NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Housing: FG tasks agencies on synergy in achieving renewed hope agenda
General News

Housing: FG tasks agencies on synergy in achieving renewed hope agenda

197 total views today

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Federal Government has charged all agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to work in synergy to achieve the “Renewed Hope Agenda” Action Plan for housing development nationwide.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, gave the charge on Wednesday during a multi-agency meeting with all heads of agencies and institutions under his supervision in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, Dangiwa said the meeting was part of the efforts of President Bola Tinubu to ensure that all housing agencies tasked with housing Nigerians, worked together as partners and not at cross purposes.

“We have received extensive briefings from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), as part of our ministerial briefings since they fall directly under the ministry’s supervision.

“For the housing agencies under the Ministry of Finance, we have engaged Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL).

“Today, we heard from the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC).

“I must acknowledge that the management of NMRC has reached out earlier to meet with us; however, events have kept pushing it forward.

“Specifically, I called this meeting as part of the efforts of President Tinubu to ensure that all housing agencies that are tasked with housing Nigerians work together as partners.

The minister said under President Tinibu’s “renewed hope agenda” for housing, the government expects all federal housing agencies to work with the clear understanding that at the core of what they do is housing Nigerians.

He added that even though each institution might go by different names, the end result of their operations, “is enabling access to decent and quality housing for all Nigerians across all income segments.

“You all represent different categories of needs and target markets.

“For the social housing segment, we have the Family Homes Fund Limited; for the affordable housing category.

“We have the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and for the mid to high end of the market, we have the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

“The Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), on the other hand, has a wider role to play in developing the housing market and building a robust housing finance market through its mortgage refinancing that are designed to boost liquidity in the housing market.

“This includes housing reform initiatives such as the model mortgage foreclosure law, uniform underwriting standards, housing market management system, and its data initiatives.

Dangiwa noted that the country did not have shortage of institutions but decried how little they had gone to address the housing problems in the country.

“This is more so when we consider the state of the housing market, the systemic challenges we still confront, the estimated size of the housing deficit, the prevalence of slum dwellings, the cost of land acquisition, interest on mortgage loans, among several other challenges and how little progress we have made in addressing them.

“We are determined to change this embarrassing narrative.

“We no longer have the luxury of time to think about our mandates the way we have always done.

“With each passing month, each passing year, we are losing time while the problem is compounding.

“Our population is rapidly increasing, and the housing need and demand are rising.”

He tasked them to act with urgency while taking cognisance of the magnitude of the housing challenge in the country.

The minister noted that there were limitations such as systemic or macro-environment related, the rising inflation rate, the Land Use Act, Institutional Establishment Acts of the FHA and the FMBN, the obsolete provisions in the NHF Act, lack of government capital interventions, and other gaps in the housing value chain.”

He, however, said he believed that there still existed areas that could be leveraged on in spite of these challenges to make a greater impact.

“As the drivers of His Excellency’s vision at the ministry, we are establishing a solid and comprehensive framework for the reform of the housing and urban sector in the country.

“Our action plan includes: strengthening the Institutional capacity of federal housing agencies, including the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Federal Housing Authority (FHA), increasing the supply of decent and affordable housing stock, and the establishing a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF).

“We will implement land reforms to streamline land administration and ensure easy access to land for Nigerians and private sector players.

“We will set up Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs, implement urban renewal and slum upgrading programmes, and develop new cities that are integrated and inclusive, using a demand driven approach.”

Dangiwa stressed that all of these action plans would require the collaboration and participation of all agencies to successfully transform the housing sector.

“Going forward, you must forge stronger partnerships, leverage your strengths, and work together with a singular focus so that we can deliver decent, quality, and affordable housing to Nigerians.

“I look forward to having each of you rise up to the moment and unlock the potentials of your respective agencies to deliver on Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda for housing.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Vincent Obi

FG distributes fertilisers, other farm inputs to 60 farmers in Imo
Agriculture

FG distributes fertilisers, other farm inputs to 60 farmers in Imo

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By Victor Nwachukwu

The Federal Government has distributed 30 bags of NPK fertilisers and 20 cartons of herbicides to 60 farmers in Imo.

The Director, Department of Agricultural Extension Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Brooks Michael, supervised the distribution in Owerri on Wednesday.

Michael, represented by Mrs Dorothy Botar, a senior staff member of the ministry, said that each of the farmers would get half of the 50kg bag of fertilisers and four litres of pre and post emergence herbicides.

