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Enugu Govt lauds rapid reactivation of 10,000-hectare Tribu Songhai Agro Hub

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The Enugu State Government has expressed satisfaction with the pace and scale of work at the 10,000-hectare Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms in Obunofia Ndiuno, Ezeagu Local Government Area, following an inspection tour of the facility on Wednesday.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Dr. Patrick Ubru, led the inspection alongside partners under the Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms Ltd initiative, including the founder of the Songhai model, Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo.

The visit was to assess progress on the reactivation of the once-dormant farm, now being repositioned into a fully integrated agro-industrial, training, and innovation ecosystem under the state’s public-private partnership model.

At the time of the inspection, work had reached an advanced stage across key parts of the project. Large portions of the farmland had been cleared, access roads graded, while 54 large fish ponds have been constructed. There was also visible progress in the revamp of piggeries and poultry houses, reactivation of water supply systems, renovation of residential quarters, training centres, and other essential infrastructure.

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Speaking during the tour, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Dr. Patrick Ubru, commended the State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for demonstrating leadership and commitment in delivering on his promise to revitalize agriculture through strategic partnerships.

Ubru said the visit was a follow-up to an earlier inspection carried out three weeks ago by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, alongside Dr. Nnamdi Ozor, the CEO of Tribu Limited, the core investor in the project.

He noted that the speed and scale of progress on the project were unprecedented.
“This is not the kind of opportunity we should allow to slip away. When the governor said he would transform agriculture with technology and serious partners like Songhai, today it is happening,” Ubru said.

The Commissioner disclosed that the government was already looking ahead to the commissioning of the facility, expressing confidence that the project would be ready in the near term.

“I believe that between now and next month, we will return here with His Excellency to commission this project. By then, we expect to see even more expansion, including ranching and full engagement of our young people,” he added.

He explained that the Enugu Tribu Songhai Farm is being developed as a large-scale agro-industrial hub focused on food production, value-chain development, enterprise incubation, and youth empowerment.

According to Ubru, the project, with its vast land size and integrated structure, is expected to generate employment, boost food security, and position Enugu as a leading destination for modern, technology-driven agriculture.

Also speaking, Prof. Nzamujo described the project as a transformative platform that would redefine agriculture and youth engagement in the state and beyond.

He said the initiative would change the narrative by positioning young people as drivers of production and innovation rather than passive recipients of support.

“Bcause young people are coming here, the Enugu story, the South East story, and indeed the Nigerian story will be different”, he stated.

Nzamujo stressed that the project goes beyond conventional farming, noting that it represents a system where agriculture, industry, and services are integrated into one ecosystem.

“Agriculture is going to become a weapon of mass socio-economic construction. From the primary stage, industry and services will grow from here. This place will become a microcosm of government, where everything is reintegrated and works in synergy,” he said.

He further explained that the initiative is designed to empower participants through practical training that enables self-reliance.

“We are not here to give palliative. Young people are the solution. With this kind of training, they will not be looking for jobs; they will be able to create their own opportunities,” Nzamujo added.

Also, a prominent farmer in the state, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji, CEO of Ugwu Anama Farm Ltd, who was part of the inspection tour, expressed satisfaction with the scale and quality of work on ground.

He praised Governor Peter Mbah for prioritizing agriculture and noted that his visit was to explore areas of collaboration with the Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms initiative.

Nnaji said he was particularly delighted to meet Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo in person, describing him as a legend whose model has reshaped agriculture across Africa.

“I am truly impressed by what I have seen here. This is a bold and visionary project that will redefine agriculture in Enugu State. I came to explore areas of collaboration, and meeting Prof. Nzamujo today is something I consider a great privilege,” he stated.

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NOUN bursar shot dead in Zamfara

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Nasiru Marafa
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Nasiru Marafa, the bursar of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), is dead.

Oladipo Ajayi, NOUN registrar and secretary to council, announced Marafa’s death in a statement on Sunday, saying he was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau, Zamfara state capital.

“The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, Staff and Students of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), regrets to announce the sudden and untimely passing of the University Bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, which occurred today, Sunday, 6th September 2026,” the statement reads.

“According to information available to the University, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau.”

Marafa was appointed bursar of the university on September 17, 2022, for a five-year tenure scheduled to end in September 2027.

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Ajayi described the deceased as a dedicated and committed staff member of the university, who served the institution meritoriously and occupied various positions of responsibility during his career.

He said Marafa’s demise is a profound loss to the university community, describing him as “a distinguished colleague, dedicated administrator and valued member of the NOUN family.”

The registrar extended the university’s condolences to Marafa’s immediate family, relatives, friends, colleagues and others mourning his death.

