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SENATOR A A KYARI SECURES A 5-YEAR AGRICULTURAL ACTION PLAN WITH BELARUS FOR FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

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SENATOR A A KYARI SECURES A 5-YEAR AGRICULTURAL ACTION PLAN WITH BELARUS FOR FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

BY: HON B G GALANGI

The Tinubu-Shettima led Nigerian government has been breaking new frontiers in recent times especially in the area of agriculture and food security.

The latest in the arsenal of achievements recorded by Nigeria’s Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, was the signing of a 5-year action plan geared towards strengthening partnership in Agriculture and Food Security between Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of Belarus during a working visit to Minsk, its capital.

The Republic of Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine and Poland. With a population of about 9.1 million, area of 207,600 square kilometers and a high human development index (HDI), Belarus is global force to reckon with, as it is technologically advanced in mining, manufacturing and agriculture.

During this bilateral working visit, Senator Abubakar Kyari was received by Belarusian First Deputy of Foreign Affairs, Sergie Lukashevich. After fruitful deliberations, both countries signed a 5- action plan which would foster significant growth and development in Agriculture and food security for both nations. The details of the action plan include;

a) Supply of 2000 tractors to Nigeria

b) Supply of 9022 units of assorted agricultural implements

c) Supply of 9022 sets of spare parts

d) Establishment of 52 service centres and training of youths throughout Nigeria

e) Establishment of tractor assembly plants in Nigeria by Belarus through AFTRADE DMCC from 2024 to 2029.

Speaking in an interview with NTA Nation Wide, Senator Abukakar stressed that the dedication to this collaboration reflects shared vision in the future of sustainable agricultural development and mutual benefits for Nigeria and Belarus. Furthermore, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security emphasized that the training centres will provide training to youths in the area of operating the mechanized equipment.

In a related incident, Senator Abubakar Habu Kyari thanked the President and Commander in Chief of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR for providing visionary leadership especially in Nigeria’s roadmap towards economic recovery.

The Minister also thanked the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima GCFR for bringing the wealth of his expertise and experience to bear in steering the economy of Nigeria to a safer point. Senator Kyari thanked the VP for being a remarkable bridge builder both at Party level, Borno State and the country at large. He prayed God’s divine protection and guidance upon all Nigerian leaders as they navigate through troubled waters of perennial economic woes orchestrated by enemies of the country.

In the same vein, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Abba Kyari congratulated the Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum for being visionary and unrelenting in both human and capital developments.

Senator Abu Kyari congratulated Zulum for winning the Nigerian Union of Journalists Good Governance Award 2024 on Education and the Security Excellence Award of the Institute of the Security and Strategic Studies (ISSS) for his exceptional leadership and innovative strategies and providing humanitarian aid in one of Nigeria’s most challenging regions. Enumerating some of his achievements so far, Senator Kyari thanked Prof Zulum for;

  1. Approving over 500 post- graduate students to study abroad. This remarkable feat will enable the State to bounce back through quality educational experience in future. Senator Habu Kyari projected that this kind of human capital developments will make Borno State a very elite society in near future.
  2. Supervising the distribution of food aid to over 52,000 families in seven LGAs of Borno State
  3. Distributing N100 million to 2000 youth and women to support them in cultivating their farmland.
  4. Unveiling of water projects in Azare, the headquarters of Hawul Local Government Area and counting.

In conclusion, I am deeply optimistic that Nigeria, through our amiable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Habu Kyari, will bounce back on its feet through agriculture. I see better days ahead as there is light at the end of the tunnel. However, this glorious vision will only come to pass when compatriots maximally encourage and support our leaders.

My several years experience with the Minister has left no iota of doubt at all about his capacity and willingness to answer the clarion call of this great nation, Nigeria.

SENATOR A A KYARI SECURES A 5-YEAR AGRICULTURAL ACTION PLAN WITH BELARUS FOR FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

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NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias

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NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias

By: Michael Mike

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu has called on stakeholders to reflect on the values that Nelson Mandela embodied, including justice, dignity, equality, and compassion, as the world commemorates World Mandela Day.

Dr. Ojukwu made this call in a statement on the eve of the commemoration, noting that Mandela’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the need to promote and protect human rights, particularly in Nigeria’s correctional centers.

According to him, the current state of Nigeria’s correctional centres, which are overcrowded, under-resourced, and lack basic sanitation and healthcare, reflects a failure of infrastructure, justice, and humanity.

He lamented that thousands of citizens are held in pre-trial detention for years due to poverty and lack of access to justice, while the rich have greater access to quality legal defense and bail, perpetuating systemic bias.

The NHRC Executive Secretary urged the Nigerian government, judicial authorities, private sector, and civil society to prioritize comprehensive reforms in detention facilities and correctional centers, including improving conditions, investing in alternatives to pre-trial detention, ensuring speedy trials, and upholding the rights of inmates.

Ojukwu emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of incarceration, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to justice, in order to build a society that values the dignity and human rights of all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Nelson Mandela Day is celebrated annually on the 18th of July.

NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias

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Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery

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Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery

By: Michael Mike

The Ondo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Backbone Infrastructure Limited for the establishment of a 500,000 barrels per day oil refinery and development of free trade zone in Igbotiri, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

The signing ceremony took place at the Governor’s office in Akure.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti represented the Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the ceremony.

He described the proposed investment as timely and strategic, assuring the investors of a peaceful and business-friendly environment.
 
He emphasized that the project would boost the state’s economy, create meaningful job opportunities, and reduce crime.

In his remarks on behalf of Backbone Infrastructure, the Vice President, Legal & Corporate services, Barrister Wale Adekola expressed appreciation to the Ondo State Government for the opportunity to partner in the infrastructure development of the State and assured of his company’s commitment to ensure successful delivery of the two projects.

Similarly, the Managing Director / Chief Executive of Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Engr. Henry Owonka, revealed that the two projects would be accompanied by basic infrastructure such as roads, terminal storage tanks, and other facilities that will change the landscape of the State.
 
According to the MOU breakdown on the Refinery, Backbone Infrastructure Limited will hold 65% equity, while the Ondo State Government will hold 20% and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) will hold 15% stake.
 
Meanwhile, the investors have expressed confidence in the leadership and vision of the Aiyedatiwa-led administration, citing the clarity of purpose and support they have received as the reason for choosing Ondo State as their investment destination.

The state government equally pledged its support for the project, which is expected to transform the state’s economy and create jobs.

Present at the signing of the MOU were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti. Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN , the ONDIPA Team while the Backbone team was led by Dr. Steve Dike, a member of the Board of Directors representing the Chairman, Senator Ken Nnamani, Managing Director/CEO Engr. Henry Owonka, the Vice President, Legal & Corporate Services, other members of the management team from the Backbone infrastructure limited among other top government functionaries.

Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery

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Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition

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Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition

By: Zagazola Makama

Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) have arrested two notorious arms traffickers and recovered a cache of deadly weapons in Abinsi town, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Sources from the Benue State Police Command confirmed the development Thursday, describing the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms fueling insecurity in the North-Central region.

According to the sources, the suspects led by one Adikwu Ikwulono, a known illegal arms dealer were apprehended on Wednesday following credible intelligence.

Recovered from the suspects were one rocket launcher, five AK-47 rifles, and thousands of rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

Police say preliminary investigations revealed that the arms were being assembled for delivery to a gang of armed herders and bandits operating around the Benue–Nasarawa border, with plans to launch coordinated attacks on several communities in Benue State.

“The suspects are currently undergoing intensive interrogation with the FID, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the arms-smuggling syndicate,” the police sources said.

Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition

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