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  • PSC appoints Abubakar as DIG, promotes 122 other senior officers

    PSC appoints Abubakar as DIG, promotes 122 other senior officers

    Promotion

    By Monday Ijeh

    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of Mr Yahaya Abubakar as Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), and the promotion of 122 senior police officers.

    The Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Ani said until his appointment as a DIG, Abubakar was the AIG in charge of Zone 14 Katsina.

    He said the new DIG would represent the Northeast Geopolitical zone in the Police Management Team, replacing Mr Habu Sani who recently retired as DIG Force Intelligence Bureau.

    Ani said the 122 other senior police officers promoted were 10 Commissioners of Police (CP) to the next rank of AIG and 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) to CP.

    The PSC spokesman said 36 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP) to DCP and 61 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSP) to ACP were also elevated.

    He said the decisions were taken at the extraordinary Management Meeting of the Commission, presided over by the Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase.

    According to him, the 15 DCPs, 10 CPs and the newly appointed DIG appeared before the commission in session for the compulsory interactive promotion interview, a requirement for their promotion.

    Ani said the PSC boss urged the officers to embrace the revolution in Information and Communication Technology,  in charting out pathways for effective policing and internal security management.

    He said Arase enjoined  officers to be genuinely committed to their sacred responsibility of securing the country by effectively protecting lives and property, preventing and containing crimes and criminality across the nation.

    The spokesman said the PSC boss pledged the readiness of the commission to ensure that promotion of officers and men were regular and predictable.

    Ani said the CPs promoted to AIG were Ahmed Ammani, Mohammed Adamu, Gumel Usaini, Hamzat Ayinde, Okuoma Basil, Achinyan Fera, Baba Ibrahim, Mohammed Isyaku, and Margaret Ochalla. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    IMC/GOM/JPE

    ============

    Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

  • Zulum launches resettlement of IDPs from 8 LGAs

    Zulum launches resettlement of IDPs from 8 LGAs

    IDPs
    By Yakubu Uba
    Maiduguri, Friday, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, on Friday, launched the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), taking refuge in two unofficial camps in Maiduguri.

    In a speech at the event held at Muna Camp, Zulum said the exercise was coming three years after IDPs in official camps were resettled back to their homes.

    He said that the ones in the unofficial camps of Muna and El-Badawi indicated interest to go back to their ancestral homes in Jere, Bama, Ngala, Konduga, Mafa, Gwoza, Marte and Dikwa.

    He further said that a resettlement package had been provided for the households that indicated interest to return home or safer locations in a dignified way, in line with the Kampala Declaration.

    The governor said that all the male and female heads of households would receive N100,000 each with food and non food items, while married women would get N50,000 each.

    He affirmed the commitment of his administration to gradually close all the camps.

    He, however, raised concern over the growing cases of prostitution and criminal activities in some of the camps which, he said, must be discouraged.

    He lauded the Federal Government for its sustained support to Borno through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), describing it as a reliable partner.

    “The food items we are giving those IDPs today are from NEMA,” Zulum said.

    In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement, Alhaji Ali Goni, said the IDPs comprised at least 11,000 households.

    Also, the NEMA Director, Relief and Resettlement, Mr Abdullahi Adamu, lauded the Borno Government for its commitment to the welfare of IDPs and assured Borno of the agency’s support.

    Adamu also commended the Borno Government for its efforts to resettle the displaced persons. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    YMU/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

  • USAID tasks Adamawa officials, CSOs on sustainability of intervention

     

    Sustainability

    By Ibrahim Kado

    Yola, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The USAID State2State activity has called on Adamawa officials and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to sustain its various reforms in the state to improve service delivery in education , health and WASH sectors.

    Suzanne Myada, Adamawa State2State Team Lead, made the call at the Year four Quarter three Public Financial Management (PFM) roundtable discussion with stakeholders in Yola, Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the roundtable was “Strengthening the Policy, Planning and Budget Linkages for Improve PFM”.

    Myada said State2State had been in the state since 2020, reforming key areas for effective service delivery, and the intervention would be rolled out in August 2025.

    She listed some of the reforms to include PFM, Cash Management, Citizens Engagement, Monitoring and Evaluation, Budgeting and Budget Management forms.

    According to her, sustaining the reforms will  help to ensure transparency, accountability and effectiveness in the state.

    “When partners come in to the state, remember they will not stay forever.

    “So, everything we are doing is not for State2State. it is for Adamawa. Take full ownership of the reforms to improve service delivery in education, health and WASH,” she said.

