Government Sign Deal With Chinese Firm On Agro-Tech Industrial Park In Kogi

The Kogi Government has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China’s Hezheng Holdings Group to build a modern agricultural science and technology industrial park.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lokoja, described it as a major step to fast-track its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme.

He noted that the deal transitioned the SAPZ from planning to implementation and aimed to position Kogi as a leading agro-industrial hub in Nigeria.

“The SAPZ initiative is designed to boost food production, enhance processing capacity, create employment, attract private investment, and position Kogi as a leading agricultural and industrial hub,” Mr Fanwo said.

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According to him, central to the partnership is a modern agro-tech industrial park that will drive agro-processing, technology transfer, equipment deployment, enterprise incubation, logistics, cold chain systems, export infrastructure, and sustainable power solutions.

He explained that the Kogi SAPZ structure included the Ajaokuta Agro-Industrial Hub, Agricultural Transformation Centres in Anyigba, Alape, and Osara, and the Zariagi Agro-Air Hub.

He added that the programme would integrate existing farmer clusters with an additional 150,000 hectares of farmland per zone for large-scale, tenant-driven production.

“Priority value chains are rice, maize, cassava, livestock and poultry, sesame, cashew, oil palm, and greenhouse farming.

“Support systems will cover warehousing, cold chain logistics, power, compressed natural gas (CNG), agric technology, equipment, and export infrastructure.”

Mr Fanwo said the move reflected Kogi’s strategy to attract “credible technical partners, industrial park operators, investors, and global business platforms” into the SAPZ ecosystem.

“In China, the team toured Hezheng facilities, including its investment promotion centre, agric industry exhibition hall, global launch hall, and live-streaming incubation base.

“Talks focused on industrial park development, technology transfer, processing infrastructure, enterprise incubation, park management, investment mobilisation, and equipment deployment.

“Both sides expressed strong alignment on the project vision and implementation roadmap,” Mr Fanwo said.

He added that in the coming months, technical and commercial workstreams would advance toward full mobilisation, including groundbreaking and setting up coordination offices in China, Kogi, and Abuja.

“This engagement underscores the commitment of the Kogi State Government to transitioning the SAPZ programme from planning to execution, while positioning the state as a competitive destination for agro-industrial investment,” Mr Fanwo said.

He added that Kogi remained resolute in building “a bankable and investment-ready agro-industrial ecosystem” to enhance food security, promote value addition, create jobs, strengthen farmer-market linkages, support export growth, and unlock new economic opportunities.

Government Sign Deal With Chinese

He stated that the state delegation was led by the Auditor General and project investment adviser, Yakubu Okala, representing Governor Ahmed Ododo.

Others were Agriculture Commissioner, Ojomah Timothy; Technical Adviser, Abdullahi Ozomata; Chief Economic Adviser, Aliyu Salami and project consultant, David Obatolu.

Navy deploys helicopters, others to curb crime in Gulf of Guinea

The Nigerian Navy has deployed 10 ships, two helicopters, and other assets in a special operation to stamp out maritime crimes, including piracy, sea robbery, and illegal trafficking within the Gulf of Guinea.

The Navy said the assets being deployed will engage in anti-illegal trafficking of arms and drugs operations, anti-crude oil theft operations, anti-illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, search and seizure procedures, among others.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, disclosed this while flagging off the operation codenamed Exercise Obangame Express 2026, held on board the Nigerian Navy Ship KADA in Onne, Rivers State, on Sunday.

Abbas, who was represented by the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral P.E. Effah, said the exercise was initiated in 2010 by the United States Navy in collaboration with navies of Gulf of Guinea nations.

He said the annual exercise has grown remarkably in scope, participation and strategic relevance, adding that it has evolved into a strategic platform for advancing coordinated maritime security operations within the Gulf of Guinea over the years.

The CNS stated, “It (exercise) remains a critical instrument for fostering unity of effort, enhancing interoperability, and consolidating our shared resolve to secure our maritime domain against emerging and evolving threats.

“The core objectives of the exercise are clear and enduring. It includes strengthening regional maritime security cooperation, enhancing information sharing and maritime domain awareness, and improving tactical and operational readiness.

