News
Easter: Zulum felicitates with Christians, urges prayers for success of insurgents’ mass surrender

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has felicitated with christians in the state and rest of Nigeria at the ongoing easter festival.

Zulum, in a statement by his spokesman malam Isa Gusau, called on citizens to pray and deeply reflect on key messages of the easter which align with Borno Government’s programme that welcomes the mass surrender of insurgents who undergo stringent security profiling, disarmament, demobilization and safe reintegration procedures that can guarantee the full return of sustainable peace in Borno State.

See Zulum’s message below:
“On behalf of the Borno State Government, I felicitate with our christian brothers and sisters in Borno State at the ongoing easter festival. To my understanding, some of the main reflections of the easter festival are the importance of making sacrifices for the greater good of humanity, having the strength to forgive offenders, and being able to reemerge stronger from serious difficulties”
“All of these appear to speak to the realities of our situation in Borno State.”
“In over 12 years of our battles with insurgents (Boko Haram and later, ISWAP) Borno State, for the first time, has a golden window that has the potential of ending the insurgency.”
“The mass surrender of over 35,000 fighters and commanders, is certainly one of Allah’s many miracles towards healing Borno and rest of the northeast.”
“This mass surrender is product of the endless prayers citizens across Borno, the northeast, rest of Nigeria and indeed the world, have been offering, seeking God’s intervention to heal Borno State. It is the product of immense sacrifices by armed forces and volunteers. It is product of repeated calls by political leaders, clergies, elders and traditional rulers, asking insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace.”
“We must therefore be optimistic in welcoming the likely benefits of disarming, demobilizing, rehabilitating and reintegrating mass-surrendered insurgents.”
“However, we must welcome them without disregarding the risks associated with the programme, hence the need for sustain stringent security profiling and other DDR procedures that can ensure overall safety of the programme.”
“I therefore urge all citizens to fervently pray for the success of our DDR for the mass surrender of those who seek peace, and for the successes of our armed forces and volunteers in front lines against those who insist on violence.”
“May God grant us enduring peace in Borno State, the northeast and rest of Nigeria. Happy Easter to our christian brothers and sisters.” Zulum was quoted in all paragraphs.

News
Governor Alia distances self from protest against Benue CJ
As protest rocks Benue State against the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpembese for relocating the Benue Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal from Makurdi to Abuja, Governor Hyacinth Alia has distanced himself from the protest.

Protesters in their hundreds from Benue State took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, for a peaceful protest from the National Assembly to the Supreme Court to express their outrage over the Benue CJ’s decision.

Prior to Monday’s massive protest Justice Ikpembese raised security concerns and moved the Tribunal to Abuja, a development that triggered protest as they are saying the Tribunal would have remained in Makurdi for them to monitor proceedings.
The tribunal is currently handling disputes arising from the Benue State Local Government elections conducted on October 5, 2024.
Reports indicate that 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have filed cases at the tribunal since October 17, 2024.
The Benue State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, had questioned the CJ’s unilateral decision, noting that neither the governor nor his office had been formally notified.

News
Shehu Sani debunks Governor Uba Sani’s alleged diversion of LG funds, challenges El-Rufai to publicly tender evidence

Civil Rights Activist and former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani has debunked the former Governor, Malamn Nasir El-Rufai’s allegation that Governor Uba Sani has diverted the Local Government Councils allocation to buy properties abroad.

Shehu Sani said El-Rufai’s allegation is “falsely crafted to smear the name of of the Governor because of the N420 billion investigation hanging on him like the sword of damocles.”

Reacting to the allegation on Monday, Shehu Sani challenged the former Governor to release proofs of purchases of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London by Uba Sani publicly.
He said, Kaduna people would not forget in a hurry how Nasir El-Rufai plundered the State in eight years as Governor of the State, stressing that he should stop pushing falsehood into the public space.
He said: “As Kaduna indigenes, we are all living witnesses to how El-Rufai plundered the State and now investigation has indicted him and he should face it rather than pushing falsehood into the public domain.
El-Rufai should be bold enough to show proofs linking governor Uba Sani in the purchase of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London, then we will take him serious.
“But he should be ready answer for the whereabouts of N420 billion because that money is substantial enough to develop Kaduna State to an extent”, Shehu Sani maintained.

News
Bill to establish National Cashew Production and Research Institute in Kogi passes first reading in Senate

The Nigerian Senate has passed for first reading a Bill to establish the National Cashew Production and Research Institute to be sited at Idah in Kogi East Senatorial District after it was laid on Wednesday last week.

The Bill which was sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho representing Kogi East Senatorial District said, the propsed research institute will be situated at Idah, headquarters of Igala kingdom and the institute will be charged with the responsibilities of cashew research, processing and boosting production for local and export consumption.

According to the documents of the proposed bill made available on Monday, it pointed out that the Federal Government could leverage on the abundant cashew production in Kogi East and by extension Kogi State and other parts of the country to ensure that the quality of cashew is processed in line with the global standards, notwithstanding that the current quality of cashew from Kogi State is sought all over the world.
He said the legal framework of the Research Institute will identify the value chain and processing, ensuring that at each level, there is job creation for the teaming youths and not just for the raw nuts to be exported, stating that the current handling of cashew nuts was unacceptable as it tended to bypass the needed revenue that would been generated into government coffers.
Senator Isah said: “This will not only improve the quality of cashew products but also provide support to farmers and cashew business owners in Kogi State, particularly in Kogi East, which is known for its high cashew production.
“The institute will also attract investment, create jobs, and ensure better pricing for cashew farmers, thereby strengthening the local economy in Kogi East, Kogi State and Nigeria at large.”
DAILY POST recalled that a fortnight ago, Kogi State government was urged by the State House of Assembly to safeguard cashew and other economic trees in the State by putting in place stringent measures against abuse.
The regulatory measures which the State parliament said will be put in place, urged the State government to enforce the laws with serious sanction for any erring persons and to also stop foreigners from accessing cashew farms in the State.
The resolution was the outcome of a motion sponsored by Hon. Oluwaseyi Bello representing Kabba Bunu State Constituency in the House of Assembly, adding that the State Ministry of Agriculture should properly monitor and regulate the activities of exploitative foreign businessmen in the interest of revenue for the State and security of the people.
Kogi continues to be the leading State in cashew production in Nigeria which the State government attributed to robust and sound agricultural policies.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo once said: “Kogi State is the biggest producer of cashew in Nigeria because of our sound agricultural policies geared towards empowering farmers with improved seedlings, mechanization, agrochemicals as well as creating an enabling environment for the private sector to invest in cashew production.”

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