News

Runsewe Commends Niger Republic on Cross Border Security

Published

1 year ago

June 15, 2023

Eric

The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has commended the Republic of Niger for instituting a formidable military collaboration with Nigeria to enhance the security of life and properties along the border communities of both countries.

Runsewe made this commendation in his office when he hosted a delegation of senior Military Officers from the Superior Military College in Niger Republic, who were in his office as part of their study tour of Nigeria.

Welcoming the Nigerean delegation, Runsewe said that apart from sharing common bundries, both countries share similar values and ideals as common members of the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Lake Chad Basin Commission, Economic Community of West African State ( ECOWAS), African Union (AU) Organization of Islamic Community (OIC) etc

He added that the existing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republic has helped tremendously in tackling trans-border insecurity, illegal arms importation and smuggling.

In his words ” Niger, like Nigeria are also facing challenges of Boko Haram, insecurity and jihadist movement and the multi national task force on insecurity between Nigeria, Republic of Niger, Chad and Benin Republic have yielded positive results”.

Otunba Runsewe who is also the president of World Crafts Council for African Region revealed that Nigeria and Niger Republic have signed a bilateral agreement for the coordination of frequency utilization along their boarders to ensure seemless deployment of military services around and within the two countries.

He opined that a collaboration with the National Council for Arts and Culture on the areas of capacity building, youth empowerment and cultural exchange will further cement the existing relationship both countries share.

Speaking earlier, the head of the Nigerean delegation Col. Abdulrasak Ibrahim expressed appreciation on the manner of culturally friendly reception accorded him and members of his delegation which according to him is a clear indication of the good attitude of Nigerians

Col. Ibrahim who spoke through an interpreter stated that the Nigerean delegation which consists of 10 supervising staff including Team leader, Directors and Administrative staff as well as 23 participants were on a study tour of Nigeria under the theme ” Military Cooperation and Cross Boarder Security” with Nigeria as a case study.

He revealed that a rewarding civil military relationship is often enhanced by the knowledge the Culture, norms and traditions of the environment under operation adding that despite the multi ethnic, multi religious and multi cultural nature of Nigeria, she is able to harness her diversity to meet the challenges of national integration, unity and development.

” The component of Culture is what is needed to manage peace because as military men, we work in areas with different cultures so we need to know these cultures to define our scope of engagement” he said.

The head of delegation expressed confidence that the experience and knowledge they have gathered, at the end of this study will enhance their opinions when they get back to their country.
The highlights of the courtesy visit was an exchange of gifts from the visitors and their host.

News

Pensioners’ Welfare: Govenor Adeleke Approves N3.3bn for Retirees

Published

28 mins ago

October 4, 2024

Eric

The Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Dr Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has again approved a whopping sum of Three billion, Three hundred naira only (#3,300,000,000.00) for the payment of accrued rights (bond certificates) of a number of workers who retired under the Contributory Pension Scheme across the State, according to a statement esigned by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina.

Of the said amount amount, N1.5 billion is for retirees at the State level comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, secondary schools and tertiary institutions while the sum of #1.8bn is for those who retired in the local government service, junior and primary schools across the State.

The statement noted that the approved fund is presently undergoing due process at the Bureau of Public Service Pension and the Local Government Staff Pension Board.

The approval, the statement further disclosed, is apart from the regular monthly payment of pension and gratuities to retired public servants under the old pension scheme across the whole gamut of the public service.

It will be recalled that workers and pensioners welfare top the 5- point Action Plan of Governor Ademola Adeleke-led administration in the State.

Stakeholders admit that Governor Adeleke been keeping his promise since he came on board in November, 2022 going by his unhindered love for public servants and the entire citizens of the State.

News

We’re Winning War Against Bandits, Terrorists, Says Tinubu’s Minister

Published

1 hour ago

October 4, 2024

Eric

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; said on Thursday that Nigeria is winning the war against terror and banditry.

Idris made the claim during the opening ceremony of the 1st Annual International Lecture of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja

He said: “Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism.

“Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever.

“As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

“Indeed, this quote from President Bola Tonibu has amplified the resolve and determination of this administration to address the security challenges confronting us.

“By understanding the root causes, evaluating the impact on our territorial integrity, and implementing strategic policy measures, we can effectively address the challenges posed by this crisis.”

The minister pointed out that the Federal government through intelligence gathering and other grassroots measures is tackling insecurity.

News

Court Releases Ex-Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku on N150m Bail

Published

20 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Eric

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has granted a N150 million bail to a former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku.

Ishaku was arraigned on Monday alongside Bello Yero, former permanent secretary, bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs.

Both men are being prosecuted on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds.

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when all the charges were read to them.

At the court session on Thursday, the defendants’ respective counsels moved their bail applications.

Rotimi Jacobs, prosecution counsel, said he would not object since the defendants have been granted administrative bail.

Sylvanus Oriji, presiding judge, granted the bail application.

He held that the defendants must produce two sureties each in like sum. The two sureties must be responsible citizens of Nigeria and must be residents within the FCT, with verifiable office and residential addresses.

One of the sureties produced by each defendant must be a director in the civil service.

The defendants must not travel outside the country without the court’s permission and must deposit their travel documents to the court.

Ishaku, 70, was governor of Taraba from 2015 to 2023.

In July 2023, the EFCC invited the former governor over some financial transactions conducted during his spell in office. He was later released on bail.

On September 27, 2024, Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the commission.