Following rising insecurity arising from acts of banditry in Zamfara, the state government has shut down three local government areas, nine towns and villages, two markets and closed seven roads across the state. A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara made available to newsmen on Thursday, said the measure was in consideration of the state security council’s recommendation, which followed the rising cases of kidnapping in the communities as well as along some major roads in the state. He gave the names of the local government areas as Anka, Bukkuyum and Gummi; the towns and villages are…
Author: Newsdesk
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that the striking out of money laundering charges against former Jigawa state governor, Saminu Turaki by the Federal High Court Dutse on Thursday did not amount to acquittal. This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the Commission, Wilson Uwujaren and made available to ASHENEWS on Friday. According to Uwujaren, the strike out of the case by the court was premised on the absence of the EFCC prosecutor and not “on the weight of the evidence by the prosecution or the lack of it” because he added, “the substantive…
The Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Usaini Gumel on Wednesday, held an interactive meeting with executives of broadcast media and online publishers in the state. The move was as political campaigns for the 2023 general elections began. The CP highlighted the Command’s determination to ensure absolute control of critical issues that were likely to trigger electoral violence, including hate speech and fake news; and the need to partner with all media executives in the state. Gumel drew the media executives’ attention to their role in providing peaceful, credible and hitch-free election by ensuring they disallowed the use of your various…
By Anthonia Obokoh, Lagos A recent assessment of the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS-6), conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the Southwest states, has rated Etiki, Ogun and Oyo high in neonatal, infant and under-5 death in child mortality. UNICEF stated this at a two-day media dialogue organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos state Directorate, in conjunction with the Fund in Ibadan on Thursday. The dialogue was tagged: “2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS-6) for Journalists in South-West Zone.” Experts advised Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo…
… The Zonal Director of NBC Sokoto applauds CP Gumel for his giant stride towards media engagements …ICPC pays homage to Sokoto Police Command The Sokoto State Police Command on Thursday, presented cheques amounting to N13 million to three families of Police officers who lost their lives while in active service. Presenting the cheques on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, the Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammed Usaini Gumel said it was in line with Group Life Assurance initiative aimed at improving the capacity and welfare for families of police officers that lost their lives in…
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has debunked reports by U.S.-based financial, software, data and media company, Bloomberg, that Nigeria is planning to restructure its debt. Bloomberg’s report had quoted Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Mrs Zainab Ahmed as saying that Nigeria had appointed consultants to advise the government as it faced a rising debt-service burden. But the DMO in a statement on Thursday, said Bloomberg’s report was wrong because Nigeria is not considering to restructure its debt or extend the repayment period of its credit obligations. The DMO said that the minister’s statement was taken out of context. “Over the years, Nigeria’s…
…Naira anticipated to become stronger once refinery starts production The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has disclosed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, upon which the hope of the nation rests for fuel sufficiency is now 97 percent completed. The agency has also commended the work done in the project. The refinery, with 650,000 barrels per-day installed capacity is expected to double the total output of Nigeria’s existing ailing refining infrastructure and meet 100 per cent of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products will pump out fuel any moment soon, the Agency declared. The NMDPRA made this…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday, tasked politicians in the country to promote politics of ideology and avoid abusive or derogatory language. Mrs Hauwa Aliyu Kangiwa, the INEC Administrative Secretary in Sokoto state made the call at a meeting with the executives and candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. She said the meeting was convened to give highlights in INEC guidelines and rules on tracking financing and general electioneering process and campaign activities of parties. According to her, candidates and parties’ spending limits have been spelt out by INEC, which must not exceed same.…
A Federal High Court in Dutse, Jigawa state has discharged and acquitted former governor of Jigawa state, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of N8.3 billion corruption charges leveled against him by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC and three companies had been dragged before the court on 33-count charge bothering on diversification and misappropriation of state funds since May 4, 2007. Justice Hassan Dikko in his ruling, struck out all charges and discharged all the accused persons for want of diligent prosecution. The court further ordered that the travel documents of the 1st accused person be released to him with…
The European Commission has opposed a plan to support expanding fertilizer production in Africa because it would clash with the European Union’s climate goals. (Fertilizer production and use account for about 5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.) But as EU countries expand domestic and overseas fossil fuel infrastructure to reduce reliance on Russian energy, it is hypocritical to limit the agricultural potential of other countries to meet green goals. Restricting aid to African countries for fertilizer production because it conflicts with climate goals, while also demanding natural gas from the continent, is absurd and unfair. Supporting these countries through a…