The Ghanaian Minister in charge of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku is in Kebbi State to understudy Nigeria’s success in rice production.
Opoku who is also a member of the Ghana Parliament, led a large delegation of agricultural experts on tour to WACOT Rice Mill in Argungu and some rice fadama land.
At a courtesy call on Kebbi Deputy Governor in Birnin Kebbi, the Minister said the new Ghanaian government assumed office four months ago and met challenges in food production.
Opoku said that,The country has fertile land and water for local production, that’s the reason President John Mahama is passionate about Ghana attaining food sufficiency.
The Minister informed his host that Ghana has learnt about the success of WACOT Rice Mill and entire Kebbi State in rice production which motivated them to embark on understudy mission.
He narrated that, “This is the main objective of our visit, we are here to learn, Ghana and Nigeria share common values with multi-faceted relations, Ghana looks up to Nigeria for understanding”.
The Kebbi deputy Governor Umar Abubakar Tafida, welcomed Ghanaian collaborative effort with Nigeria, tracing the brotherly ties between the two nations predating independence.
He recalled that the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival has been the rallying unity platform for both countries, saying that some Ghanaian leaders have been attending the event.
“Kebbi is happy to explore areas of cooperation with Ghana especially on agricultural production”,
“The State is also endowed with solid minerals resource such as gold and lithium, ready for harnessing”,
He added that, The Kebbi State Government under Governor Nasir Idris, has championed the industrialization of the state and upped its agricultural production towards food security and economic prosperity”,
“The Governor has provided free fertilizer, water pumping machines, chemicals and improved seeds to farmers in the state to increase yields”,
“Kebbi has retained its peak position as the largest rice and wheat producer”,
“GOD HAS blessed the state with fertile arable land and water bodies for agricultural purposes, 12 months of the year”,
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Tafida said, The government is desirous of exploring further areas of cooperation with Ghana on capacity building, culture and tourism, towards strengthening affinity in cultural heritage.
[1:43 PM, 5/3/2025] +234 805 895 5579: Wike apologizes to Tinubu, wife over Rivers women protest
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has condemned the walkout on the wife of Administrator of Rivers state, Theresa Ibas who represented wife of President Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, by a group of women during a public function, describing it as an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State.
The Minister, who apologized to the First Lady and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on behalf of the people of Rivers State, said “insult on anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria in an event is a direct insult on the office of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and as a leader in Rivers State, I apologize.”
Some women, led by some sacked Local Government Vice Chairmen had staged a walkout during the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme organised by the office of the First Lady of Nigeria, held at the EUI Event Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt, yesterday. They insisted that they must be addressed by the wife of President Tinubu or the wife of Suspended Governor Fubara.
In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister described the incident as “very disturbing and embarrassing,” cautioning supporters of the suspended governor to desist from ridiculing the State.
The Minister advised the suspended governor to demonstrate honesty by being bold enough to tell President Tinubu, what exactly he wanted, rather than saying something today, and doing another thing tomorrow.
He said; “It is not enough to be visiting people to plead for peace, those who genuinely want peace work and act for it.
“These are the same people pleading for peace, but at the same time doing things that are contrary to what they are pleading for.
“How can you say you want peace and at the same time, you are sponsoring people to insult everyone, including the President and his wife?
“As for me and those who subscribe to my leadership, we condemn in totality that yesterday’s show of shame and we apologize to our First Lady for the embarrassing conduct of those few women who do not represent the characters and ideals of the people of Rivers State.”
