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FG pledges to provide enabling environment to Gum Arabic farmers

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Federal government has reiterated its determination to provide enabling environment to Gum Arabic Farmers in the country.

The Director of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hajiya Karima Babangida disclosed this during Gum Arabic stakeholders meeting on Wednesday in Kano.

Cable Thief Electrocuted In Akwa Ibom

The theme of the stakeholder’s meeting “Sustainable exploitation of gum Arabic for economic development in Nigeria”

She said that the ministry would continue to provide enabling environment for investors in the industry.

 

She noted that the purpose of the meeting was to review the position on Gum Arabic value chain with a view to developing a robust road map that would take advantage of the potentials Nigeria ha in the production important commodity.

Represented by Zonal Director North-West FMARD, Mr. Abdulkareem Durosinlorun, added that the Federal Government was ready to partner with any stakeholders who were interested in the development of the Gum Arabic sub-sector.

The Director said that the ministry had established Gum Arabic testing laboratory for quality assurance at Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria(RRIN) station in Gashua, Yobe state.

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“In the same vain the ministry has also established a cottage Gum Arabic processing center at Damaturu in Yobe state.

“We are supporting the Gum Arabic association with Tapping Knives, Storage bags, cyclone, crushers, color sorter machine and digital moisture meters to various farmers, she added.

According to the Director, the Federal Governmen will establish two additional Gum Arabic processing centres in Kano and Borno States.

 

She added that the centres re to be established this year as part of the ministry’s efforts at improving the production of the commodity.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Ernest Umakhihe, said the workshop was organised to induce a combination of appropriate agricultural techniques , policies and institutional arrangements that could generate economic surplus in the gum Arabic sub sector.

 

 

He said that the Gum Arabic value chain was among the agricultural commodity being promoted by the Federal ministry of Agriculture.

 

 

Represented by Mr Ukattah Bernard, Deputy Director, Tree Crops, explained that the main objective was to increase the area under Gum Arabic production of organized and unorganized plantations and improve upon processing by adding value to obtain grade one gum and archive export substitution and global competativeness.

 

 

According to him , in the year 2019/2020 , the ministry produced and distributed free of charge 384,391 Gum Arabic seedlings to farmers in order to boost value addirion.

 

The Permanent Secretary urged the participants to take advantage of the meeting to build a sustainable agriculture for the country , so as to be self-sufficient in food and nutrition.

Speaking at the event, Eze Chidume Okoro, the National President of Gum Arabic Producers, Processors and Exporters of Nigeria (NAGAPPEN), said the plan was to restore the glory of the Gum Arabic sector in the country.

Okoro called on the ministry of Agriculture to seek the collaboration of Ministries and National Agencies working in gum Arabic sector to ensure a coordinated development of the sector.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in providing enabling environment to Gum Arabic farmers in the country.

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Unregistered POS Operators Risk Ban as CAC Issues Registration Ultimatum

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has mandated all Point-of-Sale (PoS) operators nationwide to register with the Commission by 1 January 2026, announcing that any unregistered operator will be prohibited from conducting business after that date.

In a public notice issued on Saturday, the CAC cited a significant increase in the number of unregistered PoS businesses across the country.

The Commission emphasized that operating an unregistered PoS enterprise is a violation of both the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Agent Banking Regulations.

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The CAC also faulted some fintech firms for onboarding unregistered agents, describing the practice as reckless and harmful to the stability of Nigeria’s financial system.

It warned that the trend exposes millions of Nigerians, including small business owners and rural users, to economic and investment risks.

“Fintechs enabling illegal operations will be placed on the watchlist and reported to the CBN. All operators are advised to regularise immediately. Compliance is mandatory

“Beginning from 1st January 2026, no PoS operator will be allowed to conduct business in Nigeria without completing full registration,” the CAC said

Nigerian Tracker News gathered that this is not the first time the call regarding enforced regulatory monitoring of the PoS has been made.

There have been several calls on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take urgent steps toward curbing worsening cases of fraud affecting PoS businesses across the nation.

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Governor Yusuf Congratulated Rear Admiral Chindo Yahya Usman, 4 Other Kano Indigenes

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Rear Admiral Chindo Usman Yahaya being decorated with his new rank of rear admiral by the chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas being assisted by Rear Admiral Chindo's Wife

 

 

Kano State Government Congratulates Senior Military Officers of Kano Origin on their Promotion.

