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UI receives N1b for a diaspora research center

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UI receives N1b for a diaspora research center

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission announced on Thursday that the University of Ibadan had secured the sum of N1 billion for the funding of a diaspora research center.

According to the two organizations, funding education centers and facilities for Nigerians living abroad is part of the plans to promote international collaboration, fellowship, and research.

“TETFund followed through with the commitment by earmarking 1 billion naira for the establishment of Diaspora Research Centre in University of Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious tertiary institutions,” the Chairman of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri, said in the statement. The Diaspora Research Center, which will be the first of its kind in Africa, has a significant impact on how research and development are conducted there.

She informed the TETFund management that NIDCOM was in touch with the University of Ibadan, where the Diaspora Research Centre will be located, to discuss the project’s foundational elements, models, and implementation strategies.

Sonny Echono, the TETFund’s executive secretary, praised the Commission for its work in fostering national development and promoting research collaboration. The TETFund Boss claimed that the Diaspora Research Centre, which will be based at the University of Ibadan, followed NIDCOM’s advice.

The Executive Secretary continued, “Under the Special Intervention Initiative of the Fund, an allocation of one billion naira was provided in the Fund’s 2023 budgetary allocation for the establishment of Diaspora Center for Research and Development.

The recommendation that the institution submit an implementation plan for the timely start of activities was included in the allocation letter that was given to the University of Ibadan in May 2023.

Echono reiterated the TETFund’s commitment to research and development while also announcing that the University of Ibadan had also received an additional $250,000,000 Naira under the 2023 budgetary allocation (Designated Projects) as financial support for the institution’s Global Research Centre.

The Executive Secretary stated that “The Centre is proposed to house a rich collection of African Diaspora and Transnational Studies resources, including textbooks, archival documents, audio and video tapes, online resources, microfilms, and other related materials” while highlighting the significance of the facility to the international research community. It is also intended to act as a premier academic center for diaspora and transnational studies research, teaching, and other academic pursuits.

“According to the proposal, the proposed facility will serve as an incubator for hosting experts, practitioners, and policy professionals who are interested in and have experience conducting research, including hosting fellowship and exchange programs to create truly transnational knowledge with a global impact.”

He emphasized the goal of the research center once more and expressed his confidence that the facility would foster interactions and partnerships with organizations that formulate domestic and international policy.

The University of Ibadan is currently perfecting plans for signing the MOU with NIDCOM, which is the collaborating institution that has been interacting with TETFund on Diaspora Center of Excellence project together with NIDCOM, Echono stated explicitly when briefing on the implementation plan from the host Institution. The University has also started looking for a TETFund-accredited company to design the building in accordance with the grant’s value while working with the University of Ibadan.

Govt Declares State of Emergency As Gunmen Assassinate Presidential Candidate

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Govt Declares State of Emergency As Gunmen Assassinate Presidential Candidate

Fernando Villavicencio, who was running for president of Ecuador, was killed while campaigning in the nation’s capital city earlier today.

Wednesday, President Guillermo Lasso said that a meeting of the country’s security council will take place within the next few minutes. He also verified the death that took place the previous day.

“The assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio has angered and shocked me,” said the candidate. “I tell you that this act will not go unpunished in his memory and in the cause of the struggle that he fought,” Mr. Lasso added.

‘The Security Cabinet will meet in a few minutes in the presidential palace,’ he continued.

Earlier on Wednesday, the newspaper El Universo reported that Villavicencio had been slain by three gunshots to the head while he was participating in a march in Quito, the nation’s capital city.

According to the report, there were eight additional persons hurt during the event, and seven of those people were taken to a hospital for treatment.

The most recent polls indicate that Mr. Villavicencio did not receive a sufficient number of electoral votes to win the presidential election in Ecuador that is set to take place on August 20.

A legislative candidate in Ecuador was killed in the weeks leading up to the general elections on August 20. The killing took place a few weeks ago.

In the northern coastal province of Esmeraldas, the town of Quininde was the location of Rider Sanchez’s murder. Sanchez was a candidate for a seat in the national legislature.

He had apparently been shot multiple times before he was taken to the hospital, where he passed away not long after.

Mr. Sanchez was a candidate for the Actuemos coalition, which is currently supporting Otto Sonnenholzner for the office of president. Actuemos is comprised of the Avanza and SUMA parties.

After President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the national legislature in May in the midst of a legislative campaign to impeach him, Ecuador’s government has decided to call early elections.

Approximately 13.4 million Ecuadorians will be eligible to vote for a new president and 137 members of the national parliament in the upcoming elections.

