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FG, Nasarawa disburse $250,000 ACReSAL revolving fund to 10 communities
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Sunday flagged off the disbursement of $250,000 US dollars World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) revolving loan to 620 farmers.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the farmers are drawn from 10 communities in the state.
Speaking at the event in Doma Local Government Area, the governor said that the disbursement was in line with the vision of the Federal and state governments to support farmers to mitigate the impact of climate change and boost food production.
Sule said that as part of effort to boost food production, the state government recently distributed 23 tractors and farm inputs to 10,000 farmers in the state.
The governor explained that the ACReSAL revolving interest-free fund under its Community Climate Resilience (CCR) component, would help to boost agricultural output and improve the livelihood of the beneficiaries.
He said that the 10 benefiting communities were from Doma and Toto Local Government Areas.
Sule noted that climate change had brought so many challenges to the environment as well as the livelihood of farmers, adding that the intervention would go a long way to ameliorate their plight.
He said that his administration would continue to collaborate with partners to provide resources and support that would cushion the effect of climate change and tackle poverty in the state.
“To this end, Nasarawa state is partnering with the Federal Government, World Bank through ACReSAL project to help the vulnerable communities to adapt to the impact of climate change.
“We expect this support to lead to food security, improve income of the communities and create employment opportunity especially among the vulnerable groups including persons with special needs, women and youth.
“The project will also enhance farmers and communities capacity of climate smart agriculture through technology and innovation, increase community farmers understanding of sustainable agricultural practices, and to help address local conflicts and foster peace,” Sule said.
The governor said that the financial support was specifically targeted at registered ACReSAL communities and farmer groups across the state.
He pointed out that the revolving fund would support farmers to implement community climate resilient initiatives and ensure sustainability beyond the lifespan of the ACReSAL project.
He, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the purpose it was meant.
In her remarks, Dr Joy Iganya-Agene, Task Team Leader ACReSAL, said that 620 beneficiaries comprised 367 male and 253 female from the 10 communities of the two LGAs.
Iganya-Agene, who is also a Senior Environmental Specialist,World Bank Nigeria Office, said five communities each from the benefiting LGAs were selected for the gesture.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alh. Aliyu Ogah, the Andoma of Doma, thank the State, Federal government and World Bank for the gesture to farmers in his domain.
The royal father expressed optimism that the support would help towards improving productivity of farmers in the benefiting communities. (NAN
The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected gun runners and recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition.
The arrests were made during stop-and-search operations along the Warri/Benin Road and Asaba/Benin Expressway on separate dates.
On 3rd March, operatives intercepted a Toyota Camry driven by one Peter James, 55, from Akwa Ibom State.
Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered three AK-47 rifles, 2,080 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition, and 1,040 rounds of 5.1mm ammunition.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Monday, said that the suspect was arrested near Western Delta University, Oghara, after operatives intercepted a blue Toyota Camry with registration number PHC 257 NT.
Police arrest 2 suspected gun runners in Delta, recover arms
Police arrest 2 suspected gun runners in Delta, recover arms
“The driver was asked to open the trunk of the vehicle, during which it was observed that the trunk of the said Camry, popularly known as ‘big daddy,’ was unusually small. This aroused the suspicion of the men who were convinced that the vehicle had been modified for malicious purpose.
“The policemen then proceeded and removed the seat of the vehicle, only to discover three (3) AK-47 rifles, Two Thousand and Eighty (2,080) rounds of 7.62 mm AK-47 ammunition, one thousand and forty (1,040) rounds of 51mm ammunition loaded in four boxes.
“The exhibit has been recovered, the suspect is in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” he added.
In a separate operation on 6th March, police arrested Yahuza Magaji, 69, and Abba Sani, 17, from Kaduna State, and recovered seven pump-action guns and 1,600 rounds of live cartridges.
Edafe said that operatives attached to Dragon Patrol Team 02 arrested the suspects while on stop-and-search duty along the Asaba/Benin Expressway by the National Open University, Onicha-Ugbo.
He said that police had intercepted a navy blue Sharon space bus with registration number DKA 408 LM, driven by one Yahuza Magaji, in the company of one Abba Sani, both of Lere LGA in Kaduna State.
“They disguised as traders transporting palm oil and garri, but the police, who insisted on a thorough search of the vehicle, recovered seven (7) pump action guns, five (5) cartons containing one thousand six hundred (1,600) rounds of live cartridges concealed under the back seat of the vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects bought the arms from Onitsha and were transporting them to Kaduna State. The suspects are in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” he added.
Commenting on the development, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, expressed delight that the marching orders he gave to all tactical commanders, area commanders, and DPOs to up their game were yielding results.
“We are determined to flush out all criminal elements in the state,” said CP Abaniwonda.
“I commend the effort and determination of our men for going the extra mile to detect the hidden firearms,” he said.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant for the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), to appear before it.
The Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly issued the arrest warrant on Monday during plenary, after the expiration of its 72-hour ultimatum for the electoral chief to appear before the House.
Enebeli had fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government (LG) poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024 local government poll conducted in the state.
The Amaewhule-led Assembly had vowed to probe the conduct of Enebeli regarding the conduct of the annulled LG poll last year.
Over the weekend, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, invited members of the Assembly to a dialogue on the implementation the Supreme Court’s verdict.
The Supreme Court had also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court had unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Wants More Local Refineries Like Dangote, Others in Nigeria
The Conscience of the Nation, a socio-economic pressure group, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for their efforts and policies resulting in reduction in fuel prices.
According to Comrade Gideon Unazi, the group’s head, this development has brought relief to Nigerians, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
Unazi said with the price reduction, Nigerians can now afford to transport food, goods, and services at a lower cost.
This slash, he said, has also led to a decrease in the cost of food and other essential commodities, making it easier for Nigerians to observe the holy month of Ramadan without financial burden.
Unazi further said NUPRC’s strategic and transparent approach and reforms at the upstream level have ultimately led to the reduction in fuel prices.
He added that the Commission had shown a commitment to the willing-seller, willing-buyer option, which aligns with international best practices and supports the upstream sector’s optimal functioning without resorting to price-fixing.
Unazi further said the Commission has demonstrated its commitment to regulating the industry, fostering growth, and avoiding arbitrary actions that could hinder investments.
He added: “In January, the NUPRC outlined a five-point agenda aimed at increasing oil production in 2025.
“Key initiatives include boosting production by one million barrels, enhancing transparency and accuracy in hydrocarbon measurement, digitalizing upstream regulatory activities, optimizing unit costs per barrel, and conducting licensing bid rounds to revitalize non-performing assets.
‘The Commission has also developed a template to identify the needs of participants within the value chain, fostering collaboration and operational optimization.
“Furthermore, significant regulatory actions have been put in place to enforce compliance with the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO), ensuring a consistent supply of crude oil to domestic refiners.”
The group also urged the government to continue to support the establishment of more local refineries, which will not only reduce our reliance on imported fuel but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Unazi stated: “The importance of having more local refineries like Dangote cannot be overstated. With the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria is poised to emerge as one of the largest crude oil refining hub by 2025.
“The refinery’s capacity to produce Euro-V quality gasoline and diesel, in addition to jet fuel and polypropylene, is expected to eliminate Nigeria’s petroleum import requirement, thereby bolstering the country’s current-account position and foreign-exchange reserves.
“The establishment of more local refineries will not only reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.”