The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has attributed the resurgence of the nation’s economy to the reforms initiated by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Speaking during a meeting with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Forum, led by former Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, Alake emphasized Tinubu’s progressive leadership and courage in making difficult decisions, which he believes are laying a strong foundation for the economy.
Alake highlighted the administration’s commitment to enduring structures and service delivery standards that will transcend successive administrations.
He noted that the temporary pains of reforms are beginning to ease, pointing to the resurgence of the naira and stability in the forex market as evidence.
The Minister also underscored the administration’s infrastructural efforts, particularly the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project, which he believes will have significant economic and tourism benefits upon completion.
Alake urged the APC Professionals Forum to contribute their expertise and ideas to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing the government’s openness to innovative solutions.
Former Governor Isa Yuguda commended the Minister for his efforts to revitalize the mining sector, emphasizing the importance of solid minerals in Nigeria’s economic prosperity. He urged Nigerians and the federal government to support Alake in transforming the mining sector.
Yuguda explained that the APC Professionals Forum is dedicated to nation-building and will work to enlighten the public about government programs while providing valuable suggestions.
Accompanying Isa Yuguda were other prominent members of the APC Professionals Forum, including former governors and key figures in the party.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF are celebrating the prequalification of the new oral cholera vaccine (OCV), Euvichol-S, by the World Health Organization (WHO). This milestone heralds increased production of the vaccine by EuBiologics, the manufacturer, at a faster rate and lower cost.
The approval of Euvichol-S comes at a crucial juncture amidst a global surge in cholera outbreaks since 2021. Despite the availability of simple and effective treatments, the high case fatality rates underscore the urgent need for preventive measures like vaccination.
The simplified formulation of Euvichol-S maintains its effectiveness against key cholera serogroups while streamlining production complexity, enabling larger volumes to be produced swiftly.
With approximately 50 million doses forecasted to be available in 2024, compared to 38 million in 2023, the prequalification of Euvichol-S expands the overall supply of OCV. This is significant given the unprecedented demand for vaccines from impacted countries, which has strained the global stockpile of OCV.
Gavi and UNICEF are spearheading efforts to address the cholera crisis, including the deployment of diagnostics for surveillance and response.
Dr. Derrick Sim, Managing Director of Vaccine Markets & Health Security at Gavi, emphasizes the importance of Euvichol-S in supporting vulnerable communities globally. He applauds EuBiologics for their contribution to ensuring widespread access to cholera vaccines as part of comprehensive response efforts.
UNICEF, as the leading procurer and distributor of doses, is committed to swiftly delivering the just-approved vaccine to countries in need.
Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division, stresses the agency’s dedication to increasing procurement and delivery of cholera vaccines to combat deadly outbreaks effectively.
The prequalification of Euvichol-S marks a significant advancement in global efforts to prevent and control cholera, reaffirming the commitment of partners like Gavi and UNICEF to safeguarding public health worldwide.
The political landscape of Kano has been plunged into confusion following conflicting court orders regarding the suspension of the Acting National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, from the party.
The situation has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns among political observers and analysts.
The saga began with the Executive Committee of the APC in Ganduje Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, announcing Ganduje’s suspension on Monday, citing allegations of corruption.
Subsequently, a Kano High Court granted an ex parte order on Wednesday, restraining Ganduje from parading himself as a member of the party and from presiding over the affairs of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.
This order followed an application filed by two executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, seeking to uphold Ganduje’s suspension.
The court directed all parties involved to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
However, the confusion deepened with the emergence of another order from a Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday. This order dismissed Ganduje’s suspension by the leaders of the party in Ganduje Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area.
The order restrained all parties from implementing the purported decision reached during the emergency meeting of the APC Ganduje Ward executives and mandated them to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the substantive application.
The conflicting orders have thrown the political arena into disarray, leading to apprehension and speculation among political actors. Many are questioning why two courts would issue contradictory orders on the same matter on the same day.
Additionally, there are concerns about the secrecy surrounding the Federal High Court order, which was allegedly shielded from the public domain for 24 hours.
Political analysts like Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu have raised doubts about the integrity of the judiciary, suggesting that the conflicting orders could tarnish its image.
They speculate that the order from the Federal High Court may have been influenced by external factors rather than adhering to the normal rules of law.
In light of these developments, there are calls for the judiciary to critically review the case and ensure that justice prevails. Many hope that the integrity of the judiciary will be upheld, as its reputation hangs in the balance amidst this contentious legal battle.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to providing affordable housing for civil servants through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation’s (OHCSF) Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme, aligning with pillar six of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 (FCCSIP-25).
Dr. Folasade Yemi Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), made this known during a site inspection of the ongoing construction of 116 housing units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows at Gwagwalada, which are set to be allocated to core civil servants upon completion.
Yemi-Esan urged all contractors involved in making the estate habitable to expedite action on the provision of electricity, water, and internal road networks in the housing estate.
The estate, fully funded by the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB) and constructed in partnership with some real estate developers, is slated to be commissioned in June as part of the activities marking the 2024 Civil Service Week.
