Buhari To Attend Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit In Istanbul
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday leave Abuja for Istanbul, Turkey to attend the third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit.
Garba Shehu, a senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the summit is being hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Republic of Turkey.
According to the organisers, the theme of the Summit is ‘‘Enhanced Partnership for Common Development and Prosperity’’ and the agenda includes reviewing the cooperation between African countries and Turkey since the last summit in 2014.
It is expected that the Summit would provide guidelines and direction for cooperation with African countries for the next five years.
NDA Admits 453 Cadets Of 73 Regular Course
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Thursday matriculated 453 cadets of its 75 regular course in Kaduna.
The event, which was the institution’s 10th matriculation, featured an oath taking by the cadets to mark their formal induction into their respective academic programmes.
The Special Guest of Honour and a former Academy Provost, NDA, Prof. Shehu Abdullahi, urged the cadets to take their academics and military training seriously as they were complementary to each other.
He urged the cadets to be focused, disciplined, hardworking, patient, persevere and determined, saying that the temptation to abandon their training was always high at the first year as they grappled with a new environment.
World Bank Okays $700m For Climate Resilience Project In Nigeria
The World Bank has approved a $700m credit from the International Development Association for the Nigeria Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Bank’s Senior External Affairs Officer for Nigeria, Mansir Nasir, said the project will increase the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in northern Nigeria and strengthen the country’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management.
Part of the statement read:
The statement read, “The World Bank approved a $700m credit from the International Development Association for the Nigeria Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project.”
“The project will increase the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in northern Nigeria and strengthen the country’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management.”
Kalu Urges APC To Postpone National Convention
A former governor of Abia state and Chief Whip of the senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to postpone its national convention slated for February 2022.
Kalu also appealed to the party to consider conducting the presidential primaries and election of the party’s National Working Committee on the same day. https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-7007417018360777&output=html&h=312&adk=3849866965&adf=4100774767&pi=t.aa~a.829776362~i.6~rp.4&w=375&lmt=1639673628&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=2278811032&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=375×312&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthewillnigeria.com%2Fnews%2Fkalu-asks-apc-to-postpone-national-convention%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=280&rw=335&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1639673667651&bpp=4&bdt=2121&idt=-M&shv=r20211207&mjsv=m202112060101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D95bf1020ce577768-22807f56d2ce00c4%3AT%3D1639548575%3ART%3D1639548575%3AS%3DALNI_MaC5uj9qAFmR4ltHemWp77Dro8ocg&prev_fmts=0x0%2C375x312%2Cauto&nras=2&correlator=495797946584&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1839812695.1637077137&ga_sid=1639673666&ga_hid=1983590402&ga_fc=1&u_tz=60&u_his=2&u_h=812&u_w=375&u_ah=812&u_aw=375&u_cd=32&u_sd=3&adx=0&ady=1653&biw=375&bih=635&scr_x=0&scr_y=371&eid=44750773%2C31063792%2C31060047&oid=2&pvsid=630509291261129&pem=104&tmod=74&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fthewillnigeria.com%2Fnews%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C375%2C0%2C375%2C812%2C375%2C749&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=DftjGEAuvv&p=https%3A//thewillnigeria.com&dtd=38
In a letter addressed to Governor Mai Mala Buni, the national chairman and other members of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Kalu warned that holding the convention in February without sorting out the minor disagreements that arose during the Congress would lead to implosion.
He also suggested a simultaneous event of having the presidential primary and election of National Working Committee (NWC) members on the same day and venue to avoid rancour and litigations.
PenCom, Sigma To Pay Retiree 50% RSA Within 30 Days- NIC
The National Industrial Court has ordered the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and Sigma Pension Limited to allow a retiree, Rakiya Girei, access to withdraw 50 per cent of her Retirement Savings Account (RSA), within 30 days.
The judge, Justice Benedict Kanyip, delivering the judgment on Thursday also declared that failure to yield to the legitimate request of the claimant to withdraw 50 per cent of her RSA wis a violation and negation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Kanyip further declared that the action of the defendants against the claimant on gender ground as discriminatory and gross infringement of the 1999 Constitution.
The court therefore ordered the defendants to jointly and severally pay the claimant the sum of N10 million being the 50 per cent of her RSA from the N20.2 million of her total saving within 30 days.
Police nabs 305 suspected bandits, kidnappers, free 168 victims in Kaduna
The Police Command in Kaduna State, says it’s operative have arrested 305 suspects for banditry, armed robbery and kidnapping between January and November 2021.
A statement by the command said 242 of those arrested are being prosecuted by various courts within the state.
The statement was issued by the Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Jalige said command has been unrelenting in its determination to rid the state of banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping and other crimes. He urged residents of the state to promptly report any suspicious activity within their locality to the nearest police station.
FEC Okays 20% Salary Increase For Police Officers
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a 20 percent salary increase for officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The salary upgrade is to take effect in January 2022.
Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, disclosed this to State House Correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dingyadi, said the upward review is a product of the issues raised during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020, adding that the move is meant to boost the morale of police personnel across the country.
He said the take-home pay will be enhanced through the duty tour allowance to 6 per cent of their new take-ahome pay and an approval of N1.12 billion for payment of outstanding uninsured benefits from 2013 to 2020.
