Grave Diggers Caught with Fresh Human Heads

Four members of a grave scavenging syndicate were over the weekend caught in possession of human heads in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The gravediggers, Olomofe, 45; Adewale Abiodun, 40; Akinola Sunday, 69; and Oluwadare Idowu 67 who were workers at a public cemetery owned by Akure South Local Government along Imafon road, Akure were nabbed while trying to severe the head of a newly buried corpse.

The four suspects are already cooling off in the police net after being quizzed by detectives at the Ondo State Police Command.

It was gathered that on May 23, 2020, the suspects had tried to exhume the corpse of a young tipper driver buried a few hours earlier on that day.The bubble burst for the grave digging syndicate after some of the bereaved came back to the cemetery a few hours after they left to make arrangements towards cementing the grave.

According to a family member who craved anonymity the criminals were also caught in possession of a female human head and four other fresh severed heads.

“It was when we caught them in the act that we started beating them and we discovered that they were in possession of other human heads.We immediately contacted men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who came to pick them up.”

Meanwhile, residents of the community have appealed to both the local and state government to relocate the cemetery from the area.

According to them, such facilities should not be found within urban centres due to the health risks and other societal danger it portends.Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro said that investigation had begun into the matter towards unraveling other members of the syndicate.

While assuring of diligent prosecution of the case, ASP Ikoro said, “the ongoing investigation will reveal everything, particularly other members of the gang.

“From what we have found out, it shows that it’s not their first time. It’s something they have been doing, it’s a routine thing.

“Like we always hear, very many days for the thief, one day for the owner. I think this time, their cup is full,” Ikoro stated.

Daily Post

Man Falls from a Tree and Dies while Attempting to Commit Suicide

A 71-year-old man from Lusulu in Binga died after falling from a tree while trying to commit suicide, police have confirmed.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said Sianganda Mudenda of Zungwane 11 Village in Siandindi area had earlier attempted to hang himself from the roof truss in his bedroom hut but his 16-year-old granddaughter begged him not to hang himself.

The two were alone at home in the absence of the now deceased’s wife Mrs Noloa Mudenda (66).Determined to end his life, Mudenda later went outside the bedroom hut after lying to his granddaughter that he wanted to get something from a tree in the yard.

“On 18 May at around 4PM the now deceased was at his homestead with his granddaughter aged 16. He tried to hang himself from the roof truss in his bedroom hut and was restrained by the granddaughter,” said Chief Insp Makonese.

She said Mudenda later went outside after telling his granddaughter that he wanted to get something from a tree.

The minor reportedly begged her grandfather not to climb the tree to no avail.-@ncubeleon

US Issues New Travel Ban On Brazil

The United States of America has issued a travel ban on people travelling from Brazil after the South American country recorded 330 890 coronavirus cases including 21 048 deaths as of Friday 22 May, overtaking Russia for second place in the world for the highest number of cases, after the US.

The ban affects individuals who have been in Brazil within 14 days immediately preceding their attempt to enter the United States.

Issuing the ban, President Donald Trump said:I have determined that it is in the interests of the United States to take action to restrict and suspend the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Federative Republic of Brazil during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.

Johns Hopkins University asserts that the proclamation is aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus coming into the United States from Brazil.

Meanwhile, some European countries are reopening their economies despite experts warning against reopening too soon, and recommending some form of confinement measures until a vaccine or treatment is developed.

Governments are however feeling immense pressure to ease lockdowns which have had an adverse impact on economies.

CNN

Nigeria's Economy Grows by 1.87%

Nigeria’s economy grew 1.87% in the first three months of 2020 from a year earlier, the statistics office said on Monday, shrinking from the previous quarter as oil prices and international trade fell due to the coronavirus pandemic

It is the slowest quarterly growth rate in one-and-a-half years, and comes as Nigeria has still not recovered from a 2016 recession that sent more than 13 million people into unemployment.

The slowdown reflects “the earliest effects of the disruption” from the global outbreak, said Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, and comes as the government expects Africa’s largest economy to contract this year as much as 8.9% in a worst case scenario.

Nigeria’s crude production was 2.07 million barrels a day, the statistics office said, the country’s highest level in more than four years.

But a global oil price crash due to reduced demand from the pandemic threatens to offset those gains, with annual growth in the oil sector contracting 1.3% from the previous quarter to 5.06%.

The non-oil sector was also hit: growing by just 1.55%, which was down 0.72% from the last three months of 2019, the statistics office said.

The World Bank expects the coming recession to be “much more pronounced” than in 2016 and potentially Nigeria’s worst financial crisis in four decades.

africanews.com

Novel Innovations in Ogun state Agric sector

Ogun State Government has commenced plans to engage 10,000 farmers who will be supported for mechanised farming. Governor Dapo Abiodun said 10,000 youths would be supported across the zones, to plant cassava, maize and rice, which are crops the state is a leading producer.  According to the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kunle Somorin, each farmer will get a parcel of land and be supported with clearing, seedlings, extension and off-taker services to ensure the profitability of their ventures.

