News Update

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris says the Federal Government did not pay ransom to secure the release of children abducted in Sokoto and Kaduna States earlier in March. He stated this on Monday in Abuja at the end of a Federal Executive Council meeting, stressing that President Bola Tinubu had made it clear that no ransom should be paid to bandits and kidnappers so as not to encourage them.

 The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has provided Bureau De Change, BDCs, operators with $10,000 at an exchange rate of N1,251 per United States, US, dollar. This was revealed in a circular signed by Hassan Mahmud, the CBN Director of Trade and Exchange Department.

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The Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu has approved two initiatives aimed at fostering better inclusion and development opportunities for the teeming youth population of Nigeria. Minister of Youths, Jamila Bio Ibrahim made this known to State House correspondents on Monday.

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 The President of Nigeria’s Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called on the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) to lend a strong voice to the restoration of lasting peace in war-torn Gaza. Akpabio made the call while contributing to discussions at the ongoing 148th Session of the International Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
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 President Bola Tinubu has approved a new Infrastructure Development Fund, tagged, “Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund,” to facilitate effective infrastructure development across the critical sectors, including agriculture, transportation, ports, aviation, energy, healthcare, and education. A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, explained that the objectives include: “Establish an innovative infrastructure investment vehicle to attract and consolidate capital, serving as a dynamic driver for economic advancement.”

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. Residents of Owube Kingdom in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday trooped out to celebrate the killing of Izuma David Odiereke, aka Solution, a notorious cult leader terrorising the area. A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP. Grace Iringe-Koko, said Solution had long been on the wanted list of the police.

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 The Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has declared March 26th, 2024, as a lecture-free day to mourn the students who lost their lives in a recent stampede during a distribution of palliatives. This decision was contained in a letter signed by the registrar, Bala I. Ahmen II and made available to Dailypost

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 Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said that nothing will change in the country until citizens care enough about themselves and pick up the gauntlet against political rascals pretending to be their leaders. The former Minister made the assertion in a post on her X handle on Monday.

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The Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Tony Aziegbemi has regained freedom from his abductors after 11 days.

He was abducted by armed men on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 11pm at the entrance to his house after a meeting with the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

The kidnappers had demanded for N500 million ransom to release their victim but it is not stated if the ransom was paid or not before he was released.

from dailypost