NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
General News

Mini grid dev’t catalyst for Nigeria’s energy solution – Experts

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Mini grid dev’t catalyst for Nigeria’s energy solution – Experts

By Mohammed Bababusu

Some experts in Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa have advocated increased investment to fast track development of the Independent Mini Power Grid, to boost electricity supply in the country.

They said the measure was necessary to check the incessant collapse of the national grid and its negative impact on the nation’s economy.

Mr Joseph Adedayo, an energy expert in Lokoja, Kogi, said that the establishment of independent mini power grids would greatly minimise power failure in the country.

He noted that if the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, would build theirs mini power grids, the problem of power would be solved.

Adebayo blamed the current power challenges on weak regulations and lack of clear policies, hindering the development of state-owned power plants.

According to him, inadequate generation capacity slows down growth and expansion in the sector, thereby making it difficult for states to establish independent power plants.

He said that financial constraints also served as one of the major challenges hindering the state governments to venture into power generation.

The expert said that the establishment and maintenance of a power plant required substantial investment, which could be daunting for states with limited financial resources.

“The rising insecurity and frequent vandalism of power infrastructure pose significant risks to investing in independent power plants.

“These challenges highlight the complexity of Nigeria’s power sector and the need for comprehensive reforms to enable states to develop their own power plants efficiently,” he said.

While urging governments at all levels to secure power infrastructure to prevent vandalism and sabotage, Adebayo advised them to make a concerted effort to invest in mini-grids that could serve specific communities or local governments.

Mrs Joy Agu, a hair stylist, appealed to the Federal Government to do its best to address the incessant collapse of National grid, saying they could no longer cope with exorbitant cost of petrol to run their businesses.

“All my equipment are using electricity, and there is no way we can survive in this hair dressing profession without regular power supply, because we can’t cope with the fuel price.

“We are appealing to the government to fulfill its promise of ensuring stable electricity supply in the country,” Agu said.

Also, Hamza Aliyu, the Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), emphasised the need to build capacity of states’ legislatures to understand the dynamics of the sector to be able to develop and pass regulatory laws that address specific needs of their respective states.

Aliyu also advised the legislators to enact laws that could also protect the rights of consumers.

“Since 1960, the right to legislate on issues concerning generation, transmission and distribution of electricity has always been the prerogative of the federal government.

“The amendment that enabled states to also participate, means that the one critical challenge of weak capacity, knowledge and expertise will have to be built for them to effectively participate.

“The energy subsector is capital intensive. The present resource management structure in Nigeria will make it challenging for states to get partners in the private sector to participate in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, ” he said.

He added that the human resources needed for coordination and implementation of the regulatory frameworks must be developed locally to ensure sustainabiplity.

Aliyu advised educational institutions and governments at State levels to work together to develop those capacities and produce the needed graduates from the State universities, colleges among others.

Mr Peter Onujeme, Director, Pee-links Electronic World Limited, streseed the need for the review power generation and distribution system to an independent national grid.

Onujeme said the National Grid system of distributing power was no longer workable, adding that, “to me, the government should, as a matter of urgency, unbundle the national grid system if it really wants to tackle the country’s power challenges.

“I suggest that independent power grids should be built in every region, and going forward build in every state of the federation.

“With this, the nation will stop depending on very few power plants that are generating inadequate megawatts to feed its huge population.

“A template is the Geometrics Power plant in Aba (built by a private investor), which is serving Aba and it’s environs.

“If this is replicated in all economic hubs in the country – Onitsha, Nnewi, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Kaduna, it will take the strain off the country’s power infrastructure.

The director said going forward, the construction of those mini plants would cascade down to every state of the federation and the perennial and embarrassing power problem would be permanently solved.

He blamed the current challenges on legislators, who had stopped states from having their independent power plants, until the Buhari lead administration changed the narrative and liberalised the power sector, allowing states to build their private power generating plants.

“As a result, Lagos has built one in the Ikeja hub, while geometrics came up in Aba. We are expecting more in most of the states,” Onujeme said.

According to him, corruption, lack of funds, vision and the political will are the major barriers preventing states from embarking on independent power projects.

Importantly, the Niger state government has announced plans to build its own power plant, following the signing of the new electricity act into law by President Bola Tinubu in 2023.

