From Dan Amasingha, Minna

Former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo has lauded the efforts of the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago for his transformative approach to agriculture in Nigeria.

Obasanjo made the commendation over the weekend during a courtesy visit by a delegation of Commissioners and Special Advisers from Niger State to Abeokuta.

The visit included a tour of a cutting-edge soilless farm, where young Nigerlites were undergoing training in innovative agricultural techniques for eventual replication in Niger State.

The former President was quoted by Aisha Wakaso the Special Adviser Print Media to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago as admiring the Bago initiative, likening it to his own “Operation Feed the Nation” policy of 1976.

He emphasized that with modern equipment now available, the impact of such initiatives can be even greater than before.

According to the former President who is a renowned farmer himself, emphasized the critical importance of agricultural self-sufficiency, stating, “Until Nigeria begins to feed itself, the challenges facing the country will persist. A nation that cannot feed itself is sitting on a time bomb.”

He urged other state governors to follow Niger State’s lead in agricultural development to ensure that Nigeria can produce the majority of its own food.

The former President encouraged Niger State to continue investing in agriculture and to explore modern methods to enhance existing practices. He expressed his intention to visit Niger State with his team to learn from their progress and exchange ideas to improve and add value to his own agricultural endeavors.

Obasanjo also advised Nigerians to consider investing in soilless farming, warning that with the current rate of land use, Nigeria could soon face a shortage of arable land. He stressed that innovative farming techniques are essential to sustaining the nation’s agricultural productivity.

The Niger State government remains committed to advancing agriculture and will continue to seek out and implement innovative solutions to ensure the state’s and the nation’s food security.

From Dan Amasingha,  Minna.

 Chairman of Niger State Council of Traditional rulers and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya said former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, is the father of Nigeria’s unity.

The traditional ruler made this known in a brief interview on Thursday in Minna to felicitate with Gen.

Gowon ahead of his 90th birthday on Saturday.

He recalled that Gowon was instrumental to the formulation and implementation of many cogent policies and programmes that have cemented Nigeria’s unity and progress.

The traditional ruler listed some of them to include; the NYSC programme, unity schools, among others.

The Etsu Nupe also recalled that Gowon gallantly fought on the side of Nigeria during the country’s civil war, which birthed the unity that the country is currently enjoying.

“I am elated that God, in His infinite mercy, has kept this elder statesman, Gowon, up to this moment.

“His wisdom, patriotism and love for Nigeria are unparalleled.

“Gowon has also remained resolute and committed to the Nigerian Project, and has never wavered,” he said.

The Etsu also described Gen. Gowon as a wonderful personality, a very distinguished leader, who is renowned for his humility, integrity and honour.

“So, I’m praying to the Almighty Allah to keep him alive for him to continue with the good work he has been doing for Nigeria and humanity in general,” Abubakar said.

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to provide solar-powered electricity to 10,000 homes in rural communities across the state.

The project which aims to address the energy needs of off-grid areas is collaboration between the Cross River State Electrification Agency (SEA) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abuja.

The initiative came as a response to the challenging terrain hampering many rural areas from connecting to the national power grid.

Governor Otu’s administration, under its ‘People’s First’ agenda, has emphasized energy sufficiency and food security as cornerstones of socioeconomic development. The solar project is seen as a critical step in fulfilling this vision.

To bring the initiative to fruition, ASOLAR Systems Nigeria Limited, a company with specialty in sustainable energy, has been contracted as the sole supplier of Solar Home Systems (SHS). ASOLAR’s Managing Director, Hakeem Shagaya and his team recently met with Cross River’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, to finalize plans for the project’s launch.

 “This administration is focused on the people, especially those in rural areas who often feel left out of infrastructural development in the cities,” Rt. Hon. Odey stated during the meeting.

The project, funded through a 70/30 percent counterpart arrangement between the REA and the state government, is expected to bring the much-needed power supply to communities that have hitherto been underserved. The Commissioner for Power, Eka Williams, has described the initiative as a “welcome development.”

The Director General of the State Electrification Agency, Francis Ekpo, praised Governor Otu’s commitment to rural development and assured the public of the diligent distribution of the solar systems.