NEWS
Traditional Rulers Restraint Gov. Otu From Ejecting Cocoa Allottees Of Past Administration

From Ene Asuquo Calabar
Traditional Rulers of Mbume Blocks of Clans, in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State have kicked against ejection of allottees of cocoa plots by immediate past administration.
The monarchs urged Governor Bassey Otu not to eject cocoa farms allottees with genuine paper of payment to government coffers to avoid violence outbreak in the LGA.
Chairman, Crises Management Committee, Mbume Blocks of clans, Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State ( Cocoa host communities) Ntufam Odu Ndep Moses,made this known in an interview with Daily Asset yesterday in Càlabar.
Ndep advised administration of Governor Otu to make use of remaining 3, 137 hectares unallocated by immediate past administration to avoid any crises outbreak within the host communities.
According to him,”Statistics revealed that 1,415 hectares were allocated out of a total of approximately 4,552hectares, adding that Government can still make use of the remaining 3,137 hectares to avoid crises outbreak within the host communities.” he warned.
He continued, “From what we gathered, it was from the allocation of the 1,414 hectares as a way to execute the court’s consent Judgement by past administration that up to N30 million was lodged into state government’s account by immediate past administration”.
He said that findings from his committee shows that money collected from allocation of 1,415 hectares by previous administration was used to defray 16-year old royalty and debt which state government owed cocoa land lord communities.
Ndep stated that the advice stems from findings of investigation carried out by the six-man Crises Management Committee.
He averred that the allegations by Hon. Cosmos Ebori Nku’s led Taskforce that allottees of cocoa plots from previous administration encroached into farm lands was false.
“It is on record that the allottees paid required fees into the coffers of Cross River State Government before they were ushered to take possession of the allotted farms.
“We therefore urged restraint and strongly advise against any measure that may result to violent clashes to say the least.” He stressed.
Taskforce Chairman on Cocoa Allocation and Rehabilitation Committee, Mr. Cosmos Ebori Nku, in a telephone conversation with our reporter assured that he would do everything humanly possible to ensure that there is no crises outbreak in the government owned cocoa estate and host communities of Etung.
NEWS
We’ll Comply with PenCom’s 3-day Pension Payment Directive- PenOp

The Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) has assured the National Pension Commission (PenCom) that its members will comply with the recent directive to settle all pension benefits within three working days.
The Report says that the National Pension Commission has mandated Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Fund Custodians to approve and pay pension benefits to eligible applicants within three working days of receiving complete applications. Mr Oguche Agudah, Chief Executive Officer, PenOp, speaking with newsmen in Lagos, said that the directive was positive and capable of fostering accountability. Agudah said that PenOp members were fully aligned with PenCom’s efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the pension system in Nigeria.He said, “This is a good development for pensioners, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and the entire system.“PFAs are going to comply with this new directive, which is set to begin in June. We will ensure servicelevels are maintained, and we will also ensure people get their money as and when due.“We recognise the importance of timely payment of pension benefits to retirees, and we are committed to working with PenCom to achieve this goal.” (NAN)NEWS
Food Security: Benue Govt. partners FACAN on Pricing of Agric. Commodities

The Benue State Government is partnering with the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) on pricing of agricultural commodities in the state.
Mr Donald Akule, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Agricultural Development Company (ADC), who made the disclosure on Monday in Makurdi, said that the partnership would enhance food security. Akule restated the state government’s willingness to work with FACAN to mediate between the farmers and the government on the prices of commodities. The MD said that the aim was to ensure that all farmers get value for their produce and also ensure food availability. “We have declared a state of emergency on food insecurity. We want to make sure that every farmer gets value for what they produce. “In the coming days we are going to roll out a template of how this produce can be bought or mopped by the ADC and to make sure that we fill up our silos and food banks,” he said. Akule advised farmers to form cooperatives or groups for easy transactions, adding that the government would not work with individual farmers. “Agriculture business is a collective business; it is a collaborative business. We are going to liaise with FACAN to make sure that we regulate the prices of grains. “We will not recognise any person that is working in isolation. Any farmer that is not part of an organised working group would not be accepted,” he said. FACAN State Coordinator, Mr Vitalis Tarnongu, said Benue farmers were ready to partner with government in the regulation of prices enable them get value for their produce. Tarnongu said that their mandate was to ensure that the prices of commodities are set in such a way that both farmers and government make gains. The new state coordinator assured government of FACAN’s commitment with ADC to boost agricultural production.“We are ready to work closely with ADC to ensure food sufficiency.“We solicit your support and cooperation for the association to succeed in its assignment,” he added.(NAN)NEWS
Court Orders Man to Pay N140,0000 Feeding Allowance for Child

A Shari’a Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State on Monday ordered one Bilya Isah to pay the sum of N140,000 as feeding allowance for his child.
The Judge, Malam Kabir Muhammad made the ruling after one Rabi Musa, an ex wife to the defendant prayed the court to grant her custody of her one year and seven months old son. The Judge granted her custody and ordered Isah to pay N140, 000 as feeding allowance for the seven months he failed to provide and to continue paying N10, 000 monthly. Earlier the complainant said through her counsel, A. Badamasi that her ex husband had neglected their child for seven months and prayed the court to order him to pay N1 million as compensation for the months he missed.She also prayed the court to order the defendant to pay N30, 000 monthly feeding allowances.Meanwhile the defendant on his part said he can only afford N3, 000 monthly allowance.(NAN)