The legislation empowered states to generate, distribute, and transmit electricity, positioning them as key players in the electricity

Yakubu Katamba, Director-General, Niger State Electricity Board, said the state was poised to take advantage of the opportunity, adding that the state legislature must enact a law to regulate the market in terms of distribution and transmission of electricity.

Katamba revealed that a new agency, the Niger State Regulatory Agency, would be responsible for overseeing the process.

He said the proposed law had been sent the state assembly and expected to be passed before the end of the year.

Katamba identified the absence of a regulatory law as a significant challenge towards establishing a state-owned power plant.

Katamba said the state government had launched the Bago Electrifying Niger State Agenda to tackle the challenges of electricity supply in the state

This, he said, focused on repairing bad transformers to reduce power failures, upgrading obsolete breakers in Minna, Kontagora and Bida, and establishing relief stations to reduce load on overloaded substations
He said that by addressing these challenges and leveraging the new electricity act, Niger state aimed to become a key player in the electricity sector and ensure a stable power supply for its residents.

Mr Danladi Jatau, the Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, said the legislature would do its best to ensure that the state government got the needed legislative backing to generate, transmit and distribute sufficient power supply to the people of the state.

He said that, if the state generate its own electricity, it would tackle the lingering issue of poor electricity supply in the state.
“This will create jobs, boost socioeconomic activities and increase the revenue base of the state,” the speaker said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mohammed Baba Busu/ Isaac Ukpoju

Defence/Security

Stay away from Bayelsa or pay dearly – Police warn economic saboteurs

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By Nathan Nwakamma

The Police Command in Bayelsa has warned blue economy saboteurs to avoid the state, saying it would use every legal means to protect Nigeria’s economic interest.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Francis Alonyenu, said this in Yenagoa during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Alonyenu said that being a major player in Nigeria’s blue economy, the command was poised to ensure peace and order.

He said that with its rich maritime, petroleum and gas economic value, the Nigeria Police Force would ensure that these assets are properly harnessed for the good of the people of the state and Nigeria in general.

The commissioner said the command had reduced crime rate to the barest minimum through surveillance drones, to ensure effective policing of the state and its maritime environment.

This, he said, had given individuals and corporate entities the liberty to go about their normal businesses unmolested.

He said the success recorded by the command could be partly attributed to crime mapping which enabled it to understand, for instance, the motivation behind attacks on pipelines and how to address the challenge.

The Commissioner said having contained the activities of economic saboteurs on Bayelsa’s waters, the command was carrying out clearance in the area and assured its determination to maintain the status quo.

NAN recalls that Bayelsa is one of the leading oil-producing states in the country with a sophisticated network of pipelines both on the sea and land.

In the recent past, these facilities that are at the heart of the nation’s economy have come under attack by economic saboteurs to break the pipelines or divert the crude oil.

Nigeria loses an estimated 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day to oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of criminality.

The menace has culminated in revenue losses estimated at N1.29 trillion annually, said Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He spoke at the inauguration of the New Headquarters, Naval Training Command Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers. (NAN) (www.nannews)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Agriculture

FG, partners unveil 20m capacity fish hatchery in Cross River

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By Christian Njoku

The Federal Government in collaboration with development partners has established a model fish hatchery in Calabar, Cross River, to accelerate pisciculture and food security in the country.

The hatchery is designed with an annual 20 million fingerlings production capacity, a fully functional laboratory, classrooms and a research centre.

The facility was jointly funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Cross River Government, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Others include the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta (LIFE ND), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Feed the Future Project, among other private sector collaborators.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, who inaugurated the facility on Thursday, said that apart from adding to food security, it would also serve as a hub for employment and income generation for youths and women in the aquaculture subsector.

“The South-South region holds a significant position as Nigeria’s oil and fishery hubs, motivating the provision of this facility to build the capacity of fish farmers and enhance productivity through research activities.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is committed to advancing the nation’s agri-food system through technology and innovation for job creation, youth empowerment, and poverty reduction,” he said.

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River, said that the model fish hatchery project was conceptualised to address the challenges of unavailability and inaccessibility of juveniles, which were identified as impediments to fish farming.

Represented by Mr Johnson Ebokpo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Otu said the production of fish feeds at low cost would bring down cost of production.

According to him, it will also enhance sales and bring additional profit to fish farmers.

