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The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) and key industry stakeholders have taken a major step toward improving the quality and efficiency of Nigeria’s seed industry with the validation of the draft national seed regulation.

The move, described as a good reform, is expected to decentralise seed certification, enhance private sector participation, and ensure that farmers across the country have better access to high-quality seeds.

Speaking at the stakeholder validation workshop in Abuja, Dr Okelola Folarin Sunday, Registrar of the Plant Variety Protection Office at NASC, said the new regulations aim to harmonise existing laws and create a clear framework for operations within the seed industry.

‘When you have clear regulations or clear laws and people know what they need to do and how they have to do it, then you can get the best result.

‘The seed space is a regimented one where everybody must know the right approach to do things. So today we are looking at harmonising our regulations as they affect variety registration, release, and other key components like third-party certification,’ he said.

He explained that one of the key reforms is the decentralisation of NASC’s roles, allowing private actors to handle certain certification functions under strict supervision.

The initiative, he noted, would enable the council to focus on oversight and regulatory functions while empowering trained, licensed third-party operators to handle field and laboratory certification.

‘Our eyes will be on the job, but our hands will be off the job. We are bringing in more actors to produce early generation seeds, such as breeder and foundation seeds, to ensure farmers have access to certified seeds for improved productivity,’ Okelola added.

He further noted that companies seeking to operate their own internal quality assurance units would be required to meet stringent standards, including staff training and periodic audits by NASC.

The approach, he said, would build the capacity of the seed industry while addressing funding limitations that make it difficult for the government to solely police the fast-growing sector.

Also speaking at the event, Mr Dahiru Rabiu, a Director in the Office of the Director General of NASC, described the validation as a memorable moment for the Nigerian seed industry, marking a transition toward greater private sector involvement and improved regulatory efficiency.

According to Rabiu, three key draft regulations were being reviewed and validated: Third Party Certification Regulation 2025, Early Generation Seed Production Regulation 2025 and Crop Variety Release Regulation 2025

He explained that the regulations were developed to operationalise sections of the National Agricultural Seed Council Act, 2019, which empowers the council to engage private operators in certification and quality assurance processes.

‘The council is going to license private sector players to handle some of these activities because the number of staff we have is too small compared to the growing needs of the industry. By bringing in the private sector, we can ensure wider coverage and better quality assurance across the country,’ Rabiu said.

Rabiu disclosed that three models are being tested under the new framework: the company model, where seed companies establish internal quality control units; the institutional model, involving research and academic institutions; and the independent third-party model, comprising accredited private firms.

He also highlighted efforts to liberalise Early Generation Seed (EGS) production, noting that Nigeria currently meets only about 30 per cent of its national seed requirement. Most breeder and foundation seeds, he said, come from public research institutions, a gap the private sector can help close to boost productivity and food security.

The validation workshop brought together representatives from across the seed value chain, including seed companies, research institutions, NAFDAC, and the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB).

Participants described the effort as a necessary step toward a more competitive, transparent, and sustainable seed system in Nigeria.

The new regulatory framework, once adopted, is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s seed quality assurance, attract private investment, and accelerate the country’s drive toward agricultural transformation and food security.

Former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has accused elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring renewed allegations against him through his estranged wife, describing it as part of a smear campaign to discredit him ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a detailed statement, Olawepo-Hashim alleged that his ex-wife’s recent claims in the media were orchestrated by remnants of the same political handlers who, he said, plotted to stop his 2019 presidential bid.

According to him, ‘Apart from other sinister things they did, they tried to frame me up for funding terrorism. I was questioned in the UK and released when no evidence was found.’

The politician alleged that the same group seized two of his oil assets during the period, forcing him into a prolonged legal battle. He recalled that in November 2020, the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, restored the Hely Creek and Abigborodo marginal oil fields to his company, Transnational Energy Limited (TEL), after ruling that the government’s revocation of the fields was illegal. The court also awarded $20 million in damages against the federal institutions involved.

