innosreport

Stakeholders at  the public hearing   Stakeholders at  the public hearing  (Nigeria) Many stakeholders at a public hearing held at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday, agreed that prohibition of open cattle grazing was the best way for the state to ensure security of lives and property. This was as the Speaker of the House,  Dr Mudashiru Obasa, said the bill was intended to create an atmosphere that would encourage peaceful co-existence among residents. Obasa, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker,  Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, said in his keynote address that it was important to address the issue of cattle rearing, especially as it affects security and other human desires. The Speaker added that the issues involved with the current ways of cattle rearing and open grazing called for concerted efforts for stability and economic development. "If there is no security, there will be no peace and development. Farmers/herders clash appears to be the oldest. Both the far

(Nigeria) The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday committed the bill on open grazing to the committee on agriculture after it scaled second reading. The House also read for the first and second time the state's Value Added Tax bill and asked the committee on finance which is handling it to report back on Thursday. Speaker of the House, Dr Mudashiru Obasa, described the 'Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill' as timely and one that would ensure harmonious relationships between herders and farmers and protect the environment of the state and the southwest zone. The Speaker also suggested that the bill should make provision for the registration of herders and prepare them for ranching. "Allocating percel of land is not enough but there should be training of those who would go into ranching," he said noting that ranching is expensive and required adequate preparation. Concerning the bill on VAT, Speaker Obasa said it would lead to "increase in rev

*Governor Hope Uzodima (Nigeria) Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has warned Governor Hope Uzodima of Imo State of the dangers of withdrawal from the ban on open grazing initiated by the Forum of Southern Governors, even as it announced his excommunication, if he fails to rescind his decision.  Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro in a statement on Thursday, said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide had warned Governor Uzodima of Imo State on the dangers of withdrawal from the ban on open grazing initiated by the Forum of Southern Governors, as he (Uzodima) had attracted scourge of hatred, plagues, and curses on his government and Ndigbo will declare him #1 Enemy of Ndigbo since the last 200 years. “Our suspicion had been reinforced with the continued absence of Governor Uzodinma in the meetings of Southern Governors in Asaba and Lagos, which was intentional and premeditated to ambush the resolutions of the Southern Governors, and he will never escape the venom of Ndi

*Chief Adesunbo Onitiri (Nigeria) President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised not to give order that will polarize the country in the interest of peace, unity and stability of Nigeria.  This advice was given by a renowned socio-political activist and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri in a statement in Lagos on Monday.  According to Chief Onitri, this order would would cause a clash between the President and the state governors which is avoidable.  "I beg to disagree with the recent Grazing Reserve Order of Mr President when considered alongside with the plea of Mr President with the Service chiefs not to make him fail in his governance.  "Any sane mind will find this two conflicting stand point very absurd. The Land Use Act which is part of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and which President Buhari swore to uphold firmly placed administration of land in the purview of state Governors. "The state Governors  have already taken a stand point

*President Muhammadu Buhari (Nigeria) President Muhammadu Buhari has approved recommendations of a committee to review “with dispatch,” 368 grazing sites, across 25 states in the country, “to determine the levels of encroachment.” Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, said:  “The President’s directive followed his approval of the recommendations of a committee chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari. “Among others, the committee had recommended the collection of field data collection on 368 Grazing Reserves across 25 states to assess encroachment and encroachers, stakeholder engagements and sensitization. “The Committee also recommended production of maps and geo-mapping/tagging of sites, analysis of findings and report preparations as well as design appropriate communication on Grazing Reserves and operations. “The number of the Grazing Reserves and States were deduced from

(Nigeria) The Enugu State Government has distanced itself from the news report trending on the social media regarding one Tochukwu Okeke purported to be a Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the Governor on Security, stating categorically, for the avoidance of doubt, that the state government has not designated any person, whosoever, as either Special Adviser, Senior Special Assistant or Special Assistant to the Governor on Security. In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo  Aroh, the state government said it was very concerned about the rising security challenges faced by the country and appreciates the untiring efforts of the various security agencies in tackling acts of criminality. Aroh maintained that “The state government will continue to support the various security agencies in this arduous task of restoring security and protecting the lives and property of the people of Enugu State within the ambit of the extant laws.”                                    

