Category: Daily Trust

The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill seeking the establishment of Sickle Cell Disorder, Research, and Therapy Centres in each of the six geo-political zones of the country.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshal Katung (Kaduna South), aims to strengthen the national response to sickle cell anaemia – an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells, instead of maintaining a flexible disc shape, become stiff and crescent-shaped.

This deformity impedes blood flow in small vessels, leading to severe pain, organ damage, and other complications.

In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill, Senator Katung said the proposed legislation seeks to expand access to specialised care for sickle cell patients, improve data collection and research, and provide educational and psychosocial support for affected individuals, families, and communities.

He explained that the bill would also provide a legal framework for the proper management and administration of the centres, ensuring they operate effectively and sustainably.

Contributing to the debate, Senators Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) and Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) emphasised the importance of genotype testing before marriage and called for increased public education to curb the prevalence of the disease.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) for further legislative action, with a directive to report back within four weeks.

‘As the bill progresses, we must also integrate preventive strategies to reduce new cases. It is crucial that we find every possible way to support those already suffering from the disease while promoting awareness and prevention nationwide,’ Barau said.

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:43:04 WAT

The national leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio-cultural association, has suspended its state chairmen in Taraba, Bauchi, and Adamawa states.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mallam Mohammed-Suleiman, National Public Relations Officer of the association, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Suleiman said the decision was taken by the association’s National President, Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo, following investigations into several complaints received from Fulani pastoralists in the affected states.

‘After thorough scrutiny and consideration of numerous complaints from Fulani pastoralists, the National President has suspended the following state chairmen: Bammi Bello-Jane of Taraba, Muhammed Hussaini -Buzaye of Bauchi, and Usman Abubakar-Yirlabe of Adamawa, with immediate effect,’ he said.

He said that the suspension followed allegations of poor performance, lack of representation, and neglect of members’ welfare by the affected chairmen.

Suleiman said the decision was aimed at restoring members’ trust and confidence in the association’s leadership.

He also said the National President had directed all relevant security agencies and stakeholders to desist from engaging with the suspended chairmen, as they were no longer authorised to represent the association.

‘We urge all members and stakeholders to recognise and respect this decision.

‘Any attempt by the suspended chairmen to parade themselves as leaders or members of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore will attract prosecution in accordance with the law.

‘The association will not tolerate any act capable of bringing it into disrepute or undermining its integrity,’ he said.

Suleiman added that the National President reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of all members and assured that the association would continue to promote the interests of Fulani pastoralists across the country. (NAN)

Recent reports of self-styled transport enforcers, popularly called agberos or touts, have raised concerns within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), especially in the city of Abuja. These touts, armed with audacity, have taken over strategic parts of the city, harassing motorists, damaging vehicles, and operating with a brazenness that suggests they are backed by some powerful individuals or authority.

The activities of agberos were popular in Lagos State. In fact, the name agbero is a Yoruba term that loosely translates to ‘area boy,’ which describes street boys who unofficially man tolls to intimidate and extort residents in the name of collecting ‘levies.’ However, what was once thought to be a Lagos problem has unfortunately sneaked its way into Nigeria’s capital city and is taking a dangerous dimension.

The touts are known to frequent specific spots, and the Mabushi-Bannex area has been identified as one of their notorious spots due to frequent pick-ups or drop-offs of passengers by both private and commercial drivers. Unfortunately, their uncivilised manner of handling issues led to an accident that claimed the life of a couple early September. The tragedy occurred when the touts tried to force their way into the moving vehicle in an attempt to take control of the steering. While trying to shake them off, the couple reportedly lost control of the vehicle and rammed into another vehicle that claimed their lives and that of two of the touts.

While the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) was initially fingered as the possible employer of these touts, AMAC has denied any formal affiliation, saying they do not constitute members of their task force. However, a Daily Trust reporter who interviewed a surviving tout involved in the accident revealed that they work for the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) as ticketing agents. If this is true, then the question becomes more urgent: Who authorised RTEAN to operate on public roads, and with brazen authority to extort residents under the guise of collecting levies that are reportedly shared amongst them?

