🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Abia State seeks partnership with NAADI to boost agriculture and economic growth
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Governor Alex Otti announced that the Abia State Government is prepared to collaborate with the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industrial Development Initiative NAADI to enhance the state's economy and strengthen value addition in key agricultural sectors. Governor Otti made this statement during a meeting with a NAADI delegation, led by its Director, Felix Charles, at the Government House in Umuahia. He noted that NAADI's objectives align with his administration's economic agenda and pledged his team's readiness to work closely with the initiative. Otti emphasized that meaningful economic growth requires processing and industrialization, not just raw material production. He highlighted Abia's rich endowments in palm oil, cassava, cocoa, cashew nuts, rubber, leather works, and fabrics, stressing the need to process these products beyond subsistence levels for greater economic value. Charles explained that NAADI is a Federal Government initiative designed to promote agricultural participation, strengthen agro-processing value chains, and improve access to international markets. He confirmed that Abia would be the ninth state to adopt and launch the initiative, benefiting from pillars such as bridging capacity gaps, promoting agribusiness, improving market access, and addressing funding constraints. The meeting included Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, Chief of Staff Caleb Ajagba, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce Salome Obiukwu, and Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce Nwaka
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The Nigerian Air Force NAF has graduated 111 personnel from Special Forces Course 13/2026 at the Regiment Training Centre Annex, Bauchi. This initiative aims to enhance the NAF's operational capacity and strengthen national security. The NAF stated that this marks a significant step in building a highly skilled, combat-ready force capable of addressing Nigeria's evolving security challenges. The intensive program equipped personnel with specialist knowledge, tactical skills, and resilience for complex Special Forces operations supporting air and joint military missions. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, represented by the Chief of Training, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Dari, congratulated the graduates and urged them to maintain professionalism and discipline. The ceremony included tactical demonstrations such as obstacle crossing drills, commando self-defense techniques, and air assault operations. The NAF emphasized that this graduation highlights its ongoing investment in human capacity development and operational excellence to bolster its ability to deliver air power for national security objectives.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board JAMB has announced the discontinuation of admissions into affiliated degree programs offered by Colleges of Education, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session. This decision establishes the Nigeria Certificate in Education NCE as the exclusive entry route into these institutions. The new policy, detailed in JAMB's NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines, also eliminates direct admission into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education, requiring all new entrants to go through the NCE program. This reform impacts thousands of candidates who applied for degree programs through affiliated Colleges of Education for the 2026 admission cycle. JAMB has provided options for affected candidates, including applying for a change of institution at no cost, transferring to the parent university, or allowing their second-choice institution to become their first choice. Candidates seeking 100-level admission through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination UTME for affiliated Colleges of Education can also change institutions, elevate their second-choice, or migrate to the NCE program. Those opting for the NCE route will need an O'Level verification code and pay a ₦700 registration fee. JAMB also introduced mandatory O'Level verification for all NCE applicants, with fees of ₦1,500 for one sitting and ₦2,000 for two sittings. The Board urged all relevant centers and officials to comply with the new guidelines.
Must ReadThe Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project SERAP has urged the National Assembly leadership to recover N110 billion allegedly spent unlawfully on lawmakers' vehicles and support allowances. This call follows a Federal High Court judgment in Lagos, delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro, which found that the expenditure of N40 billion for 465 vehicles and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members violated procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and public trust. In a letter dated June 20, 2026, SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasized that the judgment necessitates consequences and full restitution for the unlawful expenditure. SERAP also called for the establishment of mechanisms to ensure future procurements comply with due process, transparency, accountability, and value for money. The organization further recommended public hearings on the National Assembly's budget and proactive publication of detailed budgetary information to enhance transparency and public participation. SERAP argued that allowing lawmakers to retain benefits from unlawful expenditure undermines public trust and constitutional principles, stating that restitution is crucial for upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability. While the judgment did not explicitly order a refund, SERAP believes it provides sufficient legal grounds for recovery and has threatened further legal action if its recommendations are not implemented within seven days.