“It also includes building the capacity of participating navies to effectively counter both national and transnational maritime crimes, including piracy, sea robbery, illegal trafficking and other illicit activities at sea. The importance of this exercise cannot be overstated.”

Abbas further said Exercise Obangame has significantly contributed to improving diplomatic relations and strengthening naval partnerships across the region and beyond, thereby reinforcing collective security architecture within the Gulf of Guinea.

“For this year’s exercise, the Nigerian Navy will deploy 10 ships, two helicopters, maritime domain awareness assets and elements of the Special Boat Service.

“These assets will be engaged in a series of carefully designed scenarios, including anti-illegal trafficking of arms and drugs operations, anti-crude oil theft operations, anti-illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, visit, board, search and seizure procedures, as well as search and rescue exercises and simulation of hot pursuit.

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“These activities are deliberately structured to sharpen our operational competence, test our readiness and refine our collective response mechanisms to real-world maritime threats. The success of an exercise of this magnitude is underpinned by meticulous planning, robust logistics and unwavering commitment,” he said.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support to the Armed Forces and the Nigerian Navy and lauded the Flag Officers Commanding Eastern and Central Commands, the Fleet Commanders Eastern and Central Fleet, and all participating units and personnel for their professionalism, dedication and determination to safeguard the maritime environment.

Abbas continued, “Through sustained collaboration, we will not only consolidate the gains already achieved but also build a more secure, stable and prosperous maritime domain for our nations.

“As you proceed to sea alongside your counterparts from partner nations, I urge you to remain professional, disciplined and committed to the objectives of this exercise.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral C. D. Okehie, said Obangame Express 2026 is a major annual multinational maritime security exercise conducted across West and Central Africa under the sponsorship of the United States Africa Command.

NAF

He said, “In this regard, it is imperative for the Nigerian Navy to remain fully prepared in all respects to support both domestic and regional maritime security initiatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, while also contributing meaningfully to collective regional security frameworks.

“This year’s exercise is particularly significant given the strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea and more specifically, Nigeria’s maritime domain, which is endowed with vast economic resources that are vital to national development.”

Okehie noted that the Gulf of Guinea serves as a major global sea lane of commerce and communication, making it indispensable not only to regional economies but also to international trade, and thus vulnerable to evolving maritime threats.

“It is therefore imperative that Nigeria continues to build, strengthen and sustain robust maritime security capabilities, while deepening cooperation with neighbouring countries and international partners,” he stated.

NAF Advances M-346A Fighter Pilot Training Through Canadian Partnership

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified efforts to strengthen its operational capability through a strategic collaboration with the International Test Pilots School (ITPS), Ontario, Canada. This was highlighted during a courtesy visit by the Executive Chairman of ITPS, Giorgio Clementi, to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Sunday Kelvin Aneke, at Headquarters NAF, Abuja, on 24 April 2026.

The engagement builds on earlier high-level interactions during the CAS’s visit to Canada, where both sides explored key areas of cooperation, particularly in specialised pilot training on the M-346FA platform, aircraft engineering, and airworthiness standards.

In his remarks, Air Marshal Aneke underscored that the collaboration is central to the NAF’s modernisation drive, which prioritises the development of a highly skilled, mission-ready, and technologically advanced force.

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He emphasised that specialised fighter pilot training on the M-346FA, alongside strengthened airworthiness practices and capacity development for engineers, will significantly enhance operational effectiveness.

The CAS further noted that structured training programmes, instructor development, and the integration of advanced simulation technologies are critical enablers for improving safety, efficiency, and mission readiness across NAF operations.

Providing an overview of ITPS capabilities, Mr Clementi highlighted the institution’s expertise in test pilot training, flight testing, and aviation consultancy, reaffirming its readiness to deliver tailored training solutions under a long-term partnership framework.

Canadian Partnership

The visit also featured an interactive session with Branch Chiefs and Directors at Headquarters NAF, where both parties aligned perspectives on implementation modalities.

The engagement concluded with a shared commitment to translate identified areas of cooperation into tangible outcomes, reinforcing the NAF’s resolve to leverage strategic partnerships and global best practices to sustain operational readiness.