NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Makinde presents staff of office to new Soun of Ogbomoso
Entertainment

Makinde presents staff of office to new Soun of Ogbomoso

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By David Adeoye
The installation processes of the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso, on Tuesday, climaxed with the presentation of staff of office/instrument of office to , Oba Ghandi Olaoye by Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Makinde, in his remarks, urged the 62-year-old traditional ruler to take steps that would ensure unity in Ogbomoso land.

He also enjoined that the new Soun to embark on activities that would fast-track development in the ancient town.

The governor, who noted that there wasn’t a central traditional council in the state, said that the new royal father should work toward ensuring that there was unity among traditional rulers in the state.

He particularly called Oba Olaoye to work assiduously to ensure that the State Council of Traditional Rulers became functional again.

Makinde said that his administration would soon reconstruct the House of Chiefs within the secretariat complex to allow the traditional rulers to hold their meetings in a conducive atmosphere.

He called other contestants to the Soun throne to put the experience behind them and support the new traditional ruler.

“I’m looking forward to seeing those who went to court to challenge the new oba withdrawing their cases as a show of love for Ogbomosoland,” he said.

In his address, Oba Olaoye appealed to all the stakeholders in the Ogbomoso land project to join hands with him to ensure that the ancient town attained its great potentials.

“It is a well known fact that the sons and daughters of Ogbomoso land are among the most industrious entrepreneurs in this country.

“No community can embark on any significant development that we want for Ogbomoso land without government’s inputs.

“We are thankful for the roles that the governments at all levels – federal, state and local governments – are playing in the development of Ogbomoso land,” he said.

He particularly appreciated the Makinde-led administration for the attention given to Ogbomoso since its inception.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the historic ceremony, which kick-started Oba Olaoye’s reign, was held at Ogbomoso Stadium.

NAN also reports that a galaxy of dignitaries from all walks of life, including former Vice-President Yemi Osibajo, Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun and Kwara Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, witnessed the event.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, was represented at the occasion by Mr Olusekun Adekunle, while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse and Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi were also present.

NAN recalls that the Soun stool became vacant after the passing away of Oba Jimoh Ajagungbade in December 2021 at the age of 95, after reigning for 48 years. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Plea bargain enhances quick recovery of stolen assets, crime proceed – Fagbemi
Judiciary

Plea bargain enhances quick recovery of stolen assets, crime proceed – Fagbemi

504 total views today
By Ebere Agozie
The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, says plea bargain enhances the quick recovery of stolen assets and proceeds of crime.
Fagbemi said this at the unveiling of the ‘Plea Bargaining Guidelines for Federal Prosecutors, 2023 and the maiden sensitization workshop on the Guidelines on Tuesday in Abuja.
“Under section 494(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, Plea Bargain is well described as the “the process in criminal proceedings whereby the defendant and the prosecution work out a mutually acceptable disposition of the case.
“This include the plea of the defendant to a lesser offence than that charged in the complaint or information and in conformity with other conditions imposed by the prosecution, in return for a lighter sentence than that of the higher charge subject to the court’s approval.
“It is also one of the mechanisms that can facilitate cost effective, timely and sustainable decongestion of Custodial Centers”.
He, however, noted that the practice of plea bargaining in serious and complex cases especially when the defendant is a politically exposed person or high net individual, is often misunderstood as a means of giving soft landing to individuals who have looted the resources of the State and commonwealth of the nation.
“This negative perception was more common prior to 2015 when there was no specific statutory provision regulating the practice of plea bargaining.
“Today, this perception has not significantly changed notwithstanding the provisions of section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
And, similar provisions in the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of the various States of the Federation which now provide for plea bargaining.
“This has necessitated the need for standard guidelines for the implementation of plea bargaining provisions contained in our laws”.
He said the objective of these guidelines is to, inter alia, guide the prosecution and the defence in reaching a plea bargain agreement that is in the interest of justice, the public interest, public policy and the need to prevent abuse of legal process.
He added that the guidelines unveiled would promote standardisation, enhance the effective implementation of the plea bargaining provisions in the ACJA and significantly contribute and stimulate overall efficiency of the criminal justice system in Nigeria.
“The effective deployment of plea bargain provisions will therefore reduce the financial cost of prosecutions, hasten trial processes, eliminate uncertainty of trials, facilitate the quick return of stolen assets and generally enhance the efficiency of the Criminal justice system”.
He noted that considering these advantages, he counted it a great privilege to encourage states to adapt or adopt the provisions of these guidelines, especially when dealing with plea negotiation of federal offences.
The minister said the guideline was a product of a cumulative effort of all the prosecuting agencies and other stakeholders.
“I must therefore commend the efforts of every stakeholder institution, particularly all the prosecuting agencies involved in the production of these Guidelines for your dedication and commitment to the reforms in the Criminal Justice Sector especially towards the development of these Guidelines.
The minister said It was his conviction that these guidelines will not only enhance public confidence in plea bargaining process in Nigeria, but will reduce case backlog and congestion of correctional centres.
“It will ensure that the principles of accountability, equity, integrity and transparency are observed in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion on plea bargain, in line with international best practices”.
Also speaking, the Chief Justice of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf described the new guidelines as the newest addition into the armoury of the Nigerian Criminal Justice System protocol and procedures.
Plea bargaining, he restated, had become one of the prominent features in the criminal justice system of many jurisdictions across the globe including Nigeria..(NAN)(www.nannews.ng
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edited by Sadiya Hamza
FCTA to relocate Abuja community sitting on Presidential Air Fleet plots – Official
Metro

