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Africa’s Food, Beverage Growth To Hit $1trn By 2030- World Bank Expert
Africa’s Food, Beverage Growth To Hit $1trn By 2030- World Bank Expert
Joel Ajayi
A Senior Agriculture Economist with the World Bank, Dr Adetunji Oredipe, has revealed that the food and beverage sub-sector in Africa has the potential to grow to about one trillion dollars by 2030.
Oredipe made this known at the 2019 Agriculture Summit Africa, a two-day event organized by Sterling Bank in collaboration with the World Bank and other stakeholders.
The economist, who presented a paper on the theme of the summit: “Agriculture: Your Piece of the Trillion-Dollar Economy” said the projection was based on the huge potential in the continent.
According to him, it is on record that Africa’s value system is currently about 313 billion dollars a year, and could triple if government and business leader’s radically rejigged policies and support farmers in the field and agribusinesses.
“The trio of agriculture, farmers and the agribusinesses constitute 50 per cent of Africa’s economic activity.
“If well harnessed, we will be able to increase job opportunities, greater prosperity, less hunger and progress for African farmers to compete globally.
“This will however be achieved if the farmers and agribusinesses undoubtedly receive expanded access to more capital, uninterrupted electricity, modernised technology and good land use policy. These are things that are available in other climes.
“To maintain the shares of the continent’s agriculture GDP in 2030, Nigeria will need to grow its agriculture revenue by compounded annual growth rate of 4.7 per cent.
“To ensure this is achieved, the agriculture budget to the GDP would have to be sustained at a minimum of seven per cent annually,” he said.
He decried that the 2030 growth projection might not be achieved if concerted effort was not made by African countries to reposition the agricultural sector.
He expressed concern that the gap between developed and developing nations was continually widening.
Oredipe recalled that agriculture, which was Nigeria’s mainstay in the 60s, had taken a nose dive, making the country to lose its place to other countries.
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Reps Security Session: Wale Raji Proposes Service Extension, Special Courts to Tackle Insecurity”
Joel Ajayi
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, intensified its search for sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges as lawmakers continued it’s Special Plenary Session dedicated to reviewing the nation’s security architecture and strengthening its legislative response to growing threats.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Wale Raji Member Representing Epe federal constituency of Lagos State and the Chairman House committee on livestock development presented far-reaching proposal aimed at strengthening national defense and tackling the escalating wave of insecurity across the country.
Hon. Raji commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment of additional personnel into the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Army. He, however, stressed that beyond new recruitment, Nigeria must urgently retain the institutional memory and field experience of officers nearing retirement.
Raji proposed an extension of service years for retiring military and police personnel—provided they are medically certified fit—arguing that their expertise is indispensable at a time when national security is under severe strain.
“New recruits will require extensive training and time to gain experience,Meanwhile, we have seasoned hands whose skills and knowledge can still be harnessed. The Public Service Rules allow for this extension, and we can consider an additional two to five years for fit and capable officers.”he noted.
The lawmaker further pushed for the establishment of Special Courts or Tribunals to handle terrorism and banditry-related cases. He recommended that investigations, trials, and convictions be conducted within a six-month window to ensure swift justice and send a strong message to criminal elements.
Hon. Raji also urged the House to accelerate constitutional amendments to make state police a reality and called for stronger integration of local governments into Nigeria’s security structure. Citing successful community-based security models from Lagos, he stressed their effectiveness in tackling local crimes and aiding prosecution.
Responding to Raji’s presentation, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu praised the recommendations as “thought-provoking,” particularly the suggestion to re-engage retired officers whose experience the nation cannot afford to waste.
Kalu said the idea could lead to the creation of a special, highly trained force led by experienced officers who left the service due to promotions or political appointments.“It is a very stimulating suggestion,We will dissect it further and reflect it appropriately in our resolutions.”he said.
The House is expected to develop concrete actions based on these proposals as Nigeria presses forward in the fight against insecurity.
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