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President Bola Tinubu says under his administration, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly.ByAbdulkareem Mojeed  May 29, 2023 Reading Time: 2 mins read 0

President Bola Tinubu says his administration will create agricultural hubs across States in Nigeria to boost food production.

The president disclosed this while delivering his inaugural speech on Monday in Abuja.

“Agricultural hubs will be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processing,” Mr Tinubu said.

He emphasised that the livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimise the perennial conflict over land and water resources in this sector.

The president said rural incomes should be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products.

“A nationwide programme for storage and other facilities to reduce spoilage and waste will be undertaken,” Mr Tinubu said.

Through these actions, the president said, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly and that farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less.

Existing scourge

Despite repeated promises to develop the agricultural sector in the last eight years under former president Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria has failed to ensure food sustainability.

Through the Anchor Borrowers Programme initiative implemented under Mr Buhari, the country’s rice and maize production experienced a major boost in eight years.

READ ALSO: GDP: Agric contribution improves in 2021 second quarter

But that hasn’t translated to food sufficiency as prices of food items have been on a steady rise amid rising inflation.

This has largely affected the purchasing power of many citizens whose incomes remain poor in the face of the high cost of food, making it difficult for millions of citizens to feed themselves comfortably.

Agricultural experts say that Mr Tinubu’s plan to boost agricultural infrastructure would boost the country’s food security significantly.

“The priority on Agriculture and FoodSecurity mentioned by the new President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inauguration speech is good news for local farmers,” says David Michael, the executive director of Global Initiative For Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), a non-governmental organisation.

On his part, Azeez Salawu, founder and executive director at Community Action for Food Security (CAFS) Initiative, said the successful implementation of Mr Tinubu’s plans outlined would depend on various factors, such as sufficient funding, effective policy implementation, and the collaboration of all stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.

“Also, monitoring progress and adapting strategies based on feedback and challenges will be crucial in achieving the desired outcomes in the agricultural sector in Nigeria,” he said.

The embassy officials promised to foster closer cooperation and facilitate linkages with the American government and US companies in the areas mentioned in a mutually beneficial manner.

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas (C) meets with US Embassy officials on Friday, August 18, 2023. 

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State says his administration is poised tobetter the lots of residents in all sectors of the states economy to ensuredevelopment gets to all nooks and crannies of the state.

The governor made the disclosure on Friday at an event to discuss areas of cooperation, trade and assistance to the state with the Embassy of the United States in Abuja. Kefas explained the focus of his administration and steps already taken to reposition the state, especially, in key sectors like agriculture, health services, and mining and solid minerals, which will require the expertise of the American Government and private sector involvement to harness the potential for growth and development of the state. According to him, the rationale behind the compulsory free education policy at basic and secondary education levels is to lift the burden on parents and as a radical approach to the problem of insecurity by attacking it at the base.

  He insisted that poverty has also been at the root of many conflicts which the free education programme that encompasses books, uniforms, teachers welfare, and infrastructure aims to address. Kefas also sought the cooperation of the embassy in areas of cultural exchanges, environment and climate change, as well as securing grants and capacity building on clean energy, insecurity, economic development and gender issues. The embassy officials promised to foster closer cooperation and facilitate linkages with the American government and US companies in the areas mentioned in a mutually beneficial manner. They suggested regional cooperation amongst states so that American support through USAID and similar agencies can reach a wider audience. 
The governor had a positive interface with the Embassy head of Political Affairs; David Frost, that of Economic Affairs Katharine Habour, and Victoria Ibi, the Political Specialist at the Embassy. Kefas, as part of a concerted drive to attract foreign investment and support to bolster his administrations desire to fast-track economic and social development, had earlier visited the Embassies of Germany, the European Union, the Czech Republic, and China.  

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday formally commissioned the newly established Forward Operation Base, Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Part of the operationalisation ceremony of the unit was the hoisting of the National Flag, combat match by troops and formal commissioning of the Base by the Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, as well briefing by the Commanding Officer of 20 Model Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel MS Adamu.
Present at the operationalisation ceremony were Ishaku; Speaker, Taraba State State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Abel Diah; Chairman of Sardauna Local Government Council, Rev. Godswill Sol; Dr. Shehu Audu Baju II, Chief of Mambilla; members of the Taraba State Executive Council; Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters; Corps Commanders; GOC 3 Division; and Commander 23 Brigade Commander.
Others were heads of security and paramilitary agencies in Sardauna Local Government Area and community leaders of the Mambilla Plateau.
Earlier on arrival in Gembu, Buratai paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Mambilla in his palace.