(Nigeria) Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Wednesday, cautioned  traditional rulers in South East, who reports their youths to Nigerian Army and Navy, for opposing the sale of their community lands to herdsmen. IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled "Any traditional ruler in Biafra land found to be reporting his subjects to the Army and Navy for opposing the sale of their community land to Fulani herdsmen, should be prepared to reap the fruit of their treachery," said:  "The attention of the global family of  IPOB  led by our indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the treacherous and abominable activities of some evil traditional rulers in Biafran land who report their youths to the Nigerian soldiers to kill them because they opposed the sale of their community's land to Fulani herdsmen. "We have also got reports of traditional rulers who terrorise their youths in their community by tagging them

*Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (Nigeria) Transforming Africa’s food system is an obvious task requiring the active mobilization and prioritization of both public and private investments, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. This explains the resolve of the Federal Government in complementing existing development plans, sectoral strategies, and prioritizing investments in specific innovations and technologies to transform food systems in the country. Osinbajo stated this today in his remarks delivered virtually at the preparatory meeting of the United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021. The Pre-Summit is a prelude to the culminating global event scheduled for Rome, Italy in September, 2021, an event the Vice President described as crucial just as the previous dialogues held in several countries on food systems. Sharing insights on Nigeria’s efforts, the Vice President noted that “the Nigerian Government is committed to addressing the drivers of food insecurity such as food

(Nigeria) A Northern-based wealthy farmer and indigene of Mbu, in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, Alhaji Sani Nnaji has applauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for providing the peaceful and conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the state. Alhaji Nnaji, who is deep-rooted in agricultural business, has large farms in the Northern part of the country such as Zamfara State. He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ANSAR Technology Nigeria Limited, as well as the Founder of Alhaji Sani Nnaji Foundation, which empowers local farmers in food production and marketing. Speaking when Governor Ugwuanyi joined him and other Muslim faithful to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir #eidelkabir at his Country home in Mbu, Isi-Uzo LGA of the state, yesterday, Alhaji Nnaji disclosed that he returned home from the North to establish him farming business because of the enduring #peace the governor has entrenched in Enugu State. The wealthy and successful farmer stressed that emplaced peac

(Nigeria) The Southern Governors Forum has set September 1, 2021, deadline for member states for the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law in all member States. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Governor, Ondo State and Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum in a communiqué after the forum’s meeting in Lagos on Monday, said: “At the end of the meeting held on July 5, 2021, to review the situation in the country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB.   “Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following: re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people. “The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southe

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN delivers the keynote address at the Consolidatory Dialogue for the UN Food Systems Summit and presents The Nigeria Food Systems Mapping Report To State Governments Across The Six Geopolitical Zones at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja (Nigeria) In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda to lift 100m Nigerians from poverty within a decade and the globally acclaimed Sustainable Development Goals, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is leading the Federal Government’s collaboration with the United Nations to improve Nigeria’s food systems.  The effort is to attack the menace of hunger, combat malnutrition, reduce poor diet-related diseases among others. The Federal Government and the United Nations had led series of public dialogues at national and sub-national levels that culminated today in the presentation of the Nigeria Food Systems mapping report to State governments across the six geo-political zones. Osinbajo made the presentation at a Co

*Dame Patience Jonathan (Nigeria) A Lagos Federal High Court on Monday, adjourned till October 7, 2021,   for hearing of an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking an   order for final forfeiture of the sum of $5.78 million and N2.4 billion, linked to the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. Trial judge, Tijjani Garuba Ringim, adjourned the date after hearing the submissions of the counsel to the parties in the matter. EFCC had filed the application for forfeiture sometimes in 2017 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, now retired. The defendants in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/640/2017, were; Dame Patience Jonathan and a firm, LA Wari Furniture and Bathes. The monies were said to have been warehoused by Skye Bank Plc and Ecobank Plc respectively. Justice Olatoregun on April 26, 2017, ordered the temporary forfeiture of the monies, sequel to an ex-parte application filed and moved by the EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo. The judge’s order

(Nigeria) The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday said it was not against the North, but rather against terrorist herdsmen, terrorizing the South East. IPOB's Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, in a statement said: "The attention of IPOB, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the latest ranting and ridiculous claims by Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, that IPOB, and Eastern Security Network, ESN, were killing Northerners. There is no iota of truth in such mischievous and fallacious claim. "In case the self-acclaimed Islamic cleric has forgotten, may we remind him that neither IPOB nor ESN is a terrorist organisation or killers like bandit clients and allies. Spilling of blood is never part of our mandate. "ESN is a child of necessity created for the defense of our ancestral land against terrorists and killer herdsmen wrecking havoc across our communities. ESN is only defending our hapless mothers and sisters who have been raped, maimed and attac

*Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State (Nigeria) Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr Mudashiru Obasa, has congratulated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his 56th birthday describing him as one who continues to prove his belief in the development and prosperity of the state. Speaker Obasa, in a message by his media office on Thursday, said the Governor's actions and activities have been such that have helped the State to maintain its enviable position in Nigeria. Obasa commended Sanwo-Olu for the cordial relationship enjoyed by the executive and the legislative arms adding that this has continued to reflect in the successes achieved by the government thus far. "I heartily congratulate our amiable and hardworking Governor, who has, like many of us, continued to experience sleepless nights in his zeal to sustain the tempo of growth and development in Lagos. "Our dear State is proud to have had leaders who are passionate about its progress and you rema

*Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN (Nigeria) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said that the recent supplementary budget sent to the National Assembly, on enhancing the capacity of the military and other security agencies, was part of the concerted efforts of the Federal Government to beef up its response to the nation's security challenges. Osinbajo stated this on Wednesday evening when he received on a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, His Royal Majesty, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeola Ajakaiye. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele were also present at the meeting. The Vice President further stated that traditional rulers, local and state governments must also collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling insecurity. He said, “The President has recently constituted a committee that will look at the whole security infrastructure with a view to looking at the needs of the military, as

*Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (Nigeria) Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the Anchor Borrowers Programme and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative were revolutionizing agriculture in Nigeria. The Minister made the remarks in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, when he led a Federal Government delegation on an inspection of Malam Alu Agro Allied Company Limited, which also hosts the tallest national flag pole in Nigeria and the second in Africa at 50 metres high. He said the Anchor Borrowers Programme, which was launched by the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, in 2015 to boost the nation’s agricultural sector!, has now catalysed the production of such crops as rice, maize, wheat and tomato, among others, and boosted local production as well as conserved the nation’s foreign exchange through marked reduction in importation. “Then, there is the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, which is aimed at stimulati

(Nigeria) Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has said despite the antics of North, with the sole pursuit of unleashing chaos to southeastern, that "Igbos will surely be victorious against all the northern conspiracies." Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretary-General, Mazi okechukwu Isiguzoro in a statement on Thursday, said: “We have observed that there is a considerable collaboration between all the onslaughts witnessed in the southeast which is tracked down to a vicious conglomerate from the North, with the sole pursuit of unleashing chaos to southeastern Nigeria, but " Igbos will surely be victorious against all the northern conspiracies". “Specific reports reinforced our suspicions that there are craftily designed conspiracies against the Southeast by the North, how do we reconcile the vituperative rhetoric of Chief Audu Ogbeh, National Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, calling the shots that "Northerners should vacate from the southeast?” “And the warning to deal

Senator Abba Moro (Nigeria) Senator representing Benue South district, Abba Moro, has called on security agencies in the country to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the killings of natives by suspected herdsmen in four communities in Benue South senatorial district. The lawmaker made the plea during plenary on Wednesday after raising a point of order to draw the attention of the upper chamber to recent killings in Ado Local Government Area of the state. Coming under Order 43 of the Senate Rules, Senator Moro bemoaned what he described as “a violent rising wave of Fulani Herdsmen attacks in the Benue South Senatorial District of Benue State”. According to him, “the menace has spread like wildfire which poses a great threat to the continued peaceful existence of Communities in Benue South region. “Notes further with grave pain that, on May 30, 2021, Odokem, Ataloga, Ndigwe and Nduobasi Communities of Ado Local Government Area in Benue South Senatorial District were invaded b

President Muhammadu Buhari (Nigeria) The President Muhammadu Buhari presidency has questioned the ban on open grazing by Southern Nigeria governors, saying that it was a questionable legality, given the Constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the freedoms within every one of our 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, -regardless of the state of their birth or residence. Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu in a statement on Monday, said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed a strong resolve to address the conflicts of herders and farmers in a sustained and lasting manner that should lead to the emergence of a permanent solution to the frequent clashes between them, as well as the associated problem of the gun-wielding “killer herdsmen.” “The President had approved a number of specific measures to bring a permanent end to the frequent skirmishes as recommended by Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture in a report he submitted and the Presiden

Abubakar Malami, AGF (Nigeria) Chairman of Southern State governors, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has advised Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, to approach the court to challenge the legality of the laws of the respective Southern States banning open grazing, rather than trivialise the issue. Akeredolu, who is also the governor of Ondo State, in a statement on Thursday, said: “I have just read the press statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN on the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum to ban open grazing in their respective States. “The AGF is quoted to have said that this reasoned decision, among others, is akin to banning all spare parts dealers in the Northern parts of the country and is unconstitutional. “It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distill issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting. This outb