ECOWAS gathers for key summit on Niger coup

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ECOWAS gathers for key summit on Niger coup

 

Following the military chiefs of Niger’s refusal to comply with an order to reinstate the elected president, leaders of the West African grouping ECOWAS will hold an emergency summit on the coup that occurred there on Thursday.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) claims it is pursuing a diplomatic solution but has not ruled out using force to resolve the issue two weeks after the coup that deposed Mohamed Bazoum.

The 15-nation organization said in a statement on Tuesday that significant decisions are anticipated to come from the meeting in Abuja, Nigeria.

 

The alliance, which has been working to stop a wave of coups among its members since 2020, gave the military in charge on July 26 until last Sunday to restore Bazoum or risk using force.

However, the coup’s organizers resisted, and the deadline passed without any action.

A proclamation read out on public television on Thursday stated that the military authorities had named a new administration as their most recent act of defiance against international pressure.

The new military ruling council’s generals will oversee the defense and interior ministries while Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine will preside over the 21-member government.

The prospect of military action in Niger, a fragile country that is among the poorest in the world, has spurred discussion within ECOWAS and concerns from Algeria and Russia, two neighboring countries.

Mali and Burkina Faso, two of Niger’s neighbors who are both run by military governments who seized power in coups, have said that such intervention would be the same as declaring war on those nations.

Expectations for “serious discussion”

The coup leaders rejected a request to dispatch a team of ECOWAS, UN, and African Union representatives to the nation’s capital Niamey on Tuesday.

The coup leaders’ selection of a new prime minister earlier this week seemed to mark the beginning of the changeover to a new government.

In a surprising development, a former emir of Kano, Nigeria, announced on Wednesday that he had spoken with the coup leaders in an effort to mediate the conflict.

Lamido Sanusi Sanusi, who was not a representative of the government, said on Nigerian state television that he had spoken to the coup’s leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, and that he would give a “message” to President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria.

Sanusi, a well-known close friend of Tinubu, stated: “We came expecting that our arrival will pave the door for serious negotiations between the leaders of Niger and those of Nigeria.”

Nigeria, which is currently the ECOWAS chair, is adopting a tough stance against last month’s coup, the fifth to occur in Niger since its independence from France in 1960.

Wednesday’s coups in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger, according to Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, put the future of the ECOWAS organization in jeopardy.

Coups must be outlawed, and Bazoum is still the only president of Niger who is officially recognized.

“Deplorable living circumstances”

The head of the UN added to the growing outcry over the 63-year-old Bazoum’s welfare, who has been held captive by his presidential guard since July 26.

According to a UN statement, Antonio Guterres criticized “the appalling living conditions that President Bazoum and his family are reportedly living under.”

Bazoum was reportedly kept in isolation and had to eat only dry rice and pasta on Wednesday, according to CNN.

The fragile Sahel region is grappling with a jihadist insurgency that began in northern Mali in 2012, moved to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015, and is currently unsettling governments on the Gulf of Guinea.

These three countries, which have volatile histories and are among the world’s poorest, have suffered greatly as a result of the violent campaign.

The election of Bazoum in 2021 helped Niger forge strong ties with France and the United States, both of which have significant bases and troop deployments there.

Following a disagreement with the military commanders of Mali and Burkina Faso last year, France withdrew its forces from both countries and shifted its anti-jihadist campaign to Niger.

Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai will reject ministerial appointments even if approved by Senate

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Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai will reject ministerial appointments even if approved by Senate

Even if the Senate eventually approves him for the ministerial position, the former governor of Kaduna Nasir El-Rufai is planning to reject it.

El-Rufai was reportedly one of three lawmakers whose confirmations the Senate withheld on Monday.

The Senate did not exactly state why El-Rufai was delayed, other than to mention that he had not yet gotten security clearance. The other two nominees, Abubakar Danladi of Taraba and Stella Okotete of Delta, were turned down for reasons that were purportedly documented.

There are rumors that El-Rufai’s delay is the result of how he handled ethnic and sectarian conflicts when serving as governor. Additionally, there are accusations that he allegedly betrayed his allies and committed acts of corruption.

According to People’s Gazette, El-Rufai has stated that he will not meet with National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu to request a security clearance. He thinks Ribadu lacks the political clout to refuse a government position outright.

El-Rufai has additionally stated that he will hold off on declaring his rejection of the nomination until he has been formally confirmed by the Senate. He wants to demonstrate to Nigerians that there was no legitimate reason for the hold-up.