Nigeria is not short of agencies empowered by law to enforce traffic and tax regulations. The Nigerian Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, popularly known as Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), are all constitutionally mandated to carry out these functions. Each has its own jurisdiction, training protocols, and accountability structures.

But to allow an informal, untrained, and unregulated group to enforce similar laws is to invite chaos. These agberos lack the legal authority, procedural training, and even ethical grounding to interact with citizens in any official capacity. Their continued presence on Abuja’s roads is not just unlawful but dangerous. More disturbing is the fact that since a report linked these touts to RTEAN, the association, which is the umbrella body of all owners of commercial vehicles operating in Nigeria, has neither denied the affiliation nor made its position regarding the tragic incident.

As stated in their mandate, RTEAN has a responsibility to organise or participate in periodic road safety campaigns aimed at educating those actively involved in road transport. It also has absolute control and authority, subject to the law or bye law of the land, over all motor park activities throughout Nigeria to facilitate orderliness and ensure the complete welfare of the passengers and the safety of their luggage. Again, its mandate is clear that the ‘Association shall not encourage, but rather work for the total elimination of touting at all motor parks in Nigeria.’

But by employing agberos, RTEAN has not only failed in its mandate to protect passengers and other road users but is complicit in endangering the lives of Nigerians. There is no reason whatsoever why touts should have the power to stop any vehicle, much less a private vehicle, in a city like Abuja. If these individuals are being used as a revenue-generation tool, then the authorities must come clean. Let them present the enabling laws that allow for the outsourcing of the enforcement of these levies and devise a more civilised way of actualising their mandate. But touts should never be engaged in any form of law enforcement activity, nor should they be seen to be doing this in the seat of power.

With the 2027 general elections looming, their presence takes on an even more dangerous dimension, as political actors could easily use them in the breakdown of law and order. Moreover, for a city like Abuja, already grappling with the menace of ‘one chance’ criminal gangs, the addition of these touts as enforcers only compounds the insecurity.

Therefore, we at Daily Trust demand a thorough investigation into the death of the couple around Mabushi and insist those responsible must be made to face the full wrath of the law. If RTEAN or any other body is found to have employed these touts, then they must be held liable. The families of the victims deserve justice, and the residents of Abuja deserve protection. While the FCT Police Command claims it is already investigating the incident, that claim must be backed by action, and the report of the investigation must be made public.

We also call on the FCT minister, the FCT Police Command, and all relevant agencies to act decisively, dismantle the operations of all touts and flush them out of the city. The culture of impunity that allows agberos to thrive must be rejected by all.

As Nigerians increasingly participate in the digital economy landscape, tech experts and other stakeholders have called for a robust protection framework to ensure accountability and protection of citizens’ digital rights.

They made the call at the launch of The Legal Basis Project on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Abuja, stressing that there is a need to safeguard the fundamental rights of data subjects, regulate the processing of personal data, and promote data processing practices that prioritise security and privacy.

The Legal Basis Project, an innovative data protection initiative, is developed and executed by Tech Hive Advisory, with the support of Meta.

The launch brought together policymakers, legal experts, tech players in the private sector, the media and sectoral regulators, including representatives of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), to chart a common front for clarity on the legal basis for data processing to foster the ethos of compliance and accountability.

Other stakeholders present at the launch include representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Medical Laboratory and Science Council of Nigeria, and members of relevant civil society groups, law firms, media, academia, and think tanks.

The stakeholder explored lawful basis dynamics that allow businesses to collect and use data, focusing on thematic areas such as consent, contract performance, compliance with legal obligations, protection of concerned interests, and the processing of data for public interest and other legitimate interests.

In his keynote address, Mr Solomon Musa Odole, Project Coordinator, Nigeria Identification for Development (IDAD) Project, lauded Tech Hive Advisory for the visionary initiative.

