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Unity Bank Partners RIFAN Mega Rice Pyramid Display, Pledges More Support for Farmers

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Unity Bank Partners RIFAN Mega Rice Pyramid Display, Pledges More Support for Farmers

 

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Agric-focused lender, Unity Bank Plc has partnered Nigerian rice farmers under the aegis of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN to unveil a mega rice pyramid on the occasion of the National Rice Festival held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event, which coincided with the flag-off of the dry season farming, was used to showcase the gains produced by rice farmers in driving self-sufficiency in rice production through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking to newsmen at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank, Mrs. Tomi Somefun, while going down memory lane on the support of the rice farmers by the Bank since the inception of the Anchor Borrowers Programme, ABP commended the rice farmers for their unwavering belief and collaboration in the implementation of the intervention programme, adding that as the PFI (Preferred Financial Institution) for the ABP transactions, the Bank will continue to support the farmers and ensure that more smallholder farmers get the requisite financial support to boost rice production.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unity Bank Partners RIFAN Mega Rice Pyramid Display, Pledges More Support for Farmers

 

 

 

 

 

She said: “Our strategic partnership with RIFAN started in 2018 when we financed about 273,000 smallholder farmers. This was the largest single-ticket transaction in that year. This financing cut across 33 states of the Federation including the FCT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“In 2019, the Bank increased the tally by financing another 146,810 smallholder farmers for the wet and dry season farming. This funding cut across 35 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Additional funding was granted to finance additional 221,450 smallholder farmers of the Association across the 32 states of the Federation including FCT for the wet season and additional 300,000 hectares was financed in sixteen states for the 2020 dry season cropping season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As of March 2021, the Bank has financed no fewer than 190,000 smallholder rice farmers across 35 states including the FCT, Abuja.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking further, she said: “The rice pyramids we see here today is an example of the resilience of the farmers and should be replicated in all states with a focus on the crop they have a competitive advantage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As we gear the programme towards deepening its penetration to reach more farmers, we encourage all beneficiaries of the Intervention Programme to always utilize the inputs judiciously in order to key into Federal Government’s goal of attaining food sufficiency, diversification of the economy from oil, job creation for the teeming youth and poverty reduction”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We remain optimistic that RIFAN under the able leadership of the National President, Aminu Goronyo, will continue to engage its members to drive higher performance under the ABP.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through the strategic initiative of the ABP, Nigeria has made incredible gains in rice production over the past six years raising production to significant levels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official reports show that from an average yield of 1.8 metric tonnes per hectare in the pre-ABP era, the initiative has increased the country’s average yield per hectare for rice paddy and maize to about five metric tonnes per hectare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Similarly, the average capacity utilisation per annum of domestic integrated rice mills has jumped to 90 per cent, from the 30 per cent that was the case in the era preceding the advent of the ABP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statistics show that there has been a significant reduction in the country’s rice import bill, from a monstrous $1.05 billion prior to November 2015, to the current figure of $18.50 million, annually. The programme has also created an estimated 12.3 million direct and indirect jobs across the different value chains and food belts of the country.

 

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Prophet Fasola launches inspirational book, ‘Knowing Your Position in Christ’ on Amazon

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Prophet Fasola launches inspirational book, ‘Knowing Your Position in Christ’ on Amazon

 

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Upwardly mobile Evangelist, Prophet Idowu Fasola, otherwise known as Broda Woli has launched his inspirational book, ‘Knowing Your Position in Christ’ on Amazon.

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‘Knowing Your Position in Christ’ is an exciting book that uncovers the reader’s identity and purpose as a Christian.

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According to the author, in the book, readers will “learn that, through your faith in Jesus, you’re welcomed into God’s family with open arms. You gain salvation, righteousness, and an incredible inheritance. This book will help you grasp your new identity in Christ and inspire you to live in a way that truly honors God.”

 

Prophet Fasola (Broda Woli) is the Shepherd-in-Charge of Celestial Church of Christ Hirahjahman Parish. He has a deep understanding of the teachings of Christ and a passion for sharing them with others.

