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KSIP Inks Deal with AFEX Commodity Exchange, promises to promote commodities value chain

Kano State Investment and Properties (KSIP) Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AFEX Commodity to strengthen commodity trading in Kano.

The MoU signing took place on Wednesday at AFEX’s office in Abuja, which underscored the commitment to leverage collaboration to effectively develop and transform the commodity sector in Kano.

The MoU signing reiterates commitment to driving growth for the commodities sector and agriculture in general.

Speaking after the partnership, Managing Director of Kano State Investment and Properties Ltd, Auwalu Muktari Bichi, said KSIP’s dream is always to secure wealth creation for the Kano populace, by reviving the commodity sector through utilizing human and capital resources to improve the economy and generate value for the state.

“Kano is a key producer of staple consumption commodities like Maize, Paddy Rice, Sorghum, Soybean, and Sesame, and export commodities like groundnut. However, challenges across droughts, minimal storage, low fertilizer application and lack of quality seeds limit production and export capacities.

Under our mandate, KSIP was established to promote industrial and commercial activities in the state through the facilitation of direct equity investment and assistance to entrepreneurs engaged in industry, commerce, and agriculture. Through this partnership, the KSIP is set to drive financing to the agriculture sector to boost productivity,” Auwalu Muktari stated.

In his remarks, the Group CEO of AFEX Commodity Exchange, Mr. Ayodeji Balogun expressed optimism about the relationship, saying it will increase efficiency and innovation across the commodity value chain, not only in Kano but, Nigeria as a whole.

“Our exchange model, which we will be deploying during this project, provides a centralized platform for farmers, aggregators, and processors, to engage in transparent and efficient trading and improve fair pricing across the value chain while providing a path to unlocking the significant capital required for such a project”, GCEO Balogun.

The mutual agreement indicates a bold corporate statement by both firms and unlocks new opportunities for commodities trading.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Head Investment Division of KSIP, AGM Haris Halliru Gwarzo.

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New KSIP MD Assumes Duty, Vows to Boost the Operational Standard of the Company

The new Managing Director of Kano Investment and Properties Ltd (KSIP), has said that his leadership will strive for enhanced operational efficiency for improved revenue generation and inflows into the state treasury.

Mukhtar Bichi stated this today immediately after he assumed duty on Monday.

According to him, the Company has made a huge contribution to the development of the state.

He said the new leadership will support the administration’s agenda of economic diversity.

“As you know, Investment and Properties Company like ours, is facilitating and simplifying ways of how to welcome new investors and engaged in delivering assigned responsibilities by the government.

“As a team leader, I have come to add my best efforts to yours so that we can collectively achieve the required result.

“So we must work as a team, pursuing common goals with professionalism and diligence.

“Everyone in KSIP has a role in promoting best practices in upholding standard and quality services.

“We would jointly work hard as one family with integrity, and navigate the best options for effectively discharging the KSIP’s mandate”, Auwalu Mukhtar Bichi.

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Meet new Managing Director KSIP, Auwalu Mukhtar Bichi

Born in Hagagawa area of Bichi Local Government, Kano State.

Auwalu Mukhtar Bichi attended famous Hagagawa Primary School and finishes his Secondary school education at Kano Community Commercial College in 1981.

Mukhtar Bichi studied Diploma in Insurance at Credit Level in 1983 at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and
bagged his first Degree in Business Administration and later his Masters Degree in Banking and Finance from Bayero University Kano in 1993 and 1995 respectively.

He started his working career with the Kano based Insurance Company, Kapital Insurance Limited and rose through the ranks to become Head of Re-insurance Department.

He later joined Royal Exchange Assurance Nigeria, as it is known before as Branch Manager in Kano, with direct oversight and responsibility over the activities of Bauchi, Maiduguri and Yola Offices of the Company.

In 2003, he became the Regional Director of the Company in Abuja.

He quits Royal Exchange Plc to become the Managing Director/CEO of Yankari Insurance Company Ltd in 2008, (later knows as Fin Insurance Co. Ltd), and returned to Executive Director, Marketing and Sales in the year 2010.