This, she said, was part of efforts by the Federal Government to ensure increased productivity and food security for Nigerians.

“The aim of this intervention is to increase farmers’ productivity and income as well as make food available to all Nigerians,” he said.

The ministry’s Director in Imo, Mr Chris Iwuchukwu, said the beneficiaries of the agricultural empowerment were drawn from all Local Government Areas of the state and urged the farmers to make judicious use of the inputs.

“The farm inputs are not for sale but for use by the farmers. We expect the beneficiaries to properly apply the inputs on their farms for optimal results,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Justina Njoku, a cassava farmer who hails from Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, thanked the Federal Government for the initiative and expressed the hope of increased harvest.

Another farmer, Mr Silas Nwachukwu of Ikeduru Council Area, advised young persons to embrace farming, rather than continue to wait for white collar jobs.

“We can create jobs ourselves through farming and I can confirm that there is money in agriculture,“ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Idris Abdulrahman

Energy transition: Africa requires .64trn for renewable energy sources – Sahara Group
Oil & Gas

Energy transition: Africa requires $2.64trn for renewable energy sources – Sahara Group

248 total views today

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Sahara Group says Africa requires about 2.64 trillion dollars, roughly the size of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to rely on renewable energy sources for electricity generation by 2050.

The company says Africa is expected to embrace more of natural gas and renewables for its energy in the coming years even as oil use will continue to increase.

The energy conglomerate said this at a workshop for the Energy Correspondent Association of Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja, tagged, “Energy Transition: The Road Not Taken.”

In a presentation, Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, said funds would be for the installation of the renewable energy sources.

This, she said, would also include infrastructure needed for generation, network and storage system as well as other enabling costs.

“Despite the promise of African renewable market, risks on three levels continue to prevent many investors from committing their capital,” she decried.

Gray listed the levels as macro, industry and transaction levels.

“Macro level comprises political risk which is associated with political events that adversely impact the value of investment, then off-taker risk which involves credit and default risk and currency risk associated with volatile forex rate that affects investment.

“Industry level comprises policy associated with taxes and regulatory policies that have adverse effect on projects, then grid and transmission risk associated with limitations, interconnection and liquidity risk associated with operational liquidity and revenue shortfall issues.

“Transaction level comprises of financing risk associated with financing instruments, then re-financing risk which bothers on loan, and technical risk associated with countries’ know-how for structuring and transactions,” she said.

She said while fossil fuel would continue to remain the major source of Africa Energy demand, particularly through oil, it was expected that there would be a major shift towards a modern and cleaner energy.

She said natural gas would now begin to play the role of bridging between more polluting fossil fuels and zero carbon technologies such as wind and solar energy.

According to her, biomass and coal are expected to experience the most significant drop-offs in the coming decades.

She stated that the company supplied 25 per cent of natural gas currently in Nigeria, adding that Africa is expected to embrace more of natural gas and renewable energy in coming years even as oil use continues to increase.

Gray, while advocating for value chain integration, funding, investment, de-risking and infrastructure to drive transition, said Sahara group would continue to make investments along the entire gas value chain from production to transportation to consumption. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

FG, NGO develop dashboard to monitor fistula, CS data in health facilities
Health

FG, NGO develop dashboard to monitor fistula, CS data in health facilities

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By Justina Auta

Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and USAID MOMENTUM Safe Surgery project have developed a dashboard on national District Health Information Systems (DHIS2) to monitor fistula and Caesarean Delivery data from health facilities across states.

Dr Gbenga Ijapdola, Head, Monitoring and Evaluation, Department of Planning, Research and Statistics, FMoH, revealed this at a two day- review meeting in Abuja with stakeholders from Bauchi, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Kebbi and the FCT.

The meeting was done in collaboration with USAID-Momentum Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics (MSSFPO) project, implemented by EngenderHealth, Nigeria.

Ijapdola revealed that the participants will discuss progress and challenges in reporting as the ministry prepares to develop the next national strategic framework 2024- 2030 for the elimination of obstetric fistula in Nigeria.

He said: ”This is to ensure we raise awareness and to make data available to policy makers and health administrators to increase use of evidence data for planning and management of services.

”We are going to look at the challenges we are facing in terms of making the data available, and what we need to do to improve on that.

“And ensure this forms part of the core towards reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in Nigeria.”

