languages of the country were embarked upon.

“We have done a lot of intensive sensitisation on benefits of organic agriculture with production of a lot of information and educational materials on organic agriculture in English and different indigenous languages of the country with over 27 publications (print) addressing different parts of organic agriculture.

“We have also produced both print and video materials on organic livestock production (uploaded on YouTube https://youtu.be/EOrlsk4K0aE, https://youtu.be/F5IsrrbilH4 and https://youtu.be/0LX9GXhP7Qg) to increase organic livestock production in the country.

“We have equally produced audio visual jingles on benefits of Organic Agriculture in four languages; English, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa to sensitise consumers in the country.

“Simple farm tools for weeding (flame burner) and tilling (auger) are presently being fabricated after participation in an exchange visit.

“Capacity of over 450 stakeholders was strengthened to undertake inspection under the Participatory Guarantee System of certification and general organic agricultural issues.

“We embarked on the training of over 250 extension officers in the 36 states and Abuja on Basics of Organic Agriculture, Concept of Innovation Platforms and how it operates and the operationalisation of organic agriculture innovation platforms for driving organic agriculture markets in Nigeria.

“The Initiative has supported the production of the first draft of the “Organic Agriculture Standard in West Africa”. This material has been submitted to the West Africa regional Secretariat for further inputs and other necessary action’.

According to the report, the EOA initiative in the country is currently supporting creation of organic markets in the ADP of Anambra State and MOUAU Extension Centre of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, as well as Organic Agriculture Innovation Centres in both.

“We are supporting the process of organic certification of small scale farmers in the country through Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) mode, and promoting strategic capacity building for staff of MDAs in Nigeria related to organic and ecological agriculture

“Our other initiatives include supporting the process of development of Organic Agriculture Bill in Nigeria since 2016; establishment of National Organic Agriculture Business Summit- an annual exhibition of organic agriculture produce, products and services in Nigeria since 2016, as well as OrganiCulture (a journal of organic agriculture business) for promotion of organic agriculture business development in the country.

“We have equally instituted national awards on organic agriculture.

“The multi-stakeholder national platform of EOA is getting widened, bringing in more stakeholders. This has resulted in different business networking activities in the country and not less than 49 organic farmer groups have developed as part of our networking activity.

“The opportunity to honour Switzerland government at the 2018 National Organic Agriculture Business Summit was also a great achievement. The representative of the Consular who is the Deputy Consular General of Switzerland in Nigeria: Mrs. Ngozi Anyanso was presented with the Organic Agriculture Standard in Nigeria (a private standard) at the summit.

“Evaluation of national investment by Nigerian government in organic agricultural related issues from 2012 – 2019 was published.

The investigation revealed that Nigerian Government invested in development of organic ginger value chain, training on site/soil specific fertilizer recommendations, input support to farmers (organic fertilizer subsidy), boosting the supply of organic ginger and organic fertilizers development”.

Participants of the event noted that in spite of the challenges faced by organic agriculture practitioners, the initiative has made some giant strides in moving the sector forward.

 

They, however, called for more involvement of stakeholders for the overall development of organic agriculture in the country.

Highlights of the event included the 2020 National Organic Agriculture Business Summit Award presentation to Mrs Ebere Agozie of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as the Organic Advocacy and Media Personality of the Year, 2020.

Other award recipients were Mrs Udeme Udoya of Ikot Ekpene Women Food Cash Crops Multipurpose Cooperative Society as the Organic Farmer Processor of the year, and Akwa Ibom State as the Organic State Government of the year.

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STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

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AHMAD GUMI: CLERIC OF BLOOD, FACE OF HATE 

STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

 

 

I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.

 

 

I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.

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I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.

 

He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.

STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

 

Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.

 

 

 

For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.

 

 

Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.

 

 

Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.

 

 

 

Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.

 

 

 

Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.

 

 

 

Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.

 

 

 

Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.

 

 

I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.

 

 

 

There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.

 

 

It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.

 

 

 

I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.

 

 

He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.

 

These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.

 

 

Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.

 

For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.

 

 

He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.

 

 

Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.

 

I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.

 

Game on!

 

 

(FFK)

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OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship

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OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.

 

 

The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.

The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.

Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.

According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.

He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.

The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.

Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.

Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.

She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.

Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.

She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.

The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.

The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.

Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.

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Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess

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Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess

By George Omagbemi Sylvester 

“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”

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Wednesday, March18, 2026

 

In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.

 

Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.

 

A Travesty of Priorities

 

Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.

 

According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.

 

“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”

 

Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”

 

Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.

 

The Cost of Foreign Pageantry

 

This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.

 

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.

 

Nigeria Jagajaga!

 

The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.

 

Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.

 

What Nigerians Deserve

 

President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.

 

As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.

 

If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.

 

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