Military releases slain terrorist commanders’ names

The Defence Headquarters, on Thursday released the names of terrorist kingpins killed during different operations in the northern part of the country. The DHQ noted that the terrorist commanders were killed in separate operations between January and March 2024. The names of the terrorist kingpins are Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi. He was a notorious terrorist who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops on 21 Feb 24. Others are Kachallah Damina (Neutralised on March 24 by troops. He was neutralised alongside over 50 combatants), Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Ubangida, Alhaji Baldu among several others. The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, revealed the names to journalists during a briefing in Abuja. He added that a total of 2,351 terrorists were killed while 2,308 were arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages were rescued during the period under review.

Tinubu Signs Students Loan Bill Into Law

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law. This development follows individual reviews by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the report from the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund. The Bill sponsored by Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State, Bamidele Opeyemi aims to improve the execution of the Higher Education Student Loan Scheme in Nigeria by tackling issues related to the management structure of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, applicant eligibility criteria, loan purposes, funding sources, and procedures for disbursement and repayment. Under this Bill, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) would be established as a legal entity with the authority to litigate and be litigated in its own name, and it would possess the power to acquire, hold, and dispose of both movable and immovable property to fulfill its functions. In essence, the Bill enables the Fund to offer loans to eligible Nigerians for their tuition, fees, charges, and living expenses while studying in approved tertiary institutions and vocational training centers in Nigeria. In contrast to the previous 2023 Act, which placed the Fund’s administration under a Special Committee chaired by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, this Bill proposes changes in the management structure. Furthermore, the Bill eliminates the income-based eligibility criterion set by the existing law, which required an annual income of less than N500,000 for applicants or their families. The Bill also broadens the scope of eligibility, allowing students from federally or state-established tertiary institutions and government-approved vocational institutions to apply, with specific criteria to be determined by the Fund. Additionally, unlike the 2023 Act, which limited loan applications solely to tuition fees, the new Bill permits applicants to request loans to cover various institutional charges and maintenance allowances.

Presidency Reacts As Air Peace Begins Lagos-London Flight Services

The Presidency has reacted to the commencement of the Lagos-London flight services by Air Peace. The airline, in a post via its X page on Saturday, March 30, 2024, announced that it had commenced its Lagos-London flight services. The airline expressed delight at the milestone and appreciated everyone who contributed to the success of the launch. Reacting to the development in an X post, presidential aide, Dada Olusegun congratulated the airline owner, Allen Onyeama for accomplishing this milestone that will have a massive impact on the economy of Nigeria. The presidential aide also said the move would improve the standard of service enjoyed by Nigerians via this Nigeria-London route and make ticket prices competitive for Nigerians. He wrote: “Here is congratulating Chief Allen Onyeama for accomplishing this milestone that will have a massive impact on the economy of Nigeria and also improve the standard of service enjoyed by Nigerians via this Nigeria-London route. – Pressure off our forex – ⁠Competitive ticket prices for Nigerians. “We are not where we want to be, but surely, we are not where we used to be. Slowly but surely, we will get there.”

Nigeria to commence local manufacturing of vehicles

The government of Nigeria has revealed plans for the local production of vehicles.  According to the governor, the country plans to commence local manufacturing of vehicles in the next ten years. This was disclosed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Friday at the launch of the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan. According to the minister, the country can produce vehicles, including motorcycles, tricycles, sedans and heavy trucks. She noted that the goal was to cut down on the cost of purchasing vehicles in the country. “Nigeria can produce its vehicles. We have the raw materials, we have the skills, we have a market, and now we have a plan that can help us produce our vehicles. “These vehicles include motorcycles, tricycles, sedans, and heavy-duty trucks. “With this plan, we should see Nigeria fully producing its own vehicles within ten years. Our goal is to reduce the cost of purchasing a vehicle for the average Nigerian,” he said. In his remarks, the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Joseph Osanipin, stated that the policy proposed to help actualise the plan was a five-year tax holiday for assemblers of vehicles in Nigeria. He said, “Through such fiscal initiatives, there is a deliberate focus on backward integration and component production.” The development comes as vehicle imports climbed by 226.46 per cent to N1,063 trillion in 2023 from N325. 05 billion in 2022, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

