Regional News
Nigeria Renews Suspension of Flights to Niger as Part of ECOWAS Resolutions. Nigeria Renews Suspension of Flights to Niger as Part of ECOWAS Resolutions – THISDAYLIVE
The federal government has renewed the suspension of commercial flights from Niger Republic to Nigeria and from Nigeria to the nation’s northern neighbouring country.
This was part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) resolutions against Niger Republic, which on July 26, 2023 ousted its duly elected President, Mohamed Bazoum in a coup and replaced by the Military junta, General Abdourrahamane Tchiani.
The restriction included the directive that no commercial flight from Niger should overfly Nigerian airspace and no flight from any Nigerian state should overfly Niger’s airspace.
Cameroun: Household benefit dominates govt’s fiscal expenditure in 2022. Cameroun: Household benefit dominates govt’s fiscal expenditure in 2022 – Business in Cameroon
(Business in Cameroon) – In 2022, households emerged as the primary recipients of fiscal expenditure in Cameroon, claiming 59.6% of the government’s total fiscal spending of CFA490.8 billion. This marked a year-on-year increase of CFA51.2 billion, with businesses receiving only 40.4%.
[[[[[[[According to the 2022 report on fiscal expenditures by the Ministry of Finance, household fiscal benefits constituted about 9.1% of the collected fiscal revenues, while those for businesses accounted for about 6.2%.
Pairiac Workshop in Douala eases access to European financing in Central Africa. Pairiac Workshop in Douala eases access to European financing in Central Africa – Business in Cameroon
Business in Cameroon) – On February 1, 2024, the Program for Regional Integration and Investment in Central Africa (Pairiac) conducted a workshop in Douala, Cameroon, focusing on fostering collaboration among regional stakeholders, the private sector, and European partners. The objective is to establish a platform facilitating access to European financing for development projects in Central Africa.
The workshop brought together representatives from regional economic communities (CEMAC and ECCAS), regional development banks, commercial banks, regional microfinance institutions, guarantee and investment funds, and financial markets. Philippe Tokpanou, Coordinator and Head of Mission for Technical Assistance at Pairiac, expressed optimism about the workshop.
Civilians flee as M23 rebels threaten to take Sake, Goma cities. Civilians flee as M23 rebels threaten to take Sake, Goma cities | Africanews
One of eastern Congo’s most active rebel groups is attacking a community considered the last line of defense before the region’s largest city of Goma, fleeing residents said Wednesday, even as the rebels claimed they had no intention to seize it again.
The M23 rebels in a statement, however, warned that “attacks targeting our forces and/or indiscriminate shelling of civilian population will be dealt with at their source.” The group rose to prominence a decade ago by seizing Goma, an important base for Congolese forces and for humanitarian workers.
Peace and Security
Senate adjourns briefing by service chiefs on worsening insecurity. Senate adjourns briefing by service chiefs on worsening insecurity – Vanguard News (vanguardngr.com)
The Senate has postponed the session on the briefing by service chiefs regarding insecurity until February 13, 2024.
According to the Senate, the adjournment will allow for the participation of all those involved in national security management.
The lawmakers were scheduled to hear from the security chiefs in the Senate chamber about the nation’s increasing level of insecurity today; but, due to the decision to expand the briefing, the Senate had to reschedule the meeting.
Ribadu Seeks UK Support To Fight Kidnapping, Terrorism, Others. Ribadu seeks UK support to fight kidnapping, terrorism, others – Daily Trust
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has sought the support of the United Kingdom government with a view to addressing some security challenges currently facing the country, including kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and oil theft.
Ribadu, who convened a second edition of UK-Nigeria Security Defense Partnership Dialogue in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the dialogue was in a decisive move to address the security challenges facing Nigeria and bolster regional and international security.
NYSC Has Stopped Posting Corps Members To Unsafe States – Federal Govt. NYSC Has Stopped Posting Corps Members To Unsafe States – Federal Govt (leadership.ng)
The Federal Government has said that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme are no longer posted to states considered unsafe in the wake of worsening security situations in the country.
Several corps members had been abducted in some parts of the country during their one-year mandatory national service, raising fears about the safety of participants in the scheme, which meant for national integration.
The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Ibrahim Bio, who disclosed this on Sunday night, said the Scheme has taken steps to secure corps members, including posting them only to safe places of primary assignment.
Hoodlums Kill 3 Soldiers, 2 Vigilantes In Nasarawa Community. Hoodlums kill 3 soldiers, 2 vigilantes in Nasarawa community – Daily Trust
There is tension in Nasarawa State following the killing of three soldiers and two vigilantes by a suspected militia group in Umaisha District, Toto Local Government Area of the state.
Daily Trust reported that on February 1, 2024, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen murdered three persons and destroyed property worth millions of naira in an attack on the village.
Bandits Threaten To Marry Bride, Sell 62 Wedding Guests. Bandits threaten to marry bride, sell 62 wedding guests – Daily Trust
The bandits who abducted women accompanying a bride to her matrimonial home at Damari, Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State last Thursday have released a video showing the captives.
