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HarvestPlus, Dominican Centre Partner on Empowerment of Agripreneurs
At a recent empowerment seminar organized by the Dominican Centre for Human Resources Development (DCHRD) to train potential investors in agricultural business, stakeholders came to a conclusion that agriculture remains the bastion of Nigeria’s economy.
Agriculture currently contributes 47 percent to the rebased gross domestic product (GDP) and employs close to 70 percent of our total population.
It accounts for 10 percent of our export earnings. Nigeria’s foreign direct investment (FDI) stands at $6.1 billion and her GDP keeps growing at 7.7 percent, thus making the country one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
One of the key messages to the over 150 enthusiastic participants at the seminar was that Nigeria’s future rests squarely on agriculture and those who undertake to invest in it.
The speakers dissected the agricultural sector and proffered solutions.
HarvestPlus Nigeria, in line with its objectives of promoting biofortified staple crops and foods to tackle hidden hunger, malnutrition and poverty as well as empowerment of Nigerians with requisite skills in Vitamin A cassava production, value addition and marketing, partnered the Dominican Centre to organize the three-day empowerment seminar/training for members of the church.
A statement by Abayomi Awelewa, communication officer, HarvestPlus Nigeria, disclosed that the seminar held at St Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, between Friday, and Sunday, January 16 – 18, 2015, DCHRD, the arm of St Dominic Catholic Church responsible for grooming investors in Agricultural business, tagged the three-day session as ‘Wealth creation through agriculture.’
Declaring the seminar/training open, Fr. Fortunatus Okeke, director, DCHRD, welcomed the participants to a new era in the history of Nigeria and urged them to utilize the opportunities presented by the training to empower themselves economically.
“The seminar is conceived to make a statement that despite the fact that Lagos doesn’t have much land space for agriculture, the state can become a hub for other opportunities in the agricultural value chain. Some of these opportunities include: job creation, poverty reduction, capacity building, and helping individual and corporations in creating profitable and successful businesses.”
Okeke further said that agriculture remains one of the most viable alternatives to oil and agricultural investors are the ones Government looks up to in helping to solve the problems of hunger, unemployment and dwindling fortune of the economy.
He urged the participants to learn from the practical experiences of the professionals from HarvestPlus Nigeria, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), The Dominican Centre, and the special guest of honour, Chief Audu Ogbeh, CEO, Efugo Farms, Makurdi, among others, who were at the training to inspire the investors.
Delivering the keynote address, Paul Ilona, HarvestPlus country manager, described agriculture as an orphan sector because of years of neglect by relevant stakeholders. “Nigeria used to be the powerhouse of agriculture in the world; one of the biggest exporters of palm oil, groundnut and cocoa, among other crops. Agriculture benefitted most institutions in Nigeria and created jobs. But the story is no longer the same. The country has gradually become a net food importer,” Ilona said.
He lauded ongoing effort by Government, institutions and individuals to revive the sector and urged a sustainable programme of action to ensure a speedy recovery of our lost years of agricultural glory.
“Food has no substitute because man just has to eat; and agriculture is the only means through which food is produced. The advanced countries like the United States of America, the Netherland, Australia, etc, began their journey to economic greatness with agriculture. In our country where the per capita income is a little above one dollar and over 100 million Nigerians live below a dollar per day, we have no choice but to turn towards agriculture as the only way out of poverty and economic doom,” Ilona further said.
HarvestPlus country manager also advised the participants to cease seeing agriculture as a social set up but to regard it as a business and run it applying all known business principles so as to sustain their profit and remain in business for long.
He encouraged them to educate themselves in agricultural business and identify the appropriate agricultural value chain they would like to invest in before making the decision to become farmers.
In his lecture entitled “Making agriculture a realistic enterprise in Nigeria,” Chief Audu Ogbeh, said agriculture, as a business, must be protected against foreign competition. Crops like cassava, tomatoes, rice, cotton, maize, and cocoa as well as fish have been identified by the government as those for which local and global demands keep increasing. Investing in growing these agricultural produce will go a long way to enhance the country’s economy and empower the farmers to eradicate poverty and eliminate hunger.
To achieve good and sustainable result, Ogbeh opined, Nigerian farmers need Government’s help through sound economic policies and technical support.