The initiative, which has the buy-in advantage, is a partnership arrangement to be funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the state. Currently, the state has partnered China, African Development Bank (AfDB), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the CBN to invest in the sector through the Public-Private Partnership Programme (PPP).

During the three-day visit by AfDB officials to the state, the Governor said his government welcomes investors coming in their large numbers into the state. He said: “Once foreign exchange was removed from food items like rice, maize and cassava, the local demand for the items would be stimulated, thereby, helping to encourage local production. This administration would be focused on producing cassava, rice and maize, in the belief that the focus would help stimulate the local economy as there won’t be foreign exchange. We would be engaging the CBN through its different programmes and also issue Certificate of Ownership to the farmers.”The leader of the AfDB Team, Oladapo Olagoke said the bank was looking at how it could use the agricultural potentials of the state to empower its people, adding that it has come up with a ‘Next Steps’ model, which he said would help to take the discussion to a point of reality.

Olagoke disclosed that the bank was also willing to turn the state into the hub for Agro Industrialisation in the country by using the state as an example to others in terms of creation of jobs for youths and how they could incorporate and develop programs that would empower the private sector to drive the agenda of agricultural transformation in the state.

While hosting the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, Abiodun, who solicited collaboration to enable seamless export of goods and services produced in the state, said food items are going to be the state’s items of focus, “our produce of focus, our crops of focus, we will be producing cassava, rice and maize, believing that will stimulate local production, since there won’t be forex for them.

“We have engaged the CBN and they have different interventions like the Anchor Borrowers Programme, the Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme, the Agro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises scheme, among others; we will provide the land for our youths and cooperative, we will give them the certificate of ownership for those lands, as it will give them a sense of ownership.

“In view of the issues we have with cattle and ranching today, we have resolved to have own ranch in the state, we believe that we can have a world class ranch, a world class abattoir that can provide beef services to supermarkets, individuals,” he said. Awolowo promised to use his good office to fast-track the vision of the Governor, especially, in the area of agricultural productivity and human capital development. He said with the private sector background of the Governor, he would be able to transform the state into an industrial giant and a hub that would earn foreign exchange for the country through exporting finished products.

In addition, Abiodun has begun collaboration with relevant financial institutions in the country that are capable of providing credit support to cooperative societies and other micro, small and medium scale enterprises in the state. At this year’s International Day of Cooperatives Celebration with the theme: “ Coops for Decent Work,” the governor said his administration would provide an atmosphere that provides adequate motivation for cooperative societies to excel.

Another area of focus is the plan to exploit the potentials of the dairy market. It was learnt that the management of the Global Diary producers made an investment visit to the Governor recently in Abeokuta.  The Governor, who expressed joy, considering the opportunity the agricultural sector brings to the state, said the sector being one of the biggest pillars of his administration could help boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and also help reduce the rate of employment.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Irish Diary Milk, Global, Samir Boudjada noted that they chose the state because of its proximity to Lagos State, and that the state was strategically relevant and had passed all tests.“This is the ultimate state for us, the feedback is really positive and we are looking forward to being part of this private partnership and creating jobs in Nigeria. This is the gateway state close to Lagos and you know when you are sighting a factory, you need certain parameters, we need a seaport that we can export out our goods, so, Ogun State is strategically relevant to the business of this nature and we did not make a mistake, Ogun State has passed all the tests,” he said.

The Guardian Newspaper

Burna Boy Throws Shade after Davido tagged Himself and Wizkid ; the greatest of all Time

Popular Nigerian singer Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy is currently a trending topic of discussion on micro blogging platform, Twitter. The singer caught the attention of internet users on the platform after he shared a post on his Snapchat page; just moments after Davido came out to describe himself and colleague Wizkid as the greatest African superstars. Burna Boy in a Snapchat post that has now been deleted said: “You cannot play football, everybody knows you cannot play football and you are an embarrassment to the team but your daddy bought the football team.” 

