News
Benue Agric company to scale up skill acquisition among youths for sustainable agrotechnology
The Benue State Agricultural Development Company (BSADC) says it will build sustainable agrotechnology systems and inspire the teeming youths to venture into large-scale commercial agriculture production to boost the state economy.
BSADC’s newly appointed Managing Director, Dr Donald Akule, made the disclosure in Makurdi at a two-day retreat organised by the company tagged “Food Basket Model.”.
Akule said that the initiative was imperative to attract and retain youth in the sector for Benue to incontrovertibly remain the food basket of the nation.
He stated that the company would Innovate, Inspire, and Impact (3i)” the youth to participate in agriculture.
The M-D added that the initiative would ensure food security, using the food basket model as a tool for intergenerational transfer of wealth with the slogan, “Our land, Our Oil”.
He said that they would commence with the Existing Project Revamp Strategy (EPRS), where details about the key projects associated with BSADC that were currently in comatose would be discussed
Akule listed the projects in comatose to include Apir Integrated Farm, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Farms, Feed Mills and Silos, Livestock Investigation Centre, Ikyogen Cattle Ranch, and Goat Ranch Niegev and Agricultural Training Centres, among others.
“We need to, through the workshop, develop a strategy to revamp and restore them to full operational capacity.
“This retreat serves as a crucial opportunity for us to step back from our daily tasks, engage in meaningful discussions, and implement the strategy of various food empowerment initiatives.
“We will explore simple regenerative agricultural models that will empower the local farmers, propel mechanisation, eliminate post-harvest losses, and stimulate the economy.
“Our mission is to transform Benue into a leading hub of sustainable agriculture, leveraging people-centred and value chain approaches to improve livelihoods, create jobs, and strengthen food security.”
The managing director thanked
Gov. Hyacinth Alia for the confidence reposed on them and the opportunity to serve the state.
He stated that the collective wisdom of the stakeholders would guide them in shaping the future of agriculture.
Our reporter observed that the retreat was attended by agricultural stakeholders from both the private and public sectors.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
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