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C’River Hosts 2026 International Coffee Festival, To Distribute 30m Seedlings To Farmers 

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By Adebayo ​‌‍‌⁠‍⁠‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌​‍​‍⁠​‌​Gbeja
The Cross River Government will on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, host the 2026 International Coffee Festival with the theme ”Coffee Sustainability”.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr Johnson Ebokpo, disclosed this at a news briefing in Abuja on Monday ahead of the festival.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that festival is being organised by Lingzi Global Nigeria Ltd., in collaboration with NACOFTAN and other stakeholders.

Ebokpo said that the state also planned on distributing 30 million coffee seedlings to farmers over the next five years to boost production and develop the state’s agricultural economy.

According to him, the initiative is part of the state government strategic coffee development programme, which began in 2024.

He said the state had about 23,000 square Kilo Metres of arable land suitable for coffee cultivation and capacity to produce both Arabica and Robusta varieties.

He explained that arabica would be cultivated in the highlands, particularly around the Obudu ranch area, while robusta will be grown in the lowlands.

He also explained that the state was targeting coffee as an alternative economic driver, noting that the global coffee market offered significant opportunities for farmers, processors, investors and young entrepreneurs.

”We want to build an alternative economy around coffee because it is easy to extract its value, and our youths can process it and push their products to the global market,” he said.

The commissioner noted that the coffee value chain extended beyond cultivation to processing, packaging, marketing and export, stressing the need to encourage local consumption.

He disclosed that the state government approved the hosting of the international festival as part of efforts to position the state as a globally recognised coffee-producing state.

He said the festival would provide opportunities for job creation and greater participation of women and youths in the coffee value chain.

Ebokpo said Cross River, already a major cocoa-producing state, was also positioning itself to become one of the leading coffee-producing states in West Africa.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Lingzi Global Nigeria Ltd., Mrs Blessing Nanman, said the 2026 festival would focus on coffee sustainability, skills development, community development, job creation, investment, processing, export and local consumption.

Nanman said the festival would provide a platform for farmers, processors, investors and international organisations to collaborate on developing Nigeria’s coffee industry.

She said the 2025 edition held in Plateau, attracted participants from different countries and contributed to increased awareness and consumption of coffee in Nigeria.

According to her, Lingzi Global established additional coffee shops following the 2025 festival as part of efforts to promote a culture of local coffee consumption.

Nanman said about 30 countries were expected to participate in the 2026 festival.

Similarly, the National President of the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN), Dr Hassan Kakara, commended the Cross River government for its investment in coffee production.

Kakara said coffee and tea could contribute significantly to employment generation, income, environmental sustainability and economic development.

He urged stakeholders including government agencies, research institutions and investors to support the development of the coffee value chain.

”If we are able to plant 30 million seedlings, I think we can be the best in Africa and not only West Africa,” he said.

Kakara added that NACOFTAN would continue to support the state’s coffee development efforts and encourage stakeholders to contribute to the initiative.

He said the festival would bring together international stakeholders from countries including Brazil, Indonesia and Kenya to share knowledge, technology and experiences across the coffee value chain.(NAN)
Edited by Deborah Coker

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Another Bauchi lawmaker withdraws from 2027 race

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Yusuf Abdullahi Itas, a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Itas/Gadau State Constituency, has withdrawn from the 2027 general election.
Itas, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), announced his decision in a letter dated October 5, 2026, addressed to the party’s state chairman.

In the letter titled, “Withdrawal of Candidature for the Itas/Gadau State Constituency Seat in the Bauchi State House of Assembly,” the lawmaker formally informed the party that he would no longer contest the seat in the 2027 election.

He described his decision as “entirely voluntary and personal”.

He thanked the APM leadership and its members for giving him the opportunity to represent the party.

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Itas also expressed appreciation to residents of the constituency for their encouragement and support during his time in office.

The lawmaker is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petitions and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

His withdrawal comes less than three weeks after the Bauchi Assembly Chief Whip, Musa Wakili Nakwada, also announced that he would not contest the 2027 elections.

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JOS GHETTO STORIES: THE STORIES OF RESILIENCE, DREAMS & GREATNESS

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JOS GHETTO STORIES

Your Beginning Is Not Your Ending.

Welcome to Jos Ghetto Stories — a new Jos Events series created to tell the stories that are often overlooked, but should never be forgotten.

From the narrow streets of Gangare, Nasarawa, Angwan Rogo, Jenta-Adamu, Congo-Russia, Tudun Wada, Katako, Dadin Kowa, Bukuru and other communities across Jos, there are children growing up surrounded by challenges many of us may never fully understand.

Some wake up without knowing where their next meal will come from.

Some go to school with torn shoes.

Some live in crowded homes, struggle to afford basic needs, or watch their parents battle every day just to keep the family going.

And some are already beginning to believe that because they were born into hardship, hardship is all life has to offer them.

But we are here to tell them something different.

YOU CAN STILL BECOME GREAT.

Your address does not determine your destiny.

The street you grew up on does not decide the height you can reach.

Poverty may be part of your story, but it does not have to be the final chapter.

Look at Jos.

This city has produced and nurtured people who have gone on to make their mark far beyond the streets where their journeys began.

John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa went from Jos to becoming aome of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, they all grew up from the Ghetto streets of Jos and made it in life through football to the point of representing Nigeria at the highest level.

Jeremiah Gyang, M.I Abaga and Ice Prince carried the sound and creativity of Jos into the Nigerian music industry and beyond.

P-Square and 2Baba are among the major names whose stories are connected to Jos.

Saint Obi,Dayo Okeniyi took their journey from Jos into international acting, while filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Kenneth Gyang, have used film to tell stories that travel far beyond home.

And there are many more whose names may not yet be famous—but whose stories prove that greatness can rise from ordinary beginnings. 

So when we walk through the streets of Jos and meet these children, we are not looking at “ghetto children.”

We are looking at future doctors, engineers, footballers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, creatives and nation builders.

We are looking at potential.

We are looking at dreams waiting for an opportunity.

Because sometimes, all a child needs is somebody to look them in the eyes and say:

“I believe in you.”

That is what Jos Ghetto Stories is about.

We will tell the stories of the streets.

We will show the struggles.

We will celebrate the talent.

We will listen to the dreams.

And most importantly, we will remind every young person watching that you can become the best version of yourself, regardless of where you started.

Your parents may not have everything.

Your environment may not be perfect.

You may not have the opportunities others have.

But never allow your circumstances to convince you that you cannot become somebody.

The world may see a child from the slum.

We see a future star.

The world may see a difficult beginning.

We see a story waiting to become extraordinary.

This is Jos Ghetto Stories.

Stories from the streets.

Stories of struggle.

Stories of hope.

Stories of talent.

Stories of resilience.

Stories of people who refuse to let their circumstances define them.

Because from the streets of Jos, greatness can rise.

And perhaps, the next great story is the child standing beside you.

JOS EVENTS PRESENTS: JOS GHETTO STORIES.

Your Beginning Is Not Your Ending.

Dream. Believe. Rise.

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