According to a source, “His Excellency Nasir El-Rufai is a man of conviction and he has made it clear that he would not be seeing Nuhu Ribadu to argue for security clearance.” He actually had a meeting with the NSA scheduled for Wednesday in Abuja, but he vehemently declined to attend.

This publication has gathered that before being asked to advance to the Senate, El-Rufai and the other nominations had received the State Security Service’s approval. The screening procedure involved questioning each of them for more than a week. The National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, reportedly objected to the confirmation of El-Rufai and two other individuals.

The source echoed El-Rufai’s assertion, saying that Nuhu Ribadu “won’t be able to do it without the president’s prior knowledge.” Therefore, he would hold off on leaving the cabinet until he was finally confirmed.

APC selects new candidates to fill roles of Deputy National Chairman, Legal Adviser, Others

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APC selects new candidates to fill roles of Deputy National Chairman, Legal Adviser, Others

The APC has selected new candidates to fill the roles of Deputy National Chairman, Legal Adviser, and Others.

Pictures show Ganduje presiding over the first meeting of the NWC as APC Chairman.
Following nominations from zonal and state chapters, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is prepared to announce the names of those who would fill open posts in the National Working Committee (NWC), barring any last-minute modifications.

According to Naija News, former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje took over as national chairman of the party last week, and Senator Ajibola Basiru took over as national secretary. This followed the resignations of their predecessors, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Iyiola Omisore.

In addition to Saliu Lukman, who served as the Vice Chairman (Northwest), and Ahmad El-Marzup, who served as the Legal Adviser, both of whom resigned from their positions, two members of the NWC, Senator Abubakar Kyari and Dr. Beta Edu, were nominated by President Bola Tinubu to serve as ministers, and a third member passed away.

According to The Nation, the new officers who are awaiting ratification by the National Executive Committee (NEC) are the following: the former Cross River State Commissioner for Local Government, Dr. Stella Odey-Ekpo (Women Leader); the Borno State APC Chairman Ali Dalori (Deputy National Chairman, North); the former Nasarawa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Prof. Abdulkarim Kana (Legal Adviser); the former Abia, State House of Assembly Speaker Martins

Yesterday, it came to our attention that the decision to fill the positions is in accordance with the instruction of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

A party source commented on the move, saying that following the transfer of power from the NEC to the NWC at its meeting on August 3, the NWC issued a directive to the administrative organ to fill the vacant positions. In accordance with the directive, the States Executive Committee, which was responsible for producing the former officers, nominated candidates for the vacant positions.

Article 31.5 of the APC Constitution, which outlines the procedures, was used to zone the seats, as the source claims, before the April 2022 National Convention. This was done in accordance with the constitution of the APC.

The following is an excerpt from Article 31.5(i): “In the event of a National/Zonal Officer, the State Executive Committee shall propose a replacement to the State Congress and Zonal Executive Committee for endorsement. After that, the name will be submitted for consideration to the National Working Committee, which will then transmit it on to the National Executive Committee for final approval.

According to some sources, the Borno State chapter and the Northeast Executive Committee therefore chose Dalori as Deputy National Chairman (North), replacing Kyari in the position.

The nomination of Odey-Ekpo to succeed Edu as the National Women’s Leader came from the chapter representing the state of Cross Rivers.

It was learned that following extensive deliberations with the six states in the region, it was decided that Nasarawa State would be given preference to select a replacement for El-Marzuq, who quit the previous week. This comes as the job of National Legal Adviser has now been assigned to the North Central region.

Also, Azubuike will take the place of Friday Nwosu, who served as the National Welfare Secretary but passed away in March.

Before reversing his decision, the newly appointed Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ajaka, had resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to run for governor under the banner of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

However, according to the source, the Northwest has not yet decided who would take Lukman’s place in the position.

“Since NEC directed NWC to fill the remaining vacant six positions after the emergence of the new National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Senator Ajibola Basiru as National Secretary, concerned state chapters and zones have been forwarding names for the new officers to fill the vacant positions,” said a member of the NWC who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“As of today (Wednesday), names for the replacement of five of the six vacant positions have been forwarded to the party for consideration and approval by NWC. There are a total of twelve positions that are now unfilled. It is envisaged that the committee (NWC) would soon reveal the names of the individuals who will occupy the open posts very soon.”

Tinubu’s govt to spend N341bn on judgment debts

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Tinubu’s govt to spend N341bn on judgment debts

According to the findings, the administration of President Bola Tinubu will most likely spend around N341.23 billion on the settlement of judgment debts between the years 2023 and 2027.

In a document titled “Schedule of Promissory Notes Issued by Category as of September 30, 2022,” which was created by the Debt Management Office, the judgment debts were presented in the form of promissory notes.

