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Green Bond: Upping the gains of sustainable environment

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Green Bond: Upping the gains of sustainable environment

The Federal Government plans to issue green bonds worth N10.6 billion to finance renewable energy projects, to protect the environment. This was made known by the Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Ms. Patience Oniha, during the Nigeria Green Bond Investors Forum in Lagos, on Friday, December 15, 2017.

DMO green bond
Participants at the event

Federal Ministries of Environment and Finance, in collaboration with Green Bond Advisory Group, organised the event.

Abuja had played host to a similar event the previous day.

The DMO DG, in her opening remarks, said the forum was to raise fund for a project, with hope of a bright future.

 

What are green bonds?

Green bonds are bonds used exclusively to fund projects that have specific environmental and/or climate benefits. They can also be defined as debt instruments issued to raise capital to fund specific clean power projects or projects aimed at reducing climate change risk.

The bonds arose out of investors’ need to invest in high-growth, clean energy sector projects other than through equities and funds.

In 2016, $81 billion worth of green bonds were reportedly issued globally, and about $69 billion worth of green bonds have already been issued this year, with the total projected value at $150 billion.

 

Nigeria’s maiden green bond issue

Up to N10.69 billion is expected in Series 1 issuance under the N150 billion green bond programme in Nigeria, and the tenor is five years.

The minimum expected subscription is N10 billion, with N1 billion increments. According to the promoters, there should be no fear of under-subscription because the figure is so meagre that what would eventually result is over-subscription.

The book build for the bonds is expected to open on Monday, December 18 and close on Wednesday, December 20. It will be listed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, January 10, 2018.

Hajia Halimat Bwari
Deputy Director, Department of Climate Change, the Federal Ministry of Environment, Hajia Halimat Bwari

In her presentation, Deputy Director, Department of Climate Change, the Federal Ministry of Environment, Hajia Halimat Bwari, who represented the Environment Minister, explained climate change/global warming, its causes and effects.

According to her, different parts of Nigeria are diverse in everything, including climate change. She said “while the southern part is at high risk of flood, the northern part is at the risk of dryness”. The middle, she added, experience erosion.

Noting that the Federal Government signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 committing Nigeria to reducing emissions, she said “what we are doing here is part of that commitment.”

She asserted that N142 billion would be required to finance renewable energy projects in the country, adding that the ministry decided to issue the green bond as alternative source of funding because of the huge capital outlay required to finance the nation’s renewable energy projects.

Bwari said the projects would go a long way to reduce carbon emissions in Nigeria, while facilitating the country’s efforts to meet its commitments in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

 

Area of investment

Proceeds of the bonds will be used on: renewable energy micro-utilities, energising education programme, and afforestation programme.

Projects listed in the programme include rural energy access, the great green wall programme, the national clean stoves scheme, the clean energy transportation scheme and the Nigerian erosion and watershed management project.

 

Upping the gains

The primary aim of the bonds issuance is to have sustainable environment, which the world has been investing hugely in. But the green bond will up the benefit, as investors have been promised return on investment, thereby boosting the economy. The ministry used the sheer butter tree as an instance.

“While the tree provides green environment, the seeds, which are now in high demand, will be harvested and sold,” it said.

Another tree cited was the teak used for electric poles, which has maturation period of seven years; and after harvest, the farmer does not have to plant fresh seeds, as the roots underground will sprout new trees.

Other benefits of the green project are the direct and indirect jobs to be created. Gardeners, foresters and allied workers would have ready jobs.

Dave Uduanu
Managing director of Sigma Pensions, Dave Uduanu

Why invest in green bonds?

According to Muhammad Mamman-Daura of Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Ltd, investing in the green bond is investing in the future, as green bond is the future. He stated reasons investment in the green bonds is necessary.

  • Maiden issuance in Nigeria and Africa. Being the first issue, the risk of losing investment is very low.
  • Segregation of issue proceeds and application towards ring-fenced projects.
  • Provides competitive investment returns relative to conventional bonds.
  • Strong assessment ratings. The country’s strategy earned it GB1 (excellent) in Moody’s Assessment.
  • Two-fold contribution to the preservation of Nigeria’s climate and economic development. Environmentalists also have at least one reason to invest – to protect the environment.