FCTA to relocate Abuja community sitting on Presidential Air Fleet plots – Official

181 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Department of Development Control, FCT Administration, says it is considering relocating part of Nuwalege community, occupying a portion of Presidential Air Fleet, along Airport Road, Abuja.

The Director of the department, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, made this known during an engagement with the community members on Tuesday in Abuja.

Galadima explained that the proposed removal followed a request by the Nigerian Air Force, adding that the community shares boundary with the Presidential Air Fleet.

He said that some of the houses in the community occupy parts of the Presidential Air Fleet plots and needed to be removed.

He explained that, if concluded, between 150 and 200 houses would be demolished in the community, including commercial stores attached to the houses.

About a month ago, the authority of the Nigerian Air Force wrote to the minister on the need to remove part of the village sitting on part of the Presidential Air Fleet plots.

“This is why we are here today, to discuss with the community, because it will be unfair to just bring machines here and start removing peoples’ houses.

“We had already visited the Chief of the community at his palace and informed him of the development, and the need for the community engagement which we are having today.

“We are coming back again for a wider consultation involving the Nigerian Air Force, our colleagues and the community heads,” he said.

The director said that community leaders have no objection to the proposed removal but appealed to the Nigerian Air Force to resettle the occupants of the affected houses.

The director, however, said that he was not aware if compensation was paid or not, but promised to find out from the Air Force and the FCT administration’s Department of Resettlement and Compensation. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Automotive Council urges ban of imported used cars above 20 years
Economy/Business , Science & Tech

Automotive Council urges ban of imported used cars above 20 years

337 total views today

By Lucy Ogalue

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has advocated the ban on importation of used cars above 20 years into the country.

The Director-General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, said this at a Public Sector Engagement on the Implementation of the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP 2023- 2033) held in Abuja.

Osabipin said the agency would work with relevant agencies to put an age limit of 20 years on importation of used vehicles.

He said this move would encourage the assembling and manufacturing of locally produced vehicles and prevent the country from being used as a dumping ground.

“Again, we need to talk to our colleagues, especially in customs, to start putting age limits on used cars. We cannot allow Nigeria to be a dumping ground for used vehicles.

“A situation in which 2000 to 2007 used vehicles are brought into Nigeria is unacceptable. So we will collaborate with relevant authorities to this effect.

“And, apart from that, we will have to specify the minimum standard that has to be in a vehicle for it to come to Nigeria,” Osanipin said.

According to the director general some vehicles coming into Nigeria that do not have airbags, and we still allow them into the country, this has to stop.

Osanipin underscored the significance of the stakeholders’ engagement in developing and implementing the Federal Government’s automotive policy.

