Television Nigerian

Bashir Saidu, the former chief of staff of Nasir El-Rufai, the state’s immediate past governor, filed a bail application, but it was denied by a Federal High Court in Kaduna.

According to information obtained, Saidu, a former El-Rufai administration Commissioner for Finance, was charged with ten counts relating to embezzlement, money laundering, and the theft of Kaduna State Government public funds.

He was taken into custody by the police on January 2, 2025, and was later placed under remand in the state capital’s Kaduna Correctional Centre.

However, the defendant entered a not guilty plea to the allegations given to him when the case was brought before Justice Isa Aliyu on Tuesday.

According to some of the accusations, Saidu sold $45 million in hard currency that belonged to the Kaduna State Government, which is equivalent to N18,450,000,000, for a much lower price of N410 per dollar than the parallel market cost of N498 per dollar. The prosecution asserted that this was done with criminal intent, costing the government N3.9 billion.

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According to the prosecution, the defendant committed the alleged offense in 2022 while working as the El-Rufai administration’s Commissioner for Finance.

The prosecution claims that Saidu violated Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 by laundering the more than three billion naira disparity.

The prosecution’s attorney, Professor Nasiru Aliyu, resisted the application when the defendant’s attorney, M. I. Abubakar, told the court about a pending bail application and begged the court to give his client bail after 21 days in detention.

He maintained that the prosecution had seven days under the law to respond to the bail request.

In his ruling, Justice Aliyu ordered that the prosecution be given the legally allotted time to submit its defense to the bail request.

As a result, the hearing on the bail application was postponed until January 23, 2025.

To better serve the interests of Nigerians, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Chiranchi, National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has encouraged the National Assembly to take into consideration changes to a tax bill that is presently being reviewed.

Speaking to reporters at the one-day National Women’s Conference at Kano’s Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research (Mambayya House), Chiranchi made this plea.

He underlined how important it is that the National Assembly reassure Nigerians that these suggested changes will be given careful thought.

Protecting Nigeria’s interests, especially those of its women and future generations, is the CNG’s main goal, according to Chiranchi.

He urged the legislature to take responsible action and make sure the proposed amendments are compliant with the law. While clarifying the group’s position, Chiranchi noted that the CNG is not opposed to the entire bill but seeks to rectify specific provisions that may adversely affect the nation and its citizens.

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He said, “The group is still dedicated to pushing for the necessary changes to make sure the bill serves Nigeria’s interests.”

Salisu Nuhu Muhammad, a former General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), emphasized in his remarks the critical role that women play in advancing national development.

Muhammad praised the enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by women during the conference, noting, “Women are not fragile but have been labeled as vulnerable, though they are indeed the strongest.”

A passenger boat that was traveling from Port Harcourt to Bonny in the Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State overturned on Sunday night, resulting in the verified deaths of three individuals, including a toddler.

At around 5 p.m., it was discovered that a storm had caused the catastrophe at a location known as “Yellow Platform,” which is close to Bonny Island.

According to reports, the vessel carried 22 people from Port Harcourt’s Bonny/Nembe/Bille Waterfront Jetty; however, three of them perished when the storm caused the vessel to capsize.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the state police command spokesperson, verified the occurrence over the phone to our correspondent Monday afternoon and called it a sad one.
“Unfortunately, we lost three people out of the 22 people on board,” Iringe-Koko said. The girl’s body was eventually found after two of the bodies were initially found.

The fact that 19 passengers were saved is heartbreaking. The boat overturned at the Yellow Platform in Bonny while they were traveling from Port Harcourt to Bonny Island. The investigation is still going on.

Israel Pepple, the Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in the Rivers Commercial District, also spoke and reaffirmed the police’s conclusion that a windstorm was the cause of the tragedy.

“Yes,” Pepple answered, “that is true. Yesterday (Sunday), a boat disaster occurred. Two adult males and a girl were among the people we lost. Their remains had been found, and the boat had departed Port Harcourt on its way to Bonny.

Authorities from the Bonny Local Government have expressed their condolences to the families who have lost a loved one.

In a statement released on Monday and signed by the council’s secretary, John Gabriel-Pepple, Bonny LGA Chairman Anengi Claude-Wilcox expressed her profound sadness over the occurrence.

Part of the statement says, “The tragic boat crash that happened on the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route on Sunday, January 19, 2025, and claimed the lives of two adults and a toddler deeply saddens the Bonny Local Government Council.”

The sad accident that lost three lives was triggered by a rapid spike in the oceanic storm, according to preliminary results. Nineteen survivors were taken for prompt medical assistance at the expense of the Bonny Local Government.

