Reps seek FG, CBN support for cassava farmers

House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, to ensure that cassava farmers have easy access to short-term loans as part of efforts to strengthen food security and expand the agricultural value chain.

The lawmakers also urged President Bola Tinubu to reconstitute the defunct Presidential Committee on Cassava Initiative to enhance the welfare of cassava farmers and reposition the subsector for export competitiveness.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Canice Nwachukwu (APC, Imo) during Wednesday’s plenary session.

Nwachukwu noted that cassava cultivation had become one of Nigeria’s most organised and promising agricultural ventures, with widespread processing for food products, livestock feed, and industrial applications.

He highlighted that cassava by-products, such as garri, had become major export commodities, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings.

Cassava, grown in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, serves multiple economic and nutritional purposes.

Beyond its use as food, cassava peels and starch derivatives are valuable in livestock feed production, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing.

Nwachukwu said easy access to short-term loans and modern processing equipment would revolutionise cassava farming and enhance farmers’ income and productivity.

“If cassava processing machines and short-term loans are provided, farmers can transform cassava into garri and fufu hygienically and efficiently.

“This will boost market value, improve food quality, and help farmers contribute more to national GDP,” he said.

Nwachukwu added that Nigeria could achieve greater economic diversification by harnessing cassava’s export potential, using it as a viable alternative to crude oil for foreign exchange earnings.

He, however, expressed concern that despite being one of Africa’s largest cassava producers, Nigeria still processed about 90 per cent of its yield locally, largely at the cottage level using rudimentary technology.

“Most processors are women who work under poor hygienic conditions with limited access to credit and modern equipment. These challenges result in low productivity, poor packaging, and minimal profits along the value chain,” he lamented.

Following extensive deliberations, the House urged the CBN to direct the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, and other financial institutions to create mechanisms that would guarantee cassava farmers easy access to short-term credit facilities.

 

 

The lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to revive the Presidential Committee on the Cassava Initiative Programme (popularly known as the Composite Cassava Flour Initiative of 2002) to promote value addition, research, and farmer support.

Additionally, the House mandated the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to embark on extensive training for peasant farmers on cassava production, processing, and packaging to improve standards and competitiveness.

The committees on Agricultural Production and Services and Legislative Compliance were directed to monitor implementation and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Nestlé Nigeria rebounds with N72.5bn profit

Nestlé NigeriaNestlé Nigeria Plc has announced a return to profitability in its nine-month results for 2025, posting a profit after tax of N72.5bn compared to a loss of N184.3bn recorded in the same period of 2024.

The company’s financial report for the period ended September 30, 2025 showed a 33 per cent growth in revenue, which rose to N884.5bn from N665.3bn in the corresponding period of last year.

Operating profit also surged by 63.6 per cent to N181.3bn, up from N110.8bn in 2024, while profit before tax stood at N127.9bn, representing a sharp turnaround from the pre-tax loss of N255.4bn recorded in the previous year.

Nestlé Nigeria said its equity position improved by N72.5bn during the period, while the company also made an early payment of a $20m inter-group foreign exchange debt in the third quarter of 2025.

Commenting on the results, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim Elhusseini, said the company’s strong performance reflects the sustainability of its return to profitability since the fourth quarter of 2024.

“The topline growth of 33 per cent during this period, along with a profit after tax of N72.5bn, clearly illustrates that our dedication to operational excellence and our robust fundamentals are producing the desired outcomes,” Elhusseini said.

Looking ahead, he said the company remains focused on enhancing its margin management initiatives and accelerating its business transformation while investing in programmes that create sustainable value for employees, consumers, and communities across its value chain

Nestlé Nigeria’s strong nine-month performance underscores its resilience and operational effectiveness, positioning the company for continued success amid economic headwinds.

The PUNCH reported that Nestlé Nigeria Plc reported a profit after tax of N50.6bn for the six months ended June 30, 2025, reversing a loss of N176.9bn in the same period of 2024.

CBN urged to introduce N10,000, N20,000 single notes

CBN headquartersA new economic review by Quartus Economics has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to introduce higher-value currency notes such as N10,000 and N20,000 bills to restore the naira’s portability and reduce the rising cost of cash transactions.

