Economy
South-South Farmers Decry Lack Of FG, State Government Support
South-South Farmers Decry Lack Of FG, State Government Support
South-South farmers decry lack of FG, state government support. Some city returnees currently undertaking rainy season farming in the South-South region have decried the lack of support from the government.
The farmers said in a survey that wet season farmers face challenges in the South-South region.
The farmers also urged the state governments in the region to support them with funds and farm inputs.
They further urged the governments to quickly address the security challenges in some communities to enable farmers to cultivate without fear.
Some unskilled workers in the cities are returning to their communities to embark on rainy season farming. One of them, Richard Ndoma, an indigene of Ikom in Cross River, said that lack of funds and seeds was a major challenge to his interest in establishing a large cassava farm in his community.
Mike Ewa, from Boki, also said the current economic situation in the country had affected his plan for massive investment in farming during the rainy season.
Elijah Ugani, from Yala, shared similar views with Ndoma and Ewa and joined the call for government support.
When contacted, Cross River’s information commissioner, Erasmus Ekpang, said Governor Bassey Otu’s government was committed to supporting all categories of farmers in the interest of food security and sufficiency.
In Rivers, the farmers also called for government support and described wet season farming as an opportunity to eliminate hunger and poverty.
The farmers who described the wet season as the best crop yield stated that the benefits of rain to the soil and crops were numerous and should not be undermined.
Godwin Akandu, the Etche Farmers Cooperative Union president, said that the rains provided a “rich opportunity” for non-mechanised farmers to cultivate their crops.
Mr Akandu, who cropped mainly cassava, yam, cocoyam and vegetables, said that although the rains could boost plant growth and yield, excessive rainfall could erode soil nutrients.
Imelda James, from Abua, stated that excessive weed was a huge challenge to rainy season farming.
Ms James, who said Abua was known for producing yam, plantain, banana, and vegetables, said the lack of fertilisers had negatively affected crop yield.
In Akwa Ibom, the farmers said that although wet season farming was capital-intensive, it could be rewarding if the right measures were taken.

South-South Farmers
Akpan Inem, from Ibiono, said wet season farming should be considered a serious economic activity, not a venture for the frustrated in society.
Mr Inem said the government at all levels should support citizens who showed interest in wet season farming to boost local food production.
He said it took serious discipline and a sense of commitment for people to leave the cities to cultivate farms during the rainy season.
Aniedi Edet, a civil servant in Ikot Ekpene, said that a lack of funds to invest had plagued his interest in wet season farming.
Speaking at a recent public function, Owoidighe Ekpoattai, the special adviser to Mr Eno on agricultural development, said the state government was willing to support anyone genuinely ready to return to the farm.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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