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President Buhari Calls For Adoption Of Gas As Transitional Fuel

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President Muhammad Buhari

Nigeria has called for greater collaboration among Africans to effectively confront challenges such as climate change, public health, local vaccine production, among others.

Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, in a statement, said that President Muhammadu Buhari made the call on Wednesday in Abuja.

Buhari spoke at a meeting of the African Union (AU) on the New Partnership for African Development(NEPAD).

The meeting was under the auspices of the 39th Session of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC), at the margins of the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union.

Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the virtual event, Buhari said the continent needed to brace up for wider cooperation in public heath.

“To prepare itself more for intra African collaboration to fight public health challenges, work together to promote vaccine production in Africa, and prompt response to climate change and the zero-emissions targets.

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“The COVID-19 pandemic has severely weakened our economies but it has also left important lessons.

“One is that Africa needs to prepare itself more for intra African collaboration to fight public health challenges, especially those of pandemic scale.

“We must work together to promote vaccine production in Africa; second issue I would like to raise is Africa’s response to climate change and the zero-emissions targets set in Paris and at subsequent climate change meetings.

“We must of course contribute our quota in protecting the environment and preventing climate change; but we must also continue to build sustainable power systems to accelerate development and create economic opportunities for our people.”

 On  climate change, the president said Africa needs far more energy than the renewables sources could immediately provide.

According to him, Africa cannot but adopt gas as a transition fuel.

“We must together make clear to the developed world that the current trend of withholding funds for investment in gas development is the wrong thing to do at this time.”

On the success made by Nigeria in domesticating the NEPAD framework on sustainable development, Buhari said that growth in the Nigerian ICT sector had been phenomenal.

He said that ICT recorded the highest growth of all the sectors of the Nigerian economy in 2020.

“By intensifying Agricultural development, NEPAD inspired Home Grown School Feeding and other Social Intervention Programmes, we are feeding over nine million children in public schools daily and significantly improving the lot of our people.

“It is worthy of note that through regional partnership, Nigeria is currently implementing the innovative strengthening of smallholder farmer’s capabilities towards productive land restoration amid COVID-19 in Nigeria.”

“This is not only to cushion the effect of COVID-19 in the country but also to accelerate the implementation of Africa’s regional initiative to restore degraded lands.”

The president commended the foresight of the founding Fathers of NEPAD, AU’s development agency and the continental initiative for the effective implementation of Agenda 2063.

He re-echoed the view that NEPAD was about the development of the continent – delivering to African citizens.

Let us look forward to working together in building a strong organisation for delivery of results on the continent,”  Buhari said.

The vice president, in another development,  received a delegation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) led by its President, Mrs Comfort Eyitayo, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.

He commended the adoption of the new, innovative framework for public finance management known as the ICAN-AI (ICAN Accountability Index) and noted the proposed amendment to the Act establishing ICAN.

The vice president expressed delight with the progress of the accounting body.

“I am personally very happy to see that ICAN has grown from strength to strength, and I am particularly fascinated by some of what we are seeing especially forays into public education,” he said.

In her remarks, Eyitayo lauded the Federal Government’s consistent drive to revamp the country’s budget system, aligning with international best practice of having a January to December budget year and having Finance Acts to make the Appropriation Act more realisable.

Other ICAN officials present at the meeting included a former President of the Institute, Sen. Kolawole Bajomo; ICAN Vice President, Mr Tijjani  Isa and Registrar of the Institute, Prof. Ahmed Kumshe, among others. (NAN)

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Market Traders Association of Nigeria Suspends Operations of 36 State Chapters

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President market traders association of Nigeria Jamilu Abbas

 

The Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) has announced the suspension of operations across its 36 state chapters and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The decision was disclosed by MATAN’s National President, Jamilu Abbas, while addressing journalists on the prevailing challenges within the association.

According to Abbas, the suspension comes in response to multiple concerns raised by stakeholders, alongside unforeseen circumstances that have impacted the organization’s unity.

He emphasized the need for solidarity, stating, “Based on the current situation across the country regarding our association, along with the receipt of various calls from stakeholders and unforeseen circumstances—including exchanges of words on our platform—I believe that we are one family, united in the progress of our great nation. That is why we are MATAN: when we work, our nation moves forward.”

