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BORBDA Inaugurates 250 Hectares Integrated Farm In Auchi, Okpe

Published

5 years ago

November 25, 2021

The Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) on Thursday inaugurated 250 hectares integrated farm (Songhai Model) in Auchi, Etsako-East Local Government Areaand Okpe and Uneme Nekhua both in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo.

The Songhai farm models were inaugurated alongside the area office of the basin in Auchi by the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh.

The Managing Director of the BORBDA, Alhaji Saliu Ahmed, while delivering his address, noted that the integrated farms were established as part of effort to revamping the agricultural sector.

He said the farms would also provide employment opportunities for the unemployed youths, women and leverage on this to lift the people out ot poverty and ensure national food security.

He said that the farms, which were conceived in 2017, would serve as production, processing, service rendering and research based centres.

“The three farms in Auchi, Okpe and Uneme Nekhua are within 30km radius of one and another and together constitute a hub for effective production, processing and training.

“On 50 hectares of the 100 hectares of land each in Okpe and Uneme Nekhua, we planned to aggregate 50 youth farmers in each location with support of mechanisation and inputs to farm cassava and maize respectively.

“We also sourced and secured off-takers who would buy up their harvest when due. It is also planned that these farmers who shall be supported and continually trained shall form the nucleus to eventually take over the running and operations of the integrated farms, thus guaranteeing the sustainability of the farms.

“It is noteworthy that whereas the farmers aggregation plans took off successfully in Okpe for cassava, that in Uneme Nekhua for the growing of maize suffered communal challenges that made it impossible to take-off as planned this year,” he said.

He concluded by saying that the farms would uplift the economy of these communities and provide training outlets on the best agricultural practices for the local farmers.

Similarly, the Otaru of Auchi who inaugurated the BORBDA area office in Auchi, said it would serve as a catalyst to the development of the community and the entire Edo North Senatorial District.

He said the decision to provide the land for the farm and the office was part of Auchi community contribution to the development of the agricultural sector.

“I am indeed happy that lots of youths will be gainfully engaged through these farms and I am soliciting for more federal projects and institutions in the area,” he stated.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

54 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

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Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.