Environment
Plateau Gov’t Gives Nod to Jaiz Bank for Reconstruction of Jos Main Market

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Plateau State Executive Council (PSEC) has approved the reconstruction of the burnt Jos Main Market at an estimated total cost of N9.4 billion.
The entire project is said to be funded by Jaiz Bank Plc with a total of 4,231 shops of different sizes expected to be constructed on 44 percent of the land totaling 7.
4 hectares and to be completed in three phases.The State Commissioner for Information and Communication Hon. Dan Manjang told newsmen yesterday after the state’s executive council meeting that the decision was reached at the State Executive Council meeting held yesterday (Wednesday) with Governor Simon Lalong who is currently in Dubai, United Arab Emirates alongside other governors participating in the 11th Annual Investment Summit attending virtually.
He explained that the approval was sequel to a memo submitted by Hon. Idris Gambo, the Commissioner for Urban Development who is supervising Ministry of Commerce and Industry to the Council with the proposal for a Public Private Partnership Joint Venture to be funded by Jaiz Bank Nigeria Plc.
Manjang further stated that the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Hon. Idris Gambo gave details of the project to members of the state executive council that the “entire project will be funded by the bank with a total of 4,231 shops of different sizes expected to be constructed on 44 percent of the land totaling 7.4 hectres. The rest of the land space will provide for parking, banks, fire station, police station, administrative blocks” and other facilities.
The Commissioner assured citizens that the market wholly belongs to Plateau State Government and will be managed by the Jos Main Market Authority while the Investor will recover part of their investment from proceeds of the sale of the shops. “It was also agreed that work on the adjourning roads from the Gangare axis will be intensified with a possibility for dualization to ensure that traffic congestion does not prevail when business activities resume in the market.
“The estimated total cost for construction of the three phases of the market is N9.4 billion. Jaiz bank has similar PPP projects in Kano, Kaduna and Niger states with some completed and others ongoing.”
The Commissioner for Information and Communication hinted that “Exco has resolved that those who were displaced from the burnt market will be given the first option of acquiring the new shops which will be provided under a flexible payment plan to ensure that genuine traders and people of Plateau State are not left out.”
He stressed that the project was expected to be completed within the lifetime of the Lalong administration.
Environment
FG, Partners Urged to Act On Rangeland Conservation

The Federal Government and partners have been urged to take decisive action to protect and restore rangelands, safeguard pastoralist communities’ livelihoods, and enhance climate resilience in dryland regions.
The call was made in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the 5th International Conference on Drylands.
The conference, themed ‘Promoting Sustainability and Resilience of Rangelands: Present and Future Outlooks’, was organised by the Centre for Dryland Agriculture at Bayero University in Kano and took place from May 6 to 8, 2025.
The three-day conference brought together over 300 participants, including scientists, researchers, policymakers, development partners, and private sector representatives.
The articipants urged governments to develop and implement comprehensive, participatory, and evidence-based legal frameworks prioritizing sustainable rangeland management.
These frameworks should recognise, protect, and support traditional knowledge and practices of pastoralists, ensuring equitable access to land and natural resources.
Secure land tenure and fair resource governance are crucial for promoting peaceful coexistence and preventing land-use conflicts.
The conference recognised the critical role of women and youths from pastoralist communities in driving resilience and sustainability.
The conference also called for increased investment in capacity building, active participation in decision-making processes, and support for income-generating opportunities and sustainable resource development projects.
The conference emphasised the need to scale up public and private sector investments in climate change adaptation strategies, sustainable land management technologies, and diversified livelihood initiatives.
These investments should be complemented by demand-driven research and the promotion of innovations that integrate indigenous knowledge with modern scientific approaches.
The conference urged international development partners and organisations to align their resources with the conference outcomes and enhance regional and global cooperation, particularly on transboundary issues.
The participants also advocated deeper engagement with global initiatives such as the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) and the Africa Soil Initiative.
The conference concluded that the alarming degradation of rangelands, threats to pastoralist livelihoods, and fragility of dryland ecosystems demand urgent, collaborative, and sustained action.
The participants emphasised that achieving healthy rangelands was key to food security, ecological balance, and peaceful coexistence.
The conference brought together participants from 11 African countries, 13 Nigerian states, 17 academic institutions, and several international organisations.
It created a rich platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and regional collaboration.( NAN)
economy
Firm Boosts Access to Dairy Nutrition with Affordable Peak Mini

