NEWS
200 Maize Farmers in C’River Gets N1m Each from ‘Project Grow’
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
In a bid to encourage maize farmers and boost food production, the cross river state Government said plans have been concluded for 200 maize farmers to be given financial assistance by the government through “Project Grow”, agric scheme to boost cultivation of maize in the test run phase.
The state Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, disclosed this while addressing maize farmers in Efioedem, Ekpenidem and Ekim Ebebit communities at Ekpenidem Town Council Hall on Tuesday. The governor spoke shortly after the training of maize farmers who finished learning modern techniques of cultivating maize by agriculture extension officers.He said that with application of the knowledge gained at the training, maize farmers have prospects of breaking even and turning themselves to millionaires in the nearest future.Representing the Governor, commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation, Johnson Ebokpo Jr. stated that 240 hectares of land would be made available in the three Senatorial districts of the State for the cultivation of maize before the end of 2024.Flagging the project off, at the proposed maize field at Ekim Ebebit, where two bulldozers were seen ploughing the land for farmers to commence planting of maize, the çommissioner said, “I think we have excess of 200 farmers that is because the land that is available had been mapped for this test run phase, is about 120 hectares in Odukpani.”I know these activities are taking place simultaneously in Obanlikwu and Obubra. In total it should be about 240 hectares that is available for the first phase.”We are also cultivating cassava too; we will also go to the proof of concept which is the third phase in this season. If it goes well next season, we will do soya beans and cowpea as well.”There is a lot of arable land here but it’s difficult to cultivate. The cost of opening up land is expensive”.”In order for us to open up land in a sustainable manner, and preserve forest ecology, we decided to group everybody in one place, to enable the four communities who donated lands to cultivate on the land”.A youth leader and beneficiary of Project Grow, maize project in Ekim Ebebit community, Okokon Asuquo, expressed happiness over the initiative, lauding the state governor for mapping out strategies to lift the community youths out of the shackles of poverty.Also community leader, Chief Justin Asuquo said that as a community, they will find ways to ensure that stealing of maize by those who refused to participate in the farming project would not be allowed. Sportspro News Partners Ghanaian Club in New DealFrom Samuel James, IlorinThe Publisher of Sportspro News publication and a broadcaster in Kwara State, Bayour Issah has signed a media collaboration agreement with AS Koppan of Medina, Accra Ghana.The signing marks a new level in Nigeria Sports Journalism, where a Nigerian media outlet is sought after for a sports business partnership by a Ghanaian organization.Bayor, who is popularly known as Sports, effect the collaboration with the general manager of the Ghanaian club,Abdul-Aziz Hussein meticulously outlined the terms of the agreement.Though the specific financial terms were not disclosed, reports indicate The Sportspro News has now been permitted the freedom to operate in Ghana by focusing primarily on covering the sporting activities of the football club.Furthermore, the arrangement allows the media outlet to circulate its publications both in Ghana and Nigeria to foster a cross-border network between the neighboring West African nations.Speaking on the collaboration, Isah explained that this new venture underscores the importance that sports journalism transcends geographical confines.”This should serve as a model for Nigerian sports journalists to pursue similar initiatives,” he added.In his remarks, the General Manager of AS Koppan, said the club boasts a premier academy as well as established an innovative partnership with Chelsea club, paving the way for several club prospects to transition to the English club in the upcoming soccer season.Bayour Issah has been a revered figure in sports Journalism in Kwara state and Nigeria, having traveled to over thirty two countries for sports events coverage.
The YPP Candidate in the upcoming Anambra Governorship poll, Mr Paul Chukwuma, has decried the recent alleged assault on a female NYSC member by vigilance operatives (Udogachi) in the state.Reacting to the incident during an interactive session with newsmen in Awka, on Tuesday, Chukwuma described the attack as inhuman.
“I have watched the video of an assault on a lady by members of Udogachi, a security outfit under the control of the Anambra Government. “The lady, identified as Ms Jennifer Elobor, a corps member serving in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, was beaten to a pulp and stripped naked by several operatives of Udogachi.“Similar barbaric behaviour, like the strange abuse of this lady, has continued to be meted out to unsuspecting members of the public in Anambra to the chagrin of all sane minds.“This particular incident must not be swept under the carpet, like the ones before it.“I am calling on the State Government to take a firm stance against these public abusers and bring them to justice.“I also call on the security agencies to ensure that these abusers are not only rounded up, but compelled to face the law,” he said.Chukwuma accused the state vigilance group of being high handed to the people they were supposed to protect.He said: “I am appalled by this absurdity, which has unfortunately become the daily experience of the residents of Anambra, who are held hostage in their homeland by a security outfit set up to protect them.“Notwithstanding, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor, has never deemed it necessary to call these people to order.”Chukwuma accused the State Government of not living up to expectation, hence the abuse of power by the security outfit.“The security outfit has always been on the negative side of the news for maltreating innocent citizens,” he said.The governorship hopeful alleged that insecurity in the state had increased unabated.Report says that Operation Udogachi was established by the government to complement the police and other security agencies in the fight against insecurity, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and ritual killings, among other crimes. (NAN)
The Police command in Rivers has arrested 23-year-old Kingsley Chinamezu for the brutal murder of Miss Confidence Sunny, 44, in Etche Local Government Area of the state. The Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
She said Chinamezu, also known as Power Sharp, allegedly hacked his girlfriend, Sunny, to death with a machete on July 30 in Umuebule community. “After allegedly committing the crime, the suspect fled Rivers but continued issuing threats to the victim’s family, boasting that he could harm them without consequence,” she stated. Iringe-Koko said that after a formal complaint from the deceased’s family, Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, assigned the case to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU). She explained that operatives of the AKU, acting on credible intelligence, tracked and arrested the suspect on Aug. 15 at his hideout in Egbeta village, Edo. “During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime and gave details of the events leading up to the murder,” she revealed. Iringe-Koko said evidence was being compiled while the suspect was undergoing further investigation and profiling for possible involvement in other crimes. CP Adepoju commended the operatives for their swift response and diligence in apprehending the suspect. He assured residents that Rivers would not serve as a haven for criminals, stressing the Command’s firm commitment to justice and public safety. “Perpetrators of heinous crimes should desist, as the law will eventually catch up with them, and they will face its full wrath,” Adepoju warned. (NAN)
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has approved the suspension of the executive chairman of Otukpo local government council, Maxwell Ogiri, for a period of one month.The Governor also affirmed the immediate suspension of the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Grace Adagba, and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Lottery Commission, Michael Uper for the period of one month each respectively.
Their suspension followed an intense pressure from the State House of Assembly that had earlier passed resolutions calling for immediate suspension of the affected officers.The resolutions of the House were conveyed to the governor’s office regarding the suspension of some public officials.In a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Kula Tersoo which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, said the governor’s action was in line with the resolutions passed by the House.Alia reiterated his unwavering commitment to the rule of law, due process and the principles of separation of powers.He commended the House of Assembly for exercising its constitutional responsibilities and assured the people of Benue State that his administration remains dedicated to transparency, accountability, and good governance.Alia urged all affected institutions to ensure seamless continuity of service delivery during this period and called on the people of Benue State to continue to support the government’s efforts towards building a state that works for all.Recall that at its sitting two weeks ago, the assembly in a unanimous resolution, recommended the suspension of the SUBEB Chairman for gross insubordination, while the Otukpo Chairman and the Executive Secretary, Benue State Lottery Board were accused of misappropriation of funds.The house had insisted that if these persons were not suspended, it would not honor any correspondence from the Governor.The house equally put on hold the screening of the list of commissioner nominees sent to the house by the governor following the inability of the governor to approve the house numerous recommendations.
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