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VC Urges Farmers’ Return, Allays Insecurity Fears
The Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Sunday Bako, on Wednesday allayed the fears of Nigerian farmers over the reported cases of insecurity nationwide.
Bako made the remarks during an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 In-House Research Review of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, held at the institute’s premises, Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan, in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.
He advised farmers to return to their farms, especially during this rainy season, to make food produce more available for the teeming Nigerian population.
The VC described their experiences as a phase that would soon pass, saying, “Nigerian farmers will smile again.
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“Nigerian farmers should be very hopeful with the current policies being put in place by the Federal Government. There is hope, and the farmers will smile again.”
Bako said the policies, aimed at supporting farmers generally, focus on increasing agricultural production, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and ensuring food security in Nigeria.
The Executive Director of CRIN, Patrick Adebola, had earlier explained that the yearly in-house review was a day set aside to inform the major stakeholders (farmers) in the sector about the direction of the institute for that year.
“The yearly in-house review is a day set aside to tell our major stakeholders, mainly the farmers, the direction of our research. You cannot do research in isolation. You have to involve farmers so that they can tell you where the shoe pinches most, and that shapes the direction of our research.
“So, it is very important to call our stakeholders every year, showcase the type of research we want to carry out, so they can contribute and guide us on where our research should focus,” he said.
Adebola lamented that lack of funding was the major challenge affecting research institutes in Nigeria.
He further stressed that research institutes were failing because they lacked the capacity to obtain enough seedlings.
“These are economic crops that can transform the Nigerian economy. We know what is happening now — everybody is shying away from oil, and the only alternative is to go back to the land, to go back to the farm. Let’s focus on plantations and crops, which will bring economic benefits, uplift farmers, and transform their livelihoods,” he added.
In his keynote address themed, “Advances in Varietal Development of Cocoa, Kola, Cashew, Coffee and Tea for Sustainable Economic Growth,” the National President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Adeola Adegoke, said these crops, traditionally seen as economic commodities, have now emerged as powerful instruments for socio-economic transformation and environmental sustainability.
Adegoke, who is also the Global President of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance of Africa, explained that these crops not only enhance rural livelihoods and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP and foreign exchange but also regenerate soils, enhance biodiversity, and build climate resilience.
He said, “These perennial crops when integrated into agroforestry systems, improve soil structure, increase organic matter, and offer long-term carbon sequestration potential.
“The Nigerian agenda to upscale our cocoa production from the present 280,000–300,000 metric tonnes to 500,000 metric tonnes in the next two years must have led President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council’s approval for the creation of the National Cocoa Management Board.
“This is to establish an institution that will regulate, support, develop, and promote the Nigerian cocoa industry along sustainable practices, without the board being involved in cocoa buying and selling.”
He therefore urged Nigerians to embrace the opportunity to transform the nation’s agricultural systems into engines of green growth, social justice, and global leadership.
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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
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