Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State said his administration has constructed over 600 kilometres of road since his inception in office.

Abiodun noted that these roads were the fulfilment of promises made during his campaign.

The governor, who spoke on Tuesday while commissioning a newly constructed hospital road in Ogijo, Sagamu local government area of the state, noted that the event was to kickstart a series of projects commissioning to mark the first year of his second term in office.

Abiodun, while boasting that his administration would not make empty promises, added that more roads would be commissioned at Iperu and Ilaro during the week.

According to the governor, the Ogijo community is one of the industrial areas of the state as it enjoys gas reticulation, stating that his administration has solved the electricity challenges that affected the community for decades through the provision of transformers and other electric accessories.

“This community is very important to us; apart from being a border town, it is also an industrial area. I can assure you that this community will experience more development.

“I call on the Kabiyesi to work with the local government chairman, community development associations, and all relevant stakeholders and come up with projects according to their priority for immediate execution,” he said.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Ade Akinsanya said the commissioning of the Hospital Road is a testimony to the commitment of the state government to ensuring infrastructural development in all parts of the state.

Ologijo of Ogijoland, Oba Kezeem Gbadamosi, represented the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, appreciated the state government for ensuring that the road was well constructed with a good drainage system.

However, he called the governor’s attention to other deplorable roads in the area.

The Yobe government has praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the release of 21,000 bags of grains to the state.

Muhammad Goje, executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, stated this in an interview in Damaturu on Monday.

He said the grains, including rice, maize, guinea corn and millet, were distributed to orphans, widows, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Mr Goje said Gov. Mai Mala Buni earlier constituted a committee comprising local government chairpersons, anti-corruption groups, and security agencies to handle the distribution exercise across the state’s 17 local government areas.

”The committee at both state and local government levels profiled beneficiaries, taking into account their name, phone number, sex, disability status, and geocoordinate. It ensured transparency and accountability, and the grains reached those who needed them most.

“Overall, the grains’ distribution had a positive impact on the state, with the cost of commodities decreasing and lives were saved across various locations,” he said.

Mr Goje said the federal government’s intervention complemented the state government’s efforts to provide relief to the people.

“You will recall that recently, Yobe launched the distribution of 50,000 bags of assorted grains targeting 120,000 vulnerable households across the 17 local government areas to provide food to those who are actually in need.

“Our government had, before then, provided several interventions with a fair and transparent distribution to eligible beneficiaries. The citizens’ welfare no doubt occupies a primary position on the priority list of this administration, and this explains the continuous interventions by the government to ensure that food is made available to the less privileged and vulnerable persons,” Mr Goje said.

Some beneficiaries of the palliative who spoke in separate interviews in Damaturu also thanked the president for the intervention.

The 26th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has described his reinstatement by the state government as justice against the injustice meted to him in the past.

On Friday, Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Sanusi as Emir of Kano after deposing the 15th Emir, Aminu Bayero.

This was after the Kano State House of Assembly heard the motion on the Kano State Emirate Council Amendment Bill and eventually repealed the 2019 Law that allowed for the creation of the five separate emirates from the old Kano Emirates.

But despite a court stopping Sanusi’s reinstatement, the statement had enthroned him.

However, meeting with security chiefs on Saturday, Sanusi said he had not seen the specific court order.

“The emir, who spoke for over an hour during the meeting, told us that what the state government had done was justice against the injustice meted out to him in the past.

“He told us that he had not seen the court order we were referring to, describing it as a media court order until he sees it,” a source privy to the meeting told Daily Trust.

The national chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure has been suspended over alleged anti-party activities.

He was suspended by the LP in Ward 3 in Arue-Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Letter of his suspension dated May 14, 2024, was approved on Friday night by the state executive committee in Benin.

The suspension letter was signed by the Chairman of the Ward, Thompson Ehiguese, and the Ward Secretary, Stanley Usiomoh.