 

PFAs ready for green bond

Stakeholders that participated in the forum include Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs), Federal Ministry of Finance, Inter-ministerial Committee on Climate Change, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and DMO, among others.

Managing director of Sigma Pensions, Dave Uduanu, who spoke on behalf of the PFAs, said they were happy and ready to work with the Federal Government to make the green bond project work.

By Innocent Onwuji

Water privatisation: Coalition says Lagos’ shortlisted firms can’t be trusted

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Water privatisation: Coalition says Lagos’ shortlisted firms can’t be trusted

Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State has been urged to drop his seemingly cherished idea of privatising water in the state, as the companies he picked “cannot be trusted with Lagos water”.

ERA water
L-R: Achike Chude of Joint Action Front (JAF), Akinbode Oluwafemi of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, and Ayodele Akele, a human rights activist at the briefing

At a press briefing organised by Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) on Monday, December 18, 2017 in Lagos, the activists under “Our water Our Right Coalition” maintained that the only model that could solve the Lagos water problem is what they called public-public partnerships (PUPs).

The managing director of Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Mumuni Badmus, they said, had gone on radio “to give unsuspecting Lagosians, in a well-polished language, a list of companies that will be managing water – our common patrimony. Alas, shortlisted companies included Abengoa, Veolia and Metito.”

Lagos, they added, asked anybody who had anything against the companies to come forward with it.

Hence the coalition came up with a 12-page document to explain why the three companies were unfit for the project. It listed infractions like causing lead poisoning through water in the United States, causing the biggest protest in Morocco after the Arab Spring, and being probed for bribery and corruption in some countries of the world as the undoing of the companies.

Earlier this year, ERA/FoEN, in collaboration with some civil society organisations, had marched to Alausa, seat of Lagos government, to protest the anti-people sections of the Lagos Environmental Law. Though the bill was passed into law some days later, some of the sections protested against were reportedly expunged.

Deputy executive director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, in his speech at the Monday briefing, while admitting that the three companies were world-class, added: “But these are also companies with world-class issues that border on delivery of poor water quality, bribery, human rights abuse, aversion to unionism, inhuman rate hikes, conflict of interest, among others. We raised these issues in a statement that followed Engr. Badmus’ glowing words about the companies, but the LWC helmsman asked that we provide facts on our allegations.

“Today, the Our water Our Right Coalition makes public the facts the government demanded in this document which not only details infractions linked to the companies, but also a reiteration of our demands on the way forward in the Lagos water sector.”

Our water Our Right Coalition recalled its recommendation that “Lagos has all it takes financially to sustainably manage our water infrastructure and this must remain within the public space. But we did not heave a sigh of relief when the Lagos government announced in April this year that 48 mini water works across the state would be up for rehabilitation and that it would cost tax payers several billions for this to happen.”

For Achike Chude of Joint Action Front (JAF), the coalition is ready for any action that the people demand.

While hoping that the leaders would listen to the voice of the people, the JAF chief said “whether they listen or not, we are resolved to fight for what belongs to us.”

Another activist at the briefing, Ayodele Akele, commended the researchers who packaged the 12-page document.

He said though the research would not have been necessary in a normal situation, “the people have taken the pains to go extra miles to get the facts.”

He added: “Lagos is being penny wise pound foolish for not providing potable water free for its people.”

Akele lamented that, even in the military era, Nigerians were not paying for water.

By Innocent Onwuji

Government offers N10.69b Green Bonds at 13.48% per annum

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Government offers N10.69b Green Bonds at 13.48% per annum

The Federal Government on Monday, December 18, 2017 offered for subscription by auction N10.69 billion worth of sovereign green bonds, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said.

Patience Oniha
Patience Oniha Director-General, Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO)

The offer is in a circular on DMO’s website.

It stated that the five-year tenor bond would mature in 2022 at a coupon rate of 13.48 per cent per annum.