Olawepo-Hashim claimed that his ex-wife’s legal battle in the UK was part of that broader scheme.

He explained that she obtained an undefended divorce judgment in England in which she was awarded £18 million (about ?36 billion), but the judgment was later annulled by a Nigerian court since their marriage was conducted under Nigerian law.

‘My lawyers have written to her several times to provide account details for the children’s upkeep, but she refused because she wants £18 million, not money for their welfare,’ he said.

The former presidential candidate added that his ex-wife had denied his family access to their children.

He maintained that the revival of her story was politically motivated, asserting that ‘now that the 2027 campaign has started, the same APC team has picked her up again, pushing her story in the media.’

Olawepo-Hashim dismissed reports of a new court order directing one of his companies to pay ?300 million, calling it ‘an invention of an APC night court,’ as he claimed no such process was ever served on his legal team.

‘This is an act of desperation on their part, and it shows our message is biting them. Picking up stories from bitter women against opposition figures will not save the APC from imminent defeat in 2027,’ he stated.

Concluding, he said, ‘Tales like this did not stop President Trump in America; they won’t stop us here either, by the grace of God.’

The Ekiti State Government has said that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, in its three years in office, has significantly transformed the state’s economy through strategic investments in aviation, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure.

At a press conference marking the administration’s third anniversary, the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Oyeniyi Adebayo, commended citizens for their commitment and support in the implementation of government policies, describing it as a major driving force behind the state’s progress.

Adebayo noted that the Oyebanji administration has made remarkable achievements in road construction, agriculture, youth empowerment, rural development, and other key sectors, which have collectively positioned Ekiti as an attractive destination for investors and tourists.

He disclosed that several landmark projects, including the Ikere-Igbara-Odo Road, Ogotun-Ikogosi Road, Isinbode-Ara-Ikole Road, Ado-Ekiti Ring Road Phase I, Omu-Ijelu-Itapa Road, Spotless Hotel Road in the GRA, and the GRA Third Extension Road, would be commissioned as part of the anniversary celebration to further strengthen the state’s economic infrastructure.

According to him, five general hospitals recently rehabilitated and equipped with modern facilities would also be inaugurated to enhance healthcare delivery across the state.

On agriculture, Adebayo revealed that over 5,000 youths have been integrated into commercial farming through cluster initiatives, leveraging Ekiti’s comparative advantage in agriculture. He said the surge in agricultural production has contributed to the state’s ranking as having the lowest food inflation rate in the country, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

‘Road infrastructures are being strategically provided to open up the state to new economic opportunities. Knowing our strength in agriculture, we are doing free land clearing and encouraging the youths into commercial farming,’ Adebayo said. ‘Go round the cluster farming sites that we have provided; we are building dormitories reminiscent of the farm settlements introduced by Chief Obafemi Awolowo during the old Western Region. These efforts are meant to encourage our youths and ensure food security in Ekiti.’

He added that the employment of over 5,000 young people in the agricultural sector had reduced unemployment and boosted the local economy. ‘While celebrating, we are not going to rest until Ekiti is fully placed on the path of economic prosperity. We will keep delivering the dividends of democracy to our people in line with the shared prosperity vision of this government,’ he stated.

Adebayo also congratulated residents on the approval granted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for full commercial operations at the Ekiti State International Cargo Airport, describing it as a major milestone that would transform the state’s economic landscape.

He described the development as a crucial step towards enhancing Ekiti’s business competitiveness both nationally and globally, as well as a platform to attract investors and unlock the state’s full economic potential through diversification.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday granted a posthumous pardon to a Nigerian nationalist, Herbert Macaulay, and Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, sentenced to death over a treason charge in 1986

Apart from the posthumous pardon, the president also pardoned four former convicts, including former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan, Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barrister Hussaini Umar, and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, said the people were among the 175 that were given clemency by the president following the approval of the Council of State. He explained that Macaulay, who was a co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), and others were pardoned in exercise of the powers vested in the president.