The report, titled “Is Africa’s Eagle Stuck or Soaring Back to Life?”, warned that the naira’s continued depreciation had rendered the N1,000 note, the country’s highest denomination, practically obsolete in terms of purchasing power.

“To make the naira portable again, Nigeria can introduce higher-value bills, e.g., N10,000 or N20,000 notes, or redenominate the currency entirely,” the report stated.

According to the analysts, a N5,000 note that would have been introduced in 2012 would now be equivalent to a single N50,000 note today, reflecting the 94 per cent decline in the naira’s real value over the last two decades.

It added that the notion that introducing higher-value notes could worsen inflation was a “myth unsupported by evidence,” explaining that inflation is driven by cost-push and demand-pull factors, not by currency denomination.

“Inflation is cost-push or demand-pull. Neither is related to currency denomination. Instead, countries introduce higher notes to maintain portability after an era of currency depreciation.

“Countries introduce higher-value notes to maintain portability after a period of significant currency depreciation, not to trigger inflation,” the report clarified.

When the N1,000 note was introduced in 2005, it was equivalent to nearly $7 at the official exchange rate. Today, it is worth less than 60 US cents, underscoring the naira’s sharp erosion in value.

Quartus Economics noted that this depreciation has made everyday transactions burdensome, particularly in the informal sector, where cash remains dominant. Traders, artisans, and rural consumers now carry large volumes of cash for transactions that could easily be done with a few higher-value notes.

The report also pointed out that the cost of printing, transporting, and securing lower-value notes had become prohibitive for the CBN.

“Outside the formal sector and the urban elite, the naira’s heavy weight is a drag on the economy and slows down growth. Besides, the cost of printing and transporting today’s low-value notes is prohibitive,” the report said.

It argued that the introduction of N10,000 and N20,000 notes, or a broader redenomination exercise, would improve transaction efficiency, reduce printing costs, and align Nigeria’s currency structure with that of other emerging economies.

The PUNCH recalls that the CBN once proposed introducing a N5,000 note in 2012 under the then Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, but the plan was dropped after public opposition.

Quartus Economics now argues that the same policy logic remains valid more than a decade later, given the naira’s steep decline.

The firm said the proposed measure was not about “printing more money”, but about modernising the naira’s denominations to reflect current economic realities and make transactions more practical.

According to the report, the 94 per cent fall in the naira’s value was calculated using the cost of two essential items, a kilogramme of imported rice and a one-way flight ticket from Lagos to Abuja.

From about N150 per kilogram of rice in 2005, the price now averages N2,500, while the cost of a local flight has risen from N12,000 to more than N150,000.

NGX Group market capitalisation soars 37.7% to N141.75tn

The Nigerian Exchange Group has recorded a 37.7 per cent growth in market capitalisation, rising to N141.75tn as of September 2025 from N102.94tn in the same period of 2024.

This performance reflects growing investor confidence and the Group’s continued focus on innovation, technology, and sustainability under the leadership of its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Temi Popoola, who said the growth demonstrates that the strength of Nigeria’s capital markets cannot be separated from the strength of the communities they serve.

“For us at NGX Group, building strong capital markets goes hand in hand with building strong communities, because inclusive growth and social well-being are the true foundations of a resilient economy,” he said.

In line with this vision, NGX Group has deepened its commitment to social impact through its flagship initiative, Project BLOOM (Bringing Life to Our Overlooked Minors). The programme, implemented in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the Health Emergency Initiative, has reached over 200 children and 180 caregivers in underserved communities like Ajegunle and Yaba, providing therapeutic food, medical care, and nutrition education.

The Group also continues to drive market inclusivity through digital innovation. Its e-offering platform, NGX Invest, has enabled corporates to raise over N2tn in capital, making public offers and rights issues more accessible to retail investors nationwide.

Beyond social and digital transformation, NGX Group has advanced its sustainability agenda through the Nzero initiative, which helps listed companies measure, report, and reduce carbon emissions in line with global sustainability standards.