The creation of new chiefdoms by Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has caused a crisis among community members, leading to the loss of lives and properties in the state. In this report, indigenes and stakeholders give an insight into the growing crisis.

The creation of chiefdoms by Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has caused a crisis among communities that once coexisted peacefully.

The creation of new chiefdoms by Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has caused a crisis among community members, leading to the loss of lives.

Sun, 28 May 2023 4:20:25 WAT

For instance, the installation of the Chief of Wurkum two weeks ago by Governor Ishaku has caused a crisis among Karimjo and Wurkum ethnic groups in Karim-Lamido.

The Karimjo ethnic group is claiming ownership of Karim-Lamido town; hence they protested the installation of a Wurkum to rule the town.

Wurkum is one of the major ethnic groups in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area and have been ruling the town for the past 40 years.

The new chief succeeded his late father, who died some months ago.

The Karimjo ethnic group demanded a chiefdom to be created for them in the same town  but the request was not granted by Governor Ishaku.

When the new chief, who was presented with a staff of office along with 9 other newly appointed chiefs, entered Karim-Lamido town with his entourage, Karimjo youths allegedly  staged a protest, which turned bloody.

Many people were killed and several houses and shops razed.

Wurkum villages around Karim-Lamido town were also razed, and villagers said they lost 20 persons. The people of Karimjo are yet to disclose the number of their casualties.

Findings by Daily Trust on Sunday revealed that over 30 people from both sides were killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

The police spokesman in the state, SP Usman Abdullahi, disclosed that 16 casualties were recorded during the crisis, adding that policemen and soldiers were deployed to control the situation.

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that in a nearby Jen town in the same Karim-Lamido, tension is also mounting over the appointment and installation of a new chief.

Governor Ishaku was accused of appointing the new chief outside the three recognised ruling houses in the chiefdom.

The matter is now before a High Court in Jalingo and elders of the chiefdom had to prevail on youths in the area not to cause trouble.

Similarly, stakeholders in Gassol chiefdom have dragged the Taraba State Government and Governor Ishaku to court for creating Kwarrafa chiefdom. They insist that the governor used political and ethnic sentiments in creating the new chiefdom.

“We secured court injunction that stopped the governor from installing a chief for Kwarrafa pending the determination on the suit we filed challenging the government, but he went ahead and installed the new chief in disregard to court directives,” the stakeholders said.

Communities of Garin Magaji in Gassol Local Government Area also engaged in bloody crisis over chieftaincy tussle.

The house of the new chief in the town was razed by irate youths while shops were looted.

Mallam Yakubu Saidu said Governor Ishaku had politicised the appointment of traditional rulers by not following the proper procedure and culture of the people.

He said rather than uniting the people, the creation of chiefdoms and appointment of rulers had brought disunity among various communities in the state.

Also, many people are not happy with the creation of 9 new chiefdoms out of Wukari in southern Taraba, where the Aku Uka served as a paramount ruler.

In all, 84 chiefdoms were created and upgraded for different ethnic groups across 16 local government areas.

In some areas, the chiefdoms were welcome, but in many communities it brought hostility among ethnic groups.

Before the coming of the Darius Ishaku administration in 2015, there were seven first class chiefs, out of which two stools were vacant.

The first class chiefs were the Emir of Muri, Aku Uka of Wukari, Kpanti Zing, Gara of Donga, Lamdo Gashaka, Ukwe Takum and chief of Mambilla.

The stool of the chief of  Mambilla and that of Ukwe Takum were vacant.

In 2014, a former acting governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar, appointed  Audu Bajju as the new  chief of Mambilla.

Ishaku created seven additional chiefdoms out of Mambilla.

The governor did not attend to the vacant stool of UkweTakum because of the controversy surrounding the chiefdom.

Past governments failed to appoint a new chief because of the interest of some people.

While the people of Kutep insist that the stool of UkweTakum was for them, Jukun and Chamba ethnic groups in Takum also laid claim to it.

It was rumoured recently that there was an attempt to create two more chiefdoms out of Takum— one for Chamba and another for Jukun, while the Kutep would have the Ukwe Takum.

Daily Trust on Sunday learnt that the state government dropped the idea because of the dispute surrounding the stool of UkweTakum.

Our correspondent also gathered that in a bid to realise his agenda of giving each tribe a chiefdom, the governor is planning to create seven more despite having few days to vacate office. Taraba State has over 100 tribes.

Another chiefdom was created from Bakundi in Bali Local Government Area.

