News

FG Plans Aeromagnetic Survey In Edo, Four Others

Published

3 years ago

February 23, 2023

The Federal Government has concluded plans to carry out aeromagnetic surveys in Edo, Ogun, Oyo, and parts of Kogi and Kwara states to improve the availability of geological information and data that would enhance the diversification of the economy through mineral sector development.

The job, which will be undertaken by a consultant, Excalibur will involve the use of specialised aircraft flying at very low altitudes to capture magnetic anomalies.

In Edo State, areas where data will be captured include Fugar in the Etsako West LGA, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Igueben, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo LGAs.

To mitigate the impact of palpable fears and tension, the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver) has deployed a team to sensitise affected communities within the affected states.

Speaking on the additional blocks of the Geophysical Mapping Survey in Edo State, Mr Ishaku Kigbu, the Media and Communication Officer of the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification Project (MinDiver), a World Bank Assisted Project under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, said the team is in Edo State for renewed sensitisation after the initial one carried out prior to the commencement of the activity.

He said the Airborne Geophysical Mapping Survey started in June 2021, where a robust sensitisation and enlightenment campaign was employed in the 19 States that were to be covered.

He said the programme which experienced overlaps due to weather conditions and logistical reasons had been progressing well since it started.

He said, “The current sensitisation exercise being embarked upon was to cover additional areas carved out to further re-sensitise the people of Edo not to panic upon sighting the aircraft. The reassurance is necessary due to the current security situation in the country.”

News

DSS Dismisses 115 Personnel, Warns Against Impostors

Published

5 minutes ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services has announced the dismissal of 115 personnel, cautioning members of the public against engaging with anyone parading themselves as serving officers of the agency.

The DSS disclosed this in a post on X on Tuesday, saying the action was part of ongoing internal reforms within the service.

“As part of the ongoing reforms in the Department of State Services (DSS), the public is hereby informed that a total of 115 personnel have been dismissed over a period,” the statement partly read.

The agency also referenced earlier public notices disowning individuals identified as Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, adding that some of the dismissed personnel were still posing as DSS operatives to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

“Members of the public are advised to desist from any official dealing with these individuals who have been dismissed by the Service,” the DSS said.

It stated that the identities of all affected former personnel had been published on its official website.

“For the sake of clarity, the identities of the dismissed personnel have been published on the website of the Service,” the agency added, directing citizens to dss.gov.ng for verification.

The secret police also provided contact channels for enquiries and complaints.

The DSS had stated that it will arraign two of its dismissed staff members, Barry Donald and Victor Godwin, who were arrested for allegedly engaging in fraudulent practices.

Earlier, the agency had issued two public warnings about the dismissed officers allegedly impersonating the agency to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

News

Review Forest Farming Policy, Ondo Cocoa Farmers Beg Aiyedatiwa

Published

25 minutes ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

The cocoa farmers in Ondo State have appealed to the state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to review the planned forest farming policy of the state to enable them to stay in the business.

It was gathered that under the proposed framework, each farmer would be required to pay a levy of N250,000 per hectare, N150,000 for polygon mapping and N100,000 for agro-forestry with a farming permit valid for only five years.

According to the concerned farmers, the proposed policy, though well-intentioned, would pose several challenges to them in terms of affordability to pay the amounts.

The farmers, in a letter made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, and addressed to the governor by their lawyer, Olugbenga Oke-Samuel, appealed to the state government to review the forest farming policy.

The letter read in parts, “We write on behalf of our clients, the indigenous cocoa farmers operating within the forest areas of Idanre and Akure, to respectfully seek your compassionate intervention regarding the newly proposed Government Policy on farming activities in forest reserves, particularly the Polygon Mapping initiative and the Agro-Forestry programme, introduced in compliance with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation.

“While our clients appreciate the state government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and global trade standards, the financial and structural implications of the policy are deeply burdensome and threaten their livelihoods.

“Under the proposed framework, each farmer is required to pay a levy of N250,000 per hectare, N150,000 for polygon mapping and N100,000 for Agro-Forestry with a farming permit valid for only five years. This policy, though well-intentioned, presents several critical challenges.

“Some of the challenges the farmers would face in the new policy, according to the letter, include economic hardship, disparity in mapping costs, agro-forestry charges and infrastructure burden, among others.

“In light of the above, our clients respectfully request a downward review of the N250,000 per hectare levy to reflect the economic realities of peasant farmers. Subsidisation or full sponsorship of the polygon mapping exercise to ease compliance with EUDR.

“An extension of the farming permit to at least 50 years, allowing farmers to fully benefit from their long-term investment in cocoa cultivation. A review of Agro-Forestry charges to align with the actual market costs of tree planting.

“Your Excellency, our clients believe in your commitment to equity, sustainability, and inclusive development. We trust that you will consider their plight and act in the interest of fairness and economic justice,” the letter concluded.

It was earlier reported that the cocoa farmers farming in the forest reserves in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state staged a protest on the plan by an agro-firm to take their land.

However, the Aiyedatiwa-led administration, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said some of the farmers were occupying part of the forest, saying an investigation was ongoing to identify genuine farmers with verifiable claims, separate from speculators and unlawful occupants.

News

JUST IN: Reps Make U-turn, Reconvene For Plenary Wednesday

Published

2 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

The House of Representatives has reversed its earlier decision to suspend plenary for a week until local contractors owed various sums of money by the Federal Government are paid.

The lawmakers had on Tuesday during an executive session expressed displeasure at the poor implementation of the capital component of the 2024 and 2025 budgets and vowed to take strict measures against the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, his Budget and National Planning counterpart, Atiku Bagudu and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsedeen Ogunjimi if debts owed to the contractors were not settled within a week.

A few hours after the ultimatum was issued, the House, through its spokesman, Akin Rotimi, said the decision to down tools had been reversed owing to what he cited as “positive developments arising from engagements and interventions across various levels of government.”

The statement read, “The House of Representatives will reconvene for plenary on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, contrary to the earlier resolution to adjourn sittings until Tuesday next week.

“This decision follows positive developments arising from engagements and interventions across various levels of government concerning issues that informed the earlier adjournment, particularly matters relating to contractors’ agitations and the non-release of funds under the 2024/2025 budget.

“The development was formally conveyed to Honourable Members by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, Esq., via an internal memorandum issued on Tuesday evening.

“According to the communication, the early resumption will allow the leadership of the House to brief members on progress recorded in resolving these issues and other related matters of national importance.

“At Wednesday’s plenary, the House is expected to formally rescind its earlier adjournment resolution to enable proceedings to continue.

“The leadership urges all honourable members to make the necessary arrangements to be in attendance.”