. Just like most sectors, the agric sector has gone through the ridicule of promises made and unfulfilled by politicians.
The consequences are not far-fetched.
Some few months ago, precisely March 2017, the Food and Agriculture Organisation said that about 7.1 million people in Nigeria are facing acute food insecurity and require urgent life saving and livelihood protection. To be on the right path of food security, experts believe that there is need for Nigeria to stimulate growth in the agricultural sector and address issues of corruption around it.
Abba Aminu, professor of agricultural economics at Bayero University in Kano, believes that Nigeria will always be in danger of food crisis until all efforts are galvanized towards fostering policies that would prioritize increased agricultural output to cater for the country’s increasing population and engender food sufficiency and sustainability.
“We have so many river basins development authorities around but the problem is efficiency and maintenance is very poor too. Water flow in every irrigation scheme is important and is supposed to be maintained regularly but that is not so.
“Also there is the issue of having the right policies. Policies should be geared towards encouraging local participation and empowerment of rural farmers to engage in modern farming techniques. For irrigation schemes to be more effective there is need to adopt and adapt the World Bank’s participatory irrigation management method where cost sharing is encouraged and everyone has a stake in the project,” Abba says in an interview.
Wale Oyekoya is an experienced farmer and consultant. In an interview with a local newspaper, he believes the problem of leadership, mismanagement, embezzlement and corruption must first be tackled head-on before Nigeria can begin to witness agricultural industrialization.
To kick start this process, Nkemdilim Ilo, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Public Private Development Centre (PPDC), says government must adopt and implement the right procurement process that will ensure resources are well managed, and a wider participation from citizens is promoted.
She says the picture painted so far does not look encouraging and that if anything must change soon, it must be a firm commitment and holistic approach to curbing corrupt tendencies and practices by adhering strictly and exhausting the provisions of the 2007 Procurement Act. Sadly, this commitment, going by what is obtainable doesn’t seem to be happening soon.
However, as the government footdrags on the issue, farmers might have to endure another dry season out of job later this year. But for Usman and Abubakar, they have to keep doing one thing–which is hoping against all odds.
An artist and musician, Fowler is also caretaker of Pasaquan: the surreal vision of inter-planetary utopia on 7 acres erected by mystic outsider artist St. EOM—Eddie Owens Martin (1908-1986)—on his family farm in the piney woods of Marion County, just outside of Buena Vista, Georgia, 42 miles southeast of Columbus.
Pasaquan is the term St. EOM (pronounced “om,” a reference to the sacred sound in Hinduism that represents the ultimate reality) made up for the kingdom he spent 30 years creating for a species of aliens from the future, the Pasaquoyans.
That’s his term for Pasquan’s energy field, also used to describe the feeling created in the space between two contrasting colors placed next to each other.
Martin left home at age 14, heading north to Atlanta, then Washington, D.C., before finally settling in New York City, where he made ends meet as a street hustler, bartender, drag queen for hire, gambler, and fortune-teller. After his mother’s death in 1957, he returned to Georgia and spent the next 30 years building Pasaquan (often with money earned telling fortunes) amidst the occasional drug binge at a backwoods trap house. Martin was typically the only white to venture inside this tiny crazed club where his art adorned the walls and ceiling.
After Owens’ suicide in 1986, the Pasaquan Preservation Society made diligent efforts toward the upkeep of the site and stewardship of St. EOM’s artistic legacy. In 2014, arts philanthropists at the Kohler Foundation funded the visually stunning restoration of Pasaquan. Following the painstaking efforts of Columbus-based general contractor Tim Gregory working with a team of artists and arts scholars, Kohler turned the property over to CSU, where art professor Michael McFalls serves as director of Pasaquan.
The inaugural Pasafest will also feature hairdressers and face-painters to help guests become part of the viberations.
Beers will be served by Omaha Brewing Company, crafters of the St. EOM-inspired Viberations Ale, and food trucks will serve up a variety of eating choices.
