Headlines
Kano stops Buhari’s visit, cites security reason
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Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday, announced the postponement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Kano State to commission some projects, citing security reasons but interpreted in some quarters as a move to avoid a repeat of last Thursday’s protest by some Katsina residents to register their displeasure over the difficulties ongoing currency swap is causing in the nation when the President visited his home state.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had set Tuesday as the deadline for Nigerians to exchange old Naira notes with new ones after the apex bank redesigned the nation’s currency.
But many Nigerians say it is difficult to get the new notes as the distribution is restricted to ATMs and not through bank counters.
The process has inevitably created long queues at ATM points even as people lamented the scarcity of the new notes and the effect on doing business.
Reports last week indicated that many communities across Nigeria had started rejecting the old Naira as legal tender regardless of the slow injection of the new notes into circulation.
Alarmed by the development, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, begged the CBN to extend the deadline for the cessation of the old Naira as legal tender.
Meanwhile, Buhari appeared to have waded into the swap chaos, yesterday, when he assured that government will eliminate the squeeze.
The President had scheduled to visit Kano tomorrow to commission projects executed by the Ganduje administration.
The projects include a new bridge/ interchange, 10 megawatts independent hydropower project, a multi-billion naira ultra-modern cancer centre, the Dala Dry Inland Port and solar power projects.
Others are the 700 teachers’ housing estate and the Dangote Ultra-modern Skill Acquisition Center.
Ganduje confirmed that the state had written to the Presidency that the visit had been aborted during interactive sessions with scholars, legislators, political leaders and the business community in the state at Government House, Kano.
The governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, said the decision was taken to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.
“As we are waiting for this important visit, we found ourselves in this situation which puts citizens into untold hardship. For security purposes we wrote to Presidency that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Kano is postponed”, he said.
“We got an acknowledgement copy of the letter. People are really suffering because of this policy.”
“There are no banks in most of our rural communities. How these people get new Naira notes is of great concern. Just look at what is happening in our urban areas, people go and spend hours upon hours in banks. And without any assurances of getting the new notes.”
Even at Point of Sale (POS), according to the governor, one cannot transact with ease, hinting that many of them closed shops due to uncertainty.
He emphasized that Kano, being a commercial hub, must be heard loudly.
“This problem affects all of us. Therefore our voice must be heard in all nooks and crannies. We are a commercial hub. As such our position must be loud and clear”, the governor stated.
Ganduje stressed that, under one platform, governors, without consideration of party affiliation, sent delegates to Buhari complaining to him about the hardship caused by the new development.
“Governors from all the political parties put heads together and sent delegates but to no avail. Traditional rulers followed the same path, but individually. But up to now, there is nothing in that respect,” he disclosed.
In Kano, according to him, the government calls leaders of all sections of people around whenever a situation like this arises. “We invited scholars who were here yesterday. And today we are having this interactive session with your business community and our legislators,” the governor said.
To validate the position of the Kano people, as contained in the letter sent, Ganduje would take representatives from sections of the populace to go and see Buhari and hear from them verbatim.
During the meeting with sections of citizens in the state, they accepted that the decision to postpone the Buhari visit was a unanimous one as they all spoke in support of the letter sent to the Presidency.
Two senators from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya and Barau Jibrin, 20 members of the House of Representatives and 30 legislators from the state House of Assembly were among the groups that put their weight behind the governor.
Some youths had staged a protest in Katsina against the Naira swap difficulties and the economic hardship in the country shortly after Buhari inaugurated the Kofar Kaura Underpass last Thursday.
The protesters caused a commotion as they threw stones at the crowd after the President left the area.
The boys also set up bonfires along the Yahaya Madaki Way a few metres from the underpass, while shouting: ‘We don’t need you,’ ‘We no go do,’ in Hausa.
A viral video showed a mass of youths violently denouncing the government as they engaged some policemen on the road.
The development came 72 hours after the presidential standard bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, was stoned by suspected hoodlums at a campaign rally in Katsina.
Atiku begs CBN
Atiku, yesterday, joined calls to prevail on the CBN and the Federal Government to extend the cash swap deadline.
The PDP presidential candidate appealed to them to reconsider the deadline to ease the suffering of ordinary Nigerians who, according to him, are finding it difficult to exchange the old Naira for the new ones.
He spoke in a video posted on his verified Twitter handle @atiku.
He said, “The ongoing policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria to redesign the Naira has generated wide reactions across the country and beyond.
“This exercise is a worldwide practice and therefore not anything new especially as the January 31st deadline draws closer, a great number of Nigerians out of good conscience have expressed apprehension about how the policy deadline will make life more difficult for Nigerians.
“The large number of unbanked Nigerians who do their business, especially in rural areas will find it difficult almost impossible to meet up with the January 31st deadline to exchange their old bank notes with the redesigned currencies.
“I’m aware of the challenges farmers and other artisans face with moving money to commercial banks for the conversion.
“On this note, I’m compelled to align my position with the upsurge of demands for a small extension of the monetary conversion policy. The January 31st deadline is certainly going to cause heavy discomfort for our people.”
The PDP candidate explained that his appeal hinged on the fact that he knows that the intention of the monetary policy was not to hurt the poor.