This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the State Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Waiya explained that the governor was delighted to celebrate the achievements of Kano indigenes who have risen to senior ranks in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Among them is Rear Admiral Chindo Usman Yahaya, who was elevated to the rank of Rear Admiral. According to Waiya, Governor Yusuf described Yahaya’s promotion as a reflection of his professionalism and commitment to national service.

Rear Admiral Chindo Yahya Usman middle after his decoration

Rear Admiral Chindo Yahya Usman middle after his decoration

The Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, joyfully congratulates the distinguished sons of Kano State who have been recently elevated to the prestigious ranks of Major General, Rear Admiral, and Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Armed Forces. Waiya emphasized that the governor sees these promotions as a source of pride for the state.

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The State Government welcomes the promotions as well-deserved recognitions of the officers’ professionalism, dedication, and patriotic service to Nigeria. Waiya noted that Governor Yusuf expressed profound happiness that Kano continues to produce individuals who excel at the highest levels of national security leadership.

The newly promoted officers include:

Nigerian Army:
– Major General Sadisu Yahaya Yakasai
– Major General Sani Sulaiman
– Major General Samaila Musa Uba

Nigerian Navy:
– Rear Admiral Chindo Usman Yahaya

Nigerian Air Force:
– Air Vice Marshal Mukhtar Umar

As we celebrate and commend the officers for bringing honour to Kano State, we encourage them to continue to uphold the values of ethical standards, integrity, courage, and loyalty as they assume greater responsibilities. Waiya quoted Governor Yusuf as urging the officers to serve as role models and inspiration for younger generations aspiring to pursue a career in the military service.

His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, prays for their continuous success and guidance from the Almighty as they carry out their duties in safeguarding the nation. Waiya concluded that the governor remains confident in their ability to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

 

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Jega Advocates Merit-Based Leadership in Nigerian Universities

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Professor Attahiru Jega
Professor Attahiru Jega former chairman INEC

 

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and renowned academic, Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, has called on the Federal Government to entrench merit, competence, and integrity as the guiding principles in the appointment of leadership across Nigerian universities.

He warned that the increasing politicisation of such appointments poses a serious threat to academic standards, institutional autonomy, and the future of higher education in the country.

Professor Jega made this call on Thursday while delivering the 3rd Abdullahi Mahadi Annual Memorial Lecture at Gombe state University, Gombe State. The lecture, titled “Challenges and Prospects of Improving University Governance in Nigeria,” examined the structural, administrative, and policy-related obstacles confronting university governance in Nigeria.

The distinguished Professor of Political Science and a one time Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, described universities as specialised intellectual institutions that require visionary, experienced, and academically grounded leadership to fulfil their mandates of teaching, research, and community service.

“A university is not a political platform. It is a centre for knowledge creation and human capital development. It cannot achieve its core objectives when leadership appointments are driven by political considerations rather than academic merit,” he stated.

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Professor Jega expressed deep concern over persistent political interference in the appointment of vice-chancellors, governing council members, and other principal officers. He observed that this trend has weakened governance structures, encouraged poor administrative decisions, undermined staff morale, and contributed significantly to the gradual decline in the quality of higher education in the country.

He stressed the urgent need for transparent, competitive, and merit-driven selection processes, anchored on clear criteria, academic record, leadership experience, and professional credibility. According to him, insulating universities from undue political influence is essential for restoring confidence in the system and positioning Nigerian universities to compete favourably at the global level.

Professor Jega further warned that failure to reform university governance would continue to erode the capacity of tertiary institutions to produce graduates who are innovative, globally competitive, and capable of driving sustainable national development.

The memorial lecture was delivered in honour of the late Professor Abdullahi Mahadi, a pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Gombe State University, whose contributions to scholarship, leadership, and the growth of the institution were widely acknowledged during the event.

Speaking earlier as Chairman of the Occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, Professor Umaru Pate, commended Gombe State University for sustaining the Abdullahi Mahadi Annual Memorial Lecture, describing it as a worthy tribute to the late pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the institution.

Professor Pate expressed appreciation to the GSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aliyu Yauta, and the university management for sustaining the initiative, noting that maintaining such academic traditions in Nigerian universities is often challenging.

He also described the Guest Lecturer, Professor Jega, as eminently qualified to speak on the theme, noting his deep experience in university governance and his long-standing professional relationship with the late Professor Abdullahi Mahadi.

Reflecting on Mahadi’s life, Professor Pate said the late scholar left behind an enduring legacy of service, scholarship, and institutional development at Gombe State University and beyond.

The lecture attracted a wide audience of academics, policymakers, students, and education stakeholders, including the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau. Participants described the event as timely and impactful in shaping the future of university governance in Nigeria.

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