The statement read, ‘President Tinubu also granted a posthumous pardon to Herbert Macaulay, a Nigerian nationalist and co-founder, along with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). Macaulay was the party’s first president, who played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s struggle for independence.

‘However, in 1913, Macaulay was believed unjustly convicted by the British colonialists and banned from public office. Macaulay died in 1946, but the stigma of being an ex-convict was not exorcised from his records until now.

The president’s spokesperson added that Lawan and others were pardoned to enable them to integrate into society, having demonstrated sufficient remorse.

‘Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a life sentence for cocaine, was pardoned, along with Dr Nwogu Peters, who had served 12 out of his 17-year sentence for fraud.

‘The Ogoni Nine: Ken Saro Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel and John Kpuine were formally pardoned. At the same time, the President awarded national honours to the Ogoni Four- Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage’, Onanuga stated

He added that in exercising his constitutional power of mercy, President Tinubu granted clemency to 82 inmates and reduced the prison terms of 65 others. He gave a reprieve for seven inmates on the death row by commuting their sentences to life imprisonment.

Tinubu was said to have acted on the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy(PACPM).

The committee has 12 members, with the Attorney General and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, as chairman. The other members are Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi, CON; Prof. Alkasum Abba; Prof. (Mrs.) Nike Y. Sidikat Ijaiya; Justice Augustine B. Utsaha; and the Secretary, Dr Onwusoro Maduka, a former Permanent Secretary.

The institutional representatives on the Committee are: the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs; representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Rights Commission, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The committee’s final report was presented to the Council of State on Thursday in Abuja, as required by the constitution.

The report noted, ‘A total of 175 inmates were interviewed, and 62 applications were received on behalf of 119 inmates considered by the committee, making it a total of 294.

‘One hundred and sixty of the inmates interviewed were male, while 15 were female. Eighty-two inmates were recommended for clemency; two (2) for pardon; sixty-five (65) inmates for reduction of their terms of imprisonment, and seven (7) inmates on death row for commutation to life imprisonment.

‘Also, fifteen (15) ex-convicts were recommended for Presidential Pardon, eleven (11) of them are deceased (including Ogoni 9). The Ogoni four (4) were also recommended for the Post-Humous National Honours Award.

‘On the whole, a total of one hundred and seventy-five (175) beneficiaries are recommended.”

The committee had acted on the following criteria: old age (60 years and above); ill health likely to terminate in death; young persons (16 years and below); long-term convicts who have served prison terms of 10 years or more with a good record; and convicts serving three years or more.

‘Those who have been in Custodial centres, learnt sustainable vocational trades capable of keeping them away from crime; those who are adjudged remorseful; those who Correctional Officers recommended for exemplary behaviour and Nigerian prisoners deported from other countries,’ said the statement.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Borno State Government and other partners, has launched an economic reintegration programme to empower 1,033 children affected by the Boko Haram insurgency with vocational and life skills.

Speaking in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, said the initiative seeks to support children of Boko Haram survivors who lost access to education, family support, and livelihoods during more than a decade of insurgency in the North-East.

She explained that the scheme targets 567 boys and 466 girls currently enrolled in six government-owned vocational training centres located in Maiduguri, Bama, Biu, Damboa, and Konduga.

According to her, ‘These girls and boys have faced unimaginable challenges, yet their resilience remains unbroken.

‘This programme goes beyond skill training; it focuses on healing, rebuilding, and giving them the chance to create a sustainable future.’

Saeed, represented by Shah Mohammad Khan, UNICEF Child Protection Manager, noted that the programme would restore hope and dignity to children and adolescents, helping them rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities.

The training, she added, combines technical and vocational education with psychosocial support and official certification to prepare participants for employment, apprenticeship, or entrepreneurship.

The reintegration initiative, implemented under the Sustainable Development, Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration and Recovery (SD3R) consortium comprising UNICEF, UNDP, IOM, and UNODC, focuses on equipping participants with market-driven skills such as tailoring, ICT, carpentry, auto mechanics, and shoemaking.