    Mr Abubakar Usman, Coordinator PFM Support, earlier said that among the objectives of the roundtable was the need to increase ownership and sustainability of State2State PFM intervention in Adamawa.

    “To discuss the implementing policy, planning and budget Linkages and how state can use to develop MTFF, MTBF and MTSS,” he said.

    Mr Emmanuel Bwala, Citizens Engagement and Capacity Building Consultants, said most of the reforms reviewed in the state were audited and now is up-to-date need to be fully implement.

    “Government should be up and doing on my implementation of the reforms for the effective service delivery and the benefits of citizens in the state,” he said.

    Makallan Akila, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, appreciated USAID for the intervention and assured to do everything possible for effective implementation for the development of the state.

    Mr Shafa Salma, who spoke on behalf of the CSOs, said the meeting was timely and that it increased the consciousness of MDAs to know the importance of CSOs as partners in progress.

    He assured continued collaboration and networking with MDAs for effective service delivery for the citizens (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    IMK/VIV

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    Edited by Vivian Ihechu

     

  • Emirship Tussel: Court reserves judgment in suit filed by 15th Emir of Kano

    Emirship Tussel: Court reserves judgment in suit filed by 15th Emir of Kano
    Emirate
    By Ramatu Garba
    Kano, June 7, 2024(NAN) A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, on Friday, has reserved judgement on the enforcement of fundamental rights of the 15th deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero.
    Ado-Bayero, through his counsel M L Yusufari SAN, filed a motion exparte dated May 27, seeking the court to restrain the respondents from arresting, intimidating or infringing on his right.
    The respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General Kano, Nigeria Police, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano, State Security Service, NSCDC, Nigeria Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Airforce.
    When the case came up for hearing, Counsel to the applicant, Michael Jonathan, SAN, said the court has jurisdiction to entertain the case because it was fundamental rights proceedings.
    Jonathan filed an originating motion dated May 27, in support of affidavit and a written address.
    He urged the court to hear the fundamental rights suit in the interest of Justice for the peace of Kano.
    He also urged the court to dismiss the respondents’ preliminary objection on grounds of abuse of  court.
    Counsel to Kano State Attorney-General,  Mahmoud Abubakar-Magaji, SAN, filed a preliminary objection dated May 30 and filed May 31 on four grounds on Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 and fundamental right.
    He urged the court to dismiss and strike out the entire process particularly the originating summons of the applicant motion.
    “It is a privilege being an emir not a right.
    The applicant filed his application five days after he was dethroned as the Emir of Kano.
    “My lord the purported right of the applicant does not exist. This court has no jurisdiction to entertain this case” Abubakar-Magaji said
    Abubakar-Magaji also filed a motion on notice dated May 31, to set aside the exparte order it earlier granted retraining the respondents from arresting, intimidating or harassing the applicant.
    Justice Simom Amobeda, said that the court would communicate the date for judgment to the parties.
    NAN reports that the court had on May 28, ordered the respondents to ensure all rights and privileges of the applicant be given to him in the interest of justice and maintenance of peace in Kano state.
    The court also restrained the 3, 4 and 5th respondents and all other respondents from denying the applicant to use his official residence and palace at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu.
    NAN reports that the State House of Assembly on May 23, dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    RG/SH
    ======
    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • APC forum seeks return to regional government

    APC forum seeks return to regional government

    Region

    By Polycarp Auta

    Jos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Forum of Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for the return of Nigeria to a regional system of government.

    The North-Central chairman of the forum, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, made the call in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Jos.

    According to him, a regional system would enable the government to address the needs of the people using the natural endowments, political prowess and agricultural resources in the regions.

    He said that the regional system of government would address the  marginalisation of the north-central region, adding that the current system was not taking care of the people’s needs.

    Zazzaga said  that the north-central, in spite of its huge contributions to the nation, has suffered marginalisation on many fronts.

    ”Since the return of democracy in 1999, the region has contributed to the emergence of many national leaders as well as presidents, but it has been marginalised in terms of political appointments, among others.

    “After careful consideration the north-central APC forum is calling for the adoption of a regional system of government,“he said.

    He said that the regional system of government is a political framework where power is divided among constituent political units, such as regions or states.

    ”This will give the regions the opportunity to use their endowments to develop themselves without any fear of marginalization,“he said.

    He said the federal government will still be responsible for national security, foreign affairs and the regulation of inter-state or inter-region commerce.

