A visionary leader and a pragmatic politician, Dr. Emeka Obi, who is the Executive Chairman of Onuimo LGA, Imo State, has hailed Hon. Sam Osuji, who represents Isiala Mbano State Constituency in Imo House of Assembly, for training and empowering 50 youths of the locality on renewable energy: solar energy and CCTV installation and maintenance.

The Onuimo Council Chairman gave the commendation, when he spoke with journalists during the graduation ceremony of the training programme, held at Amaraku Central School last Saturday.

Obi said he was happy that Sam Osuji took a positive step to imbue technological skills in the youths, describing the feat as human capital development, which he believes, would help them to have a great future, for enhanced peace and development in the area.

“The programme – skill acquisition – on renewable energy: solar energy and CCTV installation and maintenance, chiefly sponsored by Hon. Sam Osuji, is a good thing and it is called for, as the youths who benefited from it will be more responsible and productive and it is indeed an economic empowerment.

“This empowerment is one of its kind – very rare – you know, renewable energy: solar energy and CCTV installation and maintenance, are very relevant and for Hon. Sam Osuji to sponsor the training of those 50 persons, equip them meaningfully, shows that he loves Isiala Mbano greatly. In fact, he has almost and virtually empowered all the youths of the area.

“The legislator has done marvelously as a lawmaker. The primary responsibility of a lawmaker is to make law, to amend law, to appropriate and to carry out oversight functions. But he went out of his way to do the job of the Executive. He deserves applause”, Obi stressed.

Obi, who has been performing creditably well in line with the 3R vision, championed by Governor Hope Uzodimma, saluted Okigwe Zone political leaders, especially, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, for gracing the ceremony, which he added was a worthwhile.Obi, who expressed joy over the seriousness of the trainees, charged them to always use the opportunity well, in order to better their lots while lightning up the society.

By Sunday Abah, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has impounded over 700 vehicles with tinted glasses without permits, fake number plates and other traffic violations.

The FCTA Director, Department of Security Service, AdamuGwary, disclosed this during a ‘Stop and Search’ operation, at the Apo – Wassa junction and Karu axis of Abuja.

Gwary, who was represented by the Secretary, Command and Control Centre, Dr Peter Olumuji, noted that the measure was geared towards curbing incidences of ‘one- chance’ in the FCT.

According to him, the exercise is part of the second phase of ‘Operation Sweep Abuja Clean’, a multi-agency crime prevention initiative, and the operation has drastically reduced incidences of one chance to the barest minimum.

“Our stop-and-search exercise has made it clear to criminals that no matter where they are in the FCT, the team will always reach them,” he said.

He assured residents of the FCT that the operation was yielding results, citing several stolen vehicles recovered within the last week alone.

He therefore appealed to residents to bear with the temporary inconveniences caused by the stop-and-search operations, stressing  that the measure was aimed at safeguarding lives and properties.

Also speaking, Mrs Deborah Osho, Head of Operations, Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) reiterated the administration’s  commitment to rid the city of unregistered and unpainted taxis, commonly used by criminals.

Osho disclosed that several vehicles were impounded during the joint task force operation, for various offences such as, driving against traffic, lack of registration and use of number plates not assigned to the vehicles.

“This is a joint taskforce team, a joint collaboration with all agencies and especially the lead agency, which is the police.

“We work together, and because of their presence we apprehend a lot of vehicles, especially those driving against traffic. It is a common thing in Abuja and we are trying to stop them,” she said.

According to her, most of the one-chance perpetrators use vehicle number plates that cannot be traced.

She explained that once there was suspicion about such vehicles, they would be picked.

“Most of the one-chance vehicles either have fake number plates not traceable to the actual vehicles, or operate as unpainted taxis, making it difficult to identify them.

“Today in Karu, you can see the huge number of vehicles apprehended. This is sending a clear message that Abuja is difficult for criminals,” Osho said.

She assured residents that activities of the  ‘Operation Sweep Abuja Clean’ would continue across the city and suburbs, until sanity was restored on Abuja roads.

Former Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Mr. Femi Soneye yesterday called on the Federal Government to support the Nigerian media with targeted incentives, including tax reliefs and import duty waivers on essential media tools.

Mr. Soneye gave the charge in Abuja after receiving the NUJ FCT Excellence in Corporate Communications Award, conferred on him by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.

In his remarks, Mr Soneye noted that while the Nigerian media remains one of the most vibrant in Africa, it continues to grapple with systemic challenges that weaken its effectiveness.

