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Buhari to military: Don’t give Nigeria’s enemies breathing space
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the military not to give criminal elements a breathing space to undermine Nigeria’s interests.
Buhari said this during an official visit to Maiduguri, Borno state capital, on Thursday.
The president commended the troops for their loyalty and selfless service to Nigeria.
He asked them not to relent in their efforts to bring an end to insurgency in the region.
“Your collective efforts have resulted in the relative peace being enjoyed in the region today. Under my watch, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have been provided with a firm strategy and clear sense of direction to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,” Buhari said.
“We should not allow our adversaries the opportunity or breathing space to challenge or undermine our national interests and core values. The defence and security agencies should rest assured of the Federal Government’s unalloyed commitment to winning the battle against terror and criminality.
“I am particularly happy to note the increasing understanding and cooperation within the military, as well as the inter-agency cooperation in the fight against the terrorists and other criminal elements in the North East.
“The outcome of this synergy is evidenced by the successes recorded in the ongoing Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO which has so far degraded the insurgents’ capabilities in the Timbuktu Triangle, Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad Region.”
The president added that his administration is developing a strategy for post-war reconstruction and expressed hope that it will lead to the speedy resettlement of displaced persons and peace in the north-east
He also assured the troops that his administration will sustain its investment in the armed forces.
“Alongside investment in development and reconstruction, we will sustain our investment in the Armed Forces in a manner that balances the “carrot and stick”,” he said.
“Several interventions by this government have led to the procurement and delivery of large consignments of critical combat enablers, including high calibre weapons and ammunition.
“Many have been injected into the Theatre and soon other equipment that has just arrived in the country would also be deployed to the Theatre of operations. Much more equipment will be procured for the Armed Forces to cater for both the short and long-term requirements.
“I would like, at this point to also commend the hierarchy of our Armed Forces for their strategic foresight in ensuring that some of our critical military equipment are fabricated locally.
“The repairs and maintenance of some of these vital weapons are now being carried out in the country thereby saving the nation a lot of foreign exchange and also creating jobs for our teeming population.
“There is no room for complacency, and no need to be less than 100 per cent alert at all times.”
The president said there is still a lot of work to be done to completely restore peace to the north-east and other parts of the country, and he asked the armed forces to remain steadfast and “see this war to a conclusive end”.
News
Nigeria gets approval for fresh World Bank $1.5bn loan
Nigeria gets approval for fresh World Bank $1.5bn loan
The World Bank is set to approve a new loan totalling $1.5billion to the federal government.
The financial institution’s project list indicated that the loan will be approved on September 26.
The $1.5 billion will be distributed through three major development projects aimed at improving Nigeria’s economic stability and resource mobilisation capacity. The projects, targeting crucial sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure, are pivotal for the country’s sustainable development and economic stability.
A breakdown of the projects showed the World Bank will approve $500 million for the first project tagged ‘Nigeria: Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Programme’.
The World Bank did not disclose the cost of the first project.
Another $500 million will be approved for the ‘Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) – Governance’ project, which has a project cost of $700 million.
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The third project, ‘Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria,’ will also receive $500 million, but has a project cost of $10.75 billion.
One of the loan requests – ‘Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project – Scale Up,’ will receive $500 million by December 16. The other on ‘Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project,’ slated for an approval date of April 8, 2025, will receive N300 million.
In May, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) said the federal government has secured a $500 million loan from the World Bank to boost electricity distribution in the country.
The federal government had received $750 million from the World Bank for humanitarian and social reforms and $1.5 billion for its economic stabilisation plan.
Also, on June 3, Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, said the World Bank board of directors would consider a loan of $2.25 billion for Nigeria.
Nigeria gets approval for fresh World Bank $1.5bn loan
News
Rising crime: Gov Abiodun seeks military base in Ogun East
Rising crime: Gov Abiodun seeks military base in Ogun East
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has called for the establishment of a military base in the eastern part of the state to tackle increasing criminal activity in the area.
Governor Abiodun made the appeal during a visit by the General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Farooq Mijinyawa, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday.
He pointed out that while the eastern region of Ogun State is experiencing rapid commercial growth, including the presence of the state’s airport, it has also seen a rise in criminal incidents.
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“The level of commercial activity in the eastern part of the state is increasing, and with it, criminal activities,” Abiodun said. “We need a Forward Operation Base there to help us maintain peace and order.”
The governor stressed the importance of a proactive security presence to deter criminals who may cross over from neighbouring states. He also commended the Nigerian Army for its swift response to security challenges in key areas, such as Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode.
Abiodun assured that the state government would provide the necessary support to facilitate the military base, particularly in the Remo axis, to ensure rapid responses to security threats.
He further praised Maj. Gen. Mijinyawa’s appointment, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to maintain peace in the state.
Rising crime: Gov Abiodun seeks military base in Ogun East
News
Kano gov downgrades varsity to College of Education, sacks VC
Kano gov downgrades varsity to College of Education, sacks VC
The Governor Abba Yusuf-led Kano State government has downgraded Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education into Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education.
The government, however, said the school will retain its status as a degree-awarding institution.
This decision was made during the state’s Executive Council meeting held on Sept. 18, 2024.
In a statement released by the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Baba Dantiye, it was revealed that extensive consultations with key stakeholders were conducted before the decision was finalized.
The commissioner said a high-level committee appointed by the state government had been tasked with reviewing the status of the university and proposing measures to boost its academic standing.
According to Dantiye, the committee identified concerns raised by both academic and non-academic staff, along with other stakeholders, regarding the possible negative consequences of the institution’s initial transition from a college to a university.
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“These concerns include the potential loss of experienced lecturers, disputes over salaries, and administrative challenges that could affect the institution’s efficiency,” Dantiye stated.
He further explained that other institutions across Nigeria have successfully operated as colleges of education while offering degree programmes, following the “dual mode” structure regulated by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
The government assured that the conversion will not negatively impact students, as current undergraduates will be able to continue their studies as planned, adding that the university’s certification will be preserved for future use, and the institution will continue to offer both its traditional courses and new degree programmes under its expanded academic scope.
According to the statement, Governor Abba Yusuf has also approved the immediate dissolution of the university’s management team and directed that the Vice-Chancellor hand over leadership responsibilities to the most senior deputy until further announcements are made.
In February 2023, the National Universities Commission (NUC) had granted approval for Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education to be upgraded to a university.
Kano gov downgrades varsity to College of Education, sacks VC
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