Business
Food For Lagos Project Will Make Kogi Farmers Richer – Governor Ododo
“Agriculture in Kogi is receiving the biggest attention it has ever received.”
Governor Ododo didn’t just go there to sign papers. He has since returned home to roll up his sleeves to make the partnership a huge success.
The Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment to transforming the state’s agricultural sector and improving the livelihood of farmers through the recently signed Food for Lagos partnership, aimed at creating a robust food supply chain between Kogi and Lagos State.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja on Thursday by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who highlighted the strategic steps already taken to actualize the economic potential of the initiative.
According to Fanwo, less than two weeks after the agreement with the Lagos State government was signed, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has begun implementing concrete measures to boost food production, improve infrastructure, and attract high-value investments into the state’s agricultural sector.
“Governor Ododo didn’t just go there to sign papers. He has since returned home to roll up his sleeves to make the partnership a huge success.
With the Governor’s efforts, Kogi farmers will earn more from their agricultural produce.”
He revealed that the State Ministry of Agriculture has already mapped out key areas with comparative advantages for specific crops, ensuring that each region contributes meaningfully to the value chain.
Kogi, he said, is already a leading producer of cassava in Nigeria and West Africa, and the administration is working hard to dominate other areas of food production.
“We are not just talking about being the food basket of the nation, we are taking real steps to become one,” he said.
He praised Governor Ododo as a visionary leader who, from the outset of his administration, placed agriculture at the center of his development agenda.
“During his campaigns and in his inaugural speech, he emphasized the need for Kogi to be self-sufficient in food production. Today, he is fulfilling that promise.”
Fanwo also highlighted major government-backed programs such as RAAMP (Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project), which is facilitating the rehabilitation of rural roads to improve access to markets, and ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes), which is channeling investments into rural farming communities.
“Agriculture in Kogi is receiving the biggest attention it has ever received,” Fanwo affirmed.
“Our youth and women from Ibaji to Gegu and Egbe are now fully involved in the agricultural revival sweeping across the state.”
He further noted that the state’s growing success in combating rural insecurity has contributed to increased farming activity and boosted confidence among local farmers.
The Information Commissioner said that the Food for Lagos Project is a game-changer, not only for food supply in Nigeria’s largest city but also for wealth creation and economic empowerment in Kogi State.
“With sustained implementation, this partnership will make Kogi farmers richer and the state stronger economically,” he said.
Business
BUA Group’s Long Service Awards: Rabiu Splashes N30bn on Staff (Video)
Five employees received N1 billion ($691,000) each, while another five were awarded N500 million ($345,000). Several others went home with N100 million ($69,000), and dozens more received sums ranging from N5 million ($3,450) to N20 million ($13,810), ensuring the rewards extended beyond senior staff and reflected the breadth of the workforce.
•Abdul Samad Rabiu
Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, shared $20.7 million (about N30 billion )in cash rewards to staff for their long -service and loyalty across the conglomerate.
The payouts were announced at the BUA Night of Excellence Long Service Awards held at Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The annual event, which brought together staff across BUA Group and its subsidiaries, was designed to recognize years of service, loyalty and day-to-day contributions that often go unnoticed outside company walls.
At the ceremony, Rabiu approved cash awards spanning multiple levels of the organization.
Five employees received N1 billion ($691,000) each, while another five were awarded N500 million ($345,000). Several others went home with N100 million ($69,000), and dozens more received sums ranging from N5 million ($3,450) to N20 million ($13,810), ensuring the rewards extended beyond senior staff and reflected the breadth of the workforce.
The awards build on a pattern that employees say has become familiar at BUA.
See video below:
Business
GTCO Unveils First-Ever Holiday Edition of Food & Drink Festival, Scheduled for December 20–21, 2025
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) has launched the inaugural Holiday Edition of its renowned GTCO Food & Drink Festival, Africa’s largest culinary event.
The two-day festival is scheduled for December 20 and 21, 2025, at the GTCentre in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.
This special edition marks a festive expansion of the annual festival, blending African culinary excellence with family-oriented holiday experiences and support for small businesses.
Unlike previous editions, it shifts focus from chef masterclasses to immersive attractions tailored for the holiday season.
Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, highlighted the event’s significance: “The GTCO Food & Drink Festival is a powerful platform that aligns with our mission to fuel enterprise, promote African creativity, and connect communities through meaningful lifestyle experiences.
The Holiday Edition gives us an exciting opportunity to celebrate the festive season while supporting thousands of food entrepreneurs who form the backbone of our economy.”
Record-Breaking SME ParticipationTrue to its commitment to empowering local businesses, GTCO continues its free vendor participation model.
For this edition:
– Over 4,000 applications were received.
– 213 Nigerian-owned food SMEs were selected—nearly double the number from recent editions.
– Vendors will offer diverse, affordable culinary options, providing a high-traffic platform to boost visibility and sales during the holidays.
The surge in participation highlights the festival’s role in driving SME growth and inclusive economic development.
The 2025 Holiday Edition introduces tailored attractions:-
**Christmas Village**: A curated marketplace with handcrafted gifts, seasonal delicacies, artisanal products, and holiday entertainment.
– **Large Children’s Play Zone**: Immersive games and activities for families.
– **Street Food Hub**: Showcasing Nigeria’s vibrant street food diversity.
– **Live Entertainment**: High-energy DJ sets from top Nigerian performers.
The event aligns with GTCO’s corporate social responsibility goals, promoting community impact, SME support, and Nigeria’s creative economy.
Admission is free and open to the public, emphasizing accessibility to world-class experiences.
For more details, visit the official site at [foodanddrink.gtcoplc.com](https://foodanddrink.gtcoplc.com/).
Business
BOI, NCGC sign N10bn loans for women in business
BOI said that the programme would support women-led enterprises across manufacturing, ICT, digital marketing, ecommerce, healthcare, education, renewable energy, processing, waste management, and the creative industries.
• Image of a business woman/ BOI
Nigeria’s push for inclusive economic growth gained momentum on Wednesday as the Bank of Industry (BOI) and the National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC) launched a N10 billion loan guarantee programme aimed at improving access to finance for women-owned businesses.
The agreement, signed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, represents one of the major gender focused credit support initiatives introduced in recent years.
The BOI Managing Director, Dr Olasupo Olusi and the Managing Director of NCGC, Mr Bonaventure Okhaimo, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.
The scheme, known as GLOW, meaning Guaranteed Loans for Women, provides for a 25 per cent guarantee by NCGC on BOI loans.
This arrangement is expected to reduce lender risk and create easier access to affordable credit for women entrepreneurs at concessionary interest rates, the two organisations said.
BOI said that the programme would support women-led enterprises across manufacturing, ICT, digital marketing, ecommerce, healthcare, education, renewable energy, processing, waste management, and the creative industries.
Olusi said the initiative was designed to address long-standing barriers that prevent women from accessing growth capital.
He said GLOW was structured to offer concessionary pricing at seven per cent, flexible collateral options and capacity building support, noting that these measures were intended to help close gender financing gaps within the MSME sector.
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