Big Gist Africa

For years, cassava farmers across Oyo State worked tirelessly on their fields, yet their harvests barely reflected their effort. With yields averaging just 10 to 12 tons per hectare—and in some cases as low as 7 tons—many farmers remained trapped in a cycle of low productivity and modest incomes. Today, that story is changing.Through a targeted training programme on Good Agromonic Practices (GAP) and mechanisation, farmers are now achieving harvests of 20-25 t/ha, effectively doubling their yields. Behind this transformation is a structured initiative led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with other partners, designed to equip farmers with practical knowledge, modern tools, and market access. Mr. Samuel Ogunleye, AATF’s Cassava Mechanisation Project Coordinator, explains that the training goes beyond theory. It is about “equipping farmers with the best practices for cultivating cassava and introducing mechanisation services that make ...

*Alleges plot to relocate Nigeria’s capital by President  Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of pursuing a hidden agenda to relocate Nigeria’s federal capital from Abuja to Lagos, while allegedly sidelining other regions of the country. In a strongly worded statement, Frank described what he called a pattern of “suspicious and calculated actions” by the administration, claiming that major government decisions, investments, and agreements were increasingly tilted toward Lagos.  According to him, “it is now clear” that the President’s long-term plan is to concentrate political and economic power in Lagos if given another term in office. Frank alleged that federal appointments and development initiatives under Tinubu have been largely one-sided, warning that such a trend undermines national unity.  He insisted that Nigeri...

*Urges PENGASSAN, NUPENG, others to remain vigilant  Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led  federal government over its handling of the OPL 245 dispute, describing recent claims of a “final resolution” as misleading. In a statement released on Sunday, the Atiku Media Office said a fresh legal move by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited shows the matter is still far from settled, contrary to earlier assurances by government officials. The statement pointed to a pre-action notice issued by Malabu through its counsel, Chief R.O. Atabo (SAN), which it said challenges the narrative of closure being promoted by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi. According to the statement, the dispute remains active in court, with cases still pending before the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court.  It also raised concerns that Malabu, described as a key stakeholder in the oil block, was not involved in any negotiation l...

*Congratulates new State Party Chairman, Warman Ogoriba APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa State, Great Joshua MacIver has declared his total commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu come 2027, declaring that the Tinubu re-election project is non-negotiable. Great Joshua MacIver, in his statement titled " BAYELSA APC CONGRESSES: GOING FORWARD, A CALL TO LOOK INWARDS" and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, warned APC leaders in the state to look Inward and take note of certain factors which may hinder or cut short our victory. According to Great Joshua MacIver, such noticeable pitfalls include the imbalance in the united front being put up by the State Governor,Senator Douye Diri among various political blocs in the state. In the statement issued at the weekend. Great Joshua MacIver stated that "First, before His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, joined the APC in the state, there were clearly two politica...

The Federal Government’s celebration of the alleged resolution of the long-running OPL 245 dispute has suffered a major setback, as Malabu Oil and Gas Limited has issued a formal pre-action notice challenging any regulatory move to implement the controversial agreement. The development casts fresh doubts on official claims that the dispute has been conclusively settled and raises new legal questions over the Federal Government’s recent public declarations on the oil block. In the pre-action notice dated March 17, 2026, and addressed to the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Malabu, acting through its counsel, warned against any regulatory recognition, approval or implementation of arrangements concerning OPL 245 while several suits over the asset remain pending in court.  The letter, written by R. O. Atabo, SAN, LL.D, on behalf of the majority shareholders and directors of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, stated that the comp...

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has launched a scathing attack on both the Nigerian and United Kingdom governments over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing state visit, describing it as “insensitive” and “an embarrassment” in the wake of deadly attacks in Maiduguri. Frank, in a strongly worded statement, accused the UK government of being “complicit” in Nigeria’s challenges, insisting that the timing of the visit, barely 24 hours after reported killings, showed a lack of empathy for grieving Nigerians. “I wonder how President Tinubu could travel barely 24 hours after people were killed,” Frank said. “At a time when the whole world is expressing concern over the tragedy in Nigeria, he and his retinue of Ministers and top security officials chose to go on a state visit - celebrating and drinking champagne - while Nigerians are dying.” He described the trip as one that had caused ...