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Insect Invasion: An appeal from a council chairman in Yobe
Insect Invasion: An appeal from a council chairman in Yobe
By: Yahaya Wakili
Farmers and the people of Fika local government area of Yobe state have cried out for help following a situation of insect invasion of their farms, rendering the people helpless in attempts to control the menace. This informed a call by the Executive Chairman of Fika local government area, Hon. Abdu Bukar Gadaka, to appeal to the Federal Government, Yobe State Government, none-governmental organizations (NGOs), and well-meaning individuals and organizations to join hands in providing assistance to the people.
According to the chairman, the call has become imperative because the lives of the people are in danger because this year the insects have destroyed all the farm products of the people of the local government area. He stressed that a farmer who was getting 40 bags before now gets only three measures (mudu of grains, as the locals called it). This is because insects have eaten the whole farm products of the people of the Fika local government area.
“We wrote an appeal and sent it to the Yobe state ministry of agriculture, and we also sent it to His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, and the government sent us insecticides, which we distributed to the people’s farms. However, the insects have destroyed all the farm products, and the worst areas affected are Lampo and Gashinge; Garu and Fusami wards were also worst affected. The products destroyed by the insects include shoghum, millet, genin corn, beans, and sesame, among others; all were damaged by the insects, but the groundnut is not affected. This is not the issue of drought because this year we got enough rainfall because for many years we didn’t see rainfall like this year, so this disaster is from God,” he said.
“Yobe state government gives us insecticides first; we spray it; then we make another write-up; now the people from the federal ministry of agriculture visit us; we went round with them; they bring us insecticides, but it’s too late; it can’t be used this year; farmers will keep it against next year.” He added.
He called on the federal government, Yobe state government, NGOs, and well-meaning individuals to assist his people with food security, adding that “let’s come and rescue the lives of our people; let them assist the people during this difficult time. Insects have cleared all the farms and land of the people of Fika local government. I call on the people to be patient and continue praying to Almighty Allah (SWT); we can’t do otherwise; this is what God brought on us. Let us continue praying to God to bring us a solution.
“My message is to the Federal Government, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Yobe State Government, under the able leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, Minister of Agriculture, is to establish the Federal College of Agriculture in Gadaka because of the farming in the area. Since the time of the North East, they know Gadaka with farming of groundnut because of the nature of the land. Therefore, I am appealing to the Federal Government to come and establish the Federal College of Agriculture here in Gadaka. We have the site and land, and GGSS Gadaka has promised to give us a temporary side for the takeoff of the college. I start discussing with them all this with a view to boosting food security in the area and the state in general.”
He said Gadaka is notable in farming since North East people from Asia, that is, Arab people, used to come and buy groundnuts from Gadaka, adding that the area is close to Ngaji water. He said if the college is established, the lecturers will have access to research either in fisheries or agriculture, and they will also advise the farmers on how to improve their farming.
“I am also appealing to His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, Chiroman Gujba, to upgrade our maternity health clinic to the General Hospital status; the federal comprehensive health center we have is too small to cater to the needs of our people, so that our people would have access to easy health facilities.
“We are lucky enough Yobe State House of Assembly committee on health and Commissioner of Health have visited the maternity health center Gadaka and recommended it. I am appealing to the Inspector General of Police and Yobe state government to establish Police Divisional Headquarters in Gadaka where DPO will be posted; the outpost we have now is too small to cater to or combat the rate of crimes in the area. We have a number of populations, the wide of the land; therefore, there is a need for Divisional Police Headquarters in Gadaka.” He added.
Insect Invasion: An appeal from a council chairman in Yobe
Nigerian Workers Abandoned in CAR Get Succour at Nigerian Embassy
…Reps Committee Begins Probe of Incident
By: Michael Mike
The stranded Nigerians in Central Africa Republic CAR have finally arrived at the Nigerian Embassy in Bangui.
It will be recalled that through a viral video, some Nigerian miners called for help, which elicited immediate intervention from officials of the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security who accompanied them from their location to the capital.
