General
Senate 2019: Group Drums Massive Support for Victor Adoji
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Kogi East chapter of a political pressure group known as Kogi Liberation Movement (ILM) has thrown its full weight behind candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the upper chamber of the National Assembly in 2019, Mr Victor Adoji.
According to the group, the erudite banker-turned politician, who is gearing up to represent Kogi East Senatorial District next year, is the right man for the job.
The group led by its coordinator, Comrade Misah Ibrahim, said at the end of a town hall meeting in Olamaboro, Kogi State that considering what Mr Adoji has done for the district in his personal capacity, it would be foolhardy for them to fold their arms while another person grabs the post.
“It is difficult to forget the many good things Dr. Adoji did for our people even in his personal capacity.
“This is a man who took the responsibility of paying monthly allowances to primary school teachers equivalent to their salaries to motivate them into giving their best to the students.
“He built the only standard mosque and churches in Olamaboro. He has also built schools and given scholarships to youths who want to further their education as well paid the WAEC fees of those in their senior year in secondary schools. Adoji, has touched several lives either directly or indirectly. We are yet to see his match in the district,” Mr Ibrahim said.
Lamenting on the poor representation of the district, the leader of the group said, “Kogi East Senatorial District has suffered misrepresentation for years. Those who have represented this district have serially failed us in terms of good legislation, provision of amenities through constituency projects and empowerment.
“We can’t continue to wallow in this politics of stagnation where some selfish individuals will gather together to oppose everything that is good for our land.
“Our region has suffered so much neglect because of the attitude of some of our leaders, despite the fact that we have several opportunities to develop.”
Comrade Ibrahim further disclosed that they were not in the know of any candidate developing interest in the position at the moment aside from the former banker.
“Adoji is the only person seeking for the office who has ever told us why he is going there. The reasons are quite important to us and we shall put him there. We shall hold him accountable thereafter. He is not just an aspirant but a philanthropist with good heart to lead.
“To me, he is the most suitable man to represent us at the senate next year,” he declared.
The group further urged all stakeholders to support Adoji’s victory at the poll to enable him bring emancipation to the people of Kogi East.
Going by the support coming in from every corner of the district, Dr. Adoji seems to be having a smooth sail to the senate.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the establishment of Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board as part of efforts to drive non-oil revenues.
This was disclosed by the Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodinma, while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the 149th NEC meeting chaired by the Vice-President, Mr Kashim Shettima, on Thursday at Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He explained that in order to make the board function effectively, the council approved a proposal for Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
Mr Uzodinma stated that the chairman of the board would be selected from the private sector, adding that the body would be funded from import levies on textiles.
“The National Economic Council, among others things, received a representation from the members and leadership of Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Forum.
“These are private sector operatives who are into the cotton business, garment and textiles and the presentation highlighted their proposal on how to revitalise the cotton industry in Nigeria.
“The council endorsed the presentation and approved the establishment of a National and regional Offices for the board in each of the six geopolitical zones for proper coordination,” said Mr Uzodinma.
On his part, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa said the council also received proposal from the Minister of Livestock Development on acceleration strategy for the livestock industry.
He said the presentation was on on a plan to transformation the livestock industry between 2025 and 2030, stating that the strategy was built on the national livestock growth acceleration plan, which is expected to transform the sector to create jobs, export products and serve as an engine room for internally generated revenue.
“The projection is that the strategy will generate between $74 billion down and $90 billion in that sector by the year 2035.
“It will be a direct partnership with the state governors, the private sector and foreign investors under a very sound federal regulatory umbrella,” said Mr Diri.
He added that the investment would be prioritised into five key pillars between 2025 and 2026, saying the pillars are: animal health and zones control, feed and further development, water resources management, statistics and information and livestock value chain development.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced plans to commence the disbursement of the $700 million Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) within the next four months.
Last week, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, instructed the maritime regulator to initiate the long-awaited disbursement process for the fund.
This directive marked a significant shift from over two decades of administrative stagnation and ushers in a new era of strategic repositioning of Nigeria’s indigenous shipping.
Speaking on Wednesday, NIMASA’s Director General, Mr Dayo Mobereola, providing a timeline for the disbursement said this will happen within the next four months, which by calculation, is August 2025.
He made the announcement during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration in Abuja, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“We are acting in accordance with the directive of the Minister to ensure indigenous shipowners finally have access to this critical funding. The guidelines have been streamlined based on the Minister’s approval, so beneficiaries can access the funds within three to four months,” he said.
“To effectively manage the $700 million intervention fund, the number of Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) has been expanded from five to twelve.”
The CVFF, established under the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003, was designed to empower Nigerian shipping companies through access to structured financing for vessel acquisition. However, successive administrations failed to operationalize the fund—until now.
According to Minister Oyetola, the disbursement of the CVFF will represent not just the release of funds, but a profound commitment to empowering Nigerian maritime operators, bolstering national competitiveness, and fostering sustainable economic development.
“This is not just about disbursing funds. It’s about rewriting a chapter in our maritime history. For over 20 years, the CVFF remained a dormant promise. Today, we are bringing it to life—deliberately, transparently, and strategically,” he stated.
NIMASA, in alignment with the Minister’s directive, has already issued a Marine Notice inviting eligible Nigerian shipping companies to apply.
Qualified applicants can access up to $25 million each at competitive interest rates to acquire vessels that meet international safety and performance standards.
The fund will be administered in partnership with carefully selected and approved Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs), ensuring professional and efficient disbursement.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ogun State Government, through its Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA,) has sealed four industries for environmental infractions.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the agency, Mr Luke Adebesin, the affected organisations are Fortune Height Farms Limited and Sanda Wood Industry Limited, both in Odogbolu Local Government, Shengceramic Material Limited in Ogere axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Nehemiah Grace Developer Limited at Ijako in Ado-Odo, Ota Local Government.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on OGEPA, Mr Farouk Akintunde, reiterated that all companies must comply with operating and environmental standards laid by the state.
The agency alleged that Fortune Height Farms Limited, which is into production of eggs and catfish, was sealed after a petition was received from its host community for discharging untreated influence into the environment.
Sanda Wood Industry Limited was sealed for allegedly denying government officials access into its facility while engaging in open burning, while Nehemiah Grace Developer Limited was sealed for encroaching on the waterways and constructing drainage without the state government permit.
“Ogun State government will not fold its hand and allow these industries to violate our Environmental laws,” the agency said, adding that it will continue to ensure that the South Western state is safe and secure.
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