Day: October 7, 2023

Abduljelil Odunlami, a Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), says 1,100 inmates from the Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan are currently awaiting trial for various offences.

Odunlami, while visiting the Ibadan Branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the facility currently housed a total of 1,244 inmates.

He added that the inmates comprise 24 female and 1,220 male, with 144 of the total number of inmates already convicted of various offences.

Odunlami disclosed that the aim of the visit was to seek for cooperation and support of members of the Ibadan Branch of NBA in helping inmates.

”We want you to assist inmates without financial means to get legal assistance, as our Agodi facility is housing many inmates who do not have financial capacity to get legal aid,” he said.

He added that the Agodi Correctional Centre was supposed to house inmates in the Ibadan axis by virtue of regulations.

“But some inmates are now being taken to the Oyo axis, and this is an aberration to the NCoS.”

Odunlami said the awaiting trial inmates needed NBA’s support for a quick dispensation of justice, especially those who do not have the financial capacity to get lawyers and are with critical sickness.

“If an offender within Ibadan is being remanded in the Oyo town correctional facility, there may be delay in justice.

“There may be an attack on the road, as well as the problem of safety on the road. Time must also be considered.

“So, I want us to join hands and work together to ensure that inmates within Ibadan are retained in the Agodi correctional facility for a quick administration of justice.

“Government is doing its best, but corporate organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like NBA also need to complement government’s efforts in the provision of welfare packages for inmates,” he said.

In her response, the Chairperson of Ibadan Branch of NBA, Folashade Aladeniyi, said the awaiting trial inmates have constitutional rights to be visited.

She said this would be within a specified timeframe and by their relations and lawyers without any financial obligation.

The chairperson, who was represented by the branch’s Secretary, Olakunle Akintola, urged correctional facility officers to ensure easy protocol for relations’ attention without intimidation or extortion.

Aladeniyi also urged correctional officers to always ensure proper evaluation of inmates to be presented for pardon or release during facility decongestion exercise, especially inmates with critical and life-threatening sickness.

“We are still finding it difficult to get medical certificates from medical facilities within correctional centres to apply for bail applications in courts.

“Something must be done about this because the medical facilities within the correctional facilities can not handle some inmates’ sickness,” the chairperson said.

Speaking also, Olakunle Faokunla, Chairman of the Advocacy Committee of Ibadan Branch of NBA, assured of continued partnership between the NBA and correctional centres in the state.

He said this would be in the areas of administration of justice and welfare support.

“Our branch has been visiting correctional facilities in the state and will continue to engage with the inmates to provide necessary support when needed.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

No fewer than 1 billion persons worldwide are affected with Presbyopia(eye disorder), Dr Tochukwu Onwuzulike, an eye care specialist, has said.

Onwuzulike, an Optometrist with Vision Spring, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the inauguration of free eye care exercise at Apo resettlement, FCT.

Presbyopia is an eye condition in which the eye slowly loses the ability to focus quickly on objects that are close up.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the free eye care exercise was organised by Eye Care Aid Foundation, Vision Spring, with the support of Act Foundation.

Onwuzulike, who is also a business development specialist, said that among the 1 billion affected people, no fewer than 500 million were visually impaired because they lacked access to reading glasses.

He said that the NGOs were concern that no fewer than 2 million Nigerians were visually impaired.

The optometrist said that such figure was scary and that it was a huge problem that needed to be tackled on time.

The eye specialist urged people to imbibe the habit of taking care of the eyes and going for test when necessary.

“This occasion is highly significant because it deals with a very big and global problem which is eye care; Eye care has been found to be instrumental to productivity, eye care boost people’s livelihood.

“Eye care boosts the quality of life and even to a large extent, mental health; it is very crucial for us to address the eye care needs of millions of Nigerians.

“Presbyopia is a global problem; all over the world, about a billion people are affected with presbyopia; among these 1 billion people, no fewer than 500 million are visually impaired all because they lack access to reading glasses.

“It is a very good thing that the Act foundation, Eye Care Aid Foundation and Vision Spring have come together with the support of Abuja Municipal Area Council(AMAC) and health authority of the FCT to come to carry out this screening.

