FG of Nigeria Plans N12.3bn Subsidy for 2m Farmers

The federal Government says it’s ready to empower 2.2 million farmers with about N12.3bn as agricultural subsidy in coming weeks.

The punch reports that the Presidency officials confirmed that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, had already approved a N6.15bn agricultural subsidy for the first batch of 1.2 million farmers.

See also NNAMDI KANU; ACF ASKS FG TO BE CAUTIOUS.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agriculture, Andrew Kwasari News men that the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System had validated the first batch of beneficiaries.

See also Obi Cubana;Abba Kyari Explains his presence in Oba.

He said the 1.2 farmers would start getting their alerts soon, adding that another batch of over one million beneficiaries would also receive about N6.15bn agricultural subsidy.

Kwasari said, “The President has approved subsidies for 1.2 million farmers in Batch A and the NIBSS has validated their bank accounts and BVN (Bank Verification Numbers) as farmers.

“We have another batch of over one million and NIPSS has also validated their details and it will be sent to Mr President for approval.

“NIBSS validates every BVN tied to any account and can tell you the owner of such accounts in this country.”

When asked the total amount of subsidy to be given to farmers, he stated that the funds would come in batches of about N6.15bn each.

He further noted that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the NIBSS had received the details of those to benefit from the subsidy scheme.

Kwasari said, “The first batch is N6.15bn and we are preparing Batch B and it may be up to that amount also.

“The file has moved from my office right now and it is with the Accountant-General of the Federation and NIBSS for payment.”

Kwasari further insisted that the Federal Government had captured over six million farmers across the country, stressing that the data of these operators were in his office.

“We’ve captured over six million and very soon, we will be giving direct subsidies to these registered farmers,” he stated.

The presidential aide urged farmers to deploy the funds judiciously for agricultural purposes when they start receiving the subsidies and pointed out that the government would monitor the activities.

President Buhari Mandates seven North-West governors to end banditry in the zone.

President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated seven North-West governors, to end banditry in the zone.

Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State on Sunday disclosed this on Sunday.

Bagudu, who is also the Chairman, APC Governors’ Forum, made the disclosure at the continuation of a Fulani Stakeholders’ Peace, Security and Unity Meeting held in Birnin-Kebbi.

The Governor said the president’s directive was to ensure the urgent restoration of normalcy in the region.He stated that the President was fully committed to adequately protecting the lives and property of all law abiding and peaceful citizens of the country.

Meanwhile, president Mohammadu has mandated seven North-West governors to end banditry in the region.

This was disclosed by Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State on Sunday.

Bagudu, who is also the Chairman, APC Governors’ Forum, made the disclosure at the continuation of a Fulani Stakeholders’ Peace, Security and Unity Meeting held in Birnin-Kebbi.

The Governor said the president’s directive was to ensure the urgent restoration of normalcy in the region.

He stated that the President was fully committed to adequately protecting the lives and property of all law abiding and peaceful citizens of the country.

See also “Fight Bandits And Boko Haram, Not Nnamdi Kanu” Abubakar Umar to Buhari.

Bagudu acknowledged the relentless efforts of the military and the other security agencies in tackling the nation’s security challenges.

He pleaded to Nigerians to be less apprehensive in confronting the enemies of peace and unity, saying: “They’re a negligible few and we should all brace the odds.

“The issue of ensuring security in the nation is a collective responsibility and as such all hands must be on deck in this direction,“ he said.

Bagudu also reiterated his earlier pledge to lead the rescue efforts of the abducted students and staff of the Federal Government College (FGC) Birnin Yauri.

Recall that suspected bandits had on Thursday, June 17 invaded the unity college and abducted some teachers and an unspecified number of students.

However, a military team has so far rescued about 11 of the abductees.

The governor said: “We were not elected only to stay in the office, but to do anything to safeguard lives and property of all law-abiding citizens.

“We have to do everything to guarantee peace, unity and security even to the extent of sacrificing our lives as ordained by religious scriptures.”