It advised the embattled national chairman to stop holding out or parading himself as a member of the party.

The suspension, which was endorsed by the State Executive Committee led by Kelly Ogbaloi, takes immediate effect.

Part of the letter reads, “While the suspension is with immediate effect, you are advised to refrain from holding out or parading yourself as a member of Labour Party, Ward 3, Arue, Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State”.

A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of $4,719,054, N830,875,611, and several property linked to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

The order was issued on Friday, by Justice Yellim Bogoro after an ex-parte motion by EFCC counsel Bilkisu Buhari and C.C. Chineye.

The forfeited funds, held in various banks, were linked to Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd, Lipam Investment Services Limited, Tatler Services Limited, Rosajul Global Resources Ltd, and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.

Emefiele’s properties forfeited to the federal government include; 94 Units of 11 Storey building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, iKoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11 Story Office Space, Situate on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos and 2 properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot.Twin Completed Property Lakes Estate. Lekki, Lagos.

Others include; One plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm, at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, Owned by Lipam investment Services; a Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street, (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and a Property Situate on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos.

The EFCC had sought an interim forfeiture of the monies and properties under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

Specifically, the anti-graft agency requested “an interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the funds held in the accounts listed in Schedule ‘A,’ which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

“An Interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria Properties provided in 2nd Schedule ‘B’ which are proceeds of unlawful activities.

“An Order directing the publication In any National Newspaper, the interim order under reliefs 1-2 above, for anyone who Is interested in the properties and funds sought to be forfeited to appear before this Honourable Court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties and funds should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

In granting the ex-parte motion, Justice Bogoro after he had taken submission of the EFCC’s counsel held; “I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support.”

The case was, however, adjourned to July 2, 2024, for the motion for final forfeiture.

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf on Friday presented Muhammadu Sanusi with a letter of appointment as the 16th Emir of Kano.

The development follows the signing into law of the amended Kano State Emirate Council Law by the governor on Thursday.

The amended law abolished the five emirate councils and sacked the emirs appointed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in 2019, paving the way for Mr Sanusi’s re-enthronement.

While presenting the letter, Mr Yusuf said, “Sanusi is a victim of the immediate past administration, who is now being restored to his rightful position to lead the people.”

Members of the Kano Emirate Council, district heads and title holders graced the ceremony.

It also marked a new chapter in the history of the Kano Emirate with the re-enthronement of Mr Sanusi, who was deposed in 2020 by the Ganduje administration.

Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed Liman of the Kano Division of the Federal High Court has granted an ex parte order stopping the Kano government from reinstating Mr Sanusi.

PUBLICATION OF PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF CANDIDATES FOR THE ONDO STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

Following the conclusion of party primaries, seventeen (17) Political Parties have uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms for the Ondo State Governorship Election by the deadline of 6.00pm on Monday 20th May 2024 when the dedicated portal automatically shut down.

The personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates will be published on Saturday 25th May 2024, one week from the last date for the submission of nominations as provided in Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and listed as item 4 on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

The Commission shall publish the personal particulars by displaying copies of Form EC9 along with all academic credentials and other documents submitted by each candidate at our State Headquaters in Akure and the 18 Local Government offices across the State.

We appeal to Nigerians to scrutinise the documents. Any aspirant who participated in his/her party primaries with reasonable grounds to believe that the information provided by a candidate or running mate is false can challenge the nomination in a Federal High Court as provided in Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The Ondo State Governorship Election is scheduled for Saturday 16th November 2024.

Sam Olumekun mni

National Commissioner & Chairman,

Information and Voter Education Committee

Thursday 23rd May 2024

Governor Abba Yusuf has approved the sacking of the four emirs in Kano that his predecessor Abdullahi Ganduje installed and announced the reinstatement of former CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the emir of Kano.

The Kano House of Assembly had earlier dissolved the four emirates effectively sacking the emirs installed by Mr Ganduje.