“We are determined to see that 20, 000 persons are screened of their eyes and distribution of10, 000 glasses absolutely free in the FCT,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Adesuwa Agbontaen, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eye Care Aid Foundation, said that the project was going to run until June 2024, and would go round all the communities in the FCT.

“Today we are flaging-off our project, Eye Care Aid project for resident of FCT, giving eye care services, eye test and giving them free reading glasses, we are doing this for 20, 000 persons in the FCT.

“Our mandate is to distribute 10,000 glasses; we are going to run this project up till June 2024; we are going round all the communities in the FCT, from one place to another.

“Eye problem will not show up but until you see the doctor before you will know you have certain problem; if you don’t see doctors, you won’t notice certain eye problem, certain eye problem are hidden.

“We are creating awareness with this exercise; we know that world sight day is coming up on Oct.12; this exercise is also to commemorate vision care for that day, and also to talk about eye care issues,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Mr Emeka Mbanusi, Head of Information and Public Relations, AMAC, thanked the organisers of the eye screening exercise, adding that AMAC was only partnering to give them direction with regards to where to carry out the exercise in the FCT.

He said that the AMAC Chairman, Mr Christopher Maikalañgu, had done so much for the residents of the area council in terms of medical care both for children, mothers and the elderly ones.

Mbanusi said AMAC was paying counterpart funding for polio eradication and other routine immunisation in order to ensure that children under five years received treatment.

According to him, AMAC has done free medical care in many communities in FCT where it gives malaria drugs free of charge, and albendazole to deworm children.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Advisory Board has congratulated Luminate, a CSO, for collaborating with it toward raising funding for the success empowering Nigerian youth.

A statement by Maimuna Sani, NYFF’s Head of Communications and Community Engagement, indicated that the collaboration is aimed at focusing attention on a shared commitment to empowering the Nigerian youth.

Sani added that the cooperation is to catalyse impactful transformation for the long-term developmental of the country.

She said that the youth fund project set in motion in 2021, “is a five-year initiative funded by the MacArthur Foundation and Ford Foundation, and implemented by LEAP Africa, a non-profit organisation committed to inspiring, empowering and equipping a new cadre of African leaders.

According to her, the project is dedicated to nurturing youth leadership and activism in Nigeria by fostering outcomes-driven policy engagements and inclusive resourcing for medium and long-term national development.

“The NYFF embodies the collective determination to invest in the potential of Nigerian youth. By facilitating policy engagements and providing a platform for their voices and ideas to thrive, NYFF continues to pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive Nigeria,’’ she said in the statement.

Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, who spoke further on the project, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Luminate Group as a funding partner for the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund.

“Their commitment to join this fund underscores the power of collective action in engendering citizen-led participation in good governance and nation building.

“This partnership will amplify the project’s local and grassroots impact and create a lasting positive change in Nigeria at all levels.”

LEAP’s Director of Programmes in Africa, Amabelle Nwakanma, said Luminate’s experience in supporting social change initiatives would be invaluable to NYFF.

She said, “This collaboration will enable us to expand our reach and engagement efforts, ensuring that youth voices not only resonate but also drive tangible changes in our nation’s long-term development plans.”

Luminate’s contribution to NYFF funding pool is expected to enhance the fund’s capacity to drive sustainable and inclusive development initiatives.

She stated that the partnership is also expected to further advance the youth fund’s outreach and engagement across its areas of coverage and ensure that the youth not only speak with one voice, but are heard and carried along in the country’s long-term development plans.

Vice President Africa of Luminate, Toyin Akinniyi, said that the organisation as a supporter of efforts at creating just and fair societies, “is proud to co-fund the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund alongside the Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation.

“The active participation of young Africans in civic and political processes is critical to ensuring more representative and inclusive governance.

“The Nigeria Youth Futures Fund will continue to play a huge role in facilitating young people’s active participation and engagement in the development of policies and strategies that will shape Nigeria’s future, and that is why we are supporting this.”