Popoola noted that the Group’s focus on environmental, social, and governance principles has strengthened market transparency and long-term investor confidence.

He said, “Our vision is to create markets that thrive in harmony with society and the environment. We are judged not just by the wealth we help create but by how widely that wealth is shared and how sustainably it is generated.”

The NGX boss added that through initiatives like Project BLOOM and NGX Invest, the Group aims to bridge the gap between market performance and social development, reinforcing its position as both a driver of capital formation and a catalyst for community transformation.

Manufacturers record fragile growth as credit drops N7.72tn

MAN logo manufacturers Association of Nigeria

Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has stated that credit to the manufacturing sector decreased by 9.5 per cent to N7.72tn as of March 2025, down from N8.53tn in December 2024, amid a fragile recovery that requires urgent policy intervention to sustain.

The association, which released its findings in the Third Quarter 2025 Manufacturers CEO’s Confidence Index report in Lagos on Tuesday, said the decline in credit, high energy costs, and foreign exchange liquidity constraints continued to weigh on the performance of the real sector despite modest gains in output and business confidence.

Director General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said the sector’s resilience remained fragile as key constraints persisted. “High lending rates averaging 36.6 per cent, declining credit access of N7.72tn, and rising unsold inventories of N1.04tn continue to limit manufacturing performance,” he said.

Ajayi-Kadir stated that though capacity utilisation improved to 61.3 per cent in the first half of 2025, from 57.6 per cent in the second half of 2024, the gains were modest and could easily be eroded without decisive policy action.

“Our data show that the manufacturing sector is beginning to find its footing after a long period of turbulence. However, this recovery is fragile and could easily falter if we do not receive deliberate, industry-friendly interventions,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise measures that would reduce energy costs, strengthen foreign exchange liquidity, and expand access to affordable credit to accelerate industrial growth.

According to MAN, manufacturing value added fell sharply to $25.36bn in 2024 from $55.9bn in 2023, as competitiveness weakened under soaring exchange rates, inflation, and interest rates. The association said manufactured exports rose to N803.8bn in Q2 2025, up from N294.4bn in Q1, showing some resilience despite macroeconomic headwinds.

The report also indicated that 18,935 jobs were lost in the first half of 2025, compared to 10,891 in the second half of 2024, as firms grappled with high input costs and foreign exchange scarcity.

MAN further noted that while the Manufacturers CEO’s Confidence Index recorded a modest rise from 50.3 points in Q2 2025 to 50.7 points in Q3 2025, the improvement was not enough to lift overall business conditions above the 50-point neutral threshold.

Ajayi-Kadir said, “The 0.4-point uptick in the MCCI is significant because it marks the second consecutive quarterly rise, signalling a cautiously improving perception among manufacturers. However, all current indices remain below 50 points, showing that the underlying challenges persist.”

He attributed the slight improvement to “a continuous disinflation trend and a more stable exchange rate”, but warned that high energy costs and disruptions in gas supply had constrained output in several subsectors.

MAN President, Francis Meshioye, in his remarks, described the modest rebound as evidence of “a gradual recovery”, but said the sector still faced “binding constraints” that must be addressed urgently.

Meshioye said, “The manufacturing sector is gradually inching towards recovery, as seen in the consistent increase in the index in Q2 and Q3. However, the top five manufacturing challenges outlined in the report demand urgent government attention to sustain this trend.”

He stressed the need for a private sector–driven industrial policy anchored on the proposed Nigeria First Policy and the forthcoming National Industrial Policy, to ensure alignment between policy intent and industrial realities.

The MAN chief also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to deepen its recent rate cut, saying, “The time has come for the apex bank to introduce a bolder reduction that can meaningfully lower the cost of credit and stimulate real sector investment. Growth cannot thrive where capital remains prohibitively expensive.”

The association identified key improvements across six groups: Plastics & Rubber, Electrical & Electronics, Food & Beverages, Chemical & Pharmaceuticals, Textile & Footwear, and Basic Metal & Steel. These groups benefited from local raw material sourcing, stable polypropylene supply, fibre optic expansion, and easing foreign exchange pressure.

