02/07/2025
NARC SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWS AND SUBJECT EXPERTS PRESENTATIONS
The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts' Presentation of Wednesday 2nd July 2025, edition was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were three presentations made by the Subject Experts on United Kingdom, China and Middle East.
Major General MT Jinadu, Subject Expert on United Kingdom, made the first presentation. The presentation focused on how, Farm Incomes in Northern Ireland Increased by Almost Two-Thirds. On 27 Jun 25, BBC News reported that farm incomes in Northern Ireland have increased by almost two-thirds in the past year, according to new figures from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Across all farm types, business income is expected to rise from an average of £29,260 in 2023-24 to £60,622 in 2024-25, up £31,361 or 107%. Provisional estimates indicates that the Total Income from Farming (TIFF) is expected to reach £766m in 2024 which is an increase of 62.5% compared to 2023 (£471m). TIFF is the return on labor, management input and own capital invested. The increase in business incomes varies across farm types and is due to lower feed and fertilizer prices combined with more favorable prices for milk, beef and lamb along with better overall cereal yields. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said the changes were reflective of “particularly volatile” markets over the last five years. He added that the Department focuses efforts on helping farmers mitigate cost and price pressures by improving their productivity and resilience, while also addressing their environmental sustainability.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Major General MT Jinadu pointed out that, Nigeria remains a net food importer with agriculture trade deficit widened with imports exceeding exports by ₦689.7 billion in 2019 compared to N549.3 billion in 2018. In four years (2016-2019), Nigeria’s agriculture imports stood at ₦3.35 trillion, four times higher than the agriculture exports of ₦803 billion within the same period. The major agriculture imports include wheat, fish, sugar and milk, while the main agriculture exports include sesame seeds, cashew nuts, cocoa beans, ginger, frozen shrimps and cotton. Nigeria is the world highest producer of yam, accounting for 70% of yam production in the world. Nigeria is also the largest producer of maize and rice in Africa (IITA, 2021). The total revenue generated from agriculture product market in 2022 is $48.5 Billion.
According to the Bureau of Statistics (2024), the agriculture sector grew by 0.18%, (compared with 8% in NI within the same period) from the growth of -0.90% recorded in the first quarter of 2023. Although, since 1970 till date, the Nigerian government has been implementing numerous agriculture programs to enhance food production and rural development. These initiatives ranged from large-scale irrigation projects and input subsidies to extension services and infrastructure development.
Major General MT Jinadu recommended that, the state and local governments should facilitate the establishment of agriculture microfinance banks in their respective areas to improve smallholder farmers’ accessibility to credits and loans.
The second presentation was made by Brigadier General T Isa (Rtd) Subject Expert on China. His presentation focused on how, Chinese Man Offers US$70,000 Bounty to Find Real Killer after Being Wrongfully Jailed For 8 Years. On 27 June 2025, the South China Morning Post reported that a Chinese man who spent eight years in prison for a crime he did not commit has offered a reward of US$70,000 (500,000 Yuan) to anyone who can help identify the real perpetrator. Mr Chen Shijiang was wrongfully convicted in 2010 for a violent assault that left a victim dead in Eastern Shandong Province. Despite his repeated claims of innocence, he was sentenced and imprisoned until 2018, when a re-examination of forensic evidence and witness testimonies led to his exoneration.
Since his release, he has sought to rebuild his life, but the emotional and psychological scars of wrongful imprisonment remain. His decision to offer the substantial bounty is both a personal act of seeking justice and a broader call to action. Chen was convicted for killing wife of a village government cash keeper to steal money for his planned furniture company and forced to confess after police torture. “I want the truth, not just for myself, but for the victim and society,” he told local reporters. “Someone out there knows who did this, and I hope this reward will encourage them to come forward.”