He said the project seeks to enhance understanding of the legal basis for data processing in the simplest way possible, such as reading simple articles, visualising complex issues, and playing the games. The people can have access to all of these via legalbasis.ng.

According to him, ‘this project represents not just another addition to Nigeria’s growing data protection ecosystem, but a strategic intervention that goes to the very heart of lawful data processing and accountability.

He noted that, ‘In today’s digital economy, data is often described as the new oil, but unlike oil, data’s value is not extracted from the ground; it is derived from trust; Trust that our information will be used lawfully, fairly, and for legitimate purposes. This trust depends on one critical element, the legal basis for processing personal data.

‘Whether we process data for public service delivery, for commercial transactions or for research and innovation, our legitimacy rests on understanding and applying the correct legal basis.

‘Yet, as we all know, this is easier said than done. Across sectors, we see confusion about which legal basis applies in a given context, consent where public interest should apply, legitimate interest invoked without proper balancing or contractual necessity stretched beyond its intent.’

Odole said the Legal Basis Project was conceived in response to the growing need for a clear understanding of the concept of the legal grounds for processing personal data under the Nigeria data protection law, a home grown Nigeria Data Protection Act.

He noted that ‘over the past few months, the team behind it have collaborated with experts from government, industry, youths, academia, civil society, law firms, the media, and everyday data subjects to develop practical tools and resources that will help clarify the legal bases for data processing and foster a culture of compliance and accountability.’

Ridwan Oloyede, Emerging Technologies and Policy Lead and Co-founder, Tech Hive Advisory Africa, said Nigerians need not be left behind as societies become rapidly digital, adding that there is a need for clear legal direction for data protection.

According to him, the Legal Basis Project seeks to address existing knowledge gaps, align understanding of the Nigerian data protection laws with international best practices and as well help everyone in the ecosystem understand how the law applies.

‘The idea of the project is basically to bring information closer to people, make it more meaningful, make it more actionable, but also ensure people are empowered through knowledge, and then they can make better informed decisions.

‘Everybody in the ecosystem, from the regulators themselves to the policymakers, to the everyday data subjects, people in the markets, in stores, people who sell, people who do grocery, folks in academia, youth, and everybody generally becomes a common stakeholder in this ecosystem.

‘The key thing, really, when you talk about legal basis generally just to get a sense of what the legal reason is? What is the legal explanation? What is the legal justification for using information for using people’s information in decision making?’ he said.

Oloyede emphasised that ‘what we’ve done with this project is to create a couple of toolkits, resources that can help organisations, people themselves, the everyday data subjects, the everyday Nigerian, to be more aware, to have a deeper understanding of what it is, but also, most importantly, to make better decisions now that they are fully empowered.’

He noted that although regulators have crucial roles to play, others in the ecosystem also have a role to play, ‘which is democratising access to this information, simplifying this information, making it more relatable, making it the reality that people actually deal with every day.’

According to him, through simple everyday realities, games, articles, visualisations, decision trees, and tools that help people write things like privacy notices, the project, with support from Meta, its principal partner, has made great progress in the data ecosystem.

Also, Toulu Akerele, Global Data Project Officer and ISMS Manager, Paystack Payment Limited, stresses the need for education on a lawful basis.

She said that, besides regulations, efforts should be channelled towards practical mass education so that everyone in the ecosystem instinctively understands that data use must have a legitimate and legal standing.

‘I think awareness is something that we’ve seen missing when it comes to legal basis, even data protection in general; although the NDPC is doing a lot to raise awareness across the country, more still needs to be done.

‘We had a lot of great conversations today, including different stakeholder engagements, and we looked at why consent seems to be incorrectly relied upon, especially with privacy policies.

‘I think consent, when used properly, is a great tool. Companies should seek consent before sending direct marketing or targeted marketing emails, texts, phone calls, or anything like that.

