From Christopher Tom, Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Eno Otu has been commended over his significance steps towards the actualization of the Arise Agenda Deeping Strategy of giving 11 Solar Water Project across 10 Federal Constituency in the stateThe acting General Manager of Akwa Ibom State Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Saviour Udo made the commendation when he spoke with Journalists shortly after the maiden water, sanitation, hygienic training workshop for the 31 Local Government in Uyo.

He explained the significance of the water project executed by the Government to the communities for them to protect the facilities against Vandalisation and especially vandalisation of solar pump projects should not be left out to be secured for their own benefits.He therefore emphasized that through the magnificent efforts of the Head of service Elder. Effiong Essien made him build his passion for water Service which after 14 years in service has made him the Acting General Manager of Akwa Ibom State Water Supply and Sanitation Agency. In the same vain, the Agency is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources through the Arise Agenda to Provide hygienic water project to the entire state which he promise goes into Rural communities after development to establish standard water for the rural people benefit, he emphasized on the water law which has been established in the state to regulate water policy as soon as the state complete development project.He advised the General Public to make sure they provide clean and hygienic toilet systems, kick against open defecation to avoid Government Sanctions while he said Government will not relent despite the uphill task Government will continue to provide for her citizens especially good water.The Acting General Manager said Eno Administration is working around the clock without relenting despite the challenges to make sure the citizens witness and experience good hygienic water across the state meeting up the General Accepted standard across the globe.

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

A faction of the Social Democratic Party in Niger State (SDP), has begun moves to attract the membership of other political parties to form a viable opposition that will unseat the APC government in Niger state.The group assures those willing to team up with it of level playing field even as it names the former Chief Whip of the House of Representatives Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Bwari as its new leader in Niger statePublicity Secretary of the SDP group Luqman Hussain warned other political parties in the state that unless the opposition parties form a coalition it would be difficult to defeat the APC in the state come 2027.

The emerging opposition Spokesman, Luqman Hussain said the SDP group is ready to form a broad based caretaker committee that would pilot the affairs of the coalition until a Congress is held to elect state officials under the African Democratic Congress ADC .He said the group is aware of what it described as clandestine attempts by desperate political actors “Aided by government forces to compile and announce a partisan executive structure for ADC in Niger state”It was gathered that the group last week announced its decision to join the ADC coalition and said it fully supports the interim leadership of the coalition with Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbeshola and Bolaji Abdullahi.Hussain announced that Alhaji Abubakar Bawa Bwari a former member of the House of Representatives has been endorsed as the “only leader of the coalition recognized in Niger state and shall lead all coalition – building efforts within the state.”Reacting to the development, Alhaji Buhari Yakubu Yerima the state chairman of the SDP has said there is no crack or faction in the party.Yerima also said that the SDP has not joined any coalition.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Benue State is set to make Nigeria a global leader in soyabean production.Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia made this known yesterday while delivering a speech at the Official Launch of the National Soyabean Production Expansion Policy and Strategy held in Abuja.

Governor Alia said Benue State is an integral part of the National Soybean Expansion Strategy which is designed to generate N3. 9 trillion in annual revenue, create one million jobs across 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and position Nigeria as a powerhouse in global agriculture.He said Benue has set benchmarks for excellence cultivating a substantial share of Nigeria’s 780,000 hectares of soybeans and producing a significant portion of the nation’s 758,000 metric tons annually, promising that the greatest achievements were still ahead.”Our fields, enriched by nature and sustained by tradition, have made Benue the leading producer of soybeans in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa,” the Governor submitted.He added that, through the Benue Agricultural Development Company and partnerships, the state is deploying extension officers and introducing mechanization clusters to 15 producing LGAs, training farmers in best practices, and climate-smart agriculture.”We will double our soybean output from 202,000 to at least 400,000 tons in three years; contribute more than 400,000 metric tons to national production annually; generate billions in new revenue and support Nigeria’s N3.9 trillion industry target; empower tens of thousands of households and create a sustainable agricultural legacy” the Governor added.He called on the Federal Government, development partners, private sector investors, and every stakeholder to join hands and make soybeans a golden crop for the nation, adding that together, they would make Nigeria a global leader in soybean production and ensure lasting prosperity for every community.Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari acknowledged the importance of soyabean production in the nation’s agriculture value chain, pointing out its economic and nutritional relevance, and called on commissioners for agriculture across the nation to live the soyabean initiative with vision and determination and work hand-in-hand with farmers, investors, and processors to achieve the target.He commended the Governor of Benue State for his bold leadership and ability to coordinate efforts effectively in Benue State towards achieving the required goals.A session of goodwill messages from partners and stakeholders in the soyabean production value chain was observed, including the Chairman, Forum of State Investment Promotion Agencies of Nigeria (FoSIPAN)/Executive Secretary, Benue Investment Promotion Agency, Terhemen Kpenkaan who said state investment promotion agencies across Nigeria will work closely with the Federal Government, development partners, and private investors to de-risk sub-national agribusiness projects, attract capital, and create sustainable value chains.The event also witnessed presentation of the seven pillars of Soyabean Production Strategy and Unveiling of the National Soyabean Production Policy and Strategy.