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brigadier General T Isa (Rtd) pointed out that, As of June 2025, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) reported that over 53,178 inmates—approximately 66% of the national prison population of 80,100—were awaiting trial (Punch, 2025). This statistic underscores the systemic failure in investigation, prosecution, and access to legal defence. Inefficiencies within the judiciary, coupled with police misconduct and inadequate forensic infrastructure, have created a fertile ground for the wrongful detention of innocent individuals.
Central to the crisis is a police force frequently accused of arbitrary arrests and custodial violence. Numerous reports by the National Human Rights Commission and other advocacy groups indicate that detainees are often tortured to extract confessions, especially in high-profile or unresolved cases. In December 2024, the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice found that police officers in Ogun State had tortured one Oluwatimilehin Adebayo, beating him with an axe handle, chaining him to a pole, and coercing him to sign a pre-written confession for a crime he did not commit. The court ruled that these acts violated Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which prohibits torture and inhumane treatment (Court of Justice of ECOWAS, 2024). Accused of armed robbery, Adebayo was awarded ₦5 million in compensation, and the court mandated a criminal investigation into the abuse. The case reinforces the ECOWAS Court’s role in upholding justice when domestic systems fail (Human Rights Watch, 2025).
For many detainees, legal representation is a distant privilege. Although the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria is tasked with providing free legal services, it suffers from chronic underfunding and inadequate staffing.
Brigadier General T Isa (Rtd) recommended that, the Ministry of Justice should enact and enforce a national compensation policy for victims of wrongful imprisonment to facilitate reintegration and rehabilitation.
The third presentation was made by Brigadier General AR Bello, Subject Expert on Middle East. The presentation centered on how, Saudi Gold Demand Defies Price Surge amid Cultural Digital Shift. On 26 June 2025, Reuters reported that despite soaring global gold prices, Saudi Arabia's appetite for gold continues to grow, defying market expectations due to deep-rooted cultural traditions and a rising wave of digital adoption. The report highlighted that consumer demand for gold in the Kingdom has remained resilient, driven by a blend of cultural affinity for gold, especially for weddings and festive occasions, and a growing interest in digital platforms that ease access to gold investments. Analysts are of the opinion that this sustained interest comes even as prices hover near record highs, suggesting that gold's significance in Saudi society goes beyond market volatility. The World Gold Council attributes the trend to increased consumer confidence and financial literacy campaigns encouraging gold as a store of value. The report underscores how tradition and innovation are combining to bolster gold consumption in Saudi Arabia at a time when other markets may be cooling off under the weight of economic uncertainty.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brigadier General AR Bello stated that, In Nigeria, gold is more than a precious metal; it is a symbol of cultural identity, social status, and economic resilience. The metal holds ceremonial and symbolic value across ethnic groups. This longstanding cultural attachment, coupled with rising inflation, currency instability, and a youthful, tech-savvy population, is driving increasing interest in gold as both ornament and investment.
Amid these conditions, Nigeria has begun to reform its gold ecosystem, notably through the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI) and recent legislative steps to establish a national gold reserve authority. However, the nation continues to grapple with informal mining, smuggling and an underdeveloped investment infrastructure. Gold plays a central role in Nigeria’s social fabric, being widely used in ceremonies, especially weddings, naming ceremonies, and chieftaincy installations. In Yoruba culture, brides are adorned with intricate gold jewellery, symbolizing prosperity, while in Hausa traditions, gold jewellery forms part of the 'kayan lefe,' the gift package for brides. These customs ensure that gold remains a vital element of intergenerational wealth transfer and social celebration. According to Statista (2025), Nigeria’s luxury jewellery market is projected to reach approximately US$60 million (over ₦92 billion) in 2025, with a 3.3% compound annual growth rate, reflecting a strong and culturally driven demand. Nigeria's gold imports have grown significantly. In 2023, the country imported gold worth $788,000 (approximately ₦1.2 billion), ranking 126th globally, according to The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Major sources included the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and China.
Brigadier General AR Bello recommended that, The CBN should issue Sovereign Digital Gold Bonds, enabling citizens to securely invest in gold-backed assets and promote financial inclusion.
