News
Army: We are not recruiting repentant insurgents
The Nigerian Army has refuted the claim in some quarters that it is enlisting repentant insurgents into the force.
Spokesman for the army, Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said the army’s attention was drawn to a video circulated on social media by one Young Elder and produced by Anthony Jay which related the collapse of the Afghanistan military to the surrender of Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria.
He said Young Elder, in a comic way, expressed worries about the surrendered insurgents.
“While it is understood that the situation in Afghanistan calls for concerns by any right thinking person or organisation, the manner in which the comic Young Elder presented it shows his lack of basic knowledge on the subject he hurriedly delved into,” he said.
He also stated, “The amateurish production conjured some unfounded and baseless claims that only exist in the figment of their imagination, claiming that surrendered terrorists were going to be absorbed into the Nigerian Army.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NA does not have any repentant terrorist joining its ranks and does not have any plan for that.
“There are teaming able-bodied Nigerians that are willing to join the NA to genuinely help in the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes.”
The spokesman said the army was not so desperate for recruits that it would stoop low to enlist former insurgents.
He said the “campaign of falsehood embarked upon by some individuals who do not wish the nation well cannot distract its personnel from their resolve to bring an end to the violent crimes in the country”.
Nwachukwu assured Nigerians that the army under the leadership of Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff, would continue to operate within the dictates of the law.
He said, “Surrendered terrorists will be received, processed and passed to the appropriate government agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of handling them.
“While we recommend that matters related to security be left with those who have the requisite expertise and experience.
“We wish to remind comic characters like Young Elder to focus on contributing towards nation building and not engaging in campaign of falsehood.”
News
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.
It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”
Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.
“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”
The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
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