Alhaji Auwalu Mukhtar Bichi was elected in 2010 as an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors (IoD), and is also a professional member of the following bodies: Associate Member Institute of Management Specialist UK, Member Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Associate Member Institute of Management and one time President of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management of Nigeria.

He has attended various Executive Management and Development Programmes around the world, and he is an alumni Harvard Business School, USA.

Alhaji Auwalu Mukhtar Bichi is currently the Managing Director, Kano State Investment and Properties Ltd (KSIP).

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TETFUND: KNSG Advocates Additional Funding for State Own Institutions

Umar Idris Shuaibu – Kano

Kano State Governor, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf has advocated for additional funding to state owned universities to improve learning atmosphere.

The Governor was on an official visit to Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) headquarters in Abuja to galvanize support for additional funding to Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil and the Northwest University, Kano.

He described TETFUND as a driver for human capital development.

In a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, quoted the Governor as saying that “Our investment in higher education could only be effective with the complementary efforts of the TETFUND, we are determined to increase the capacity of our universities in the areas of infrastructure, research, training and retraining.”

He said the visit was to canvas for more suppots and strengthen relationships between Kano State government and the agency.

Kano State Governor, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf has advocated for additional funding to state owned universities to improve learning atmosphere.

The governor was on an official visit to Tertiary Education Trust Fund headquarters in Abuja to galvanize support for additional funding to Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil and the Northwest University, Kano.

He described TETFUND as a driver for human capital development.

In a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, quoted the Governor as saying that “Our investment in higher education could only be effective with the complementary efforts of the TETFUND, we are determined to increase the capacity of our universities in the areas of infrastructure, research, training and retraining.”

He said the visit was to canvas for more supports and strengthen relationships between Kano State government and the agency.

“In terms of education, Kano State is like Oliver Twist, the more you help us, the more we crave for more support, that’s why I am here personally.” Abba Yusuf emphasized.

In his response, the Executive Secretary of the Tetfund Arc. Sonny Echono appreciated the gesture of the governor for calling on him in an August visit.

“In terms of education, Kano State is like Oliver Twist, the more you help us, the more we crave for more support, that’s why I am here personally.” Abba Yusuf emphasised

In his response, the Executive Secretary of the TETFund Arc. Sonny Echono appreciated the gesture of the Governor for calling on him in an August visit.

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IITA, Banks call for youth empowerment on agribusiness

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), commercial banks and other partners have advised stakeholders in the agroindustry to collaborate, invest and empower youths to make the sector economically viable and productive.

This was the primary submission at the Agribusiness Investors Network organised by the Innovative Youth in Agriculture (I-Youth) held at the Ecobank headquarters in Lagos.

The event was organised by the IITA in partnership with Mastercard Foundation and Ecobank.
Some commercial banks were represented at the forum.

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The Deputy Director, General Partnership for Partnership and
Delivery, IITA, Ken Dashiell, noted that it had become imperative for stakeholders to work together to empower youths in transforming Nigeria’s food system.

Dashiell said government and other developmental partners must begin to put the right policies and programmes in place to attract youths into agriculture.

The Managing Director and Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Bolaji Lawal, explained that the bank was committed to supporting any investment that would stimulate the growth of Nigeria’s economy and transform the opportunities in Nigeria into business and empowerment for youths.

Lawal noted that the bank was ready and determined to tap into the energy of the vibrant young population in Nigeria by providing incentives that would make agriculture attractive to them.

A beneficiary of the I-Youth project, Areo Evelyn, the Chief Executive Officer of Farm2Fill Enterprises, stated that participating in IITA’s training programme greatly impacted her entrepreneurial journey as she now offered a variety of agricultural produce to local and international markets.

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Olam Group appoints Board of Directors to Olam-Agri sector

The Olam Group Limited has announced the appointment of eight members to Olam Agri’s Board to chair the activities of the company’s agri-business sector effective from July 1, 2023.

