Designing a good market setting and structure for Obagaji, the administrative headquarters of Agatu LGA in Benue State, requires an approach that reflects the local culture, supports agriculture-based commerce, improves livelihoods, and fosters community development.

A proposal by Obagaji, Agatu Benue State page

Here is a comprehensive proposal for a modern yet culturally grounded market structure for Obagaji:

PROPOSED MARKET NAME:

"Obagaji Central Agro-Market" (OCAM)

1. Location & Layout

Location Criteria:

Central to the community, easily accessible from surrounding villages (e.g., Okokolo, Odugbeho, Aila, Usha, Olegochepo, etc.)

Near a motorable road or spot where future road development is feasible

Dry, well-drained land (avoid flood-prone areas, which Agatu has experienced)

Close to a water source for sanitation purposes

Market Zoning Structure:

Divide the market into functional zones:

Zone Description

Fresh Produce Zone: Yam, cassava, maize, vegetables, tomatoes
Livestock Zone: Goats, pigs, poultry, cattle (with pens)
Grains & Cereals Zone: Rice, millet, guinea corn, corn, beans
Craft & Fabric Zone: Local fabric, baskets, pottery, arts
General Goods Zone: Household items, clothing, provisions
Food Court Area: Local food vendors, palm wine spots
Pharmaceutical & Herbal Zone: Traditional medicine, drug stores
Youth Innovation Corner: Tech repairs, tailoring, barbers, etc.
Waste Management Area: Compost and refuse collection point

2. Physical Infrastructure

Market Structures:

Open stalls with zinc roofing

Permanent shops for bigger traders

Shaded spaces using local materials (e.g., raffia/bamboo)

Auction space for livestock sales

Cold storage unit (solar-powered, if possible) for perishables

Toilets and washing areas

Drainage system to manage waste and runoff

Security post and watchtower

Warehouse/Storage rooms

3. Market Day System

Weekly Market Days:

Designate two major market days (e.g., every Wednesday and Saturday or the usual 5 Days as we have it today)

Promote monthly "Agatu Agro Fest" where farmers and artisans showcase produce

4. Governance and Revenue

Market Leadership:

Market Union (elected traders)

Elders’ Council (representing clans/villages)

Women & Youth Representatives

Agatu LGA Liaison Officer

Revenue Streams:

Stall/shop rentals

Parking/ticket fees

Cleaning and security fees

Monthly vendor permits

Partnerships with NGOs or cooperatives

5. Sustainability Features

Encourage plastic-free zones (use raffia or sack bags)

Create community composting pits

Train locals on market hygiene & waste sorting

Use solar panels for lighting and cold storage

6. Cultural Integration

Welcome arch with Idoma symbols

Murals of Agatu farmers and warriors

Market Square Drum Tower for announcements

Open arena for storytelling, music, and local dance on market days

7. Partnerships and Support

Partner with:

Benue State Ministry of Agriculture

Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

International NGOs (e.g., Mercy Corps, IFAD)

Local cooperatives

Microfinance banks for small loans

Engage the diaspora community for funding

Two Years as the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré has done so much for his country. Here are list of his achievements since he took over the leadership of the country:

1. Burkina Faso's GDP grew from approximately $18.8 billion to $22.1 billion.

2. He has rejected loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He said, "Africa doesn't need the World Bank, IMF, Europe, or America."

3. He reduced the salaries of ministers and parliamentarians by 30% and increased the salaries of civil servants by 50%.

4. He paid off Burkina Faso's local debts.

5. He established two tomato processing plants, the first-ever in Burkina Faso.

6. In 2023, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art gold mine to enhance local processing capabilities.

7. He stopped the export of unrefined Burkina Faso gold to Europe.

8. He built Burkina Faso’s second cotton processing plant. Previously, the country had only one.

9. He opened the first-ever National Support Center for Artisanal Cotton Processing to assist local cotton farmers.

10. He banned the wearing of British legal wigs and gowns in local courts and introduced traditional Burkinabé attire.

11. He prioritized agriculture by distributing over 400 tractors, 239 tillers, 710 motor pumps, and 714 motorcycles to boost production and support rural stakeholders.

12. He provided access to improved seeds and other farm inputs to maximize agricultural output.

13. Tomato production in Burkina Faso increased from 315,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 360,000 metric tonnes in 2024.

14. Millet production rose from 907,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 1.1 million metric tonnes in 2024.

15. Rice production increased from 280,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 326,000 metric tonnes in 2024.

16. He banned French military operations in Burkina Faso.

17. He banned French media in Burkina Faso.

18. He expelled French troops from Burkina Faso.

19. His government is constructing new roads, widening existing ones, and upgrading gravel roads to paved surfaces.

If You Earn 10k Day, You'll Die Without Becoming a Billionaire.

Yes, I'm talking to you.
And I'm not saying this to discourage you.
I'm saying this to wake you up.