Speaking earlier, Chinenye Uwanaka, the Co-chair of NYFF Advisory Board, expressed the group’s happiness to have Luminate join in the project, saying: “their vision and values strongly align with ours, and they have a history of supporting youth-led organisations.

“I really look forward to working with them to increase meaningful civic and political participation in Nigeria, and help create an environment where independent media thrives, especially in the challenging times we live in as a nation.”

The Luminate’s involvement solidifies NYFF’s foundation of collaboration, innovation, and resilience. Together with LEAP Africa, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Ford Foundation, Luminate becomes an integral part of this transformative journey that places the youth at the forefront of nation-building.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has given the operators of Arise Television final warning on alleged violation of Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu llelah, gave the warning in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Arise Global Limited and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Abuja.

In the letter titled “Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: Final warning”, Ilelah said the commission had observed with concern, the preponderance of incendiary remarks allowed on Arise News.

“This letter once again seeks to underscore the tremendous responsibility put on the broadcaster to manage array of guests that may feature on the station from time to time.

“For the benefit of doubt, on Oct. 5 during the programme – ‘The Morning Show’, anchored by Reuben Abati, Rufai Useni and Ayo Mairo Ese, featured Oladotun Hassan and Dele Farotimi as guests.

“The programme contained unguarded incendiary remarks by Dele Farotimi against the legislature, executive, judiciary and Mr President.

“Similarly, On Oct. 6, during the programme “Newsday”, it featured Kenneth Okonkwo (Spokesperson for Labour Party) who used derogatory remarks on air.

“Your attention is therefore drawn to the relevant sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code for compliance please,” Ilelah said.

The NBC boss explained further that section 1.10.3 says the broadcaster shall ensure that its presenter does not express his or her opinion in the programme, as a matter of professional standard.

He said section 3.3.1 (a) stipulates that the broadcaster shall ensure that any information given in a programme, in whatever form, is accurate

Illelah said 3.3.3 (c) provided that the broadcaster shall be above inherent biases, prejudices and subjective mindsets

According to section 3.3.1(e), the Broadcaster shall not treat any individual or organisation in an unjust and unfair manner in any programme.

The NBC boss further explained that section 5.3.3(b) of the code stated that the broadcaster shall, in using political materials for news and current affairs programmes, avoid hate speech, inflammatory, derogatory, and divisive remarks of allusions.

“Section 5.5.6 says, the broadcaster shall have a delay mechanism to guard against possible undesirable content.

“Arise TV is advised to install a delay mechanism to guard against possible undesirable contents as prescribed in Section 5.5.6 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

“Please note that henceforth, your station shall be held liable for any infraction on your platform and applicable sanctions shall be imposed as prescribed by Law,” Ilelah stressed.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

No fewer than 16,620 adolescent girls will benefit from a viable education support under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, (AGILE) project in Bauchi State.

The Project Coordinator, Dr Jamila Mohammed-Dahiru, said this during a breakfast meeting with heads of media organisations in Bauchi on Saturday.

AGILE is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank, designed to improve basic and post-basic education opportunities for adolescent girls.

Children in Nigeria, especially girls are being faced with challenges preventing them from accessing and completing secondary education due to socio-cultural, financial constraints, and infrastructural deficits.

The project seeks to tackle the challenges and improve education opportunities in 18 participating states, to make education more appealing to adolescent girls, parents, and communities.

The AGILE project consists of three main components which include Creating Safe and Accessible Learning Spaces, Fostering an Enabling Environment for Girls, Project Management and System Strengthening.

Mohammed-Dahiru said that Bauchi government had submitted its proposed Work Plan to the national coordinating unit and contributed N150 million as counterpart fund to facilitate successful implementation of the project in the state.

She said the state’s Project Unit had identified 120 schools and 30 non-formal schools for participation through a community driven approach to ensure sustainability of the project.

The project, she said, would be implemented based on a 60/40 per cent ratio for girls and boys in basic and post-basic schools across 20 local government areas of the state.

The Project Coordinator said the state planned to construct new classrooms to expand 60 schools and rehabilitate dilapidated ones in 60 other schools.

