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Water For Rural Agric: Federal Ministry, AWDROP  To Partner {Photos}

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In its effort to sustain rural agricultural development, members of the National Executive of Borehole Master Drillers Association (AWDROP) on Friday met with Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono to assist in providing adequate water supply for rural farmers through a program tagged: ‘Agro-Rural Water Supply Support Initiative’ (ARUWASSI) .

Speaking during the meeting with the minister, the National President of AWDROP, Engr. Michael Ale lauded the federal government through the ministry for their involvement in underground water exploration, when their main mandate is to grow agricultural products for the country.

According to him, this is necessary because agriculture takes 70% of our fresh
water out of which over 80% of the fresh water are from the Groundwater”.

He said: “Major subsistence and commercial Agricultural practices takes place in
the Rural area which makes Rural Development key in Sustainable Agricultural
practices.  There can’t be sustained Agriculture production without Groundwater.

“We are aware of the effect of climate change on our world, which had resulted
into many vices and research on climate friendly agricultural practices. Which
ever way we may decide, groundwater is key in sustained Agriculture practice, especially in Africa where it takes years to adapt to new innovation and technology and we are critics to change within the ecosystem.

“Nigerian farmers still find it difficult to practice all seasons farming, which makes some product out of reach during the dry season, whereas all fruit, grains, vegetables, tubers or fibers are produced all seasons in the developed world. This effect has been made possible through the effective management of groundwater
especially in the developed world. AWDROP has great expertise and potential in the development and management of this great resources and is excited with the current partnership with the FMARD through the ARUWASSI Program.

“This program has gained traction in the international groundwater fora and has
received so much attention. One of such is the presentation which will be made
in Uganda during the Africa Water Week by Africa Water Association. Honourable
Minister Sir, it will be our pleasure to request that two of your mid level officer
from the water division of the DRD be sponsored to this event which is in two
weeks”, Ale added.

 

Ale, while speaking on the  benefits of ARUWASSI to promote desirable development in rural farming, extended his deepest appreciation to President Muhammadu
Buhari for deeming it fit to have a separate budgetary allocation line for the support to Master Drillers after association’s pleas for support.

He also commended the National Assembly for their well thought decision to approve it saying the borehole drillers’ desire is to make it a win-win partnership deal between the players.

The AWDROP president,  therefore enjoined the minister to help strengthen the ARUWASSI Program under the support to Master Drillers budgetary allocation, such that many more programs that will attract donors’ funding will be developed under the initiative.

He also requested that the ministry in partnership with AWDROP should do more
on promoting water for Agriculture and Rural livelihood considering the amount of
infrastructure investment under ARUWASSI program among other requests to enhance the partnership.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Minister appreciated the visit by the National Executive of AWDROP and promised to hold them responsible for the management of the Drilling Rigs.

He also reiterated on the need to Integrate the ARUWASSI Rural Water program
with state governments to enhance better partnership and collaboration.

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Iran War Disrupts Oil Supply, Global Loss Hits $50bn

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The global oil market has recorded losses exceeding $50bn following massive supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran war, which has now stretched to nearly 50 days.

Data from energy analytics firm Kpler showed that more than 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been wiped off the global market since the crisis began in late February, making it the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, on Friday said the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened after a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon.

However, tensions escalated again on Saturday as Tehran warned it could shut the strategic waterway if the United States sustains its blockade of Iranian ports.

Also, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a deal to end the conflict could be reached “soon,” although he did not provide a definite timeline.

Analysts warned that the scale of disruption could have prolonged effects on global energy stability, with shocks expected to linger for months or even years.

Providing context, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, Iain Mowat, said the 500 million barrels lost is equivalent to grounding global aviation demand for 10 weeks, halting all road transport worldwide for 11 days, or shutting down the entire global oil supply for five days.

Further estimates showed that the lost volume is nearly equal to one month of oil demand in the United States or more than a month’s supply for Europe. It also represents about six years of fuel consumption by the U.S. military and could power global shipping activities for approximately four months.

The crisis has significantly affected oil-producing nations in the Gulf, with output losses reaching about eight million barrels per day in March—roughly equivalent to the combined production of two of the world’s largest oil companies.

Jet fuel exports from major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, dropped sharply from 19.6 million barrels in February to just 4.1 million barrels recorded across March and April combined. Analysts said the shortfall could have powered about 20,000 round-trip international flights.

With crude prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the onset of the conflict, the lost volumes translate to an estimated $50bn in revenue. Experts noted that this figure is equivalent to about one per cent of Germany’s annual Gross Domestic Product, or roughly the size of the economies of smaller European countries.

Meanwhile, global onshore crude inventories have declined by about 45 million barrels in April alone, while total production outages have risen to approximately 12 million barrels per day since late March.

Industry experts cautioned that unless a lasting resolution is reached, the disruption could intensify volatility in global oil markets, worsen inflationary pressures, and further strain fragile economies worldwide.

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Oseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination

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A member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has been nominated for a Special Award in Politics at the 2026 City People Political Awards.

The nomination was conveyed in a letter dated April 13, 2026, signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Seye Kehinde.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Oseni’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.

According to the statement, the lawmaker earned the nomination in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to politics in Oyo State, particularly in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.”

The organisers noted that Oseni emerged as a nominee following a comprehensive review of performances across sectors by the award’s selection committee.

Part of the letter read, “Having performed creditably well in your sector last year, the Organising Committee presented you as a nominee in your sector.”

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Etal Hall, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, at 4pm.

The City People Awards is an annual event that recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves in governance, public service and other sectors of national development.

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Kaduna Electric to prosecute, expose attackers of staff

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The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has announced a crackdown on individuals who assault its staff, warning that offenders will face prosecution and public exposure.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the company expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing surge” in attacks on its field workers and third-party partners.

It noted that the affected personnel were mainly engaged in meter installation, revenue collection and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.

According to the firm, the increasing cases of harassment, physical assault and unlawful detention of its workers pose a serious threat to employee safety and the stability of electricity service delivery across its franchise areas.

The Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, said the company would no longer tolerate any form of aggression against its workforce.

“Let this serve as a clear warning to anyone who engages in the assault of our staff. Kaduna Electric will pursue every case to its logical conclusion,” he said.

“We will work closely with security agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice and face the full weight of the law,” Mohammed added.

He further disclosed that the company would publicly reveal the identities of individuals found culpable.

According to him, names, photographs and other details of offenders would be published on the company’s official platforms as well as in national and local media.

“This measure is intended to ensure accountability and serve as a strong deterrent. Anyone who chooses to attack our personnel should be prepared not only to face prosecution but also public exposure,” he added.

The company stressed that assaults on utility workers attract serious legal and financial consequences, noting that offenders risk criminal charges that may lead to fines or imprisonment.

It added that perpetrators could also face civil liabilities, including compensation for medical treatment, psychological trauma and loss of work hours.
While condemning the attacks, Kaduna Electric urged customers to adopt peaceful and lawful means of resolving disputes.

It advised aggrieved customers to channel complaints through its customer service units or appropriate regulatory bodies.

The management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its workforce and partners, stressing that a safe working environment is essential for delivering reliable and efficient electricity services.

Although disputes between electricity providers and consumers are often linked to billing issues, metering challenges and service delivery concerns, the company maintained that such matters must be resolved through dialogue, insisting that violence against its staff will no longer be tolerated.

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