The green bond is being issued following Nigeria’s endorsement of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change of Sept. 21, 2016, with the aim of strengthening global response to the threat.

The DMO circular noted that “proceed from the Green Bond would be used to finance projects in the 2017 Appropriation Act that were certified as green because of their positive effects to the environment.

“Among the projects to be financed with the proceed of the Green Bond Issuance are Renewable Energy Micro Utilities and Afforestation Programmes.’’

With the issuance, Nigeria would become one of the few countries in the world and indeed the first African country to issue a green bond, the DMO said.

It added that the offer would close on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

By Folasade Folarin

JICA trains 40 AEPB, area council staff on waste management

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JICA trains 40 AEPB, area council staff on waste management

The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) has trained about 40 staff of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Town Development Department and Area Council Secretariat on waste management.

waste evacuation
Officials of one of the AEPB waste evacuation contractors, on duty in Garki Area of Abuja

Mr Muktar Ibrahim, the Head of Information and Outreach Unit of AEPB said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, December 18, 2017 in Abuja.

Ibrahim said that the 40 staff trained were as part of its collaboration with JICA and FCT administrations to promote waste management in the city.

He said that AEPB staff, who benefited in the training were 15, STDD staff were 20, while area council secretariat were five staff.

Ibrahim said that one of the objectives of the training was to educate the staff on how composting could boost agricultural output.

He said that the adoption of composting was to promote environmental health and ensure clean environment as part of waste management techniques.

He said that the adoption would boost plant growth and increase agricultural production.

Ibrahim said that composting was an organic material mixed with soil to help plants grow.

The unit head said that one of the importance of composting was to help eliminate organic waste and fertiliser soil.

He said that materials that could be used for composting are food scraps, fruits, vegetables, eggshells, teabags, nutshells, shredded newspaper, cardboard, paper, grass clippings.

Other materials include houseplants, hay, straw, leaves, sawdust, cotton, wool rags, hair and fire place ash.

According to him, composting is used in Japan and it has resulted in the county`s achieving greatly agricultural production.

“The composting process has not been tested in Nigeria.

“So, that is the reason the trainees should ensure that they prepare the compost in their homes to see how well it works before introducing into their farms or gardens.

“This is because the environmental factors and weather conditions of Nigeria and the one of Japan are not the same.

“The composting process is also an aspect of the Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) programme which has three Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

“Reduce, reuse and recycle is part of waste management process which has been widely used in many Asian countries to maintain a cleaner environment,’’ he said.

Ibrahim said that composting could also help in reducing volume of waste brought daily to the dump site.

By Vivian Emoni

Parks service partners film corporation on wildlife documentaries

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Parks service partners film corporation on wildlife documentaries

The Nigerian National Parks Service says it will partner with the Nigerian Film Corporation to produce the wildlife documentaries.

Ibrahim Goni
Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the National Parks Service

Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General of the Service, said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) on Monday, December 18, 2017 in Abuja.

He said that the country’s parks were endowed with diverse natural resources which offered alternative options for economic development via tourism, research, education and employment generation.

He said that since Nigerians were beginning to recognise the value of the vast wild lands of undeveloped areas across the country, the Service was poised to explore the potential.

“Today, people recognise the value of not only our lands but the biodiversity that thrives in them.

“We have been recovering plants and animals that have virtually disappeared due to development, habitat fragmentation, climate change, invasive species and other threats.

“In our houses, we watch wildlife films and documentaries from South Africa and Kenya, among others; so, we feel that it is high time we started having our own wildlife films,’’ he said.

Goni said that the films would enhance “the survival value of multitudes of wild species that flourish as natural systems that help to regulate climate, air quality, and cycles of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, mineral elements and water.

“The documentaries and films will teach the values and workings of nature in places largely free of human influence, and compare them with landscapes dominated by humans.”

The conservator-general said that the films would also show the economic value of some plants and animals for the benefit of the citizenry.

“They are potential sources of food, medicine and industrial products; the parks protect the species and the communities that underlie these values, thereby serving as reservoirs of seed stock for restoring the species that are lost elsewhere,’’ he said.