The journey to Bangui took a number of days with the Nigerians, alleged victims of a Chinese National and a Nigerian agent who hired them for work in that country and abandoned them there without paying their renumeration for 11 months,
A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun said obviously traumatised, weak and distressed, they (the stranded Nigerians) had called for help to be rescued.
He said: “They are now in the safe hands of officials of the Nigerian Embassy who will arrange their return back home.”
He added that: “They expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and staff of both countries , the Nigerian Embassy, the CAR Security agencies and Nigerians who shared their stories.
“The agent who lured them into the job scam, is currently based in Nigeria and has been identified and is expected to be prosecuted .”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on China-Nigeria Parliamentary Relations has launched a thorough investigation into a viral video depicting some Nigerians in the Central African Republic (CAR) alleging abandonment and passport seizure by a Nigerian businessman, purportedly linked to a Chinese company.
A statement released to the press and signed by the committee’s Chairman, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to uncover the truth behind the allegations.
The statement read: The Committee regrets the unfortunate situation the Nigerian workers are being subjected to in CAR and assures that a comprehensive investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to their ordeal.”
The Committee clarified that Abdulrauf Ademola, the businessman accused in the video, has refuted the allegations of passport seizure, unpaid salaries, and abandonment. It further stressed that Ademola is not affiliated with the Chinese Embassy or the China General Chamber of Commerce.
It added that: “His (Ademola’s) actions or inactions should not be linked to the embassy or Chinese enterprises doing their legitimate businesses in Nigeria.”
The committee stated that China-Nigeria relations have flourished over time, yielding significant results across key sectors, including trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, human capital development, and people-to-people partnerships.
It urged the media and the public to report on China-Nigeria relations in a fair, balanced, and truthful manner, reflecting the mutual solidarity between the two nations.
End
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
…Insists Nigeria Remains Committed to Better Nigeria-Ghana Relations
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has finally began the move to douse the ongoing tension with Ghana over the growing agitation by Ghanaians that Nigerians should leave their country, as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu
reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining robust relations with Ghana during a visit.
The Minister also said the relationship would not stop at government level but extend to citizen-to-citizen level.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu made this known on Wednesday during her ongoing two-day visit to the West African country.
According to a statement by the spokesman to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze, his principal is in Ghana to address the situation of Nigeria-Ghana citizens’ relations and meet with relevant stakeholders at both ends including the President of Ghana, the country’s Foreign Minister, traditional rulers and Nigerians resident in the country, to ensure that the life, property and businesses of Nigeria and Nigerians living in Ghana are safe and protected.
Eze said: “As part of the engagements for the minister, a few minutes after touching down at Kotoka Accra International Airport, Ghana on Tuesday evening, she had a quick interface with the Inspector General of Police Ghana, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who was on his way to London, United Kingdom.”
He disclosed that Odumegwu-Ojukwu continued similar engagements on Wednesday with Ghanian officials and leaders of the Nigeria community.
She is expected back to Abuja on Thursday.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as New CG, Federal Fire Service
By: Michael Mike
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi as the new substantive Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) with effect from 14th August, 2025.
The appointment was announced in a statement by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), signed by its secretary, Abdulmalik Jibrin.
The statement read: “This appointment follows the imminent retirement of the current Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola, on 1th August, 2025, upon attaining the age of sixty.
“DCG Olumode Samuel Adeyemi brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having transferred his service from the FCT Fire Service to the Federal Fire Service and grown to the rank of Deputy Controller-General of Fire in the Human Resource Directorate of the Service Headquarters.
“In the course of his career, the Officer has attended and passed all mandatory In-Service trainings, command course as well as other courses within and outside the country.
“He has served in various capacities and is equally a member/fellow of the following professional associations including Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Treasury Management of Nigeria.
“The Board extends its appreciation to the retiring Controller-General, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola for his remarkable contributions to the development of the Federal Fire Service while also acknowledging his dedication and commitment to the service, and the numerous initiatives he spearheaded during his period of service.”
Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as New CG, Federal Fire Service
Nigerian Workers Abandoned in CAR Get Succour at Nigerian Embassy
NDLEA, Education Ministry Agree on Drug Education in School Curriculum, Test for Varsity Students, Others
Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Ghana to Douse Ongoing Tension
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