The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given an ultimatum to the 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, to publicly disclose details of N5.9 trillion and $4.6 billion loans obtained by their respective states and the FCT.
The request, contained in a statement by SERAP’s deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, included publishing copies of loan agreements and spending information, including project details and locations financed by the loans.
The call for transparency stems from concerns raised after Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State revealed that the immediate past administration left substantial debt, making it difficult for the state to meet salary obligations.
SERAP emphasized that Nigerians have the right to know how public funds, including loans, are being utilized by state governments. The organization highlighted the importance of accountability, corruption prevention, and trust-building in democratic institutions through transparent financial management.
The statement noted that Nigeria’s Debt Management Office reported a total public domestic debt of N5.9 trillion and a public external debt of $4.6 billion for the country’s states and the FCT.
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has urged the people of the state to emulate the virtues of self-sacrifice and love as exemplified by Christ.
Mbah also urged them to hold fast to their faith in the midst of the present socio-economic challenges, saying that they would eventually become a thing of the past.
He stated this at the weekend in his Easter message to the people of Enugu State and the nation in general.
“I join Ndi Enugu and Nigerians in celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection embody self-sacrifice, forgiveness, infinite love, and victory over every challenge, all of which our state and nation need at a time like this.
“Therefore, as we mark Easter, I urge us to be our brother’s keeper and extend a hand of fellowship to those that offended us.
“I equally enjoin us to remain unwavering in our service to our dear state and faith in the fatherland, rest assured that we shall overcome the present socio-economic challenges and the good times will ultimately return,” he stated.
Governor Mbah wished the people of Enugu State and Nigerians a happy Easter celebration.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has successfully restored the national grid following a system disturbance at 4:28 p.m. on Thursday.
In a statement on Friday evening, the TCN said full recovery was achieved by 10:00 p.m. that same day.
The TCN said that a report from the National Control Centre (NCC) in Osogbo, indicated that the system disturbance was triggered by a significant reduction in generation capacity, primarily due to gas constraints.
It noted that the reduction led to a rapid decline in system frequency, creating a sudden grid imbalance.
It added that the imbalance in grid stability was exacerbated by the sudden tripping of Egbin generation turbine 3, resulting in an additional loss of 167MW load and the subsequent collapse of the grid.
“The grid has, however, since been recovered and is stable, and is currently transmitting all the generated power to distribution load centres nationwide.
“TCN emphasizes its unwavering commitment to addressing grid challenges and actively working to mitigate disruptions.
“In instances where challenges extend beyond TCN’s control, the company collaborates with other stakeholders in the power sector value chain to minimize the impact and swiftly restore the grid to normal operation,” the statement partly read.
DisCos apologise to customers
Earlier, electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have pleaded for understanding from their customers as the country plunged into another blackout due to the grid collapse.
Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in a statement, begged for understanding from its customers.
“The system collapsed at about 16:28 hours today 28 March 2024, causing the outage currently being experienced across our franchise area,” AEDC posted on its X handle.
“We appeal for your understanding as all stakeholders are working hard to restore normal supply.”
In a similar notice to its customers, the management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) said the system collapse led to a loss of power supply across its network.
“We are currently working with our partners as we hope for speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as the power supply is restored. Kindly bear with us,” EKEDC said.
Thursday’s incident marked the second time the national grid has collapsed this year following an earlier collapse on February 4 which threw the nation into darkness.
The national grid also collapsed multiple times in 2023. It collapsed twice in September 2023 alone and once in December that year.
Tears, lamentations, gloom was the order of the day at the military cemetery in Abuja yesterday as the 17 soldiers killed at Okuama in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State were laid to rest.
Out to assuage the pains of the family members of the deceased soldiers, President Bola Tinubu, who attended the solemn ceremony, urged the chiefs and elders of Okuama to help the military fish out those behind the barbaric murder of the personnel on a peace mission to the community, saying the culprits will not go unpunished.