‘If you can not use a service without consenting, that means consent is not the appropriate legal basis because it’s forced consent, it’s coerced consent, it’s not freely given.

In his remark, Kamfon Josephneke, Senior Legislative Aide to the President of the Senate, stressed the need for the implementation of legislation, policies, and regulations on data privacy and protection.

He therefore called for a multisectoral approach in ensuring that everyone in the ecosystem is well informed about the lawful usage of data.

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, has ordered the remand of Adeyemo Femi (32) at the Correctional Centre custody over an alleged fraud.

The prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, informed the court that there was probable cause to order the remand of the defendant.

Inspector Oriyomi said the defendant is suspected to have committed Advance Fee Fraud of N16 million against Fajuyitan Kolade.

The offence, he said, was committed sometimes between May, 2024 and September, 2025, is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

The prosecutor urged the court to grant his application, stating that the original case file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Abayomi Adeosun, refused the bail application by the defendant’s counsel and ordered the remand until October 27, 2025, for hearing.

he Command’s Public Relations officer , DSC Abubakar Rabiu Muti, said even in the face of violent confrontation that eventually led to the damage of their patrol vehicle, the officers exercised restraint.

‘On October 16, 2025, at approximately 9:22 am, our personnel were attacked by hoodlums while attempting to arrest suspects engaged in illegal mining activities. Despite being attacked, our personnel exercised restraint and pulled out of the area without escalating the situation.

‘We wish to clarify that there was no loss of life or injury to civilians during this incident. Our personnel acted professionally, and the damage reported was limited to our vehicles.

‘The NSCDC Niger State Command urges the public to disregard the false information being spread and appreciates the support and understanding of the general public in this matter. We remain committed to protecting the nation’s critical assets and infrastructure,’ Muti said.

_: The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has opened up on the recent delay in the payment of Ration Cash Allowances (RCA) to soldiers deployed in various military operations across the country.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Magnus Kangye, attributed the situation to technical and financial system glitches rather than any deliberate act by field commanders or the military high command.

He said the delay was not due to negligence or withholding of funds by any officer but rather a result of temporary transaction issues within the financial system.

Kangye emphasized that the welfare of troops remains a top priority for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and assured that every soldier entitled to the allowance would receive payment once the technical hitches were resolved.

‘No field commander will be given money to pay allowances or feed his troops and then refuse to do so. That would be against the morale and operational efficiency of our forces,’ he said.

He acknowledged that, in some cases, payments could be delayed for a short period due to system-related challenges, but he stressed that such instances were not unusual.

‘Yes, there may be a delay of a day or two in some instances because of transaction or system issues. Nothing is perfect, but the important thing is that the allowances will definitely be paid,’ he added.

Maj.-Gen. Kangye compared the delay to everyday banking experiences where electronic transfers do not immediately reflect on recipients’ accounts due to network or technical errors.

‘Just like when you send money to your family and it takes a while to reflect, the same thing can happen within the financial system. It doesn’t mean the funds are missing or being withheld,’ he explained.

He urged soldiers and the public to avoid misinterpreting such situations as deliberate attempts to deny personnel their entitlements, noting that the military hierarchy remains committed to improving the welfare and morale of troops in the field.

Kangye added that troops of Operation Delta Safe have foiled crude oil theft worth N98.8 million and apprehended 13 suspects in the last two weeks.

He said the troops uncovered and destroyed 11 illegal refining sites, seven dugout pits, nine boats, 14 storage tanks and seven refining ovens during recent raids across Delta and Rivers States.

Recovered items, according to him, include 992,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,505 litres of sodium hydroxide, 660 litres of condensate and 5,000 litres of PMS valued at about ?98.8 million.

Kangye said that 13 suspects were apprehended, while weapons, ammunition, vehicles and boats were seized during the operations.

Kangye reaffirmed the military’s resolve to sustain pressure on oil thieves, economic saboteurs and secessionist elements.

