News

Take Advantage of Osun Cocoa Potential, Adeleke Tells Chocolate Producers, Stakeholders

Published

2 years ago

February 29, 2024

Eric

The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has urged investors to tap into the potentials of cocoa in the state, saying that his administration is already taking steps in addressing past challenges that stunted growth of the sector.

Addressing a global audience of investors in the cocoa sector in London, the United Kingdom, on Wednesday, Governor Adeleke noted that Osun brand of cocoa is highly sought after by end users providing investors with a guarantee of returns for their investments.

Governor Adeleke, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, pointed out that Osun is a major cocoa belt in Nigeria to underscore opportunities, and outlined ongoing efforts by his government to expand the production base and unleash the benefits of the sector for both the state and investors.

“Our cocoa is the traditional species which has the best taste in chocolate and other related products. Our brand is therefore much sought after by end users,” Governor Adeleke remarked.

“Our cocoa sector faces several challenges, several of which include the need to expand the production base, ensure entrance of young farmers, ease access to finance, deepen the value chain among others.

“It was in pursuance of the above that I launched the Osun Cocoa Revival Agenda in January this year.

The agenda focuses on assembling stakeholders to design an updated revival implementation plan; get the cocoa industry company in the state running again; put life back into the cocoa farming sub-sector through demonstration of political will; get more investors into the value chain through ease of doing business.

Others include setting up a domestic export terminal in Osun state to ease export process and access to international market; partnering with the Nigerian Railway Corporation for easy of transport; upgrading local infrastructures for farming community; setting up a modified commodity boards to strengthen stakeholders’ finance; develop partnership with financial institutions to support the cocoa farming community;

The Governor also listed the development of relationship with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for agric tech and innovations; and establishment of strong partnership with the Cocoa Research Institute for partnership and collaboration engagement.

The Governor said he has directed the state Ministry of Agriculture to establish high yielding cocoa nurseries across the local governments ; prepares an action plan for the rehabilitation of old cocoa plantations in term of facilities and re-plantation; open up new cocoa estates with young farmers; introduce deliberate programme to protect cocoa farms from destructive activities of miners and mining activities.

Describing his cocoa plan as very ambitious, Governor Adeleke said his administration plans to resuscitate the State owned cocoa processing industry at Ede for value chain addition; link the cocoa revival plan with climate agenda, establish
cottage cocoa factories across the state Under an industry cluster agenda among others.

The Governor called on “our business friends in the United Kingdom and Europe as well as North America to partner with us for mutual interest in the cocoa sector. We are widely open to investors who are interested in the value chain of the cocoa sector as well as shareholding in the existing cocoa ventures.

“Your coming to Osun is assured to be very rewarding for many reasons. Our government has enhanced the ease of doing business Osjn through an end to multiple taxation and facilitation of access to land and simplification of the approval system.

“We are open to supporting government to government, government to business, business to business arrangements. We are a willing partner and my team is here to negotiate deals and partnership”, the Governor assured the cocoa conference.

News

Ex-Cross River Gov Donald Duke Joins ADC

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), formally pitching his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Duke registered as an ADC member in Ward 5 of Calabar Municipality, where he collected his party membership card, marking his official entry into the opposition party.

His move comes amid recent internal concerns within the ADC in Cross River State. Former ADC governorship candidate, Dr Effiong Nyong, had written to the party’s National Chairman, protesting the inclusion of some individuals from the state in the ADC’s 50 Wise Men and Women Policy Manifesto Committee.

Nyong faulted a statement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, which listed persons who, according to him, neither resigned from the PDP nor made contributions to the ADC, calling for their removal.

Political observers believe Duke’s swift formal registration may be linked to the controversy, as the former governor had earlier been named among prominent figures associated with the party.

Recall that Duke previously left the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate under controversial circumstances.

Meanwhile, ADC leaders in Bakassi Local Government Area have intensified calls on Cross Riverians to identify with the party, describing it as a credible alternative ahead of future elections.

Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting involving chapter executives, ward chairmen, and secretaries, party leaders accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of misrule and urged Nigerians to reclaim the country.

In a statement signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and Secretary, Eko Boco, the party reaffirmed its loyalty to the ADC national leadership, pledging support for the National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while urging undecided citizens to join the party’s “transformative agenda.”

News

Police Nab Suspect Behind Dummy Bomb Threat to Lagos Schools

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man over alleged fake bomb threat messages to two private schools in Ikeja Government Reserved Area (GRA).

The suspect was tracked and arrested on January 24 in the Okota area of Lagos State following digital investigations.

According to the sources, the suspect allegedly sent WhatsApp messages threatening a fire explosion to the Human Resources Manager of AVI–CEENA School and the Chief Security Officer of Grange School, both located in Ikeja GRA.

Although the messages were sent from an unknown phone number, police said digital tracking led to the identification and arrest of the suspect, identified as Kosisochukwu Chukwuekenyem Ogbumuo.

The suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.

Police said inquiries are ongoing to determine the motive behind the threats and whether other individuals were involved.

The Lagos State Police Command reassured parents, school authorities and residents of Ikeja GRA of its commitment to maintaining security and preventing panic or disruption within the education sector.

News

Court Nullifies PDP National Convention Held in Ibadan

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Ibadan has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The court also barred Turaki and others from presenting themselves as national officers of the party.

Despite internal disputes, the PDP went ahead with its highly anticipated two-day 2025 Elective National Convention at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. Tagged #Ibadan2025, the convention drew thousands of party delegates and leaders.

The convention was expected to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC), including a National Chairman, who would steer the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The court’s ruling casts uncertainty over the legitimacy of the leadership and raises questions about the party’s preparations for the next electoral cycle.

Party members and legal experts are now awaiting further clarification on the implications of the judgement for the PDP’s national leadership structure.