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Insecurity: Take secessionist agitation as wake-up call, Sultan tells FG
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged the Federal Government to take the agitation for secession in some parts of the country as a wake-up call. He also urged the government to take appropriate measures to rekindle the spirit of patriotism in Nigerians, as part of efforts to tackle the challenges in the country. Recall that there had been secessionist calls for state of Biafra in the South East, championed by such groups as the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, and Movement for Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, as well as Oduduwa Republic by some Yoruba groups in the South West. The JNI, in a statement to mark the end of Ramadan, noted that government needed to prevail on Nigerians to unite for the common good of all. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was signed by the Secretary General of JNI, Dr Khalid Aliyu, in Kaduna yesterday. “We also call on the government in respect to the perceived calls for the fragmentation of Nigeria from different quarters, to take the trend as a wake-up call to improve and or rejig the security network.
“Tackle economic hardship and transparently address the seeming unemployment bug in order to reinvent the spirit of patriotism for an indivisible Nigeria.” It noted that in spite of economic hardship and pervasive insecurity, the fasting was observed well, adding that almost all mosques observed the night prayers. The JNI, therefore, enjoined Muslims to sustain the virtuous acts learnt during the Ramadan and remain disciplined and God-fearing in all their undertakings. It also reminded Muslims of the importance of giving out alms to the needy, including Zakatul fitr, given out before the eid prayers. “The alms should be given out from today to the needy before the commencement of the Eid prayer. “This if promptly done, will assist those who do not have the means for a meal during the forthcoming Sallah festivity within the Muslim Ummah,” JNI stated. The JNI reminded Muslims to fast for six days in the month of Shawwal as recommended by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It also reminded those travelling for Sallah festivity to drive with caution and pray fervently, in view of the activities of kidnappers and other criminals. “Nigerian Muslims are implored to reflect their minds on the good virtues of the month of Ramadan and keep to its teachings all through their lives, as the Lord of Ramadan, is still and shall remain The Lord of other months. “We should also pray to Allah, the Ever Hearing and Exceedingly Merciful to ease for our leaders the difficult terrain and burden of governance. “May He as well keep the Nigerian nation intact and restore back peace and security in our dear country. In another development, the Sultan, who is also the President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, advised Muslim faithful to be on the watch out for the crescent (moon) today. He gave the order in a statement issued by the NSCIA Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu Shehu. “If the crescent is actually sighted by informed persons on Tuesday night (yesterday) and His Eminence is so advised by the experts, he would address the press to declare Wednesday, May 12, as the first day of Shawwal (Eid day). “If, however, the crescent is not sighted on Tuesday night, Thursday, May 13, automatically becomes the first of Shawwal, 1442 AH (Eid day),” he said. The sighting of the moon of Shawwal marks the end of the Ramadan fasting period and ushers in the Eid-ul-fitri celebrations.
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FG paid $500m to terminate Ajaokuta Steel contract – Minister
FG paid $500m to terminate Ajaokuta Steel contract – Minister
The Minister of Steel Development, Alhaji Shuaib Abubakar on Thursday disclosed that the Federal Government paid the sum of $500 in order to terminate the concession agreement on Ajaokuta Steel Company.
The minister, who disclosed this during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development in Abuja said the government was working assiduously to find a solution to the Ajaokuta Steel imbroglio.
He said, “It is a problem that has persisted for 45 years. We have gone to China to come and invest in the steel company including setting up a new plant and we have gone to seek financing”.
According to him, the challenges had changed as new technology had come up and there had been innovations and there had been discussions around it but it had not been finalised.
“Funding is a big challenge to the Ministry of Steel Development. Steel industry will be the bed rock of industrialization if we have proper funding.
“I am still at a stage where to find a solution to the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
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On the $2 billion being requested to revive the moribund steel company, the minister said it was just a preliminary calculation, adding that the figure might not be up to that.
According to him, this is an estimate that may not be accurate at the last decimal point. It is just a process that will allow us to arrive at the right destination.
“The president has asked me to find a solution to Ajaokuta, so the figure will change pending the outcome of the technical audit.
“It’s clear to Nigeria that for this to happen we need funding and all the help we can get from the two chambers, this is why we need. I need all your support to make this a reality.”
Abubakar also disclosed that the nation spends $8 billion annually to import steel into the country, saying that it is in the best interest of Nigeria for the Ajaokuta Steel Company to work.