“This will enable them to compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world and earn good profit from their investment. Our Government must be firm in their policy and decision making and must ensure that whatever we can produce, we do not import, Ogbeh said.
He lauded the participants for choosing to invest in agriculture, urging them to see one another as members of the same community with similar interests.
He promised to continue to collaborate with the Dominican Centre and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the farmers’ dreams of successful agricultural businesses become a reality.
The training segment of the empowerment seminar focused on three key agricultural enterprises, which are: fingerling production, plantain/banana multiplication, and use of agro-chemicals in modern agriculture.
Other topics addressed by experts during the three days include: “Wealth creation through Agriculture,” “Best bet practices in cassava value chain,” “Strategic investments in the agricultural sector in Nigeria,” “Funding the SME: Hope for investors,” “Wealth creation through the cassava value chain,” “Youth empowerment through agriculture: Viable option for economic development,” “Economic politics of western Europe: Implications on Nigeria’s economy,” ”Leveraging on digital marketing in agro-business,” “Proper record-keeping, financial discipline and auditing in SME,” among others.
The seminar concluded by creating a new farmer’s cooperatives which, the organizers believe, will operate a shareholding system like public liability companies (PLCs) to guarantee success. The participants were further broken into syndicate groups for effective coordination.
“Unlike similar training seminars across Nigeria, the Dominican Centre and its strategic partners like the HarvestPlus, IITA, Chief Audu Ogbeh, etc, are being pro-active in the drive to ensure a sustainable economic development driven by agriculture. We are committed to the process and we’ll organize more of this seminar in various parts of the country beginning from this year,” Fr. Okeke said.
Exhibition of various farm produce and Vitamin A cassava food products was held within the premises of St Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, throughout the duration of the empowerment seminar.
HarvestPlus leads a global effort to improve nutrition and public health by developing and deploying staple food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
It works with diverse partners in more than 40 countries. HarvestPlus is part of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH).
CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by its 15 research centers in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.
The HarvestPlus program is coordinated by two of these centers, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
Federal Government on Thursday announced a nine-month programme beginning on October 31 that allows individuals to deposit dollar bills held outside the formal banking system without scrutiny.
Wale Edun
It said the new initiative aims to address the rising costs of commodities influenced by the foreign exchange rate, driven by demand and supply dynamics.
Wale Edun, finance minister and coordinating minister of the Economy, revealed this after the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council, the country’s highest economic advisory body, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House, Abuja.
“There will be no penalty; there will be no taxes, and there will be no questions,” he told journalists at a briefing after Thursday’s conclave.
Edun said that, under this programme, individuals can bring in U.S. dollars in cash without facing penalties, taxes, or scrutiny, provided that the funds are not linked to criminal or illicit activities.
Participants will only need to meet the standard Know-Your-Customer requirements set by banks to secure these funds, integrate them into the financial system, and make them accessible for legitimate economic activities.
He explained, “One element of the cost increase is the foreign exchange rate, which is demand and supply. There will be a programme starting today, October 31, and lasting nine months that will allow people to bring in cash outside the banking system.
“[Such cash] is unsafe, insecure and outside legal limits. They will be allowed forbearance to bring dollars cash. Let me emphasise once again: it is to bring dollars that they are holding outside the system to get them in and credit it to their bank accounts, as long as it is not proceeds of crime or illicit money.
“They should just meet the standard Know-Your-Customer criteria of banks and have an opportunity to bring in those funds, making them safe, secure, and available through regular economic activity.
Edun said his ministry will first issue guidelines for the programme, followed promptly by additional guidelines from the Central Bank.
According to the Minister, this measure offers law-abiding individuals a way to formalise their cash holdings. It also provides the financial system with additional dollar reserves, which may help to stabilise the exchange rate.
“This is an opportunity, not just for people who would normally like to comply, to be compliant with the laws and normal business practice, but of course, it allows us to bring those dollars from where they are doing nothing to where they are within the financial system, they add to our reserves, and of course can help with the exchange rate,” he added.
Edun equally gave an update on government economic relief measures, saying 25 million Nigerians have benefitted from federal social protection initiatives, including digital outreach, microenterprise loans, and sector-specific support for power, agriculture, manufacturing, health, and compressed natural gas initiatives.
Wema Bank has announced the launch of the Wema Export Trade Academy, a comprehensive training programme designed to equip Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the essential skills and tools needed to succeed in the competitive landscape of global trade.