He appreciated Kyari for providing conducive environment for all the interventions the state had received from foreign organisations.

Mr Abiodun Sanni, National Project Coordinator, LIFE ND, described the project as a testament to effective collaboration, adding that it would encourage youths to embrace agriculture in the Niger Delta.

Sanni noted that while the project was expected to create jobs, wealth and enhace food security in the Niger Delta and Nigeria, it would also revolutionise aquaculture in the state.

Also, Dr Ben Odoemena, Chief of Party, USAID Feed the Future Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, said 20 million juveniles stood for about N1.6 billion that would be injected into the economy of Cross River annually.

Odoemena said if properly maintained, conservatively, the hatchery would inject about N60 billion into the state  economy annually. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Peter Amine

Environment

Climate change: Nigeria making progress in energy transition – Onuigbo

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By Uche Anunne

Climate change activist, Sam Onuigbo says Nigeria is making progress in meeting its energy transition efforts.

Onuigbo, who is participating in the ongoing 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference, CoP29, said this during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

The conference is taking place in Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan.

Onuigbo, a former federal lawmaker, said the Climate Change Act which he sponsored as a member of House of Representatives and the establishment of National Council on Climate Change Nigeria, laid a solid foundation for climate change actions.

He is also a member, representing South-East, Governing Board, and Chairman Committee on Security, Climate Change, North-East Development Commission.

He said the Act and the Council provide the legal framework and institution for climate change policy implementation.

The former lawmaker said that the Compressed Natural Gas initiative as an alternative for fossil fuel vehicles by the Bola Tinubu`s administration was a bold step towards energy transition.

Onuigbo said the Electricity Act 2023 was a further impetus to providing cleaner energy.

The Act liberalises the nation’s electricity generation, transmission and distribution at the national level and empowers states, companies and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

The Act also permits private investors to obtain generation, transmission and systems operations licenses.

Onuigbo said CoP29 presented an opportunity for Nigeria to boost investment in climate change initiatives.

According to him, Nigeria’s delegation to the conference will market Nigeria’s climate change market to international investors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Agriculture

FG, IFAD-SAPZ to boost Nigeria’s agro-industrial dev’t

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By FeliciA Imohimi

The Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme have pledged to make all states across the country agro-industrial hubs by 2026.

Dr Dede Ekoue, Country Director, IFAD, made the pledge at the 1st joint Federal Government/IFAD Supervision Mission Wrap-Up of SAPZ on Friday in Abuja.

Ekoue said the gesture would be achieved through the implementation of the project in all states of the federation.

She said that the accelerated pilot intervention in Kano had proven to be highly effective model, laying strong foundation for the project’s future success and ensuring tangible benefits were reaching the targeted rural smallholder farmers.

The country director said the project had so far reached 1000 beneficiaries in Kano out of the 7,398 profiled farmers between September 2024 and September 2025 in the state.

She described the progress achieved so far at the early phase as a strong indicator of its potential to achieve its goal in upcoming years.

“We have already reached over 1000 beneficiaries under the pilot project, which demonstrates our commitment to the targeting strategy and our goal of inclusivity.

“The project is on the right path to meeting the SAPZ’s gender and youth representative targets, with 44.5 per cent of the beneficiaries being female and 28.8 per cent youth.

“As we progresses, we are on track to meet the 50 per cent female and 40 per cent youth representation targets in the targeted areas of Kano and Ogun States.’’

Ekoue identified the target of reaching 24,000 beneficiaries across Ogun and Kano by 2025 as ambitious and achievable.

She called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to accelerate the pace of implementation and prioritise scaling up successful intervention.

“We must continue to strengthen our partnerships; leverage new technologies and adapt quickly to the changing agricultural landscape,” she said.

Ekoue identified other achievements of the project as capacity building for farmer-based organisations, establishment of demonstration plots, partnerships with local institutions, strong collaboration with state and local government and private sector engagement.

She said the project has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Commodity Alliance Federation.

According to her, the gesture is as an important step towards enhancing the livelihoods of farmers by opening new pathways to market opportunities.

Dr Kabir Yusuf, National Programme Coordinator, SAPZ, said the project’s overall development objective was to support the development of SAPZ in high food production areas to supply the domestic food market and create exportable surpluses.