He also said further information on the burial arrangements would be communicated once details are released by the family.

“May the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and grant his family, friends, colleagues and the entire University community the strength to bear this painful loss,” the statement added.

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Enugu CP receives Best Crime Bursting police chief award , SP Ndukwe best PRO

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CP Giwa receiving the Best Crime Bursting Police Chief in West Africa award
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The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has received the 2025 Best Crime Busting Police Chief in West Africa award, just as the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Daniel Ndukwe, bags the Best Police Public Relations Officer in Nigeria award.

 Both awards were presented to them weekend by the Security Watch Africa Initiative.

Presenting the awards at the State Command Headquarters, GRA, Enugu, the International Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Initiative, Patrick Agbambu, said the recipients were selected following a review of their respective policing antecedents and professional contributions in Enugu State.

He urged CP Giwa to sustain his proactive approach to crime prevention and combating, while encouraging the PPRO to maintain his strategic and effective police-public relations activities.

Responding, CP Giwa expressed appreciation to the organizers for the recognition, attributing his achievements in Enugu State to Almighty God and the support of the State Government, law-abiding citizens and other stakeholders. SP Ndukwe also appreciated the organizers and dedicated the award to Almighty God, CP Giwa and the people of Enugu State for their continued support.

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The awards were presented as part of the 19th Africa Security Watch Awards, following the 19th Africa Security Watch Conference held in July 2026 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, Banjul, The Gambia.

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Gumi took my Moroccan wife from me, Kaduna man alleges

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Sheikh Gumi
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A Kaduna-based businessman, Nasir Musa Idris, has accused prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, of taking custody of his Moroccan wife, Khadija Diab, after he took her to the cleric’s residence for counselling.

Idris, who made the allegation in an interview with RFI Hausa, the Hausa service of Radio France Internationale, said he had been unable to take his wife back home for about 11 months after leaving her at Gumi’s residence in September 2025.

The businessman said he married Khadija, a Moroccan national, in October 2024 after travelling to Morocco to seek her hand in marriage and completing what he described as the necessary legal and immigration procedures.

He said the marriage was conducted with the consent of her parents and the involvement of relevant authorities, including the Nigerian embassy, before he brought her to Nigeria.

According to him, Khadija had never previously known anyone in Nigeria and the couple lived together in Kaduna without major problems until September 2025.

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Idris said he was subsequently informed that Gumi wanted to counsel his wife over complaints she had allegedly made concerning their marriage.

He said he trusted the cleric because of his standing as an Islamic scholar and leader and therefore took Khadija to Gumi’s residence.

“For Dr Gumi, I believe in him because of his character as a religious scholar and leader. I met him at a pharmacy on Isa Kaita Road with my family,” Idris said.

The businessman alleged that after he left his wife at the cleric’s residence, he was unable to take her back despite repeated attempts to regain access to her.

He said the situation had continued for months, prompting him to report the matter to relevant authorities and seek legal redress.

Idris also alleged that Gumi was invited by the authorities to answer questions concerning the matter but did not honour the invitation.

The dispute has also resulted in legal proceedings in Kaduna, where Idris reportedly made allegations bordering on wrongful restraint or confinement, interference in his marriage, theft, defamation and issues relating to a purported marriage document.

Court documents connected with the case reportedly named Amal Ahmad Gumi, described as Sheikh Gumi’s wife, as well as some members of the cleric’s family among the defendants.

The filings indicated that Idris initially introduced Khadija to Amal because both women were Moroccan.

The businessman also raised questions over a purported marriage certificate and alleged involvement by Gumi in proceedings before a Sharia Court in Kaduna.

However, the allegations remain contested and have not been established as facts by a court. There is also no independent confirmation that Gumi married Khadija.

Gumi: I’ll sue him

But Gumi, in his reaction to the allegations, denied Idris’ claims and threatened legal action against the businessman.

Speaking to Weekend Trust yesterday, the cleric dismissed the allegation and said he would sue Idris.

Gumi’s denial introduces a direct legal and factual contest between the two men over what happened after Khadija was taken to the cleric’s residence.

Idris, however, maintained that his marriage to Khadija was valid and that she had been brought into Nigeria only after he had completed the necessary procedures.

He said he was seeking the return of his wife and clarification of the circumstances under which she allegedly remained at Gumi’s residence.

The controversy has attracted attention because of the identities of those involved and the unusual circumstances surrounding the marital dispute.

With Gumi now threatening legal action and the matter already the subject of proceedings, the competing accounts are likely to be tested through the appropriate legal and investigative processes.

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