Although the Ye crooner did not mention any names, music fans were quick to bring the matter to Twitter and call the singer out. One Twitter user said: "Burna Boy needs to accept that some people are better than him. Plenty people sef. Na so life be. And no be fight. Give it 5 years, a few fresh kids might ‘dethrone’ Davido and Wizkid. Life is turn by turn." 

legit.ng

Meet Ogun state Commissioner For Agriculture Dr. S. A Odedina

Born on 21st May, 1966, Dr. Samson Adeola Odedina attended Lisabi Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State from 1979-1984; where he proceeded to Federal College of Agriculture, Akure from 1984-1986, Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan from 1987-1989. He holds a M.Sc. in Crop Science from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt and Ph.D. in Crop Production from the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

Dr. Odedina also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Agricultural Education from Wolverhampton Polytechnic (now Wolverhampton University) United Kingdom. While at Wolverhampton Polytechnic, Dr. Odedina studied at the Walsall Campus. His exposure to various teaching methods including how to deliver Agricultural skill sessions at Staffordshire College of Agriculture and Harper Adams College, while on teaching practice at Wolverhampton Polytechnic, has greatly enriched his career, and also enabled him pass the knowledge and skills to this generation of young farmers.

Dr. Odedina obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Vegetable Science and Technology from Beijing Vegetable Research Centre, China in 2000. In 2001, he obtained a Post Ph.D Certificate in Biotechnology from the Brazilian Corporation for Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA).

He had a brief stint as a village extension agent with the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), in Ajebo village from 1986 to 1987, where he chose to reside in the village rather than a nearby Abeokuta town. While working there, he facilitated the formation of farmers’ cooperative groups with access to loans with huge profit made from a large rice farm. The farmers were also coordinated to participate in a yearly Agricultural show. All these were achieved during his one year work experience on completion of his National Diploma (ND) in General Agriculture.

He joined the services of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, on 27th September, 1990 and rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Lecturer in 2012.

Dr. Odedina is a Certified Master Trainer in Agricultural Value Chains from Bern University of Applied Science, Switzerland (June 2015); and a Consultant to diverse international development projects and institutions which include but not limited to: Cassava Adding Value for Africa Phase I (CAVA I) Project led by the Natural Resource Institute-University of Greenwich UK and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). 

Dr. Odedina served as the National Productivity Adviser from 2008 to 2011, in a project that had 20,000 farmers and processors in Ondo and Ogun states helped out of poverty by improving the yield and income to more than a dollar a day. He is currently serving as a Consultant Agronomist to the Cassava Adding Value for Africa Phase II (CAVA II) Project to provide technical backstopping (stem multiplication and demonstration farms) for 200,000 small holder farmers to sell 2million tons of cassava roots to make processed products such as high quality cassava flour, chips for animal feed and cassava starch in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi.

From June to December 2010, he worked with USAID Markets to support 700 farmers in Ondo state and about 1000 farmers in Ekiti state with training and linkage to processors. These farmers are now successful out-growers, currently a driving force in the current cassava value chain activities. 

In July 2012, Dr Odedina worked as Project Advisor to the Ekiti State FADAMA III Project, where 100 farmers were trained on recommended practices on yam storage techniques and Integrated pest management.

In July 2013, he served as Technical Specialist for the DFID UK funded Agriculture and Technology Transfer Programme in East Africa (DFID AgriTT). In September 2013, he worked as Lead Consultant to the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation funded Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Sustainable Cassava Seed System Project for the Production of innovative manual, training facilitator’s guide and workbook for training of 1000 farmers; while, 50,000 bundles of Pro-Vitamin A Cassava planting materials was delivered to farmers in Edo, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi states and Abuja in April 2015.

Dr Odedina served as a Master Trainer (Agricultural Value Chains) for the Switzerland Government in the Capacity Building in Agricultural Extension Programme (CBAEN Project Phase I) from 2013-2015 and is currently serving as the Project Team Leader in the Capacity Building for Agricultural Education in Nigeria (CBAEN Project Phase II). The CBAEN Project is a Switzerland Government initiative aimed at curbing illegal migration of youths through value chain studies and active involvement in profitable agribusiness through exemplary value chain projects in schools and communities.

In March 2017, Dr. Odedina, leading his College in collaboration with Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin and six other Nigerian Institutions, got an approval from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for a curriculum for Value Chain courses for National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) Programmes in Agricultural Disciplines in Nigeria. The curriculum, an output of the CBAEN Project Phase II, is the first of its kind in the history of tertiary education in Nigeria.

Dr. Odedina is currently serving as a Consultant Agronomist to HarvestPlus/CIAT Biofortification (Vitamin A Cassava and Maize) Project. Over 100 NGOs and 1000 Extension Agents of Agricultural Development Projects in Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, Akwa-Ibom, Benue and Imo states have been trained on agronomic standards for the multiplication of over 2000 hectares of Pro-Vitamin A cassava and 1000 hectares of Vitamin A Maize varieties. As a Biofortification Ambassador, he has led staff and students of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, on farmers’ free dissemination Programmes and Advocacy for the involvement of youth in profitable agribusiness in Benue, Oyo, Kogi, Ondo, Ogun, Cross-River, Edo, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Lagos, Ekiti, Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa States and Abuja.

