From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano

The Chairman of Bichi Local Government Council, Hon. Hamza Sule Maifata, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving education through massive support for students, teachers and education administrators across the local government area.

The Chairman, who was represented by the member-elect representing Bichi Local Government Area at the Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Lawan Shehu, made the declaration during the MAIFATA Prize Award Day held at the Bichi Local Government Secretariat.

Speaking at the event the council leadership said the initiative was aimed at encouraging academic excellence and rewarding hard work among pupils, teachers and school administrators in the area.

During the ceremony, several students from different primary schools across Bichi Local Government received awards for exceptional performance in various categories including Best Overall Student, Best Student in English Language and Best Student in Mathematics.

Students who emerged first, second and third positions were also honoured with prizes and recognition for their outstanding academic achievements.

In a major highlight of the event, the overall best student among primary school pupils in Bichi, a pupil from Badume Special Primary School, was presented with a brand-new bicycle as a reward for academic excellence.

Similarly, the most outstanding teacher was rewarded with a new Lifan motorcycle, while the Bichi Local Government Education Authority received an official vehicle to strengthen its operations.

The Executive Secretary of the Local Education Authority was also presented with a new motorcycle in recognition of efforts toward improving the education sector in the area.

The organisers noted that the gesture reflects the strong commitment of Hon. Hamza Sule Maifata’s administration to the development of education, in line with the education-friendly policies of Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Residents and stakeholders at the event commended the initiative, describing it as a major step toward motivating students and teachers to strive for excellence and improving the standard of education in Bichi Local Government Area.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Benue State chapter, has called on Federal and State governments to urgently provide seedlings and other agricultural inputs to farmers to ensure a successful cropping season and improved food production across the state.

State Chairman of AFAN, Enerst Atoji made the call in Makurdi while speaking to our correspondent on the concerns of Benue farmers.

Atoji, who spoke on preparedness for the 2026 farming season, expressed concern over the delay in the distribution of essential farming inputs, saying many farmers across the state were becoming anxious as the rainy season gradually intensified.

He recalled that in previous years, farmers had already begun receiving improved seedlings, fertilizers and other support materials through the Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA), sometimes as early as April and May.

According to him, such timely interventions usually enabled farmers to commence planting early, maximizing crop yields.

He however lamented that activities relating to the distribution of farm inputs have remained very low this year, warning that any further delay could negatively affect agricultural productivity and food security in the state.

He stated that Benue, known as the food basket of the nation, requires deliberate support to sustain its huge contribution to food production in Nigeria.

The AFAN chairman called on government agencies responsible for agriculture to take proactive steps by ensuring that improved seedlings, fertilizers, herbicides and other farming inputs are made available to genuine farmers without delay.

He stated that early planting remains critical to achieving bumper harvests, especially with the current realities of climate change and unpredictable rainfall patterns.

Atoji also urged the government to strengthen extension services and ensure that farmers in rural communities are adequately reached with modern farming techniques and support programmes.

He said that many small holder farmers depend heavily on government interventions to cultivate large hectares of farmland at every planting season.

The AFAN chairman expressed optimism that with adequate support and timely intervention from both the Federal and State governments, Benue farmers would record a successful farming season capable of boosting food supply and improving the livelihoods of rural dwellers.

The Director General of the Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), Adamu Salihu, has described the Dangote Group as a transformative force in Africa’s economic renaissance, saying the conglomerate is “not only industrialising Nigeria, but indeed the whole of Africa.

Speaking ahead of the Dangote Special Day at the 22nd Niger National Trade Fair in Minna, Salihu said the Chamber would use the event to further showcase the achievements of the Group to the people of Niger State, Nigerians and the wider African business community.

According to him, Dangote Group’s continued investments in cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, agriculture and energy have become a model of indigenous industrialisation and proof that African entrepreneurs can build globally competitive enterprises.

The NCCIMA Director General explained that the theme of this year’s fair, Public-Private Partnership as a Panacea for Nigeria’s Growth and Stability, was deliberately chosen to underscore the critical role of collaboration between government and the private sector in driving sustainable development.

He said Dangote Group’s investment profile aligns closely with the development priorities of Niger State, particularly in agriculture, where the company’s rice and sugar businesses complement the state’s vast arable land and ongoing drive to become Nigeria’s leading food production hub.

Salihu expressed optimism that the Group’s Vision 2030 strategy would help unlock large-scale investments in agriculture, mining and agro processing in Niger State, sectors in which the state enjoys both comparative and competitive advantages.

Dangote Group has unveiled its Vision 2030 roadmap, which seeks to expand African manufacturing, deepen supply chains and grow group revenue to $100 billion by the end of the decade.

Dangote Group currently operates across more than a dozen African countries, with interests spanning cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, petrochemicals, agriculture and energy.

The company says its core mission is to build local manufacturing capacity, create jobs and reduce dependence on imports across the continent.

Salihu said the Group’s backward integration strategy and local sourcing model have created wealth for Nigerians by stimulating domestic production and reducing the nation’s dependence on imports.

He described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a landmark project that has reshaped Nigeria’s energy landscape by conserving foreign exchange, eliminating fuel shortages, promoting competition and opening new opportunities for indigenous investors.

According to Salihu, the positive impact of the refinery extends to states such as Niger, where lower logistics costs and improved fuel availability are expected to support manufacturing, agriculture and commerce.

He added that Dangote Group’s commitment to local content, technology transfer and infrastructure development demonstrates how African-owned companies can drive the continent’s industrial transformation.

The NCCIMA Director General urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to emulate the boldness of Group President Aliko Dangote by investing in the country and building businesses that create long-term value.

He also called on large corporations to support nano, micro, small and medium enterprises by integrating them into their supply chains, noting that chambers of commerce can help identify credible businesses to serve as suppliers and service providers.

Salihu appealed to exhibitors, investors and the public to support the annual Niger National Trade Fair, describing it as a strategic platform for promoting investment, forging partnerships and advancing the economic aspirations of Niger State and Nigeria as a whole.

Salihu said Dangote Group’s industrial ambition is extending beyond Nigeria, noting that recent discussions on the establishment of a major refinery in East Africa further shows the company’s commitment to transforming Africa’s economy.

Salihu said the proposal, which was unveiled by President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, would replicate the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos and serve the East African market if governments in the region provide the necessary support.

He described the move as a clear demonstration that Dangote Group is “not only industrialising Nigeria, but indeed the whole of Africa.”

According to Salihu, the planned East African refinery shows the Group’s strategic vision of building world-class industrial assets that reduce Africa’s dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange, create jobs and strengthen regional value chains.

Dangote announced the proposal during the Africa We Build Summit in Nairobi, where he said his company was ready to construct an identical refinery in East Africa, potentially within the next four to five years, subject to government backing.

Salihu said this continental expansion aligns with Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 and confirms the company’s determination to use African capital, expertise and technology to drive industrial development across the continent.