From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
Dairy brand, Peak Milk has boosted Nigerians’ accessibility to its quality dairy nutrition range with the introduction of the budget-friendly Peak Mini – a smaller, more affordable pack from its signature Peak Evaporated Milk.
Unveiling the dairy brand, the producer, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, restated its commitment to providing high-quality dairy products to consumers as it has been doing in over 70 years in Nigeria.
According to WAMCO, the Peak Mini evaporated milk will provide affordable breakfast within the reach of every home with a budget-friendly nutritional breakfast with the same rich, creamy taste and high-quality.
Senior Brand Manager of Peak Milk, Moninnuola Kassim, stated that with Peak Mini, the company is “directly addressing the challenges many Nigerians face daily, one of which is affordability.
“Our smaller, affordable Peak Mini packs ensure that quality dairy nutrition remains within reach for everyone, regardless of income level.”
According to her, “many consumers have had to compromise on nutrition when considering costs, but with Peak Mini, that trade-off is no longer necessary.
The brand, Kassim said, maintains the same premium taste and nutritional benefits in a convenient and cost-effective package, and whether for breakfast cereals, tea or other meals, this innovation ensures that consumers no longer need to choose between quality and affordability.
According to her, FrieslandCampina WAMCO believes that every Nigerian deserves access to quality, nutritious dairy products,” and “Peak Mini is another step towards fulfilling that mission by providing a practical solution that meets the needs of everyday consumers.”
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Environment
Prolonged Public Holidays Come with Negative Economic Effects on Citizens – Anambra Residents

Anambra residents have slammed the additional day approved by the Federal Government for the Muslim faithful to celebrate the 2024 Eid-Ei-Fitr, saying this will have negative effects on the economy.
The Federal government had early declared April 9 and 10 as Muslim-Ummah for the successful completion of a month’s spiritual rejuvenation.
Reports says that residents of Anambra capital city believe that the additional day which they did not plan for will result in economic hardship to the citizenry.
Most respondents believe that people had planned to resume their economic activities instead of wasting their time staying at home doing nothing..
Former Chairman, Awka Chamber of Commerce, Chief Felly Akosa, described the additional day to the two days approved earlier as “unfair to the economy of the country as people were unprepared for the additional day.
Akosa said that although it is right for the Muslim faithful to celebrate their holiday after a month-long fasting, the process needs to be carefully planned for in place of the additional rest day which could inhibit business activities.
Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, National Vice President of Igbo Apex Social Cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the policy would cause huge economic waste as businesses are put on hold,
He advised that, in future, a proper and well planned programme needs to be in place before declaring a public holiday for any celebration that will be national.
“Our economy and other sectors are not very healthy,” and it would, therefore be appropriate to plan well to avoid declarations that will hamper the citizens’ welfare.
Mazi Christian Beluchukwu, a business man in Awka, described the extension of the Eid-El-Fitr public holiday to Thursday, April 11, as an added hardship for the citizenry.
Beluchukwu said that any public holiday for three days, April 9 to 11, to celebrate any feast in the country is an economic loss to the nation.
He said that it was best to stick to the two-day national public holidays as this gives room for the people to plan their activities very well.
He stated that his wife went to a public hospital on Tuesday and was unattended to because there was no doctor on seat to provide medical attention.
“She resorted to visiting a private hospital which cost extra money which the public hospital is expected to handle at a reasonable cost. (NAN)