NARC SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWS AND SUBJECT EXPERTS PRESENTATIONS
The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Weekly Subject Experts' Presentation of Wednesday 2nd July 2025, edition was held at Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Abuja. There were three presentations made by the Subject Experts on United Kingdom, China and Middle East.
Major General MT Jinadu, Subject Expert on United Kingdom, made the first presentation. The presentation focused on how, Farm Incomes in Northern Ireland Increased by Almost Two-Thirds. On 27 Jun 25, BBC News reported that farm incomes in Northern Ireland have increased by almost two-thirds in the past year, according to new figures from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Across all farm types, business income is expected to rise from an average of £29,260 in 2023-24 to £60,622 in 2024-25, up £31,361 or 107%. Provisional estimates indicates that the Total Income from Farming (TIFF) is expected to reach £766m in 2024 which is an increase of 62.5% compared to 2023 (£471m). TIFF is the return on labor, management input and own capital invested. The increase in business incomes varies across farm types and is due to lower feed and fertilizer prices combined with more favorable prices for milk, beef and lamb along with better overall cereal yields. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said the changes were reflective of “particularly volatile” markets over the last five years. He added that the Department focuses efforts on helping farmers mitigate cost and price pressures by improving their productivity and resilience, while also addressing their environmental sustainability.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Major General MT Jinadu pointed out that, Nigeria remains a net food importer with agriculture trade deficit widened with imports exceeding exports by ₦689.7 billion in 2019 compared to N549.3 billion in 2018. In four years (2016-2019), Nigeria’s agriculture imports stood at ₦3.35 trillion, four times higher than the agriculture exports of ₦803 billion within the same period. The major agriculture imports include wheat, fish, sugar and milk, while the main agriculture exports include sesame seeds, cashew nuts, cocoa beans, ginger, frozen shrimps and cotton. Nigeria is the world highest producer of yam, accounting for 70% of yam production in the world. Nigeria is also the largest producer of maize and rice in Africa (IITA, 2021). The total revenue generated from agriculture product market in 2022 is $48.5 Billion.
According to the Bureau of Statistics (2024), the agriculture sector grew by 0.18%, (compared with 8% in NI within the same period) from the growth of -0.90% recorded in the first quarter of 2023. Although, since 1970 till date, the Nigerian government has been implementing numerous agriculture programs to enhance food production and rural development. These initiatives ranged from large-scale irrigation projects and input subsidies to extension services and infrastructure development.
Major General MT Jinadu recommended that, the state and local governments should facilitate the establishment of agriculture microfinance banks in their respective areas to improve smallholder farmers’ accessibility to credits and loans.
The second presentation was made by Brigadier General T Isa (Rtd) Subject Expert on China. His presentation focused on how, Chinese Man Offers US$70,000 Bounty to Find Real Killer after Being Wrongfully Jailed For 8 Years. On 27 June 2025, the South China Morning Post reported that a Chinese man who spent eight years in prison for a crime he did not commit has offered a reward of US$70,000 (500,000 Yuan) to anyone who can help identify the real perpetrator. Mr Chen Shijiang was wrongfully convicted in 2010 for a violent assault that left a victim dead in Eastern Shandong Province. Despite his repeated claims of innocence, he was sentenced and imprisoned until 2018, when a re-examination of forensic evidence and witness testimonies led to his exoneration.
Since his release, he has sought to rebuild his life, but the emotional and psychological scars of wrongful imprisonment remain. His decision to offer the substantial bounty is both a personal act of seeking justice and a broader call to action. Chen was convicted for killing wife of a village government cash keeper to steal money for his planned furniture company and forced to confess after police torture. “I want the truth, not just for myself, but for the victim and society,” he told local reporters. “Someone out there knows who did this, and I hope this reward will encourage them to come forward.”
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brigadier General T Isa (Rtd) pointed out that, As of June 2025, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) reported that over 53,178 inmates—approximately 66% of the national prison population of 80,100—were awaiting trial (Punch, 2025). This statistic underscores the systemic failure in investigation, prosecution, and access to legal defence. Inefficiencies within the judiciary, coupled with police misconduct and inadequate forensic infrastructure, have created a fertile ground for the wrongful detention of innocent individuals.
