Category: Daily Trust

An alleged serial killer, Akaninyene Ignatius Eshiet, has been remanded at the Afokang Custodial Centre after being arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Calabar over the alleged murder of two persons in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Eshiet is accused of killing Mr Okon Bassey Okon Nsa of Ukim Ita community and Mr Okokon Akpan Eshiet of Akai Ibonda.

The case, The State vs. Akaninyene, came up before Magistrate Court 10 and was adjourned to August 12, 2026, for transfer to the High Court, which has jurisdiction over murder cases.

It was observed that while the principal suspect was remanded, his brother, Nkereuwem Eshiet, who was also brought to court in police custody, was not arraigned.

Instead, he was returned to police detention for reasons not disclosed by the authorities.

The development has triggered concern among traditional leaders and residents of the affected communities, who also questioned the release of Uduak Essien, the suspect’s alleged girlfriend and an earlier co-suspect in the case.

The residents argued that releasing Essien while investigations were still ongoing could undermine efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings and expose members of the community to further danger.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the Village Head of Ukim Ita, Chief Samuel Ekpe Ita, expressed concern over the decision, claiming that the principal suspect had initially alleged that his girlfriend assisted him in carrying out the crimes.

He also questioned why Nkereuwem, whom he alleged was apprehended with a firearm at the crime scene, had not been arraigned alongside his brother, adding that the police owed the community an explanation after previously indicating that he was no longer in custody.

Ekpe maintained that the community was not seeking to prejudice the investigation but wanted everyone with possible links to the case to be thoroughly investigated so that justice would be served and innocent persons cleared through due process.

The community leader further urged the police to be more transparent in handling the case in order to reassure residents that the investigation was being conducted professionally and without bias.

The case has also been surrounded by rumours that an unidentified businessman allegedly offered N15 million to have the matter settled and secure the release of the principal suspect.

However, the Cross River State Police Command dismissed the claim as unfounded.

Responding to the concerns, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpa, said Uduak Essien was released after investigators found no evidence linking her to the alleged murders.

According to him, the principal suspect’s confessional statement exonerated Essien, while independent investigations also failed to establish any basis for her continued detention.

‘The suspect’s alleged girlfriend, Uduak Essien, who was initially arrested alongside the principal suspect on suspicion of conspiracy, has since been released.

‘Following a thorough investigation, the findings and the confessional statement of the principal suspect exonerated her from the earlier allegations. Consequently, she was released,’ Eitokpa said.

He also denied knowledge of the alleged N15 million offer, stressing that the command was handling the case strictly in accordance with the law.

Despite the police explanation, residents appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Cross River State Government and other relevant authorities to ensure that investigations are pursued to a logical conclusion and that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Bincike International, a development and humanitarian organisation, has raised concerns over illegal mining activities in Nigeria, calling for stronger regulation and enforcement in the sector.

The organisation, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, alleged that unregulated mining activities were contributing to environmental degradation, revenue losses and challenges facing some mining communities.

It also expressed concern over alleged encroachment on conservation areas and what it described as the mining sector’s inadequate contribution to government revenue.

‘While the nation sits on a vast fortune of critical minerals essential for the global energy transition, a shadowy and unregulated economy continues to siphon off this natural heritage,’ the organisation said.

‘This illicit trade starves federal and state treasuries of vital revenues, devastates fragile ecosystems, and subjects vulnerable citizens in host communities to severe exploitation.’

Bincike International said several states have solid mineral deposits in commercial quantities that are in international demand but have yet to be adequately harnessed.

Citing Nasarawa State, the organisation claimed that some lithium oxide samples from the state tested between 3.5 and 13 per cent, compared with what it described as globally traded samples of between one and two per cent.

The organisation further alleged that illegal mining networks were exploiting mineral deposits and circumventing regulatory channels, resulting in revenue losses to the government.

It called on relevant authorities to strengthen regulation and enforcement in the mining sector and ensure greater transparency in revenue collection.

Bincike International also advocated the revocation of permits found to have been obtained or operated illegally, saying stricter enforcement and revenue transparency would help the country derive greater economic benefits from its mineral resources.

