FEC okays €443.3m, $141m loans to buy fighter jets, ammunition – Newstrends
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FEC okays €443.3m, $141m loans to buy fighter jets, ammunition

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Federal Executive Council Meeting

FEC okays €443.3m, $141m loans to buy fighter jets, ammunition

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved credit facilities to improve the Nigerian Air Force’s capabilities, including €443 million and $141 million for the acquisition of fighter aircraft and ammunition.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement on Wednesday after a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

Idris explained that the approval was requested by the Federal Ministry of Finance, which is currently represented by the Minister while on official duty in the United States.

In addition to the fighter aircraft procurement, the FEC also authorized several contracts totaling approximately N44.2 billion for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

He highlighted key approvals made during the meeting, including a credit facility of €443,330,781.49 and $141 million for the purchase of six M346 fighter aircraft and ammunition for the Nigerian Air Force.

Approval was given for agreements aimed at eliminating double taxation and preventing tax evasion with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China and the Republic of Botswana.

Additionally, the FEC approved N78.35 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of two water supply projects: the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Project in Benue State and the Greater Dutse Water Supply Project in Jigawa State.

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Professor Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, shared details about these projects, which will serve over 1.5 million people in Jigawa and 506,000 in Benue. Both projects will utilize solar energy systems to promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.

The Minister also addressed the government’s response to recent dam collapses, noting that a committee is assessing critical dams across the country to prevent future incidents. The assessment teams are currently working in various states to gather data and report their findings.

In an initiative for the creative sector, the FEC approved the establishment of a Creative Economy Development Fund.

Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, reported that Afriexim Bank has committed $200 million to kickstart the fund.

This initiative aims to provide members of the creative industry access to funding, allowing them to leverage their intellectual property as collateral.

Musawa emphasized the importance of establishing basic structures to harness the potential of the creative economy, including the development of an Intellectual Property policy.

This policy is expected to be finalized soon in collaboration with the relevant ministries.

FEC okays €443.3m, $141m loans to buy fighter jets, ammunition

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Court remands SS3 student for alleged murder of colleague

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October 24, 2024

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Court remands SS3 student for alleged murder of colleague

A Chief Magistrate in Ondo State, Olateju Odenusi-Fadeyi, has ordered the remand of a 15-year-old female student of Anglican Grammar School, Arigidi Akoko, for allegedly stabbing her colleague, Habib Salau, aged 17, to death.

The magistrate ordered her remanded at the Ondo State Juvenile Home, in Akure, pending advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

The magistrate, however, did not take her plea.

The SS3 student, is standing trial for allegedly stabbing the 17-year old deceased, Habib Salau, with a knife during a scuffle between them after school hours.

The defendant was brought to court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

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Police Prosecutor, Josephine Awana, had earlier informed the court that the young offender and one other at large, on October 3, about 3:30p.m., at Imo, Arigidi Akoko, conspired to commit murder.

Awana, alleged that the defendant killed Salau, by stabbing him with a knife during a fight.

The prosecutor told the court, “The defendant accused the deceased of accosting her on the way home after a misunderstanding between them.

“It resulted in a fight and the defendant said someone gave her a knife and ordered her to stab the deceased on the neck.”

The offences, according to the prosecution, contravene Sections 124 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Awana asked the court to remand the offender at the correctional facility, pending the issuance of advice from the DPP.

Court remands SS3 student for alleged murder of colleague

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Lagos govt incurs ₦114.5b from 6,047 court cases

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October 24, 2024

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos govt incurs ₦114.5b from 6,047 court cases

Sanwo-Olu made the call just as the state attorney-general disclosed that there were 6,047 pending cases involving the state government across various categories.

Sanwo-Olu spoke at the opening of a two-day strategic management meeting with Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and other stakeholders, in Ikeja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

The governor was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

He emphasised the need for swift justice so as to strengthen the rule of law.

Sanwo-Olu, citing the case of a 22-year-old fashion designer, Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole, allegedly raped and murdered by Andrew Omininikoron, a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit driver, in March 2022, decried that justice had yet to be served in the case.

He, therefore, appealed for efficiency in judicial processes in order to foster public confidence in the judicial system.

Sanwo-Olu added that the judiciary should ensure fairness, impartiality and accountability.

According to him, there are cases in courts in which urgent decisions are required.

“There is a need for greater transparency, and cooperation among stakeholders in the judicial system.”

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The governor said that the state government was committed to building a more responsive, inclusive and efficient justice system for the overall good of the people, irrespective of race and religion.

Sanwo-Olu also emphasised the crucial role of the rule of law and science/technology in bridging the gap between African countries and developed nations.

He said that technology and science were transforming people’s lives, adding that the rule of law must adapt to changes.

The governor identified ineffective land management and physical planning laws as significant challenges facing the country.

He stressed the need for lawyers and judges to be well-versed in land laws to ensure proper planning for future generations.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Lawal Pedro (SAN), the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said that the purpose of the meeting was to reduce government litigations in courts.

According to him, it will help to prevent clogging of the justice delivery system.

Pedro emphasised the need for Lagos State MDAs to devise strategies to reduce litigation, minimise inter-ministerial gaps, and limit government exposure to avoidable liabilities.

“As of July 2024, before the courts’ annual vacation, there were over 6,047 pending cases involving the government across various categories, including land disputes (over 2,500 cases), physical planning (310), housing (240), road transportation (150).

“Other pending cases include 75 from the environment, 250 chieftaincy cases, breach of contract (50), employment and pension (50), and constitutional and FMHR cases (150).

“The financial implication for the government in these cases is estimated to be around N114.5 billion,” he said.

The attorney-general stressed the need to redesign the operating systems and processes of MDAs to enhance performance in areas such as cost, quality, service and speed.

Lagos govt incurs ₦114.5b from 6,047 court cases

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Emir Sanusi to turban first son as Ciroma Kano

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2 hours ago

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October 24, 2024

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Muhammadu Sanusi II

Emir Sanusi to turban first son as Ciroma Kano

Barring any last-minute changes, the Emir will honour the crown prince and nine others with different traditional titles on Friday, November 25, 2024.

The Ciroman title has a huge cultural and political significance in the Kano Emirates, mainly because it represents the bearer’s direct lineage rights and confers the right to oversee the management of certain districts.

It’d be recalled that Sanusi’s late father, Ambassador Aminu Sanusi, held the title until his death sometime in the 1990s.

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However, the last holder of the title was Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, a former Emir of Bichi ousted a few months ago after spending four years on the throne.

The emir’s first son, a serving police officer with the rank of DSP, will now inherit the prestigious title.

Other individuals to be honoured include the new Mai Unguwar Mundubawa, Mahmud Aminu Yusufu; Dr. Abubakar Sanusi Usman Shehu II as Dan Galadiman Kano, and Alhaji Abubakar Aminu Sanusi (Wambai) is to serve as Dan Madami.

Arch. Ali Muktar, Sa’in Kano; Sarki Yusuf Bayero ‘Yan Daka; Abdullahi Idris Bayero, Fagacin Kano; Ado Abdullahi Aminu, Kaigaman Kano; Idris Sanusi, Sarkin Sullubawa; Mansur Isa Bayero, Sarkin Kudu; and Abdullahi Sarki Mohammed, Sarkin Yamma complete the line up of honoraries.

Pulse reports that Emir Sanusi was reinstated by Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on May 23, 2024, four years after his ouster by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Emir Sanusi to turban first son as Ciroma Kano

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