Economy
FG, Niger Government Partners On Mass Housing, Agriculture
FG, Niger Government Partners On Mass Housing, Agriculture
FG, Niger government partners on mass housing, agriculture. Mrs Uzoka-Anite described the MoU as a settlement framework for farmers
The federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Niger State for the provision of mass housing and agricultural settlements for farmers in the state.
The MoU was signed by the two parties in Abuja on Friday.
The minister of state for finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, signed on behalf of the ministry of finance Incorporated (MOFI) while the Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago, signed on behalf of the state.
Mrs Uzoka-Anite said that the project entailed the Niger State government providing 100,000 hectares of land for the farm estate.
The Niger farm estate project, the first of its kind in the country, has key partners.
They include MOFI, Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL), Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Niger Foods Limited.
Mrs Uzoka-Anite described the MoU as a settlement framework for farmers, aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains and improving livelihoods across the state.
The minister said that the choice of Niger to pilot the farmers’ estate was deliberate.
“Niger remains one of Nigeria’s most agriculturally endowed states.
“Challenges such as insecure settlements, rural-urban migration, and inadequate infrastructure continue to limit the full potential of our farming communities.
“This initiative seeks to address these challenges by providing structured, secure and well-planned housing settlements for farmers, strategically located to support agricultural production, storage, processing and market access,” she said.
Mrs Uzoka-Anite said that by anchoring farmers in stable communities with access to basic infrastructure, the project would enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, improve security and encourage youth participation in agriculture.
“Housing, as we know, is a fundamental pillar of development, but in Niger State, housing also intersects directly with agriculture, food security, rural stability and economic productivity,” she said.
According to the minister, when farmers are properly settled, agriculture becomes more efficient, more attractive, and more profitable.
She said that the project adopted an innovative financing model that blends public assets with private investment, ensuring sustainability, transparency, and shared risk.
“It allows government to focus on enabling policy and oversight, while leveraging the efficiency and scale of the private sector.
“Beyond its agricultural focus, the project promotes job security by creating stable, long-term employment across agriculture, agro-processing, renewable energy maintenance, logistics and community services,” she said.
She said that the mass housing and settlement project would stimulate broad-based economic activity by creating jobs for engineers, builders, artisans, suppliers and service providers.
“It will support local industries such as cement, steel, agro-processing, logistics and transportation.
“It will strengthen rural economies and contribute meaningfully to the state’s internally generated revenue.
Affordability and inclusiveness are central to this initiative,” she said.
She said that MOFI’s role in the project was strategic and catalytic as a key institution under the federal ministry of finance.
The minister said that MOFI brought deep expertise in asset optimisation, project structuring, and private capital mobilisation.
She said that through this collaboration, public land and assets were being transformed into productive economic instruments that deliver tangible value to citizens while reducing fiscal pressure on government.
She said that the settlements were not luxury estates but were designed to be functional, cost-effective, and aligned with the income realities of farmers and low- to middle-income earners.
The minister said that transparent allocation mechanisms and strong governance structures would ensure that the benefits reached the intended beneficiaries.
“Sustainability remains a key priority, with integrated renewable energy solutions, including solar-powered homes and community facilities, to ensure reliable electricity, reduce energy costs, and support agro-processing and storage activities.
“As these settlements are developed, emphasis will be placed on efficient land use, access roads, water solutions and environmentally responsible building practices that support long-term community growth,” she said.
She also said that the MoU demonstrated cooperative federalism, strategic alignment, and a shared commitment to inclusive economic development.
According to her, it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Niger Government Partners On Mass Housing
The Niger governor lauded the project as a milestone, an idea that aligns with the state’s agriculture programme.
Mr Bago said that the state would provide 100,000 hectares of land for the farm estate and promised to present the Certificate of Occupancy of the land to the minister on Monday.
He said that his government was deliberate and committed to helping people transition out of poverty.
“We are happy to be chosen for the pilot stage. This will address the issue of insecurity.
“Niger state has the largest mechanised land of all the states in Nigeria, and with this initiative, we have solved 80 per cent of our problems.
“We have a mission to develop a rail line from minna to Abuja and there would be farming corridor. We will create grazing reserves in the farm estate,” he said.
Brazil Fines TikTok $30m Over Failure to Implement Child Safety
Brazil’s data protection agency on Tuesday fined TikTok nearly $30 million for failing to implement child safety measures in what it said was a “powerful signal” to social media companies.
Eereporter.com
Brazil has taken a tough stance on the regulation of social media platforms, cracking down on disinformation and requiring users under 16 years to have their accounts linked to those of their parents.