8 Arrested in Connection with Killing of Police Officers in Delta

The Nigeria Police Force has taken significant strides in the investigation into the tragic killings of six officers in Delta State. Confirming the arrest, Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that the arrests were made following intensive investigative efforts. The officers were ambushed on February 23 and 26 in Ughelli, with six still missing.  Adejobi announced that a total of eight suspects are currently in custody, with initial arrests leading to additional apprehensions. The suspects are aiding in the ongoing investigation. Expressing condolences to the families of the fallen officers, the police reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring justice is served swiftly. Adejobi emphasized that those responsible for the heinous act will face the full force of the law. The statement read: “Following intensive investigative efforts, the police have apprehended eight (8) suspects in connection with the brutal ambush attack. Five (5) suspects were initially arrested shortly after the incident, and an additional three (3) suspects have been apprehended, at different locations, following the statements and cooperation of the initially arrested suspects, bringing the total number of arrests to eight (8). “The arrested suspects are currently in custody and are assisting with the ongoing investigation. While the Nigeria Police Force is committed to ensuring that all those responsible for this reprehensible act, and many alike, are brought to justice swiftly and decisively. The Police assures that the suspects will soon have their day in court, with credible evidence, once investigations are concluded. “The Nigeria Police is deeply saddened by the heinous act of violence against our officers who were diligently performing their duty to protect and serve the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers during this difficult time. “We wish to reiterate that killers of our officers in this extant case, and many others, have murdered peace, and none of them will go unpunished.”

Why I Can’t Do Giveaways – Dele Momodu

Ovation magazine Publisher, Otunba Dele Momodu, has clarified his current inability to engage in giveaways due to overwhelming project commitments demanding his full attention. Expressing sincere apologies to those seeking support, Momodu emphasized his focus on ongoing projects requiring absolute discipline and concentration. He extended prayers for divine assistance in aiding those genuinely in need. Acknowledging the difficulty in declining requests, Momodu assured that his silence on some matters stemmed from respect rather than disdain, citing his modest income and cautious approach to avoid overextension. Momodu wrote: “SINCERE APOLOGIES… It has become necessary for me to offer apologies to those who have asked me for one support or the other in recent time for my inability to help.  “God is my witness, I’m currently overwhelmed by my own projects that require absolute discipline and focus.  “I pray that God will help me to be able to bless those who genuinely need help.  “If I have not picked your call, it is because I feel too pained to say NO to you.  “It is a sign of my respect for you, and not of disdain.  “I’m a man of modest income and I always try not to overstretch my luck.  “I wish for your kind understanding at this difficult moment….”

Why I Appointed Kwankwaso’s Son As Commissioner – Gov Yusuf Explains

Kano state Governor, Abba Yusuf, has explained the rationale behind the appointment of Mustapha Kwankwaso, son of former Governor of Kano state and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as a member of his cabinet. Yusuf appointed Kwankwaso’s son, alongside three others for commissioner position in the state. The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Falgore, confirmed the receipt of the executive list during a plenary session on Tuesday. He announced that the screening of the commissioner nominees will commence early next week, marking the next step in formalizing their appointments. Reacting to the outburst that greeted the development, Yusuf, in a statement titled “In Defence of Mustapha Kwankwaso’s appointment.” issued through the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said Kwankwaso has promoted many young people including men and women. The Governor clarified that Mustapha’s appointment was not payback, but he is among the capable youth who worked tirelessly for the success of the present administration in Kano. The Statement reads: “Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has promoted hundreds of thousands of young men and women, many of them sons and daughters of common men and women. “He promoted children of nobody to become somebody in the eyes of world today and he also created platforms and political spaces for many of us from humble backgrounds to occupy various elective and appointment positions at Local, State and Federal Government levels. “One of Sen. Kwankwaso’s beneficiaries, The Executive Governor of Kano decided to promote the son of his benefactor, not really as a pay but because Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso is among the capable youth who worked tirelessly to the success of the present administration in Kano. “The Governor empowers youths and allow them to explore their potentials. Certainly, Mustapha cannot be an exception due to his paternal history, that shouldn’t be a barrier to his political career as he has decided to be a politician, like his father.”

