Afe Babalola Doles Out N11M To Ekiti Farmers.

Afe Babalola Doles Out N11M To Ekiti Farmers.

Elder statesman and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has presented a sum of N11.5 million as empowerment to farmers across the 16 Local Government Areas of the State.

Babalola doled out the cash award to the outstanding farmers at the weekend during the grand finale of the 2023 edition of Afe Babalola Agricultural Exhibition ( AB-EX) and empowerment of youths in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.

At the event, about 80 farmers from the 16 LGAs received a sum of N9.2 million; the overall best farmer got N2 million and other cash awards for the local council areas; while 32 youths received empowerment tools for self-reliance.

Babalola who congratulated the farmers for success of this year’s edition explained that his efforts in empowering farmers in the last nine years in the state were borne out of his genuine concern to boost food sufficiency in the society and contribute to the economic growth of the country.

He revealed that the decision of the Forum for International Green Sustainability (FIGS) which is a body that promotes food security across the world to decorate him as grand patron and the distinguished African Man of the Year in food security 2014, necessitated his resolve to fund the yearly farmers exhibition.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that investment in agriculture remains the only way for the country to survive its current challenges, adding that when farmers are producing in commercial quantities it would reduce the over-dependence on foreign foods and unemployment rate.

Floods kill 28, displace 48,168 as Cameroon opens dam.

Floods kill 28, displace 48,168 as Cameroon opens dam.

The Federal Government, on Saturday, said 28 people have been killed and 48,168 others displaced by widespread flooding in the country.

It also drew the attention of states of imminent flooding on the River Benue line as the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon has been spilling water since October 1, 2023, a development that usually leads to massive flooding in Nigeria.

The government announced this through the National Emergency Management Agency during an emergency meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Saturday.

Speaking at the meeting, the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, said, “I wish to update you on the NEMA situation room dashboard which indicates that this year’s flood scenario has affected 159,157 people, resulted in the loss of 28 people and the displacement of 48,168 individuals in 13 states across Nigeria.”

Ahmed said Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Delta, Edo, Anambra, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Nasarawa and Bayelsa states had been affected by the floods.

He, therefore, called for the activation of all emergency response units to be ready for any emergency because the flood would increase as the days went by.

“The update from NEMA is that the agency has been alerted to the sudden increased inundation of riparian communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states in the past 48 hours.

“The sudden situation is attributed to the rapid release of water from Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities,” he said.

He added, “Furthermore, croplands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters. Situation reports from Adamawa State confirm the upsurge of flood waters along the flood plains of River Benue.

“The situation is expected to be replicated in downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa, as the River Benue joins River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta.”

Construction of Adamawa’s third flyover begins.

Construction of Adamawa’s third flyover begins.

Work officially started Saturday morning on the construction of the third flyover in Adamawa State.

The project is in the state capital, Yola, where the first two flyovers were also located.

As with the new project, the first two, completed in 2021 and 2022 respectively, are the brain child of the administration of Governor Ahmadu Funtiri.

Formally laying the foundation for the new flyover at the Mubi Road Roundabout in Jimeta, Yola, Fintiri said it is a fulfilment of his campaign promises. 

The Governor said urban renewal is one of the cardinal goals of his administration as encapsulated in his 8-point agenda.

“In our first term in office, we prosecuted this campaign with great vigour and in this second term, I want to reassure you that we shall prosecute this campaign with even greater strength.

“We have improved the infrastructural status of both our urban and rural centers tremendously and we are not willing to back pedal on this course until the narrative is completely altered for the better,” Fintiri said.

With specific reference to the new project, Fintiri said: “To the Glory of God, the former Mubi Road Roundabout is by this groundbreaking confined to antiquities. And in its place, we shall have an overhead bridge with the reconstruction of the roads linking the adjoining streets.”

He disclosed that the contract for the project is awarded at the total contract sum of ₦9,264,498,755.33K.

“It is awarded as Lot 1 with a completion period of 18 months,” he explained.

