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Katsina State, Governor Dikko Radda has announced his administration’s launch of a goat-rearing initiative.

The project, which has N5.4 billion set aside for it, aims to support 3,610 women across the state’s 361 wards.

Each beneficiary will receive four goats, comprising one male and three females, to kick-start their goat-rearing business. Additionally, one large-scale farmer from each ward will receive 50 goats.

Governor Radda, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), announced the initiative during a launch event at Dan-Nakolo in the Daura Local Government Area.

“This moment marks not only a significant milestone in our agricultural journey but also a transformative step toward achieving our ambition of making Katsina State a leading hub for livestock production in the northern region and across our great nation, Nigeria.

“The Goat Rearing Initiative which cost N5.7 billion is designed to empower local farmers, especially women groups, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and community level committees by providing them with the resources, training, and support they need to rear goats successfully.

“We will implement training programs for our people, equipping them with skills necessary to engage in effective breeding practices. This program will cover essential aspects such as animal nutrition, health management, and sustainable farming techniques.

“We’ll not only invest in infrastructure but also provide access to affordable financing to facilitate the growth of goat rearing business.

“I have always believed in our strength lies in our ability to harness the vast agricultural potentials that our state has to offer.

“About 40,000 heads of goats have been earmarked for distribution to successful beneficiaries which were selected purely by the community level committee across the 361 wards of the state.

“We have not allowed any personal interest in the interference in the selection process of these beneficiaries.

“each ward will have 10 women and one large scale farmer. Each beneficiary from the women group will be given four heads of goats, one male and three females, and one large scale farmer will be given 50 heads of goats.

“This year, the government is establishing a goat farm in Rimi local government of the Katsina senatorial zone for the purpose of genetic improvement, high milk and manure. This will also serve as a multiplier for goat production, breeding and animal husbandry as well as a training centre,” he revealed.

“The Goat Farming Initiative program is a beacon of hope for our agricultural sector, and I’m excited to witness the remarkable transformation it will bring. Today, together we can push our state to the forefront in livestock production, improving not only the economic landscape, but also the spatial firebreak of our communities.”

A similar initiative was done by Kano Governor Abba Yusuf, another member of the APC, in January. A statement from the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, had said that the program involves the distribution of livestock to women across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.

Each beneficiary of the Kano government empowerment received three small goats.

A military airstrike targeting bandits mistakenly killed six people in Yauni Community, Zakka Ward, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Security sources confirmed to Channels Television on Monday that the victims, all from the same family, included three children, a man, and two women.

The incident occurred following Saturday’s local government elections, after security operatives attempted to prevent a planned bandit attack on voters in Zakka village.

Eyewitnesses reported that security forces, including the police and members of the State Community Watch Corps (CWC), engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle. Two police officers and a CWC operative were killed on the spot, while another officer later succumbed to injuries.

Following the clash, a military fighter jet was deployed for reinforcement but mistakenly dropped a bomb on Yauni Community, located in the southern part of Zakka village.

“As a result of this, we lost our men in the gun battle. Another woman was also left injured,” an eyewitness said.

Military and government authorities have yet to comment on the incident.

Similar incidents have occurred in the past. In July 2022, a military airstrike mistakenly killed at least two people in Kunkunni village, also in Safana LGA. Earlier in the year, an airstrike in Zamfara State mistakenly killed 16 people, including members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG), local vigilantes, and residents.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria, has released the results of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates, second series.

The examination, conducted between October 25 and December 20, 2024, introduced a new computer-based hybrid mode alongside the traditional paper-and-pen option.

In a statement on Sunday, WAEC’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola F. Adesina, disclosed that 65,023 candidates sat for the examination across 5,067 centres nationwide, representing a 20% decline from the previous year.

According to WAEC, 95.9% of the results have been fully processed and released, enabling most candidates to access their scores without delay.

A performance analysis showed that 53.64% of candidates obtained five credits, including English and Mathematics, reflecting a 9.35% increase from the 2023 results.

However, WAEC withheld the results of 2,577 candidates (3.96%) over alleged examination malpractice. Affected candidates have been advised to visit the council’s official portal to address their cases.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted an application by former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to amend her suit challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) final forfeiture order on her seized assets.

Justice Inyang Ekwo approved the request after Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, moved the motion, which EFCC counsel Divine Oguru did not oppose.

During the proceedings, Inyinbor informed the court that the motion to amend the originating process had been filed and duly served on the defendant.

Granting the application, Justice Ekwo directed the former minister to file and serve the amended processes within five days, while the EFCC was given 14 days to respond. The case was adjourned to March 17 for further mention.

Alison-Madueke, through her lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is challenging the public sale of her forfeited properties. She contends that the forfeiture orders were issued without jurisdiction and violated her right to a fair hearing, as guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

The court had initially scheduled November 21, 2024, to hear the motion before granting the amendment request on Monday.

The former minister argues that she was never served with a charge sheet, proof of evidence, or any summons regarding the criminal charges against her. She further claims that the courts were misled into granting the forfeiture orders due to the suppression or non-disclosure of key information.

“The applications that led to the final forfeiture orders were based on serious misstatements, misrepresentations, and concealment of material facts,” she stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the EFCC had secured multiple forfeiture orders against Alison-Madueke’s assets, which were subsequently auctioned by the federal government.

Tensions ran high at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday following the alleged illegal removal of Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) took control of the assembly complex, preventing newly appointed Speaker Mojisola Meranda from accessing her office for over an hour.

In a show of solidarity, lawmakers and assembly staff gathered in protest before forcefully entering the chamber.

Watch the ensuing video below.