    Zazzaga urges party leaders in other regions to support the move for the return to regional system of government in the country.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AZA/JPE

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    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • Sri Lankan president stresses need to advance towards competitive agriculture

    Sri Lankan president stresses need to advance towards competitive agriculture

    Agriculture

    Colombo, June 7, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has stressed the need to advance towards competitive agriculture by 2030 through the adoption of modern technology, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said on Friday.

    According to the PMD, the president emphasised the importance of focusing on products that can succeed in the competitive export market by prioritising paddy production.

    Wickremesinghe highlighted that the future cannot be secured without focusing on competitive products.

    He added that it was advisable to discontinue products that could not compete in the export market.

    He made the remarks during the progress review meeting of the Agriculture Modernisation Programme, convened at the Presidential Secretariat, the PMD said. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    UMD/AMM

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    Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

     

     

     

     

  • Pakistani stock investor predicts mounting risk for the U.S. economy

    U.S. Dollars (NAN)

     

    Inflation

    By Fortune Abang

    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Mr Ali Khwaja, Chairman of KTrade Securities, a Pakistani-based stock and commodity outfit, says the U.S. inflation can impact negatively on the developing world.

    Khwaja, who communicated this  during a virtual analysis of the KTrade Securities research report, said the highlight had become important because the U.S. grappled with persistent inflation.

    He said that no country was immune to fallout of inflation, adding that the U.S. was not immune to fallout either.

    “Concerns are about possible 1970-style stagflation amid slowing economy and stubborn inflation.’’

    According to him, small and medium businesses can bear the brunt due to compounding impact of high inflation in the mass market.

    “Inflation effects often add up; when things become too expensive that people start cutting-down on expenditure and new hiring in businesses, a recession is in sight.

    “Next year, when people try to remortgage their homes, they will find it is very expensive, as seven per cent is a very high interest rate.”

    He quoted the Federal Reserve Chair, Jerome Powell, to have expressed confidence in curbing inflation, saying it was not as high as it was after the Producer Price Index (PPI).

    He cited the recent data from the U.S. Labor Department to have pointed to a 0.5 per cent uptick in the PPI for April and a rebound from the 0.1per cent dip in March.

    “Earlier, the U.S. Commerce Department stated consumer prices witnessed a 3.4 per cent year-on-year increase in the first quarter, much higher than the two per cent target.

    “These figures dented hope; yet for rate cuts within the year, dealing another blow to market expectations after several wrecked rate-cut prospects since the beginning of the year.

    “This will change dynamics, because interest rates are already at 23 year high as the impact of high interest rates has not come to small business owners and real estate owners.

    “Debt contracts they had are not up for re-pricing; when re-pricing kicks in later this year, it will be a massive hit to consumers that can lead to recession later this year and through 2025.’’

    The chairman explained that the costs of debt servicing are soaring; particularly in currencies across Asian markets, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India which are at historic lows.

    “In some cases, central banks have to intervene to defend their currencies; when a protectionism policy is adopted, it will be very difficult to control inflation.

    “The reason why the world had a period of low inflation and high growth was because of the benefit of trade.

    “Yet over the last five years, protectionism has led to lesser trade, higher tariffs on consumption and higher fuel prices, all of which contributed to higher inflation,” he said.

    He decried manipulation of economics for political gains as a way to likely backfire, stating that higher inflation led to political and societal friction by creating a gap between the rich and the poor.

    Khwaja also said such could strain the economy of any country.

    He quoted Dr Abid Suleri, Executive-Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), saying if high inflation persists, the new government faces challenges in meeting expectations of the electorate.

    “The first thing the new U.S. administration might do after the election is to reassess the real value of dollars.

    “It has two options; in my opinion, one is to depreciate the value of U.S. dollar vis-a-vis other major currencies; which is a step no outgoing government will like to take.

    “Otherwise, the U.S. itself will become more and more non-competitive; not only against China but also against the EU, Japan and other trading nations,” Suleri said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    FEA/CHOM/CJ/

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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Fire guts commercial building in Anambra

    Fire guts commercial building in Anambra

    Fire

     

    By Monday Ajogun

     

    Uga (Anambra), June 7, 2024 (NAN) A commercial building at Atani Road by Uga junction in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra was gutted by fire on Friday.

     

    Mr Chukwudi Chiketa, the Fire Chief, Anambra Fire Service, made this known to newsmen in Onitsha.