Investopedia.com defines a promissory note as a debt instrument that contains a written commitment by one party (the note’s issuer or maker) to pay another party (the note’s payee) a certain sum of money, either on demand or at a defined future date. In other words, a promissory note is a form of a loan.

According to Section 4 of the Act Relating to Government Promissory Notes, the repayment of government promissory notes is to come from the general revenue and assets of the federation.

 

A portion of what it said was as follows: “The principal sums and interest represented or secured by any government promissory notes are hereby charged upon and shall be payed out of the general revenue and assets of the federation.”

The current administration plans to settle 12 of the 21 judgment creditors’ promissory notes during its current term in office, which will last for four years.

While the naira is the primary currency for two of them, dollars will be used to settle the remaining ones.

The two judgment debts that are predominantly denominated in naira would cost around N39.07 billion, while the remainder, denominated in dollars, would cost $393.89 million (approximately N302.61 billion when using the currency rate provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria of N768.27 per dollar).

It was predicted that the incoming administration will pay off a judgment obligation of $1.58 million by August 11, 2023, making this the first debt that they would settle.

The remaining matters are scheduled to be resolved between October 15, 2023 and February 15, 2027.

Earlier reports suggested that the administration of outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari might potentially pass on judgment debts of at least 715.86 million dollars to the succeeding administration.

The United States Federal Government was a defendant in multiple court proceedings that involved allegations of breaching contracts. If Nigeria is unsuccessful in all of the lawsuits that have been brought against the country’s administration over the past two years by both domestic and international organizations, the country could be forced to pay out a total of nearly N7.58 trillion to settle the claims made in the lawsuits.

Abubakar Malami, who had just left his positions as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, revealed in September of the previous year that the Federal Government had reached an agreement to pay a foreign investor $496 million in order to resolve a decades-long contractual dispute that was worth $5.26 billion.

According to statements made by the administration, the mediation sessions were carried out under the alternative dispute resolution framework of the International Chamber of Commerce and were presided over by Phillip Howell-Richardson.

Olu Daramola (SAN), an attorney working for Afe Babalola’s Chambers, stated that the government did not make a practice of defending legal disputes.

He added, “The majority of lawsuits against the government are due to negligence and poor handling, resulting to judgment against the government even where there might have been no judgment since it has been inadequately defended.” He was referring to the fact that the government had a weak defense. But the truth is that when you bring a case against the government, they might not bother until you win a decision in your favor. This is an awful reality.

“Negotiations get difficult when you already have a judgment because if you win your case in court and the person is now negotiating with you to take a smaller sum than the one that was granted in court, surely you won’t be willing to do so,” says the man. “When you already have a ruling.”

The reckless signing of contracts, the SAN explained further, was causing issues for the government.

Prof. Sam Erugo (SAN), for his part, stated that the fact that the Federal Government is regularly facing threats and imminent penalties or liabilities for purported breaches of construction contracts ought to be concerning to the residents of the country.

Matthew Burkaa, an experienced legal practitioner, was quoted as saying that “Nobody will be delighted to discover that money that are supposed to be used for other purposes are being spent for the settlement of litigation expenditures.”

Gombe plans to recruit 200 Health Workers

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Gombe plans to recruit 200 Health Workers

There are currently plans in place to hire 200 people to help Gombe State’s health industry meet its workforce requirements.

The announcement was delivered by the state’s governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, via Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, secretary to the state government (SSG), who was also joined in the audience by national officials of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).

The PSN officials were in Gombe state to finalize plans for their next National Conference that was due to take place in the State, under the direction of its President Professor Cyril Usifor.
He asserts that the core of his administration’s determination to achieve Universal Health Coverage is the providing of people with high-quality, reasonably priced health care services.

He informed them that his government has previously hired 260 health professionals, including pharmacists, and that preparations are in place to hire an additional 200 to support the staffing needs of the soon-to-be-built hospitals in Kaltungo Kumo and Bajoga.

The current administration had established at least one operational health center in each of the state’s 114 political wards, he added.
He is steady, his government is revitalizing the general hospitals in Kaltungo and Bajoga while a new one is being built in Kumo to provide quality and cheap healthcare services to the people at the grassroots level, in addition to refurbishing the state specialist hospital.

For lack of time, Professor Njodi stated that “these are only a few of the various interventions the Gombe State Governor has done and is continuing providing to ensure the health of the people.”

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria’s President, Professor Cyril Usifor, stated previously that the organization was in the state for its AGM, or annual general meeting, which served as a practice run for its next national conference in Gombe later this month.

