Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reaffirmed his commitment to the Labour Party, saying he will not defect but will remain to help the party address its internal challenges. Otti made the statement on Wednesday at the Government House in Umuahia during the December edition of his Monthly Media Chat with journalists, titled “Gov. Otti Speaks with Abia People.” The governor said he joined the Labour Party before Mr Peter Obi and emphasized that his political future remained firmly rooted in the party, irrespective of any decisions taken by Obi. “I am not leaving the Labour Party. My responsibility…
Author: Newsdesk
Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola has pocketed roughly N896.5 billion from the sale of his controlling stake in Geregu Power Plc. This marks one of the largest private exits in the country’s power sector in recent years. The divestment, executed through the sale of his indirect holdings in Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited, represents a 5.7x return on his initial investment made at the company’s 2022 listing. According to company filings, Otedola and his affiliated entities held 1,909,709,273 shares, representing 76.388% of the company’s issued capital as of September 30, 2025. He reportedly sold 95% of this stake, or about 1.814 billion shares, in a $750 million transaction to MA’AM Energy Limited, which now becomes the controlling shareholder. Geregu Power…
Prices of sweet potatoes have crashed amid market glut in Bauchi. A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Wunti Market in Bauchi metropolis showed that prices had dropped by over 100 per cent in the past weeks. The market plummeted further by poor patronage amid increased supply of the produce. A medium size bag of sweet potatoes was sold at N5,000, and a basket goes for N500, as against its old prices of N15,000 and N2,000, respectively. Some of the traders attributed the trend to the persistent crash in prices of cereal crops and perishables this harvesting…
The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), on Wednesday announced concluding the year with successful enrolment and biometric capture of 2,500 informal sector beneficiaries statewide during December exercise successfully completed. The Director-General of KADCHMA, Abubakar Hassan, disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Kaduna, highlighting operational achievements and collaborative support that strengthened the state’s health insurance programme across the year. Hassan commended Gov. Uba Sani’s leadership and administrative approach for revitalising healthcare facilities statewide, saying reforms significantly improved service delivery, efficiency, and patient confidence among residents across Kaduna State generally. He noted remarkable progress in advocacy, sensitisation, and…
The introduction, propagation and dissemination of new varieties known as “Superior Banana Varieties” (SBVs), including FHIA hybrids and exotic landraces has significantly boosted banana production and household incomes among smallholder farmers in the Kagera region of Tanzania, revitalising a crop long plagued by pests, diseases and low yields. According to a recent report by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), nearly two decades after SBVs were first introduced, about 48 per cent of households in Kagera have adopted these improved varieties, with FHIA 17 accounting for 25 per cent of adopters, FHIA 23 for 7 per cent and FHIA 25 for…
In a significant move to bolster agricultural cooperation, Taiwan and Somaliland have signed an Agricultural Implementing Arrangement for the period 2026–2030. The agreement, which was signed by Taiwan’s Ambassador to Somaliland, Allen Lou, and Somaliland’s Agriculture Minister Mohamoud Ige Yusuf, marks a critical step forward in strengthening bilateral ties and advancing agricultural initiatives in the region. The new agreement builds on existing partnerships and significantly expands the scope of agricultural development projects, with increased financial support. It aligns closely with Somaliland’s Vision 2030, National Development Plan III, and National Seed Development Policy, while also contributing to the United Nations Sustainable…
Virtual fencing is emerging as an innovative response to the growing challenges of livestock management in expansive ranching systems across Africa and beyond, as agricultural researchers increasingly examine digital tools for sustainable grazing. The rapid expansion of ranching practices has intensified pressure on land resources, making traditional fencing less practical and significantly costlier for large, remote, or rugged grazing areas. Environmental degradation linked to unmanaged grazing, including soil erosion and declining biodiversity, has reinforced calls for more dynamic approaches that align livestock movement with ecological sustainability. Climate variability, particularly unpredictable rainfall patterns and fluctuating vegetation growth, further complicates grazing management…
Biodegradable film mulching, also known as biofilm, is emerging as a promising tool to make rice production more climate-resilient by sharply reducing water use and greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing yield, according to a latest report published by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Rice agriculture traditionally relies on continuous flooding, a practice that consumes vast quantities of freshwater and creates anaerobic soil conditions that promote methane emissions — a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. With climate change tightening water supplies and intensifying environmental concerns, scientists and farmers are exploring sustainable alternatives that maintain productivity while lowering environmental footprints.…
Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator (NPC) of the IFAD-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), has called for greater unity among Nigerians, saying the country’s diversity should be a source of strength rather than division. Aliyu made the call on Tuesday after she was conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Nne na-edozi obodo” (Champion of Community Development) by the Amike Autonomous Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. She urged Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers, irrespective of their region or background. “I feel highly honoured by this title and I promise to do more for the community,…
The Kwara State Government, in collaboration with the Kwara State Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom, has inaugurated an ultra-modern cassava processing factory in Osin-Pakate, Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Afees Abolore-Alabi, said the cooperative-led initiative aligns with the state’s agricultural development priorities. He described the project as a significant milestone in strengthening cassava value addition and agro-processing in Kwara. Abolore-Alabi noted that the initiative demonstrates how farmer organizations, supported by appropriate policies and strategic partnerships, can drive sustainable agribusiness growth.…