A 2024 UNICEF study estimated that the North-East insurgency had cost Nigeria about $10 billion in lost economic opportunities over the past decade.

UNICEF said the new programme would help rebuild human capital and reduce those losses through youth empowerment and livelihood creation.

‘Each year, more than a thousand adolescents will benefit from these training centres. Graduates will gain employable skills that can help them build better futures and contribute to peace within their communities,’ Saeed added.

UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Borno State Government, development partners, and local communities to protect children, expand access to education, and promote peace.

‘Today, we are not just launching a programme; we are launching futures filled with opportunity, dignity, and hope,’ Saeed said.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, who officially launched the initiative, commended UNICEF, the European Union, and other partners for supporting the state’s post-conflict recovery efforts.

Zulum, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Wakilbe, said the initiative aligns with the government’s drive to rebuild lives, promote education, and strengthen peace and resilience across communities affected by the insurgency.

‘This programme is expected to strengthen peacebuilding and recovery efforts across Borno, where thousands of children and youths remain vulnerable after years of conflict,’ Wakilbe said.

The Kebbi State Area Command of the Nigeria Customs, as at the end of September, generated a total revenue of N25.66 million, the Controller in charge of the Command, Controller Matawale Mahmud Ibrahim, has said.

Ibrahim, who disclosed this at his maiden press conference at the Command Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, stated that the cross-border initiatives he established with his Benin Republic counterpart had largely enhanced the revenue generation capacity of the Command compared to previous months.

‘Upon assuming duty in the month of September, I closely reviewed the revenue generation structures of the Command and introduced new modalities to strengthen our performance,’ he said.

The Controller added that the suppression of smuggling remained one of the core mandates of the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that his Command had leveraged intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and collaboration with other Customs Units to curb illicit trade activities.

‘Within the past one month, the Command has recorded seizures of 100 bales of second-hand clothing, 444 laptop-sized wraps of cannabis sativa, 143 mini sacks of donkey meat, 140 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 100 bags of foreign parboiled rice, and 26,835 litres of petrol – all with a total street value of N109.57 million,’ he said.

Governor Charles Soludo has assured residents of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, that the government will address the community’s persistent flood problem.

The governor who was received by the community leaders, led by the traditional ruler, Igwe Alex Onyido, gave the assurance on a visit to the flooded areas of the Ogidi community.

Governor Soludo addressing the people, attributed the severe flooding to the improper termination of the drainage system, stating that previous administrations had left much to be desired.

‘Because government is a continuum, we will take it up to solve the issue,’ he remarked, emphasizing a collaborative approach to governance.

Governor Soludo highlighted the progress made in nearby areas, mentioning that the work in Owelle Aja, Obosi is currently 70 to 80 percent complete, highlighting similar efforts in Inland Doors and Nkpor.

Echoing his commitment to environmental issues, the governor reminded the community that flooding is one of the greatest existential threats the state faces.

He expressed satisfaction with the Ogidi community’s initiative to enforce the establishment of catchment pits in their compounds as a necessary remedial measure.

However, he acknowledged the shortcomings of the contractor who was previously responsible for the drainage work, admitting, ‘I must admit that the contractor did a poor job.’

He provided some insight into future plans, stating that to properly address the flooding issue, approximately eight kilometers of drainage needs to be constructed.

The Governor was subsequently received at an endorsement rally by the community where they presented him with a cheque of fifty million naira as part of their support for his campaign

Governor Soludo also took the opportunity to address the broader problem of gully erosion across Anambra State, noting that it is a long-standing issue that would require time and resources to tackle effectively.

‘These environmental issues has taken decades to grow, and the people of Anambra must understand that it is a gradual journey,’ he said, reinforcing the idea that everyone has a role in addressing the challenges-not just the government.

He expressedappreciation for the literary legacy of Chin?a Achebe who hailed from Ogidi, honoring him as a beacon of culture and intellect. ‘The world celebrates Chin?a Achebe as the gift to the world,’ he affirmed, declaring that no one is more deserving of having the airport named after him.