The NADDC boss said the agency was designed to address key sector challenges such as low production levels, insufficient local content and limited finance.

”We are going to start what we call deletion policy which is contained in the NAIDP being reviewed today because that is the only way we can grow our local content.

“That’s the only way we can develop our parts. We are working to identify the components part we can produce in Nigeria.

“We are looking at the production of tyres, plastic, foams, leather, and even batteries.

“The sooner we identify these and component manufacturers that can do this according to our standard, the better for us.”

The director-general, who emphasised the importance of standards in production, said if the parts produced are of the standard, they would be recommended to assemblers and existing markets.

He further said that producing these local components would enable the council and relevant agencies to delete the importation of all items produced locally in the country.

Osanipin said: “if we can start this, gradually we will grow our local content and start employing Nigerians, more investment will get to the sector, and then we will be able to achieve NAIDP’s mandate.

“So, we need everyone to work together. We believe if we all work together, the kind of investment this sector can generate is mind-boggling.

“We need to develop our local content to conserve foreign exchange, and by the time we conserve it, we will be able to increase the value of the naira.”

Meanwhile, Mr Bawo Omagbitse, Chairman of the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturing Association (NAMA), urged that the industry’s market should be expanded, pledging NAMA’s commitment to NAIDP implementation.

Also, Pat Iruke, representing the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi, said there was no economy without investment, and policy was critical for investment to thrive.

She urged the Federal Government to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country as it was a sure way to boost investments.

On his part, the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, represented by Musa Ibrahim, his Director, Road Transport and Mass Transit. Said there could not be growth without productivity.

He urged the NADDC to collaborate with relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of Steel, to ensure local production of machines.

He reiterated that this would help grow our industries and boost foreign exchange in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the event was attended by representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Bank of Industry(BOI) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

Representatives of KPMG, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) were also in attendance.

All the stakeholders commended the efforts of the NADDC towards sanitising Nigeria’s automotive industry while pledging their financial, advisory, and other support. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=============
Edited by Benson Iziama/Isaac Aregbesola

Family members, friends eulogise late COAS at Night of Tribute
Defence/Security

Family members, friends eulogise late COAS at Night of Tribute

166 total views today

 

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Family members, friends and colleagues of the late former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Chris Alli, on Tuesday eulogised the late general at a Night of Tribute in his honour.

The event was organised by the Ohiku Egbira Descendant Union (OEDU) in Abuja as part of the funeral activities of the former army chief, who was also the Chiarman, Board of Trustees of OEDU.

Dignitaries at the Night of Tribute in honour of the late former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), retired Maj.-Gen. Chris Alli, organised by the Ohiku Egbira Descendant Union (OEDU) in Abuja on Tuesday (19/12.23)

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the late army chief on Nov. 19, passed on at the age of 79 after a brief illness at the Military Hospital Lagos.

The Chairman of the occasion and Member Board of Trustees of OEDU, Prof. Tom Adaba, thanked the guests for the honour done to the Egbiras and the late Gen. Alli.

Adaba said that the late general had been a humanist, democrat and supporter of justice who was always ready to give his best at all times for the nation.

According to him, if everyone who had been in leadership positions in this country was like late Gen. Alli, the nation would have been better than what it is.

He prayed to God to comfort and guide the family and called on the government and people to immortalise late Gen. Alli for his contributions to humanity and nation building.

A former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, said the late COAS was his superior in the army who helped to shape his career in the military.

Agwai said he got to know Gen. Alli much closer when he had the privilege of serving as Nigeria’s Defence Adviser in Harare, Zimbabwe.

According to him, Alli was the first Defence Advisor in Harare.

“So when I was being posted to Harare, a lot of people said make sure you see him before you leave and I got an opportunity of seeing him.

“He gave me all the titbits that I needed and honestly, everyone of them became very helpful,” he said.

Agwai described the late COAS as a man of very few words, but very meaningful, adding that he loved to share and to encourage the younger ones to grow.

“He was a wonderful person and even in retirement you saw his integrity that he would be sorted not only by his community but all other people in the country,” he added.

Also, Sen. Tunde Ogbeha, a retired Army General, described Gen. Alli as a patriot who loved his country, worked for his country and was prepared to contribute in whatever form.