However, four other groups recorded declines due to high energy costs, gas supply disruptions, illegal logging, limited government patronage, and the influx of imported products.

Ajayi-Kadir concluded that sustaining the sector’s fragile rebound would require coordinated fiscal and monetary actions.

“Currency stability is more than a macroeconomic metric; it is a reflection of national resolve,” he said. “To secure the gains of stabilisation and accelerate prosperity, Nigeria must make manufacturing the nucleus of its growth strategy.”

Director of MAN Research and Economic Policy Division, Dr Oluwasegun Osidipe, presented the MAN Think Tank report alongside the MCCI. He urged the government to fast-track the implementation of industrial policies, tighten pipeline security to boost oil output, expand local refining capacity, and ensure disciplined tax enforcement ahead of the January 2026 tax reforms.

Okogbuo Charity Foundation set to empower Youth and Orphans in Isuikwuato

The people of Umukogbuo community in Eluama, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, have united to launch a new initiative — the Okogbuo Charity Foundation — aimed at assisting the less privileged, orphans, and out-of-school youths within the community and beyond.

The foundation, convened by Mr. Chikwendu Nnabuko, seeks to rekindle the traditional spirit of compassion and collective responsibility that the Okogbuo people are known for.

In his address to members of the community, Nnabuko said discussions have been ongoing among sons and daughters of Okogbuo to establish a structured platform that would “help the less privileged among us and reach out to charity homes in Isuikwuato.”

He lamented that some young people in the area have been unable to attend school or acquire skills due to a lack of support, warning that the trend, if not addressed, could endanger the future of the community.

“We have young people of school age who are not in school because they have no one to help them. Some want to acquire skills but lack both direction and means. That does not speak well for the future of our community,” he said.

“Idleness and hopelessness have driven our youth into drugs and violent crimes. If we continue to keep quiet today, tomorrow may be bleak.”

According to him, the Okogbuo Charity Foundation will also collaborate with similar Foundations to extend support to vulnerable children.

Nnabuko explained that contributions to the foundation will be strictly voluntary, noting that what matters most is the spirit of giving. “No one will be tasked. The spirit is what matters. God has been kind to us, and putting a little of what we have together to help others will gladden His heart,” he said.

He announced that a Board of Trustees and an Implementation Committee will be inaugurated to guide the operations of the foundation, ensuring transparency and effective outreach to beneficiaries.

While calling on indigenes at home and in the diaspora to key into the initiative, Nnabuko emphasized that donations will not be limited to members alone, but also open to friends, in-laws, and well-wishers.

The foundation, he added, will be formally launched during the 2025 Christmas holidays, with all interested members listed in a dedicated forum to coordinate activities.

“This is not compulsory for anyone, but those who find this a worthwhile cause will be listed as members. Together, we can give hope to the hopeless and secure a better future for our community,” Nnabuko affirmed.

Picture: Umukogbuo Town Hall

We must rebuild systems that reward excellence, says Gov Otti at Oxford Leadership Conference

By Foster Obi

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has called on Nigerian leaders to rebuild national systems that reward excellence, competence, and integrity, insisting that the country can achieve true development only through disciplined leadership, visionary ideas, and courageous execution.

Speaking at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference on “Better Leadership for a Better Nigeria” and the public presentation of Prof Arunma Oteh’s new book, All Hands on Deck: Unleash Prosperity through World Class Capital Markets, held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in Abuja, Governor Otti stressed that “prosperity requires more than just huge deposits of raw minerals. Long-term progress is initiated and sustained by the discipline of leadership, the power of ideas, and the courage of execution.”

Leadership and the Power of Ideas

Governor Otti argued that the real difference between successful and struggling nations lies not in the abundance of natural resources, but in the quality of human capital and the focus on leadership.

“Development is a human function — a rigorous intellectual exercise and the end product of blistered hands,” he said.

“Natural resources, when not paired with the requisite human intellect to make the most of them, can in themselves become an albatross to a society’s development aspirations.”

