News
.5 million jobs to be created at Ajaokuta Steel Company – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari, in the course of the week, said the Ajaokuta Steel Complex would provide 500,000 estimated jobs for Nigerian youths.
The president revealed this during his one-day state visit to Kogi on Thursday.
He also spoke of the determination of his administration to position Kogi as an industrial hub as well as a solid mineral power base.
He explained how the Federal Government achieved the resolution of all legal entanglements that had bogged down the progress of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.
According to him, the project stands to benefit the people of the state immensely.
The president had earlier hosted the leadership of the FCT and representatives of the FCT community, who paid him Christmas homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at the beginning of the week.
During the Christmas homage, Buhari lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Mohammed Bello for exhibiting the virtues of transparency, honesty and integrity while managing the affairs of the FCT.
According to the Nigerian leader, he deliberately appointed Bello as FCT minister, and refused to redeploy him because of his good character.
He said Bello had proven to be a better manager of both financial and human resources.
Buhari also told his guests that he would not be hanging around the FCT, after May 29, 2023, in order not to meddle in the affairs of the office of his successor.
He reiterated that he would return to Daura, Katsina State, his hometown, at the end of his tenure.
According to him, his decision not to make Abuja a permanent abode is to allow his successor a free hand to operate and run the affairs of government.
The president also told members of the FCT community that he had not built a new house in Daura or anywhere and hoped to live in his same house of many years.
The president also inaugurated the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) newly acquired Estate in Idu-Karmo, Abuja, on Wednesday.
At the event, Buhari said the befitting accommodation would enhance productivity and coordination of activities of staffers of the agency in view of the increasing number of personnel to face new challenges and responsibilities.
He also used the opportunity to charge security agencies that would be engaged with various support services in the 2023 general election to maintain a high sense of professionalism.
Buhari urged the agencies to handle the distribution and monitoring of classified materials and other logistics ‘‘professionally and in accordance with Standing Operation Procedures.’’
While reiterating his earlier directive to security agencies to remain apolitical, the president said they must desist from behaviour that could bring disrepute to their organisations and the country ‘‘by compromising the democratic process.’’
On Wednesday, the Nigerian leader heaped praises on the newly promoted Commander, Brigade of Guards, Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Usman.
He described him as an outstanding officer who was serving the nation with great zeal.
The president, assisted by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya and the wife of the Commander, Dr Rekiya Usman, decorated the officer with the rank of Major-General.
Speaking shortly after the ceremony in the Presidential Villa, the president recalled his tumultuous military career marked with coups, counter-coups and detention.
He described Usman as a very lucky officer to have risen to the height of his military career with distinction and without hiccups.
The president also expressed sadness over the passing of Prof. George Obiozor, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, worldwide.
He extended heartfelt condolences to Obiozor’s family, the government and people of Imo as well as Ndigbo, at home and in Diaspora.
The president said the contributions of the unique leader and strong proponent of peace and a stable polity, who also held other strategic public positions, would never be forgotten.
On Friday, Buhari hosted the Senate President, Dr Ahmed Lawan at the State House, Abuja.
Lawan, who spoke to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting revealed that the president would sign the 2023 appropriation bill on Tuesday.
Lawan said that he discussed some national issues with Buhari, including the president’s recent additional loan request, the legislature’s support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the general elections and the 2023 Appropriation Bill.
Buhari had on Saturday paid tribute to late Pope Benedict XVI who was greatly admired globally for his selfless leadership and renowned learning as a theologian.
He commiserated with Pope Francis, the Catholic Church in Nigeria and around the world, as well as all Christian faithful mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
He also lauded the deceased for his dedication to advance inter-faith dialogue and peace.
According to Buhari, the late Pontiff will be remembered as a true servant of God.
The president concluded the week under review with his administration’s last New Year message released by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja on Saturday.
He reassured Nigerians that under his watch, their collective will and votes in the 2023 general elections would be fulfilled.
Buhari thanked the almighty God who saw Nigerians through the year 2022 and had given them the opportunity to see another New Year.
”It as an opportunity to reflect on the past year, reposition, and move forward in the new year,” Buhari said. (NAN)
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau have vowed that perpetrators of the heinous killing of 16 northern travelers in Uromi, Edo State on Thursday last week are brought to justice to serve as deterrence to others.
This was even as Okpebholo paid a condolence visit to the Deputy President of the Senate, over the killings of travellers in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The governor was at the Maitama residence of the Deputy President of the Senate in Abuja on Monday.
A mob had intercepted the innocent travellers who were on their way to Kano State for Sallah celebrations, ransacked their vehicle and gruesomely murdered them on Thursday. The victims who were hunters are from Kano State.
The Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, said the governor extended his condolences to the Deputy President of the Senate, who is from Kano State, pledging that the state government will assist the families of the victims.
The Edo State governor disclosed that the 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killings of the innocent travellers are going to be taken to Abuja for further interrogation.
While assuring that the perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law, he described the killings of the innocent travellers as unfortunate and condemnable.
” It’s unfortunate that it happened in our state. We are here to say, to let you and other people know that we are not happy.
The president is doing something drastic about this. He’s not happy also. The IG has swung into action. The DIG CID is in charge. So far, they have arrested 14 suspects.
” So they are bringing them to Abuja for interrogation. We have also set up a committee to see that we take care of the families of the deceased,” he said.