Details later…

Members of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress are on a one million-man match for President Bola Tinubu.

The rally led by the State APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, said the event is to show that the party is firmly on the ground in the state.

The rally under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which has members of the party from all 23 local government areas of the state started at the GRA junction along Aba Road through to the stretch of the Aba Express Road and terminated at the APC Secretariat in Port Harcourt.

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has approved the appointment of Special Assistants to help in the running of the administration.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, said those appointed were: Diana Beatrice Gayus, Ahijo Hammaadama, Barr. Mahmud Gurumpawro Abubakar, Mohammed A. Hamma, Mohammed Hayatu Umar among others

It added that the appointments are with immediate effect.

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has hinted at the possibility of supporting his Labour Party counterpart in the last election, Peter Obi in 2027.

The former Vice President, who is currently on a merger talk with stakeholders of some opposition political parties, said he will not hesitate to support Obi in the next election if the party picks the former Anambra governor.

According to The Sun, Atiku gave the hint in an interview with BBC Hausa Service.

Obi and Atiku recently met behind closed doors, sparking speculations about a merger of some opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Confirming the move by opposition parties to align in a bid to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the 2027 election, Atiku said, “We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible and nothing can stop it if we so wish to achieve that.

Atiku said if the new “party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him.

“I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it.

“As long as it is the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party”.

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for honouring the paramount ruler and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, with the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger during the royal father’s 90th birthday celebrations held last week.

Abiodun equally appreciated President Tinubu for directing the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Jos, to take over the management of the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance Studies at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

The governor, according to a post on his verified Facebook page, gave this commendation during his visit to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.

Abiodun said, “I had the honour of meeting with our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to express my deepest appreciation on behalf of Kabiyesi, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, and the government and good people of Ogun State.

“I conveyed our gratitude for the honour accorded to His Royal Majesty by the high-powered Federal delegation that attended the commissioning ceremony of the Sikiru Adetona School of Governance at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, in celebration of the 90th birthday and 64th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, Ogbagba II, the Awujale, and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

“During the meeting, I thanked His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the presence of His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, CFR, at the event, which added grandeur and importance to the occasion.

“Of particular significance was the announcement made by His Excellency regarding the conferment of the National Honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Kabiyesi, the Awujale of Ijebuland, and the directive for the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos, to take over the operations and management of the Sikiru Adetona School of Governance.

He declared, “As Governor of Ogun State, I reaffirmed our commitment to aligning with His Excellency’s Renewed Hope vision for a better Nigeria, as evidenced in his socio-economic transformative initiatives and policies aimed at putting our nation on a sound footing.”

Abiodun also told the President that the residents of the state are grateful for the high-powered delegation sent to represent him at the occasion.

The delegation was led by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, among others, saying that all of this made the event very grandeur and a very rich experience.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved part payment of all power sector debts, estimated at N3.3 trillion.

Adebayo Adelabu, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, disclosed this at Thursday’s 8th Africa Energy Marketplace in Abuja.

He noted that the federal government’s N1.3 trillion debt to power-generating companies would be paid via cash injections and promissory notes, while about $1.3 billion (N1.994 trillion using the current official closing rate) owed to gas companies will be paid via cash and future royalties.

Adelabu stressed that the federal government had commenced payment of the cash part of the N1.3 trillion debt owed Gencos and concluded plans to settle the second part via promissory notes within two to five years.

“The debt for the power-generating companies is N1.3tn. I can also tell you that Mr. President has consented to pay on the condition of reconciling these debts between the government and the power-generating companies.

“It is true that I mentioned that Mr President has approved the submission of the Hon. Minister of State Petroleum (Gas) to defray the outstanding debts owed to the gas supplying companies to the power sector operators.

“The payments will be in parts. We have the legacy debt and the current debt. For the current debt, approval has been given for a cash payment of about N130bn from the Gas Stabilisation Fund, which the Federal Ministry of Finance will pay if it hasn’t already,” he said.

