A coalition of aquaculture professionals under the aegis of National Aquaculture Professionals Alliance (NAPA) has welcomed the appointment of Yazeed Shehu Danfulani as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), but with a clear message: it must not be business as usual.

In a statement signed by its President, Engr. Ibrahim Ayotola Bamidele, the group applauded President Bola Tinubu for what it described as a “strategic choice”.

But while NAPA acknowledged the appointment as a potential turning point, it stressed that farmers are tired of symbolic appointments that fail to deliver results on the ground.

“For years, fish farmers have suffered in silence—plagued by floods, disease outbreaks, and unpredictable production costs—with little to no insurance support,” Bamidele said.

“Mr. Danfulani’s appointment is a moment of renewed hope, but it must lead to action.”

The group pointed out that NAIC, despite its mandate, has remained distant from everyday farmers, especially smallholder aquaculture operators who form the backbone of Nigeria’s protein supply chain.

“The truth is, NAIC has been largely invisible to grassroots farmers. This is the time to change that,” Bamidele stated, calling on Danfulani to break from the past and usher in a new era of practical insurance schemes that are accessible, affordable, and timely.

He argued that Danfulani’s background in finance, agriculture, and enterprise development gives him an edge — but only if it’s matched with the political will to reform NAIC into a truly farmer-focused institution.

According to Bamidele, the sector has the potential to contribute significantly to food security, foreign exchange earnings, and employment if it is properly supported with risk mitigation tools like insurance.

“The reason many young Nigerians avoid agriculture is because of the risks. But if NAIC is repositioned under Danfulani to offer responsive insurance schemes and timely payouts, more people will be willing to invest in farming,” Bamidele noted.

The group called on the new NAIC leadership to prioritise stakeholder engagement and bridge the existing gap between the agency and farmers at the grassroots.

“We urge Mr. Danfulani to work closely with associations like ours. Let NAIC move from being a name on paper to being a visible support system for farmers across Nigeria. Organise sensitisation drives. Meet us where we are — in hatcheries, ponds, and markets,” the group said.

The Chairman of Oguta LGA, Imo State, Ifeanyi Nnani, alongside his local council officials, has paid a visit to victims of alleged Fulani herdsmen attack in Agwa community.

It was reported that many lives were lost during the incident.

He condemned in its entirety the gruesome killings of innocent people who were attacked in their own homes and farms.

Among those that he visited was Joy Osita Achugwo, a pregnant woman who was reportedly shot by the herdsmen and is currently receiving treatment.

Another victim, Mr Ekene Davis Onyejiekwe from Umuekpu in Mbano Agwa Autonomous community, who confirmed that his younger brother was shot dead in their house by the herdsmen, is equally receiving treatment.

Nnani, while commiserating with the victims, assured the people of the community that the leadership of the Local Government Area was strongly committed and dedicated towards ensuring that peace and tranquility returns to Agwa Clan.

The International Conference Centre, ICC, in Abuja has been renamed President Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre.

The new name was unveiled when the President commissioned the newly rehabilitated facility on Tuesday.

The event was witnessed by Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister, Nyesom Wike, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, among others.

The facility was reportedly renovated at a cost of N39 billion.

Other projects executed in the FCT are to be commissioned by Tinubu ahead of the Democracy Day celebration on June 12, 2025.

FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, was seen dancing at the commissioning ceremony.

The facility was shut down for rehabilitation in April 2024.