Ex-NFF boss Pinnick, Davido fight over $94,600 ‘no show’ allegation.

Ex-NFF boss Pinnick, Davido fight over $94,600 ‘no show’ allegation.

Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick, has called out Afrobeat singer, Davido, for failing to perform at an event despite being paid $94,600.

Speaking during the 19th edition of Warri Again, Amaju claimed that the organisers also booked a private jet for $18,000 for the ‘Unavailable Crooner’ but he never showed up.

He stated that the organisers had to replace him with another act, Shallipopi.

According to him: “We paid Davido $94,600 on the 6th of April. We paid $18,000 for his plane.

“If he says he’s a big boy, we will tell him we are bigger than him.

“I’m not joking. So, while he was playing his games back and forth, we decided to hunt to find another artiste, Shallipopi.

“You see, when people say they are big, I’m amazed. Is Burna Boy not the biggest artiste in Nigeria today? Burna Boy is half Itsekiri. Burna Boy’s paternal grandmother is Itsekiri. So, he’s bigger than him (Davido).

“Is there anyone bigger than RMD in the acting industry? Or someone bigger than Ali Baba in the comedy industry?

Read Also: Davido spots uniform with popular dancing kids for ‘Feel’, melts hearts

“We have stars aplenty in Warri. Nobody is bigger than Warri.”

However, the Afrobeats star in what looked like a subtle response posted on X, Saturday, bragged that nobody could stop him from performing anywhere in Nigeria.

He assured fans in Warri that he would be in their city soon.

“Nobody can stop me from performing anywhere in Nigeria… Warri I will see you soon,” he wrote.

He also posted a picture of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) logo with the caption; “Make I no talk.”

Renewed Hope: Humanitarian Minister Betta Edu Presents 40 Houses In Resettlement City To IDPs In Gusau, Zamfara State.

Renewed Hope: Humanitarian Minister Betta Edu Presents 40 Houses In Resettlement City To IDPs In Gusau, Zamfara State.

The Federal Government under President Tinubu, has expressed  its commitment to address pressing humanitarian challenges in the country including providing decent homes for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). 

Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu made this known when she handed over fourty fully completed house at the resettlement city built by the Refugees commission to the IDPs at Gidan Dawa area of Gusau, Zamfara State.

Recall that several persons were displaced in Zamfara, including a visibly old mother of four who was thrown out of their abode as a result of banditry attacks in their communities and lived with her grand children and community in the forest for months.

Their stories have however changed with the new homes given to them by President Tinubu's Renewed Hope intervention from the Refugee commission.

The Minister said president Bola Ahmad Tinubu is determined to provide more shelter to IDPs across the country, stressing that a new dawn has birthed and their story will change moving forward. 

Edu who made the presentation to the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, in the presence of the High Federal Commissioner Hon. Tijani Ahmed called on the International  Communities, Private Establishments and Public Spirited Individuals to support humanitarian response in the State.

"This Resettlement City Project is not just a physical endeavour; it is a beacon of hope for the beneficiaries and the State.

"We are going to provide more lighting to this environment to further illuminate this new city as part of security measures, this is with immediate effect.

Responding to the Governor's request to build more homes and cities for the Internally Displaced Persons in other parts of the Senatorial district, the Minister said;

"Mr Governor, all you need to do is to provide us with lands and other requirements at the State level that will enable us to build as requested," she said.

In his remarks, the Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Aliyu Commended the federal government for her interest in security  situation in the State.

"Zamfara is in dire need of support. The provision of an IDP resettlement 

facility in the State Capital, Gusau, is indeed a welcome development. We appreciate the 

collaborative efforts of the Federal Government in alleviating the suffering of our people. In this regard, the Government and the good people of Zamfara State remain grateful for this kind gesture.

"We request for more support particularly, we request that the Honorable Minister use her good offices to construct two 

more of these projects, one each in the remaining two zones, Zamfara North and West 

Senatorial Districts. This is to fulfil the initial plan of these vital intervention projects," the Governor said.

