FG inaugurates National Task Force on Rice and Wheat Production

The Federal Government has announced the inauguration of the National Task Force on Rice and Wheat Production. 

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, the task force is expected to set targets that will lead to comprehensive and clear results in the production of the two crops.

See the full statement below.

07 June 2016 | OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT PRESS RELEASE

FG SETS UP NATIONAL TASK FORCE ON RICE, WHEAT PRODUCTION
*TARGETS MASSIVE OUTPUT WITHIN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME

The Federal government has established a National Rice and Wheat Task Force to set up targets that will yield comprehensible and self-evident results in rice and wheat production in the country.
“What we are trying to achieve is that agriculture is our main stay and we are trying to evolve a strategy for our economy, a strategy for employment and a strategy for feeding our people,” Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated today at the Presidential Villa at the inauguration of the Task Force.
Osinbajo said the need to feed our population is the focus of the Buhari administration. “Rice and wheat is our main focus, and making sure that in one year we can show the world that we are serious.”
Emphasizing the need to develop strategies to rejuvenate the whole value chain, he gave the following as terms of reference to the panel;
i. to set up production targets for rice and wheat in the participating states;
ii. to determine the scope and particulars for government support needed towards the attainment of the set targets;
iii. to consider and proffer the best off-take and marketing arrangements that will encourage maximum effort among the farmers/millers;
iv. to determine the rice and wheat value chain deficiencies and recommend solutions for addressing them;
v. to mobilize farmers and millers in identified target states to engage the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and other available support facilities;
vi. to establish timelines for the delivery of goals set by the Task Force.
Responding, the Chairman of the Task Force and Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, thanked the Vice President for the consideration and stated that the disconnect between farmers and millers needs to be addressed. He added that the two bodies in the value chain need to be mobilized for maximum results.
Members of the task force include Governors of Kebbi State Senator Abubakar A. Bagugu, Dr. A. U. Ganduje of Kano State, and Engr. David Umahi of Ebonyi State. Others are the Minister of State for Agriculture Lokpobiri Heineken, the President of Rice Farmers Association Mallam Aminu Goronyo and the President Wheat Farmers Association Saliu Mohammed.

Laolu A lands
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity
In the Office of the Vice President
June 7, 2016

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The command's spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu said in a statement that the applicants' offences included alteration of First School Leaving Certificates, birth certificates, and other documents.

He added that the suspects have been assisting the police with investigations.

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Reading her judgement, the judge said,  “the tribunal having critically examined the conduct of the election, the petitioner has failed to prove his case. His petition lacks merit and legal competence.

“Therefore, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is hereby declared winner of the Kogi election,’’ she said.

She ruled that Bello having participated in the primary election of the APC was qualified to contest the election.

She further ruled that since Bello participated in his party's primary election, he was the closest candidate the APC could have nominated to replace the late Abubakar Audu.

On the allegation of irregularities by the petitioner, Muhammad ruled that there was no evidence of irregularities during the election as alleged.

“The evidence of the PW1 and PW3 did not give this tribunal proof that there were the alleged irregularities at the polling unit during the election.

“The tribunal cannot attach probation to this evidence by the petitioner; therefore, the grounds of the petitioner were not in consonance with Section 138(1) of the Electoral Law.

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``The United States condemns in the strongest terms Boko Haram’s barbaric June 3 attack on a military outpost in Bosso, Niger.

``We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the 30 Nigeriens and two Nigerian soldiers killed in the attack and the 67
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He added that the Federal Government

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