Socio-cultural organisation, the Warri North Itsekiri Rebirth Forum, has rejected the proposed ward delineation matrix allocating 10 wards each to the Itsekiri and Ijaw in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The group said the proposed arrangement does not reflect what it described as the demographic strength and electoral realities of the Itsekiri people in the area.

Speaking in Obitugbo, Warri North, Chairman of the group, Hon. David Edun, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the proposed delineation and called on the National Assembly to scrutinise the process before taking any legislative action.

‘We believe that this proposal is fundamentally flawed and does not reflect the demographic and electoral realities of Warri North LGA. We therefore reject it in its entirety and call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to implement what we consider an unjust arrangement capable of undermining the political rights and democratic aspirations of the Itsekiri people,’ Edun said.

He said INEC was expected to conduct the exercise transparently and in accordance with the Constitution and relevant electoral laws.

‘INEC is expected to be an impartial institution that inspires public confidence through fairness, transparency and strict adherence to the Constitution and electoral laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ he said.

Citing figures which the group attributed to INEC’s 2023 Register of Voters, Edun said the Itsekiri-dominated areas of Warri North currently have six wards, comprising 134 polling units and 75,912 registered voters, while Ijaw-dominated areas have four wards, 58 polling units and 34,480 registered voters.

According to him, the figures formed the basis of the group’s objection to the proposed equal allocation.

‘It therefore raises serious questions as to how the commission arrived at an equal allocation of 10 wards each for both ethnic groups. We respectfully urge INEC to explain the methodology used and review the proposed delineation to ensure that it reflects verifiable facts, constitutional principles and its own official records,’ he said.

Edun also called on members of the National Assembly to carefully examine the proposed arrangement.

‘We also urge the distinguished members of the National Assembly to carefully scrutinise the proposed ward delineation before taking any legislative action. As custodians of Nigeria’s laws, members of the National Assembly have a constitutional responsibility to ensure that every process complies with the principles of equity, justice and democratic representation,’ he said.

The group maintained that decisions concerning ward delineation should involve broad consultation with affected communities and relevant stakeholders.

It called for continued engagement among INEC, government authorities and communities in Warri North to ensure that concerns surrounding the exercise are addressed peacefully.

‘We therefore urge government institutions at all levels to engage directly with credible representatives who genuinely enjoy the confidence of the people,’ Edun said.

He reiterated the group’s opposition to the proposal in its current form and called for a review of the exercise.

‘Finally, we wish to state in the clearest possible terms that the Itsekiri Rebirth Forum rejects the proposed ward delineation exercise for Warri North in its present form. We call on INEC to revisit the exercise in accordance with constitutional provisions, verifiable demographic data, and the principles of fairness, equity and justice.

‘We appreciate the efforts of Mr President, the Delta State Government and all well-meaning Nigerians who continue to seek a peaceful and just resolution of the issues surrounding the ward delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency,’ he said.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Zamfara State has condemned the killing of several residents and the abduction of about 70 others by armed bandits in Kasuwar Daji, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

The party described the attack as barbaric and unacceptable, saying the continued killings and kidnappings in the state posed a serious threat to peace, security and the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Anas Haidara Kaura, the party called on security agencies to immediately launch a coordinated search-and-rescue operation to secure the release of those abducted.

It urged the agencies to deploy all available intelligence and operational resources to rescue the victims safely and reunite them with their families.

The opposition party also appealed to the federal, state and local governments to intensify efforts to protect lives and property, strengthen security operations, improve intelligence gathering and enhance community-based security initiatives to tackle banditry across Zamfara State.

The ADC State Chairman, Malam Shehu Maishanu Gulubba, expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the attack and sympathised with the people of Kasuwar Daji and the entire Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

He also expressed solidarity with the families of those abducted, praying for the safe and speedy return of their loved ones.

The party urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting lawful efforts to restore peace and security in the state, while reaffirming its commitment to promoting good governance, responsible leadership and the protection of citizens’ lives and fundamental rights.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior government officials have met with the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) over the doctors’ planned nationwide strike.

The doctors were led to the Presidential Villa by the NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman.