Central to the crisis is a police force frequently accused of arbitrary arrests and custodial violence. Numerous reports by the National Human Rights Commission and other advocacy groups indicate that detainees are often tortured to extract confessions, especially in high-profile or unresolved cases. In December 2024, the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice found that police officers in Ogun State had tortured one Oluwatimilehin Adebayo, beating him with an axe handle, chaining him to a pole, and coercing him to sign a pre-written confession for a crime he did not commit. The court ruled that these acts violated Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which prohibits torture and inhumane treatment (Court of Justice of ECOWAS, 2024). Accused of armed robbery, Adebayo was awarded ₦5 million in compensation, and the court mandated a criminal investigation into the abuse. The case reinforces the ECOWAS Court’s role in upholding justice when domestic systems fail (Human Rights Watch, 2025).
For many detainees, legal representation is a distant privilege. Although the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria is tasked with providing free legal services, it suffers from chronic underfunding and inadequate staffing.
Brigadier General T Isa (Rtd) recommended that, the Ministry of Justice should enact and enforce a national compensation policy for victims of wrongful imprisonment to facilitate reintegration and rehabilitation.
The third presentation was made by Brigadier General AR Bello, Subject Expert on Middle East. The presentation centered on how, Saudi Gold Demand Defies Price Surge amid Cultural Digital Shift. On 26 June 2025, Reuters reported that despite soaring global gold prices, Saudi Arabia's appetite for gold continues to grow, defying market expectations due to deep-rooted cultural traditions and a rising wave of digital adoption. The report highlighted that consumer demand for gold in the Kingdom has remained resilient, driven by a blend of cultural affinity for gold, especially for weddings and festive occasions, and a growing interest in digital platforms that ease access to gold investments. Analysts are of the opinion that this sustained interest comes even as prices hover near record highs, suggesting that gold's significance in Saudi society goes beyond market volatility. The World Gold Council attributes the trend to increased consumer confidence and financial literacy campaigns encouraging gold as a store of value. The report underscores how tradition and innovation are combining to bolster gold consumption in Saudi Arabia at a time when other markets may be cooling off under the weight of economic uncertainty.
In his analysis and lessons for Nigeria, Brigadier General AR Bello stated that, In Nigeria, gold is more than a precious metal; it is a symbol of cultural identity, social status, and economic resilience. The metal holds ceremonial and symbolic value across ethnic groups. This longstanding cultural attachment, coupled with rising inflation, currency instability, and a youthful, tech-savvy population, is driving increasing interest in gold as both ornament and investment.
Amid these conditions, Nigeria has begun to reform its gold ecosystem, notably through the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI) and recent legislative steps to establish a national gold reserve authority. However, the nation continues to grapple with informal mining, smuggling and an underdeveloped investment infrastructure. Gold plays a central role in Nigeria’s social fabric, being widely used in ceremonies, especially weddings, naming ceremonies, and chieftaincy installations. In Yoruba culture, brides are adorned with intricate gold jewellery, symbolizing prosperity, while in Hausa traditions, gold jewellery forms part of the 'kayan lefe,' the gift package for brides. These customs ensure that gold remains a vital element of intergenerational wealth transfer and social celebration. According to Statista (2025), Nigeria’s luxury jewellery market is projected to reach approximately US$60 million (over ₦92 billion) in 2025, with a 3.3% compound annual growth rate, reflecting a strong and culturally driven demand. Nigeria's gold imports have grown significantly. In 2023, the country imported gold worth $788,000 (approximately ₦1.2 billion), ranking 126th globally, according to The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Major sources included the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and China.
Brigadier General AR Bello recommended that, The CBN should issue Sovereign Digital Gold Bonds, enabling citizens to securely invest in gold-backed assets and promote financial inclusion.