Goni said: “To preserve biodiversity in parks for future generations, we must first discover the breadth of life forms that exist.

“We are working with professional scientists, university students, schools and partners for the purpose of biodiversity discovery.’’

He, however, lamented that these resources had been underutilised due to the lack of optimal publicity and participation of private investors in the management of the parks.

He said that the awareness of this lacuna was the rationale behind his visit to seek the collaboration with the Nigerian Film Corporation in the publicity of the content of parks, as well as its needs and security challenges through documentaries and films.

Responding, Dr Chika Maduekwe, the Managing Director of NFC, pledged the support of the corporation in efforts to showcase the potential of the parks service.

He commended the parks service for reaching out to the corporation for a viable collaboration that would be mutually beneficial to both organisations.

Maduekwe described Goni’s request as a welcome and worthwhile, saying that the proposed venture would not only promote tourism in Nigeria but it would also play a substantial role in reinforcing the country’s security.

“We will help in producing documentaries and films on the challenges facing our parks and the way out; we will regularly broadcast the documentaries and films on Lamingo TV (Nigeria’s equivalent of National Geo-Wild channel).

At the end of the meeting, Goni and Maduekwe resolved to set up a six-man committee – with three members each from the two agencies – which would produce a roadmap for the actualisation of the proposed venture.

By Ebere Agozie

Ogun to spend N203.3m to control gully erosion in 2018

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Ogun to spend N203.3m to control gully erosion in 2018

The Ogun State Government says it will spend N203.3 million to control gully erosion in 2018.

Bolaji-Oyeleye
Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Bolaji Oyeleye

Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, the State Commissioner for Environment, disclosed this on Monday, December 18, 2017 while defending the ministry’s 2018 budget proposal before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation at the assembly complex, Abeokuta.

Oyeleye noted that the money would be spent on execution of designs already prepared for amelioration and rehabilitation of some already environmentally-degraded areas in the state.

Represented by Mr Kunle Osota, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, the commissioner added that N203.3 million was to prevent degradation and arrest gully formation that could cause damage to the ecosystem.

Oyeleye said N87.9 million had been earmarked for the rehabilitation and repair of water ways across the state.

He added that the ministry had proposed N25 million on repairing and rehabilitation of existing markets and parks across the state.

‘‘The ministry will embark on beautification and landscaping at various locations such as Totoro, Ago-Oba roundabout, Ijaiye roundabout, Ake roundabout and Sagamu /Ikenne roundabout.

“In 2018, we want to acquire 12 Mercedes-Benz compactor trucks , 18 Global Power push mower, four tricycle tip loaders for effective evacuation of refuse across the state,’’ he said.

He said the ministry had proposed N4.5 billion as capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure would gulp N625 million with N665 million as expected revenue.

By Abiodun Lawal

Sri Lanka to host next world wildlife conference in 2019

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Sri Lanka to host next world wildlife conference in 2019

The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the global treaty that regulates wildlife trade, has said that the next meeting of its Conference of the Parties (CoP18) will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from May 23 to June 3, 2019.

John Scanlon
CITES Secretary-General, John Scanlon

Sri Lanka’s offer to host CoP18 was accepted at CoP17 held in October 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

CITES Secretary-General, Mr. John E. Scanlon, said: “The next World Wildlife Conference will be hosted by an Island Country, the first time since CoP8 in Japan in 1992, and it is only the second time a CITES CoP is being held in South Asia, with the last occasion being 36 years ago in India. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with diverse and truly unique wildlife both on land and at sea. It has a blossoming wildlife-based tourism industry and can boast the ‘Top 7’ wildlife species, being the Asian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Black-necked Stork, Saltwater Crocodile, Leatherback Turtle and Blue Whale, six of which are listed under CITES. As one can see, Sri Lanka is an ideal location for a World Wildlife Conference and it will be a wonderful host of CoP18”.