Olam Agri was carved out of Olam Group following the reorganization of the group’s diverse business portfolio to unlock long-term value.

Olam Agri is a food, feed and fibre agri-business with a global origination footprint, processing capabilities and a focus on emerging markets. Its products and services include grains and oilseeds, flour, pasta, integrated feed and protein, rice, edible oils, speciality grains and seeds, cotton, wood products, rubber, commodity financial services and funds management.

The eight board members sit across four of Olam Agri’s board committees, namely the Governance, Nomination, Talent & Remuneration Committee, the Audit & Compliance Committee, the Risk & Market Compliance Committee, and the Sustainability Committee.

Those appointed are Mr Serge François Schoen, Non-Executive and Independent Director, and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Governance, Nomination, Talent & Remuneration Committee.

Ms Hixonia Nyasulu, Non-Executive and Independent Director, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Sustainability Committee.

Ms Eng Chin Chin, NonExecutive and Independent Director, Chair of the Audit & Compliance Committee.

Mr Pierre Lorinet, NonExecutive and Independent Director, Chairman of the Risk & Market Compliance Committee. Ms Jenifer Thien, Non-Executive and Independent Director.

Others are, Mr Sulaiman AlRumaih, Non-Executive and Non-Independent . Mr Anuj Maheshwari, Non-Executive and NonIndependent Director. Mr Sunny George Verghese, Group CEO and Executive Director of Olam Group and Olam Agri.

Mr Schoen said, “I am honoured to be joining Olam Agri’s Board of Directors and to have the opportunity to chair a board which has a diverse and experienced group of directors, coming together to lend their expertise and experience to support Olam Agri in its next stage of growth.

“As a board, we share the commitment to provide oversight and stewardship of Olam Agri along the same strong principles of corporate governance and transparency that have always been a part of its culture.”

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Agro-Business: How Kano, Jigawa Youths Survive on Farm Labour

As the farming activities of the 2023 season are intensifying, youths from Kano and Jigawa states villages are taking advantage of the vast farming areas in their states to earn a living and survive through farm labour. These farm activities ranges from planting time to the harvest, during raining or dry season farming.

These young people including male and female, are working on various segments of farming processes for both the large and small holder farmers, thereby making it easier for them to attain bumper harvest and at the same time providing a means of living for themselves.

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Although it is an era of modern farming through the use of technology, the young people, between the ages of 10 to 35, still makes wave and contributes a lot to the farming sector, as not all farm activities are done with the mechanized machines.

In a visit to some of the largest farms in Kura, Bunkure and Rano axis of Kano south, many of these young men and women were sighted working in various farms. While those between the ages of 25 to 35, are doing the hard labour, the little girls of about 10 to 15 years are doing the menial jobs to accomplish the task.

Some of works they are doing include farm clearing, planting, harrowing and harvest processes, which involve cutting of farm produce like rice, beans, millet among others, and also packaging and transporting them to stores and markets.

Some of the farmers picking rice seeds for plantation in Hadejia LGA, Jigawa state

Speaking to a group of youths in a rice farm in Gafan area of Bunkure LGA, they expressed satisfaction with what they earn in every hectare and the way it gives them chance of becoming self reliant. They said 10 people are working in a harvest of one hectare of rice and that they can finish one hectare in a day.

Many of them described their vast farming land as a blessing which reduced the burden of life, abject poverty and hardship, as well as preventing their youths against going out of the villages to the cities to look for money.

Their leader, Ma’aruf Usaini Gamadan, 28, said every farming season they engage in farm labour and have no time to leave their villages for cities to look for job, adding that they earn reasonable amounts of money enough for them to cater for their needs.

“There are different works here and different people are working on those segments. Most of our youths remains at home and earn enough to take care of the family, unless if one is lazy then he will complain. Because as you can see we are working almost all year round; the rain season, post wet and wet season.

“The harvest season is more profitable honestly as it is the final stage, and rice farm is the most expensive of all. We normally start with cutting the rice and the following day we will start removing the paddy from the grasses using drum, sticks and putting inside sacks.

