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Plateau state Government is set to benefit oil palm production

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By Asile Abel,Jos

The Plateau State
Government has partnered with Continental Oil Palm and Agric Services Consortium to lead the establishment of a 4000-hectare oil palm plantation in the state.

The  Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Bugama Samson Ishaku, represented by Hon. Ishaku Samalia Jilemsam, the Program Manager of the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme, highlighted the long-term benefits of oil palm production, stating that these trees can thrive for more than 50 years, providing sustainable advantages for decades.

“In oil palm production, when you plant these trees, they can survive for more than 50 years. So it’s an investment of 2-3 years of effort that yields benefits for over 40 years,” he explained.

Hon. Samalia emphasized the environmental advantages, noting that cultivating these crops contributes to carbon sequestration and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at addressing climate change
“We are contributing to carbon credits in the environment because these plants sequester carbon. Therefore, we are also meeting SDG targets with this initiative.

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The government’s approach involves thorough sensitization to generate interest from farmers before providing seedlings,” stated Hon. Samalia.
He also stressed the importance of securing markets for the produced goods to ensure economic viability and eliminate concerns regarding market availability

“Our priority is to secure the market, then establish an integration for every commodity we promote. We will ensure there is already a market, including for palm oil,” he added.

He also disclosed that Governor Caleb Mutfwang has unveiled a comprehensive plan that goes beyond oil palm and encompasses coconut, banana, coffee, polonia, bamboo, avocados, and more.
The commissioner revealed that 3850 hectares would be utilized for cultivation, while 150 hectares would be reserved for a refinery, emphasizing the goal of producing finished goods locally.

Project Facilitator, Hon. Barr. Phillip Isa Nyitni, provided insights into the significant potential for job creation, particularly for the youth, estimating that over 10,000 jobs would be generated.
Regarding the export potential of oil, Barr. Phillip Isa Nyitni emphasized the need for stringent quality control to meet international standards.

“If you are going to produce for exports, there is a certain quality of your oil that you have to attain. So we are going to ensure we produce the quality that would be acceptable for exporting right from Plateau,” he affirmed.
Reginald Okereke discussed the commercial viability of the oil palm plantation for smallholder farmers,

while Engi. Samuel N. Nwogu delved into the intricacies of the processing plant.
In their goodwill messages, Justice Damulak and Hon. Lelep Dabang both applauded the government’s commitment to sustainable development through agriculture. Justice Damulak stated, “This venture marks a pivotal moment in our agricultural landscape, bringing prosperity and sustainability,” while Hon. Lelep Dabang commended the government’s dedication to sustainable development through agriculture.

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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