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FG targets sorghum value chain to boost food security

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FG targets sorghum value chain to boost food security

The Federal Government will progressively produce Sorghum toward meeting the country’s food and industrial demand in the face of climate change and insecurity.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, made this known at the presentation of the report of the Sorghum Technical Committee (STC) in Abuja on Thursday.

Abubakar said the committee will streamline the existing sorghum varieties to meet food and industrial demand.

He said that the high demand in sorghum was a quantum leap that would increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

He said he was optimistic that the streamlining of the varieties would enable Nigeria to meet its food and industrial demand.

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“We hope that through the streamlining of the existing sorghum varieties, we will progressively produce sorghum towards meeting the country ‘s food and Industrial demand in the face of climate change and insecurity,” he said.
He said streamlining of the sorghum varieties is crucial as it will enhance farmers’ income, and attract more youth to its cultivation.

The minister further said that following the relevance of sorghum, multinational companies, especially breweries are in high demand of the commodity.

He said that companies used sorghum as a barley base for the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
” Of Recently, the sorghum crop assumed great industrial relevance that many multi-national companies such as the breweries now use Sorghum grits as adjuncts (up to 40 per cent ).

” As barley base (mash) for making alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (Maltina, Maltex and Amstel Malt),” Abubakar said.

He, however, said that the prevalence of many varieties and cultivars was identified as the major problem leading to low sorghum productivity which resulted in the supply shortfall.

” The varieties in most cases are not what are needed by our food industries.

” This necessitates the need to streamline the existing varieties in order to meet our food and industrial needs,” he said.

Earlier, Prof. Daniel Aba, the STC Chairman while presenting the report said sorghum was fast gaining commercial importance due to different uses.

He said the committee recommended that seeds companies are enjoined to improve sorghum production and build and maintain responsive data banks that could be accessible by policymakers.

Aba said that the committee recommended that government should ensure that there were policies that encouraged the production of sorghum with financial support and enabling environment.

“From survey, sorghum is moving from a subsistence to commercial crop in Nigeria and it varieties need to be streamlined in order to meet food and industrial demand,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that STC is composed of members from various disciplines and reputable organisations and Institutes.

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China Introduces Instant Tax Refunds for Foreign Tourists to Boost Shopping Experience

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China Introduces Instant Tax Refunds for Foreign Tourists to Boost Shopping Experience

China has revamped its tax refund policy for foreign tourists, shifting from a refund-upon-departure model to a more convenient refund-upon-purchase system, according to the State Taxation Administration (STA).

The STA announced on Tuesday that under the new system, foreign visitors can now claim Value Added Tax (VAT) rebates instantly at designated tax-free stores. This change allows tourists to use their refunded amount immediately for additional shopping, enhancing their overall experience in China.

Previously, VAT rebates could only be withdrawn upon departure, but with the new policy, tourists will be able to access their refunds in real-time during their stay. The policy, which was initially tested in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangdong, has now passed all operational requirements and will be rolled out nationwide.

The STA emphasized its dedication to improving policy guidance and simplifying refund procedures to better serve international visitors.

Li Xuhong, Vice-President and Professor at the Beijing National Accounting Institute, welcomed the change, stating that the nationwide implementation would raise China’s tourism service standards. “It will foster a friendly, efficient, and convenient tourism environment,” Xuhong added.

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Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to One-China Policy Amid Taiwan’s Trade Office Claims

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Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to One-China Policy Amid Taiwan's Trade Office Claims

Rep. Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations, has reiterated Nigeria’s firm commitment to the One-China Policy, following recent comments by Taiwan’s Trade Mission Head in Nigeria, Andy Yih-Ping Liu.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Yakubu firmly declared that Nigeria continues to recognize Taiwan as an integral part of the People’s Republic of China. He rejected Liu’s claim that Taiwan was not part of China, labelling it as “propaganda” aimed at undermining the strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China.

“For the record, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, recognised the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of all of China, including Taiwan,” Yakubu stated. “The One-China Policy remains the cornerstone of China-Nigeria relations.”

He emphasized that since Nigeria and China established diplomatic ties in 1971, the country has consistently upheld this principle. “Efforts by Taiwan’s trade office to challenge this stance are futile and will not succeed,” Yakubu added.

Yakubu criticized Liu’s comments as an attempt to draw Nigeria into China’s internal matters, accusing the Taiwanese official of deliberately sowing discord and provoking a diplomatic rift. “Nigeria’s relationship with China is built on mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s political matters,” he said.

In response to Liu’s claim that China acted as a bully, Yakubu pointed to the positive trajectory of Nigeria-China relations. “Contrary to these baseless assertions, Nigeria has enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with China, yielding tangible results for both nations. Since 1971, our ties have grown significantly.”

He highlighted the strategic nature of the partnership, referencing the elevation of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the 2024 FOCAC Summit in Beijing. “Today, Nigeria stands as China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade surpassing 20 billion dollars,” Yakubu noted.

Furthermore, Yakubu praised China’s role in Nigeria’s infrastructural development, with investments in sectors such as rail networks, roads, ports, power stations, and water treatment facilities.

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Shettima Warns Media Against Romanticising National Challenges

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Shettima Warns Media Against Romanticising National Challenges

Vice President Kashim Shettima has cautioned Nigerian media practitioners against the growing tendency to romanticise serious national issues, describing the trend as a dangerous departure from the media’s constitutional duty of promoting truth and accountability.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Modibbo Umar, the Vice President issued the warning on Tuesday while delivering a speech at the 17th LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards held at the Old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

“We must resist the temptation to romanticise serious national issues or frame them in ways that distort public understanding,” Shettima said. “Doing so only weakens the fabric of our democracy and derails our collective efforts at nation-building.”

The Vice President’s remarks came as stakeholders in governance, business, and civil society gathered to reflect on the theme of the event, “Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Fiscal Federalism.” The conference provided a platform for thoughtful engagement on some of the country’s most pressing issues, with a focus on the responsibilities of leadership at all levels.

Shettima also used the occasion to commend LEADERSHIP Newspapers Group for its consistent contributions to national discourse and its commitment to celebrating excellence in leadership.

“I commend LEADERSHIP Newspaper for the vision to convene this vital discourse and for shining the light on those who have chosen to lead with courage and competence. May we never tire of striving for a better Nigeria,” he said.

The annual LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards continues to be a major event that brings together influential voices to deliberate on national progress and honour individuals and institutions making meaningful impact in society.

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