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US approves $1bn military equiment for Nigeria to combat insecurity
The United States State Department has approved the sale of military equipment worth $1bn to Nigeria to combat insecurity.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the US Department of Defence and the weapons include 12 attack helicopters, 2,000 advanced precision kill weapon system guidance sections, and night vision imaging system.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sale of the weapons was part of efforts to boost security in Nigeria.
It stated, “The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Nigeria of AH-1Z Attack Helicopter Related FMS Acquisitions and related equipment for an estimated cost of $997 million.
“The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
“The Government of Nigeria has requested to buy twelve (12) AH-1Z Attack Helicopters; twenty-eight (28) T-700 GE 401C engines (24 installed, 4 spares); and two thousand (2,000) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance sections. Also included is Night Vision Cueing Display (NVCD); commercial variant GPS with Standard Positioning Service (SPS); communication equipment; electronic warfare systems; AN/AVS-9 Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System; M197 20mm machine gun; Target Sight System (TSS); support equipment; spare engine containers; spare and repair parts; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; Mission Planning system; U.S. Government and contractor engineering; technical, and logistics support services; U.S. Government and contractor assistance and oversight of facilities construction to include the provisioning of plans, drawings and specifications.
“$25M of case funds will be allocated for institutional and technical assistance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to continue Air Ground Integration (AGI) program, which includes developing targeting processes that are legally compliant with International Humanitarian Law and the Laws of Armed Conflict; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $997 million.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The proposed sale will better equip Nigeria to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability and build interoperability with the U.S. and other Western partners. This sale will be a major contribution to U.S. and Nigerian security goals. Nigeria will have no difficulty absorbing the equipment and services into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, Fort Worth, TX; and General Electric Company, Lynn, MA. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.
“Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Nigeria for mobile training teams and contract logistics support. The case will include special training on the law of armed conflict and human rights, and air-to-ground integration to minimize civilian harm in air operations.
“This proposed sale will also require multiple trips by U.S. Government and contractor representatives to participate in program and technical reviews plus training and maintenance support in country, on a temporary basis, for a period of five (5) years. It will also require approximately three (3) contractor support representatives to reside in country for a period of two (2) years to support this program.
“There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
“This notice of a potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.”
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May Day: A’Ibom gov increases minimum wage to N40,000
May Day: A’Ibom gov increases minimum wage to N40,000
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has said the least paid worker in the state will henceforth go home with N40,000 monthly, instead of N30,000.
He made this announcement in his address to workers on Wednesday during the celebration of this year’s Workers’ Day at UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
He said he increased the wage based on economic reality as well as the lean federal allocations accruing to the state.
Otu said his government was very appreciative of workers even though their industrial output was only five per cent which was very poor.
He said, “Government considers its workforce as the driver of lofty projects and programmes for the common good of the people.
“Workers in the state are always held in high esteem to achieve good results, prompting the payment of salary and pension up to date.
“The state government is presently on the verge of concluding necessary arrangements for the staggered payment of outstanding gratuity to its retired workers. I therefore sue for a little patience from the pensioners in this regard.”
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However, the organised labour in the state have accused the state government of neglect and deceit, calling for open recruitment of employable youths to fill up various vacant positions.
Chairman of TUC, Comrade Monday Ogolodom, said the administration deceived the senior citizens when it failed to deliver its promise to clear the backlog of gratuities since 2013.
Addressing workers, Ogolodom said, “Payment of gratuity in the state has become a mirage. I recall on the 4 of October, 2023, during the swearing-in of the Head of Service, Innocent Eteng, His Excellency, the Governor made a very welcoming, sweet and promising speech, saying “before the end of December, 2023 all backlog of Gratuity in the state shall be cleared.
“Today is the 1st May, 2024, 4 (four) months after, nothing has started,” adding that this had portrayed the governor in bad light.
He appealed to him to set up machinery towards actualizing the promise as some of the elder statesmen and women were dying due to lack of funds for medication.
He alleged that bribes for promotion were now rampant, adding that it was appalling and discouraging for industrious and qualified workers.
He described as unending the verification that was supposed to weed out ghost workers in the state, saying this has denied workers overdue promotions.
He called on government to officially embark on recruitment exercise instead of secret recruitment.
May Day: A’Ibom gov increases minimum wage to N40,000
News
El-Rufai ignored us for 8 years, Kaduna NLC praises Gov Sani
El-Rufai ignored us for 8 years, Kaduna NLC praises Gov Sani
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna state, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, has hailed Governor Uba Sani for personally attending the May Day rally in Kaduna.
Speaking at Murtala Square, Kaduna, on Wednesday, Suleiman said the last time a governor personally attended the rally was nine years ago.
“Your Excellency, we want to thank you for personally attending the May Day Celebration. Labour has not witnessed the presence of a governor at such an occasion in the last nine years,” he said.
Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Sani’s predecessor, spent two terms of eight years as governor.
While commending the governor for prioritizing workers’ welfare through prompt payment of salaries and allowances, as well as involvement of the labour unions in decision making in the state, the NLC Chairman expressed hope that workers would enjoy favorable working conditions.
In his speech, the governor assured the workers of his support, saying development is about the people, just as governance is also about the people.
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He said governors were working with NLC to come up with decent and acceptable pay for workers.
The Government under my leadership will continue to prioritize workers’ welfare and equip them appropriately within available resources, conscious of the fact that a committed and motivated workforce is critical to the achievement of our Rural Transformation Agenda. Human capital development and poverty reduction will continue to receive robust government attention through investment in education, health, agriculture, housing, micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as support to security agencies as they tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
“Nigerian Governors, under the platform of Nigeria Governors Forum, are in consultation with Labour Unions at the federal and state levels in order to come up with a decent and acceptable salary increase for state and local government workers. As a comrade and veteran of the struggle for better working conditions for Nigerian workers, I will not rest on my oars until we agree on a wage package that will put smiles on the faces of our workers.
“As we ramp up our Rural Transformation Drive and implement innovative programmes to reinvent our economy, we seek the cooperation and total commitment of Kaduna State workers. Increased productivity and sustained industrial harmony will help reposition our economy and put our government in good stead to frontally tackle our myriad security and developmental challenges.”
El-Rufai ignored us for 8 years, Kaduna NLC praises Gov Sani
News
Umahi replies Obi over Lagos-Calabar coastal project criticism
Umahi replies Obi over Lagos-Calabar coastal project criticism
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has accused Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, of inciting the people of the South-East to rebel against the Federal Government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
Umahi disclosed this on Wednesday at a road project stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which will pass through eight other states including the beach resorts along Lagos’ beachfront, has had its construction process commenced by the government.
The project has generated controversy and concerns about funding and the businesses that would be affected during construction.
On Tuesday, Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, criticised the federal Government over the project, describing it as a misplaced priority.
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The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.
Responding to Obi’s comment, Umahi said Obi supported the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was the governor of Anambra.
The minister condemned Obi for criticising the Federal Government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.
“When you condemn people, you bring judgment upon yourself and that is what he has done,” Umahi said.
“I think he is inciting some of the South-East people that are not well informed. He is inciting and getting them into trouble and he does not go to fight for them.
“Wisdom is a defence. It gives light to those that practise it. I want our people to have wisdom because I’m involved.”
Umahi added that the Federal Government did not destroy the facilities of Landmark Beach, noting that only shanties on the right of way were removed.
He said the owners of Landmark Beach were not unfairly treated in the construction of the project.
The minister accused Paul Onwuanibe, chief executive officer (CEO) of Landmark Africa Group, of politicising the issues arising from the project.
Umahi replies Obi over Lagos-Calabar coastal project criticism
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