The MATAN President clarified that, despite the general suspension, the scheduled inauguration for Imo State would proceed as planned, while that of Enugu State has been postponed. Abbas noted that further directives on the future of the association’s activities would be determined by the Federal Executive Council. He stated, “In view of all these developments, as the President and father of our teeming family members, I am here to announce that the Enugu State inauguration is suspended, while Imo State’s inauguration should proceed as scheduled. Furthermore, the operations of all 36 state chapters and Abuja are hereby suspended until the Federal Executive Council convenes and announces a new mode of operation for the entire 36 states and Abuja.”

Abbas acknowledged that the suspension could cause disruptions for MATAN members but stressed that it was a necessary course of action. He expressed his regret over the inconvenience, adding that he remains optimistic about the upcoming discussions with the Federal Executive Council, which he believes will provide lasting solutions to the association’s concerns. “This decision was made out of necessity. I believe the suspension may hurt our members, and we regret any inconvenience this painful decision may cause. However, we had no choice but to implement it. I am confident that the outcome of our meeting will serve as the final solution to our grievances,” he stated.

MATAN members across the country will be awaiting further updates as the association navigates this transitional phase. In the meantime, Abbas urged traders to remain united, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to resolving the underlying issues affecting the organization.

The Market Traders Association of Nigeria is a national organization committed to supporting market traders and advancing trade-related policies for economic growth. The association plays a crucial role in facilitating dialogue between traders and government stakeholders, ensuring that market conditions remain favorable for business development.

This latest suspension marks a pivotal moment for MATAN, with traders, stakeholders, and the government looking ahead to forthcoming resolutions.

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Tragedy in Kano: Woman k!lls husband 9 days after wedding

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A newlywed woman, Saudat Jibrin Adam, has been arrested for allegedly kill!ng her husband, Salisu Idris Ibrahim, just nine days after their wedding in the Farawa community of Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State.

The tragic incident, which occurred late Monday night, has shocked residents of the area.

According to eyewitnesses, Saudat allegedly asked her husband to close his eyes for a “surprise” before fatally slitti!ng his throat with a knife.

A neighbour, Dini Mada, who was one of the first to arrive at the scene, disclosed that Salisu named his wife as the attacker before succumbing to his injuries at the hospital.

“I asked him who did this to you, and he said, ‘Dini, it’s my wife. She stabbed me in the neck in the parlour.

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“She told him to close my eyes for a surprise, not knowing she had hidden a knife,” Dini recalled.

He added that Salisu’s mother, whose home is attached to the couple’s residence, alerted him moments after hearing a disturbance.

“She thought it was an external attack, but we found Salisu bleeding with his throat slit.”

The suspect reportedly locked herself in a bedroom after the attack and was discovered by police during a search of the premises.

“She was on the phone when police entered and arrested her.

“We didn’t even know she was still in the house,” Dini added.

Sources close to the deceased claimed that the couple had unresolved marital issues.

Despite displaying affection during their courtship, the suspect allegedly refused to consummate the marriage and frequently declined to cook for her husband.

“That night, Salisu bought gurasa and meat for dinner because she again refused to cook,” one friend said.

Neighbours described the suspect as appearing “normal” and often accompanying her husband to visit family nearby, which made the attack even more shocking.

Family members confirmed that Salisu was rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries.

His brother, Tanimu Idris, said he has been buried according to Islamic rites.

As of the time of this report, the Kano State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement.

Spokesperson SP Abdullahi Kiyawa said the command is investigating the matter.

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Group distributes cash, agro-inputs to indigents in Nangere

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From Ibraheem Abdu

A group under the auspices Rural Health Mission Nigerian, has distributed cash assistance to and agro-inputs to over 130 indigents in Nangere local government of Yobe state as part of the group’s citizens development initiative move to encourage self-reliance among communities.

Speaking during the venet, team lead of the group Muhammad Ahmad Saddiq stated that the group with head office in Gombe State is in Yobe state to render assistance and also to encourage people to self reliant.

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He added that those that benefited from the support included 50 pregnant women that were given N40,000 each and maternity delivery kits were also given to them free adding that 15 people with special needs had received N50,000 each.

He further revealed that 15 elderly people were also given N50,000 each as part of the group’s assistance..

Similarly, the royal father of the day during the event that took place at Sabon Garin Nangere., His Royal Highness, the Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Ibn Grema while presiding over the distribution of the farm input to 35 farmer surged all beneficiaries to make good use of what they have received. He also commended the group for finding it worthy to assist the indigents in the area. The inputs distributed include fertilizer, spraying machines, liquid fertilizer, millet seeds, sorghum, and pest control among others.

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