Moruf Oseni, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, this initiative represents Wema Bank’s commitment to enhancing the capacity of Nigerian businesses, supporting their ambitions to thrive on an international scale.
Oseni said the Wema Export Trade Academy is designed as a solution to these challenges faced by Nigerian SMEs when entering international markets.
The Academy is specifically structured to address each critical aspect of global trade, providing SMEs with targeted guidance on compliance, documentation, financial planning, and risk management.
Through the Wema Export Trade Academy, SMEs will benefit from expert-led sessions, mentorship from industry professionals, and practical insights into international business practices, positioning them to make significant contributions within global markets.
The programme also places emphasis on building a network of Nigerian exporters, encouraging peer support and collaboration, while fostering connections between businesses and international trade facilitators.
Oseni said: “This holistic approach to export training will enhance efficiency and productivity, empowering Nigerian businesses to become competitive players in the global economy.
“The Wema Export Trade Academy reinforces Wema Bank’s dedication to building the capacity of Nigerian businesses and supporting their evolution into formidable global competitors.
“By addressing the barriers in export trade, we are enabling Nigerian SMEs to seize new opportunities in international markets, which aligns with our vision to empower lives and support sustainable business growth.
“The Wema Export Trade Academy embodies Wema Bank’s pioneering spirit and commitment to providing SMEs with practical, impactful solutions.
“With comprehensive training on export processes and access to strategic financial products, the program stands as a testament to Wema Bank’s role as an enabler of growth for Nigerian enterprises.
“Wema Bank continues to set the standard for innovation within Nigeria’s financial services industry, supporting individuals and businesses across various sectors to achieve sustainable growth.
“The Wema Export Trade Academy represents the latest stride in Wema Bank’s mission to empower Nigerian SMEs, further strengthening its reputation.”
MTN Foundation is set to celebrate a milestone—its 20th Anniversary—with a series of events designed to reflect on its contributions to communities across Nigeria.
The anniversary conference will take place on November 6, 2024, in Abuja, while the celebratory dinner is scheduled for November 14, 2024, in Lagos.
These events will bring together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, highlighting the Foundation’s commitment to sustainable development and community engagement.
Since its inception in 2004, the Foundation has been at the forefront of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. It was one of the first corporate entities in the country to establish a dedicated foundation for managing CSR activities.
The Foundation was officially commissioned in May 2005, with MTN Nigeria Communications PLC pledging to allocate up to 1% of its Profit After Tax (PAT) for funding various projects aimed at improving lives across the nation.
Over the past two decades, the Foundation has invested over NGN 24.73 billion into impactful projects that span all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). With more than 1,023 project sites across Nigeria, the Foundation has successfully executed 50 unique projects, reaching over 31 million people.
These initiatives have addressed critical areas such as education, health, youth empowerment, and arts and culture, making a significant difference in the lives of countless Nigerians.
As part of this celebration, the Foundation will unveil its new logo along with refreshed mission and vision statements.
This rebranding effort symbolizes a renewed commitment to its core values and goals as it looks toward the future.
Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of MTN Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming celebrations and reflected on the journey thus far.
“This anniversary is both a celebration of our impact in Nigeria and a commitment to do more,” Sanya stated.
“We have always believed in the power of collaboration and community engagement to drive meaningful change.
“As we gather to reflect on our journey, we look forward to engaging with our partners and stakeholders to explore new avenues for sustainable development.”
The upcoming anniversary events aim to foster dialogue among leaders from various sectors, encouraging collaboration that can lead to innovative solutions for pressing societal challenges.
The conference will feature keynote speakers and panel discussions around national development and youth empowerment, as well as interactive sessions designed to inspire participants and share best practices in CSR and community development.
In addition to its focus areas, the Foundation has been instrumental in promoting digital literacy among Nigerian youth through various educational programs. By leveraging technology as a tool for empowerment, the Foundation has equipped thousands of young people with skills necessary for success in an increasingly digital world.
The anniversary conference and dinner are expected to be engaging experiences that will not only celebrate two decades of impact but also set the stage for future initiatives aimed at fostering community growth and resilience.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders, MTN Foundation hopes to ignite conversations that lead to actionable strategies for addressing Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
The upcoming anniversary events promise to be an inspiring celebration of progress made while looking forward to new horizons in community development.
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