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FG begins construction of Farm Estate in Ogun
The National Agricultural Land Development Authority has commenced the construction of its Integrated Farm Estate in Ogun State.
This follows the successful commissioning of the Daura Farm Estate by President Muhammadu Buhari last month.
The President, after resuscitating NALDA, mandated the agency to particularly revive and build new farm estates across the country to accelerate his job creation drive through agriculture.
Located on a 100 hectare in the state’s Special Agro-Industrial Zone, at Makun-Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, the integrated farm would be NALDA’s biggest in fish, poultry, sheep/goat, snails and garri production.
When completed, the Ogun farm project is expected to engage 1500 beneficiaries and generate about N2 billion annually after its first year.
In an interactive session with journalists after the visit to the site, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne, explained NALDA’s plan for the Ogun farm, saying the farm estate in Ogun would be the biggest in production of fish, goat and snails due to its proximity to the commercial city of Lagos.
“The reason we want to make Ogun farm one of the biggest in production is its proximity to Lagos, and you know that there is a market for everything in Lagos and our target for the farm in Ogun is proximately N2 billion annually after the first year of the startup.
“Ogun is one of our key farm estates because of its proximity to the seaports for export purposes and the farm estate would give Nigeria and Nigerians an image in food production.
“What the farm estate would do to the community is first, development, reduce migration from the community to the urban areas, increase their incomes through agriculture, increase the GDP such that the living standards within the communities that are hosting NALDA integrated estates would definitely go up.
“The prospects are high because there would be a traffic of people coming into the community to buy from the farm estate based on what is being produced in the farm estates.
“So it’s a win-win for all the communities that are hosting NALDA Integrated Farm Estate,” he explained.
Price Ikonne said the integrated farm estate is purely organic and would be fully mechanized with all-year-round farming activities as an irrigation system would be deployed to the site.
The project is expected to be completed by January 2022.
News
Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
According to Ope George, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has surged from N27 trillion to N41 trillion over the past four years.
George highlighted that this achievement positions Lagos as the 7th largest economy in Africa based on GDP.
At the ministerial press briefing marking the first year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, George emphasized the state’s significant contribution, constituting over 20% of Nigeria’s GDP.
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He remarked, “Currently, we are ranked 7th in GDP in Africa. Our trajectory demonstrates positive growth despite past challenges.”
The commissioner revealed that the state government recorded a total revenue of N433.408 billion in the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year.
George elaborated, “Quarterly performance indicates 92% revenue realization at N433.408 billion. Recurrent expenditure reached 80%, totalling N189.624 billion, while capital expenditure achieved 54% performance at N178.728 billion. Total expenditure (budget size) stood at 65% performance, amounting to N368.352 billion.”
He further outlined the details of the approved Y2024 budget, which includes a total revenue projection of N1.880 trillion, deficit financing of N387.125 billion, capital expenditure of N1.315 trillion, and recurrent expenditure of N952.431 billion (including debt charges), maintaining capital to recurrent ratio of 58:42.
Lagos GDP hits N41tn, earns N433bn from IGR
News
Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
The Kano State government said three of its top civil servants have been apprehended for engaging in citizenship racket.
The indicted government officials were arrested by the State Public Complaint and Anti-corruption Agency.
According to the anti-graft agency, the three senior officials allegedly recommending Nigerian citizenship to illegal migrants.
Speaking to newsmen on Thursday in Kano, the chairman of the agency, Muhuyi Magaji, disclosed that the suspects collected bribes from the foreign nationals for the the illegal activity.
He alleged that the suspects planned to write letters of recommendation to the Federal ministry of internal affairs, using government letter-headed papers.
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He named the suspects as Kabiru Shehu of the ministry of information; Hassan Aminu from Office of the state Head of Service; and one AMusa Falgore, a retired staff of the information ministry.
“These are senior officials of Kano state government conniving to write fake letters recommending illegal aliens to secure Nigerian citizenship.
“We have arrested them. They are giving us useful information. We will keep interrogating them and at the end, if found wanting, they will be prosecuted.
“We will not tolerate this kind of unpatriotic action from senior government officials.
“This government abhors corruption, and we will do everything possible to ensure that anybody found neck-deep in corruption is exposed,” Mr Muhuyi said.
Three senior govt officials arrested over alleged illegal citizenship for foreigners
(NAN)
News
Group protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
Group protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
A Muslim group in Inisa, Odo-Otin Local Government area of Osun State, has threatened to embark on mass protest over alleged imposition of Imam on the community’s central mosque.
The mosque had been without leadership since the demise of the imam, his deputy, and third in command, within the space of two months, in 2020, following the crisis over succession plan.
However, in December 2023, Osun State governor, after observing Juma’at prayer in the mosque, adopted one Hakeem Jamiu as the imam.
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But a Muslim group in the town, Inisa Muslim Elites Association, IMEA, while addressing newsmen in Osogbo, yesterday, described the governor’s action as an affront on Islamic teachings and provided guidelines on the appointment of an imam.
Fielding questions from journalist, Imam Raji Oladejo said the Muslim Ummah in the town are ready to lay down their lives to the dictates of the religion on the matter and would not succumb to any imposition from any quarter.
His words: “We have called the attention of every stakeholder on this matter over the illegalities of those who imposed an imam on us in Inisa. We have repeatedly stressed the need to follow due process, and a case is still in court.”
Group protests alleged imposition of Imam in Osun
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