Economy
Governor Okpebholo Flags Off 2025 Farming Season, Allocates N70bnt To Agriculture
Governor Okpebholo Flags Off 2025 Farming Season, Allocates N70bnt To Agriculture
Governor Okpebholo flags off 2025 farming season, allocates N70bn to agriculture. The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) commended Mr Okpebholo for launching the farming season and prioritising the agricultural sector.
Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday in Benin, flagged off the 2025 farming season, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to making the state a leader in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Represented by the head of service, Anthony Okungbowa, the governor announced that N70 billion had been allocated to agriculture in the 2025 budget to boost the sector.
He emphasised that the flag-off marked a significant step toward enhancing agriculture, ensuring food security, and increasing farmers’ incomes and production levels across the state.
“The N70 billion allocation reflects our government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a major contributor to Edo’s economy while improving livelihoods for our citizens,” he said.
Mr Okpebholo noted that since assuming office in November 2024, his administration had prioritised agriculture as part of its development agenda, recognising its role in job creation, economic growth, and food security.
Under the Back to Farm Initiative, he explained that large farmlands would be developed across the state’s three senatorial districts to enhance large-scale farming and boost productivity.
“To ease farming, the government will provide modern equipment and machinery to reduce labour intensity, enabling farmers to benefit from technological advancements and improve farm output.
“We will also increase incentives for farmers and deploy trained extension officers to provide real-time guidance, ensuring improved farming practices and higher yields across the state,” he assured.
He said he would also invest in better road networks, storage facilities, and irrigation systems to facilitate the transportation of goods, reduce post-harvest losses, and support the agricultural sector.
The governor urged farmers to take full advantage of the farming season, adopt improved agricultural methods, and contribute to making Edo a leading agricultural hub in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Peter Osagie, described the 2025 farming season as the beginning of a new agricultural cycle and a source of renewed hope for farmers.
“Through the Back to Farm Initiative, over 1,500 hectares of farmland will be developed, supporting both smallholder and commercial farmers with land access and extension services.
“As we enter the planting season, we move forward with clear direction and renewed energy, from land clearing and mechanisation to improved seeds and farmer support initiatives,” Mr Osagie said.
Governor Okpebholo
He disclosed that the government was strengthening ongoing programmes, such as the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Programme (LPRES), while promoting climate-smart agriculture and fostering strategic partnerships.
In his goodwill message, Bako Dogwo, chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), commended Mr Okpebholo for launching the farming season and prioritising the agricultural sector.
Mr Dogwo, however, urged the governor to address security concerns, particularly the threats posed by herdsmen and kidnappers, which he noted could hinder the state’s agricultural development.
Russia Authorities Offers Schoolgirls $1200 To Give Birth In Measures To oost Population
Russia authorities offers schoolgirls $1200 to give birth in measures to boost population. The payments apply to full-time students enrolled in “general, professional or higher education institutions” who are registered at a maternity hospital.
Russian authorities have commenced cash payments up to $1,200 and other incentives for schoolgirls to give birth.
More than 100,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and hundreds of thousands others injured since the Kremlin launched a full scale war on Ukraine in February 2022, which has significantly impacted Russia’s population, leaving the country in desperation to mitigate the crisis.
According to The Moscow Times, many regional governments in Russia have started to make several decrees offering incentives for schoolgirls to get pregnant, including the latest program launched by Siberia’s Kemerovo region this week.
Authorities in Kemerovo are offering a one-time payment of $1,200 to legal guardians of Russian schoolgirls if their daughters were at least 22 weeks pregnant as of January 1, as Moscow shifts focus to boosting birth rates, which have fallen to a 25-year low while mortality rates rise.
Russia Authorities
The payments apply to full-time students enrolled in “general, professional or higher education institutions” who are registered at a maternity hospital, according to the decree.
At least eight Russian regions including Oryol and Bryansk have started the pregnancy-for-cash programme for schoolgirls, while more than 40 other regions have pledged to commence payment of $1,200 to female university students for having children later this year.
Cadbury Nigeria Records N22bn Loss In 2024: Nigerian Exchange
Cadbury Nigeria records N22bn loss in 2024: Nigerian Exchange. The company’s revenue grew from N80.378 billion in 2023 to N129 billion in 2024.
Cadbury Nigeria has recorded a N22.2 billion loss for the 2024 financial year.
This is a one per cent decrease from its 2023 loss of N22.4 billion.
Cadbury Nigeria made this known in a corporate disclosure through the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Tuesday.
The company’s revenue grew from N80.378 billion in 2023 to N129 billion in 2024, recording a 61 per cent increase.
NGX
However, its gross profit grew marginally by five per cent to N18.227 billion from N17.337 billion.
The company’s share capital increased by 21 per cent from N939 million in 2023 to N1.140 billion in 2024.
Also, its total equity decreased by 57 per cent, from N10.22 billion in 2023 to N4.38 billion in 2024.
The company’s result from operating activities fell by 24 per cent from N7.872 billion in 2023 to N5.961 billion in 2024.
Rivers NSCDC Impounds 70,000 Litres Truck Of Stolen Crude Oil
Rivers NSCDC impounds 70,000 litres truck of stolen crude oil. Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have impounded a long-container truck loaded with 70,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in a major crackdown on oil theft.
The truck, which had an in-built tank for illicit petroleum transport, was intercepted around Eleme junction flyover in Elelenwo following an intelligence tip-off.
However, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting the operatives. Chief Superintendent of Corps, Afolabi Babawale, the NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, said the agency remains committed to dismantling oil theft networks in the country. Babawale explained that the operation was carried out by the NSCDC Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad.
“The truck was sighted while on transit, and our operatives swiftly moved in to impound it. This is a major breakthrough in our ongoing fight against economic sabotage,” Babawale stated.
According to him, the red-head, navy-blue container truck with registration number AGL574XY was illegally siphoning crude from vandalized wellheads and destroyed pipelines.
Stolen Crude Oil
“As our operatives approached, the conveyors of the truck abandoned it and fled the scene. We have launched a full-scale investigation to track down the syndicate behind this illegal operation.”
He further revealed that the stolen crude oil and the truck have been confiscated and will undergo legal forfeiture.
“At the conclusion of our investigation, we will file for the forfeiture of the vehicle and its contents in a court of competent jurisdiction.
The proceeds will be remitted to the Proceeds of Crime Account,” he added.
-
Akwa Ibom2 months agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Akwa Ibom2 months agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News2 months agoList Of 42 Executive Orders Of Trump
-
News2 months agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Politics2 months agoPresident Trump Changes Divorce Law, No 50% Property Shares
-
Health care3 weeks agoNiMet Warns FCT, Other 18 States Of Impending Heat Stress, Advises Safety Measures
-
Economy2 months agoEnugu-Onitsha Expressway: Many Feared Dead, 8 Vehicles Burnt In Tanker Explosion
-
Economy2 months agoTinubu Allocated N940 Billion To TETfund In 2025 Budget