The meeting at the Presidential Villa followed a threat by the doctors to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from August 10 if the Federal Government failed to address outstanding salary arrears and other welfare-related issues.

The doctors had announced the planned industrial action in a communiqué issued after their National Executive Council meeting in Gombe.

Apart from the Chief of Staff, the Ministers of Labour, Health and Finance were present at the meeting.

The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation were also in attendance.

Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, Dr. Suleiman said the association had secured commitments on nearly all the issues it raised, adding that NARD and the Federal Government agreed on timelines for resolving outstanding salary, promotion and allowance matters that prompted the strike notice.

‘Today, I can tell you that our matters are resolved,’ he said.

On whether the planned strike had been formally called off, Suleiman said: ‘I can’t stand here and tell you I have called off a strike. What I’ll do, I have the utmost confidence that what he (Chief of Staff) has done today has moved the needle to a very large extent to have solved our matters, and we’ll wait for more.’

He said he would have to report the outcome of the meeting to NARD’s National Executive Council before a final decision could be taken.

‘I have National Executive Council members. I have to report all of this back. We sit down. We take a decision. The point is, the person that called us for this conversation has never failed resident doctors. That is what I am emphasising,’ he said.

According to him, ‘This is not the first time the Chief of Staff has intervened in matters relating to resident doctors in this country. About six or seven years ago, when he became Speaker, it was the first opportunity he had to intervene, and he has always intervened. Whenever he came into our issues, our matters were solved.’

Suleiman said timelines had been agreed upon with various government agencies for the implementation of some of the resolutions reached at the meeting.

‘We are talking about the meal issue at LUTH, we are talking about a week for implementation. We have agreed on a figure. We have agreed on numbers,’ he said.

He also disclosed that the association raised concerns over what it described as an escalating pattern of violence against health workers, saying 31 doctors and more than 20 other health workers had been assaulted in the past 10 months.

‘Today we have agreed. The Ministry of Health is going to release directives to their hospitals to beef up security and create safe spaces. The Ministry of Health is going to engage the public in public education for health workers not to be assaulted,’ Suleiman said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved salary increment of between 30 and 80 per cent for personnel of Nigerian armed forces.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

According to him, about 250,000 personnel are set to benefit from the new deal.

The President said under the new arrangement, which takes effect from September 1, officers above the rank of colonel will enjoy a 30 per cent salary increase.

‘This applies to Brigadier-Generals, Major-Generals, Lieutenant Generals and Generals.

‘Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer will have a 50 per cent increase, while Private to Staff Sergeant will have an 80 per cent increase.’

The statement said the pay package will increase from the yearly wage bill of N660 billion to N924 billion.

Onanuga said President Tinubu had always praised the courage and sacrifices of members of the armed forces as they confront the scourge of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in some parts of the country.

‘The men and women who help to keep us safe in our homes must be supported and appreciated in the course of their duties to our nation.

‘Our administration will continue to prioritise troop welfare and modernise the armed forces by providing the weapons and technological tools needed to discharge their duties.

‘Our administration believes that no nation can achieve greatness without security. We therefore remain resolute in mobilising all military and law enforcement assets to eliminate security threats and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians

‘I urge our servicemen to take our gesture as a sign of our deep appreciation of the services they render to our fatherland. Together we shall prevail over the enemies intent on destroying the fabric of our nation.’

Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, is passionately pushing a President Tinubu agenda on national security. On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Matawalle, was in Kaduna to inaugurate the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Institute of Technology. The trip was without fanfare but it was loud on implications for President Tinubu’s iron-cast resolve to fight and overawe insecurity in the country.

It bears restating that Matawalle, a ardent ally of President Tinubu, has been very active in promoting the Tinubu government. He has been discreet in strategy as the government rallies to tame the bogey of insecurity.

For context, the institute was established as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence production through the building and sustenance of a viable military industrial complex within the country. The institute will not only provide the requisite technical expertise for the design, development and sustenance of platforms and systems critical for the security of the nation, it will significantly reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign sources for critical defence capabilities including technical capacities and relevant 21st century skill sets for the nation’s security personnel.