“We collect N50,000 per hectare and 8 or 10 of us normally work together. We sometimes share up to N4000 after removing money used for hiring some of the things we are working with,” he said.

‘We buy our marriage furniture with farm labour’

A girl from a team of ladies doing menial jobs in some farms in Hadejia local government area of Jigawa state, Sadiya Shehu, 14, said almost 90 percent of the girls working in the farms are buying their marriage furniture for themselves and through the farm labour.

She said although they sometimes merged their work with scouting for remains of farm waste, they earn more of their saving through farm labour as the farmers pay them N300 per sack and also offer gifts of farm produce.

“Many of us that you see here, are about to marry and we are working to support our parents. The little we are getting is what we use in purchasing our furniture and other utensils for our matrimonial houses. Like now, as we speak I have four sacks of rice already and about to fill the fifth one. I got all these from the farm labour and remains of farms.

Young girls working in a farm in Bunkure LGA, Kano state

“They pays N300 per sack and normally they can get 30 to 40 sacks per hectare, which is around N10, 000 and five of us work in a farm. A part from that they also give us rice and at the same time we work on the remaining dust to get some rice.”

She said other works they do is usually at the beginning of the season where they plant, remove grasses and even spray fertilizer in farms and they are all paid for that.

“We usually leave home from morning and return in the evening, that is why it is not easy. But we have to do it, we all rise to see our elders doing this,” she added.

However, others among the labourers are the porters who carry either on their head or on motorcycle to the stores and nearby places after successfully finishing the job.

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VP Osinbajo commissions KRIS, said the scheme will transform farming communities in Kano

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN today inaugurated a multi-billion-naira Kano River Irrigation Scheme, KRIS, which will touch at least one million lives.

A statement issued by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Office of the Vice President, of Friday said the Buhari Administration added another feather to its cap in the agricultural sector as the initiative will transform the conditions of farming communities along the Kano River Basin.

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Initially, KRIS is a component of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project (TRIMING).

Speaking at the commissioning of the scheme in Bunkure LGA of Kano, Prof. Osinbajo said “the Project is an innovative approach adopted by the Federal Government, which has opened access to life-changing opportunities for the farming communities that are involved with the Project.

“The Project also serves as a vehicle to effectively harness the potential of vast water resources infrastructure, some of which were built well over 40 years ago but largely remained either unutilised or grossly underutilized.

“The main beneficiaries of the Project include basin stakeholders, irrigation and drainage entities, water users’ associations, farmers, and rural dwellers in the Project areas. Through the direct infrastructure investments covering about 37,500 hectares across six states, concurrent activities in agriculture and on-farm water management in these areas, approximately 140,000 farm families with about 1 million people are directly benefiting.”

Continuing, the VP noted that “today’s event is a clear demonstration of the Buhari Administration’s commitment to transform the conditions of our people in the communities of our nation’s bread basket.

He said optimizing water resources in such a way “will revolutionize the local agricultural economy and ultimately enhance the food security of the Nigerian people,” adding that the practical advantages of “unshackling our farmers from the constraints of rain-fed farming and boosting their capacity for year-round farming cannot be understated. This is precisely what we are doing through this project.”

On the objective of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project, the Vice President stated that “it is essentially to enhance the productivity of 140,000 farmers within and near the following four rehabilitated irrigation schemes in Northern Nigeria: Bakolori Irrigation Scheme in Zamfara State, Middle Rima Irrigation Scheme in Sokoto State, Kano River Irrigation Scheme and Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme in Jigawa state.

According to the VP, “the project provides technical assistance for farmers at each irrigation scheme and facilitates strong forward and backward linkages along the value chains.”

Regarding the beneficiary communities, the VP noted that having “suffered the frustration of poorly maintained water distribution facilities with the attendant losses that have ensued, it is my hope that we will now see these facilities as yours and embrace a collective responsibility of preserving them and ensuring their sustainability.”

