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Agric ministry pledges to reduce post-harvest losses by 25%

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By Francesca Hangeior.

 

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has pledged to significantly reduce post-harvest losses in the agricultural sector by 25 per cent as part of its efforts to ensure food security and boost domestic production.

This commitment was made during the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones High-Level Implementation Acceleration Dialogue held in Abuja on Monday.

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The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones initiative is a Nigerian government programme aimed at boosting agriculture through targeted investments, integrating farming, processing, and marketing to increase productivity, reduce losses, and enhance value addition for food security, job creation, and poverty reduction, supported by the African Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and Islamic Development Bank.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, emphasised the urgent need for a collaborative approach to address the existing challenges within the agricultural sector.

“Our objective is clear: we must enhance our production capabilities and reduce post-harvest losses from the current 45 per cent to 20 per cent. This is critical not only for food security but also for improving the livelihoods of our farmers,” Kyari stated.

According to him, the SAPZ initiative aims to create agro-industrial processing zones across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on key crops like cassava, rice, maize, and cocoa.

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He added that the programme is expected to generate approximately 500,000 direct and indirect jobs while also contributing additional metric tonnage to the nation’s food supply.

Finance Minister Wale Edun, speaking at the event, reinforced the government’s commitment to industrialisation through agriculture.

“The successful production of food is fundamental to our economic stability. When we achieve our production goals, we will see a significant impact on inflation, interest rates, and ultimately, our trade balance,” he said.

Edun highlighted the collaboration between the federal and state governments, as well as private sector partners, as vital for the success of the SAPZ programme.

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“We cannot afford to disrupt domestic production while addressing the immediate food needs of our population. This requires a careful balance of both short-term and long-term strategies,” Edun added.

The Country Director of the African Development Bank, Abdul Kamara, also spoke at the workshop, underscoring the potential of the SAPZ programme to transform the rural economy.

“By reducing post-harvest losses from 50 per cent to 10-20 per cent, we can make a significant contribution to the economy and improve food security,” Kamara stated.

He encouraged all stakeholders to work collaboratively to address challenges impeding implementation.

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The workshop brought together various stakeholders, including state governors and representatives from development partners, to discuss the acceleration of the SAPZ programme.

Dr. Abdulkazumare, representing the Governor of Kaduna State, emphasised the need for innovative solutions to current constraints.

“Our goal should be to learn from successful models globally and adapt them to our local context,” he added.

The Agriculture Minister stated that as discussions continue, the Agriculture Ministry remains optimistic about the outcomes of the SAPZ initiative, which it sees as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and economic growth.

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“The path forward requires not just commitment but also effective communication to galvanise public support.

Together, we can build a resilient agricultural sector that meets the needs of all Nigerians,” Kyari said.

The Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Dede Ekoue, expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating, “We would like to extend our warm congratulations to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security for this laudable initiative.”

He also recognised the leadership of the Minister of Finance, stating, “His leadership in facilitating the finalisation and implementation of the Financing Agreements has been invaluable.”

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Ekoue highlighted ongoing efforts in Kano State, where IFAD is supporting an accelerated pilot project aimed at enhancing the capabilities of rice and tomato farmers.

He emphasised the importance of partnerships, saying, “We are pleased that the implementation of these strategies has led to some quick wins, such as the signing of off-take contracts.”

The director stressed the need for collaborative efforts, adding, “We must work together to address the challenges affecting implementation.”

He outlined key actions to enhance the programme’s success, including strengthening coordination and technical capacity.

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Regarding Ogun State, Ekoue acknowledged the signing of a subsidiary loan agreement and expressed hope for further agreements to expedite project implementation.

“We are convinced that this strategic gathering will empower all stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of SAPZ at these critical times for food security and inclusive economic growth,” he said.

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BREAKING: Jubilation As PDP Wins All 30 LGs In Osun State(See winners)

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, has announced that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, won all the local government and councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections in the state.

The Chairman of the Commission, Hashim Abioye, made this announcement via a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday evening.

Abioye stated that PDP candidates secured all the councillorship seats in all 332 wards in the state, as well as the chairmanship elections in all 30 local government council areas.