“The Nigerian media remains one of the most vibrant in Africa, but it also faces systemic challenges, financial, political, legal, and technological that weaken its effectiveness.

“The government can play a supportive role by granting tax incentives or relief on import duties for newsprint, broadcast equipment, and digital infrastructure,” he said.

He also urged Federal Government to establish an independent media development fund to support investigative journalism, community radio, and newsroom innovation, drawing parallels with models in South Africa, the United States, and Canada.

The award underscores Soneye’s long-standing contributions to journalism and corporate communications, as well as his advocacy for a stronger, independent, and sustainable Nigerian media.

The NUJ Executive, led by the Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, described Soneye as a consummate professional who has distinguished himself with tact and excellence in the communications field.

Comrade Ike praised Mr. Sonoye for consistently supporting the union and advancing the interests of journalists both in Abuja and across the country.

“You have always stood with journalists, not only as a media owner but also as a practitioner who understands our struggles. Your advocacy for welfare, training, and ethical reporting has set you apart as an icon in this profession,” Ike said.

She noted that the Council recognized Mr. Sonoye’s role in promoting balanced reporting, welfare packages for members.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, says Nigeria spends $10 billion annually on agro-imports, including wheat and fish.

Kyari disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at the First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. 2025 Agric and Export Expo.

The minister, represented by his Special Adviser, Mr. Ibrahim Alkali, decried the rising rate of food imports and stressed the need for increased financing in agriculture to boost local production and exports.

“Nigeria spends over $10 billion annually importing food such as wheat, rice, sugar, fish, and even tomato paste.

“Agriculture already contributes 35 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product and employs 35 per cent of our workforce.

“We sit on 85 million hectares of arable land with a youth population of over 70 per cent under the age of 30. Yet Nigeria accounts for less than 0.5 per cent of global agro-exports.

“Currently, the nation earns less than $400 million from agro exports. To build a non-oil export economy, we must rethink how we finance agriculture,” he said.

Kyari reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to achieving food sovereignty, insisting on the urgent need to scale up agricultural financing.

“President Tinubu has made it clear that food sovereignty is the goal. Nigeria must not only feed itself but do so on its own terms, free from excessive dependency on imports.

“Sovereignty means ensuring that no Nigerian goes hungry because of shocks in global food supply chains. It means empowering every community to stand on the strength of our land, our people, and our productivity.

“Boosting domestic production and supporting exports are not separate agendas — they are two sides of the same coin.

“We have the land, the labour, and the markets. What we lack is the system of financing, value addition, and infrastructure that can turn potential into prosperity.

“The fundamentals compel us to pivot from dependence on oil rigs to resilience in food and export earnings; from raw commodity exports to value-added agribusiness; from fragmented farmer credit to structured financial systems that attract significant capital; and from stereotypes to active youth participation in agriculture,” Kyari said.

He further emphasised the need for innovative mechanisms and critical thinking to strengthen food security.

“Nigeria can do better if we begin to think critically and improve mechanisms such as revenue sharing, agricultural financing with performance triggers, factoring forward contracts, Pay-as-Harvest schemes, and more.

“These are not abstract theories. They are proven models working successfully in real economies,” he added.

The federal government said it plans fresh cash transfers to 2.2 million households in the country as the scheme gulped N419 billion.

The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Tanko Sununu, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen on Monday.

According to him, the cash transfer is expected to kick off before the end of August 2025.

He said the government had already distributed 71 percent to the country’s northern part and 21 percent to the southern part of the country under its rapid conditional cash transfer to vulnerable people.

“In the next few days to come, before the end of August, we are going to reach out to 2.2 million households.

“The process is such that the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) will now harvest vulnerable Nigerians based on their lowest cadre in the national social register,” the minister said.

“For those Nigerians, it is a rapid conditional cash transfer. So far, we have disbursed N419 billion to five million Nigerians.

“We have distributed 71 percent in the northern part and 21 percent in the southern part of the country,” the minister said.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), has directed that all mobile phones must be completely switched off during aircraft take-off and landing.

In a post on X yesterday, Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the NCAA, announced that regulations on the use of phones and other electronic devices during flights in Nigeria have now been harmonized.

The directive follows an emergency meeting held with industry stakeholders earlier on Tuesday.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a major shake-up at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), replacing the current management team with new leadership.

Veteran media executive Rotimi Richard Pedro has been appointed as the new Director-General of the state broadcaster. Other key appointments include Katsina State’s Karimah Bello as Executive Director of Marketing, Stella Din from Plateau State as Executive Director of News, and Sophia Issa Mohammed from Adamawa State as Managing Director of NTA Enterprises Limited.