Because the math doesn't lie.
10k a day is 300k a month.
That's 3.6M a year.

And to become a billionaire?
You need 1M.

Do the math:
1M ÷ 10k = 100k days.
Do you know what that's?

274 years.
Yes, two hundred and seventy-four years. That's more than four lifetimes.

And that's if you never spend a single franc.
Which is obviously impossible.

So ask yourself the right questions:

Do you want a big house?
A dream car?
To provide a good life for your parents?
To travel?
Send your children to the best schools?

Then 10k a day" will never be enough.
Even with all the sweat in the world.

Because the problem isn't your job.
It's your role model.

You can't get rich by working hard alone.

You have to learn to make your money work for you.
You have to invest.
You have to multiply your sources of income.

Your salary, your business, or your farming activity...
It's just a starting point.
Not an end goal.

It's not the amount that matters,
It's what you do with it.

Wake up while you still can.

Life expectancy in Cameroon is about 60 years.
Not 274.
You don't have enough time to waste your energy on a single income.

You need to think strategically.
You need to build assets.
You need to learn to break free from the "earn-spend" trap.

Even small, even slow,
But with vision and intention.

Here's what you need to start doing right now:

Put a percentage of what you earn aside
Learn to invest — in things you understand
Create a second income (small business, resale, land, digital, agriculture, etc.)
Read, educate yourself, open your mind to models that work
Avoid unnecessary expenses that drain you without elevating you

You don't have to become a billionaire.
But you do have to break out of the system that impoverishes you.

You're young.
You're capable.
But you have to think like a builder,
Not like a survivor.

The world doesn't reward the most tired.
It rewards the most strategic.

Well , it's up to you, eh... Bro

Anyway. Good luck

PEACE ✌🏿

𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐃𝐒

Here is a consolidated list of Nigerian universities and their admission screening methods based on recent 2025 information

𝗔. 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴:
1. Lagos State University (LASU)
2. Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH)
3. Federal University Otuoke (FUOTUOKE)
4. Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)
5. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU)
6. Ekiti State University (EKSU)
7. Kwara State University (KWASU)
8. Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA)
9. Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE)
10. University of Jos (UNIJOS)
11. Federal University Lafia (FULAFIA)
12. Bayero University Kano (BUK)
13. University of Abuja (UNIABUJA)
14. Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)
15. Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMINNA)
16. University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
17. Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH)
18. Ambrose Alli University (AAU)
19. Ebonyi State University (EBSU)
20. Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH)
21. Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH)
22. Osun State University (UNIOSUN)
23. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH)
24. Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA)
25. Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
26. Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT)
27. Lagos State University of Education (LASUED)
28. University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
29. Sokoto State University (SSU)
30. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU)
31. Salem University (SLU)
32. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU)
33. Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)
34. University of Cross River State (UNICROSS)
35. Federal University Kashere (FUKASHERE)
36. Yobe State University (YSU)
37. Nasarawa State University (NSUK)
38. Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUSOK)
39. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUAU)
40. Federal University Gashua (FUGASHUA)
41. Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB)
42. Umar Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU)
43. Kaduna State University (KASU)
44. Adeyemi College of Education (ADSU)

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb5skkp8F2pChUKVMt1x

𝗕. 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗨𝗧𝗠𝗘 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝘀 (𝗼𝗻-𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝘀):
1. University of Lagos (UNILAG)
2. University of Ibadan (UNIBADAN)
3. University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
4. Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) – 𝒎𝒊𝒙𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒅, 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒕-𝑼𝑻𝑴𝑬
5. Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU ZARIA)
6. Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU)
7. University of Delta (UNIDEL)
8. Delta State University (DELSU)
9. Niger Delta University (NDU)
10. Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) – 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘
11. University of Benin (UNIBEN)
12. University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)
13. University of Calabar (UNICAL)
14. Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
15. Rivers State University (RSU)
16. Sokoto State University (SMS)
17. Abia State University (ABSU)
18. University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
19. Imo State University (IMSU).

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb5skkp8F2pChUKVMt1x

Lagos State Government on Thursday announced the shutdown of the Oko-Oba abattoir over unsanitary activities, waste mismanagement and unhygienic handling of animal products.

This directive was given by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab after an extensive inspection tour with the media to Oko-Oba the Abattoir at Oko-Oba in Agege informing that the Ministry received a petition from the Ministry of Agriculture to intervene as regards various Environmental and health infractions going on at the abattoir.

PRESIDENT TINUBU DIRECTS SECURITY AGENCIES TO ARREST KILLERS IN BENUE, ADVISES GOVERNOR ALIA TO SET UP PEACE COMMITTEE



President Bola Tinubu has directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, to immediately arrest killer herders who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Benue State.

President Tinubu gave the directive while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Markudi.

The meeting included the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, Traditional Rulers, and former Governors of the state.

The governors of Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa also attended the meeting.