According to him, it is also to capacitate smallholder farmers, small agro-processors and traders and community-based service providers including women and youth.

Yusuf said the programme was being piloted in Kano and subsequently, Ogun.

He said it would be implemented across the 36 states of the federation through the bye-in of the government.

“If the SAPZ project is implemented across all the state it will directly or indirectly create at least 500,000 jobs in each states outside the jobs that will spring up along the value chain.

“l am optimistic that as we have reach our pilot target group, we will rich our target in 2025 and the issue of food security will be history

“We will at that point develop infrastructure for our processing industry and by the end of 2026 we will have full fledge SAPZ and agro-Industrial development across the country,’’ he said.

Mr Musa Bukar, Director, Project Coordinating Unit, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMFS), said the supervision mission was to access the level of implementation of the project in Kano and identify key bottleneck.

“The mission is also to make recommendation on way forward to accelerate progress.

“SAPZ has successfully foster collaboration with key stakeholders including the Kano State ministry of agriculture, agro-pastoral development programme, among others.

“These efforts help assure that the project aligned with local needs and provides a strong foundation for the project’s successes and quality improvement,’’ he said.

Tabi Karikari, Chief Agro-Industrial Officer, African Development Bank (AfDB), who identified SAPZ as a game changer, said it was accelerated for its capacity to change any rural communities from zones of misery to becoming zones of prosperity. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

General News

Yuletide: Nigerians seek better roads to curb auto crashes

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By Mohammed Bababusu

As Nigerians prepare for the festive season, some residents of Lokoja in Kogi have urged the federal and state government to fix bad roads in the state, to prevent Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) during the Yuletide.

A cross section of the residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the measure was imperative to enable Nigerians to ply good and safe roads during Christmas and New Year festivities.

Kogi occupies a central spot in Nigeria where people across the country pass through the state, serving as gateway to southern and northern parts of the country, hence the need to repair the roads.

Amb. Idris Muraina, Chairman, Kogi Non-Governmental Network (KONGNet), decried the poor state of roads in the country, stressing that “Kogi is no exception to bad roads”.

Muraina said the roads were being overstretched by traffic volume considering the multitude of travelers passing through the ‘Kogi corridor’ to other parts of the country.

“Not until recently the state government under the current administration has shown some level of interest in maintaining existing roads and opening up new access roads.

“The federal government had done a great level of disservice to the road infrastructure over the years.

“For instance, the Lokoja – Abuja road has been under construction since 2003 without results,

“The Ganaja junction – Ganaja – Ajaokuta that was recently awarded to be constructed using concrete technology and that job has indeed suffered from a slow pace.

“The Okene – Ajaokuta bypass was being halted for no reasonable cause.

“All these road networks are interconnecting roads that should ordinarily ease the movement of Nigerians within and across the state but they are currently in bad condition,” he said.

Importantly; the ongoing construction of the overhead bridge at Kabba junction was designed to ease traffic flow within the corridor, and allow for free movement during the Yuletide and beyond.

Muraina attributed the deplorable condition of the roads to lack of political commitment; corruption and neglect by relevant authorities in the country.

He also identified corruption as a major obstacle militating against effective operations of road maintenance agencies to fix potholes on the highways in spite of the budgetary provisions.

“The EFCC should beam its search light on projects and contracts not executed or badly executed to bring to book defaulters,” he said.

Also commenting, Mr Alhassa, the Managing Director, Kogi Road Maintenance Agency (KOGROMA), said the agency and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had accorded premium to major roads like the Lokoja – Okene, Lokoja – Kabba, Lokoja – Ejule.

He said that the Ahmed Ododo administration had procured equipment for the KOGROMA, to accelerate road rehabilitation in the state.

According to Alhassan, the agency is conducting road palliative repair works in eight local government areas of the state.

He also attributed the bad roads to poor construction procedure and quality; lack of maintenance culture, load bearing, poor drains, flooding and climate related problems.

“The agency is carrying out road resurfacing, pothole filling, desilt exercise and ⁠maintenance of road shoulder as well as construction of rings and box culverts.

“However, inadequate funding is militating against proactive roads maintenance,”

On his part, Mukhtar Abdulrahim, the Director of FERMA in Kogi, said the agency had initiated a campaign tagged: “Operation Connect to Your Destination,” to ease traffic flow during the festive season.