Expressing the pains of his family, retired Warrant Officer Zakari Aliu, father of late Captain Usman Zakari, said: “He was a very obedient son. As a father, anytime I spoke to him, he looked down. He didn’t raise his head to look at me. He was my first son.
“Since the time he joined the military, no accusing fingers were pointed at him by his colleagues. He stayed with me all through his school days. It was after he graduated from the university that he joined the Army through the Short Service Combatant Commission.
“Since he joined, I never heard any bad thing against him. He joined the service in 2015. He is married with no child yet. He was expecting one because his wife was pregnant.
“Nigerians should keep praying for us. It hurt me as a father when I heard it but it is something you cannot prevent. I am a soldier who spent 35 years in service.
“I will allow any other of my sons to still join the military. What happened is an accident. I joined it and I finished successfully. I was untouched throughout my service years. This can happen to anyone at any time. It is an accident.
“For the killers, I leave them in the hands of the federal government which is already handling that.”
Mrs Theresa Obi, mother of Major Daniel Obi from Cross River State, wept profusely, saying “Major Obi was a nice son to me, a very good man. In everything, he was good. I miss him, I miss Obi. I don’t know how I’ll survive.
“Who will take care of me as a widow? Obi is my son. Who will help me? Obi had four children, three from the housewife and one from outside.
“I only thank the government for all they have done for us. Most importantly, they brought our son to me, I even buried him. I say thank you. God will reward all of you for what you have done for us.
“I leave his killers with God. It is God that will fight the battle, I cannot fight it. It is Nigeria that will fight the battle. As for me, I leave them with God.’’
Similarly, the elder brother of one of the slain soldiers, Lance Corporal Abdul Ibrahim, said despite the promises made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assuage the pain of the family, “there is nothing that will compensate the life of a man who died fighting for this country.’’
Ahmed Abutu, who hails from Kogi State, said: “Our happiness is that he died fighting for this country. That is our happiness. We appreciate what the President said the government will do for the family.
“But the perpetrators must not be allowed to go free. A criminal is not supposed to live in the society. So, anywhere they (killers) are, they should fish them out. A life that nobody can give, a life that can not be given, why must you take it? What are you taking it for?
“Our security agencies should go out day and night to get these people and bring them. book. Then we will be grateful.
“It is a sad event, we have lost a brother who is the breadwinner of the family. He is a man of peace, he is a Muslim to the core. He is a man that if you don’t say go, he won’t go.
“He respected everybody in the family. He was caring. We received the news with great shock because it was unexpected. He was not troublesome.
“He was not somebody you will find where he is not supposed to be found, so when the news came, it was so sad. It’s a great loss to the family”.
On her part, sobbing Mrs Hanatu Hamman, mother of Late Lance Corporal Peter Hamman, said: “My son was planning to get married before his death.
“This my son listens to me and does not disrespect me. Since he joined the Army, he has been the one who gives me money to feed and even takes care of my health when I’m down.
“When anything happens to me and I call him, at once he will send me money to solve my problem. Now that he is no more, I still give God the glory. I’m in God’s hands now, I don’t have anyone to run to for help.’’
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, who attended the solemn ceremony, directed the chiefs and elders of Okuoma community to help the military fish out those behind the barbaric murder of the personnel on a peace mission to the community, saying the culprits would not go unpunished.
He also warned the military against reprisal attacks that would lead to innocent people bearing the brunt of the wicked ones among them.
The President equally bestowed on the deceased officers and soldiers post-humous honours and granted scholarships to children of gallant soldiers at the university level.
Speaking in his address at the funeral of the fallen soldiers, the President commended the Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks on Okuama or its neighbouring communities.
He said: “It is worth restating the debt of gratitude we owe these valiant soldiers and their families. As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our armed forces for granted. I recognise your valour and bravery.
“I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers and insurrectionists. “While we continue to grieve for the courageous men we lost that day, let us also, on this solemn occasion, be reminded of the unfinished business of working for peace and harmony in our communities.