He added that the data will be used for planning, evaluation and enable them to develop strategies and refine implementation in fistula and safe motherhood programs in Nigeria.

Mr Jumare Abdulaziz, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Manager, MSSFPO, said the meeting is to review progress made in strengthening Health Information System (HIS) and use of evidence-based data across intervention states.

” The meeting also allows us to co create a National fistula tracker with key stakeholders from the Federal Ministries of Women Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty alleviation as well as Social Registry Units.

” Last year we saw a report from the DHIS2 national system that some fistula centres conducted less than 20 fistula repairs between January to December 2021.

” So as of now, we have data that is entered every month from those fistula centres and we have seen that we have 100 -150 fistula repairs that have been conducted in one of the facilities in the last 10 months,” he said.

According to him, the data will enable the government to know the number of fistula cases, number of fistula repairs conducted.

He added that it will help in planning based on data, as well as make provision for budgeting in their annual operation planning and budgeting processes to address all the health system issues that contribute to fistula in the country.

Prof. Johnson Obina, Medical Director, National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, expressed appreciation to the USAID MOMENTUM Safe Surgery for their support in contributing to ending fistula in Nigeria.

”We want to thank the EngenderHealth team, we have really made a lot of progress, data was a problem because we were doing surgery, but there was no reporting at the center.

”But with their intervention, we now have access to the national dashboards and our programs are now being reported directly from the center.

”They have also supported our health management information system, what I met when I took over is not what is on ground now,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Haruna Lawal-Mohammed, Acting Director, Medical Services, Kebbi State, said: ” We are no longer talking about only surgical repairs because we have gone far beyond that.

”What we are doing is how to rehabilitate and reintegrate those clients into the society, so that they can survive on their own, gainfully employed, despite stigmatization trends,” he said.

Dr Mohammed Alkali, the Executive Chairman Bauchi State Hospital Management Board (HMB), said: ” We have started seeing a lot of improvement in terms of reporting and awareness.” (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

FG urges African countries to reposition local content for oil, gas
Oil & Gas

FG urges African countries to reposition local content for oil, gas

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By Okon Okon
The Federal Government says is time for African countries to reposition local content in the oil and gas sector to maximise value chain, boost the sector and develop the continent.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), made the call  at the 3rd Edition of the African Local Content Roundtable in Abuja.
The two-day Roundtable with the theme, ”Enhancing Local Content Development and deployment in Africa Oil and Gas Industry” was being organised by the Heritage Times.
The meeting is an annual gathering of stakeholders in Africa’s Oil and Gas industry.
The aim is to review the approaches and regulations employed to drive local content along the industry’s value chain, and address the imminent challenges.
The minister said that the gathering was organised to build a data base of available skills as a means of leveraging African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) protocol to ease mobility of labour among member countries, thereby reducing dependence on western nations for manpower expertise.
He commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and other partners for sponsoring the event.
He added that hosting of the roundtable was in line with the renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister said that the president’s agenda is anchored on positioning the Nigerian economy to look inwards for goods, services and manpower needs of strategic sectors of the country’s economy.
According to Lokpobiri, Africa is largely known for supplying raw materials to other countries of the world with capacity and capability to explore, produce and process its hydrocarbon resources into petroleum derivatives for its own use and the export markets.
“We recognise the immense economic and social impact that hydrocarbon reserves hold. With an estimated 125 billion barrels of oil equivalent, the African continent collectively hosts about 10 per cent of global hydrocarbon reserves.
“The gathering is a significant asset base to drive development; it is African responsibility to exploit the oil and gas resources for the benefit of the citizens, business community and governments of respective countries.
“On behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I would like to express my deep appreciation to all the distinguished delegates who have travelled from different countries to join us today.
“Your presence is a testament to the commitment we share in harnessing the potentials of Africa’s hydrocarbon resources,” Lokpobiri stressed.
Similarly, the Secretary-General of the  African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), Dr Omar Ibrahim, observed that for the past 100 years,  Africa had been producing Oil and Gas.
Ibrahim added that, in spite of the billions of dollars that the continent had made from the sector, it was still dependent on foreign investment to carry out oil and gas projects in Africa.
“We have continued to be dependent on oil technologies developed from outside, even when we have the oil and gas resources. We have been conditioned to believe that it is normal.
“In spite of our rich resources,  Africa remains the continent with the largest proportion of its population living in energy poverty.
“Over 600 million people in the continent do not have access to electricity, and over 900 million do not have access to any form of modern energy for cooking and domestic use.
“We export over 70 per cent of our oil and over 40 per cent of our gas.
“These are the challenges facing the oil and gas industry in Africa, and these are the challenges that we must collectively address,” Ibrahim stressed.
He further explained that, APPO is committed to changing the pathetic situation, adding that Africa must be allowed to use its over 125 billion barrels of oil and over 600 trillion cubic feet of gas to lift its people out of poverty.
Also contributing, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Simbi Wabote, said the expectations from the forum was to creat an opportunity to support credible action plans from the panelists to enhance the oil and gas sector in Africa.
In achieving this, Wabote said an enabling regulatory framework backed with appropriate legislation was required to practice local content in Africa.
He further explained that the law must promote an enabling investment rather than becoming a stumbling block.
“In Nigeria, we started with policy directives to different local content practice in our oil and gas sector in 2010.
“We enacted the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Development Content Act which gives stronger legal backing for implementation of the policies,” Wabote said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted oil experts across Africa to deliberate, form a collaborative  platform to deepen economic integration among member countries in key areas such as:
Synergy in vocational training, professional development and many others.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Sadiya Hamza
Information minister restates support for broadcast industry
General News

