Business

GOVERNOR LALONG SIGNS MOU ON ESTABLISHMENT OF TEA FACTORY IN PLATEAU

Published

4 years ago

August 17, 2022

Preport

A tea processing factory will soon be established in Plateau State thanks to the visit of Governor Simon Bako Lalong to Kenya on behalf of the Northern Governor’s Forum.

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Plateau State Government and the Government of Kericho County in Kenya following the visit of Governor Lalong to various Counties of the Country.

The memorandum of understanding was signed on behalf of the two governments by Prof. Danladi Atu, Secretary to Government of Plateau State and Joes Bett, County Secretary of Kericho in Kenya and witnessed by the two Governors.

Before the signing of the agreement, Governor Lalong had taken a tour of the Ketepa Tea Processing and Packaging Company which is the largest tea farming company in Kenya that is driven by a farmer cooperative society.

He was taken around the company by Managing Director Albert Otochi who explained that the company was founded by small-scale farmers who are the major shareholders and determine its day-to-day running through the board of directors.

He was told that through the cooperative society, the farmers are encouraged to cultivate tea and coffee which are then bought off them by the company and processed thereby creating employment for the host communities and boosting their economy.

Governor Lalong said the initiative is to consolidate on the gains of his visit to Kenya, particularly Kericho County which shares a lot of similarities in weather, topography and agricultural endowments with Plateau State.

“We have other products that can benefit from the processing factory which can result in what could be PLATEAU TEA that will make inroads into the Nigerian market,” he said.

The Governor also discussed the possibility of training long-distance runners in Kericho which has been the base of Kenya’s athletics strength over the years.

Lalong had also visited a private diary farm where he was taken round the production line by the Chairman of the Farm Gen. John Koech (Rtd) who expressed willingness to share experiences with Plateau State and indeed the other Northern States in a modern way of cattle rearing which is not only profitable but a new way of maintaining communal harmony and better utilization of scarce land resources.

The Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum was later hosted to a warm reception at the Office of the Governor of Kericho County where members of the County Legislature and the Executive were in attendance.

Source: Dr. Makut Simon Macham ANIPR (Director of Press & Public Affairs to The Governor of Plateau State.)

Business

Amotekun Frees Pastor, Seven Others from Kidnappers

Published

6 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Preport

Personnel of the Amotekun security outfit have freed eight individuals who were held captive by suspected kidnappers in Ondo State after a coordinated rescue mission.

Several of those rescued were reportedly abducted from the Ilado area of Akure North Local Government Area.

Among the survivors is Fagbonmire Durojaiye, a cleric and educator affiliated with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), where he serves in a pastoral role.

Reports indicate that the abductors initially demanded ₦30 million as payment for the captives’ freedom before the victims were eventually recovered.

The post Amotekun Frees Pastor, Seven Others from Kidnappers appeared first on Business Today NG.

Business

Nigeria’s petrol price climbs to ₦1,596 per litre in May — NBS

Published

14 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Preport

The average retail price paid by Nigerians for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, rose to ₦1,596.25 per litre in May 2026, reflecting the continued pressure of high fuel costs on households and businesses across the country.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this in its Petrol Price Watch report released on Wednesday, showing that the average pump price increased by 55.31 per cent when compared with ₦1,027.76 recorded in May 2025.

The latest figure also represents a 4.13 per cent increase from the average price of ₦1,532.93 per litre recorded in April 2026.

The data indicate that fuel prices have continued their upward trajectory despite fluctuations recorded in some months over the past year.

A review of the monthly trend showed that the national average stood at ₦1,037.66 per litre in June 2025, then declined to ₦1,024.99 in July and ₦988.25 in August. The average price fell further to ₦970.59 in September 2025, then rose to ₦1,052.31 in October and ₦1,061.35 in November.

In December 2025, the average price eased slightly to ₦1,048.63 per litre and stood at ₦1,034.76 in January 2026. It increased marginally to ₦1,051.47 in February, then surged to ₦1,288.54 in March and ₦1,532.93 in April. The upward trend continued in May, reaching ₦1,596.25 per litre.

Edo records highest price

Across the states, Edo recorded the highest average retail price of petrol at ₦1,722.91 per litre in May.

Bauchi followed, with an average price of ₦1,715.47 per litre, while Benue residents paid ₦1,698.57 per litre.

On the other hand, Adamawa recorded the lowest average price at ₦1,469.83 per litre. Katsina followed closely with ₦1,470.63 per litre, while Sokoto posted an average of ₦1,489.33 per litre.

The figures underscore the wide variations in petrol prices across the country, reflecting differences in transportation costs, supply logistics and market conditions.

South-south leads geopolitical zones

At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,623.84 per litre.

The North-east followed with ₦1,622.76, while the South-East posted an average of ₦1,593.91.

ALSO READ: Dangote Refinery explains N100 petrol price increase amid crude price surge

The North-central zone recorded ₦1,589.92, marginally higher than the South-West’s ₦1,588.96. The North-West had the lowest zonal average at ₦1,564.11 per litre.

The latest report highlights the persistent rise in fuel prices since the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector, with petrol now selling at levels significantly higher than those recorded a year ago.

For many households and businesses, the increase continues to translate into higher transportation and operating costs, adding to broader concerns over the cost of living in Africa’s largest economy.