“We must begin to rebuild our communities and make them into places where love, tolerance and harmony will reign. Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting.
“I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them and our departed heroes will get justice.
“The elders and chiefs of Okuama also must help the military fish out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.
“I wish to also commend our Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuoma or its neighbouring communities.
“We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuama are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them.
“To the entire armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a message for you: Do not let the death of your compatriots discourage you. There is no higher honour than the vocation you have chosen to pursue.
“We cherish you. We cherish your labour of love. We salute your daily sacrifice in protecting your fellow citizens from danger. We acknowledge your sacrifices to defend our nation.
“Within our continent, our sub-region and across the world, the Nigerian military has remained a force for good, embodying a great example and keeping our democracy safe.
“We now must protect the families of our departed heroes. The federal government will provide a house in any part of our country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.
“The federal government has also approved scholarships to all the children of the deceased up to the university level.
“The military must, within the next ninety days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families.
May the families of the departed and all their loved ones find the strength to bear the pain of this loss.”
He said that the officers and soldiers who lost their lives were patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect our nation against internal and external threats. Their sacrifice will be remembered and honoured for generations to come.
President Tinubu said before the dastardly attack, Lt. Colonel Ali, as the Chief of Army Staff briefed him, enjoyed great operational exploits, fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North-West before his deployment to the Niger Delta.
He said the late Ali kept faith in his military calling till the end. “On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of Ali and the other gallant patriots who died that day. They will forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price.
“They have all been awarded posthumous national honours. The four gallant officers have been accorded the award of Member of the Order of Niger, MON. The thirteen courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic, OFR, medal,’’ the President said.
According to him, the Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian army and, by extension, the Nigerian state, with 10 widows, three of whom are four, five, and eight months pregnant, 21 orphans, and many other dependents, including parents.
“We shall do all within our powers to provide succour to them and preserve the memories of their departed loved ones,” he said.
Lagbaja said he considered his toughest job to be putting fine men and women in harm’s way, sometimes knowing that they might not return to their families and loved ones.
The 17 officers and soldiers gruesomely murdered include Lieutenant Colonel Ali, Major D.E Obi, Major S.D. Ashafa, Captain U. Zakari, Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna, Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi, Lance Corporal Bello Anas; Private Alhaji Isah, Private Clement Francis, Private Abubakar Ali, Private Adamu Ibrahim, Private Hamman Peter, and Private Ibrahim Adamu.
The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29 and Monday, April 1, 2024, as public holidays to mark the celebrations of 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.
The declaration was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the federal government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Aishetu Ndayako, on Wednesday.
According to the Minister, Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.
He called on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.
He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.
While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Bola Tinubu led Administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all.
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Council of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, in line with Section 6 (1) of ESUT Establishment Law, stressing that education remained the strongest weapon to fight poverty.
The Governing Council has Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa as Chairman with Prof. Ikenna Chukwu, Engr. James Ifeanyi, Mrs. Gladys Okoro, Hon. Chinedu Onu and Dr. Eric Oluedo as members.
He noted that the Governing Council was constituted based on competence and the expressed confidence that the institution and state government would benefit from members of the Council, given their track records, networks, and experience.
Mbah, while calling on the new Governing Council to ensure operational effectiveness of the institution, urged both Council and the Management to work hand-in-hand to realise the lofty dreams for which the institution was founded.
He said, “You know that your responsibility as the Governing Council of the University is widespread and is far-reaching. And it is my hope that you are going to cultivate a harmonious relationship with the management team of the university. You should see your roles as complementary. That is the only way we can achieve the objective of the university.
“Of course, our expectation is that you are going to put in place an effective control in the area of management of finance and the investment of the university; and that you are going to see yourselves as bringing value to what the management team of the university is doing. So, it is our hope and belief that there will be a harmonious relationship between the Council and the Management of the university.
“It is also my hope that this inauguration would in effect redouble the operational effectiveness of the university.”