Information minister restates support for broadcast industry

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By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has restated support and commitment to the growth and development of the broadcast industry in Nigeria and beyond.
Idris made the declaration at the 13th edition of 2023 AFRICAST Conference in Lagos.
The conference, with the theme: “Broadcasting content, synergy, finance, and market”, is organised by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
According to him, the industry is a subset of Nigeria’s economy, which is critical to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the economic vision of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The minister expressed delight that the conference had become a pinnacle event in the African broadcasting sector.
He added that AFRICAST had garnered a reputation for its remarkable thought leadership, knowledge sharing, networking, opportunities and commercial prospects.
He stated that AFRICAST was conceived by the NBC as a response to Africa’s flourishing broadcasting sector, which aimed to connect broadcasters, content platforms, production houses, and equipment manufacturers through panel discussions.
Highlighting the economic potential of the broadcast industry, the minister emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector to create viable pipelines of profitability.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure Nigeria’s successful migration to Digital Switchover (DSO) in broadcasting, address previous challenges and adopting global best practices. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman
AFRIDU set for inauguration to help African descents reunite with ancestral home
Foreign

AFRIDU set for inauguration to help African descents reunite with ancestral home

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By Angela Atabo

The African Diaspora Union (AFRIDU), an International pan-African diplomatic organisation, is set for inauguration in Nigeria with a view to paving the way for Africans living across the world to reunite with their ancestral homes.

King Alfred Diete Spiff, Chairman of AFRIDU-Nigeria and Special Envoy of the African Union 6th Region said this in Abuja on Wednesday during a news briefing organised ahead of the International Conference of African Descents in Diaspora and Formal Launching of AFRIDU, Nigeria.

According to Spiff, the conference with the theme: “Fostering Global Partnership with African Descents in Diaspora for Economic and Infrastructural Development of Nigeria,” will lay the foundation for charting a way forward for African people whose great grandparents were taken away to foreign lands during the slave trade.

“These African descendants desire to return to their ancestral homes, especially those of Nigerian origin, for restoration, reconnection, and investment.

“AFRIDU was initiated as a civic organisation to propagate and work with various private organisations, institutions, and government agencies to mobilise African descents to return home for economic and infrastructural development of the continent.

“AFRIDU aims to foster unity, solidarity, and empowerment among the African descent in the Diaspora.

“The launching of AFRIDU Nigeria will serve as an important platform to bring together leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the world to discuss and explore investment opportunities and partnerships in various sectors of our economy,” Spiff said.

African diaspora populations include but are not limited to African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latin Americans, and Black Canadians – descendants of enslaved Africans taken to the United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America during the Atlantic slave trade.

Spiff said that the conference would provide a unique networking environment for attendees to engage with potential investors, industry experts, and government officials.

He said that some of the African diasporas were well-to-do and successful people seeking to return home and establish a mega city in the likeness of the Vatican City in Rome, but not all African countries were open to the idea.

According to him, the idea of a mega city within a country in Africa is generating a lot of trepidation so much so that many consider yielding land for the project an impossibility perhaps out of fear of displacement.