     

    Chiketa said: “We received a distress call at about 5.17 a. m. today and I immediately deployed our gallant firefighters to the scene of the fire incident.

     

    “The incident occurred at the top floor of a story building inside GMO company, situated at Atani road by Uga junction, Okpoko.

     

    “Though, the top floor of the one-storey building was affected, but there were many savings including other structures and property inside the company’s premises.”

     

    He said that the firemen were able to control the fire from escalating beyond the top floor of the building, noting that the cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained.

     

    He encouraged residents on timely contact to fire service in any related situation as to help reduce the extent of damage before the arrival of firefighters. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AJOM/FAA

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    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

     

     

  • Borders crucial for peace, security across Africa – AU

    Border
    By Busayo Onijala
    Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The African Union (AU) has described borders as instruments of opportunity, playing crucial role in the pursuit of peace and security across the continent.
    Dr Sarjoh Bah, Director, Conflict Management Directorate at the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of the AU, said this in a statement on Friday in commemoration of the 14th Africa Border Day.
    Africa Border Day is celebrated annually on June 7, to promote peace, cross-border cooperation and regional integration in Africa.
    The day was initiated by the African Ministers in Charge of Borders on May 25, 2010 and also shines a spotlight on the African Union Border Programme (AUBP).
    Bah said since 2007, the AUBP had been the cornerstone of Africa’s collective endeavour to transform borders from barriers into bridges of solidarity.
    This transformation, he said, is not just pivotal, but also crucial in pre-empting conflicts, fostering regional cohesion, and propelling continental integration forward.
    “We should leverage our Member States and Regional Economic Communities, to transform our borders into arenas of peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement.
    “Our borders should not be subjects of contention but rather bedrocks for policy implementation, as encapsulated in the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention) and the African Union Strategy for Border Governance,” he said.
    Bah said the AUBP’s mission extended beyond conflict prevention, adding that it was a tool for resolving border disputes that have resurfaced, spurred by the allure of newfound natural resources.
    According to him, security challenges are predominantly concentrated along border areas which were once overlooked but are now at the forefront of the battle against cross-border crime and terrorism.
    “It is imperative that we concentrate our efforts in these regions to cultivate peace, security, and sustainable development.
    “The resilience we foster in border communities, fuelled by cross-border cooperation, equips us to combat transnational crime and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” Bah said.
    On his part, by embracing cooperative strategies, Africa can ensure effective management of forced displacements, food shortages, humanitarian crises, and resource-related conflicts.
    He said while international arbitration remained an option, its protracted and costly nature often strained the camaraderie between nations.
    Bah urged member states to prioritise dialogue and cooperation as alternative dispute-resolution methods.
    “When necessary, the AU encourages the invocation of the political, diplomatic, and technical resources to secure enduring resolutions to border disputes.
    “As we celebrate this year’s Africa Day, let us amplify our efforts to embed our borders at the core of Agenda 2063’s objectives.
    “We must unite to forge an integrated Africa characterised by peaceful, open, and prosperous borders that are a testament to our shared vision and collective strength,” he said. (NAN)
    OMB/JNC
    ========
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Soldiers’ killing: Abia govt. increases bounty to N30m

    Bounty
    By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
    Nvosi (Abia), June 7, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Alex Otti of Abia on Friday announced an increased of the N25 million bounty placed on the killers of five soldiers at Obikabia junction in Aba to N30 million.
    Otti made the announcement when the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hasan Abubakar, paid him a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some gunmen had, on May 30, killed five soldiers at Obikabia junction in Aba.
    The governor said that the increase in the bounty was necessary by an addition of N5 million by an indigene of the state based in U.S.A.
    “Interestingly, the government has placed a bounty of N25 million and just yesterday, an Abia son, who also comes from Obingwa and lives in the United States, sent us N5 million to upgrade the bounty to N30 million.
    “So I am happy to announce that the bounty has just been upgraded to N30 million, to encourage anyone that will have useful information that will lead to the apprehension of the criminals,” he said.
    Otti further stated that the state government had also started working with the security agencies to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the state again.
    He said that government had been working round the clock to ensure that the state remained safe and secure.
    “We also want to thank the intelligence service of the DSS, as they dispatched quite some people here to help us to unravel this case.
    “We are very single-minded about it. We must fish them out and ensure that they get the message that this place is a no-go area for terrorists, killers, kidnappers and other criminals,” the governor said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    INA/FON/WAS
    Edited by Florence Onuegbu and ‘Wale Sadeeq