In March, the government paid $120 million out of the $1.3bn indebtedness to gas companies.

On different occasions, Adelabu has blamed indebtedness to gencos for the epileptic power supply in the country.

Recall that on April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission approved a 230 per cent electricity tariff hike for band A customers, who receive a 20-24 power supply.

A month later, the government slashed the hike by N18.2 to N206.8 per kilowatt-hour from 225kwh.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and other Nigerians have kicked against the hike, calling for its complete reversal.

The bill to address wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction passed second reading in the House of Representatives at Thursday’s plenary.

Sponsor of the bill and member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, while explaining the general principles of the bill, said the wildlife trade and trafficking was assuming a very dangerous dimension, hence, there was need to halt the menace through a legislative framework.

Ugbo, who is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Environment, insisted that the 10th National Assembly lawmakers must rise to the occasion of pressing challenges such as illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss and the decline of Nigeria’s unique wildlife populations and reposition it in accordance with the global best practices.

He said the legal framework of wildlife in Nigeria must be reviewed to enable effective handling of poachers and traffickers who pose a major challenge in the industry.

He said: “The Bill seeks to improve the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, give investigators more powers to look into financial matters and conduct operations guided by intelligence, and enable judges to speed up wildlife cases and recover assets.

“Additionally, it aligns with international treaties, encourages global cooperation and introduces strict penalties for poachers and traffickers.

“Today, we take a bold stand against all illegal activities targeting our wildlife and forests by protecting our wildlife, we protect our own future and this bill signifies our collective commitment to turn the tide against the use of our borders to traffic illegal wildlife products such as pangolin scales and elephant ivory.

“A combination of lack of public awareness, weak legislation and minimal enforcement has hindered efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and biodiversity loss in Nigeria.

“As a result, Nigeria’s wildlife has declined massively, with species like lions, elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees driven to the verge of extinction”, he said.

After members contributed to the bill, saying that the protection of endangered species was in consonance with the international treaties, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu passed it for a second reading after putting it to vote.

He referred it to the House Committee on Environment and tasked them to turn in their report in two weeks’ time.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of his Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyannwo.

Soyannwo, 55, was said to have died on Wednesday after a brief illness.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, announced the passing of Soyannwo in a statement titled “Transition.”

The statement read, “With deep sorrow, the Lagos State Government announces the passing of the Deputy Chief of Staff to Mr Governor, Mr Gboyega Soyannwo. Soyannwo died today after a brief illness. He was 55.”

Soyannwo is survived by a wife and two children.

In a statement on X, the governor said he was devastated by Soyannwo’s sudden departure and was deeply affected by the news.

“Soyannwo was not only my Deputy Chief of Staff by title; he was a brother to me, an armour-bearer, a confidante and a faithful believer in our collective dream of a greater Lagos.

“His total dedication and service to Lagos State will never be forgotten. My prayers are with his beloved wife, Yewande and their children during this difficult time. I trust that God Almighty will give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for this present mourning and a garment of praise for this present spirit of heaviness,” Sanwo-Olu wrote.

President Bola Tinubu and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, will now pay airport access toll and parking fees at any of the nation’s airports.

This was as the Federal Executive Council chaired by Tinubu approved a memorandum from the Ministry of Aviation scrapping toll exemptions for all Very Important Persons and government officials using the airports.

The Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who announced this to journalists, after Tuesday’s FEC meeting, argued that the government was losing over 82 per cent of the revenue it should have earned from the e-tags that provide access to the airports.

He explained that the memoranda had initially recommended an exemption for the president and the vice president. However, Tinubu overruled the recommendation, insisting that he and the VP alongside their aides must pay tolls.

“Our memo says ‘with the exception of the President and the Vice President’. But the President overruled me and said he and the Vice President will pay, he said everybody will pay,” Keyamo revealed.