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, said: “As a country with rich biological diversity, Sri Lanka is fully committed to the implementation of the CITES provisions to ensure sustainable trade that takes into account the conservation of wild fauna and flora essential for a healthy and prosperous economy. Recent actions taken by Sri Lanka in fulfilling its commitment under the Convention include the seizure of illegally traded blood ivory, which was publicly destroyed in 2016, as well as the initiatives taken to list thresher shark species under CITES Appendix II as a protected species. The offer to host the Conference was made as Sri Lanka is mindful of the challenges that remain to be overcome at national and international levels”.

CITES informed Parties to the treaty that any draft resolution and any document submitted for consideration at CoP18 and any proposed amendment to Appendix I or II, i.e. the CITES species listings must be communicated to the Secretariat at least 150 days before the meeting, that is December 24, 2018.

However, if a Party intends to submit a proposal to amend Appendix I or II that concerns a species or a population of a species that occurs partly or totally outside of the territory under its jurisdiction, and if it does not intend to consult the other range States before the submission of its proposal, the Party, will have to submit its proposal to the Secretariat by June 27, 2018, added CITES.

“We look forward to seeing all the 183 Parties to CITES, observers from intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations and the private sector, as well as representatives from rural communities and the youth in Colombo in 2019,” added Scanlon.

Governments agree on the contribution of traditional knowledge to global biodiversity policy

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Governments agree on the contribution of traditional knowledge to global biodiversity policy

Delegates to the 10th  meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have agreed on a set of recommendations related to the contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities to the CBD. The recommendations  from  the meeting will be sent to the Conference of the Parties at the 2018 UN Biodiversity Conference to be held in Egypt in 2018.

Indigenous Peoples
U.S. Indigenous Peoples in a protest march

“The proceedings this week demonstrate that indigenous peoples and local communities remain at the very heart of the Convention, and that their effective participation is needed   to help save and preserve the flora and fauna of the world  for future generations,” said Dr. Cristiana Paşca Palmer, Executive Secretary of the CBD. “I believe the unique composition and working methods of the Working Group are an embodiment of the partnerships we need if we are to succeed in our mission to halt biodiversity loss and achieve a sustainable balance of human activities with nature.”

 

The Rutzolijirisaxik Voluntary Guidelines for the Repatriation of Traditional Knowledge

The Working Group finalised the development of the Rutzolijirisaxik  Voluntary Guidelines for the Repatriation of Traditional Knowledge.  The name “Rutzolijirisaxik”, given by the indigenous Maya peoples of the midwestern highlands in Guatemala, means “the significance of returning to the place of origin”. Repatriation of traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities held by museums, botanical gardens and others facilitates the recovery of traditional knowledge relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The guidelines will be considered by the Conference of the Parties of the Convention at the 2018 UN Biodiversity Conference  being held in Egypt in 2018.

 

Glossary of relevant key terms and concepts

Another outcome of the meeting was that delegates finalised a draft glossary of terms and concepts within the context of Article 8(j), including “traditional knowledge” and “indigenous peoples and local communities community conservation areas”. The glossary is to be considered and adopted by the Conference of the Parties at the 2018 UN Biodiversity Conference.

 

The contribution of collective actions of indigenous peoples and local communities

The Working Group also considered methodologies and guidance for identifying, monitoring and assessing the contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities to the implementation of the Convention, including having such contributions  reflected in official reports. The guidance will be finalised at the second meeting of the Convention’s Subsidiary Body on Implementation, set to take place in July 2018 in Montreal, QC, in Canada.

 

Safeguards in Biodiversity Financing Mechanisms

In addition, delegates discussed how Parties, other governments, international and business organisations, and other stakeholders can take the Voluntary Guidelines on Safeguards in Biodiversity Financing Mechanism into account when selecting, designing and implementing biodiversity financing mechanisms. The recommendation will be also considered by the second meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation.

 

Contribution of the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

An in-depth dialogue was held with panelists, representing  Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities, the United Nations and scientists, on their experiences and recommendations for the contribution of traditional knowledge for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Future of the Working Group on Article 8(j)

With a view to further strengthening the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in the work of the Convention at all levels, delegates discussed the future of the Working Group and its work programme for the post-2020 period. The Working Group prepared a recommendation on different options the Working Group and its future work for consideration by the second meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation.