Ibrahim Mairiga, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), disclosed that two developers have already completed and handed over their buildings to the Board.
The commissioning of the FISH Estate, Mairiga emphasized, will underscore the present administration’s commitment to enhancing the welfare and well-being of civil servants, in line with its Strategic Plan.
…No modern conflict can be successfully prosecuted using only one element of national power
The Honourable Minister of Defence, H E. Muhammed Badaru Abubakar, has advocated for jointness of Operations amongst all the security forces of the nation in combating modern conflicts saying that no modern conflict can be successfully prosecuted using only one element of national power.
The Minister said this while giving his closing remarks at the Air Power Consult Senior Leadership Forum on: “Emerging Trends and Threats in the Battle Space and their impact on employment of Airpower” .
According to Badaru, a nation needs a whole of government approach in fighting more modern conflicts. He said: “In reality and concomitant to this reality is that, in the use of the military element of national power, no single service can hope or expect to successfully overcome the modern hydra-headed complex conflicts. Therefore, we need to move away from paying mere lip service to something as fundamental to our success as a sector as Jointness.”
Furthermore, he said that Nigeria has conceptualized it. “We are using it in our training, we must adopt it in our operations. The Ministry of Defence will continue to enhance jointness within the armed forces, building upon the existing collaboration and cooperation that has been a hallmark since the inception of the present administration,” he explained.
He commended the organiser of the forum; a unique body of patriotic, retired senior Nigerian Air Force officers under the aegis of Air Power Consult, which was aptly described as “a body of thinkers”. “I appreciate you all for organizing this special forum to enlighten us and agitate our minds on emerging trends and threats in the contemporary battlespace, and their impact on the delivery and sustenance of Air Power,” he said.
“Your efforts and resources, in terms of time, intellectual and financial resources expended in putting together such an interaction as this, are clearly proofs of the patriotic zeal of these officers who despite having paid their dues and meritoriously served our nation and now retired, but still continue to concern themselves with the affairs of the Country,” he thanked them.
The Minister added that Air Power is essential and has a pivotal role in ensuring the successful outcome of any joint action and other aspects of modern conflict.
He said that the truth was perhaps at the root of the desire and clamour of every arm of our military and indeed the Nigeria Police and other para-military organizations like Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Federal Road Safety Corps to acquire organic air assets to support their individual operations.
“However, this desire and clamour must be interrogated dispassionately especially within the context of the fact that a whole Service, the Nigerian Air Force was established and is being funded and equipped to manage the nation’s air power,” he explained.
Also, the Minister explained that the emerging technologies are by their nature disruptive and particularly more so in the conduct of warfare and the resolution of conflicts. And to maintain our edge as the dominant military power in our region and to adequately confront the plethora of security challenges facing us as a nation, we must immediately begin to integrate these technologies into our warfighting capabilities. Our defence and services research and development outfits and must evolve from being mere “staff organizations” to actual development organizations.
“To this end, the Ministry of Defence will focus on establishing effective communication with the Ministries of Science and Technology, Communication, Trade and Investment, and other pertinent government ministries and agencies. This will facilitate the production and application of technologies developed by our research and development institutions,” he stated.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar kana, mni has said that Nigerian Government will continue to deepen military bilateral relations with the Tanzanian government.
Dr Kana stated this as contained in a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike Mnipr Director ( Information and Public Relations) of the ministry when he received the delegation from Tanzania National Defence College Course 12/2023/24 in Ship House who are on familiarization visit /study tour to Abuja.
According to him, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Tanzanian government have a good bilateral understanding on military relations.
He said that the familiarization visit/study tour by the Tanzanian National Defence College Course 12/2023/24 participants would open more high level discussion that will culminate into a more reinforced Military Cooperation as a working tool for greater achievements for Tanzania and Africa at large.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director Joint Services Department, Mrs. Olu Mustapha received the delegation on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Commodore BT Rutambuka, SDS Navy commended the Permanent Secretary on the military cooperation between both countries.
He appreciated the Permanent Secretary for granting them audience adding that their visit to Nigeria was to seek more knowledge on the activities of the defence sector of Nigeria that will help them excel in their career.
In a strategic move aimed at elevating the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission (FCT-CSC), Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has authorized the appointment of Umar Sanda Kuso as the Secretary of the FCT Civil Service Commission.
The appointment, formally communicated through a letter dated 16th April 2024 and signed by Dr. Udo Samuel Atang, the Head of the Civil Service, FCT, on behalf of the Minister, is slated for a tenure of five (5) years initially. This appointment, in accordance with the Act establishing the FCT Civil Service Commission, underscores the discretionary authority vested in the FCT Minister.
Kuso’s appointment carries with it the stipulated conditions of service and emoluments, subject to the Minister’s approval. The letter emphasizes the expectation for Kuso to actively contribute towards fulfilling the mandate of the Commission, thereby serving the residents of the FCT and the broader Nigerian populace.