The Minister lamented that VIPs who have the money to pay tolls are evading payment, leaving the authorities to rely on charges gotten from the poor.

“They don’t pay the access fees. They don’t pay for parking, they don’t pay for essential services at airports, and they are VIPs.

“And I told myself on my team, I said not under my watch. It will not happen,” he said.

Keyamo vowed to end episodes where uniform officers harass airport staff at the gates, assuring citizens that more cameras will be “planted” in strategic positions to capture those culpable.

He said the FG stands to generate N10bn annually from tolls, even as it considers a rebate for military veterans.

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in two more commissioners of the National Population Commission.

Mr. Fasuwa Johnson and Dr. Amid Tadese Raheem from Ogun and Osun States respectively took the oath of office at 12:15 pm at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, after their abridged citations were read.

Monday’s ceremony comes three months after Tinubu, on February 13, asked the senate to confirm Raheem as a commissioner of the NPC. The Senate also confirmed Johnson on March 6.

On November 8, 2023, Tinubu had appointed 20 federal commissioners in the NPC with nine of them reappointed for a second term in office. He swore 17 of them into office on March 14.

Johnson was born in 1973 in Ododeyo, in the Ijebu North East area of Ogun State, where he had his primary and secondary education.

He holds a Master of Science in Geography in 2004 and a Master in Business Administration in 2009 from the University of Ibadan and Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, respectively.

He was elected as a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly in 2019 representing Ijebu North East till June 2023 during which he was the Chairman of the House Committee on Works and Infrastructure among other positions.

Raheem was born on December 12, 1964, in Iwo, Osun State.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Public Administration from the same university.

He had served as Commissioner for Water Resources & Energy in Osun State and was elected member of the Osun State House of Assembly, becoming its first Chief Whip in 1992.

Until his nomination, Raheem was the Head of the Department of Public Administration at Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the council observed a minute of silence in honour of two deceased former cabinet members, Prof. Fabian Osuji and Prof. Ogbonnaya Onu.

Osuji, 82, who died on February 28, 2024, served as Minister of Education from July 2003 to March 2005 in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Onu, the first civilian governor of Abia State (Jan. 1992 – Nov. 1993), served as minister of science, technology, and innovation in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He died on April 11, 2024, at 72 years.

Afterwards, the Tinubu-led Federal Executive Council moved into a closed session; it’s 11th meeting since its inauguration on August 28, 2023,On October 16, 2023, the Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, explained that the council will meet only when it has memoranda to consider.

“The President has approved that Federal Executive Council meetings will now be happening on Mondays, as opposed to the traditional Wednesdays that we are used to.

“So FEC meetings have been moved to Mondays. Of course that does not mean that it has to happen every week.

“If there are no issues to discuss, it will be skipped to next week,” Idris explained.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), as the co-chairman of the NCDMB governing council.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is charged with increasing local content for job creation, boosting the domestic private sector, facilitating technology transfer, and building a competitive local workforce.

The new appointment is in line with Mr Tinubu’s commitment to establish a more efficient, targeted, and consistent approval process for unique oil and gas projects in the country.

A statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said this was also to ensure further effective oversight of the gas aspect of the nation’s assets.

Mr Ngelale said the president remains committed to unlocking Nigeria’s immense gas potential to stimulate industrial development, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Chukwuemeka Woke as the managing director and chief executive officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.

This is contained in a statement by presidential aide Ajuri Ngelale on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Ngelale said the appointee is a seasoned engineer and politician.

He said Mr Woke had served as the chairman of Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers and was the chief of staff to former Governor Nyesom Wike for many years.

The presidential aide said the president expected the new appointee to discharge his duties with integrity and in conformity with the highest standards of transparency.

Mr Ngelale added that Mr Tinubu directed Mr Woke to harness and develop the water resource potential of the area and ensure that the authority becomes a channel for holistic and integrated industrial, agricultural, and community development.