He said the campaign focused at identifying and rectifying critical areas on highways, to ensure free flow of traffic and hassle-free travel for road users.

The director said that obsolete infrastructure were largely responsible for poor roads in the country.

“Many roads were constructed in the 80s, exceeding their lifespan and requiring reconstruction or rehabilitation, excessive axle loading largely due to the collapse of the railway network.

“The collapse has shifted the burden to roads, surpassing their capacity by threefold in spite of climate change, especially global warming, which leads to increased water levels and flow velocity, damaging roads,” he said.

The director said that such challenges coupled with inadequate funding were hindering effective maintenance of roads across the country.

He, therefore, advocated establishment of a National Road Maintenance Fund, to encourage sustainable road infrastructure development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mohammed Bababusu/Rabe Bashir Mani

Features

Integrating gender response into Kaduna State education budget

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By Aisha Gambo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Education is catalyst to social, economic and national development. To achieve their potential, governments at all levels are encouraged investments in the sector.

Investment in education has the potential enhance access to quality teaching and learning process for upcoming generations and boost enrolment.

Such investment should not only be in the form of infrastructure but also instructional materials and capacity building for teaching and non-teaching.

This stimulates a safe environment and provides equal opportunities for girls and boys to be empowered and educated.

These equip them with the necessary skills realise their full potential and contribute to societal development.

However, some cultural and societal norms in Nigeria prioritise the education of boys over girls.

This has resulted to gender disparities in education attainment as girls face other barrier to access and complete their education.

According to UNICEF 7.6 million girls are Out Of School in Nigeria while 3.9 million at the primary and 3.7 million at the junior secondary level.

UNICEF further said that 48 per cent of OOS girls are in the northwest and northeast.

A survey by Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics in 2020 shows that 31.1 per cent of children within the primary school age are out of school, adding that 31.9 per cent of children within the junior secondary school age are out of school in the state.

However, the survey also revealed that the distribution of out-of-school cases in the state consist of 63.7 per cent male and 36.3 per cent female.

Government interventions in enhancing gender responsive education. 

Over the years the Kaduna state government has increased budgetary allocation to education sector to reinvigorate basic and post basic levels to enhance access to free and quality for all.

For instance, the state government earmarked N26. 2 billion for Education in 2024 approved budget.

The sum of N12.5 billion was allocated to the ministry of education; N2.7 billion to State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB)while the remaining N11 billion was shared among the state-owned tertiary institutions; schools quality assurance authority and library board.

The state also developed a 10-year Education Sector Plan (ESP) named Kaduna State 2019 – 2029 Education Sector Strategic Plan.

It is a comprehensive and strategic framework developed with support of development partners to guide planning, implementation and evaluation of education policies and programmes.

UNICEF says achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 which is inclusive and equitable quality education for all, a Gender-responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP) is essential.

This is because GRESP is a holistic approach to advancing gender equality in and through education, including learning and learning environments, teacher education and practice, curriculum and administration among others.

To advance gender equality in education, education systems need to be gender responsive by design which include funding of girl child education.

At the Kaduna State ministry of education, an exclusive department for gender ,now female education was created to tackle issues related to girl child education.

Each year, the department is funded to execute gender related programmes such as second chance education, sensitisation on gender based violence, creation of water and sanitation facilities in schools among others.

The director of planning in the ministry, Salisu Baba-Lawal, said that government prioritises gender equality and social inclusion as such has allocated a large sum of money to achieve it.

“We have provisions for gender in our annual budget which fund gender related projects.

” In 2021, a sum of N7 million was allocated to gender, N4 million was budgeted for the year 2022, N5 million allocated in 2023 and in 2024 , N12 million was allocated to female education”, he said.

Following the money

For many years, the gender department in the Kaduna State ministry of education has been conducting activities that address challenges of both girls.

But with the recent review in 2024, which changed the department’s name to female education it now prioritises female education.

However, that doesn’t stop it from conducting activities or projects that would benefit the male gender.

Though a detailed breakdown of the budget expenditures were not made available, the department explained the programmes and projects they conducted.

The Deputy Director, Female Education, Hajiya Aishatu Muhammad, that explained that the ministry had provided second chance for girls who dropped out of school due to early marriage or pregnancy.

