Hope rises for Cashew Farmers as new president, Stephen promises to address bottle-necks

The newly elected National president of Cashew Farmers Association Mr. Ahiaba Stephen has promised to address the four major challenges bedevilling the Association.
Stephen had emerged the national President of the group after the election held at the Cashew House, Ogidibeje Junction, Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.
This was contained in a statement issued by the media handlers of the association.
According to the statement, Mr. Stephen in his acceptance speech, promised to address four four major issues that pose great challenge to the farmers that includes, the problem of farm gates encroachment and pricing and Multiple taxation.
Others according to him  are Cashew theft within the farm, warehouses and on transit and Cashew seedling production and grafting technology that can increase production and control in Nigeria.
His emergence the statement said elicited hope for a new dawn among members of the association.
“It’s a breath of fresh air with Mr. Ahiaba Stephen at helms of affair as it provides an opportunity for him to bring his wealth of experience in the agro-allied sector of the economy into the workings of the union for the good of all actors.
The statement explained further that, “His leadership promises a robust engagement with all involved in the cashew chain and as it is in his leadership style, everyone will be carried along in decision making as that has always brought him closer to the people he works with and that of the union won’t be different.”

Tallen challenges women to speak with one voice, be their sisters’ keeper

The minister of women Affairs Pauline Tallen has challenged the womenfolk to rise up, speak with one voice as well as be their sisters keepers.
Speaking at an event organised by the Association of Nigerian Women Business Network (ANWBN) with the theme: women in leadership and Equality on Thursday in Abuja, she said they should stand to be counted when it comes to being their sisters keepers
“If women can speak in one voice they can decide who becomes the president of Nigeria.”
Tallen was speaking against the backdrop that her counterpart in the ministry of transportation Rotimi Chibuike Ameachi had earlier indicated that though brilliant and intelligent, women are the cause of their own problems.
Ameachi had blamed the womenfolk for the tendency to always pull down their fellow women once they notice any progress coming that is not for them particularly.
Hence, Tallen admonished women,
“So let us change the strategy by loving one another and lifting up one another.
She lamented the deficit of women in the formal sector of the economy however, she encouraged them not to underestimate themselves but asked them to believe they can do anything.
She gave examples of successful women across the globe to include the Nigerian pride in Ngozi Okonjo Iwealla as well as the new Tanzania President.
“You can do more to expand the hands that rock the world.”
Earlier, the National Coordinator of Nigerian Women Business Network (ANWN) Mrs Modupe Oyekunle said the network is a coalition of female business and professional associations across Nigeria.

According to her the Network started with 18 associations but as “I speak with you we have 52 associations across Nigeria in the 6 geopolitical zones with about 4million membership under the coalition.
“This coalition was put together by the Center for International Private Enterprise called (CIPE).”
According to her, the center put the together because it recognises the fact that there are primary associations.
“We want everyone to come together for the purpose of advocacy, purpose of policy review, policy development, policy implementation that affect female entrepreneurs across Nigeria and to ensure that we engage the Government.
“This is a democracy and in a democracy the people must participate. This is the reason for the policy dialogue.
“We have a validated research document that we call Our Women Business National Agenda. That our audited research document is part of our discussion at this policy dialogue.
“I am glad to announce to you that the Presidents of the associations are in attendance. We invited ministries and parastatals that would be engaging especially as it regards the five priority areas: “The first area is high rate of insecurity, genda inequality in Governance at all levels, poor dilapidated road network, power and lack of access to finance from a single digit perspective.”

She commended the Government for what it has done thus far, as women are not where they used to be, however she said, “We are very far from where we ought to be.
“As we engage with Government we will put forth our recommendations and ask for what they are going to do.”
She said the network has been in existence for 7 years.
“The coalition was put together seven years ago. Tangeability first is that we have been able to build a coalition none existent before now that is the first one.
“Second one is that we were able to do the first agenda, Women Business and Inter Advocacy Document that had four priority issues and from the four priority issues three were achieved.
“One of it is from the 2016 document, we were able to introduce the genda inequality bill at the floor of the national Assembly. We are glad to say that the Senate has been able through the women that are there to push the bill.
She said, in the next 10 years the association would ensure that all female associations in Nigeria that are focused on Business and professional leadership will come under the coalition.
This she said is enable them become a formidable voice as well as being able to participate more in democracy in terms of what affects women and advocate for things that affect us as women.

IGP launches Mobile App for NPF Microfinance Bank 

As part of efforts to improve welfare and make life comfortable for the officers and men of the Force, the inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Adamu on Wednesday Launched the Mobile Banking Application for the NPF Microfinance Bank PLC.
While unveiling the platform at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters at Louis Edet House Adamu said the aim is to improve on services rendered to customers and realize ‘the vision for its establishment the Nigeria Police Force Microfinance Bank found it expedient to develop a “Mobile Banking Application, Agency Banking and the use of USSD” to meet customers’ needs. “This is a unique mobile Application created to provide financial services for both serving and retired Police Officers and the general public at large. “NPF Microfmance Bank Plc was set up to provide financial services such as retail banking, loans and advances, financial advisory and other allied services to hoth serving and retired officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, its ancillary institutions, and the general banking public. According to him, the Bank Which commenced operations on 19th May, 1993 from a single branch, has since expanded network across thirty-flve (35) branches across Nigeria. “Over the years, the Bank has shown resilience which has reflected in its consistently positive performance as one of the leading Microfinance Banks in Nigeria. “The Board of Directors and Management through this digital banking platform have made a clear statement Which assures customers of utmost satisfaction and improvement in the business and general Operations of the Bank. “They have also effectively aligned the Operations of the bank to the rapidly advancing technological dynamics in the banking industry.”He said customers will now be able to perform key banking operations through the Mobile Banking A13plication being launched today from the comfort of theiB homes, digital devices, or through the bank’s accredited agents. “The main goal of this Mobile Banking Application is to reduce delay in transactions and improve Operational efficiencies. He said A Mobile Banking Application will no doubt improve interaction with Customers, deliver their needs speedily and also provide ways for making internal functions more efficient. Expaining further he said the deployment of the digital growth is a cultural shift from the traditional way of ‘conducting financial services required to meet discerning cuatomers. He gave the assurance that with the development, the bank will continue to aim for greater heights in order to meet the needs of customers, particularly, the personnel of Nigeria Police Force. 

He encouraged all the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force both serving and retired, and the general banking public to take advantage of this technolgical innovation by the Bank and enjoy limitless possibilities on the Mobile Banking Application and the Agency Banking Platform. He said it will improve interaction with Customers, deliver their needs speedily and also provide ways for making internal functions more efficient. The chairman of the bank Azubuko Joel Udah in his welcome address said the event marks a significant achievement for the Board and Management of our great Bank as they officially launch the Mobile Banking Application USSD and Agency Banking. “This achievement is coming at a time when customers arw demanding timeliness, flexibility and convenience In carrying out financial transactions. “The deployment of these E-Banklng Channels Is a milestone in our drive to leverage technology for providing our Banking Services In line with our three (3) years strategic plan and also improve our product and services to our customers who are majorly officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force and the public in general. “Innovations in technology has over time revolutionised the banking Sector and informed the Banks desire to include deployment of a Mobile Banking Application as a key aspect of the Banks digital strategy. “In addition, the Application was created out of the need to delight our customers by taking the Bank financial services closer to them regardless of the time of the day or their location.