This visit, according to the governor, serves as a celebration of the Ogidi community for contributing significantly to global literature.

Reflecting on the state of security upon assuming office, Governor Soludo noted the challenges faced during his campaign, where freedom of movement was a concern.

However, he mentioned the positive developments since then, stating, ‘Today, even those contesting for election now move freely,’ while acknowledging that there is still much work to be done. He emphasised the urgent need to ‘rescue Ogidi,’ underscoring the importance of hard work and community effort in building a new society.

Addressing educational needs, he acknowledged the community’s concern about the lack of public schools. He made a significant promise: ‘Between now and the end of next month, we will begin to build a government school in Ogidi, so that the children will begin to enjoy free education in Ogidi.’

He commended the community for already fencing off land for the school, showing a collaborative spirit.

He reiterated his administration’s focus on empowering the less privileged, stating, ‘Our government is for the poor. We want to have a society where we create opportunities for everyone.’

Earlier, the State Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Barr. Ifeatu Obiokoye, the Member representing Idemili North local government area at the State House of Assembly, Mr. Kingsley Udemezue and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment, Mr. Bob-Manuel Udokwu all commended Governor Soludo and expressed the community’s support commitment for his re-electioncome November 8th, 2025.

The Mayor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Engr. Stanley Nkwoka also assured the Governor that the community and local government are ready to deliver victory to the APGA for the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

The popular Oba Market, located at the heart of Ring Road in Benin, the Edo State Capital has been gutted by fire once again.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night saw a section of the market completely razed down by the mysterious inferno.

As at the time of filing this report, cause of the incident remains unknown.

The market, which was previously destroyed by fire during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, is currently undergoing reconstruction under the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led government.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Oredo local government council, Hon. Gabriel Iduseri, has visited the burnt Oba market which falls under the council.

During an on-the-spot assessment in the wee hours of Thursday, Iduseri vowed not to leave the traders to face the loss alone.

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Kaduna’s political landscape has been hit by the sudden resignation of Hajiya Zainab Sani, Women Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state – a development analysts describe as a major setback to the planned SDP-ADC merger reportedly being spearheaded by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Zainab, a formidable grassroots mobiliser from Giwa Local Government Area, has for years stood out as one of the most influential female political figures in Kaduna.

A former stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), she played a central role in women’s mobilisation during several of the party’s election victories before defecting to the SDP, where she became one of El-Rufai’s trusted political allies.

Announcing her resignation, Zainab said she could no longer remain in a party that, in her words, ‘has lost touch with the people’ and is ‘driven more by elite political interests than by the realities of the masses.’

‘The SDP has failed to demonstrate a people-first agenda,’ she declared. ‘Our people are still grappling with poverty, insecurity, and hunger. Many in Kaduna have not forgotten the anti-people policies of the last administration, and I will not be part of any arrangement that seeks to repackage that legacy under a different banner.’

Her remarks, observers say, were a clear swipe at El-Rufai’s administration, whose policies – including mass demolitions, mass sackings, and strained relations with labour and community groups – remain deeply controversial.

Zainab’s exit comes at a time Governor Uba Sani is consolidating his image as a people-oriented leader through pro-poor policies, empowerment programmes, and rural development initiatives that have earned him wide grassroots support.

Analysts believe her resignation could reshape the emerging political alliances in Kaduna, particularly as the SDP struggles to maintain relevance amid talks of a merger with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to form a third force ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘Zainab’s departure is not just symbolic; it’s strategic. She commands enormous influence among women and youths across rural Kaduna. Losing her now is a major blow to the El-Rufai camp and raises questions about the credibility of the proposed SDP-ADC coalition,’ a political commentator noted.

While Zainab has yet to announce her next political move, insider sources told our correspondent that she has concluded arrangements to return to the APC with over 5,000 women leaders drawn from the northern and central parts of the state.