An enforcement director with the ANPD data protection agency, Fabricio Lopes, told a press conference that TikTok “was not taking the necessary measures to prevent adolescents from accessing the platform and from having the data of these children and adolescents processed.”
This data was “being used to offer advertising to adolescents.”
He said the fine of 153.7m reais ($29.9 million) was a “powerful signal to other platforms regarding how seriously the ANPD takes this work” and that the agency hoped they “get the message.”
TikTok agreed last week to pay $400m to settle a lawsuit with the US Department of Justice over claims that the video-sharing platform collected children’s personal data without parental permission.
– Tougher enforcement –
This month, the ANPD also ordered popular streaming platform Discord to suspend livestreams and video calls after a teenage girl was allegedly encouraged to take her own life during a broadcast.
The agency told AFP that an appeal filed by Discord on Monday against the suspension is under review.
ANPD director Lorena Coutinho said the agency had, last week, initiated proceedings to verify the compliance of 22 social media networks and platforms with a law passed this year to protect children and teens online.
In addition to the fine, the ANPD ordered TikTok parent company ByteDance to delete data collected in violation of regulations.
Coutinho said TikTok had committed to suspend all adverts for users who are not logged in.
TikTok has committed to “implementing a compliance plan to improve the protection of children and adolescents,” the ANPD said.
Brazil Fines TikTok
The platform will be required to automatically apply stricter privacy settings to accounts belonging to children under the age of 16, strengthen parental supervision systems, and implement stricter content filters.
TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment from AFP.
In 2024, the platform X was blocked for 40 days in Brazil, until the social media network owned by the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, complied with the Supreme Court’s orders to remove accounts spreading disinformation.
Eereporter.com
Economy
Umahi Leads the Way as Tinubu Orders Immediate Action on Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road Intervention
Umahi Leads the Way as Tinubu Orders Immediate Action on Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road Intervention
The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, has moved swiftly to address the worsening condition of the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti road in Ekiti and Kogi States, and Benin-Agbor-Asaba Roads following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for urgent intervention to ease the hardship being faced by motorists and commuters.
Eereporter.com
Umahi, who expressed deep concern over the deplorable condition of the road and the suffering of road users who have spent hours and, in some cases, days on the route, said the Federal Government was determined to take immediate corrective measures while working towards permanent solutions.
“President Tinubu, GCFR, has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene and ensure that necessary corrective actions are taken to restore movement on the affected roads as quickly as possible.” Said Umahi
The Minister, in response to the directive, has already set machinery in motion for immediate action.
As part of the intervention, Umahi directed the Minister of State for Works to lead a team of ministry officials to the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti axis to assess the situation and commence urgent remedial works.
The assignment is already on as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, with officials of the Ministry on the ground to begin the intervention.
While the intervention team moved into Ekiti and Kogi States, Umahi himself headed to Benin, Edo State, alongside members of the National Assembly Works Committees, to initiate a similar coordinated intervention on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road.
The Benin meeting is expected to bring together key stakeholders, including representatives of the Edo and Delta State Governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with the aim of finding immediate solutions to the challenges confronting motorists on the strategic corridor.
Umahi also took responsibility for the unfortunate situation on the affected roads and apologised to commuters who have been stranded or delayed for several hours and days.
Benin-Agbor-Asaba
He assured road users that the Federal Government’s response would go beyond temporary relief, with immediate measures being pursued alongside permanent solutions to restore the affected roads and improve their long-term reliability.
Francis Nwaze
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
August 25, 2026
Eereporter.com
Economy
NNPC Cares: Boost for Nationwide Medical Access as NMSL Deploys Laparoscopic Instrument in Abuja
NNPC Cares: Boost for Nationwide Medical Access as NMSL Deploys Laparoscopic Instrument in Abuja
NNPC Medical Services Limited (NMSL) has deployed articulating laparoscopic instruments at its main hospital in Utako, Abuja. The machine is an advanced surgical equipment designed to enhance precision and flexibility during laparoscopic procedures.
Eereporter.com
The latest deployment widens the range of procedures available at the medical facility and represents a boost for healthcare access in the country.
NNPC
Acting Managing Director / Chief Operating Officer, NMSL, Dr. Dickson Bada, received the equipment from SQI Limited, represented by Dr. Emmanuel Otitoloju.
NNPC Limited continues to invest in its medical facilities, which are open to the public nationwide, towards improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Eereporter.com
-
Crime1 year agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News1 year agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime2 years agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News1 year agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy1 year agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?