She said that school uniforms, socks and sandals were provided for the girls while teachers were paid stipends for staying over time as most classes were done in the afternoon.

Another project the ministry was to provide Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools with boys and girls having separate toilets to ease themselves during school hours.

Abdullahi said the ministry with the support from World Bank’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project built toilets and boreholes making the school environment conducive for the girl child.

“It may interest you to know that, the ministry of education in collaboration with AGILE, nominated amongst the existing staff we have in the school ,a  Gender Based Violence (GBV) focal person.

“We even have a Grievance Response Mechanism (GRM)   officer and we have a suggestion box in the schools to serve as a channel for reporting incidents”, she said.

Abdullahi, who doubles as the AGILE focal person, said that since the implementation of the project, the enrolment, retention and completion of female students has increased as they now feel more comfortable learning.

Parents, expert call for improvement

Malama Hajara Abubakar, a widow and a mother of four girls, recounts her struggle in ensuring her children get an education.

“Their father died when three of them were in junior secondary school; I had to do menial jobs to get them learning materials and pay other expenses the schools may request even though it’s a public school.

“But when they completed their SS 3 I couldn’t afford to pay for their exams, so I married them off; I wanted them to further their education but couldn’t.

“So when my youngest daughter completed SS3, I raised N10, 000 and pleaded with my neighbour who was a head a teacher in a private school to assist me and she did.

“Now that girl is working and taking care of me ‘, she said.

Abubakar says there are many parents like her who cannot afford to pay for their children’s final exams, and urged governments to look into the matter.

In spite government’s effort to provide free and quality education to children and return out of school children to schools to school, some education experts say there is still need for improvement.

Hadiza Umar, founder of communication for children and international development, while commending Kaduna State Government’s effort in address gender parity in schools said there was need for gender related programmes and policies to be scaled up.

She also said some of the programmes like the second chance education, sexual health reproductive awareness campaign among others should cut across all the schools in the state.

Umar says giving free education to girls but leaving them to pay for their senior secondary school exams would not achieve the desired results.

“Government should focus on paying for SSCE and JAMB because most of them can’t move forward and can’t get certificates to continue to even get a job.

“They cannot get admission and are unable a job that can help them generate some funds and further her education’’, she said.

While some experts advocate payment of Senior Secondary School exams fees, others demand effective monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of gender programmes.

Dr Hassana Shuaibu, Senior programme Officer, Ace Charity, says a breakdown on the expenditure of the female education budget should be available to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation.

She reiterated the need for an education sector plan that is gender responsive and the importance of funding of GRESP as well as transparency and accountability of the education budgeting. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria**

Agriculture

FG releases 2 new chicken breeds, 14 new crop varieties

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By David Adeoye

The Federal Government has released two new chicken breeds and 14 new high-yield crop varieties towards increasing agricultural production and improving the nutritional status of Nigerians.

The release of the new chicken breeds and the crop varieties were announced on Thursday during the 34th meeting of National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries.

The Chairman, National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), Prof. Soji Olufajo, presided over the meeting attended by committee members as well as researchers, geneticists, scientists and breeders.

Olufajo said the registration and release of the two new chicken breeds and the varieties of seven crops were based on the recommendation of its two technical sub-committees.

He said the new chicken breeds are Noiler and Cobb 500, while the high-yield crops are wheat, barley, maize, caassava, rice Castor and conchorus.

The technical sub-committee chaired by Prof. S. Ado during its 38th meeting on Tuesday deliberated on the 19 varieties received.

The sub-committee, after deliberation and consideration of the 19 submissions, recommended 14 varieties, which were put before the NVRC for final approval during the Thursday meeting.

In the same vein, the technical sub-committee during its 9th meeting on Wednesday deliberated on the two new chicken breeds received.

The sub-committee, chaired by Prof. Waheed Akin-Hassan, reported that the new chicken breeds – Noiler —- was a locally-developed dual purpose chicken while the Cobb 500 was a meat type chicken breed.

The two technical sub-committees thereafter put their recommendations before the NVRC for final approval.

The NVRC, after exchange of ideas and proper scrutiny of the recommendations put before it, announced the registration and release of the 14 new crop varieties and the two new chicken breeds.

He emphasised that the two breeds were already in the hands of end users, such as poultry farmers, consumers and researchers, saying the release and registration of the breeds are to make it official.