Kuru Jibu chiefdom was created in the same town, where the palace of the traditional ruler is located not more than three kilometres from the palace of the Chief of Bakundi.

Apart from the Kuru Jibu chiefdom, additional ones were created out of Bakundi.

In Kurmi Local Government Area, creation of chiefdoms has also caused disaffection among some communities.

One of the stakeholders in the area, Mr David James, told Daily Trust on Sunday that the people needed infrastructure for development, such as roads, electricity and water, but the Ishaku administration failed to pay attention to such things, instead he concentrated on creating chiefdoms.

He said that most monarchs, especially those appointed by the governor, did not have palaces or official vehicles.

A politician in Takum, Mr Charles Victor, said the governor, however, failed to achieve his agenda of winning senatorial election in southern Taraba through the creation of chiefdoms to please various communities.

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As events unfold in the renewed hope regime of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is quite clear that he is a dogged fighter who takes firm decisive decisions without bothering about whose ox is gored. The Mambilla hydro project however has a funny twist to it which requires focus on the nation’s development as it’s first priority. 

The core fundamental issue is the funding, expertise and execution. With very challenging economic times, external funding can be most useful especially for a very critical project of this magnitude and its economic benefits to this great nation. The Chinese are prepared or ready to provide funding and expertise to the tune of $4.5bn but have given a condition that FGN settles the local content pioneer of the project, Sunrise Power Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL). 

  Whilst a settlement was reached under the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari initiated by the late chief of staff Abba Kyari, both the minister of justice and minister of power went into a legally binding settlement with Sunrise and its chairperson Mr. Leno Adesanya. 

Unfortunately FGN failed to fulfill the terms of the agreement as a result of funds as directed in a memo from the then president to his minister of justice. 

Till date, chairman Sunrise has reached a second resolution to either get settled directly by FGN or have the statutory 15% contribution by FGN made to the Chinese to enable them settle sunrise directly and move on with the project execution. 

Unfortunately, some elements in the department of justice have taken it upon themselves with a foreign legal firm White & Case to charge FGN hourly in dollars to fight Sunrise with the sole aim of discrediting the company and indicting its chairman for perceived inducement of government officials.  

  The focus for President Tinubu on project is: Would the Chinese who are coming to fund the project overlook Sunrise power company whom they have given condition for settlement? The answer is capital No. It then becomes incumbent that 

President Tinubu must ensure the nation’s development comes first and enforce an immediate settlement out of court with FGN & Sunrise. Proceeding with this viable project guarantee’s 50,000 jobs, economic spillover and long term renewable energy for the Northeast region and the country at large.

 Rptr. Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State

The International Court of Arbitration administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, France, has affirmed the legal and beneficial ownership of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) in the $5.8 billion Mambilla hydro-electric power project.

Sunrise and its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Leno Adesanya had been involved in a running legal battle with the Federal Government over the unlawful termination of the contract, which was signed on May 22, 2003, but re-awarded to a Chinese firm, Messrs China Gezhouba Group Corporation/China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGGC/CGC).

Specifically, Sunrise launched series of judicial counters to the termination of the contract on May 28, 2007, culminating in a 14-year delay, with the new awardee effectively barred from commencing the execution of the contract.

According to the background of the matter, after Sunrise’s withdrawal from its $500 million Settlement Agreement arbitration at the International Court of Arbitration in Paris in September 2021, the Federal Government’s legal team led by Supo Shasore (SAN) and the foreign firm of White and Case decided to invite Sunrise back to the ICC by claiming $1.6 million in legal fees because Sunrise withdrew the $500 million suit.

The ICC on October 13, 2022 ruled against all objections raised by FG, and called for the expedited arbitration procedure to be adopted in the $500 million settlement agreements, which is to commence immediately.

After an international tender process in early 2003, the FG awarded a $6 billion Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Co. Limited and its Chinese consortium partners on May 22, 2003.

Sunrise consortium had secured $5.5 billion in Chinese Eximbank loans in 2005, while the FG, on May 28, 2007, signed a $1.46b civil works contract with CGGC/CGC, in clear violation of Sunrise’s BOT contract.

In November 2007, Sunrise filed a petition to then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and the $1.46b EPC contract was terminated in 2009.

On November 23, 2012, FG signed a General Project Execution Agreement (GOEA) with Sunrise and its Chinese consortium partners for the execution of the Mambilla hydropower project. However, on November 12, 2017, the FG signed a $5.8 billion EPC contract with another Chinese Consortium despite numerous written warnings from the current attorney general of the federation to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in 2016 and 2017 to respect the GPEA contract with Sunrise.