New Urban Agenda: Niger, UN-Habitat sign MoU

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New Urban Agenda: Niger, UN-Habitat sign MoU

An eight-man delegation from Niger State in Nigeria led by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Isa Ladan, visited the head offices of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Nairobi, Kenya from November 27 to 29, 2017 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the New Urban Agenda. The MoU ceremony was witnessed by the Nigerian Ambassador to Kenya, Sheidu Omeiza Momoh.

Niger-UnHabitat MOU
Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira (left) with Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ibrahim Isa Ladan, after signing the MoU

The parties discussed and agreed to foster the cooperation through the following projects.

  • A Niger State Urban Development Policy (based on the National Urban Development Policy)
  • Development of an integrated development plan for Minna and Suleja
  • Development of a plan for a new smart town in Sutlej
  • Technical Support provided to Niger State on various issues
  • Development of a public space surrounding River Iku in Sutlej

“Today marks a very important milestone in the effort of my administration to lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the state and for creating compact, connected, socially inclusive and self-sustaining towns and cities, through this technical urban assistance programme between UN-Habitat and Niger State,” said Ibrahim Isa Ladan.

Further, he extended his appreciation to UN-Habitat for securing a grant from the South Korean government to develop the State Urban Policy.

In her statement, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, noted that the new collaboration would ensure the opportunities available in Niger State in terms of land area, power generation, agriculture and proximity to the national capital, Abuja, are maximised. She further commended Niger State for taking the lead in enacting a Sub-National Urban Policy. She also highlighted the support of the Nigerian Government in helping develop the “Africa Common Position on Habitat III”.

Both speeches were followed by the signing ceremony at 11am (Nairobi time).

Prior to the signing ceremony, the delegation made a detailed presentation where they expanded on their urban challenges and opportunities inviting UN-Habitat’s expertise to assist. Several bilateral meetings with the delegation were also held.

The visit ended with the delegation visiting Nairobi County’s Ministry of Land & Urban Planning and also the administration headquarters of Konza Techno City to learn from good practices on governance and smart city planning.

We produced 15m metric tonnes of rice this year, say farmers

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We produced 15m metric tonnes of rice this year, say farmers

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) on Sunday, December 17, 2017 said that it produced 15 million metric tonnes of rice this year.

Rice-Plantation
A rice farm. Photo credit: www.osundefender.org

RIFAN Deputy National Vice President, Segun Atho, said that the association’s rice production in 2017 was in excess of Nigeria’s population rice requirement of seven million metric tonnes annually.

The RIFAN executive spoke at the Celebrating Nigeria Rice ceremony held at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Yaba, Lagos.

“We produce 15 million metric tons of rice and Nigerians can only consume six to seven million metric tons; we produce excess and we can export the remaining ones to some African countries.

“We have about 85 million hectares of land out of it about six to seven million hectares can be use to cultivate rice that can feed Nigerians.

“As farmers we make Nigeria rice available to Nigerians, we urge Nigerians to look inwards and start patronising made in Nigeria rice,” said the RIFAN official.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr Adebola Osibon, the church’s Head of Children Ministry, urged parents to encourage their children to become farmers.

“I feel that it will impact on the children positively, the children did not know that being a rice farmer is important and good,” he said.

Mr Sagar Joe, Policy Adviser, Competitive African Rice Initiative/John Kufour Foundation, said the ceremony was aimed at sensitising Nigerians on the quality and availability of Nigerian rice through children.

“The programme entails identifying one or two schools that organises end of year pupils party, find out the number of bags of rice needed to feed the pupils and supply them free of charge.

“It is also aimed to significantly improve the livelihoods of big rice farmers in selected African countries by increasing the Competitiveness of domestic rice supply to meet increasing regional demands,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was orgànised by RIFAN and Competitive African Rice in conjunction with Foursquare Gospel Church.

NAN reports that over 700 children from the church and neigbouring Makoko, Ijora-Badia, Ojuelegba and Bariga communities attended the ceremony.

By Egbogota Clara

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