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Enugu Gov’t intensifies cassava production, as Uzo-Uwani targets 500 hectares of cassava farm
In its effort to boost food security, create jobs, and grow the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), the Enugu State government has intensified cassava production by targeting over 500 hectares of farmland in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state.
Recall that the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah had announced his administration’s collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, together with Bio-source Technology Limited, a private sector firm, to establish bioethanol plants at Affa and Egede communities in Udi Local Government Area of the state.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialization, Mr Patrick Ubru, who was accompanied by the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani local Government Area, Mr. Celestine Chukwudi Nnadozie, during an inspection tour of the cassava farmlands in Umulokpa, Uzo Uwani LGA, on Tuesday, restated the resolve of the Peter Mbah administration to create jobs, eradicate hunger, and reduce the poverty headcount index in the state to zero by 2031.
Stressing that cassava has about 34 products and over 200 by-products that could be used by different industries, especially the pharmaceuticals, he assured that the government had concluded plans to boost cassava to bioethanol value chain development in the state.
“I am happy with what I have seen here today. I thank the people of Uzo Uwani for joining the state in Governor Peter Mbah’s determination to implement cassava to bioethanol value chain development in the state. Governor Mbah is relentless on this, and he is ready to get every facility put in place to actualize the project.
“It is not only that we want to ensure food security in Enugu State, we also want to industrialize, harvest, process and package our products, and export them overseas to boost our economy”.
Ubru noted that the three local governments of Nkanu East, Uzo-Uwani, and Aninri represented each of the three senatorial districts of the state in the pilot scheme, expressing the hope that it would be extended to the others.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area lauded Governor Mbah’s commitment to revive agriculture in the state, assuring the council’s readiness to support the government actualize its objectives.
Nnadozie said Uzo-Uwani was targeting over 500 hectares of cassava farmlands, adding that 200 hectares had already been cultivated in communities such as Umulokpa, Ukpata and Uvuru, while Nimbo and Abbi were willing to assist towards meeting the 500 hectares target.
He reiterated that Uzo-Uwani was blessed with fertile lands for different crops, saying the soya beans that were intercropped with the cassava in the area were doing very well.
The Supervisor for Agriculture in Uzo-Uwani, Chika Aruma, and the Head of Agriculture Department, Dr. Anya Donatus who spoke on behalf of the people, thanked the governor for finding Uzo-Uwani worthy to benefit from the project, saying it would not only keep the youths busy and assist in crime reduction, but would equally pave way for development in the area.
The Kano State Police Command has arrested and detained popular TikTok personality, Fati Cele, following the death of her boyfriend, Isma’il Makaye, at her residence in Kano.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the development to The PUNCH via a WhatsApp message on Saturday.
Haruna, however, declined to provide further details, saying investigations were ongoing.
“Yes, it’s true, the TikToker is currently being detained over the death of her boyfriend, Isma’il Makaye,” he said.
Fati Cele, a native of Borno State, lives in a rented apartment in the Danbare area of Kano and has more than 32,000 followers on TikTok.
A source close to the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the TikTok personality raised an alarm from her residence, claiming there was a fire.
The source added that Makaye was rushed to Nassarawa Hospital for treatment but later died.
CALABAR — A young man and his girlfriend have reportedly died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Calabar, Cross River State capital, after inhaling fumes from a generator used overnight.
The incident occurred on Friday night at Poultry Farm Road in Calabar South Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the deceased had recently moved into a new apartment and brought in his girlfriend to stay with him. Due to power outage, he reportedly switched on a generator and kept it inside the room before going to bed.
A source in the area, identified as Akong, said the generator ran throughout the night, leading to the tragic deaths of the occupants.
“He packed into the house newly and on Friday night due to unavailability of power supply, he turned on his generator and placed it inside the room throughout the night. By this morning, he and his girlfriend could not wake up,” she said.
The source also said a newly purchased puppy in the apartment died from the same fumes.
According to her, the bodies of the deceased were later evacuated to the mortuary, while the dog was buried by neighbours in the compound.
Residents described the incident as tragic, lamenting that what was meant to be a peaceful night turned fatal.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report. (Vanguard)
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Audu Sule-Katagum, is dead. He was 69.
His death was announced on Saturday by Shamsuddeen Lukman Abubakar, who served as his digital and creative media aide.
Katagum passed away in the early hours of Saturday. His death has drawn condolences from political leaders and traditional institutions across Bauchi State.
He served as deputy governor between 2018 and 2019 under former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar. Before that, he was Chief of Staff at the Bauchi State Government House.
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Arch. Audu Sule Katagum, Wazirin Katagum and former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State,” Lukman said in a statement.
“The deceased passed away in the early hours of today after a life of dedicated service to his community, Bauchi State and the nation,” he added.
Lukman said funeral arrangements would be announced by the family. He also prayed for the late deputy governor.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear this great loss. Ameen,” the statement read.
Beyond politics, Katagum held the revered traditional title of Wazirin Katagum, a position that gave him strong influence within the Katagum Emirate.
He was the son of the late Alhaji Sule Katagum, Nigeria’s first Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission, who also once held the Waziri title.
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