For decades, Nigeria has relied on foreign technical and technological assistance to defend its territorial integrity and ensure internal security for the citizenry. This has obvious implications on the sovereignty of the nation. It has also over the years put enormous pressure on the naira as all the imported arms and ammunition including high-end military hardware and training of security personnel overseas are procured with forex. The establishment of the institute, therefore, is not only a landmark but a paradigm shift for the nation’s indigenous defence industrial base especially in the area of capacity building and professional counterterrorism training.

In modern warfare, possession of defence infrastructure is no longer enough. Strategy and intelligence innovation have become inevitable resources to place a nation at the cutting edge of any war or security threat. Without strategic thinking, communication cum surveillance gadgets, and innovative positioning, the physical defence infrastructure could become articles for decoration. The operators of such physical defence infrastructure, if they lack the requisite knowhow on how to handle the military hardware, may consistently strike amiss resulting in waste of personnel and money. This is why critical skills set and strategy have become strong combinations in modern warfare.

This is the essence of DICON and its Institute: To produce not only defence infrastructure including guns and drones and all, but also to mint the right manpower drilled in the foundry of operational efficiency and strategy. It is called specialized security training in counterterrorism lingo. It means to not only equip but also to train your security personnel in the art and craft of counterinsurgency operations, bomb disposal techniques, hostage rescue stunts, and crisis/conflict management. These are some of the capacities to be built into Nigerian security personnel and others in the Institute.

Th DICON institute is inaugurated with the full awareness that counter-terrorism does not consist only in military-style kinetics of physical offensive and violent efforts to exterminate the opponent, it also involves non-kinetic approaches including enlightenment and re-orientation of the terrorists to wean them of terror traits and evil behavioural patterns. Other non-kinetics methods include financial squeeze and deliberate blockade of the financial sources of the terrorists and in some cases cyber weakening of the terrorists’ camp through cyber-attacks and other tech-driven techniques that shuts down their ability to communicate and engage effectively in electronic transactions.

Matawalle is confident that the Institute will provide extra layer of intelligence reconnaissance for the Nigerian military. Before the inauguration of the institute, DICON itself has been involved in the production of small arms from pistols to rifles. Other DICON products include a range of ammunition, Amoured personnel carriers (APC), built-for-purpose tactical military vehicles, ballistic vests and sundry protective garments. It is a growing list and a clear attestation to the engineering proficiency of the nation’s military personnel.

Earlier this year, UNICCON Group, a software and AI tech-savvy company, and DICON Venture partnered with DICON to launch AI-powered kamikaze drones and anti-drone detection systems. Spurred by the DICON Act 2023, the corporation has partnered with several private equities to boost local manufacture of defence hardware. Credit to President Tinubu for signing the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023 which marked a remarkable shift in the corporation’s profile and has continued to attract investments through partnerships from the private sector. The Act was the end-product of a bill sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Ever since, DICON has assumed a more respectable status. It has partnerships with SP Offshore Nigeria Limited, an ambitious $2 billion deal for the manufacture of arms, drones, and fast assault craft; Terra Industries for high-tech surveillance, robotics, and cybersecurity; and the EIB Group for unmanned aerial systems and other digital defence offerings.

DICON has also partnered with a couple of other private equities to shore up its capacity and capability in the production of defence tools for the good and safety of the nation. The inauguration of the institute is therefore a milestone for the corporation. The import is that the institute will not only serve as training hub for military personnel, it will be the brain-box of DICON in the areas of research and development, strategic thinking, and value addition to the nation’s defence ecosystem.

Matawalle commended the leadership of DICON under its Director-General, Maj.-Gen. Babatunde Alaya, for birthing the institute which aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu. While thanking the president for accenting to the Bill, Matawalle heaped praises on DICON Board, its management and staff for their commitment and sacrifices toward repositioning the corporation.

The minister said the institute will serve as a vehicle for driving the innovation required for the development of defence-related and civil manufacturing sectors in Nigeria. A key message from the minister to DICON leadership is to partner with industry and the academia to drive innovation that would transform DICON to a hub where ideas are transformed into products and technologies that will serve the best interests of Nigeria. He pledged government’s support, enabling environment, policy direction and resources that would enable DICON and the institute to fulfil their mandates.