Prior to assuming his new role as Secretary, Umar Sanda Kuso served commendably as the Director of Administration and Finance in the Land Administration Department of the FCT. Holding a degree in Political Science from Bayero University Kano, Kuso furthered his academic pursuit by obtaining a master’s degree from the same institution.
His educational background, complemented by his extensive tenure within the FCT Civil Service, positions Kuso as a proficient and adaptable administrator. Renowned for his adept administrative acumen and profound comprehension of civil service intricacies, Kuso has successfully navigated through various pivotal roles during his career trajectory.
The appointment of Kuso as the Secretary of the FCT-CSC underscores his remarkable administrative dexterity, which is indispensable for effectively managing intricate assignments within the FCT Administration.
Umar Sanda Kuso traces his roots to the Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State and leads a fulfilling personal life as a devoted family man with children. His inherent background and accrued experience uniquely qualify him to make significant contributions towards the operational objectives of the FCT Civil Service Commission.
As Umar Sanda Kuso embarks on his tenure as the Secretary of the FCT Civil Service Commission, stakeholders eagerly anticipate his leadership and anticipatory contributions towards propelling the Commission’s mandate forward and championing the welfare of FCT residents.
The Claimant before the Suit was a Staff of the Defendant employed as the Finance Manager whose employment was unlawfully terminated sometime on the 8th November, 2023.
As a rest of his unlawful termination of his employment, the Claimant filed a suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja division before Hon. Justice E.D. Subilin.
The Claimant is suing the Defendant for unlawfully terminating his employment as Finance Manager and claiming that the termination of his employment be declared unlawfu, and damages of #20,000,000 and other reliefs.
The matter came up for hearing of the motion on notice for injunction to restrain the Defendant from filling the position of Finance Manager pending the hearing and determination of the suit on the 6th March, 2024 and ruling/hearing fixed for 15th and 16th April, 2024.
As the matter came up for ruling on the 15th April, 2024, the Claimant was in court while the Defendant was represented by Grace Mamswa, Esq (Legal Adviser of the Defendant). C. B. Ameh, Esq appeared for the Claimant while Caleb N. Ramnap, Esq appeared for the Defendant. The court delivered the ruling against the Applicant stating that the act sought to be restrained had already been done and so the court could not restrain the Defendant.
As hearing proceeded, the Claimant testified for himself where exhibits were tendered and admitted as Exhibits 1-17 respectively and he was Cross Examined by the Defendant’s counsel. The matter was adjourned to 10th May, 2024 for continuation of hearing.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, issued a stern warning to the Coordinator of Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Mr. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, cautioning him against engaging in negotiations with contractors.
Instead, Wike emphasized the importance of Zulkiflu’s role in effectively coordinating activities in the satellite towns.
During the meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike underscored the significance of delivering tangible results and making a significant impact in the satellite towns in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
Highlighting the numerous ongoing projects in these areas, Wike urged Zulkiflu to ensure their successful implementation while maintaining accountability and transparency, particularly in sanitation efforts within the satellite towns.
The minister sternly warned against corrupt practices and assured that payments for cleaning services would be scrutinized to ensure satisfactory completion of the job before funds are disbursed.
Wike reminded Zulkiflu that his appointment presents an opportunity to contribute to national development and urged him to uphold the values of diligence and integrity in carrying out his duties. He reiterated his stance against praise singing, emphasizing that the coordinator’s actions would speak for themselves.
In conclusion, Wike charged Zulkiflu to align his efforts with the government’s commitment to improving living conditions in the satellite towns and driving the agenda for renewed hope and development in the FCT.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State took the opportunity at the Nigerian Police Awards and Commendation Night in Abuja to extend his heartfelt commendations to Commissioner of Police Mohammed Gumel for his exceptional contributions to maintaining peace in the state. Gumel’s recognition as the Community Policing Advocate of the Year Award recipient underscored his remarkable leadership and innovative approaches to crime prevention.
Yusuf lauded Gumel’s pivotal role in implementing effective community policing initiatives, which significantly contributed to enhancing peace and security across Kano State. Gumel’s strategic efforts, including the successful eradication of criminal elements from the notorious Dala Hills and the utilization of technology-driven policing methods, have yielded commendable results.
Having commenced his career as an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Gumel’s journey through various leadership roles within the Nigeria Police Force reflects his unwavering dedication and professionalism.
His extensive training, both locally and internationally, has equipped him with the necessary skills to excel in law enforcement.
Gumel’s exemplary service has not gone unnoticed, with recognition and awards bestowed upon him by prestigious organizations such as the UK Metropolitan Police Service and the UN Mission in Liberia Police Contingent Commander.
Furthermore, grassroots organizations and professional bodies have honored him for his outstanding commitment to service and leadership excellence.
Governor Yusuf’s acknowledgment of Gumel’s achievements underscores the significance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities in promoting peace and security.
Gumel’s dedication serves as a beacon of inspiration for fellow officers and underscores the positive impact of innovative policing strategies on society at large.