He praised the Gombe State administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for establishing a business-friendly environment for prospective investors to explore and make a fortune for themselves in the state, adding that the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park is a ground-breaking move made by the Governor to bring social and economic prosperity to the people of the state.

According to him, the society will have no choice but to promote the state’s potential to investors both inside and outside the nation given the existing necessary conditions for the ease of doing business in the state.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Refutes Fabricated Claim That She Received Threats During Meeting With Tinubu

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Refutes Fabricated Claim That She Received Threats During Meeting With Tinubu

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization, refuted a fabricated claim that she had received threats during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement is incorrect, Okonjo-Iweala stated in a statement by her media adviser, Paul Nwabuikwu. According to PM News, it is not from Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The fake story that has subsequently gained widespread distribution stated that the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy under President Goodluck Jonathan raised an alarm regarding threats she had been getting since her visit to Tinubu.

“I keep getting negative calls and messages about my yesterday’s meeting with the president, especially from people I hold in the highest regard.

“Honestly, I am astounded by the substance of the messages and the callers’ tones. Has Nigeria fallen so far? They are threatening my life and the lives of my family members by utilizing a visit I made for the benefit of our beloved country,'” the alleged statement stated in part.

According to Okonjo-Iweala, her visit to the President on Tuesday was unofficial and not in the course of her duties as the Director-General of the WTO.

Hon Adama J Adama congratulates newly-appointed commissioner, Special Adviser from Apa LGA

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Hon Adama J Adama congratulates newly-appointed commissioner, Special Adviser from Apa LGA

Hon. Adama Joseph, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former House of Reps aspirant, has extended his warmest congratulations to commissioner-nominee, Omale Omale and Special Adviser, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Elaigwu on their recent appointments by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Recall that the Benue State House of Assembly had announced a 14-man commissioner list and 41 Special Advisers and assistants.

Among them are Barrister Omale Omale and Hon Elaigwu.

Reacting, Adama Adama in a statement, described the appointment of the duo as thoughtful.

Hon Adama, popularly known as Otalaka, emphasized the weight of responsibility that accompanies these prestigious positions.

He said, “I am delighted to extend my warmest congratulations to commissioner-nominee, Omale Omale and Special Adviser, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Elaigwu on their recent appointments by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

“This significant achievement highlights your exceptional dedication and expertise, and I am confident that your contributions will positively impact both the Apa/Agatu constituency and the entire Benue State.

“As you embark on this new chapter of public service, I want to emphasise the immense responsibility that comes with these positions.

“The people of Apa LGA and the entire state have placed their trust in you, and it is essential that you rise to this challenge and uphold the hopes and aspirations of those you will serve. I urge you both not to disappoint the people who have placed their confidence in you.

“I extend my special encouragement to Omale Omale, who brings with him a wealth of experience as a lawyer. Your legal expertise holds immense potential in contributing to the growth and development of Benue State. I have no doubt that your insights will be instrumental in addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“To Special Adviser Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Elaigwu, your wealth of experience will undoubtedly be a valuable asset in advancing the interests of Benue State.

“Your dedication and commitment to the betterment of our beloved state are commendable, and I am optimistic that under your guidance, we will witness significant progress and growth.

“The vision of Governor Hyacinth Alia to assemble a team of capable and experienced individuals speaks volumes about his commitment to the development of Benue State. It is our collective responsibility to work together to turn this vision into reality. As we strive for progress and prosperity, let us remember that our actions have the potential to transform lives and uplift communities.”

NSCDC: 100 illegal refineries destroyed, 200 suspects arrested

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NSCDC: 100 illegal refineries destroyed, 200 suspects arrested

Ahmed Audi, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, revealed on Wednesday that 200 people had been detained and no less than 100 illegal refineries had been demolished in the previous two years.

The CG had already instructed staff to work even harder to combat pipeline vandalism and oil theft.

At the second CG’s conference in Abuja, Audi announced this.

Speaking of the Corps’ actions, the CG noted that “over 200 suspects have been apprehended in two years and over 100 illegal refineries have been demolished.”

He reminded the staff of the struggle ahead and the requirement to successfully address new security risks.

In order to ensure food security, he added, “We also need to step up our efforts to protect Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, address the issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalism, ensure the protection of farmers and farmland, and protect facilities in the power, telecoms, and transportation sectors with a focus on rail infrastructure.

“In order to combat the recent wave of insecurity in the country, we must start implementing new measures. In order to further strengthen the Corps’ capacity, the Corps has prioritized training and retraining as well as the purchase of cutting-edge operating and communication technology.

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