News
Ogun Supports 8,800 Farmers Through FADAMA Scheme

About 8,800 small holder farmers across the 20 local government areas of Ogun State have benefitted from the free agricultural inputs and assets as well as infrastructural support through the OGUN-CARES FADAMA to further boost the outputs of farming enterprises in the state.
Items distributed include 14,000 day-old chicks, 560 bags of chick feed, 209 fish feed, 500 bags of fertilizer, 8 motorized sprayers, and 75 rechargable knapsack sprayers.
Other supports are 24 roads, which were rehabilitated, including culvert, water drainages, and provision of boreholes for water supply at four wet markets where food processing takes place to increase hygiene and reduce food contamination.
Presenting the items to the benefiting farmers at OGUN-CARES FADAMA premises, OGADEP, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Bolu Owotomo said the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun aknowledges the plight of farmers occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and was passionate about alleviating their plights through various intervention programmes.
Owotomo gave kudos to the farmers who, in spite of the prevailing economic challenges, plant and process food for people’s consumption, thus contributing their quota in the government’s strive to ensure good security.
He implored farmers who are yet to benefit from the project to be patient as the distributions are being done in batches, enjoining the beneficiaries to join hands with FADAMA Team and make judicious use of the items to maximize the inherent profits.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Samuel Adeogun said over 10,000 farmers have been assisted in the previous distributions across the state and they have been sending good reports on how the project has bettered their lots.
In a related development the ministry has presented seven motorcycles to field officers in the Produce Department to enhance their performance and improve revenue generation, particularly in areas with challenging terrain.
At the presentation ceremony in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Hon. Owotomo, emphasized the Prince Abiodun-led administration’s commitment to supporting the welfare of its workers by providing necessary tools for effectiveness.
He expressed confidence in the produce officers’ ability to reciprocate the gesture with increased revenue generation and productivity.
While acknowledging that the motorcycles may not cover all 13 zones under the department, Owotomo promised that future phases would address the needs of remaining officers and zones.
Meanwhile, market stalls, lock-up shops, and solar powered boreholes have been commisioned by the state government to enhance the linkage and agro-processing capacity of farmers and their communities.
Speaking at the commissioning of agricultural infrastructural support to farmers under OGUN (IFAD ASSISTED VCDP- AF) held at Imodi, Odogbolu, Atan, Ijebu North East and Ijebu Imusin, Ijebu East local government areas of the state, Hon. Owotomo noted that the provision of the facilities was more than physical structures because it symbolizes collective effort to empower farmers and also to provide them with the tools and resources needed to thrive.
He added that access to clean water for processing activities and adequate market facilities are fundamental to the success of the agricultural sector.
He said that the state government has made giant strides to boost food security, enhance agricultural productivity and improve the quality of life of rural communities, adding that the infrastructure would not only improve the health and well-being of the communities, but also stimulate economic growth and development .
The commissioner highlighted some of the achievements through intervention provided by the present administration to include empowerment of 3,000 farmers with farm inputs under the Ogun N-Cares, constructive partnership with institutions and agricultural investors aimed at enhancing food system, capacity building of 12,000 farmers on sustainable agriculture under the value chain development programme, OGSTEP facilities training of stakeholders and distribution of production inputs to cassava and rice farmers amongst others.
National Programme Coordinator, Hajia Fatimah Aliyu, represented by the Human Resource Advisor, Mallam Gidado Bello pointed out that the objective was to improve the livelihood and living standards of farmers through intervention programmes, such as construction of facilities.
News
Policeman remanded for allegedly raping teenager inside Lagos office

An Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos State, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of 56-year-old policeman Owolabi Akinlolu at the Maximum Correctional Centre Kirikiri for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in his office.
Owolabi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos, allegedly raped the survivor in his office after promising to help recover her phone, which was stolen by one-chance robbers while she was returning from Ikeja with her grandmother and siblings.
Akinlolu reportedly summoned the teenager to his office on June 29, claiming they had apprehended the suspect who had stolen her phone two weeks earlier.Upon arriving at the police station, the senior police officer allegedly locked his office door behind him and raped the teenager.
In July 2024, the survivor’s mother, Mrs Aramide Olupona, accused the police of attempting to cover up the case, revealing that the suspect’s wife and family had pleaded with her to drop the charges, as Akinlolu was set to retire in December 2024.
At the Magistrate Court 11 on Tuesday, the prosecution counsel, backed by a seven-paragraph affidavit, urged the court to remand the defendant, stating that the offence of defilement violates Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.In response to the prosecution’s request, Magistrate O.O. Fagboun ordered the defendant’s remand at the Maximum Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until March 11, 2025, for trial and further proceedings. Punch
News
Saudi Arabia releases new 2025 Hajj rules, bans children, updated visa policies

Saudi Arabia has announced new changes to the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, including a new restriction barring children from participating.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that the move aimed to protect children from potential dangers posed by heavy crowds during the pilgrimage.
The decision is part of broader efforts to ensure a safer and more seamless Hajj experience.
According to the ministry, the large crowds during Hajj pose serious risks to children, making this precautionary measure necessary.
Additionally, priority for the 2025 Hajj will be given to first-time pilgrims to allow more Muslims the opportunity to undertake this religious obligation at least once in their lives.
● Changes in visa regulations
Starting February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia will issue only single-entry visas for pilgrims from 14 countries, including India, to prevent unauthorized Hajj participation.
Authorities noted that unauthorized pilgrimages had contributed to overcrowding at key sites, making crowd management and safety more challenging.
The updated visa policy aims to improve the overall Hajj experience by controlling the number of attendees.
Saudi authorities continue to refine Hajj regulations to make the pilgrimage safer and more organized.
Pilgrims are encouraged to register through official channels and follow the new guidelines to avoid complications.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia had also introduced significant changes to its visa policy, effective February 1, 2025, limiting travellers from 14 countries to single-entry visas.
This move aims to address concerns over unauthorized Hajj pilgrims entering the country on long-term visit visas.
● Affected Countries
The new regulations target travellers from the following nations: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. As part of the policy shift, the Saudi government has indefinitely suspended the one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits from these countries.
●¡Hajj registration and new payment options
Saudi citizens and residents can register for the 2025 Hajj season via the Nusuk app or the official website. Applicants are required to verify their personal details and register their travel companions.
A new instalment-based payment plan has also been introduced for domestic pilgrims. Payments can be made in three stages: a 20% deposit within 72 hours of booking, followed by two 40% instalments due by Ramadan 20 and Shawwal 20. The ministry clarified that reservations will only be confirmed once the final payment is received.
News
Troops rescue three kidnap victims in Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have successfully rescued three kidnapped victims along the Barkin Ladi-Mangu road in Mairana village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources said the rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, following intelligence on the abduction.
The sources said that the victims were kidnapped at approximately 7:45 a.m. on February 11, 2025.
In response, troops from Sector 8 of Operation Golden Peace swiftly mobilized to the scene, where they discovered a red Ford Space Bus parked along the roadside.
Troops immediately conducted a search operation in the surrounding bushes, leading to the successful rescue of the three victims unharmed.
The kidnappers had abandoned them and fled upon sighting the advancing security personnel.
The victims were reunited with their vehicle and continued their journey safely. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals.
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