He noted that the revival of Ajaokuta Steel will cost money, and we have written a 10 year document for the revival. We will present the document to Mr President.
He said that it was in his own interest for Ajaokuta Steel to work, adding that he is from Kogi State and must push for such interest
Chairman, House Committee on Steel Development, Hon. Zainab Gimba, the urged the ministry to provide it with all the procurement process and other responses demanded by the committee
The committee said that Ajaokuta had remained a nightmare to many, adding that now that the minister had accepted to superintend over it, Nigeria expected more from him.
FG paid $500m to terminate Ajaokuta Steel contract – Minister
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Rivers: Wike, Magnus Abe settle long-standing rift
Rivers: Wike, Magnus Abe settle long-standing rift
In a move to mend fences and foster unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, a former lawmaker, Senator Magnus Abe, has publicly announced making peace with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Abe, who had been embroiled in a feud with Wike due to their different positions on political issues, expressed his commitment to ending the rift.
The former lawmaker said in his Facebook post, “I have made peace with the Honourable Minister of the FCT, and former governor of Rivers State.”
Emphasising the importance of unity, Abe said he accompanied Wike to Chief Tony Okocha’s thanksgiving ceremony, a gesture he described as “show[ing] that my commitment to end the rift in our party is total.”
Abe commended Wike’s approach to resolving the conflict, stating, “I want to publicly thank the minister; he (Wike) could have behaved like other politicians—made peace with me, and still encourage me, Tony (Okocha) and others to continue fighting. But his style is direct, truthful, and sincere, and it will create a united team.”
He expressed his belief that the APC in Rivers State would benefit from the “process of peaceful reunification and reintegration.”
Abe further said, “The disagreements within are over and done for good because the oxygen for conflict has been extinguished.”
He acknowledged that while it might take time, the result would be a united front, as “all those with us, who sincerely wish us well, will go with us and tow the path of unity because we all know that it is the right way to go.”
Extending his gratitude to Okocha, who hosted the thanksgiving ceremony, Abe said, “Let me also thank Chief Okocha; of course, he knew I was coming, and he received me well.”
Reaffirming his allegiance to the APC, Abe declared, “My home is in the APC. Let us come together. Everyone will benefit from us working together.”
While acknowledging the need for further discussions, Abe urged the party faithful to focus on the economy for the time being.
“When it is time, we will speak. For now, make I dey my dey. Let us focus on the economy. God bless you all,” he stated.
In July 2022, the former representative of Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly dumped the APC in Rivers State.
However, Abe, who was the Rivers State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 election, formally announced his return to the APC in January 2024.
Abe dumped the APC for the SDP ahead of the 2023 election, where he secured the party’s ticket to contest the governorship election.
Rivers: Wike, Magnus Abe settle long-standing rift
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Yahaya Bello govt spending third term in office through Ododo – Clark
Yahaya Bello govt spending third term in office through Ododo – Clark
Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, says the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, administration was nothing to write home about.
This is even as he asked the embattled former governor to surrender himself to the authorities.
Bello has been in the news for days on end over money laundering and financial impropriety.
He was declared wanted after he evaded the economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC) who had stormed his Abuja residence to apprehend him.
Speaking on Bello’s time as the governor of the middle belt state, Clark, who is the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, stated that state sponsored violence, corruption, civilian repression and political killings were rife when Bello was in office.
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Clark also pointed out that Bello is still running the show in Kogi state as he is currently spending third term in power through the incumbent governor, Ododo, who he planted in office.
“Yahaya Bello is just being stubborn. He has been living very very rough…having a very rough government, corruption, killing of people in the place during elections and so on,” Clark said during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday.
“There’s time for everything and it has come for him to answer questions. He should go to court. He should go to court to answer the substance of the case, where did he get the money from?
“Is it true or not that the money he paid to the American school belongs to him or belongs to the government of Kogi State?
“The behaviour of the new Governor shows Yahaya Bello is in power for the third time. Ahmed Ododo is just running after him.
“I just want to plead with Ododo to do the needful so that the youth in this country will have something to fall upon.”
Yahaya Bello govt spending third term in office through Ododo – Clark
FG paid $500m to terminate Ajaokuta Steel contract – Minister
Rivers: Wike, Magnus Abe settle long-standing rift
Naira depreciates again, trades at N1,402/$
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