In the video, which is currently trending on social media, the bandits threatened to tie the wedding knot between the already married lady and one of them, unless relations of the captors paid a ransom of N100 million to them.
Hardship: Fresh Protest Erupts In Niger After Arrest Of 25 People. Hardship: Fresh Protest Erupts In Niger After Arrest Of 25 People (leadership.ng) Residents of Suleja in Niger State yesterday took to the street to register their displeasure over the high cost of living in the country, Channels Television has reported.
The protest is coming after a similar protest in Minna, the state capital just two days ago.
Suleja, the commercial nerve centre of Niger State, is only a few kilometres away from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Zamfara Gov Inaugurates Trust Fund. Zamfara gov inaugurates trust fund – Daily Trust
Zamfara State government has inaugurated a 21-member Board of Trustees of the State Security Trust Fund intended to end banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
The state governor, Dauda Lawal, during the virtual inauguration of the board yesterday, reiterated his commitment to end the spate of banditry in the state.
Police Recover 4 Rifles, Ammunitions In Bauchi. Police recover 4 rifles, ammunitions in Bauchi – Daily Trust
Bauchi State Police Command has recovered three AK-47 riffles, one AK-49 riffle and nine empty magazines in Ningi LGA of the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Wakil, who disclosed this in a statement, said a suspicious polythene bag was sighted near River Chika-Chika, about 200m away from the main road along the Gida-Dubu quarters in the LGA.
NSCDC Summons Senior Officers Over Insecurity In FCT. NSCDC summons senior officers over insecurity in FCT – Daily Trust
The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Olusola Odumosu has tasked all the Area Commanders and Divisional Officers on the urgent need to end the current threats to security in the capital city.
He gave this charge on Wednesday during an emergency meeting with the concerned officers at the Command headquarters in Abuja.
6 die, 11 injured in Ebonyi auto crash. 6 die, 11 injured in Ebonyi auto crash — NEWSVERGE
The Sector Commander, FRSC, in the state, Igwe Nnabuife, told our correspondent in Abakaliki that the accident involved 17 persons.
Nnabuife noted that six persons died, while 11 were critically injured.
According to Nnabuife, the accident involved three vehicles, two articulated vehicles and a commercial bus belonging to Peace Mass Transit.
“It happened around 11:50 am at Onuwedu, Onueke axis, Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi.
“This is a multiple crash, and it was caused by wrong over-taking.
Hardship: Fresh Protest Breaks Out In Niger State. Hardship: Fresh protest breaks out in Niger State – Daily Trust
Two days after protesters stormed the streets of Minna, Niger State capital, over the rising cost of living, protesters have hit the streets of Suleja, also in Niger.
Suleja is about 46 kilometres away from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The protesters called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end the hardship because they were subjected to it.
They carried placards with inscriptions such as “Tinubu, Do Something Now!”; “Leadership Is All About Improving Lives”; “Nigerians Are Suffering”; “Stop The Hardship Now”, among others.
2 Killed, N40m Property Destroyed By Fire In Kano. 2 killed, N40m property destroyed by fire in Kano – Daily Trust
The Kano State Fire Service has said that two lives were lost while property worth N40,300,000 were destroyed by fire incidents in the month of January, 2024.
The spokesman of the service, Saminu Yusif Abudullahi, said they received emergency calls from their 29 stations across the state in the month under review.
He explained that, “We received 70 fire calls, nine rescue calls and 11 false alarms, while estimated property destroyed by fire in the month amounts to N40,300,000.
“Estimated property saved by the service is worth N95,600,700, two lives were lost while 24 lives were saved.”
Humanitarian
723 schools closed in 9 states over insecurity, IDPs, others – UNICEF. 723 schools closed in 9 states over insecurity, IDPs, others – UNICEF – Vanguard News (vanguardngr.com)
No fewer than 723 schools are reported to have been closed down in nine states across the country due to insecurity and occupation of the school premises by state and non-state actors, Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, including incidents of flood leading to obstruction of teaching and learning in the affected schools.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Safe School Data,(September 2023) the states affected included Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Imo, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states.
A breakdown of the data indicated that 26 schools were closed in Adamawa State, Benue had 28 of its schools closed, Borno 72 schools, Imo 62 schools, Katsina 61 schools, Kebbi 68 schools, Sokoto 115 schools, Yobe 15 schools and Zamfara 276 schools.
FG Moves To Curb Molestation Of School Children. FG moves to curb molestation of school children – Daily Trust
The federal government has expressed its determination to protect and ensure a safe learning environment for children in the country.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed this on Wednesday during the joint presentation of the manual of the Standard Operating Procedure for the Prosecution of Perpetrators of School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV) cases in Nigeria with the Federal Ministry of Education.
Mobilization and economic development
Shettima Inaugurates Committee To Unlock $2.5bn Green Economy. Shettima inaugurates committee to unlock $2.5bn Green Economy – Daily Trust
Vice President Kashim Shettima will today at the presidential villa, Abuja, inaugurate the committee that has been directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to develop Nigeria’s Carbon Market Activation Plan.
