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Ogun/Songhai Farm project hits the rocks

From Kehinde Akinyemi, Abeokuta

Five years after the Ogun State Government showed interest in partnering with the Songhai Farm from the neighbouring Port-Novo, Benin Republic to expand her agricultural base, the prospects of the project have dimmed.

In 2011, seven out of the 36 states in Nigeria concluded partnership agreement with the Farm to set up integrated farm system in their various home states.

Among the seven states which included Rivers, Enugu, Cross Rivers, Benue, Katsina, and Lagos was also Ogun state, but the state commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun told Daily Trust in clear terms yesterday that the project had been cancelled.

The concept of Songhai integrated farm takes care of everything right from the farm to the factory and to the industry; all aspects are taken care of in Songhai farm.

“The whole idea is to empower the youth to learn and be on the driver’s seat. Songhai farm is a project about a new African society where Africans are empowered to be on the driver’s seat to solve their problems instead of looking elsewhere. We believe we can harness the resources given to us by nature to create wealth and take care of our unemployment and poverty problem,” the Director of Songhai Regional Operations, Revd. Godfrey Izamojo, was once quoted as saying.

The state government with new and fresh ideas in 2011, tapped into the Songhai Farm initiative, with the erstwhile Commissioner for Agriculture, Ayo Olubori at the driving seat of the project. Details of the project could not be provided when the Commissioner was called on her mobile phone, but she simply responded that the state government had pulled out from the project.

“Actually, it was during the period of my predecessor that the state government showed interest in the project, but we have pulled out of it,” the commissioner said.

He said the state pulled out when it was carefully studied that the terms and conditions were not in the interest of the state.

Sokefun however hinted that there were other alternatives which the state had ventured into and “I can tell you that we are really during good in the areas. When you visit, we can present an up to date development so far made in the agricultural sector,” she said.

The idea of ??the creation of Songhai Centre came from Father Godfrey Izamojo who is a Dominican priest with doctorate degrees in electronics, microbiology, and development science. He joined forces with a group of Africans and friends of Africa who shared the vision of giving back to Africa its dignity, which they said had been scorned for far too long.

Fake soldier nabbed in Kaduna

From Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, Kaduna

One Abdul Mohammed has been nabbed by the Kaduna State Police Command for impersonating a soldier with the rank of private along Zango Road in Tudun Nupawa area of the state.

The man who was dressed in full military camouflage was said to have been forcing money from residents under the pretence of being a soldier.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Zubairu Abubakar who confirmed the development, said the suspect was arrested by a surveillance patrol team.

He added, “The suspect was spotted on 11th April, 2016 about 10.30pm in full military camouflage with a bullet proof jacket. He was trying to conceal himself on sighting policemen.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is from Tudun Nupawa, Kaduna. He wears the military uniform to aid him to commit crime.”

Anxiety as FCE Zaria awaits appointment of new Provost

From Isa Sa’idu, Zaria

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Federal

College of Education, Zaria chapter yesterday added its voice on the

alleged activities of some people that are calling for the

cancellation of the interview conducted to select the new provost of

the college.

Speaking with our correspondent, the COEASU chairman in FCE, Zaria,

Dr. Yahuza Salmanu, urged the federal government to ignore those

agitating for the cancellation of the interview.

“We held a congress where we resolved that the new provost of the

college should come from within the college. Two of our staff

participated in the interview conducted by the Ministry of Education.

We have gathered reliably that one of these two persons would clinch

the position of the provost following their outstanding performance

during the interview.

“Therefore anybody that is calling for the cancellation of the

interview, which the representatives of our academic board

participated, is only expressing a personal opinion. The academic

staff of the college are united on this,” Dr. Salmanu said.

Our correspondent reports that the two persons that participated in

the selection interview from the college were Dr. Ango Ladan, the

present acting provost, and Dr. Hadiza Muhammad, the incumbent

librarian.

Abducted Imo Channels TV reporter freed

From Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri

The channels TV reporter in Owerri, Temitope Ekutiyi who was kidnapped in the early hours of Monday has gained his freedom

The Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem who confirmed this to Daily Trust yesterday said that the journalist was released Tuesday evening after a serious battle with the men of the police force and other security agencies in the state.

Meanwhile the speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly Hon. Acho Ihim has commended the security agencies in the state for their prompt action that resulted in the release of the journalist

He however appealed to the security agencies to intensify their effort to secure the lives and properties of all Imo people.

Whitefield Hotels denies connection with Kwara gov

From Romoke W. Ahmad, Ilorin

The management of Whitýefield Hotels Ltd, Ilorin, says it has no connection with the Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The management of the hotel which refuted a report of an online medium linking the hotel with the governor, said it would take a legal action against the medium.

The online medium reported last week that the hotel is owned by the Kwara State governor, a report which has generated a lot of arguments.

Tragedy averted in Ogun following gas leakage at filling station

From Kehinde Akinyemi, Abeokuta

A major disaster was averted in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital yesterday when a truck laden with gas began to leak inside a filling station where it had gone to offload the content.

Except for the quick intervention of the men of the Ogun state Fire Service, the gas could have caused explosion of the petroleum products in the filling station, located along the ever-busy Abeokuta/Ibadan road, close to the Ogun state Command of the Nigeria Police, Eleweran.

According to eye-witness account, the incident occurred at 7.30am, when the truck had wanted to discharge the gas at the Dekunu Gas Filling station, before staff and residents nearby observed the leaking, which has been causing panic and discomfort.

The emergency call to the Fire station saw the arrival of the men fire service who swung into action by sealing off the leaking point.

The development caused heavy traffic gridlock for several minutes on the road. Most workers heading towards Osiele and Alabata areas were stranded and held back at the Obantoko/Eleweran axis before the situation was cleared. Also, traveling motorists particularly those from Ibadan were made to find alternative routes to enter into Abeokuta city centre.