Headlines

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Oyo State Command, has apprehended 40 suspected illegal immigrants in Akinyele Local Government Area.

Oyo State Comptroller of NIS, Tayo Dada, confirmed the arrests, stating they were carried out based on credible intelligence.

Profiling of the suspects revealed that 27 are Cameroonians, two are Ghanaians, 10 are Beninese, and one is Togolese. Among them, 32 are males and eight are females, aged between 18 and 35 years.

Further investigations indicated that 10 of the individuals are farmers, while 30 claimed to be engaged in online marketing. None possessed valid residence permits or travel documents, having entered Nigeria through unauthorized routes.

Dada disclosed that the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, has ordered the necessary procedures to be followed for their repatriation.

The Labour Party (LP) has dismissed claims that its 2027 presidential ticket has been zoned to the South-East.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party clarified that comments attributed to its National Chairman, Julius Abure, were misinterpreted.

“Labour Party is a national party with a broad support base across the country, and as such, the issue of zoning does not arise,” the statement read.

Ifoh explained that Abure had only urged South-East members at a gathering on Saturday to engage other regions in building political alliances to enhance their chances of securing the presidency.

He cited the Yoruba political bloc’s success in past elections as an example of how strategic realignments could improve electoral prospects.

“In the 2023 general elections, the party secured victories in both northern and southern states, and we are working to surpass that achievement in future elections,” Ifoh added.

He emphasized that all candidates would emerge through a competitive and democratic process, as the party’s constitution does not support zoning.

“We regret the misinterpretation of our party’s position by a section of the media. The Labour Party was quoted out of context,” the statement said.

The LP fielded former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 election, where he finished third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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.