WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE COCOA INDUSTRY? It's Nigeria's neglected gold mine. Cocoa is one of the world's famous beverage crops. It is known to thrive best in the soil and under the sun of the African continent. Several African countries such as Ghana, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire and Nigeria are notable cocoa producers in the world. Approximately 70% of the world's cocoa is grown in the African continent and supplied by African nations. It is so incredible that cocoa often left the origin of the black race as export commodity to other countries in the world, and thereafter returned as finished value like chocolate chunks, drinks and milk as imported products. In the 1950's and 1960's, cocoa was Nigeria's major agricultural export and cash crop. Although there were other cash crops like cotton, jute, millet, rubber etc, which contributed grossly to the country's foreign earnings, cocoa exportation took the lead. Nigeria was rated the second-largest producer and third-largest exporter of cocoa before the period of oil boom between 1970's and 1980's. Top cocoa importers around the world according to 2025 data were; US (10.6% of global imports; about $13.3 billion worth), Netherlands (9.6% of global imports; about $12.46 billion worth), Germany (9.7% of global imports; about $12.16 billion worth), Belgium (7.4% of global imports; about $9.22 billion worth), France (7% of global imports; about $8.75 billion worth), UK (5% of global imports; about $6.21 billion worth), Malaysia (3.6% of global imports; about $4.56 billion worth) etc. – at Iperu, Nigeria

OPINION-PORT (Views/Analyses) 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS ROADMAP. By: Godhood Olaniyi. The success of the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria will be another victory for democracy in the country. Democratic power-shift over the years has been smooth and sustainable, even though there are a couple of glitches in the process. Electioneering processes of any nation across the globe is subject to a continuous transformation and update. Perfection in policies, reforms and electoral processes is not often attained in a short while. Evidently, politics is a game. But then, we should be mindful of fair play. Political leaders, whether in the ruling or opposition political parties should bear in mind that democracy is a peaceful and people oriented government. No patriotic leader would place self-interest above the national interest of the people. "Think Nigeria First" should be our creed as the 2027 General Polls draw nearer. Every citizen of the country should be ready to put Nigeria first in all his undertakings. Self-gratification, aggression, bitterness and a clutter of other negative impressions are not attributes of a true leader or reformer. In a democratic setting, leaders are elected based on performance, credibility, intelligence creativity, proactiveness and the like, not through religious inclination, tribal sentiments, business association, family ties etc. Here are recommended strategies for the forthcoming general elections; 🔵 BEFORE ELECTION - Stop political violence, engage community intelligence, disarm political thugs (mop up arms) 🔵 DURING ELECTION - Surge security in hotspots, protect INEC officials and voters, counter hate speech. 🔵 AFTER ELECTION - Justice (fast- track tribunals), ensure community peace through dialogue and reconciliation, create jobs (to engage youths, and keep them from being lured or recruited into terror groups) and revisit the LGA Autonomy. In conclusion, military support helps. But sustainable peace requires fixing the economy, politics and governance. Nigeria we hail thee; our own dear native land! KINDLY SHARE THIS CONTENT. #Viralpost #WisdomHints #Elections #RenewedHope #Nigeria #PolicalNews – at Iperu, Nigeria