Ogbeha added that Alli was also a family man who possessed and exhibited all the qualities of a general and a gallant soldier.

He urged young military officers to emulate his commitment, integrity, hard work and patriotism.

The National President of OEDU, Dr Musa Ahmadu, said the late COAS was a leader with the passion for a united Egbira people all over the country.

Ahmadu said the late general was a pillar of unity and development of Egbira, Kogi State and the nation in general.

“He was a great unified and one of our staunchest pillar of support who stood solidly by the ideals of a unified Egbira Nation,” he said.

The first son of the late former COAS, Churchill Alli, described his late father as bold and fearless, a man of truth who respected all but feared no one.

He said his father taught the children to be bold and fearless in speaking their minds, adding that the vacuum left by him could not be filled.

NAN reports that several retired and serving military officers as well as prominent Egbira sons and daughters graced the occasion. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Group hails military’s commitment to national peace, stability
Defence/Security

Group hails military’s commitment to national peace, stability

142 total views today

 

By Sumaila Ogbaje

A group, National Equality and Justice Forum, has commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for its sincere commitment to a peaceful and stable Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement by the President of the Forum, Elder Venatius Obi and Secretary, Mallam Gambo Shema, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The group commended the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, for his openness in addressing national security challenges.

It said his sincerity and openness was inspiring, and would engender more commitment by troops in the fight against insecurity in the country.

The forum also said there has been more cohesion by the military in tackling the challenges since the CDS took over.

“Troops are successfully rescuing kidnapped victims and dealing with unrepentant bandits and terrorists.

“NAF air strikes are obliterating the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists and criminals across the country.

“While Operatives of the Nigerian Navy are successfully arresting oil thieves and securing our maritime domain,” it added.

The forum urged Nigerians to continue to support the military to ensure peace and stability in the country.

“Like the CDS said, securing Nigeria is not just for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, but for all citizens.

“The National Equality and Justice Forum will continue to use it’s platform to continue to solicit the support and cooperation of all in ensuring the security challenge is a thing of the past.

“The sacrifices of our troops will never be in vain, we must support and encourage them,” the group added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Media firm cautions journalists against negative  reportage  on  women
General News

Media firm cautions journalists against negative  reportage  on  women

125 total views today

 

By Angela Atabo

PRNigeria, a media organisation, has called for an end to negative media stereotyping of women in Nigeria as promiscuous species.

Ms Rahma Oladosu ,Staff Writer, PRNigeria, said at a news briefing in Abuja on Monday, that there has been lots of misinformation, disinformation, fake news and stereotypes against Nigerian women, in the media landscape.

Oladosu said that was why female staff of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, called the news conference to address the issue.

“As media practitioners and concerned Nigerian women, we have noticed with dismay, the dangerous tendency of the media in Nigeria.

“Those involved often sensationalise and escalate any story or incident that is targeted at generalising negativity, and destroying the hard-earned reputation of the womenfolk in this country.

“A seemingly misogynistic section of the Nigerian press has been portraying our women as morally bankrupt, unintelligent and having nothing to offer, apart from their makeup and bodies.

“Our women are being portrayed as people who are meant to have fewer opinions on issues that surround them and also as the inferior ones who are supposed to depend on others for validation”, she said.

Oladosu said the tendency, on the part of the media as gatekeepers to excitedly jump at any negative claim about a Nigerian woman, escalate it, so that fellow misogynists could use it to taunt, torment and abuse the entire gender, is worrisome.

She said that it was this sort of mindset that recently led many Nigerian newspapers to publish and celebrate a false story which claimed that Nigerian women were the most unfaithful in the world.

“Sometimes in September, a video went viral on WhatsApp groups, and it was titled: “Nigerian women are the most unfaithful in the world – Durex.

“This video, claimed, with magisterial authority, that Nigerian women are the most promiscuous and unfaithful in the world.

“A quick search on Google also revealed that many reputable newspapers and blogs in Nigeria, at different times, feasted on the story with similar distasteful headlines,” Oladosu said.

