News - News Agency Of Nigeria

Fish farmers seek funding for research institutes (Page 1,999)

By Olayinka Olawale

Mr Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, the President, Lagos State Catfish and Allied Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN), has urged the Federal Government to fund research institutions across the country to develop new species of fish.

Oke-Tojinu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that the country was not doing enough in the development of new species.

He said research institutions had failed the country following lack of new development of several indigenous species.

“That is where research has failed us; research institutions need to be funded adequately.

“Our research institutes should be put on their toes with a mandate given to them so that they can do much more.

“We have two known aquaculture species, catfish and tilapia. We have several indigenous species that have high commercial value.

“We need to support research and create aquaculture development centres across the country to enable the indigenous species to be developed,” he said.

The LASCAFAN president noted that the nation was yet to tap into the potential that aquaculture can avail.

According to him, food is very important and God has so blessed us in this country that food shouldn’t be our problem if we really harness the opportunities and potential that we have in the agric sector generally.

“The agric sector is so broad that it kept so many other sectors under it and one of such sector is the fishery sector which is a very broad sector that has a big resources.

“Unfortunately, we are yet to tap into the potential that aquaculture can avail us as a nation.

“World over, so much is done in aquaculture and Nigeria is way behind. The resources we have in terms of water resources, natural aquatic resources, some nations of the world don’t even have it.

“We have the resources in abundance, we gave it in excess; we have several dams that are lying fallow, we have lakes, several lagoons here and there and as well as marine water laying fallow.

“We are not doing much and a lot is taken out of this waterbodies without replacement.

“We are beginning to have decline in our catches,” he said.

Oke-Tojinu called on the government to pay more attention to the sector by increasing funding, policy formulating and technology to reverse the trend.

According to him, aquaculture has huge potential for export if well harnessed.

He said this means, “we can do so much in aquaculture, much more for ourselves and then have excess for export.

“We will have protein intake for us as a nation and once we have good protein intake definitely, the health of the citizenry is going to improve.

“Part of the thing we have been advocating for is that the sector must be given more attention which we have not been enjoying as it should.

Oke-Tojinu, however, lauded the Federal Government for the establishment of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy noting that it would make huge impact.

He said the association had always clamoured for a separate ministry to oversee the growth of the sector.

“Luckily one of what we have been advocating for is to have ministry of fisheries but now we have the ministries that will give us more attention, that is the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

“As is it now, that means we are under two ministries, Ministries Agriculture and Food Security and Marine and Blue Economy.

“Now, our hopes are high to see how policies will favour the growth of aquaculture across the value chain.

“We believe that with this new ministry, there will be adequate attention given to the water aquatic resources, so we can make it more robust than it is at the moment.

“Across the value chains, everybody can be fine because with the challenges that we have, aside from research that is not adequately funded or not given the needed attention, we can do more with the little knowledge that we have in terms of producing more.

“If we produce more, it will open up more markets because a little of market linkages and value chain would be more viable in logistics, breeding and genetics, nutrition, value addition and processing.

“If all hands are on deck that means we can earn much more from fish that will in turn earn the country more through export,” he noted. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Fish farmers seek funding for research institutes

By: Rabi'u Sani Ali

On: October 24, 2023

In: Agriculture

With: 0 Comments

By Olayinka Olawale Mr Sejiro Oke-Tojinu, the President, Lagos State Catfish and Allied Association of Nigeria (LASCAFAN), has urged the Federal Government to fund research institutions across the country to develop new species of fish. Oke-Tojinu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that theContinue Reading

ECOWAS, UNHCR sign agreement to deepen refugee protection

By: Muhyideen Jimoh

On: October 24, 2023

In: Foreign

With: 0 Comments

By Maureen Okon ECOWAS and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), on Tuesday signed an agreement aimed at deepening collaboration for the protection of refugees, stateless, and internally displaced persons in the sub-region. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray signedContinue Reading

FG Palliatives: AMAC Chairman assures residents of equity in distribution

By: ruth oketunde

On: October 24, 2023

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Funmilayo Adeyemi Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has said that the Federal Government’s palliatives would be distributed equally to the vulnerable persons in the area council without recourse to ethnic, religion or political affiliation. He gave the assurance at the flag-off of the second batchContinue Reading

APC Youth League urges Ganduje to wade into Abia APC crisis

By: isaac aregbesola

On: October 24, 2023

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Deborah Coker The Progressive League of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has expressed concern over what it termed as anti-party activities in the party in Abia. Amb. Usman Shuaibu, National Coordinator of the league, said at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja that the situation was becoming embarrassingContinue Reading

Alleged P&ID scam: EFCC opens case against fleeing Briton, James Nolan

By: Muhyideen Jimoh

On: October 24, 2023

In: Judiciary, General News

With: 0 Comments

By Taiye Agbaje The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, opened its case at the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, against the British National, Mr James Nolan, who jumped bail in 2022. The EFCC’s counsel, Mr Bala Sanga, led the 1st prosecution witness (PW1), Mr Temitope Erinomo, anContinue Reading

Climate Change: Activists embark on cycling tour to raise awareness

By: Muhyideen Jimoh

On: October 24, 2023

In: Environment

With: 0 Comments

By Felicia Imohimi Environmental rights activists, under the aegis of Climate Riders Nigeria, have embarked on a cycling tour from Abuja to Lagos to raise awareness on climate change and its effects. Mr Ismaila Babatunde, the Campaign Team Leader, briefed newsmen on activities lined up to commemorate the official startContinue Reading

CAC uncovers 189 fake companies defrauding Nigerians

By: Tosin Kolade

On: October 24, 2023

In: Economy/Business

With: 0 Comments

By Lucy Ogalue The new Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Registrar-General, Hussaini Magaji says he uncovered 189 fake companies positioned to defraud well-meaning Nigerians within one week after assuming office. Magaji told newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that a syndicate of criminals that specialised in operating numerous unregistered companies was arrestedContinue Reading

Hiding in custody may prolong your case – judge tells inmates

By: Tosin Kolade

On: October 24, 2023

In: Judiciary

With: 0 Comments

By Itohan Abara-Laserian Justice Adenike Coker of an Ikeja High Court, on Tuesday, advised defendants in custody to show up for trial to facilitate justice administration. Coker said that some defendants tended to hide in custody and failed to show up in court due to fear, thereby prolonging their trial.Continue Reading

NSCC lauds Tinubu’s ratification of Rights of Older Persons

By: Tosin Kolade

On: October 24, 2023

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Ahmed Ubandoma Dr Emem Omokaro, the Director-General, National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), has lauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the African Charter on the rights of older persons in Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Tinubu, approved theContinue Reading

Lagos riverine community decries lack of schools, health centre

By: Tosin Kolade

On: October 24, 2023

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Raji Rasak Oba Afeez Shittu, the Adeyemi1, Olu of Ibasa, Ijegun-Egba land, a riverine community in Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos, on Tuesday decried lack of schools and health centre in his community. The traditional ruler said this in an interview with the News Agency ofContinue Reading

Follows Us

Fish farmers seek funding for research institutes (Page 1,999)