He reminded the members of the Governing Council that their appointments came at a very auspicious time when the government had earmarked 33 per cent of the annual budget for education, stressing that it underscored his administration’s belief that “education is the strongest weapon with which to fight poverty.”
“We are constructing 260 smart schools across the 260 wards of our state. We are establishing a Centre for Experiential Learning. Similar centers like the tech hubs and the innovation hubs are also being set up in the university.
“Therefore, we are taking education as the number one priority in our government because we believe that if we are going to achieve a zero percent rate in our poverty head count index, education is the fastest and surest way towards achieving that,” Governor Mbah concluded.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, thanked Dr. Mbah for finding them worthy, noting also that the governor made history, as more than 80 per cent of the appointees studied at ESUT.
He assured that the Governing Council would go the extra mile to meet the governor’s set targets and match his speed, while also maintaining cordiality with the school management.
“We are assuring you that we will have a seamless working relationship with the Vice-Chancelor and his management. We are also assuring you that we are going to bring to bear due process since we have all been through the mill,” he stated.
While noting that ESUT had been underfunded over the years and urging for more funding, he was quick to add that the allocation of 33 per cent to education in the 2024 state budget underscored Mbah’s readiness to change the narrative.
“Allocating 33 per cent of the total budget to education is not a joke. It shows that we will be progressing from smart schools to smart ESUT and to smart Enugu State. And it is my prayer that at the fullness of time, history will be kind to you,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the inauguration ceremony was witnessed by the Management of ESUT led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie.
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has confirmed his invitation by security agencies over some comments he made on the activities of bandits.
In a social media post on Tuesday, hours after the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said security agencies have summoned Gumi, the Islamic cleric said his engagement with security agencies on how to curb the menacing trend of banditry.
The minister had said nobody is above the law and if found guilty, Gumi would be reprimanded.
In his post titled, ‘Only one person is above the law: the innocent’, Gumi said, “Last night I got many frantic calls from well-wishers and journalists about a news item that I was interviewed by security. There is absolutely no cause for alarm.
“Yes, we had a productive interaction on how to curb banditry as we are all trying – each in his own sphere – to tackle the monster bedeviling the nation.
“There was no animosity but courtesy and full of respect. We all need as a nation to unite and work in synergy to achieve an everlasting peace.”
Gumi ran into a fresh crisis with security agencies last week when he said they have no right to declare any Nigerian a terror financier. The cleric had reacted to a recent list by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), declaring his close associate, Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, and 14 others as terror sponsors.
The cleric had also offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of 137 pupils abducted on March 7, 2024 from the Chikun Local Government Area of the state by marauding bandits in Kaduna State.
Gumi had also said the government should negotiate with bandits but the minister and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, insisted that no ransom was paid for the release of the schoolchildren and that Gumi was not involved in the safe return of abducted Kuriga pupils.
President Bola Tinubu at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal judiciary in Abuja on Tuesday, March 26, 2024
President Bola Tinubu has declared that individuals involved in despicable crimes such as kidnapping must be treated as terrorists.
The President made the declaration on Tuesday at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal judiciary led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
Reiterating the government’s resolve to defeat banditry, the President said those who resort to kidnapping children are cowards, incapable of confronting the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
”We must treat kidnappers as terrorists,” the President said, according to a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.
“They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets. They go to schools and kidnap children and cause disaffection. We must treat them equally as terrorists in order to get rid of them, and I promise you we will get rid of them,” the President said at the dinner attended by serving and retired judicial officers, including two former CJNs, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Nigeria is facing increasing security challenges majorly terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft. The North-West and North-East geopolitical zones have recorded the highest number of insurgent and bandit attacks in the last decade, with terror gangs sprawled across forests in the zones, killing and kidnapping thousands of residents, travellers, and soft targets including women and children.
The Tinubu government has maintained that it won’t negotiate with bandits, even as the marauders continue to make kidnapping-for-ransom an enterprise, abducting hundreds of schoolchildren and residents, with the most recent mass abduction being that of 137 schoolchildren from Kuriga in Kaduna State.