Dr Odedina, with a host of staff from the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, are currently facilitating ongoing Innovations by the German Government supported Green Innovation Centres for Agriculture and Food Sector in Nigeria (GIZ Project), for smallholder farm businesses and up- and downstream agribusinesses in selected rural regions for improved income for 600,000 agricultural smallholders (30% women, 20% youth) in Maize, rice, cassava and Irish potato value chains.

He was a resource person for the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for the accreditation of National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) Programmes in Agricultural Technology and Crop Production of Lagos State Polytechnic from 9th to 13th April, 2012; and National Diploma (ND) Programme in Agricultural Technology of Ibadan Polytechnic, Oyo State from 23rd to 27th April, 2012.

He has in the past, successfully linked the College to several private sector players such as Elizade Nigeria Ltd., Honeywell Group, Matna Cassava Foods, Sunshine Cassava Factory, Ondo State, MicMakin Foods, Blopamed Nigeria Ltd, Allied Atlantic, Cress Farm, Lokoja, Matsol Farms, Ogun State, Thai Farms, Ota, Ogun State, etc., who have all responded to Government interest and investment in Agricultural transformation.

This Egba-born Agriculturist has participated in International Managerial and Technical Trainings, Workshops and Seminars in Africa, North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Australia, relating to Agricultural Technology transfer beneficial to farmers, students and other categories of youth Agriprenuers.

Until his appointment as Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure in January 2015, he was a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Crop Production and Coordinator of World Bank West Africa Productivity Project (WAAPP) and FAO/FGN/SSC/Regional Multi Service Extension Centre (REMSEC) at the College.

As the first alumnus to be appointed substantive Provost of the College since its inception in 1957, Dr Odedina, championed unprecedented achievements in the College; such include: 200% increase in students' population, approval for four (4) new courses at National Diploma (ND) level and One (1) new course at Higher National Diploma (HND) Level and sustained beautification of the College community. Active involvement of students in profitable Agribusiness, with students keying into wealth creation and job opportunities created by huge demand for agro products and services by large scale industries. Cassava Stems (20,000 bundles/season); Cassava Tubers (30tons/month); Garri (10tons/month); Fufu (5tons/week); Vitamin A Maize (0.5ton/week), are all being sold by value chain students at the College gate.

Dr. Odedina oversaw 100% completion of Thirty (30) Federal Government capital projects from 2015 till 2018 (no abandoned projects); and a facelift of the College with diverse Federal Government and global donor-funded projects such as the International Training Centre and Guest House, Agroshop, Biofortification Restaurant and an Ultra-Modern Arable Crop Processing and Training Centre, Livestock Resource and Enterprise Centre, 1km Internal Access Road, among others.

Dr Odedina improved on the College’s relations with host communities and secondary schools with successful demonstration of viable Cassava, Aquaculture and Poultry Enterprises, leading to over 200% increase in tonnage of tubers, grains and livestock production in adopted villages, 10 new profitable Agricultural value chain job opportunities (cassava, poultry and aquaculture) introduced to adopted villages, which have been adopted and sustained by 10% of each of the farmers’ groups in three (3) communities, cut-edge farm technologies introduced and adopted leading to 40% increase in productivity of participating farmers, 200% increase in total food production, 40% of participating farmers linked with commercial uptakers. In adopted schools, enrolment and distinction grades for Agricultural Science increased by 40%, while Young Farmers Club formed have made money for the schools in viable Cassava, Poultry and Aquaculture ventures.

Dr Odedina is a recipient of over twenty five (25) awards and recognitions.

For his efforts in facilitating the engagement of youths (students and unemployed graduates) in profitable Agribusinesses through Agricultural Value Chain training and development (regular courses and exemplary value chain projects), Dr Odedina, in November 2017, received a letter of commendation from the Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development. Likewise in January 2018, Dr. Odedina received another letter of commendation from the Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development.

In September 2018, the outstanding achievements of the College (2015-2018), as a model institution in Agricultural Value Chain Training and Development, was showcased in the maiden edition of the FMARD DIGEST- a quarterly publication of the Office of the Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development; while in December 2018, the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement lauded the Federal College of Agriculture Akure, for its exemplary and outstanding performance in adherence to public procurement laws.

After four years of service (January 2015-December 2018) into a five-year non-renewable tenure at Federal College of Agriculture Akure, Dr. Samson Adeola Odedina bowed to pressure from his Home State, to take up an Appointment as the Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta (MAPOLY) in July 4, 2018. Within six months, Dr. Odedina made meaningful impacts in the Institution, leading to several accolades and awards, among which included his Induction into the Hall of Fame of the Students Union Government and the renaming of a Bus Shed after him by the students of the Polytechnic. Dr. Odedina has over 60 publications in National and International Media. He is currently the Commissioner for Agriculture for Ogun state.

He is happily married with children.