Under Tinubu, the entire defence apparatchik has acquired more fire power and international recognition and synergy especially with the United States, France and Turkey. With the new drive and determination from DICON and its institute, the war against terror just got a booster shot. Thanks to Matawalle and other stakeholders in the defence sector, hope is rising among Nigerians that the days of enemies of the nation – terrorists, kidnappers and their ilk – are numbered.

· Okude, a public policy strategist, writes from Abuja

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has accused the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke of failing to translate increased federal allocations into meaningful development.

Speaking during a media parley in Lagos on Monday, Oyebamiji, who was Commissioner for Finance in the state, said the last Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation received by the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola was about N2.6 billion, compared to an average monthly allocation of about N16 billion under the current administration.

‘The last allocation received by the APC administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola from the Federation Account Allocation Committee stood at approximately N2.6 billion. Today, the average monthly allocation to the state is about N16 billion without commensurate value to the state and its citizens,’ he said.

He further alleged that some infrastructure projects executed by the current administration were awarded ‘secretly to incompetent contractors,’ with several of the projects allegedly failing before they were commissioned.

The APC flag bearer also raised concerns over political violence in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, alleging that more than 25 members of his party were killed during the 2022 governorship poll.

‘I have been a victim of the persistent political violence in Osun State. During the 2022 governorship election, more than 25 members of our party were allegedly murdered by members of the political party in power in Osun. In my own local government area, the Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Honourable Remi Abass, was killed within the council secretariat. Our party has also documented several other politically motivated attacks and killings, for which we continue to seek justice through the courts.

‘Therefore, the ongoing political violence in the state has all the signs of the government in power on it,’ he alleged.

He added that some of the alleged murder cases are currently being prosecuted before the Federal High Court.

Oyebamiji, who was flanked by the Director-General of his campaign council, Wole Oke; Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Remi Omowaiye; and Co-Chairman, Funke Egbemode, also unveiled his 100-day agenda, promising to prioritise workers’ welfare, youth empowerment, security, infrastructure development and fiscal reforms if elected.

He said his administration would undertake a comprehensive review of outstanding entitlements owed to serving and retired workers and begin immediate payment within its first 100 days in office.

‘Within our first 100 days in office, we will undertake a comprehensive review of all outstanding entitlements owed to active and retired workers and commence immediate payment,’ he said.

The APC candidate also pledged to make the Dagbolu Dry Port fully operational, describing it as a strategic economic asset capable of attracting investment and creating jobs.

‘We are equally committed to ensuring that the Dagbolu Dry Port becomes fully operational,’ he said.

On youth development, Oyebamiji said his administration would partner relevant organisations to train and empower at least 10,000 young people in information and communication technology.

‘Through strategic partnerships, we will commence the training and empowerment of no fewer than 10,000 young people in information and communication technology,’ he said.

He also promised to strengthen security through monthly meetings of the State Security Council involving security agencies, traditional rulers and local government leaders, launch pilot renewable energy projects in public institutions and rural communities, review the state’s financial position, and carry out a statewide infrastructure audit to identify priority economic roads and other critical infrastructure requiring government intervention.

Oyebamiji said his campaign is anchored on a seven-point ‘Prosperity Agenda’ focusing on poverty alleviation, responsive governance, economic growth, security, agriculture, education and healthcare, as well as infrastructure development.

The Katsina State Government has concluded arrangements to disburse N4 billion in community grants across its 361 political wards to support the rehabilitation of public infrastructure and other priority development projects.

The State Coordinator of the Community Development Programme (CDP), Dr Kamaluddeen Kabir, disclosed this on Monday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing 2027 pre-budget defence organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Kabir said the programme was awaiting Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s approval before the release of the funds, adding that each ward would receive N10 million to execute projects identified by community members.

‘We are only waiting for the approval of His Excellency before commencing the disbursement. Each of the 361 wards will receive N10 million for immediate utilisation on priority projects identified by the communities,’ he said.