The schools, she said, would be provided with facilities such as furniture, learning materials and information technology facilities to make them functional, safe, inclusive, and more conducive to teaching and learning.

On Fostering an Enabling Environment for Girls, she said, the objective was to promote behavioural change which acts as a barrier to girls’ education through sensitisation and advocacy campaigns to promote girls’ education and empowerment.

“It also aimed at enhancing digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills development, to empower girls to enable them to be useful as they transit to adulthood.

“We have a Conditional Cash Transfer programme to provide financial incentives to the poorest households, to address barriers to girls’ enrollment, retention and completion of school.

“Each of the beneficiaries will receive N5,000 for the junior schools and N10,000 for those in senior schools per term, respectively,” she said.

“While the Management and System Strengthening component of the project seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity of federal and state governments to support girls’ education and empowerment.

“We also have a Teacher Professional Development programme and planned to review curriculum as well as the School Based Management Committees (SBMCs),” she said.

According to her, the state government will recruit additional 3,000 teachers to ensure effective management of the schools.

She added that teachers and members of the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) would be trained to fast track effective monitoring and supervision for successful implementation of the project.

She, therefore, sought the support of the media in creating awareness in the communities to mobilise participation in the project

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar-Audu, on Saturday expressed confidence that the reign of the new Ejeh of Ankpa, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed-Yakubu, will bring about peaceful coexistence and development in Ankpa local government Area (LGA) of Kogi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister made the remark in Ankpa at the official presentation of the Staff of Office to Ahmed-Yakubu as the fourth Ejeh of Ankpa by Gov. Yahaya Bello.

Abubakar-Audu said: “I am very confident that with your educational background, wealth of experience in the public and private sectors, and in business development, you will, beyond your traditional and religious roles, attract great investments to the great Ankpa Kingdom, Kogi and Nigeria as a whole.”.

“The Ejeh of Ankpa is not novel to the throne. As one who was born into royalty and watched your father and grand father rule his people in peace, unity and prosperity, you would rule to exceed the accomplishments of your ancestors.

“It is a prayer that every child becomes greater than his father, and so, I wish the Ejeh of Ankpa success, and many years of greatness and accomplishments on the throne.

“My relationship with His Royal Highness dates back to the times of our fathers, who shared the same value of fostering the unity, growth and development of the Igala Kingdom.

“We remain grateful to God Almighty, that today, we are alive to preserve the legacies of our fathers in the Igala Kingdom, Kogi State and our dear country, Nigeria,” Abubakar-Audu said.

The Minister, who extended his warm wishes to the traditional ruler,

described the Ejeh as one who was capable of ruling his people in a peaceful and united way to bring notable development and prosperity to Ankpa, Igala Kingdom and the country at large.

He added: “I join the people of Ankpa, Kogi State, and millions of Nigerians to congratulate His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed-Yakubu, on the official presentation of Staff of Office to him as the fourth Ejeh of Ankpa.

“As he sits on the throne of his anscestors. I pray that Almighty Allah will guide and direct him to lead his people in peace, unity, love and harmony that will bring notable development and prosperity to Ankpa, the entire Igala Kingdom and Kogi State.

“I also thank the Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his respect to the sacred stool of the Ejeh of Ankpa and for ensuring that the right person wears the crown.

“i thank the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bar. Salami Ozigi, for ensuring the success of the event,” Abubakar-Audu added.

He urged the people of Ankpa to live peacefully and united under the reign of his Royal Highness, irrespective of their religious and political affiliation.

The Honorable Minister attended the event alongside Gov. Yahaya Bello, the Kogi State APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, His Royal Majesty Attah of Igala, Matthew Opaluwa, Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and His Royal Highness Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

Also present at the event were the Governor of Kastina State, Dikko Umar Radda and the former Governor of Katsina, Ibrahim Shema, amongst others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, officially inaugurated the 190km overhead transmission line for Kunene-Omatando substation on Friday, which will serve as a connection point between Namibia and Angola.

Alweendo made the remarks during the inauguration of the Kunene-Omatando substation at Otjekua community in the Omusati Region on Friday.