In addition to his spiritual gifts, Prophet Fasola is also versatile in many other areas, including Writing, Songwriting, Content
Creation, Video editing, Graphics Design, and using social media to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Through his book, Prophet Fasola aims to inspire and guide others to better understand their position in Christ and to live out their faith in meaningful ways. With his passion for sharing the message of hope and love found in Jesus Christ, Prophet Fasola is dedicated to helping others grow in their relationship with God and to live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

 

Read book here:

 

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AAS $87m Theft Case: Abayomi Oluwasesan Remanded In Suleja Prison As Police Arrest Prince Humble, Engineer Oma

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AAS $87m Theft Case: Abayomi Oluwasesan Remanded In Suleja Prison As Police Arrest Prince Humble, Engineer Oma

 

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Abayomi Segun Oluwasesan who confessed to have committed the heinous crime of defrauding the leading global crypto space known as Afriq Arbitrage System to the tune of $87m has been remanded at the Nigerian correctional service, Suleja Custodian center.

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AAS $87m Theft Case: Abayomi Oluwasesan Remanded In Suleja Prison As Police Arrest Prince Humble, Engineer Oma

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The suspect along side his wife, Tijani Anjolaoluwa were unable to perfect the stringent bail conditions given them by the high court. Thus, they were remanded at the Suleja prison till the next hearing.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, two of the major suspects fingered in the allegation of cyber bullying and cyber stalking of the Chief Executive Officer of Afriq Arbiritage System, Prince Humble Eteng and Engineer Fimienye Awajioma have been arrested by the police.

 

 

It would be recalled that the board of directors of Afriq Arbitrage Systems after an emergency meeting last week condemned in strong terms the attitudes of Prince Humble Otu Eteng, Michael Okoh, Okoi Daniels, Engineer Awajioma and others about their nefarious activities to injure the longstanding reputation the organisation has maintained and in a final resolution, resolved that the above parties be sued for defamation and has slammed a ten million dollar lawsuit with a suit number w/2011/2024 against them at the High court of the Federal capital territory in the Abuja judicial division on Monday, April 15th, 2024 on charges bothering on cyber bullying, attempt to life and property, lies and unlawful incitement and instigation against him, his family and organisation.

 

 

 

After due diligence in their investigation, we reliably gathered that the police were able to track the two suspects and are currently being interrogated at the IGP special investigation unit.

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Milan Industries claims N850 billion damages against AMCON

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Milan Industries claims N850 billion damages against AMCON

Milan Industries claims N850 billion damages against AMCON

 

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…Over wrongful sale of Intercontinental Hotels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The Milan Industries Ltd, owners of Intercontinental Hotels, Lagos has filed Eight Hundred and Fifty Billion Naira (N850,000,000,000.00) damages claim against Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) over wrongful sale of Intercontinental Hotels Lagos.

 

 

 

 

 

Milan Industries claims N850 billion damages against AMCON

 

 

 

 

 

 

The firm had earlier filed a suit against AMCON and Polaris Bank challenging the sale of the hotel over Milan’s alleged indebtedness to Polaris, following a banking relationship between them. AMCON allegedly acquired Milan’s alleged indebtedness from Polaris, and in a bid to recover the alleged debt, purportedly sold Intercontinental Hotels – the security for the loan, to a third party. However, in December 2022, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, set aside the sale of Intercontinental Hotels Limited, by AMCON as being unlawful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The claim is contained in a suit against AMCON at the Federal High Court Lagos in which Milan Industries is claiming that as a result of the unlawful sale and takeover of its hotel, it has suffered an estimated loss of more than Eight Hundred and Fifty Billion Naira (N850,000,000,000.00 ), which sum, it is now seeking from AMCON as damages in court.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The firm in its statement of claim, said “despite lodging an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, AMCON in clear abuse of court process, is also attempting to recover the unsecured part of the debt, which it estimates to be Forty Billion Two Naira (N42,000,000,000.00 ). Remarkably, at the time the hotel was sold to the third party, it was valued at Eighty-five Billion Naira (N85,000,000,000.00) whereas Milan’s indebtedness stood at Fifteen Billion Naira (N15,000,000,000.00) only, at most.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According Milan Industries, “To date, AMCON and Polaris have not informed Milan how much the hotel was purportedly sold for, and whether as a result, the debt is fully liquidated or not. The directors of Milan Industries Limited are vigorously contesting the bankruptcy proceeding commenced against them by AMCON.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a result, the directors of Milan Industries have already instructed the law firms of Prof A. B. Kasunmu L.P, Ahmed Raji & Co., and A. B. Sulu Gambari & Co. to represent them in court.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The bankruptcy proceeding is a grand design by AMCON to divert attention from the monumental damages they have inflicted on Milan Industries Limited which they, along with Polaris, must surely pay for”, the firm stated in its statement.

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