NEWS
Gov Sule Inaugurates Programme, pays N176m Counterpart Fund

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has inaugurated the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), initiated to improve cassava and rice value chain for small farmers in the state.
The VCDP was initiated by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Speaking at the inauguration of some completed projects by VCDP on Wednesday in Wamba Local Government Area, the governor commended the Federal Government and IFAD for the laudable initiative.
Sule said he believed that the programme was capable of reducing poverty, ensuring food security as well as increase income of small-scale farmers.
He added that the programme would also enhance processing and marketing of rice and cassava, as well as promotion of accelerated economic growth on sustainable basis.
The governor further explained that the state had since keyed into the VCDP and provided the necessary resources to ensure its smooth take off.
“Nasarawa State Government had keyed into the VCDP on July 1, 2020 and subsequently released N176 million as counterpart funds for projects implementation for two years,” he added.
He reiterated that the state government under his stewardship would continue to align with policies of the Federal Government with the view to providing the desired development to the people.
“For this reason, we have attracted investors like Olam Nig. Ltd, Dangote Group, Azman Rice, Flour Mill, among others to the state towards acceleration of economic growth and development,” he added.
The governor therefore, appealed to spirited individuals and groups to synergize with government on critical areas of human development, such as healthcare delivery, educational services, agricultural development, among others.
Earlier, Dr Eunice Adgidzi, Nasarawa State Coordinator of VCDP, said the programme completed multi-million naira projects across five LGAs in the state within nine months of implementation.
She listed the five LGAs that were currently benefiting from the programme to include, Lafia, Doma, Wamba, Karu and Nasarawa.
“So far, we have completed five solar powered boreholes, three market stores containing ten stores each, three market stalls containing fourteen stalls each.
“One market stall as well as two cassava model processing mill with creche and restrooms still ongoing.
“Over 2, 233 farmers from 204 farmers organisations engaging in rice and cassava production, processing and marketing were profiled and benefiting from VCDP interventions across the participating LGAs,” she added.
Adgidzi said VCDP has distributed 3, 850 kg of oved varieties of seeds, 23,100kg of fertilizers and 154 litres of selective and non-selective herbicides to 136 farmers.
She added that VCDP has also trained 300 farmers on financial literacy, aimed at helping them access loan and other financial services to boost their production. (NAN).
NEWS
Nigeria Condoles India over Tragic Plane Crash

The Federal Government on Thursday condoled the Indian government over the tragic crash of Air India Flight-171 in Ahmedabad.The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this in a statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of theMinistry.Tuggar said, “Nigeria expresses profound sorrow and extends its heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India over the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
“This devastating incident which claimed the lives of over 290 individuals has left the global community in mourning. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with India during this period of immense grief and unfortunate loss.“While initial reports indicate no Nigerian citizen was aboard the flight, the Nigeria High Commission in New Delhi remains in close contact with Indian authorities to verify this information and provide consular assistance where necessary.“In this moment of shared sorrow, Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to global aviation safety and supports the call for thorough investigation into the crash with a view to preventing such tragedies in the future.”The minister further commiserated with the families of the bereaved and all those affected by this tragic incident. (NAN)NEWS
Benue Speaker Advises Youth to Participate Actively in Politics

The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, has advised youths in the state to participate actively in the economic and political development of the country.Dajoh gave the advice in his Democracy Day message issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Terver Zamber, in Makurdi.
The speaker urged youths to show more interest in the economic and political development of the country. He said that they had the required education, exposure, and numerical strength to make a positive impact on both the economy and governance. Dajoh assured the youths that the assembly under his leadership would continue to enact laws to protect democracy and the rule of law.The speaker urged Nigerians to be more determined in ensuring that democracy worked in the country.He said that democracy remained the best option for the country.The speaker added that through the determination of the citizens and their active participation in the democratic process, Nigeria would be a great country.He saluted the heroic deeds of patriots who worked assiduously to actualise democratic rule in the country, especially the symbol of the June 12 struggle, the late M.K.O. Abiola.According to him, only a truly great, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria could be a befitting compensation for their sacrifices.He commended President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue for their roles in upholding democratic principles.Dajoh said that more sacrifices were required from the citizens to ensure that the country got the best of democracy. (NAN)NEWS
Cross River Communities Resume Hostility with More Casualties

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
There is another round of hostility arising from communal skirmishes between two brotherly communities of Etono 2 and Biakpan in Biased Local Government Are of Cross River State.The resumption of hostilities happened some days ago when youths from Etono 2 were alleged to have attacked and killed a visitor to Biakpan and another youth whose identity was not immediately known.
Before then there were reports that nearly 50 persons had been killed on both sides. In the latest resurgence, a source said, “Sporadic shootings were heard on Monday and Tuesday inside Biakpan. A few persons have been killed.”State security adviser Southern district, Patrick Odion told our correspondent that he has his men on ground to calm the situation.Recall that about three weeks ago, Commissioner of Police in the state, Olusegun Omosanyin summoned the two sides to his Headquarters in Calabar and cautioned them.The police commissioner had disclosed how there was massive arms buildup by the two communities and said he would launch police action to retrieve the arms from them.He had expressed anger that the two sides had earlier refused to appear before him three times when he summoned them, adding that he had also dispatched his key officers to the two communities.Following the resumption of the hostilities, the police commissioner again met with the leadership of Biase LGA in his office.He assured that he would mobilize his men today to Biakpan and Etono 2 to quell the uprising.When DAILY ASSET spoke with some concerned stakeholders from the two communities they lamented that often when police and soldiers sent to douse tensions would leave, hostilities would resume soon after.A youth leader from Etono 2 who gave his name as Egwu Jerry, lamented, “The presence of the security men usually give us confidence but once they leave, our safety is no longer guaranteed. We’re few compared with those from Biakpan.”He also lamented that they do not have access road elsewhere than the one into Biakpan which reason, their adversaries usually encircle and easily attack and kill them.But a chief from Biakpan who gave his name as Onun Ekpezu alleged that Etono people were too aggressive and violent, and have destroyed their important properties and farms, and have killed their people and visitors.”Because of these, our youths have positioned themselves to defend our women and properties”, Ekpezu said.