The inter-governmental committee is expected to guide the development of a National Carbon Market Activation Plan that will accelerate green growth and just energy transition.
Zulum plans subsidised petrol for farmers to boost food production. Zulum plans subsidised petrol for farmers to boost food production – Businessday NG
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has announced plans to provide petrol for farmers in Damasak at subsidised rates to enhance food security among residents. Most of the farmers are recovering from the state’s decade-long insurgency.
Zulum disclosed the plan on Tuesday while addressing newsmen after supervising the distribution of palliatives to vulnerable women and widows.
“For the farmers in this community, the primary energy source has been generators powered by fossil fuels. To alleviate this challenge, I will be assisting momentarily.
CBN Uncovers $2.4 Billion False Forex Claim Pressuring Naira – Cardoso. CBN Uncovers $2.4 Billion False Forex Claim Pressuring Naira – Cardoso (msn.com)
The CBN hired Deloitte to investigate the forex claims in order to get a true picture things, Cardoso said.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) uncovered invalid foreign overdue claims totalling $2.4 billion, which have pressured the naira for long and spooked the currency market, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso said on Monday.
Nigerian cost of living lowest in Africa, says presidency. Nigerian cost of living lowest in Africa, says presidency (msn.com)
Amid the soaring rate of inflation, the Presidency on Sunday claimed that Nigerians are enjoying the lowest living costs in Africa.
It also said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was focused on “solving our economic and security challenges,” and while admitting that his reforms would cause “immediate pains, but will usher in an era of prosperity in the medium and long terms.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, made these assertions in a statement he signed titled ‘Atiku Abubakar and his new hobby.’
Onanuga’s response followed accusations from the Peoples Democratic Party 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who said Tinubu’s economic policies were dashing hopes, creating pain, and causing despair among Nigerians.
Poultry farmers lament loss of N3trn investments to prevailing harsh economy. Poultry farmers lament loss of N3trn investments to prevailing harsh economy — NEWSVERGE
Poultry farmers nationwide said their members lost more than N3 trillion investments from the prevailing economic hardships in 2023 the country.
The farmers, under the aegis of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos State chapter, made the disclosure while speaking with our correspondent on Monday in Lagos.
The Lagos State Chapter Chairman of PAN, Mr Mojeed Iyiola, said the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country had forced majority of its members to quit the business.
NDLEA Secures 168 Years Jail Terms For 15 Drug Kingpins In 2023 – Marwa. NDLEA secures 168 years jail terms for 15 drug kingpins in 2023 – Marwa – Daily Trust
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has said 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 suspects were prosecuted and convicted in 2023.
Marwa who spoke on Wednesday at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja while addressing commanders, officers and men during an awards and commendations ceremony, said the convicts collectively got 168 years of imprisonment.
Court Orders FG To Fix Prices Of Goods In 7 Days. Court orders FG to fix prices of goods in 7 days – Daily Trust
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Federal Government to fix the prices of goods and petroleum products within seven days.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa gave the order yesterday while delivering judgment in a suit No FHC/L/CS/869/2023, filed by human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, against the Price Control Board and the Attorney-General of the Federation, listed as the first and second defendants.
Why Dried Tomato Price Continues To Rise In Katsina. Why dried tomato price continues to rise in Katsina – Daily Trust
The general decline in the volume of fresh tomatoes produced this year may lead to high demand and a rise in the cost of the dried variety in the forthcoming Ramadan and Sallah periods, Daily Trust reports.
According to the dealers, sun-drying of tomatoes was mainly a result of glut; so that farmers and dealers could mitigate the loss in the value of the produce; but which has now become a trend in the value chain of the produce.
Malam Muhammad Kokami, a tomato farmer and dealer, said with the growing population in the country and the high cost of production, tomatoes would hardly lose their value in their production circle, as was the case before.
88.4m People In Nigeria Living In Extreme Poverty – FG 88.4m people in Nigeria living in extreme poverty – FG – Daily Trust
Mr Temitope Fadeshemi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, says 88.4 million people in Nigeria are living in extreme poverty.
Fadeshemi spoke on Wednesday in Kaduna during the distribution of farm inputs and empowerment materials to 250 smallholder farmers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that he was represented by Bashir Abdulkadir, Director of Department of Extension Services of the ministry.
Egg Price Rises As Many Poultry Farms Shut Down In Kano. Egg price rises as many poultry farms shut down in Kano – Daily Trust
The recent hike in the prices of eggs and other poultry products in Kano State has generated a serious public concern, especially when the Muslim fasting period is fast approaching. Eggs are usually in high demand during the fasting period.
It was gathered that one egg new sells at N130 while a crate is N3,100. It was also revealed that despite the increase, eggs are gradually becoming scarce in the state metropolis, and that has raised a serious concern from the public as other poultry products are getting out of the reach of the common citizen.