In his remarks, the Director of NACGRAB, Dr Anthony Okere, expressed optimism that the release and registration of the crop varieties would enhance food sufficiency in the country.

Okere urged farmers to embrace the newly released crops to enable them produce quality and quantity with little stress.

He commended the research institutions and other organisations which contributed towards the hosting of the meeting. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawale Alabi

General News

NEC recommends withdrawal of tax reforms bill

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Economic Council (NEC) has advised that the Tax Reforms Bill, currently before the National Assembly, be withdrawn.

This recommendation was made on Thursday, following the council’s 145th meeting in Abuja.

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo, explained that the NEC noted the need for sufficient alignment among stakeholders regarding the proposed tax reforms.

He cited the prevalence of miscommunication and misinformation surrounding the bill, emphasising the need for wider consultation and consensus building.

Makinde said the council acknowledged the country’s underperformance in major revenue sources.

He said the council also considered the Presidential Committee on Physical Policy and Tax Reforms presentation of a report focusing on fair taxation, responsible borrowing, and sustainable spending.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, also affirmed the council’s advice to withdraw the bill to allow for consensus building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Tax Reforms Bill, endorsed by President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council, seeks to enhance Nigeria’s tax administration efficiency and eliminate redundancies.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Defence/Security

EFCC recovers N248bn, secures 3455 convictions in 1 year

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By Isaac Aregbesola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says it has recovered over N248 billion, 105 million dollars and secured 3455 convictions in its fight against corruption in the last one year.

Its Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, announced this on Thursday in Abuja, at a news conference to mark his one year in office.

Olukoyede, who spoke through the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, said the commission had also charged four former governors to court over corruption allegations.

He said the feat was achieved from Oct. 18, 2023 to Oct. 18, 2024, when he came on board as the chairman.

“The commission within the year, recovered N248,750,049,365.52; $105,423,190.39; £53,133.64; €172,547.10; T1,300.00 Indian Rupees and CAD $3,400.00 Canadian Dollars.

”It also recovered ¥74,859:00 Chinese Yuan; AUS $740:00 Australian Dollars; 170:00 UAE Dirham; 73,000:00 Korean Won; CFA 7,821,375:00 and R 50:00 South Africa Rands.

”On asset recovery and return, the EFCC on Sept. 6, handed over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) the sum of $180,300 and 53 vehicles, being assets recovered for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters,” he said.

Olukoyede said 164,000 dollars of the recovered cash assets was for a victim, identified as Elena Bogomas, while 16,300 dollars belonged to a victim, known as Sandra Butler.

“The recovered 53 vehicles were stolen over a period of time in Canada, freighted to Nigeria and distributed to multiple locations in Nigeria by the criminal elements,” he said.

The EFCC chairman revealed that within the year, the commission also charged four former governors to court over corruption allegations.

According to him, the former governors are: Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).

”Yahaya Bello is charged in two different courts; one at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite on 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80,246,470, 088.88.

”The former Kogi governor alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu is also answering to 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion before Justice Maryanne Anenih.

”Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State and former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, are facing prosecution before Justice S. C Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a 15-count charge bordering on alleged N27 billion fraud,” he said.

Olukoyede also said ex-Kwara governor, Ahmed, alongside Ademola Banu, former Commissioner for Finance, were facing prosecution on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N10 billion.

While former governor Obiano, was on Jan. 24, arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, arraigned on nine counts bordering on money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing and corruption to the tune of N4 billion.

In the same vein, two former Ministers of Power, Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye had been arrested and facing prosecution by the commission.

”Mamman is being prosecuted before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73.

”Agunloye, the Minister of Power in the President Olusegun Obasanjo government is being prosecuted on seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of six billion dollars.

”Also, a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika is currently standing trial before two different courts – Justice S.B. Belgore of the FCT High Court, Garki, and Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court, Maitama,” he said.

He said Sirika was being prosecuted alongside his brother, Ahmad Sirika and two companies, Enginos Nigeria Limited and Samahah Integrated Investment Limited on 10 counts bordering on alleged N5.8 billion fraud.

According to Olukoyede, Sirika is also standing trial before Justice Oriji for six counts alongside Fatima Sirika, Jalal Hamma and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited over alleged N2.8 billion fraud. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

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