30 farmers die, others lament harsh economic conditions

Tragedy has stuck as a boat mishap claimed the lives of over 30 farmers, while dozens are still missing in the Gbajibo community of Mokwa local government area of Niger State. It was learnt that the incident occurred when the farmers entered the boat to ferry them to their farms located on the other side of the river.

A source at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed that over 100 persons were on board as at the time of the incident. According to an eye witness, “the farmers were from Gbajibo, Ekwa, and Yankyade communities and were on their way to their farms located on the other side of the river Niger (old Gbajibo). Confirming the incident, the public relations officer of NSEMA, Ibrahim Husseini, stated that the agency, in collaboration with the Mokwa local government officials and the community local divers, are currently on a  rescue, and recovery operation. So far, 30 corpses have been recovered while dozens have been rescued and several others are still missing”.

Meanwhile, poultry farmers across the country, particularly in Lagos State, have lamented harsh economic hardship that has caused negative impact on their poultry business. The farmers, however, called on government at all levels to urgently intervene to prevent the imminent collapse of the poultry industry. The farmers, under the aegis of the Erikorodo Poultry Association, made the appeal in a statement signed by its chairman, Mrs. Juliana Ibitoye.

They appealed to the government to provide palliative support directly to farmers and farms within the Erikorodo poultry Estate. Speaking on their plight, the association disclosed that most of their members had lost their capital within the past one year and are on the verge of imminent total collapse. They, therefore, appealed for urgent support from governments at all levels to prevent the imminent collapse of the industry.