According to the minister, the new 400 kV Kunene Substation and the 400kV Omatando Substation, along with the 190km inter-connector overhead

transmission line, will be beneficiary for the northern part of Namibia.

“This is a brighter future for Namibia and by extension for Southern Angola. These substations, the Kunene Substation, a mere 30km south of the Angola-Namibia border at the Ruacana Power Station, and the Omatando Substation in Ongwediva, are now seamlessly connected by a 190km overhead transmission line,” he said.

He added that this critical infrastructures provides a blueprint for the energy future.

Speaking at the same occassion, Nampower Managing Director, Kahenge Haulofu, said the Kunene Substation is a 400kV breaker-and-half switching station that will initially be operated at 330kV.

Haulofu added that as part of this project, they also constructed a new 400kV breaker-and-half extension at substation in Ongwediva.

“These 400kV breaker substations were constructed as a part of NamPower’s ambition to strengthen northern Namibia’s Transmission backbone,” he said.

He added that entire project, including the 400kV transmission line between Kunene and Omatando substations, is valued at over N.dollars 1 billion.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

About 500 learners from a school in Rosh Pinah attended the RoshSkor Township 2023 career fair on Friday.

Among the attendees were learners from Tsau||Khaeb Secondary School, Hoeksteen Primary School, and Rosh Pinah Academy.

Indira Shilongo, the Roshskor Administration and Development Manager, mentioned that the two-day career fair serves as part of the company’s social responsibility towards the Rosh Pinah community. The aim is to expose school learners in the town to career diversity.

“I believe we have achieved our aim because now learners know what is out there and how they can access what is out there because access is usually the most challenging thing. As much as we are in an urban area, access to information or services is more like we are in a rural area. That is why there are not a lot of service providers here, and hence we decided to bring these institutions and individuals,” she said.

Roshskor plans to make the event an annual occurrence, and guest speakers from the University of Namibia, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine graced the event.

In an interview with Nampa, NUST career guidance practitioner, Michael Kisting, said, “It is important that our learners are guided into careers that they are passionate about, and that process needs to start at an early stage in their lives. Career guidance will help the learners make informed decisions. We can encourage them to go for a career field that is not saturated, as many others did.”

Laimi Nanyemba, Principal of Tsau||Khaeb Secondary School, emphasised that every learner must be guided when it comes to choosing a career. While life skills teachers offer guidance at schools, career fairs are needed as learners have a platform to interact with the experts themselves and the institutions on higher education.

“Such events do not happen regularly here. We are glad that the organizers decided to bring this opportunity to the learners. I am sure to them it was an eye-opener in terms of what subjects they will choose and what credit points they need to offer to ensure they get into these institutions,” she stressed.

Fatima Kapumburu, an advanced subsidiary learner at Tsau||Khaeb Secondary School, said the event boosted her confidence in terms of what career she will pursue next year.

“This has actually made me much more confident about my career choice. I am sticking to the fact that I want to do teaching. We appreciate the organizers bringing these institutions here,” she added.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Members of the Botswana Parliament have praised the cooperation between their country and Namibia, particularly in the realms of trade and commerce.

Chairperson of the Works, Transport, Technology and Information and Communications, Mpho Balopi, indicated during a meeting with Namport on Friday that the two countries are continually enhancing their collaboration through high-level engagements.

The delegation comprised six MPs from three committees, including the Committee on Finance, Trade and Economic Development, as well as the Committee on Labour and Home Affairs, which is chaired by Balopi.

The visit to Namport was part of the group’s oversight visit, allowing them to follow up and engage on various aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries relevant to their portfolio committees in the Botswana Parliament.

Balopi commended Namibia for providing Botswana with a dry port, stating that it plays a crucial role in the country’s import and export sector.

He pointed out that the Trade Facilitation Agreement, to which Namibia and Botswana belong, calls for seamless cross-border trade. As a land-locked country, the dry port at Walvis Bay enables Botswana to have direct market access to the world.

However, Balopi highlighted the need for both countries to find solutions to the current transport challenges concerning the delivery line that connects them.