Pedro, a Lagos native, is an accomplished media entrepreneur and consultant with nearly three decades of leadership experience in broadcasting, sports rights, and marketing communications across Africa, the UK, and the Middle East.

A trained entertainment and intellectual property lawyer, he also holds an MSc in Investment Management & Finance from City University Business School, London. In 1995, he founded Optima Sports Management International (OSMI), which became one of Africa’s leading sports content providers, distributing premium events such as the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, and CAF competitions to audiences in more than 40 countries.

His career includes leading roles at Bloomberg Television Africa, Rapid Blue Format, and consultancy work for FIFA, UEFA, Fremantle Media, and the African Union of Broadcasters. Notably, he helped the AUB secure exclusive pan-African free-to-air media rights for all CAF competitions.

Industry analysts credit Pedro with building commercially viable broadcast platforms, boosting sponsorship revenues, and delivering world-class content to African audiences.

His appointment marks one of the most significant leadership changes at NTA in recent years and signals the Federal Government’s intention to modernise the broadcaster and reposition it in an increasingly competitive media market.

The Edo State Forestry Commission has condemned the recent killing of a hippopotamus in Anegbete community in Etsako Central local government area.

It was gathered that the Anegbette community celebrates hunters who kill wild species and celebrated the killing of the Hippopotamus by a local hunter.

But a statement by the Chairman of the Commission, Hon Valentine Asuen, said the animal killed is an endangered species and that rather than killing it, it could have become a tourism attraction to the community.

He urged members of the public to support the Commission in sustaining a safe environment and other natural endowments for the benefit of the state.

The statement reads “This amphibious animal is not only an endangered species, but also a potential source of tourism, education, and sustainable livelihood for the Anegbette Community, the State and Nation in general.

“The loss of such an endangered animal is not just the loss of a species; it is the loss of a rare opportunity. The Okumuzo riverside location could be developed into a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from far and wide to see these unique animals in their natural habitat, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.

“We urge members of the public to: Support Edo State Forestry Commission to protect and conserve aquatic wildlife for future generations.

“Report any hunting or killing of protected species to the Edo State Forestry Commission

“Work with the Edo State Forestry Commission to promote eco-tourism and sustainable development.

“We therefore call on members of the public to join hands with Edo State Forestry Commission to preserve nature for posterity and turn our natural heritage into a source of pride, income, and sustainable growth.”

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted rain and thunderstorms across the country from Sunday to Tuesday.

‎NiMet’s weather outlook released on Saturday in Abuja envisaged moderate rain over parts of Jigawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa states during the morning hours on Sunday.

‎The agency also forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, and Taraba states later in the day. ”There is a high possibility of flood occurring in parts of Kebbi, Gombe, and Bauchi states during the forecast period.

‎”For the central region, there are prospects of light intermittent rains over parts of Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory, and Niger State during the morning period.

‎”In the afternoon or evening hours, intermittent light rains are anticipated in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, and Kogi states.

‎”There is a high possibility of flood occurring over parts of Niger, Plateau, Kogi, and Benue states during the forecast period,” it said.

‎The agency anticipated cloudy skies over the southern region during the morning period. According to NiMet, moderate rains ‎are expected in parts of Enugu, Anambra, Oyo, Osun, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Delta, Rivers, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Lagos states later in the day.

‎It predicted a high possibility of flood occurring in parts of Osun State during the forecast period. The agency predicted thunderstorms on Monday with moderate rains in parts of Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Yola, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna states during the forecast period.

‎”For the central region, there are prospects of light rains in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as Nasarawa, Benue, and Niger states during the morning period.

‎”In the afternoon or evening hours, intermittent light rains are anticipated in parts of Niger, Plateau, Kwara, and Benue states,” it said.

‎It also indicated that there would be cloudy skies over the southern region during the morning hours with light rains in parts of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, and Lagos states later in the day.

‎NiMet anticipated morning thunderstorms on Tuesday with moderate rains in parts of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna.

‎Thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected in parts of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, and Adamawa states during the afternoon/evening hours. ”For the central region, cloudy skies are expected over the region during the morning period.

‎”In the afternoon/evening hours, moderate rains are anticipated in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Plateau states.

‎”For the southern region, ‎cloudy skies are expected over the region during the morning period. Later in the day, light rains are expected in parts of Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Cross River, and Lagos states,” it said.

