By Jabiru Hassan

The Kano State House of Assembly has suspended the chairmen of Rogo, Bebeji and Bagwai local government councils following the adoption of a report by its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The affected chairmen are Abubakar Mustapha Rogo of Rogo Local Government Area, Dr. Alhassan Salisu of Bebeji Local Government Area and Bello Gadanya of Bagwai Local Government Area.The decision was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Speaker’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai.

Presenting the committee’s report, Majority Leader Lawan Hussain Dala said the Assembly received separate petitions from residents of the three local government areas. According to him, the petitions contained allegations of financial misappropriation, abuse of office, breach of public trust and other administrative irregularities.

Dala said the committee reviewed relevant documents and records obtained from the affected councils and held interactive sessions with officials before making its recommendations. The Assembly said the investigation was conducted pursuant to Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower state legislatures to carry out oversight and investigative functions.

Following the adoption of the committee’s recommendations, the House directed that its resolution be communicated to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for implementation. The Assembly also directed the vice chairmen of the affected councils to assume leadership in an acting capacity pending the outcome of the investigation.

By Israel Adamu, Jos

The University of Jos (UNIJOS) has reaffirmed the importance of practical agricultural education in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges as 200-level students of its Faculty of Agriculture showcased locally processed food products, including bread, mayonnaise, pineapple jam and banana jam.

The exhibition, held under the AGR 206: Introduction to Food Science and Technology course, featured products developed by students through practical training in food processing, preservation, packaging and value addition.

Inspecting the exhibition, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Joshua P. Cholom, said the display reflected the university’s commitment to producing graduates with practical and entrepreneurial skills.

He noted that the institution receives more than 50,000 applications annually but cannot admit many qualified candidates due to limited infrastructure. Cholom called for increased government investment in tertiary education, particularly in agricultural faculties, to strengthen research, innovation and food production.

Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources, Bashir Lawandi Datti, commended the students for their creativity and urged them to use their skills to promote self-reliance and contribute to national development.

The course lecturer, Prof. Olusegun Osibanjo, said the programme, introduced under the Nigerian Universities Commission’s Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), equips students with practical knowledge in food science, technology and agribusiness. Students were assessed on product processing, packaging, production methods, cost analysis and overall quality as part of the practical exercise.

By Aga Samuel Imoter

The Taraba State Government has commenced the phased payment of salary arrears owed to local government workers, primary school teachers, pensioners and members of traditional councils, marking the start of efforts to clear outstanding entitlements dating back to 2015.

The exercise was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Ardo-Kola Local Government Secretariat in Sunkani by the Taraba State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Speaking at the event, the Bureau’s Permanent Secretary, Engr. Andrew Dame, said Governor Agbu Kefas had approved the payment of five months of outstanding salary arrears inherited from previous administrations. He explained that, due to financial constraints, beneficiaries would initially receive one month’s arrears, with the remaining balance to be paid in instalments over the next five months.

Dame said the phased approach reflects the administration’s commitment to meeting its obligations despite current economic challenges. He also noted that the state has implemented the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 for public servants. He directed local government chairmen to ensure transparent disbursement of the funds, including payments to eligible next of kin of deceased workers.

Labour leaders, including the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Taraba State, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a significant step toward improving workers’ welfare.

Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, pensioner Elnathan Bila Auta thanked the state government, saying the payments would provide much-needed relief to retirees and their families.