Some pupils and staff members of Apostolic Faith School in Ekiti State were also abducted on January 29, 2024, from their school bus. They were heading to Emure-Ekiti when assailants intercepted them at Eporo-Ekiti. They later regained freedom about a week later but the driver of the bus was found dead.
The abduction of the Kuriga pupils was not the first in the series of mass kidnappings of schoolchildren in the country. From Chibok to Dapchi, Kankara, Kagara, and many others in Kaduna, Katsina, and Niger states, terrorists have in the last years seized thousands of schoolchildren in mass kidnappings that attracted global outrage. While some of the students eventually regained freedom, others have been perpetually detained in the enclaves of their abductors and sexual abusers.
On the review of salaries of judicial officers, the President pledged that his administration would continue to implement necessary reforms to improve the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers.
”I recognise that the judiciary has one of the most unrewarded responsibilities. They are yet to modernize equipment and recordkeeping, and their progress towards improvement is slow.
”When you look at the career path of a judicial officer, they cannot practice the vocation for which they were trained after retirement.
”While the framers of the law may have their reasons, I perceive this differently and see this from a fair compensation angle that should benefit all,” the President stated.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the judiciary for their dedicated service to the nation, acknowledging their role in upholding the respectability of the judicial arm of government.
“We will continue to support one another and bring Nigeria to that glorious dawn,” the President concluded.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria commended the President for the honour of hosting judicial officers to a Ramadan dinner, his commitment to judicial reforms, and for improving the welfare of judicial officers in the country.
“May the Lord continue to bless you and your administration. Let your ship land and berth beautifully. We shall continue to pray for your administration because there are many good things in the pipeline for Nigerians,” he prayed.
Justice Ariwoola commended the administration for achieving a significant milestone by appointing a full complement of 21 justices to the Supreme Court, a feat he described as unprecedented.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, expressed gratitude to the President for forwarding the executive bill titled, “Judicial Office Holders, Salaries and Allowances, etc, Bill 2024″ to the National Assembly.
Highlighting the stagnant state of judges’ salaries and emoluments since 2007, Fagbemi commended the President’s courage, determination, and compassion in taking decisive action.
”It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the President did. More than 300.3 percent increase has been given to the judges. The President has done his own part, never mind that the bill is still with the National Assembly.
”In my short stay as the Attorney-General, I have come to observe that anything that concerns the judiciary, you are very much interested in it, and I thank you for your abiding interest in the judiciary,” the Minister of Justice said.
Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, Tuesday, signed the Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Teaching Hospital Bill 2024 into Law, promising to expedite action to actualise the teaching hospital immediately to provide quality training and healthcare services in the Enugu North part of the state and the state in general.
Mbah, while Commending the Enugu State House of Assembly for accelerating action on the processing and passage of the executive Bill, said that establishing SUMAS Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno, Udenu LGA, was in line with his manifesto.
He said: “What we have done by signing into law the Enugu State University of Medical and Applied Scieneces Teaching Hospital Bill is that we now have in place a legal framework to immediately begin to put in place all that is required to upgrade SUMAS to a teaching hospital. This is part of our campaign promises and we are committed to delivering on that expeditiously.
“We believe that the importance and significance of siting a teaching hospital in our Enugu North zone can never be lost on us. So, we are not going to spend any time in making sure that everything that is necessary and required to upgrade and get the teaching hospital operational is put in place. With this Law, we are going to redouble our commitment and our efforts to achieve that.”
He assured the Governing Council and the Management of SUMAS of his continued support, adding that his administration would equally be counting on their pedigree and contacts to bring the teaching hospital to fruition in record time.
“We are going to continue to support you and we are also going to continue to count on your experience, network, and profile in raising resources to actualize the project.
“This year alone, we are going to spend 33 per cent of our budget on education. This underscores the importance of education to this administration. So, be sure to come to us whenever there is a need. We are going to support you because we are interested in education and we are investing heavily in it.”
