Despite billions of Naira allocated to agricultural intervention schemes, a stark disconnect persists between government efforts and the realities on the ground. Why do these well-publicized programs so often fail to move the needle on food security and farmer prosperity? In this exclusive interview with Kehinde Olusegun Gabriel, President of the Farmers Club of Nigeria, the answer lies in a fundamental flaw in the distribution system. In a damning assessment, Gabriel asserts that the “big men” and “political farmers” are the primary beneficiaries of initiatives like the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, while the genuine tillers of the soil are left with…
Author: SouthernVoiceNews
SouthernVoiceNews
Godwin-Maria Utuedoye is a trained professional journalist. A graduate of Mass Communication from the Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. He is a registered practising Journalist with the Nigeria Union of Journalists with over 20 years experience in news reporting. He is interested in Investigative and development Journalism. He lives in Nigeria and focuses more in the Niger-Delta region where oil and gas exploration by government and multinational iol companies has plunged into poverty and environmental degradation for years. He is also a PR Consultant, content creator, broadcast, print Journalist and Publisher. His vast experiences in journalism span over decades of reporting the activities of the untouched areas. He is married with children.
For the avoidance of doubt, our Union wishes to state in clear and unambiguous terms that the said allegations are a figment of the reporters’ imagination and should be disregarded in their entirety”.
No fewer than 30 people have reportedly killed and about 40 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a tragic tanker explosion that occurred in Niger state Tuesday. The incident according report occurred at about 11:00 a.m between Essan and Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area of the state. Eyewitnesses report that the victims were scooping fuel from a fallen tanker when the vehicle suddenly exploded, setting off a massive fire that engulfed several people. Many victims were said to have been burnt beyond recognition, while the injured were evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment.…
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the opening of its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, offering financial access to eligible students nationwide. Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, made the announcement in a statement released by the Fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, on Tuesday in Abuja. Sawyerr stated that the application portal would be open from Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, to Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, covering the full admission cycle of the academic year. He expressed appreciation to tertiary institutions for their cooperation so far and urged further collaboration to…
The Nigerian Army, has approved a Model Defence Comprehensive School to be sited in Delta State, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has disclosed. The disclosure was made on Monday, at Asaba, when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. According to the Chief of Defence Staff who was represented by Rear Admiral Joseph Akpan, Chief of Defence Administration, all the geo-political zones in the country will play host to one of the Model Defence Comprehensive Schools and Delta was chosen to host that of South South geo-political zone.…
Members of the Indigenous Correspondents Chapel (ICC) of the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, has congratulated one of her members, Comrade Uba Dorathy Mbasen on her victory at the just concluded elections of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) where she emerged as the Financial Secretary. In a statement signed by the chapel chairman, Comrade Kenneth Orusi, and the Secretary, Comrade Michael Odia, stated that her victory reflects the confidence, trust, and admiration of members who have recognized her commitment, leadership qualities, and readiness to serve. “Your emergence is a clear mandate to deliver…
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will on Tuesday depart for Germany on an official working visit aimed at strengthening the state’s partnership with construction giant, Julius Berger, according to the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu. Aniagwu, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Asaba, said the Governor would be accompanied by himself and the Technical Assistant to the Governor. Flanked by the Chief Press Secretary ( CPS) to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Projects and Policies, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Aniagwu explained…
President Bola Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of his ascension to the throne. The President, in a statement issued on Sunday at State House, joined the government and people of Edo State, the traditional council, and family members in celebrating the monarch’s milestone, commending the Oba for what he described as “nearly a decade of unrelenting service to his domain and the nation.” Tinubu specifically lauded the Oba’s steadfast commitment to fostering peace, unity, and social harmony not just within his immediate domain, but also across…
THE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for stronger regulation of psychotropic and antidepressant medicines to improve access to safe mental health treatment, even as it revealed that only about 300 psychiatrists currently serve Nigeria’s population of over 200 million. Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, said weak regulation, poor access to quality medicines, and rising drug abuse are fuelling Nigeria’s growing mental health crisis. Speaking at the 3rd Vanguard Mental Health Summit in Lagos, Adeyeye, represented by the Director of Narcotics and Controlled Substances (NCS), NAFDAC, Dr Ramatu Momodu, said that stronger regulation…
Echoes of praises and appreciation as residents of Ughelli North Local Government Area in their numbers trouped out of their homes to access the free medical outreach sponsored by the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, senator Ede Dafinone, in collaboration with National Health Fellow on Wednesday at the Council Secretariat. Beneficiaries of the free medical outreach were tested on TB, Diabetes, BP, Sugar, Hepatitis, Chest Xtray and reading glasses were given with eye challenges. Speaking during the exercise held at Ughelli North Secretariat, Coordinator of National Health Fellow, Onome Sandra Ugbarugba said, “What we will be doing here is…