‎It, therefore, urged the public not to drive in heavy rain.

‎NiMet advised states with the possibility of flash floods to activate emergency response plans, especially the ‎places highlighted in red. ‎

‎”To avoid leaching of nutrients, farmers should refrain from applying fertiliser and pesticides right before the rains. ‎

‘Ensure warm clothing for the vulnerable persons due to low night-time temperatures.

‎”Ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision.

“Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets, and stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.

‎‎”Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has warned cronies and political associates not to bother calling him for slots in civil service job openings in the state, as they will be disappointed.

Eno gave the warning while speaking at the Monthly Prayer Service at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, on Saturday.

He disclosed that the screening for the job would be computer-based to ensure a level playing field for every Akwa Ibom youth who applied, adding that out of the 15,000 who applied, only 3,000 would be offered engagement.

“I am told that about 15,000 Akwa Ibom youths applied for the civil service job. 3000 is what we want to engage. The truth is, it will be a computer-based test. As you finish, the result comes out for you to see whether you passed or not.

“So, don’t bother sending me texts for slots. It is not just possible. For once, we will do this one like that. If you don’t understand computers, you don’t have to bother.

“Let’s give the right people the opportunity to go and do this job. We will take time, engage them to sit on the computer, there will be a test, and as they finish and submit, they will receive an instant result.

“This is so that we can weed out twelve thousand, consider three thousand and begin the oral interview. Please don’t be angry with us; that is the approach we would adopt for this process,” he said.

The Governor urged prospective applicants interested in one job or the other to visit the portal, adding that many have secured different kinds of jobs without knowing anyone.

The governor, who recalled the 2-day intensive project inspection across the State, expressed delight at the pace of work and the large number of youths engaged at the different sites.

“We spent the last two days in a row for inspections, and I want to thank members of the Council, and all of the Delivery Advisors who went around with me physically inspecting the projects in this State. We have about 60 projects, not only roads, but we were able to inspect just 23 key ones.

“So what we have to know is that the State is steadily moving in the right direction, and there is no doubt about it. By the time we come around, maybe next year, to commission those projects, you will know that God is helping us.

“Everywhere I went, my joy was that I saw young people working, and they were happy. It shows that our people are engaged.

“Please help me beg our young people, let’s stop this sense of entitlement. There are projects spread around all the local government areas. We are engaging our young people and providing work for them. I saw young female engineers, and that thrilled me so much. Please go to the portal and apply, and you will be considered.”

“There are things that we must do right; we can’t afford to disappoint those who are expecting so much from us, and we must win this race in Jesus’ name,” he added.

He disclosed that the third phase of the food distribution for the vulnerable will begin on August 20, 2025, and that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will post dates for the different local government areas.

He called on stakeholders to get involved in the coordination in their respective areas, and urged youths to desist from fomenting trouble during the process, as only vulnerable citizens with food vouchers are expected at the distribution centres.

Earlier in his message on the theme “Run the Race”, taken from Hebrews 12:1-2, Bishop Nkanang, who is the General Overseer of Word Tabernacle, admonished Christians on the need to exercise patience and run the race of life in the right way.

Some members of the rice farmers’ associations have blamed the continuous hike in the price of the product in Nigeria on the activities of unscrupulous farmers and middlemen in the sector.

The rice farmers’ leaders made this known in separate interviews with Our Correspondent in Lagos.

The vice-chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, said the consistent fluctuations in the price of rice could be linked to human manipulations in spite of the government’s efforts.

“As regards the high price of rice, I think we are taking one step forward and five steps backward.

“Some few months ago, the Federal Government came out with a waiver, giving some companies a small waiver to import rice into the country in order to crush the price. And while that was on, did they mobilise the local farmers? That is where the issue lies.

“Although few farmers were empowered by the Federal Government with a 75 per cent reduction on the cost of production, others were given fertilisers for free.

“Now, the question is this. Those local farmers who were empowered, did they really cultivate anything?

“The main issue is that the rice price hike can be linked to a cartel that wants to frustrate government’s effort,” Agbayewa said.

According to him, while the waiver was on, they actually imported rice into the country, and the price came down, but while they were importing, they were also warehousing.

“Now that the importation waiver is over, the cartel is creating artificial scarcity.

“Also, some of the farmers who cultivate local rice—it’s not that we do not produce enough, but some farmers only capitalise on the shortage in the system.

“And with the shortage, they are now repacking local rice in foreign bags for selfish reasons. They do this to sell at high cost because they know Nigerians have this high taste for foreign things.