Prof. Osinbajo then commended Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s tenacity and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, comprising the Minister and his team, which ensured that the project was completed.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Ganduje thanked the Vice President for his support and the Federal Government for its commitment to the actualisation of many impactful Federal Government projects in Kano State.

Citing roads, rail and airport projects, among others executed by the Federal Government, the Governor noted that Kano was being transformed into a centre of trade and commerce in West Africa, adding that the Irrigation Scheme would add value to farming communities and associated businesses in Kano State.

On his part, Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu commended the President and Vice President’s commitment to the actualization of many people-oriented projects across the country.

Other dignitaries at the event were the Minister of State for Works & Housing, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub, Emir of Rano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Kabiru Inuwa and the Managing Director of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Alh Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu, among others.

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KNSG Lauds Kan-Invest

Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said his administration established the Kano Investment Promotion Agency and Diaspora (KAN-Invest) with a view to to facilitate investment promotion and provide investor services aimed at facilitating investment and also for fast tracking the ease of doing business for both local and foreign investors.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna stated this while launching the KAN-Invest Director General’s compendium of achievements at the Coronation Hall, Government House Kano.

He pointed out that the publication of the compendium represents a remarkable achievement by the KAN-Invest and is also a testament to the dedication of the management of the organisation.

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“The publication of this compendium and other documentaries by KAN-Invest is a milestone because these books will serve as the veritable tools for successive managements to drive the goal of the KAN-Invest agency to make Kano a prime investment destination”.

“I wish to also commend the Director General of the KAN-Invest for organizing the forum,the event is indeed an occasion to commemorate the publication of variety of documentation that are well articulated with hard-working and commitment Ganduje explained”.

Speaking the National Coordinator of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Gloria Akobundu noted that the compendium would serve as a guide for rapid development and investment opportunities to Kano and Nigeria.

While delivering her remarks the Director General of KAN-Invest, Hama Ali Aware expressed appreciation to Kano State Government for its support to the agency.

“With support from the staff we achieved some modest gains through pursuing investment promotion programmes this gathering is a commemoration of our ordinary accomplishments she said”.

Highlight of the occasion include presentation of awards to Gov. Ganduje, his wife Prof. Hafsat Ganduje, foremost Industrialist Alh. Aliko Dangote, Sen. Barau Jibrin and Chairman KAN-Invest Alh. Isyaku Umar Tofa for their contribution to the promotion of investment in Kano.

In attendance during the occasion were the Emir of Karaye Alh. Ibrahim Abubakar II, Representative Of Ministers of Water Resources and Industry, Chairman of the Coalition of Northern Chambers of Commerce Alh. Dalhatu Abubakar, Managing Director of Dala Inland Dry Alh. Ahmed Rabi’u and other stakeholders.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Hassan Musa Fagge.

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How Kano Youths Reap Lucrative Gains From Onion Farming

Youth in Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure Local Government areas of Kano State are counting positive profits from onion cultivation and selling as one of the prominent cash crop in the country.

The region is home to one of the major onion markets in Nigeria, Gun-Dutse, which has significantly contributed to the success of onion farming in the area and Northern Nigeria at large.

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Many young people in these areas have embraced onion farming as a means of livelihood and major source of their income, and the demand for onions has made it a more profitable venture where majority of the farmers in the area adopted.

The youths are investing their time and resources into onion farming and are reaping the rewards more especially during the peak period of its sale.

According to one of the onion farmers in Gun-Dutse market, Habunta said, “Onion farming has become a major source of income for me and many other youths in this area. I have been able to pay my bills and support my family from the profits I make from onion farming.”

An Online News Platform FARMERS VOICE NG gathered that the success of onion cultivation in these areas has created many employment opportunities, increased income, skill acquisition and economic growth for Gundutse village.

Reports says that lack of access to finance is a significant challenge that many youths in these areas are facing. Modern storage facilities, land security, power supply and land policies.

“Despite these challenges, the youths in Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure remain optimistic about the future of onion farming.

With the right support and investment, onion farming has the potential to transform the lives of many more youths in Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure,” Farmers Voice gathered.