‘We have engaged our transport ministry back home as well as their counterparts here to discuss the achievements, challenges, and opportunities of the Trans Kalahari. We want to ensure that the movement of goods and trade between the two countries is facilitated going forward,’ Balopi explained.

According to Balopi, there is a necessity to revive the Trans-Kalahari railway line to alleviate the burden and congestion on the roads between the two countries.

Derick Mokgatle, Manager at the Botswana Dry Port, echoed Balopi’s sentiments, adding that there is currently an expression of interest (EOI) running from 06 September to 08 November 2023, for the revival of the 1500-kilometre railway line.

The EOI will be followed by a pre-qualification stage between December 2023 and February 2024, after which construction is expected to commence in 2025.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) launched the National Symbols Campaign in Opuwo on Friday, as part of the National Pride initiative, aiming to raise awareness about the norms and significance of Namibia’s national symbols.

Dr Peya Mushelenga, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, officiated the launch and stressed the importance of the campaign. He highlighted that national anthems foster a sense of community involvement, contrasting with individuality through the use of terms like ‘we’ and ‘our.’

Mushelenga remarked, ‘These words catapult members of a community into a single identity. They instill in the minds of citizens the essence of associative existence.’

He further asserted that a country’s national anthem establishes a connection between the Kunene Region and the rest of Namibia.

‘It binds all of us in a bond of brotherliness and sisterhood. Moreover, singing national anthems invokes reverence for the core values of the nation, such as unity, love and loyalty to the nation. The anthem educates Namibians about the history and geography of their country,’ he said.

According to the minister, the national anthem highlights acts of valour, where individuals made sacrifices, enabling citizens to experience freedom and independence.

‘Hence, we stand up when we sing the anthem to give them our unconditional respect and acknowledge their prominence in our history and their center stage in our victory,’ he added.

Mushelenga stressed that national flags are sacred symbols deserving the utmost respect. Disrespecting national flags, he warned, can lead to serious consequences in certain nations. He noted that national flags have served as potent political symbols for ages, legitimating borders by signifying similarity.

‘Flags are used to bestow honor on allies, but their usage also extends to dishonor or condemn enemies,’ he added.

Furthermore, Mushelenga highlighted the importance of flags in determining sovereignty, citing an international law provision requiring a ship sailing on high seas to be conferred nationality of the country under which it is registered and fly that state’s flag. He also pointed out that flags are common sights at international sporting events, where athletes proudly carry their respective national flags.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A group of 18 female vegetable farmers from Omaheke, Otjozondjupa and Kunene regions gathered in a three-day value addition training course at Otjiwarongo this week, where they were taught to process raw tomatoes into bottled tomato sauce.

Their tutor, Monika Styger, who has been processing raw tomatoes into tomato sauce and bottling for commercial purposes at her farm in the Outjo district for more than 10 years, described the training course in Otjiwarongo a success.

The practical training started Thursday morning until Saturday afternoon at the town, she said.

“Our main objective is that of stopping our nation from importing bottled tomato sauce from elsewhere, while we can produce it here locally,” she said.

Styger said five other women, including the former Otjozondjupa Chief Regional Officer, Jeaneth Kuhanga and Rutonda Katjivikua, a commercial farmer in the Otjinene area, have put up resources to drive this tomato value addition training course for free in all 14 regions.

She stated that their bottled tomato sauce produced at the practical classes here is similar to that sold in supermarkets, and can also last on shelves for a period of three years.

“Our tomato sauce is made out of locally produced raw tomatoes, boiled into ordinary water before crushed into liquid and mixed with vinegar, sugar and spices and then reboiled again before bottling them for use,” she said.

Styger added that their final tomato sauce product has no preservatives.

So far a similar course was offered in Gobabis in January this year, as well as in Rehoboth in August, she said.

Oshakati is next for the course, stated Styger.

Jacky Karunga, one of the participants in the training, told Nampa in an interview that her family will never again buy tomato sauce in a shops as she is a crop farmer herself, who is now skilled on how to prepare tomato sauce for consumption or sale.

Maureen Katua, another participant in the training said it is high time for Namibians, mostly young people, to venture into raw tomato production and value addition for commercial reasons.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency