NEWS
Bello Inaugurates Planting of 3,000 Hybrid Shea Trees in Niger
Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger on Wednesday inaugurated the planting of 3,000 hybrid shea trees aimed at increasing the number of shea trees for economic transformation of the state.
Bello, while inaugurating the project at the Beji Parkland in Kodo, Bosso Local Government Area of the state, explained that the project was a pilot scheme in collaboration with the National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN).
He explained that the global shea butter market had grown rapidly due to increased demand in making confectioneries, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, amongst others.
Bello said that the state with the highest number of shea trees in the world would harness the comparative advantage of the economic trees and the value-chain which had potential of engaging thousands of women and youths across the state.
He said that 3,000 of the trees would be planted in phase one of the project to cover 20 hectares of land in which each hectare would accommodate 150 seedlings of the shea trees.
“The shea trees have some distinctive features such as short gestation period of five to seven years from the traditional 15 to 20 years. It also produces quality shea fruits and in more quantities.
“Therefore, this hybrid trees have the potential to turn around the economic fortunes of the state and Nigeria at large,” the governor said.
He noted that through commercialisation of the seedling nursery, youths and women would be trained and equipped, leading to the development of shea seedlings particularly in shea communities around the Beji Shea Parkland.
Bello appealed to the host community to protect the project, saying that the law prohibiting felling of economic trees in the state had been in place to punish individual or group of people engaged in felling of economic trees.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Dr Daniel Habila, decried the level of deforestation by some individuals, saying that the project would change the narrative.
“The shea trees will not only bring economic benefits to the state but will bring climate change mitigation benefits that will minimise the environmental impacts from carbon prints,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Alhaji Muhammad Ahmed, the National President of National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN), said the project was initiated due to prevent indiscriminate felling of shea trees.
Ahmed noted that the project was targeted to plant 10 million shea trees in the next 10 years.
He said farmers would be allowed to farm on the Parkland while taking care of the shea trees, saying that the project would be spread across other communities in the state. (NAN)
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Jan.1, 2025 as public holidays.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ajani, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said that the public holidays were to enable citizens to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year respectively.
“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” the Minister.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised the importance of the season as a time to foster harmony and to strengthen bonds across families and communities.
He assured citizens of the federal government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.
He further expressed confidence in the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration for a better and prosperous economy in 2025.
The Minister, on behalf of the federal government sent warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.(NAN)
Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within the premises, including a vehicle.
The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.
The Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec.
21, 2024, before the incident occurred.The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack.
Dauda-Shelika said this on Monday in Lokoja that he heard a big bang on my door at around 1 am.
“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.
“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.
“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to escape for my life.
“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”
The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.
He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.
“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and bring to justice whoever is concerned, whether directly or indirectly.
“We also want the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.
He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.
The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.
Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.
He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book. (NAN)
The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two others injured in a road traffic crash that occurred along the Bende-Ohafia Road.
A statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia said that the crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.
She said the crash involved a Trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board.
“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.
“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.
Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding. (NAN)
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