He, however, said, “Nigeria is a big country. We are not afraid that anybody is going to come in with any amount of money and topple the government like some other countries are thinking would happen to them.

“Some countries have been very conservative and are not ready to receive them with open arms.

“They (diaspora population) feel a bit disappointed, but they are also very determined to return home.

“They have a group  – that calls itself `The Right to Return’. None of us can tell them they cannot come back to their roots.

“They feel they are part of us and want to come home.

“All they want is to come and give us all the expertise and the help that Africa needs to stand out in the world.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike are expected to grace the occasion as special guests.

Diplomats, some state governors, and heads of agencies saddled with the responsibility of catering to diaspora matters are also expected to attend the one-day international conference which will be held on Nov. 2 in Abuja. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Registration: NNL postpones 2003-2024 League kick-off date
Sports

Registration: NNL postpones 2003-2024 League kick-off date

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By Muhyideen Jimoh
The board of the  Nigeria National League (NNL) has postponed the kick off date of the 2023-2024 league season to a yet to be announced date.
Chairman of the NNL board, George Aluo said the postponement was necessitated by the inability of teams to complete their registration process.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the League was originally scheduled  to kick off on Oct. 28,
Aluo said the board in arriving at the decision took into cognisance the inability of teams to meet up with the Oct. 25 registration deadline, because of the economic situation in the country.
“We regret to announce that the 2023/2024 league season originally planned to kick off this Saturday at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom state has been postponed to a new date which will be communicated to teams once clubs finish formalisation of registration process,” he said.
The Chairman advised clubs to conclude their registration before Nov. 3 , noting that once registration is concluded, the board will announce a new date for the commencement of the league.
He however warned that teams who fail to meet up with the new registration date will not participate in the league. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Red Carpet Protocol founder launches 3 new magazines
General News

Red Carpet Protocol founder launches 3 new magazines

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By Patricia Amogu
Earl Osaro Onaiwu, the Founder of Red Carpet Protocol Ltd., a reputation management and VIP protocol company has launched three new magazines into the media market.
The magazines are Mandate 36; Talk of the Town; and Osaronno.
Speaking on the launch of the magazines, Onaiwu, said the publications “are curated to make a significant impact in the media industry by offering captivating content that caters to diverse interests.
“We are thrilled to introduce these three exceptional magazines to the public.
“Each publication has been carefully curated to offer an extraordinary reading experience, and tailored to meet the specific interests of our esteemed readers.
“They are a testament to our commitment to excellence and our passion for delivering top-tier media content.”
 He said the introduction of the new magazines into the media space “further solidifies Red Carpet Protocol Ltd’s position as an industry leader.”
According to him, Mandate 36, the first and only magazine dedicated to showcasing the activities of the 36 state governors, promises to become an essential source of information for readers seeking insights into the leadership and achievements of influential figures.
“It aims to foster a deeper understanding of the role and impact of state governors on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
“Talk of the Town magazine, another pioneering addition to Red Carpet Protocol Ltd’s repertoire, will provide an exclusive platform for sharing compelling stories and insights about news-makers from various industries.
“This magazine will serve as the go-to source for readers desiring to gain a comprehensive understanding of the exceptional individuals who shape Nigeria’s societal landscape.
“Osaronno, the third magazine being launched, encapsulates a world of men’s fashion and style,” he said.
Onaiwu stated that with its impeccable editorial content, Osaronno aims to redefine fashion trends and elevate men’s fashion sense to new heights. Osaronno will be a guidebook, merging elegance and sophistication with modern flair.
“The magazines will be available in leading outlets across Abuja.
“Readers can also subscribe to digital editions and explore the latest issues through the official websites of Mandate 36, Talk of the Town, and Osaronno.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the launch of the three magazines represents a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward enriching the country’s media landscape. (NAN)
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
DSS confirms release of former EFCC boss
Defence/Security

DSS confirms release of former EFCC boss

234 total views today
By Monday Ijeh
The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally confirmed the release of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Dr Peter Afunanya, the Director Public Relations and Strategic Communications of the DSS, confirmed the release of Bawa in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the former EFCC boss was released on Wednesday night but did not give details of the deal.
“DSS confirms release of former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, a  few hours ago, today, Oct. 25,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the former EFCC boss had been in the detention of the DSS since June 14 after his suspension by the Federal Government. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman
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