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“We offer the victims’ families, friends, and loved ones our deepest sympathies. May God give you the courage and resilience to endure this irreversible loss.

According to him, the council prayed for the deceased souls’ rest and joined in their sorrow and suffering.

Although she cautioned against traveling in choppy conditions, Claude-Wilcox stated that the council was looking into a passenger boat that was there at the scene but declined to help the victims.

“Unfortunately, information that reached the council indicated that a passenger boat had arrived at the scene of the incident but had refused to stop to rescue the victims as they were fighting for their lives on the sea,” the statement continued.

“The council secretary should be contacted by anyone with pertinent information regarding the specific boat driver. In order to prevent a recurrence, the Bonny Local Government Council recommends passengers to be weather-aware and to rigorously follow the passenger ferry safety regulations.

According to reports, worried Bonny Island residents have persisted in urging the appropriate authorities to improve safety precautions for commuters using the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route and to force the contractor constructing the Bodo-Bonny Road to accelerate work in order to guarantee its early completion.

Donald Trump was congratulated by the federal government on becoming the 47th president of the United States of America.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered the warning in a statement on Tuesday.

The federal government emphasized the two countries’ close and long-standing relationship, emphasizing their mutual collaboration in fields like sustainable development, good governance, and combating violent extremism and terrorism.

In order to further the interests and welfare of the people of both countries, the statement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with the United States under President Trump’s direction.
Nigeria is eager to continue working with the United States to address global issues and promote mutual development, according to FG.
Following his successful inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump received congratulations from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, according to the statement.

The United States of America and Nigeria have collaborated in a number of areas of shared interest, particularly in the fight against violent extremism and terrorism, sustainable development, and the advancement of good governance.

Therefore, “for the benefit of all our people, Nigeria looks forward to further strengthening our historic, strong, and vibrant strategic partnership.”

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Due to bad weather, Trump’s historic inaugural ceremony was place inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, marking his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States.

CNN reports that Trump swore to uphold, defend, and defend the Constitution when he took the oath of office delivered by Chief Justice John Roberts of the Supreme Court.

Plans have been announced by the federal government to hire young Nigerians to assist in overseeing the anticipated construction of 8,800 new healthcare facilities spread across the nation’s 774 local government units.

Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced this yesterday in Abuja. He said that the Presidential Health Fellows Program, which was recently approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will involve a mass recruitment effort for young Nigerians in all local government areas.

Pate encouraged all eligible young Nigerians to apply online at www.healthfellows.ng by on or before January 27, 2025.

According to the minister, selecting those to be involved will involve a multi-screening process at the state level in each local government region of the federation.

In addition, the minister said that the successful candidates who are chosen as fellows will be accountability officers who will supervise the construction of 8,800 new primary health facilities across the country over the course of the ensuing years, making sure that each facility operates with operational excellence and fiduciary integrity within their responsible areas.

Concurrently, the National Health Fellows Program has been formally launched, and potential candidates are being asked to start applying. Its goal is to improve primary healthcare delivery across the country by transforming Nigeria’s public health sector and producing the next generation of healthcare leaders.

A statement claims that a group of up-and-coming experts from a variety of disciplines, including the social sciences, information technology, and health and allied professions, will be brought together by this esteemed program. Through leadership opportunities, mentorship, and intense training, the chosen fellows will learn about the best practices in Nigeria’s healthcare industry.

This initiative gives our young people an unmatched chance to develop their leadership skills and develop significant, meaningful, and results-driven healthcare solutions. It is based on their boundless talent, intelligence, and patriotism. In order to shape the future of our country’s health sector, we urge young Nigerians to step up as strong change agents and claim their rightful role,” Pate said.

The statement gave an example of how the fellowship’s main goal is to develop a group of highly qualified and driven health executives who can spearhead significant innovation and change in our healthcare system.

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A newly issued announcement also described the program’s eligibility requirements.

“Applicants must have relevant experience and skills, be between the ages of 25 and 35, and hold a bachelor’s degree in health-related fields, IT, or social sciences.”

Candidates should also exhibit an interest in or background in primary healthcare, community service, or non-governmental organizations that deal with health issues.

Due to the program’s requirement for a full-time commitment, among other things, applicants must also have high analytical abilities, entrepreneurial drive, and leadership potential. They must also not be currently employed full-time or part-time.

It is recommended that interested candidates apply by January 27, 2025, via the official website at www.healthfellows.ng. Multiple screening steps, such as eligibility verification and interviews, are part of the selection process, according to the statement.