ONDO: Mimiko Bags Radio Nigeria Award

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 BRIEFS

FOLLOWING what has been described as life-changing programmes, Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, has bagged The Achiever Of Our Time Award by Radio Nigeria. Coming at the instance of Premier FM Ibadan, the first FM station in the South West Zone of the Federal Radio Corporation, the award is part of activities lined up to mark the  station's 10 anniversary. According to the management of the broadcast station, Mimiko has been able to distinguish himself as a rare achiever with exemplary leadership and trail blazing initiatives, which have made Ondo State a model in many areas of endeavours, hence, his choice for the award.

 

 

EBONYI: Elechi Recalls Fading Military Discipline

 

EBONYI State Governor, Martin Elechi, has praised the extant regimentation and discipline of soldiers in the post World War and First Republic era. Elechi made the observation at Umebe, Ezzamgbo council of the state, in a remark during the burial of the father of the former Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu. He said that even at the ripe age of 96 late Pa John Otozi Egwu, was still adept at standing at attention and giving the military salute.

—Leo Sobechi

 

 

 

BENUE: Christ Embassy Boosts Education With Learning Materials

 

IN its efforts to uplift the standard of education in Benue State, Christ Embassy in Makurdi, in collaboration with a micro finance bank has donated dual desks and books worth over N1 million to LGEA Primary School Ichwa, North-Bank Makurdi to boost learning condition of the pupils. The church also renovated two blocks of classrooms in the school, which The Guardian learnt has been neglected since establishment over 50 years ago. Presenting the donation to the chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. David Tsevende, the resident Pastor of Christ Embassy in Benue, Peter Oyeyemi, said the gesture was borne out of passion to contribute to the development of education in the state.

—Joseph Wantu

 

 

 

EKITI: Farmers Replace Hemp Farming With Water Melon

 

Water Melon Farmers' Association, Ekiti State (WAMEFA) based in Ise Ekiti is embarking on a working relationship with the government of state to carry out series of farmers' festivals in the state soon to sensitise the people on the nutritional and cash potentials of water melon. The programme might also help find a way of dissuading the farmers from cultivating illegal and dangerous cannabis, known as Indian Hemp.

Chief Olatunji Falana, a former consultant to African Development Bank and now director-general for Job Creation and Employment in Ekiti State, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti, while noting that watermelon is a fresh fruit that contains many hidden nutrients.

Falana, who is also the Chairman of WAMEFA, said that the water melon association was formed in Ekiti State to sensitise the people on the great health benefit of the fruit which is low in calories, thirst-quenching and nutritious.

The primary objective of the water melon association, said Falana, is to support the state and federal government in creating jobs for the teeming jobless youths, through seminars and practical farming. He stressed the need to educate Nigerians and the people of Ekiti in particular on the cash and nutritional benefits of the crop as well as the social dimension which involves drawing farmers away from cannabis cultivation.

He thanked Dr. Adio Folayan, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, for supporting the association and farmers' accessibility to him. He said Ise Ekiti was chosen for the project because of its agro-ecology which gives it a comparative advantage over other areas of the state.

"No investments on watermelon should be considered too much when viewed against the social consequences of using the vast areas of land (especially at Ise) for the cultivation of cannabis. It is the quickest means of making money," and "our youths can be turned into millionaires within one year," Falana stated.

He called on the state government to assist the association with boreholes, hybrid seeds, tractors, herbicides and insecticides because water melon needs intensive care during the three months of cultivation, noting that this will make farmers plant throughout the year.

-- Tunde Akingbade



The Guardian