He said the troops had remained vigilant and determined to restore lasting peace across all regions

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has approved the release of ?7.9 billion for payment of outstanding gratuity owed to state and local government retirees in the state.

Governor Buni, had four days ago, conveyed the approval of N5.8 billion to the state commissioner for Finance Alhaji Mohammed Abatcha Mni, for payment of gratuity to retired State public officers.

A statement yesterday signed by Mamman Mohammed, the Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the governor, said Buni approved and directed the state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Jajere, for payment of ?2.1 billion of outstanding gratuities owed to retired local government workers covering the period from January 2020 to May 2025.

Governor Buni further directed that, henceforth, the payment of gratuities should be integrated into the state’s monthly financial schedule, indicating that all cleared payments will be made monthly, alongside the regular pension payments, to avoid accumulation of backlog of retirement benefits.

‘This demonstrates Governor Buni’s compassionate leadership and his administration’s deep appreciation for the years of service rendered by the retirees’ the finance commissioner said.

The clearance of the substantial backlog and institutionalization of the prompt monthly payment system, has provided the much-needed financial relief and restoration of dignity in labour to all retirees.

‘The Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Head of Service are working in collaboration to ensure a seamless and transparent disbursement of these funds to all affected retirees immediately’ Abatcha added.

According to the commissioner of Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Jajere, ‘this approval reflects the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and its resolve to ensure that retirees who have served the state faithfully receive their entitlements promptly’.

The two commissioners described the initiative as a bold financial step towards a broader economic and social agenda to ensure fiscal responsibility and priority to the welfare of Yobe State citizens, particularly those who have contributed immensely to its growth and development.

They assured prompt compliance with a high degree of transparency to achieve the government’s objective of paying the retirees their entitlements as directed by the governor.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called for the regulation of social media in Nigeria following abuse.

He expressed deep concern over the growing misuse of social media, particularly among scholars, warning that its unregulated use poses a serious threat to peace, unity, and mutual respect in Nigeria.

Speaking through the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, during the Northern Ulamah summit on insecurity and socioeconomic challenges organised by the Congregation of Northern Ulamas held in Kaduna, the Sultan commended Islamic scholars for gathering to deliberate on issues affecting the Muslim Ummah and national security, but frowned at the abuse of social media by some individuals.

‘Anyone can wake up, pick up their phone, and insult anyone, be it a respected individual, a leader, your neighbour, or even a family member. There are no laws, no consequences, and no one to challenge this behaviour,’ the Sultan said.

‘In other countries, social media is regulated. If someone posts something that causes division or incites unrest, they can be traced and punished. This is how it should be done in our country,’ he added.

The summit, attended by top Islamic clerics, political leaders, and stakeholders from across northern Nigeria, focused on tackling insecurity, promoting religious harmony, and strengthening the role of scholars in national development.

Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, President of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, said the gathering was aimed at fostering unity and developing actionable solutions to the region’s challenges.

‘We must rise above our differences. We are all from Allah. This summit is about unity, not division. The Qur’an and Sunnah guide us to work together to ensure peace, justice, and good relationships,’ he said.

Dr. Umar also warned against the growing threat of misinformation spread through social media, stressing that irresponsible communication fuels division and conflict.

He urged the public to use digital platforms responsibly to help the government and communities better understand and address the root causes of insecurity.

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, also underscored the need for constructive dialogue and responsible engagement online.

‘Part of the problem is social media, where you find many clashes. But one should not exceed boundaries by accusing or defaming others,’ he said.

Gumi cautioned against total censorship of social media but called for the enforcement of existing laws.

‘There are already laws against defamation and false accusations. What we want is for these laws to evolve to match the speed and universality of social media,’ he added.

Among the respected clerics present were Sheikh Ibrahim Khalid, Sheikh Abubakar Jahid, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, Sheikh Kabiru Gombe, Sheikh Khalid Aliyu (JNI), Dr. Bashir Dahiru Bauchi, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmed, and Sheikh Maihula.

Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, urged northern communities to stop blaming the government for the security crisis, emphasising that many perpetrators of violence are from within.

Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa pledged legislative collaboration in implementing the summit’s resolutions.

‘We in the National Assembly are committed to engaging with the outcomes of this summit to enhance peace and governance,’ he said.

Senator Kawu Samaila of Kano also addressed recent international accusations of religious persecution in Nigeria.

‘Claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria are false. Even Christian lawmakers in the Senate have dismissed those allegations, affirming that Muslims and Christians live peacefully in this country,’ he said.

He further urged Islamic scholars to be cautious in their preaching, advising them to verify information before making public statements about political leaders.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that only 16 percent of Nigerians have access to basic handwashing facilities in their homes.

Chisom Adimorah, UNICEF Nigeria’s representative, disclosed this on Wednesday at the 2025 Global Handwashing Day celebration organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with development partners.

Adimorah stressed the urgent need to close the country’s hygiene gap, saying, ‘This means five out of every six people still lack access. To address this, we must act collectively – government, development partners, private sector, and individuals alike.’

She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in reviewing and updating its national hygiene strategies to align with the new WHO/UNICEF Global Hand Hygiene Guidelines.

In his remarks, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, underscored the importance of hand hygiene in safeguarding public health, describing it as a life-saving practice that preserves the very life that water gives.

He noted that the ‘Nigerian Roadmap to Hand Hygiene for All’, launched in September 2022, remains a key framework guiding nationwide hygiene promotion efforts.

Utsev emphasised that handwashing education must begin at the elementary level, highlighting the need to instill this life-saving habit in children from an early age through adulthood.

Also speaking, Aghogho Gbetsere, who represented the Minister of Environment, urged Nigerians to adopt consistent handwashing practices, noting that it can reduce diarrheal diseases by 50 percent and respiratory infections by 25 percent.

Farmers, research organizations, entrepreneurs and technology developers across the country are set to showcase their products at the 17th national agricultural show in the coming weeks.

Chairman, National Agricultural Foundation, Architect Kabiru Ibrahim, told journalists in Abuja that this year’s events promises to create lots of value for the stakeholders.

He said this year’s show is expected to bring together all research institutes under the coordinator of Agricultural research council, states and local governments, inputs providers, entrepreneurs, new technologies developers and other actors in the sector.

Arc. Ibrahim appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to attend this year’s edition to boost the morale of farmers, adding that the last time a president attended the agric show was during President Obasanjo’s administration.

‘I am asking Mr. President to spare the time and come. We have not had any president come to that show since Obasanjo. So, if President Tinubu, who is passionate for agriculture and all the windows that he has opened for the food system, finds time to come, even for one day, it will make a whole world of difference,’ he said.

He said what the show was trying to do over the years was to bring to the fore the need for Nigeria’s agriculture to be showcased by smallholder farmers and large-scale producers, and people in processing come into one arena where they showcase what they have been able to do for others to see and to model.

‘As far as we are concerned today in Nigeria, the engine room for production is actually the smallholder. Mechanization is yet to set in to such a level that we have fully commercialized farms or industrialized outfits.

‘So even the theme of this year’s show will be empowering smallholder farmers to restore the value of what they do and to ensure productivity for the attainment of food security in Nigeria. So you can see that working with the smallholder farmers and the small-scale producers, we want to take Nigeria’s agri-food system to a sufficient level to be able to provide food sufficiency for even the envisaged population of Nigeria that will almost double by 2050. We think it is very important and prudent to bring out what we are going to do in about a month or so, because the show will be between 24th and 28th.

‘And we have shifted it from the last two years to November because in October most of our farmers are still harvesting. But in December everybody will have time to come because judging from the last edition, we saw that the quality of participation was a lot higher than in the previous ones. And we hope that this year the quality will be even higher,’ he said.