“There is a high level of insincerity and dishonesty among our people. Some unscrupulous farmers, middlemen, and even retailers can be blamed for the current hike,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Mr Raphael Hunsa, called on the government to relate with the real farmers for the price of rice to drop.

“The price of rice will continue to go up if the government fails to support local rice farmers.

“The price will go higher and higher because cultivation of local rice is quite different from importing rice.

“And what we can do to resolve the issue of consistent price hikes in rice is to support the rice farmers in the right way.

“Though government is trying, and we don’t dispute that, but they should let their interventions get to the right hands.

“They should invite local rice farmers to a roundtable for formulation of the right policies and programmes for the sector.

“So, we know our problem, they should ask us and we will tender our problem. It is now left for the government to resolve the problem through the normal channel. And with that, the price of rice will come down,” Hunsa said.

He also urged local rice farmers not to sell off the interventions provided by the government, but should utilise them for the growth of the sector.

“We will also use this opportunity to tell our farmers that any input being given to them should not be sold.

“They should not sell it out. They were given the input for continuity.

“The continuity is what government is after. So let government continue to try their possible best to help farmers and not relent,” the RIFAN boss said.

On his part, a rice dealer at Oja Oba Market in Agege area of the state, Mr Mustafa Aliu, said the price of rice rose few weeks back due to the expiration of the waiver on rice imports.

“The price of rice is currently between N70,000 and N80,000 for a 50 kg bag. We can only sell it the way we bought it.

“There is no foreign rice among my products. I sell only local rice, and it’s clean and healthy,” Aliu said.

Also, another trader, at Iddo area of the state, Mr Temitayo Hakeem, said, “With the high demand for foreign rice, we will continue to witness this rise in the price of rice.

“There are bags of rice that still sell as high as N145,000 or N150,000, depending on the choice of the consumer,” Hakeem said.

The reports said that a 50 kg bag of local rice currently sells between N65,000 and N80,000, depending on the species.

The same quantity sold for between N45,000 and N55,000 two months ago.

The Federal Government has unveiled a tax reform package aimed at simplifying compliance, reducing the burden on small businesses and low-income earners, and strengthening Nigeria’s revenue system.

At a sensitization forum held on yesterday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Mrs Chioma Nweze, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Southeast zone told participants that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to make taxation fairer and more beneficial to ordinary Nigerians.“Our women, especially market women, must understand why government collects tax, what government does with it, and how they should pay without exploitation. “The president has removed fuel subsidy, unified the exchange rate, and increased allocations to states. These reforms will ensure more projects are delivered to benefit citizens,” she said.She emphasized that sensitizing women was deliberate, recalling that historical revolts such as the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 were caused by unfair taxation.“When women are informed, they carry the message to their families and communities. We don’t want exploitative practices to return; instead, women should be empowered to benefit from government initiatives,” she said.

Presenting his paper, Barrister Chukwumeka Eze, Chairman of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, Southeast Zone, explained that four new tax acts were signed into law on June 26, 2025, and now consolidated more than 20 scattered tax laws.

He noted that businesses with an annual turnover below N50 million are exempted from Companies Income Tax and Value Added Tax, while minimum wage earners will no longer pay personal income tax.“This is progressive taxation. The rich will now pay more within their means, while the poor will be protected. The days when wealthy individuals paid little tax are gone,” Eze stressed.

He added that the reforms also introduced a Tax Dispute Resolution Mechanism that allows citizens to lodge complaints free of charge, with resolutions provided within 7–14 days.

Also speaking, a tax professional and Chartered Accountant, Mr. Innocent Chinyere Ohagwa, said the reforms were necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal base, describing SMEs as the “lifeblood” of the economy.

“SMEs account for more than 90 percent of businesses and nearly 60% of jobs in Nigeria. By removing multiple taxation and unfair levies, government is giving them space to grow, create wealth, and support economic diversification,” he said.

Dr. Zino Ugboma, representing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), highlighted how tax revenues were being used to expand access to education.

He explained that undergraduates in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education can now access tuition and living-cost loans, repayable only after gaining employment, two years post-NYSC.

“This is a direct way of showing that taxation is not just about collection, but also about giving back to the people,” Ugboma said.

The forum, which drew officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), women leaders, professionals, and community stakeholders, ended with a call for stronger collaboration to ensure the success of the reforms.

Participants, including Mrs. Nnenna Otuonye, commended President Tinubu for pushing a fairer system and urged Southeast residents to embrace compliance for economic growth.