He commended Prof. Arunma Oteh, founder of the Oxford Global Think Tank and author of the newly launched book, for her “brilliant and peerless contributions to the holistic development of the human community, especially in Nigeria and across Africa.”

According to Otti, Oteh’s new book presents “a clear path to resource mobilization without the sneers that come from borrowing,” describing it as “an excellent treatise on economic freedom, preservation of national sovereignty and integration of domestic financiers into the development matrix.”

Fixing the Leadership Recruitment System

Governor Otti identified Nigeria’s “dysfunctional leadership recruitment template” as a major cause of its developmental setbacks, lamenting that mediocrity and arrogance have too often displaced character and competence in public life.

“We have become victims of a system that places scant regard on character, treats compassion as evidence of weakness, mistakes arrogance for competence, and promotes the noisy over the truly courageous,” he declared.

He endorsed Prof. Oteh’s 4Cs leadership philosophy — Character, Compassion, Competence, and Courage — as a model that should guide Nigeria’s next generation of leaders.

Education and Human Capital Development

Otti emphasized that no nation can progress without nurturing its people’s minds through quality education and sound values. He announced that his administration has consistently allocated 20% of Abia State’s annual budget to education in the last two years, making education free and compulsory across the state.

“This policy has more than doubled school enrolment within three months,” he revealed.

“We have recruited over 5,000 teachers and are preparing to hire another 4,000, while upgrading infrastructure and improving teacher welfare.”

He added that the focus of tertiary education in Abia has shifted from producing job seekers to “building leaders who will shape the future of their industries.”

Healthcare as a Human Development Pillar

Governor Otti also highlighted Abia’s renewed investments in healthcare, noting that the state has consistently committed 15% of its annual expenditure to healthcare, in line with the 2001 Abuja Declaration.

He said the goal is to ensure that “every citizen, especially those in rural areas, has access to a properly equipped and staffed medical facility within walking distance.”

A Call for National Renewal

The governor urged Nigerians to embrace a new consciousness of excellence, discipline, and collective responsibility for national rebirth.

“We have stayed in the difficult place of mediocrity for too long. At 65, we should be able to stand firmly on our feet and

March forward in an unyielding resolve to actualize the great destiny that our nation has been called to,” he stated.

Otti expressed pride in Prof. Oteh’s global achievements, describing her as “a shining light and a brilliant example of what we can become when leadership is driven by the commitment to make an impact.”

He concluded by challenging Nigerians to “do better, think deeper, and act bolder,” adding that the path to Nigeria’s greatness lies in the courage to rebuild systems that honour merit and human potential.

Pressure mounts on Governor Lawal as APC gains ground in Zamfara

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal is coming under growing political pressure following a fresh wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, which has further weakened his base ahead of the 2027 general election.

Reliable sources in Government House, Gusau, told DAILY POST that the governor is expected to embark on a series of high-level consultations in Abuja as part of efforts to contain the crisis within his party and reassert control.

Observers believe Lawal’s Abuja consultations are part of wider efforts to manage the crisis and negotiate political protection as the APC consolidates its growing dominance in Zamfara State.

The defections, which have unsettled the ruling PDP in the state, involve key political figures, including lawmakers, ward leaders, and former aides, who accuse the governor of poor performance, neglect of party loyalists, and failure to deliver on campaign promises.

On Tuesday, Hon. Maharazu Salisu, representing Maradun II Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, officially joined the APC at the party’s state secretariat in Gusau.

His defection, along with those of five PDP ward leaders, marks another major setback for the governor, whose influence within the party continues to wane.

Lawal’s political challenges worsened last week after a PDP candidate he reportedly supported with over ₦4 billion during a by-election also defected to the APC, citing disillusionment with the administration’s performance and growing public dissatisfaction.

The APC currently controls 13 of the 24 seats in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, while reports indicate that seven more PDP lawmakers may soon cross over — a development that could leave Lawal with only four loyal members and expose him to impeachment risks.

Sources disclosed that the governor held a late-night meeting with some lawmakers on Monday, where he expressed concern over the defections and their possible implications for his political future.

According to one source, the governor admitted he might “explore international options” if forced out, referencing properties he reportedly owns in London, Dubai, the United States, and Germany.