President Tinubu called out the Inspector General of Police to know why arrests have not been made.

"How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately," President Tinubu said.

He urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.

He told the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, of the need for vigilance and collaboration between communities and security forces.

Advising Governor Alia on the importance of stakeholder management for peaceful and progressive governance, the President urged the governor to set up a peace committee in the state that will include former governors of Benue, elders, traditional rulers, federal government officials, and non-indigenes living in the state.

"Let us meet again in Abuja. Let's fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity," he said.

President Tinubu urged Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to allocate land for ranching and directed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to follow up.



He called for blood donations to support the injured receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, where he had earlier visited victims and medical staff.

While underscoring the importance of peace for sustainable development, President Tinubu implored the Governor to ensure Benue is peaceful, adding that the circumstances of his visit this time should not have been a reason to visit.

"I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity, not to see gloomy faces. But peace is vital to development," he said.

"The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people", he stressed.

He charged Governor Alia with working with the federal government to restore peace.

"Governor Alia, you were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability, and progress. You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us.

"Not everyone will like you in politics. They hate me, too—like hell. But here I am, still your President. I made a promise to protect democracy, freedom, and prosperity, even for my abusers and accusers. That's leadership," the President emphasised.

In his remarks, Governor Hyacinth Alia appealed to the Federal Government to establish a Special Intervention Fund for communities affected by repeated violent attacks across Benue State.

"Your Excellency, while we continue to mourn our losses and rebuild from the ashes of pain, we humbly urge the Federal Government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for communities affected by these incessant attacks in Benue State," he said.

Governor Alia said the fund would support the rehabilitation of displaced persons, reconstruction of destroyed homes and infrastructure, and the restoration of livelihoods, especially for farmers.

He reiterated his support for establishing state police as a lasting solution to insecurity.

The Governor pledged his administration's full commitment to building a safe, stable, prosperous Benue State.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, praised President Tinubu for being the first sitting President to personally visit victims in the hospital in the wake of such a tragedy.

He thanked the President for appointing notable Benue indigenes into key positions, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, while expressing hope that more appointments would follow.



On the recurring spate of insecurity in the state, the monarch took time to address misinformation and mischaracterisation, saying that land grabbing is at the core of the decades-long conflict.

"Your Excellency, it is not herder-farmer clashes. It is not communal clashes. It is not reprisal attacks or skirmishes. What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits."

He cautioned that mischaracterising the crisis had led to inadequate responses and accused some political actors of exploiting the situation for selfish gain.

"We hear that some politicians would even prefer that the crisis worsens, so it would serve as a basis for declaring a state of emergency. This is unfortunate. Any politician who prays for more people to die for such a project is working against the wishes of the people of Benue State," he said.

He therefore appealed to President Tinubu to restore peace to the state and every part of Nigeria.

"All we ask of you, sir, is to stop our weeping. Give us peace in Benue State, so our people, primarily farmers, can return to their farms and continue to produce food for Nigeria.

"I heard a story about a challenge in a place in Kwara State, and you rose and gave them peace in Kaiama. You can do that for Benue."

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
June 18, 2025

Ants Outsmart Scientists One Seed at a Time

Ants might be tiny, but when it comes to survival smarts, they’re light years ahead of us in some ways.

Case in point: scientists have discovered that ants break grains and seeds before storing them, a strategic move that prevents germination even under perfect growing conditions.

It’s their way of stockpiling food without the risk of it sprouting and becoming useless.

But here's where it gets fascinating.

While studying ant nests, researchers stumbled upon something unusual coriander seeds weren’t halved like most others… they were quartered. Curious, they took the mystery to the lab. What they found stunned them: coriander seeds still germinate when halved, but not when broken into four pieces.

In other words, the ants had already figured this out.

Long before any lab coats ran the experiment, these tiny creatures knew exactly how to neutralize coriander's ability to grow. It wasn’t just instinct it was precision agriculture, on a micro scale.

This jaw-dropping insight is a reminder that nature’s smallest engineers often have knowledge we’re only just beginning to uncover. Ants aren’t just survivors they’re strategists, and they may have more lessons to teach us than we realize.

A Tale of Two Countries!

Burkina Faso’s Minister of Agriculture, Major Ismaël Sombié, appointed by Ibrahim Troare, is leading an agricultural revolution in his country, which has caused his country’s GDP to move from $18.8 billion to $22 1 billion in two years

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, appointed by Tinubu, is leading a national Prayer for “divine intervention in the agricultural sector” after destroying it in two years.

Federal Republic of Nigeria seeks divine intervention for food security.  Countries Agriculture ministry directs staff to fast and pray.

“My administration is making agriculture more sexy for Nigerians” - Bola ahmed tinubu

All this jokers expecting results without working.

FG will drop the price of food price through its new reforms – Agriculture Minister.