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The names of the PDP chairmanship candidates and their respective local government council areas:

Babalola Wasiu Kayode – Boripe

Okunade Oluwafemi Adesanya – Egbedore

Adeyenuwo Rotimi John – Ife Central

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Agboola Francis Olajire – Obokun

Azeez Lateef Adeniran – Isokan

Aina Abayomi Adesina – Boluwaduro

Sodiq Samuel Oluwapelumi – Ola Oluwa

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Ajibade Oluwatoyin S. – Irepodun

Adebanjo Oladiti Tunmininu – Ilesa West

Ibironke Alade Adegboye – Atakumosa East

Aroke Muyiwa Aderemi – Ife South

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Kolade Obafemi Kolawole – Olorunda

Moshood Adekunle Kabiru – Iwo

Awotunde Abiodun Sarafadeen – Ifelodun

Akande Taiwo Adekunle – Osogbo

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Dada Feyisayo Ajibola – Atakumosa West

Amodu Taiwo – Ede North

Atolagbe Kayode Olayinka – Ifedayo

Akande Michael O. – Ife North

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Adeyekun Taiwo Adebayo – Oriade

Adeniran Adenike Felicia – Ayedaade

Afolabi Oyekola Lukman – Ede South

Odunyemi Haruna Bukola – Ife East

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Jooda Ambali Babajide – Irewole

Adewale Adeyinka Oluwaseun – Odo Otin

Ogunbiyi Solomon Akinyemi – Ayedire

Raimi Adenike Nafisat – Ejigbo

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Adebisi Jayeola Nasir – Ila

Ilesanmi Taiwo Sunday – Ilesa East

Alade Aderemi Fatai – Orolu

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DSS arrests three for assaulting operatives during LSHA crisis

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested three persons linked to the alleged assault on its officers during the crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, following the removal Mudashiru Obasa, as Speaker

Apparently sensing danger, some lawmakers had mobilized their supporters to the Assembly Complex, but these supporters allegedly attacked some DSS officers who were invited by the Assembly leadership to secure the facility. Security sources revealed that “after extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects”.
“The suspects, Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer and two others attached to the Assembly’s Seargent at Arms, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh, a lady, were consequently tracked and arrested during the week in different parts of Lagos,” The trio have since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court, the source said.

It would be recalled that the Lagos Assembly had in a leaked memo dated 14th February, 2025 and addressed to the DSS Director in the State, and Heads of other Security Agencies in Lagos State, told the Security Agencies in Lagos that, there was credible information to the effect that, Obasa had planned to forcefully reinstate himself today, February 18, 2025.
Accordingly, the Assembly management, held the view that, the development posed “a potential security threat” to it and its members.

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Police seal OSSIEC office, officials nabbed, says chairman

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, has claimed that the police have sealed off the headquarters in Osogbo.

In a video post on the OSSIEC X handle, Abioye accused the police of also arresting election officials and blocking journalists from covering the local government election.

According to him, several OSSIEC officials were detained while on their way to polling units on Saturday.

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Attempts by our correspondent to reach Abioye for further details proved abortive as his telephone line was switched off.

The OSSIEC chair, in the post, assured voters that materials had been deployed to affected areas.

So far so good, the reports have been positive and the conduct has been very smooth and peaceful as against the false alarm raised by the police. Everywhere is calm,” Abioye said.

“The only thing is that in some of the areas in which materials are supposed to have arrived for voters to cast their votes, we had reports of police arresting our officials.

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“I don’t know on whose order because there is no court order that warranted the arrest of officers of our officials.

“As it is, we have deployed materials to those units because we have enough on the ground.

For our people in the media community, I want to apologise for the inadequacy of the tags and the jackets because we have enough but the police sealed our office and that was not warranted at all.”

Abioye’s comments come after police had called for the local government election to be called off by the state government, citing a security threat.

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In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, the Police said it received credible intelligence indicating a likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned elections proceed.

The police explained that reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering revealed that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are mobilising to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace and undermine the democratic order.

However, the Osun State government acknowledged the police’s advice but insisted on going on with the election.

Channels Television reports that the election eventually went on as scheduled on Saturday.

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