Also Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Alhaji Tijjani Aliyu Ahmed said the handing over of the houses was part of the 

Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu which underscores the paramount importance of the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons in his government.

He said with the Minister's approval, more programmes, projects and opportunities will come to the state under his Commission. 

NBC serves Arise TV final warning on alleged violation of Broadcasting Code.

NBC serves Arise TV final warning on alleged violation of Broadcasting Code.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has given the operators of Arise TV final warning on alleged violation of Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

Director-General of NBC,  Balarabe Shehu llelah, gave the warning in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of Arise Global Limited and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Abuja.

In the letter titled “Preponderance of derogatory and incendiary remarks: Final warning”, Ilelah said the commission had observed with concern, the preponderance of incendiary remarks allowed on Arise News.

“This letter once again seeks to underscore the tremendous responsibility put on the broadcaster to manage array of guests that may feature on the station from time to time.

“For the benefit of doubt, on Oct. 5 during the programme – ‘The Morning Show’, anchored by Reuben Abati, Rufai Useni and Ayo Mairo Ese, featured Oladotun Hassan and Dele Farotimi as guests.

“The programme contained unguarded incendiary remarks by Dele Farotimi against the legislature, executive, judiciary and Mr President.

“Similarly, On Oct. 6, during the programme “Newsday”, it featured Kenneth Okonkwo (Spokesperson for Labour Party) who used derogatory remarks on air.

“Your attention is therefore drawn to the relevant sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code for compliance please,” Ilelah said.

The NBC boss explained further that section 1.10.3 says the broadcaster shall ensure that its presenter does not express his or her opinion in the programme, as a matter of professional standard.

He said section 3.3.1 (a) stipulates that the broadcaster shall ensure that any information given in a programme, in whatever form, is accurate

NBC warns Arise TV over derogatory remarks

Illelah said 3.3.3 (c) provided that the broadcaster shall be above inherent biases, prejudices and subjective mindsets

According to section 3.3.1(e), the Broadcaster shall not treat any individual or organisation in an unjust and unfair manner in any programme.

The NBC boss further explained that section 5.3.3(b) of the code stated that the broadcaster shall, in using political materials for news and current affairs programmes, avoid hate speech, inflammatory, derogatory, and divisive remarks of allusions.

“Section 5.5.6 says, the broadcaster shall have a delay mechanism to guard against possible undesirable content.

“Arise TV is advised to install a delay mechanism to guard against possible undesirable contents as prescribed in Section 5.5.6 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

“Please note that henceforth, your station shall be held liable for any infraction on your platform and applicable sanctions shall be imposed as prescribed by Law,” Ilelah stressed.

(NAN)

Federal Government suspends N-Power indefinitely.

Federal Government suspends N-Power indefinitely.

The Federal Government has suspended N-Power programme indefinitely.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu announced the suspension during aninterview with TVC News.

According to Edu, the decision to suspend the programme was birthed by several flaws within the scheme.

The Minister added that a government:s  probe into how the money has been used since the program’s inception has already kick-started.

She said that some of the beneficiaries are not found in their place of assignments yet they expect monthly stipends.

Some of the beneficiaries, according to the Minister, should have left the programme since 2022 but are still on the payroll.

According  to her:: “We must go back to look into N-Power and understand what the problems are so we will basically suspend the programe for now until we are done with proper investigation into the utilization of fund into the N-Power program.

“We want to know how many persons are basically on the program right now, how many persons are owed, amount they are owed. We are totally restructuring the N-Power and expanding it.

“There are lots going on. We met people who are supposed to have exited the program since last year and they are still on claiming that they are still teaching.

“Sometimes we contact the school or the places where they are working and they are not there. They are not working yet they keep claiming that they are being owed eight or nine months stipends.

“About 80 percent of them are not working yet they are claiming salaries.”

The Nation recalls that N-Power Program was introduced by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to combat youth unemployment and promote social development.