Meanwhile, the Northern APC Stakeholders Forum has cautioned the party’s leadership against admitting Lawal into the APC, warning that his performance record could harm the party’s image in the region.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Mubarak Liman, the forum accused Lawal of presiding over one of Zamfara’s most difficult periods marked by insecurity and infrastructural decline.

“Governor Dauda Lawal has failed in critical areas of governance — security, infrastructure, and welfare. Welcoming him into the APC would be counterproductive for the party in Zamfara and the North-West,” the statement read.

The group added that the steady stream of defections from the PDP reflects the governor’s declining popularity and waning grassroots support.

PDP condemns humiliation of teachers by Kwara SUBEB chairman

Kwara State main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has strongly condemned the incident at the Government Day Secondary School, Amule, where the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWASUBEB), Professor Raheem Adaramaja, allagedly humiliated teachers.

He was said to have forced teachers, including the school Vice Principal, to sweep the school premises in the full glare of students during a supposed inspection visit.

According to credible eyewitnesses, Adaramaja, allegedly accused the teachers of keeping an unkempt environment, and ordered them to pick up dirts within the school premises, despite explanations that the students had just returned from break time.

A statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, viewed Adaramaja’s action “not as an enforcement of discipline, but as a severe abuse of office and a public degradation of our dedicated educational professionals who are operating under harsh working environments.”

The party asked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq if this is the new standard for the teaching profession in Kwara.

“To have a Professor who himself was a teacher before access to public office, strip teachers of their dignity and compel them to perform tasks that belong to labourers, all in the presence of the students they are meant to inspire.

“This act, coming from Adaramaja stands as a symbol of arrogance, insensitivity, and moral bankruptcy,” the party noted.

The party called on the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), to immediately rise in defense of their members and ensure that the dignity of teachers is never again trampled upon by power-intoxicated government officials.

“Adaramaja must immediately issue an unreserved public apology to the teachers of Government Day Secondary School, Amule, and the entire teaching community in Kwara State for his shameless act.

“We also call on Governor Abdulrahman to publicly condemn this action and sanction the SUBEB Chairman if truly Governor is not in the know of this so that the dignity of civil servants is protected in Kwara State,” the party added.

In a reaction, chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Ilorin East branch, Comrade Saka Saafi Adanla, sympathized with the management and staff of the school over the unfortunate incident during the subeb chairman’s visit to the school on Monday.

“I want to express my deepest sympathy and solidarity with you over the unfortunate incident that occurred during the SUBEB Chairman’s visit to your school.

“The humiliation and disrespect meted out to you by the chairman is totally unacceptable and uncalled for. I assure you that the State Leadership of NUT Kwara State Wing is fully aware of the situation and is working tirelessly to address this issue.

“We condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms and demand an apology from the SUBEB Chairman.

“Please be assured that we are on top of the situation and will ensure that your rights and dignity are protected,” the branch Union chairman stated.

Reps proposes creation of additional local government areas in Benue

The House of Representatives has proposed a bill seeking to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to allow for the creation of additional Local Government Areas ,LGAs, in Benue State.

The bill has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill, recorded as HB2527, is sponsored by Rep. David Ogewu of the Oju/Obi Federal Constituency (APC).

It came up for second reading on Tuesday, October 28, where it scaled through after extensive debate on its general principles.

Moving the motion for the bill’s second reading, Rep. Ogewu said the proposed amendment would enhance grassroots governance by bringing government closer to the people.

He noted that Benue, with its vast landmass and growing population, requires more local councils for equitable development and efficient administration.

The motion was seconded by Rt. Hon. Chinedu Ogar, representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, who supported the initiative as a step toward deepening democracy and improving service delivery in rural communities.

Rep. Ogewu expressed optimism that once passed into law, the bill would pave the way for the creation of additional LGAs in Benue, particularly within his constituency.

He also recalled that at the close of his second term in 2007, Senator George Akume, then Governor of Benue State, had made similar but unsuccessful efforts to create more local government areas to enhance administrative efficiency.

The bill has now been referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.