News
2023: Nigerian farmers vow to mobilize 17 million votes for Tinubu
The Agro Commodities Directorate of the Presidential Campaign Council in the All Progressives Congress says it is committed to delivering 17 million votes to the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu at the February 25 presidential poll.
Director of the Directorate, Alhaji Abubakar Bello disclosed this at the National Stakeholders Engagement and Mobilization summit, which held at the APC presidential campaign headquarters, on Thursday in Abuja.
The Agro Commodities Directorate is a platform that comprise of over 100 recognised commodity associations cutting across agricultural production, manufacturing, processing, marketing of food and cash crops, condiments, tree crops, fisheries and livestock among others.
Alhaji Bello noted that the APC government have always supported agriculture which is vital to the growth of any economy hence the need for continuity. According to him, the agricultural policies of the present administration had led to the provision of prerequisite infrastructure that have the potential to uplift the sector sustainably in the years ahead .
According to him, the Tinubu/Shettima manifesto has also revealed that the APC presidential candidate is keen to growing the agricultural sector inorder boost the country’s economy.
He said “Representatives of all these structures are in this venue today to affirm their support to the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential ticket, and on their behalf, I wish to inform this gathering that they have all been working so hard since the inauguration of the Directorate on November 2022 with the aim of delivering at least 17 million votes to the APC Presidential Candidate during the upcoming election taking place at the end of this month.
“We all wish to acknowledge that since the advent of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, the country had seen consistent, expansive and wholistic approach to developing the Agricultural Sector through its value chains including the formulation of appropriate policies which had led to the provision of prerequisite infrastructure that have the potential to uplift the sector sustainably in the years ahead.
“As we speak, the country had reached a stage of producing and processing what it needs in food crops and is gearing for export of cash and tree crops, tubers, livestock and fisheries. Such favourable policies enabled the investments in the construction of vital futuristic structures such as the Lekki deep seaport in Lagos, the dry port in Kano and Kaduna, and the railways which will all aid transportation of agricultural commodities from production hubs to processing and marketing hubs.
“The Agro Commodities groups had to ensure full support and ensure we mobilize all our teaming members to usher in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the only government that will not only continue with these successes, but has the capacity, ability, vision and doggedness to double the speed at which the sector transforms in order to cater for the projected massive population leap in the coming years.
“We cannot afford to allow in a clueless government that had already promised to open the National borders and take us back to the era of massive food and weapons import and make our over 70 newly established integrated rice mills and other Agricultural investments to become moribund and our youth unemployed”.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Abubakar in his address, stated that for seven years consecutively, the Agricultural sector has contributed more to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) than any other sector.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the incoming government Insha Allah of Bola Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima will do the same justice for Agric as this current administration is doing because that is the only way that we can sustain our developmental activities to improve our economy”, he added.
Also, the Secretary of the Directorate, Retson Tedheke said the group is already carrying out mobilisation for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential ticket.
“This Summit is to bring those particularly involved in the Agbado and cassava infrastructure in Nigeria. The reality is this, you build on the local infrastructure to sustain an economic development that has the interest of the people at heart.
“When are we going to get off oil? How much can we spend to get agriculture to work, focus on the challenges in the agricultural space, solve insecurity problem, make sure that farmers access fund and then look at someone who believes in the Nigerian dream and then we can visualise that to grow the Nigerian economy.
“Over five million farming members are committed to the course. We want to be able to take that number to about 12.5 million across the country” he said.
Reacting to issue of farmer/herders clash, he said the APC presidential aspirant is committed to addressing the issue of insecurity headlong.
“His manifesto speak to what the farmers challenges are, if you solve security, you solve that problem.
“If you solve the food problem in this country, if you create food security, you create social security, you create economy security, you create cultural security. So the manifesto speaks to the Nigerian challenge”, he added.
Rugby School Nigeria, the newest international school of the esteemed Rugby School Group, is set to open in September 2025 in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
To celebrate this significant milestone, an exclusive launch event was held at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, attracting over 100 distinguished guests and key stakeholders from the education, government, business sectors, and diplomatic communities.
At the official launch event on March 19, 2025, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter highlighted the significance of Rugby School Nigeria stating:
“Rugby School Nigeria exemplifies one of the best of UK-Nigeria collaborations, bringing another world-class British education institution to the heart of Lagos. Situated in the dynamic Eko Atlantic City, a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and innovation, this school is poised to further shape future leaders in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
Rugby School Nigeria will initially open its doors for Sixth Form students (ages 16-18) in September 2025, with boarding facilities set to be available from September 2026. The Senior School (ages 11-16) will launch in September 2026, offering a broad and engaging curriculum that prepares students for IGCSEs and future academic success.