The Strengthening Naira: Poetic Justice for Greedy Speculators and Economic Saboteurs

The precipitous decimation of the value of the Naira in the past several months since the Tinubu regime came on board was driven largely by irrational and insanely greedy speculators combined with vested corrupt moneybags who had stacks of Naira in their basement and were hell bent in discrediting and undercutting the Tinubu regime by attacking our currency. We also can not forget unpatriotic governors who were alleged to be converting their increased federal allocation into the greenback, which they stacked away in their governor residences. Their evil plot and greed caused the poor masses and the middle class so much grief with galloping inflation pricing them out of basic consumer goods like bread not to talk of critical commodity like cement whose price went as far as above 12,000. It also did tremendous damage to the Tinubu regime with shouts of “ Ebi npawa” we are hungry rendering the land. Even one of his most ardent supporters, Fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde (aka Kwam 1), even jumped on the critic wagon. It is, therefore, poetic justice that the evil plot of these greedy speculators and economic saboteurs has now backfired. Betting against resilient, convention-busting Nigeria remains a bad bet. We have for decades befuddled conventional economists who struggled unsuccessfully to unravel the logic behind Naijanomics, which seems to defy gravity. People might have forgotten that not so long ago, as recently as July last year, the Naira to dollar rate war was around 750. So the Naira falling as low as nearly 1900 against the dollar defied conventional economic theory. People pointed to the removal of the oil subsidies. The sudden rebound of the Naira against the dollar, with the oil subsidies removal still in place, sticks a sharp needle into that balloon. What’s most important now for the economy’s health is stability and predictability in the forex market to allow investors to make long-term investment plans and to curtail the price gouging behavior of Nigerian retailers. The question now is will the prices that shot through the roof on the excuse of the skyrocketing dollar to Naira rate for even non-import dependent products like gari and bush meat, come down to earth now that the Naira has regained some of its lost value. Knowing our people, I am not raising my hope too high. Another unknown is the rumors making the round about the huge minimum wage hike being proposed for federal employees. No doubt, long suffering, underpaid Nigerian workers deserve their long overdue due raise to a living wage. The risk is that if it is not properly calibrated to the ability of the state and the private sector to pay, it might lead you to inflationary pressure and instability in the forex market. The Caddoso and CBN have their work cut out for them and have many sleepless nights ahead of them. Finally, my heart goes out to recent “japanerians” who flung their houses and other valuables assets at hugely discounted prices to finance their japaing by the lure of earning high flying foreign currencies, but many finding out that the green grass across the fence might just be fake artificial turf. The strengthening of the Naira against the dollars throws another wrench to totally mess up their calculus.

Security forces kill bandit leader who shot down military helicopter

Security forces have reportedly killed an infamous bandit leader Dogo Gide, behind several attacks, including the shooting of a military helicopter. Dogo Gide passed away as a result of gunshot injuries sustained during a clash with Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) forces. The encounter took place in the challenging landscape of Madada forest within the Maru local government area on March 12, 2024. Despite suffering serious injuries, Dogo Gide was said to have been covertly taken to a hospital in Mabera, Sokoto, Sokoto State, where he eventually passed away. Dogo Gide, a notorious fugitive sought for his series of heinous crimes in the area, was laid to rest in Dandalla Village on March 24. His appearance at the hospital was supposedly made easier by a security official who is currently detained, prompting concerns about potential cooperation within the security forces.

Presidency Disowns Viral List Of New Nigerian Ambassadors, Designations 

The Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has described as fake news a purported list of new Nigerian Ambassadors. A purported list of new Nigerian Ambassadors and their assigned countries went viral on social media on Tuesday. In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Tinubu’s aide said the names in circulation are merely a copy of an outdated 2017 list. Olusegun added that most of those mentioned in the fake list have already retired from their diplomatic duties. He wrote: “The alleged LIST OF NEW NIGERIAN AMBASSADORS AND THEIR ASSIGNED COUNTRIES circulating online is fake. “This list is merely a copy of an outdated 2017 list, where most of the individuals mentioned have already retired from their diplomatic duties. “A few names on the list are even inaccurate, and some have sadly passed away. One must question the sudden emergence of this stale list at this time. “Therefore, it is imperative to disregard and treat this list with utter contempt.” Recall that President Tinubu had, on September 2nd, 2023, recalled all career and non-career ambassadors manning the country’s diplomatic missions, embassies, and consulates globally.