News
Bill To Establish Specialised Agric Institutions Passes Second Reading In House Of Reps
Published
3 months agoon
By
Editor
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed for the second reading, a bill seeking to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, by expanding its mandate to establish specialised training institutions across the country to deepen national agricultural productivity capacity.
The proposed legislation titled, “Bill for an Act to Amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act, Cap. A12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to Provide for the Establishment of Certain Specialised Colleges; and for Other Related Matters,” is sponsored by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and six others.
Leading the debate on its general principles of the bill, the Deputy Speaker noted that agriculture remains a vital part of Nigeria’s economy and a key driver of rural development, job creation, food security, and national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Kalu said the nation continues to face glaring gaps in research and innovation, especially in regions where unique agricultural potential remains untapped due to the absence of tailored educational institutions.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Reps Summon Rivers’ Sole Administrator
Th deputy speaker said the bill seeks to bridge the gap, saying the amendment will not simply be increasing institutions, but will serve as an investment in untapped potential, and empowerment of those whose hands feed the nation.
The lawmaker expressed optimism that when the bill becomes law, it will lead to stronger agricultural research ecosystem; more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Nigerians; greater food security and overall economic growth.
He said, “This is not merely to introduce a legislative proposal, but to lay before this People’s House a vision — a vision to take agricultural education into the fabric of our national development strategy and effort. A vision that recognises that research and innovation must not remain in silos or city centres, but must live where the land is tilled, where the livestock roam, where the rivers run.
READ ALSO: Reps Orders OML18 Resources To Pay $4m Oil Royalties Within Five Days
“Through this amendment, we are not simply adding institutions — we are answering a national call -a call to invest where there is untapped potential, to empower those whose hands feed the nation, and to deepen our national agricultural productivity capacity by expanding the mandate and reach of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria through the establishment of specialised training institutions in various parts of our great nation by establishing certain specialised agricultural colleges in strategic locations across the six geo-political zones.”
He further explained that the bill seeks to amend the Third Schedule of the Principal Act to provide for the establishment of specialised colleges of agriculture, among them, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Bende, Abia State; Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Takum, Adamawa State; Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State and Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
Others are Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Dange Shuni, Sokoto State and Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Olamaboro, Kogi State.
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News
Group Protests Alleged Sale Of Workers’ Housing Estate To NAF
Published
7 hours agoon
August 2, 2025By
Editor
Bauchi State Concerned Citizens group has raised alarm over the alleged sale of 270 newly built housing units along Ningi-Kano Road, Bauchi, to the Nigerian Air Force.
Addressing the press, the group’s chairman, Comrade Aliyu Ladan, on Friday described the development as “an unfortunate and illegitimate move” that threatens the rights and welfare of Bauchi residents.
“The houses were part of a 1,000-unit project initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to alleviate accommodation problems for workers.”
READ ALSO: NAF Debunks Fake Recruitment Advert, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters
He said the units had already been allocated to residents through a due process managed by the facility manager.
Ladan accused the Federal Ministry of Housing of negotiating with the Air Force to take over the estate, a move he described as “a complete violation of residents’ fundamental rights.”
The group called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that the decision could lead to unrest.
READ ALSO: NAF Airstrikes Kill Terrorists, Destroy Hideouts In Borno
The group demanded the cancellation of the alleged sale and urged the government to protect residents’ rights.
Responding, State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Architect Nwamadu Herbert, stated that although negotiations are ongoing, no transfer has been made as directives are awaited from the Ministry’s headquarters.
He dismissed the protesters as “illegal occupants,” clarifying that the houses remain under the ministry’s custody pending directives from headquarters.
News
Bauchi Gov To Corps Members: Advocate For National Development, Transformation
Published
7 hours agoon
August 2, 2025By
Editor
Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has called on all the Narional Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to always advocate for national development and transformation in the country.
Mohammed, who made the call during the swearing in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ stream 1 corps members on Friday, also urged them to take the noble call with utmost seriousness and commit themselves to achieve the scheme’s objective of national unity and development.
Represented by Mr Mohammed Umar, Head of Civil Service in the state, the governor assured the corps members that the people of the state appreciated and supported the goals and objectives of the NYSC scheme.
“Therefore, we have decided to collaborate with you in every possible way to ensure the success of the Scheme in the State.
READ ALSO: NYSC Deploys 1,700 Corps Members To Bauchi State
“To this end, we have completed the renovation of corps members’ hostels and built a brand new Multipurpose Hall in the camp.
“This is the first phase of the project and the second phase, which I assure would start very soon shall include, construction of staff accommodation, a clinic and other necessary facilities.
“I can assure you that my government would continue to do anything within the limit of our resources to make the corps members and staff comfortable during orientation exercises in the camp,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Umoren Kufre, the state Coordinator of NYSC reminded the corps members that life in camp is highly regimented, adding that participants were expected to adhere to the orientation course timetable, NYSC Bye-laws, extant rules and other relevant policies.
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According to him, 1,107 corps members comprising 608 males and 499 females had been successfully registered before the commencement of the swearing in ceremony out of the 1,700 corps members posted to the state.
He commended the state governor for his unwavering commitment to the realisation of the NYSC objectives in the state.
“I am indeed happy for the complete renovation of corps members’ hostels at the NYSC permanent orientation camp and the construction of a brand new Multi-purpose Hall.
“There can be no better demonstration of commitment, love and fatherly care than what we are seeing in the camp now.
“It is now clear for all to see that His Excellency is a great lover of the youths and particularly the corps members,” he said.
News
JUST IN: NNPCL Boss, Ojulari Allegedly Forced To Resign
Published
8 hours agoon
August 2, 2025By
Editor
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, has allegedly been forced to sign a resignation letter.
This is according to a Peoples Gazette report on Saturday.
According to the report, Ojulari was hijacked on Friday and pressured to sign a resignation letter by Ola Olukoyede, chairman of anti-graft EFCC, and Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the State Security Service.
It was reported that the alleged incident occurred on Friday, according to sources who spoke with the news platform.
Sources said Mr Ojulari was repeatedly questioned about what he might know of Olatimbo Ayinde, a British-Nigerian oil businesswoman who has recently emerged as one of the most powerful forces steering the Tinubu administration.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tinubu Sacks NNPCL CEO, Mele Kyari, Names Replacement
“Mr Ojulari told us he didn’t know Olatimbo Ayinde,” the source, who preferred anonymity, told Peoples Gazette.
However, the spokesman of EFCC, Dele Oyewale, has not officially responded to the enquiry on the matter.
Also, Mr Ojulari did not immediately return multiple requests seeking comments about the development on Saturday afternoon.
Recall that NNPCL had recently raised alarm over sabotage of the state-owned oil firm’s leadership.
Ojulari was appointed in April 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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