Founding Principal of Rugby School Nigeria, Dr Adam England expressed his enthusiasm:
“Rugby School Nigeria will offer an exceptional education that nurtures both intellectual growth and character development guided by the Rugby School ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ philosophy. Students will benefit from a comprehensive A-Level programme, preparing them for top universities worldwide, alongside the Rugby 360 programme, which fosters leadership, community engagement, and personal development.
Our state-of-the-art facilities will include science labs, creative arts spaces, and world-class sporting facilities.”
Founded in 1567, Rugby School is one of the world’s most prestigious UK boarding schools, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and character development. With established sister schools in Thailand, Japan, and now Nigeria, Rugby School continues to expand its global impact, offering transformative educational experiences to students worldwide.
Dr England added, “We are excited by the substantial interest we have already received, with numerous parents’ meetings taking place daily at our offices.”
Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Olajide Ipinsagba Emmanuel has scored himself high in terms of constituency projects deliveries to his constituents.
Speaking in an exclusive interview in his office with journalists, he said “he facilitated Agricultural Training Programs for youths and existing farmers, equipping them with modern techniques to enhance productivity, distributed fertilizers to farmers to address critical agricultural challenges, ensuring increased output and improved local food security.
“Constructed and fully equipped a modern health centre in Akunnu-Akoko, ensuring access to quality healthcare for the community, distributed health equipments and materials to the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare-Akoko, thereby strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving health outcomes.”
“Trained and Empowered Women and Youth in Confectioneries. He organised training in cake baking and other confectioneries, followed by the disbursement of start-up grants to empower beneficiaries to establish their businesses. Training of women on soap making with start-up funds.
In the same vein, he organized ICT training programs for youths, distributed HP Core i7 laptops, and provided start-up grants to promote innovation and employment in the tech sector.
“Trained youths in tailoring, provided sewing machines, and disbursed start-up grants to enhance self-reliance and job creation. Constructed a 1.5-kilometer road in Oka-Akoko, improving connectivity, facilitating economic activities, and easing transportation for farmers and traders. Spearheaded the construction of the Ikare Modern Civic Center, which serves as a hub for cultural, social, and civic engagements. Facilitated the construction of 28 lock-up shops in Oka -Akoko, providing a conducive environment for entrepreneurs and boosting local commerce.
Dist. Sen. Olajide who is passionate about education, distributed free JAMB forms to students across the Senatorial District, enabling many young people to pursue higher education without financial barriers.
Also, he sponsored a bill for the establishment of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University in Ikare-Akoko. A public hearing was successfully held on December 28, 2024, reflecting progress toward establishing this vital institution for skill development and education. Lighting up towns and villages with Solar Panels including Adekunle Ajasin University.”
These achievements underscore his commitment to fostering development in agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, he also prioritizes accountability and efficiency in national projects, which directly impacts the equitable allocation of resources to Ondo North Senatorial District and Ondo State at large.
Moreso, he empowered Small Businesses through skill acquisition programmes and provision of lock-up shops, he has laid the groundwork for entrepreneurship to flourish within the district. Strengthening Youth Engagement, by bridging the gap between education, technology, and employment. He is equipping youths with the tools necessary to thrive in the modern economy.”
Edo State Government has lashed at the factional chapter of the caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and the appointed publicity secretary, Chris Nehikhare, for rushing to the press without first understanding the subject at hand.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua in Benin and made available to journalists said, Nehikhare’s latest press release was another embarrassing display of ignorance, completely missing the point Governor Monday Okpebholo raised.
The Governor was referring to the $10 million that Godwin Obaseki budgeted for The Observer Newspaper shortly before the 2024 governorship elections in Edo State, not the refurbished equipment bought from ‘Ogbete Market’ in Enugu State.
Obaseki, a portfolio scam artist, who presided over the looting of Edo’s commonwealth, hurriedly siphoned $10 million, using The Observer Newspaper as a conduit, barely a few days to the governorship election in Edo State in late 2024.
Nehikhare’s desperate attempt to twist the conversation is not just misleading but exposes the habitual dishonesty of the PDP.
On the issue of the so-called “sophisticated machines,” Nehikhare conveniently ignores the real concern—these overused and inefficient machines now require billions of naira to function properly. Obaseki may have procured them at a roadside market, but he left behind a financial burden that the present administration must now clean up.
More troubling is Nehikhare’s confused outrage about the sacking of Observer staff. How does he expect those no longer employed to be available at the premises? His logic is as flawed as the policies of the administration he blindly defends.
Instead of this laughable attempt at deflection, Nehikhare should explain why, in his final days, Obaseki found it necessary to allocate a staggering $10 million to a State-owned newspaper that is practically invisible on newspaper stands across the State and country—at a time when critical sectors like education and healthcare remained underfunded.
If Nehikhare wishes to debate the facts, he should do so with accuracy, not fiction. But then again, fiction seems to be the PDP’s favourite tool.
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