The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja distributed 500 units of threshers and 100 units of power tillers to rice producing farmers in 12 states. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh listed the benefiting states as Ebonyi, Niger, Taraba, Kaduna, Enugu, Kebbi, Katsina, Oyo, Anambra, Kano, Jigawa and Bayelsa.

Anambra Project Coordinator of FADAMA III, Mr Chuks Egbueh, said on Thursday that the project would soon embark on the construction of 44 kilometres access roads across the state. Egbueh, who disclosed this in Awka in an interview with newsmen, said this would enable farmers to transport their produce to urban areas.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of his Special Adviser on Planning, Mr Ben Akabueze as the new Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation.

It’s past 6pm on this usual Thursday. I sauntered into the hall way leading to his office apartment. It’s a few hours to rehearsals and he is busy trying out notes on the trumpet. This is the routine for Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, the CEO of 12-piece Positive Force Band- arguably one of Africa’s greatest dance bands. It’s the same routine and discipline that has enabled him take the mantle from his father, Fela creator of afrobeat; one of Africa’s biggest musical exports. Founded 30 years ago on the cusp of him leaving his father’s band, the Positive Force Band has attained ample strength as a leading light in world music.

The US ambassador in Doha on Thursday formally apologised to Qatar after a video was posted online showing laughing American soldiers stationed in the Gulf allegedly insulting the emirate’s flag.