News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Experts in the agriculture sector have revealed that upscaling organic and agroecology practices is essential for healthy living in Nigeria.  This was the crux of a zoom seminar organised by the Organic and Agroecology Initiative (ORAIN) in collaboration with Organic and Agroecology Innovation Platform (OAIP), and Journalists Go Organic Initiative. The theme of the symposium was: "Demand for Organic and Agroecological Produce and Products in Nigeria: Calling for Supply." Convener of Journalists Go Organic Initiative, Mrs Ebere Agozie, who was one of the discussants called for caution when purchasing consumables, noting that people are unwittingly serving deadly meals to families. "Its unfortunate that some of us, especially women, poison the families with every meal served as most of the farm produce purchased are laced with toxins. "Most chemicals used by farmers are killing Nigerians daily. Even when people try to use herbs to cur...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun The Arewa Renaissance Group has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun to sanction police officers at Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) handling the case involving a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki and Hadiza. News Rider reports that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on Tuesday, declined to grant the request of Turaki to stop the police from presenting the DNA test result in the paternity case with a lady, Hadiza Baffa in another court. The trial Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion, moved by Turaki’s counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, held that he could not grant the relief sought by the former minister without hearing from the respondents. But the coordinator of the group, Usman Abba chided the investigating team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police incharge of gender over poor h...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1 as public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr celebration. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. The statement was made available by the  Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Magdalene Ajani on behalf of Tunji-Ojo on Wednesday.  Tunji-Ojo urged all Muslims to embrace the virtues of self-discipline, compassion, generosity and peace, emphasising the importance of love, forgiveness, and solidarity in building a harmonious society. He enjoined Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for peace, stability, and prosperity of the nation. The minister was optimistic that the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr would inspire unity and cooperation across religious and ethnic lines. Tunji-Ojo encouraged all the citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Federal Government has adopted  Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the reconstruction of Benin-Asaba expressway.  The Benin-Asaba alignment, a 125 kilometre Dual Carriageway beginning from AIF Roundabout in Benin City, Edo State, and terminating at Summit Junction in Asaba, Delta State, serves as a major link between the South-East, the South-South and some parts of the South-West of Nigeria. News Rider reports that the total project cost required for the rehabilitation and value-added concession of the expressway will be funded by the Benin - Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited - Africa Plus Partners (Nigeria) Limited Consortium (APPNLC), with a 30-month completion period. The project which is a vital road corridor connecting vibrant economic regions was flagged off on Sunday by Edo State Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.  Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi disclosed that the project is...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Committed to poverty alleviation, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo has flagged off the distribution of annual Ramadan package to households in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.  This, he said was to complement the efforts of both the Federal and State Governments especially during the Holy month.  The items distributed include bags of  rice, millet, maize, and cash gifts worth over N150 million for party stalwarts, religious leaders, members of trade unions, as well as security agencies in the 11 wards of the L.G.A.  Other beneficiaries were women, youth and social media groups, the elderly, and needy in the society. Goronyo assured the people of the unwavering commitment of President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu in improving the quality of lives of Nigerians through various policies and programmes under the Renowned Hope Agenda, which cuts across many sectors. The beneficiaries thanked the minister for...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Bassey Ita-Ikpang The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has pleaded with stakeholders to empower rural women and harped on the need to bridge gender gaps in order to create equal opportunities for women to grow.  Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Comrade Bassey Ita Ikpang disclosed this on Saturday in commemoration of 2025 International Women's Day (IWD) in Abuja.  The theme of this years celebration: "For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment", reflected the global effort to celebrate the achievements of women and to continue the fight for gender equality. Ita-Ikpang noted that women particularly those in rural communities, continue to face challenges including limited access to education, economic opportunities, healthcare, and political representation.  She emphasised the importance of recognising the significant contributions that women continue to make in all spheres of life. "While progress has been made, th...