Along with local legends/kindred spirits Butch Anthony and Ralph Frank, the Artist Market will feature the works of Kip Ramey, Ned Berry, Charles Laster, Sam Granger, Lee Laney, Fawne DeRosia, Suzy Sue Smith, Elyse Mixon, Bond Anderson, Brent Wykle, Charlie Dingle, Meg Anderson, Katie Lebel, Chuck Wells, Carey Slay, and Jeffrey Lerner.
“As the day progresses, it gets weirder music-wise,” says Fowler.
The live-music line-up (from start to finish) features Joseph Mosman, Lady of the Lake, James Husband (Of Montreal drummer’s solo project), Jontavious Willis (acoustic-blues rising star hailed as “my wonder boy” by touring partner Taj Mahal), iNDEEDFADE, the punk-trance of Rude Dude and the Creek Freaks, trippy blues-rock guitar powerhouse Heather Gillis and band, and the face-melting, mind-melding grooves of headliners Crispin Wah, whose after-dark set comes illuminated by DJ/digital-visual impresario Eduard Pesante.
“It should be a fun and exciting day,” Fowler says. “Bring your lawn chairs, bring your blankets, and come to have a nice time.
Artist Market, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.The crew of the bark (17 May 1915)
The crew of the bark Margaret M. IV, which was wrecked in the Bahamas, is brought to Miami by the Frances E. (17 May 1915) Newspapers: Daily Miami Metropolis, The Miami Metropolis (daily), The Daily Metropolis or Miami Daily Metropolis Page: 1, Section: N/AA public first reading of Oregon playwright Dorthy Velasco’s new play “Ladies Shakespeare Club” will be held at the Very Little Theatre on Saturday.
“Ladies Shakespeare Club" is a full-length comedy that begins in 1920 and travels forward through 43 years. It follows a group of witty friends whose study of Shakespeare helps them face life’s challenges with boundless humor.
Ellen Chace is directing and Inga Wilson, Storm Kennedy, Erica Towe, Kari Boldon Welch, Clare McDonald and Carol Dennis are acting.
Velasco has written more than 30 plays and co-authored and produced feature films and documentaries. She also reviews plays for the Register-Guard and productions at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for KLCC.
“A reading gives the author a chance to see how an audience reacts to a new play and to discover what works well and what needs polishing,” Velasco said.
Seating is limited at the free reading that begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Very Little Theatre’s Stage Left, 2350 Hilyard Street.Q: Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: Mr Smith is a teacher. He is near-sighted. But he doesn't wear glasses. One day, he is walking in a street. He is thinking something. Suddenly a strong wind blows his cap off his head. My Smith runs after it. He wants to catch it but he can't. At this time, an old woman from a door of the house says to him. " Hi! What are you doing, sir?" "Running after my cap." "Your cap? Aha......that's my black cat. "She says. "Your cat? Sorry, but where is my cap?" Question: Why does Mr Smith run after the cat? - He likes his cap - He wants to get his cap back - He sees the cat and can't catch it - He doesn't find his cat
A: He wants to get his cap back


Q: Read the following article and select the best answer. Article: A "Gap Year" is a period of time when a student takes a break before going to university. It is often spent travelling or working. It can give young people useful learning experiences and new skills. Gap years are popular with European and Australian students, but remain less popular in America. However, in recent years, more and more American students are preparing for college by taking a gap year. The advantages of taking a gap year are as follows: Learn about the World and Yourself Although you don't have to go abroad to experience gap years, most gap year students catch the chance to travel abroad. You are able to work out who you are and what you are for. The experiences of different cultures offer you interesting lessons. You can learn more about the world and get to know yourself better. Face Challenges and Have Fun A gap year is not only a time to take a vacation, but also a time to face challenges. Gap year students usually work, volunteer or take service projects. You have to learn how to get along in the real world. This process isn't always easy, but