Woman Sentenced to Seven year imprisonment For Child Theft
A High Court in Akure has sentenced a middle-aged woman, Patience Godswill, to seven years imprisonment for stealing and selling a two-year-old girl, Blessing.
Godswill and two others, Martha Ogboji and Nnomah Annaibe, were arraigned for stealing Blessing in Ondo state and selling her in Abia state for the sum of N300,000.
The convict, who was standing trial before Justice Bode Adegbehingbe, before it was reassigned, pleaded guilty to two counts charge of conspiracy and child stealing preferred against her while others pleaded not guilty.
The presiding judge, Justice Williams Olamide, sentenced Godswill to seven years imprisonment while he adjourned the case to January 18, 2022, for the continuation of the trial of others accused.
FEC Okays Nigeria Startup Bill, Memo For Bridge Construction
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has okayed the Nigerian Startup Bill to be sent to the National Assembly for legislation.
The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, disclosed this while briefing state house correspondents at the end of the virtual council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dr. Pantami explained that the 11-chapter bill is a replacement for the National Investment and Startup Policy.
The minister, said the new bill will create an enabling environment for Nigerian startups. He further said, that the bill contains provisions that allow easy access to grants including a Startup Investment Safe Funds for young innovators who can apply for government sponsorship with their ideas.
2023 Elections: I Won’t Turn Down Calls To Contest – Tinubu
Former governor of Lagos State and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said he would not turn down the numerous voices calling on him to contest the 2023 presidency.
Tinubu spoke after a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Northern Alliance Committee in Abuja on Tuesday. The group was led to the meeting by its Chairman, Ambassador Lawal Mohammed Munir.
Tinubu told his host that he would make a declaration at the right time after extensive consultations with friends and associates.
In his words he said : “I am not going to turn them down”, but added that he would still effectively and widely consult, particularly brainstorm “with my friends” and find a date to come out openly and tell Nigerians his decision to vie for the 2023 presidency.
North East Governors Calls for Sustainable Programme For Repentant Terrorists
Members of the North East Governor’s Forum have called for the establishment of a sustainable programmer for repentant Terrorists in the region.
They made the call at the sixth meeting of the forum held on Tuesday in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
At the meeting, the governors discussed the issues of terrorism, kidnapping, and farmers-herders clashes, among other challenges facing the North East.
The Forum urged for the establishment of a sustainable programme for the handling of the repentant terrorists. The Forum noted that kidnapping and farmer-herder clashes among others are worrisome in the sub-region and resolved to undertake the necessary measures to curtail the menace
Kaduna Lawmaker killed by Bandits On Kaduna-Zaria Highway
A member of Kaduna State House of Assembly have been killed by Bandits along the Kaduna-Zaria Highway.
Gadagau, who represented Giwa Constituency of the state, was the Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development in the Assembly.
He was reported to have been killed on Monday night by bandits who attacked travellers along the road. The body of the lawmaker was later discovered on Wednesday morning near Mawai, a village just about 13 kilometres from the Kaduna State capital.
Although police authorities in Kaduna have yet to react to the incident, a relative of the late lawmaker confirm the killing to Channels Television.
We must not Politicize Insecurity, Hunger Knows No Religion – Sultan of Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto has warned Nigerians especially religious and political leaders against politicizing the issue of insecurity in the country.
Speaking in Abuja at a retreat on inclusive security organised by the Global Peace Foundation in collaboration with Vision Africa, the Sultan assessed the nation’s security situation and said all was not well with the nation.
There has been an increase in criminal activities as bandits, terrorists and other elements have been unleashing terror in the North-West, North-East and other parts of Nigeria.
He also decried the spate of killings in the country, asking the government to provide a stable environment for Nigerians to observe their religious beliefs. Despite the worsening insecurity, Abubakar is optimistic that Nigeria can confront the numerous security challenges.
Ex-President Zuma To Return Back To Prison on Court Order
A South African High Court on Wednesday, ordered former President Jacob Zuma be returned to prison.
The Court, sitting in Pretoria, held that the medical parole he was granted in September was unlawful, and ordered that Zuma, 79, “be returned to the custody of the Department of Correctional Services” to serve out the remainder of his 15-month sentence. But Zuma could still appeal Wednesday’s ruling.
The former President, was convicted of contempt of court earlier this year, and was granted medical parole after serving less than two months in jail.
He had handed himself in on July 7 to begin his prison sentence, but his imprisonment was the catalyst for the worst civil unrest in South Africa since the country’s first non-racial elections in 1994. The violence left at least 354 people dead and thousands of businesses pillaged and razed.
However, the Department of Correctional Services said it was studying the latest judgement and in due course will make further pronouncements.
Bandits Out To Seek Revenge for their Dead Family Members – Sheikh Gumi
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has disclosed reasons bandits now kill their victims.
Speaking at a retreat on inclusive security organised by the Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa in Abuja, Gumi said the bandits were out to avenge the killing of their family members by the military through airstrikes.
Gumi, who said that the bandits were victims seeking justice, however stressed that it was important for the Federal Government to meet with them urgently before they become uncontrollable.
“We all know that bandits initially don’t kill people. They only kidnap people to get money, but something has metamorphosed and turned them into a Frankenstein monster that kills people just for the pleasure of it”, he said.
