Man arraigned for allegedly stealing clothes worth N950, 000

A 28-year-old man Michael Williams, was arraigned on Wednesday before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged theft of clothes, other valuables worth N950,000.

The accused, whose house address was not provided, is facing charges of conspiracy and stealing to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo told the court that the accused with others still at large committed the offences at Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna on June 29.

Leo alleged that the accused and his accomplices stole clothes, shoes and other valuable items worth N950, 000 belonging to the complainant, one Chibuzo Nnmadi, from his shop.

The prosecutor said that the accused was caught by the vigilance group while climbing down the roof of the shop with the stolen items while his accomplices ran away.

He said the offences contravened Sections 411 and 217 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 217 prescribes a three-year jail term for any convict.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the trio bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case until July 31 for hearing.

(NAN)

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, says Nigeria is working to deepen bilateral relations with the U.S. in accordance with Nigeria’s foreign policy thrust under President Bola Tinubu.

Tuggar stated this at the 248th U.S. Independence anniversary dinner organised by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday.

The minister said deepening Nigeria-U.S. ties would further cement their many years of cooperation and friendship.

He noted that the signing of the Nigeria-U.S. Binational Cooperation is one of the major foreign policy objectives of the Tinubu administration.

Tuggar, represented by Amb. Janet Olisa, Director of Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Nigeria-U.S. bilateral relations “has been nurtured over the years” with various cooperations that have strengthened the ties.

“Since our independence, we have been two nations that have continued to watch our friendship, bond, and cooperation closely.

“One of the major developments that happened this year was the Nigeria-U.S. Binational Cooperation agreement, and it is a testament to how important and cordial our relationship is.

“The Secretary of State just left Nigeria not too long ago. And to ensure that we had a smooth running, the Deputy Secretary of State, who had just been confirmed, hurried to Nigeria to ensure that we had a very successful Binational,” Tuggar said.

Read Also: Israel to deepen cooperation with Nigeria – Official

The minister said both countries were working on a few other agreements and cooperations toward strengthening them.

“We are also looking into security, which is significant to Africa as a continent, particularly Nigeria.

“We are looking at strengthening the security bond between us; we are thankful for all the security cooperation that we are receiving,” he said.

Tuggar also expressed Nigeria’s gratitude to the U.S. for the various interventions in the country’s health sector challenges.

“We are also grateful that in the Ministry of Health, we’ve been able to get some collaborations in all the HIV/AIDS programmes.

“That is the bond of friendship, as we welcome the incoming ambassador, Richard Mills. We know he’s going to have a wonderful time here.

“I must say that we Nigerians are a people that have always understood the importance of nationhood.

“Nationhood is key to us and for that, our security cannot be taken for granted. So I wish you all a very fruitful celebration and we join you to say Happy Independence,” the minister added.

(NAN)

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is to build 250 housing units in Osun, the Minister, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa has said.

Dangiw disclosed this during the groundbreaking ceremony of the project, on Tuesday, in Osogbo.

Dangiwa said that the housing projects were under the ‘Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme of the ministry.

The minister said that the estate would comprise 50 units of one-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 150 units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, and 50 units of three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.

Dangiwa added that the housing units were projected to be completed in the next three months.

He explained that the housing programme was launched in February by President Bola Tinubu, with the inauguration of 3,112 housing units in Karsana, Abuja.

“Under phase one of this programme, we plan to deliver a total of 50,000 housing units across Nigeria.

“This will include seven ‘Renewed Hope Cities’ that will have between 500 and 1,000 housing units per site in each of the six geopolitical zones and the FCT.

“The Renewed Hope Estates will have 250 units per site in the remaining 30 states”, he said.

Dangiwa said that the housing project was also aimed at unlocking the massive potential of housing development, creating jobs, uplifting lives, and boosting economic development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president.

According to him, the project is also to stimulate inclusive growth, lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty and build a one trillion-dollar economy.

The minister said that in order to make the houses affordable, different options had been provided to enable everyone who had a source of income and livelihood to own them when they were completed.

“These include single-digit mortgage loans that beneficiaries can repay over 30 years, rent-to-own schemes provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and outright purchase options for those who can afford to pay upfront”, he said.

Dangiwa thanked Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for providing land for the housing project in the state at no cost.

In his remarks, Gov. Ademola Adeleke said his administration was running a housing expansion agenda with a view of providing affordable houses in the 30 local government areas of the state.

He added that the federal housing project will complement the state government’s efforts.

Adeleke, represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, said that by providing housing across the country, President Tinubu had demonstrated his resolve to bridge the housing gap and promote economic growth in all regions of the country.

(NAN)