She said that as an investigative platform, interested in unearthing the truth, PRNigeria was curious on how and why Nigerian women could be rated the most unfaithful in the world.

She said the fact-checks, carried out, revealed that a Durex survey was misrepresented and mischievously misinterpreted for sensationalism on Nigerian women, by mainstream and online media in the country.

Oladosu said in the light of these issues, PRNigeria was demanding that the report be taken down by the media houses that had published them recently, and the ones who did so many years ago.

“We also demand that our media houses should improve their gatekeeping process, to detect false reports and stereotypes.

“Rather than joining the mob, to undeservedly shame women, Nigerian media should spotlight the greatness of the womenz and celebrate the professionals and business leaders among them, who are making the country proud, both locally and internationally.

“The gender stereotypes are just too much. You don’t have to be a woman; you only need to be a human being to know this is wrong, and it has to stop,” she said

Oladosu called on Nigerian media practitioners to stop the stereotype and stop seeing Nigerian women in all the negativity they can imagine.

She added that the time has come for media stakeholders to start seeing the positivity in women ,the brilliancy, the vision, patriotism, the sense of sacrifice, the doggedness, the can-do spirit and the never-say-die attitude in many of them. (NAN)

Edited by Idowu Ariwodola/Bashir Rabe Mani

Dare rallies support for new Soun of Ogbomoso
General News

Dare rallies support for new Soun of Ogbomoso

130 total views today
By Muhyideen Jimoh
The former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Chief Sunday Dare, has urged sons and daughters of Ogbomoso to support the new Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye
(Orumogege lll).
Dare, who is the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland  stated this on Tuesday in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, at the official presentation of staff of office to the Oba by Gov. Seyi Makinde of the state.
The former minister stressed the need for natives and residents of the ancient town to work together with the traditional ruler for the
sustainable peace, progress and development of Ogbomoso Land.
Dare, who was the Chairman of the media and publicity sub-committee of the Central Coronation Planning Committee (CCPC), expressed optimism that Oba Olaoye’s reign will usher good tidings to Ogbomoso.
 “Today is a happy day. I thank God Almighty for giving us the opportunity to witness this historic day.
“I congratulate all of us in Ogbomosoland. I have no doubt that the reign of his Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Orumogege lll) will bring sustainable peace, progress and development to Ogbomoso Land.
“I urge all of us to give him our full support, love and cooperation. The success of his Imperial Majesty depends greatly on our loyalty, cooperation and support.” Dare said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Soun was on Tuesday presented with the staff of office and certificate as the 21st Soun of Ogbomoso.
The grand event was attended by former
Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, former military governor of the state, retired Gen. Oladayo Popoola, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Olu of Warri, Oba Ogiame Atuwatse among other dignitaries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bayo Sekoni
AfDB: Boosting public finance management through capacity building
Features

AfDB: Boosting public finance management through capacity building

300 total views today

A news analysis by Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Public financial management implies the elements of budget cycles built around auditing, accounting and reporting, budget formulation, execution and performance.

Its main focus is economic and governance reform programmes for developing economies emphasising transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline, predictability with the purpose of strengthening public finances.

Experts say that for a continent grappling with poor infrastructure and low budget performance corruption, Africa needs increasing number of experts in public finance management.

To advance this course, African Development Institute (ADI) of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group recently graduated the first cohort of trainees of its Public Finance Management Academy for Africa (PFMA).

The ADI is the AfDB’s focal point for capacity development support to member countries and it contributes to efforts to build sustainable capacity for institutional development effectiveness in the institution’s regional member countries.

The PFMA is an AfDB initiative aimed at providing comprehensive and structured capacity development in Public Financial Management to African countries.

The final phase of the executive training course on “Enhancing Accountability, Transparency, and Curbing Corruption and Illicit Financial Flows in Africa” took place from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13, 2023, which culminated in the graduation ceremony.

The programme brought together 145 public officials from 45 African countries and commenced in July 2022. 52 participants from 26 countries completed the programme and earned certification as Public Finance Management (PFM) experts in their respective nations.

According to the Public Finance Management Academy of the AfDB, it ran the course in collaboration with experts from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and other related institutions.