On his part, the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, who also spoke at the Bill signing witnessed by the Chairman of SUMAS Governing Council, Msgr. Obiora Ike, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. James Ogbonna, and top hierarchies of the institution, commended Governor Mbah’s speed and faithfulness in delivering on his campaign promises. He assured that the House of Assembly was ever ready to fast-track every executive bill that would impact positively on the state and its people.
“We promised we are going to support this administration by doing our job expeditiously to ensure that there is no delay in your delivery of democracy dividends to our people. Therefore, the SUMAS Teaching Hospital Bill received expedited hearing and today you have the signing of the Bill into Law,” he stated.
The Federal Government says Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has been invited by security agencies for questioning over some comments he made on the activities of bandits.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, who briefed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, said nobody is above the law and found guilty, Gumi will be reprimanded.
“The security agencies are up and doing. Sheikh Gumi or any other person is not above the law. If he he suggestions that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take but if they think that he is also making some statements that appeared to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.
“There is nobody that is above the law in this regard. And I am aware he has been a guest of security agencies to answer questions. When you make remarks that border on our national security, it is incumbent on the security agencies to dig further,” the minister stated.
The minister also insisted that no ransom was paid for the release of all the 137 schoolchildren abducted on March 7, 2024 from the Chikun Local Government Area of the state by marauding bandits in Kaduna State, adding that the victims secured their freedom through the concerted efforts of security agencies in the country.
The minister said, “President Bola Tinubu is determined to end this cycle of payment of ransom to kidnappers. The government believes that this continues to encourage these kidnappers, these criminal elements to perpetrate this act within the Nigerian nation and it is the official position of government as announced here last week that ransom will not be tolerated. Ransom will not be encouraged ransom will not be paid by the government.”
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State had on Sunday said Gumi was not involved in the safe return of abducted Kuriga pupils, though the cleric had offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of the pupils.
The governor had described as speculations, talks in some quarters that ransom was paid, stressing that Gumi was not involved in the rescue of the pupils.
Gumi ran into a fresh crisis with security agencies last week when he said they have no right to declare any Nigerian a terror financier. The cleric had reacted to a recent list by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), declaring his close associate, Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, and 14 others as terror sponsors.
The Nigerian government has approved the sum of N1.267 trillion for the construction of 28 roads and bridges across the country.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi made this disclosure while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja.
Policy Initiatives
Also the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed to Journalists that the President directed his cabinet to work on his key policy initiatives.
According to him, the President directed all ministers and relevant government officials to “fast track” implementation of consumer credit student loan programs and other social security measures for the benefit of Nigerians.
“There was a directive by Mr. President to ministers and other relevant government officials to ensure that the issue of consumer credit student loans, other social security programmes initiated by Mr. President and already being implemented be fast tracked for the benefit of Nigerians,” Idris stated.
The military has released the number of rescued students of Lea Primary School and Government Secondary School Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
About 287 were kidnapped when the gunmen on motorcycles rode through their school, taking them away in an incident that sparked outrage and condemnation from several quarters including the UN children’s welfare agency UNICEF.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said that a total of 137 students were rescued, contrary to reports that 287 children were abducted by bandits on March 6.
According to the statement, the children were rescued in Zamfara State in the early hours of Sunday, through the joint efforts of the military and local authorities.
The rescued hostages comprise 76 females and 61 males, with ages between eight and 15.
The statement said the rescued students will be handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.
“It would be recalled that on 7 March 2024, troops received information that terrorists had invaded LEA School Kuriga in Chikun LG of Kaduna State. During the incident unconfirmed number of pupils were abducted. Following the incident, the military committed to leaving no stone unturned until all the hostages were rescued,” the statement read.
“Accordingly, in the early hours of 24 March 2024, the military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated search and rescue operation rescued the hostages. The hostages are the same persons who were abducted from the school at Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
“The rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise 76 females and 61 males. They were rescued in Zamfara State and would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.”