Squeeze, chaos end soon – Buhari
A statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, yesterday, said Buhari had assured that government will ensure that citizens are unharmed in their businesses and no disruption is caused to the entire supply chain arising from the currency swap due to end shortly.
Reacting to reports of long queues of people waiting for hours for their turn to deposit old notes and get new ones, triggering public anger and opposition’s criticism, Shehu quoted his principal as reiterating that the currency changes were aimed at people hoarding illicit funds and not the common man and that it had become necessary to prevent counterfeits, corruption, and terrorist funding. “This, he assured, will stabilize and strengthen the economy”, a statement signed by the spokesman said.
“While taking note that the poorest section of society is facing hardship as they often keep hard cash at home for various expenses, President Buhari gave strong assurances that the government will not leave them to their own fate.
Defence
Victory Against Terror: Troops Eliminate 152 Terrorists, Rescue 91 Hostages in Nationwide Crackdown
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Victory Against Terror: Troops Eliminate 152 Terrorists, Rescue 91 Hostages in Nationwide Crackdown
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Friday that troops had successfully neutralized 152 terrorists, arrested 109 suspects, and rescued 91 kidnapped hostages during operations conducted across the country in the past week.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, provided the update during a briefing in Abuja, noting that significant blows were dealt to terrorist strongholds in Katsina and Kaduna states. Key operations targeted two notorious terrorist commanders, Sadiku and Alhaji Yusuf, leading to the decimation of their enclaves.
“Sadiku’s base was located at Tsora Hill in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, while Alhaji Yusuf’s stronghold was at Yadi Forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” Buba revealed.
In addition, two female terrorist collaborators, responsible for negotiating ransoms with the families of kidnapped victims, were apprehended. Troops also recovered an impressive cache of 183 weapons and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition, including 95 AK-47 rifles, locally made guns, and other heavy arms.
“On the whole, the gallant men and women of the armed forces continue to take pride in putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety and security of citizens,” Buba stated, calling for continued support from the public in the fight against terrorism.
In the North East, under Operation Hadin Kai, 63 terrorists were eliminated, 38 suspects were arrested, and 35 hostages were rescued. Buba added that between August 28 and September 4, a total of 196 terrorists surrendered, including 19 adult males, 70 adult females, and 107 children. A successful airstrike on August 31 also killed an ISWAP spiritual leader, Goni Sanda, along with several other terrorists in Borno State.
Meanwhile, in the North Central, troops under Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralized three extremists, arrested 40 suspects, and rescued 28 hostages. In the North West, Operation Hadarin Daji forces killed 105 terrorists, arrested 21, and freed 36 hostages.
In the Niger Delta, under Operation Delta Safe, troops destroyed 58 illegal refining sites and recovered over 1.2 million liters of stolen crude oil and illegally refined diesel. Additionally, 36 suspected oil thieves were arrested.
In the South East, under Operation UDO KA, two violent extremists were apprehended, and two hostages were rescued.
All arrested suspects, recovered items, and rescued hostages have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action, Buba confirmed.
Headlines
EFCC Warns Businesses Against Aiding Criminals, Urges Compliance with Money Laundering Act
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EFCC Warns Businesses Against Aiding Criminals, Urges Compliance with Money Laundering Act
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) to ensure full compliance with the Money Laundering Prohibition and Prevention Act of 2022.
This warning was issued during a sensitization programme organized by the EFCC’s Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML).
EFCC’s Acting Director for Lagos, Michael Wetkaz, highlighted the global efforts to combat terrorism and warned businesses not to provide a safe haven for criminal elements. “The financial institutions have been regulated, and terrorism has become a global concern. Nations have tightened measures to ensure criminals have no space to operate,” Wetkaz said.
He urged DNFBPs, which include casinos, real estate agents, dealers in precious metals and stones, lawyers, and other professionals, to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities. “If you allow these criminal activities to pass through your businesses, it will worsen the insecurity situation in the country,” he cautioned.
Aminu Ahmed, an Assistant Commander of the EFCC, reminded operators to report currency transactions above N5 million for individuals and N10 million for corporate bodies. He emphasized the importance of appointing compliance officers and adhering to anti-money laundering regulations.
The training also covered topics such as beneficial ownership, financial sanctions, and reporting requirements for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), with ACE II officer Folasade Oluwasanya stressing the importance of awareness in curbing financial crimes.
Agriculture
Minister pledges sustained investment in agricultural production in FCT
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Minister pledges sustained investment in agricultural production in FCT
Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has pledged the FCT administration’s commitment to sustaining investment in agricultural production in the territory.
Mahamoud said this at the inauguration of the disbursement of grants to beneficiaries of the 4th batch of the FCT Fadama Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) Programme, on Thursday in Gwagwalada.
She said the initiative is aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods for the poor and vulnerable agricultural households in the territory.
The minister said the FCT Fadama CARES Programme would increase food security and the safe functioning of the food supply chain in the FCT.
She said the programme was designed to support the recovery of livelihood activities of the poor and vulnerable persons engaged in the agricultural value chain, with consideration to women and youths.
According to her, it is gratifying to note that within the first year of the current administration in the FCT, the Fadama CARES programme has disbursed grants to 3,150 beneficiaries under the third batch.
Mahmoud said the programme would provide grants to an additional 6,020 new beneficiaries under the fourth batch.
She said that 9,170 beneficiaries would benefit from the programme during the first year of the current FCT administration.
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