The AfDB said in response to the challenges of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) money laundering, and terrorist financing, it developed several policy and strategic instruments.

These include its Policy on the Prevention of IFFs (2017) and the Action Plan for the Prevention of IFFS in Africa (2017-2021).

These policy and strategic instruments prioritise capacity building for African countries and regional economic communities (RECs) to effectively combat IFFs. Hence the establishment of the PFMA.

“Lack of accountability and transparency, corruption, and illicit financial flows (IFFs) create a vicious cycle of fiscal sinking holes in Africa’s public resources.

“As governments lose revenue to IFFs and corruption, they are forced to borrow, and the borrowed funds are in turn stolen because there are no measures to stop the outflow of public resources,” the bank said.

It believes that these challenges are primarily the result of fundamental public governance and structural weaknesses in African economies.

It also pointed out that part of the problems is a weak programme and project implementation capacity due to a critical skills gap and inadequate tools, as well as weak international cooperation efforts to curb corruption and IFFs.

The AfDB has also developed the Strategy for Economic Governance in Africa (SEGA), which highlights the importance of supporting countries in combating IFFs and money laundering.

The bank’s Chief Economist and Vice-President, Economic Governance and Knowledge, Kevin Urama, told the PFMA cohorts of trainees that the bank was committed to boosting fiscal discipline on the continent.

He said the strategic importance of PFM lies in enhancing economic governance and knowledge management to promote wealth creation and prudent management of public finances.

“Africa, despite its natural resource richness, often faces financial challenges due to mismanagement.

“Currently, African countries lose almost $90 billion in illicit financial flows annually, and much more in illicit resource flows and resource theft, poorly implemented fiscal policy incentives, and excessive dependence on commodity exports for foreign exchange earnings.

“This exposes countries to highly volatile global market prices and highly vulnerable supply chains. This situation is not acceptable,” he said.

Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs in the Office of the Vice President, Tope Fasua, said at the event that the AfDB’s efforts in responding to the public finance management needs must be sustained.

He also said the ADI has provided enhanced knowledge and capabilities among public officials working in critical sectors across the continent, which is hoped would improve financial responsibility.

In his valedictory speech, one of the PFMA graduates, Isaac Kurasha, reflected on the 18-month journey that began on March 2, 2022, and highlighted the rich experience and knowledge gained throughout the programme.

“The training enriched my understanding of the public financial management cycle, providing insights into various components,” he said. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria

Gunmen kidnap prominent farmer, wife in Pari, Kaduna State
Defence/Security

Gunmen kidnap prominent farmer, wife in Pari, Kaduna State

123 total views today

 

Gunmen on Monday night abducted Mr Sunday Bage, a prominent farmer in Pari village in the Chawai chiefdom of Kauru Local Government of Kaduna State.

Also picked along with Sunday was his wife, Listu.

A source from the village told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) that the gunmen stormed the victims’ residence around 10.00 p.m. and started shooting in the air.

They, thereafter, broke into the victims’ residence and dragged him and his wife outside.

The source added that Sunday, popularly known as “Creation”, and his wife, were forced to kneel down while the house was ransacked.

They were later taken to the bush through the Kuyambana- Kizachi-Chiwo-Kamaru route toward Kwall in Bassa Local Government of Plateau.

“They took Sunday and his wife away. They are in the bush,” a village elder told NAN on Tuesday.

A family source said that the abductors are asking for N5 million ransome.

“Yes, the abductors have reached us. They are asking for N5 million. That is the situation now,” he said.

Abduction of people has become common in Pari and environs with the Rev Father of St. Monica Catholic Church, Ikulu-Pari, getting picked several times.

In one of such attacks, the cleric, Rev Emmanuel Shekari, lost his cook to the gunmen who shot him when he insisted on protecting his master.

Fr Shekari has since fled the area over security concerns.

NAN also reports that the area has become a harvest zone for kidnappers with the gunmen taking advantage of the rural nature of the settlement to pick people at will.

Efforts to speak with men of the Operation Safe Haven stationed in the neighbouring Kiffin village were not successful, but a top security source in Damakasuwa confirmed the incident. (NAN)

Edited by Ephaims Sheyin

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