He said the intervention was designed to empower communities to tackle pressing infrastructure challenges, particularly the rehabilitation of dilapidated public facilities.

Kabir recalled that the state government disbursed N5 billion under the programme last year and said another N5 billion had been proposed in the 2027 budget to sustain the initiative.

‘Last year, we disbursed N5 billion to communities across the state. We have also proposed the same amount in the 2027 budget to sustain the programme and expand grassroots development,’ he said.

He explained that the grants were jointly funded by the state government and the 34 local government councils, adding that communities that demonstrated transparency and effective utilisation of previous allocations could receive additional incentives.

‘We disburse N10 million to each community. However, additional funds are approved for the best-performing communities, subject to the governor’s approval,’ he said.

Kabir urged community leaders to ensure prudent management of the funds, warning that any community found diverting the grants would face sanctions.

‘We will not hesitate to sanction any community that diverts the funds from their intended purpose. These resources belong to the people and must be used strictly for community development,’ he warned.

He also urged communities to monitor projects proposed for inclusion in the 2027 budget to ensure they are implemented by the relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

‘It is not enough to submit requests during the budget process. Communities should also monitor implementation to ensure that approved projects are executed as planned,’ he added.

The Community Development Programme is one of the Katsina State Government’s flagship grassroots initiatives aimed at promoting community participation in governance by enabling residents to identify, implement and monitor development projects at the ward level while complementing government infrastructure investments across the state.

The Federal Government has commenced training for 4,000 tractor operators as part of its nationwide agricultural mechanisation project, with private-sector technical partner AGCOMS International Trading Limited playing a key role.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with the National Agricultural Development Fund, AGCOMS International, and the Industrial Training Fund, launched a nationwide training programme to transform agriculture, boost food security, and create opportunities for young Nigerians.

The first group of 250 trainees began their intensive two-week residential training at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State on Monday. This inaugural batch is the first of 4,000 participants nationwide who will be trained to operate and maintain advanced John Deere tractors and other agricultural machinery.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the initiative as a tangible manifestation of the government’s dedication to food security.

He emphasised that the training programme directly reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to empower Nigerian farmers to take control of the nation’s food security. According to him, the provision of two thousand tractors constitutes a significant national investment, which, when coupled with the training of four thousand skilled operators, transforms this investment into a bountiful harvest.

Tractor safety, machine operations, hydraulics, field applications, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and equipment management are all covered in the comprehensive curriculum, which was created in collaboration between AGCOMS, NADF, and ITF.

Each trainee will receive a thorough John Deere operator’s manual created especially for the program, and participants who complete the programme will obtain jointly issued AGCOMS-ITF-NADF Certificates of Completion.

The Managing Director and CEO of AGCOMS International Trading Limited, Chijioke Okoli, discussed the company’s role in converting the Federal Government’s mechanisation vision into workable results.

‘At AGCOMS, we know that the value of a tractor is created by the person in the seat. Every new operator can become a professional with our training program. Delivering this with FMARD, NADF, and the ITF is an honour for us,’ he said.

The programme also showcases the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships to accelerate agricultural transformation. While FMARD provides overall policy leadership and NADF drives implementation of the mechanisation project, AGCOMS serves as the programme’s private-sector technical and operational partner, bringing global equipment expertise, operator training capability and after-sales support.

On his part, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Engr. Mohammed Abu Ibrahim described the exercise as another important milestone in implementing the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda: ‘Every operator who completes this programme will step onto their tractor with the confidence, the skill, and the safety discipline that the equipment deserves. NADF is proud to see this milestone delivered on time and in partnership with credible institutions.’

The training programme demonstrates how strategic collaboration between government and the private sector can accelerate the delivery of national priorities. By combining FMARD’s policy leadership, NADF’s implementation mandate, AGCOMS’ technical and operational expertise and ITF’s nationally recognised training capability, the initiative is laying the human capital foundation for a modern, mechanised agricultural sector.

As implementation gathers momentum, the programme is expected to advance President Tinubu’s vision of increased food production, greater rural prosperity, expanded employment opportunities for young Nigerians and lasting national food security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.