Responding, the Deputy President of the Senate said the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
” We cannot undo what has been done. But we all want – all Nigerians, what they are looking forward to is to make sure that these people are arrested and brought to justice. And you are doing well in that direction. And I’m also glad you’ve spoken about the fact that your government is ready to assist the families of those affected.
” I want you to continue to pursue the case so that all those who were involved in these barbaric actions are brought to justice. It’s a barbaric action, to say the facts.
“If they are brought to justice, it would serve as a deterrent to those who might want to do this in future. I know that people from other parts of the country have been staying with your people in Edo for centuries in a very conducive atmosphere. And this barbaric act has never happened. I’m sure, under your watch, this will not happen again.
” I thank you very much. You’ve told me now that you’ll meet the Kano State governor today. This is very good. Please continue what you are doing. Mr President also told us that you are doing very well in this direction, and we have seen it because, as I said, we have spoken several times on this matter in the last 72 hours,” he said.
The Chief of Staff to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Edison Ehie, has revealed how he was offered the sum of N5 billion to coordinate the impeachment of his principal, Siminalayi Fubara.
He stated this on the popular Channels Television on Sunday Politics, claiming that he has evidence stored on his phone to substantiate his claims.
The impeachment of the governor has been the desire of the 27 lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers and a current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, hence, the claim, if substantiated would have been linked to the camp of the Minsiter, Nyesom Wike.
“I can also open my phone to show you, in the beginning of October 2023, when they approached me with a bribe of N5 billion. It is here in my phone.
“It was for impeachment. It’s here. I have it and I have printed it and distributed it, in case, in their evil imagination, they decide to attack me. I already have a son and a brother,” he said.
According to Ehie, the mouth watering offer was made while he was serving as the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Reacting to claims that the embattled governor told him to bomb the State House of Assembly, he denied, saying that Fubara never told him to do so, while he challenged the former Head of Service prove evidence.
His denial was at the backdrop of claims by the former Head of Service of Rivers State, George Nwaeke that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie at the Government House to organize the bombing of the House of Assembly complex to avoid impeachment of the governor.
Nwaeke however, said, he didn’t the amount of money in the bag that was handed over to the Ehie.
Dismissing the claims as false and politically motivated, Ehie said, “It is very important to clarify that I had no hand and was not part of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of 30th of October 2023 to hear of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Ehie stated that he had instructed his lawyers to file a lawsuit against Nwaeke for criminal libel.
“I will not join issues completely with Mr. George Nwaeke because I have already instructed my lawyers to file an issue of criminal libel against him, and I hope he is very prepared to substantiate his claims and his allegations,” he said.
He further alleged that Nwaeke had sought financial assistance from him on the same day he resigned as head of service.
Rivers State has been in turmoil since Fubara’s fallout with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and suspended both the governor and his deputy.
Subsequently, on March 26, the sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspended all political officeholders in the state.
The Education Ministry said it is in contact with security and education officials and is coordinating with admins and parents.
A plane carrying a group of 150 Israeli students on a trip to Poland made an intermediate landing in Antalya, Turkey, the Education Ministry said on Monday.
The landing was made following concerns about a technical malfunction, and for reasons of caution, a decision was made to stop in accordance with aviation rules.
N12 reported that a bird had entered the plane’s engine during the flight.
The high school student delegation – from Ein Kerem High School in Jerusalem – was en route to Poland on a standard school trip to learn about the events of the Holocaust. They were accompanied by security personnel from the Shin Bet, as is customary for any delegation to Poland.
The Education Ministry said that they are in continuous contact with security and education officials and are in coordination with school administrations and parents.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. September 19, 2021. (credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)
It was reported that all the students “are feeling well, staying in a safe and protected area within the airport, and are closely accompanied by the teaching staff who are with them at all times.”
In addition, the ministry was informed that a replacement plane is on its way to them, and it is estimated that at 3:00 p.m., they will take off for Krakow to continue their educational journey.
Holocaust learning
Israeli school trips to Poland typically take place in the winter and the summer, and, according to Education Minister Yoav Kisch, aim to allow “students to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, to be exposed to the atrocities that took place, and to prove the victory and resurrection over the attempt to destroy the Jewish people.”
In November 2023, the ministry announced it would cancel the winter Poland trips due to the rise of antisemitism worldwide in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war.
Edo Killings: Edo Governor, Barau vow justice as 14 suspects moved to Abuja for interrogation
Rivers Chief of Staff reveals how Wike’s camp offered N5bn bribe to impeach Fubara
Plane carrying Israeli students to Poland makes emergency landing in Turkey
-
Foreign1 week agoHouthis declare Ben-Gurion Airport ‘no longer safe’ after renewed Gaza fighting
-
News2 days agoKogi Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo salutes Tinubu at 74
-
Security2 days agoNew Commissioner of Police in Niger, Elleman sends strong warning to criminals
-
News1 week agoUmeh denies receiving $10,000 with other 42 Senators to support state of emergency in Rivers
-
News1 day agoAbia: LG Chairman, Iheke accused of using soldiers to detain IRS agent, claims Governor Otti’s support
-
News2 days agoPlateau LP stakeholders endorses Barr Gyang Zi’s defection to APC
-
Sports1 week ago2026 World Cup Race: Ekong says Eagles feel great to be back in contention
-
News1 week agoAgain, explosion rocks gas facility in Rivers