Sunrise resorted to arbitration against FG and Sinohydro consortium of China in 2018, claiming $2.3 billion in damages.

With the intervention of the Chinese President, who sent a special envoy to President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019, FG and Sunrise signed a settlement agreement in January 2020; and this settlement was advised to both the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and Chairman of China Eximbank, who had made the settlement condition precedent to any loans for the Project. However, the FG defaulted.

Sunrise in September 2021 withdrew the $500m settlement arbitration on condition that FG makes a financial commitment towards the Project, and respects its right as the exclusive local content partner, but the FG failed again to make any payments to the EPC contractors and/or the counterpart funds to China Eximbank.

While the FG has been unable to defend its failure to honor its agreements to Sunrise, however, the government requested that the ICC should direct “that Sunrise produce certain information showing its true legal and beneficial ownership.”

The request, according to the government, was based on the allegation that there exist Pandora papers suggesting that Mr. Leno Adesanya secretly transferred an interest in Sunrise to the family of Nigeria’s former National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki.

This claim was vehemently objected to by the Claimant (Sunrise).

In a decision dated October 13, 2022, the ICC said there were no “sufficient sensitive elements” adduced by the FG to prevent the matter from proceeding.

According to the decision, the ICC said: “We have duly noted all elements mentioned in the claimant’s and respondent’s request pertaining to fraud and corruption allegations.

“In this respect, the secretariat is monitoring this matter closely together with ICC’s Legal Services Department, which has conducted internal compliance verifications but has not found sufficient sensitive elements to prevent this arbitration from being administered by the ICC.”

The ICC said the decision does not constitute a legal opinion and that it may further be subjected to change in case of new elements.

“Should any corruption or related claims need to be addressed in relation to the present dispute or its underlying contract, we invite the parties to communicate all relevant documentation and supporting materials directly to the arbitral tribunal, once constituted,” the ICC said.

The 3,050 MW Mambilla Power Project is the largest Power plant in Nigeria and it is the flagship power generation project of the Buhari-led government.

In this articleChinese Eximbank loansLeno AdesanyaMambilla power project  

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About 500 insurance brokers registered and operating in the nation’s insurance sector, 26 brokers have sent in their proposals to the federal government for insurance services to insure N1.8 trillion Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power plant situated in Taraba State, The Guardian has gathered.
 
Investigation revealed that many  brokers are on their toes to submit their bid to underwrite the risks in the proposed power project as the deadline for the submission of bid for the insurance of this plant is yet unknown as at the time of writing this report,The Guardian learnt that the Ministry of Power will, thereafter, scrutinise the applications and finally approve only about 10 brokers to insure the assets of the project.
 
Expert in the industry, who spoke to The Guardian on the development said  after final approval has been made by the federal government, brokers will now have to evaluate and assess the risks exposed to by the Federal Government and advice on the type of insurance policies suited for the project, recommend and  on the selection of underwriters based on their strengths, and ensure prompt payment of claims whenever any risk occur on the power project.

 
Confirming this development at the investiture of Shola Tinubu, as the new President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) in Lagos, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing,Babatunde Fashola, said: “26 brokers have submitted proposal for the Mambilla Power Plant in Taraba State and we are expecting more applications in the coming weeks.”
 
He said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had earlier approved the construction of Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power plant the sum of N1.8 trillion ($5.792 billion) expected to generate 3,050 megawatts Mambilla Hydro-Power project at Gembu in Taraba State.
 
He disclosed that the construction of four damns required would take 72 months period before completion.According to him, Nigeria is expected to provide 15 per cent counterpart funding in the joint venture agreement with China. However, Mambilla is to deliver 3,050 megawatts.
 
He noted that the project has been mooted since 1972, but could not come to fruition until recently. And this, has always been move embarked on by Insurance brokers to canvass on the need for government and private individuals to insurance their assets through the brokers, and it seems federal government had realised this and put measure in place to ensure the power plant is insured through insurance brokers in the country.
 
The Managing Director, Manny Insurance Brokers, Kayode Okunoren, had appealed to the federal, state and local governments to always channel their insurances through the brokers as they are universally recognised as insurance intermediaries employed to use their skills and expertise in arranging insurance protection in the very best interest of their clients who are the consumers.

Brokers are regarded as a ‘go-between’ between the providers of insurance services that is insurance and reinsurance companies and the consumers of such insurance services who are the insuring public.

In this articleBabatunde FasholaMambilla Hydro-Electric Power plant