News
NCP HITS GROUND RUNNING, SETS UP COMMITTEE ON RESTRUCTURING OF BANK OF AGRICULTURE
NCP HITS GROUND RUNNING, SETS UP COMMITTEE ON RESTRUCTURING OF BANK OF AGRICULTURE
*Approves completion of Zungeru hydroelectric power plant concession
*Ratifies NCP standing committees
By: Our Reporter
In a bid to ensure better service delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, the National Council on Privatization (NCP) has set up an ad hoc committee to fast-track the restructuring and resuscitation of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).
The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, who chaired the maiden meeting of the reconstituted NCP at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, emphasised the importance of the tasks before the new Council, particularly the rejuvenation of BOA, among others.
Speaking after the presentation of the agenda and matters arising by the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr Alex Okoh, the VP listed the composition of the ad hoc committee, saying a lot will depend on the decisions of the Council in the months ahead.
“We have to make some far-reaching decisions on the restructuring of the Bank of Agriculture because the bank will be critical to the realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration. It is very important for us and for this administration,” he noted.
According to the Vice President, the Finance Minister, Mr Wale Edun will Chair the ad hoc committee, while members include, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu; CBN Governor, Dr Yemi Cardoso; Rep of the Ministry Of Finance Incorporated (MOFI); Chairmen of the NCP Technical and Legal Committees; a member of the NCP, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha Bintube, and the DG BPE will serve as Secretary.
VP Shettima urged the committee to come up with a roadmap for the resuscitation of the BOA, among other resolutions.
The Vice President had earlier in his opening address set the tone for the deliberations, urging members to take every task seriously. “We will be meeting more frequently because we have to support the President to execute the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he noted.
The Council also approved the completion of the concession of the 700MW Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant and particularly directed the opening of a dedicated account at the Debt Management Office for the payment of the concession fees by the concessionaire.
Vice President Shettima directed the CBN governor to commence the opening of the account at the DMO as proposed by the BPE.
Yet another major decision taken at the meeting was the ratification of constituted standing committees for the Council, comprising the Technical, Stakeholder Engagement, Finance and Legal committees.
Also approved at the maiden NCP meeting was the 2024 work plan of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) covering its privatization activities and participation in international forums to attract interest in the country’s privatization programme.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu; Minister of Transportation, Sen. Sa’idu Alkali; CBN Governor, Dr Yemi Cardoso, and Chairman of the reconstituted Technical Committee, Mr Oye Odukale, among other Council members.
NCP HITS GROUND RUNNING, SETS UP COMMITTEE ON RESTRUCTURING OF BANK OF AGRICULTURE
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives in Gombe State have arrested two suspected fuel suppliers believed to be providing logistics support to bandits operating in neighbouring communities in Bauchi State.
Security sources said the suspects were arrested on March 4 at about 4:30 a.m. during a stop-and-search operation along the Kashere–Futuk Road in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
The sources said the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that bandits terrorising parts of Bauchi State were sourcing fuel supplies from Kashere in Gombe State.
During the operation, operatives intercepted a red tinted Golf 3 vehicle with registration number GME 221 XA, loaded with 29 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The vehicle was driven by one Aliyu Usman, 20, of Futuk Village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, who reportedly fled the scene and escaped.
Two passengers in the vehicle, identified as Bello Abdullahi, 52, and Sulaiman Musa, 40, both from Futuk Village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State, were arrested at the scene.
The suspects claimed that the fuel was purchased in Billiri, Gombe State.
The police impounded the vehicle along with the 29 jerrycans of fuel as exhibits while investigations are ongoing to determine their involvement in supplying fuel to criminal elements.
Efforts are also underway to apprehend the fleeing driver and uncover other members of the suspected supply network.
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army have successfully liberated Mansur Village and surrounding settlements in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State as part of the ongoing Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III.
The operation, led by Major General Folusho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation ENDURING PEACE, targeted armed terrorists and criminal elements terrorising the local communities.
According to military sources, troops executed a coordinated offensive on identified flashpoints, dislodging terrorists who had attempted to seize control of Mansur Village. An AK-47 rifle was recovered during clearance operations, degrading the operational capacity of the insurgents.
Following the offensive, troops consolidated their positions and conducted patrols across Alkaleri LGA to maintain security and restore normalcy. Residents have reportedly begun resuming socio-economic activities in the area.
Military intelligence indicates that cross-border terrorist gangs operate within Plateau, Bauchi, and Taraba States, exploiting local terrains and engaging in fluid movement patterns to evade security forces.
The insurgents are reported to include high-value targets such as Mallam Lehi, Mai-Kunkuru, and Mallam Azuge, who operate in the Wase/Kanam forests and Jejin Madam axis.
The General Officer Commanding urged troops to maintain vigilance, stressing the importance of denying terrorists freedom of action while ensuring civilian protection.
Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III is part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to dominate insurgent corridors and restore peace and security in North East and North Central Nigeria.
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
An improvised explosive device (IED) planted between Yar Danya and Maikwanugga villages in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State has been safely neutralized by military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts.
Zagazola report that the operation, conducted on March 3 at about 2:00 p.m., followed the discovery of the device along a key village route. Security sources said the EOD team successfully detonated the IED, preventing potential harm to residents and commuters in the area.
Patrol and monitoring activities by the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA and other security forces had since been intensified in the vicinity to ensure the safety of the local population and prevent further threats.
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
Security operatives arrest suspected fuel suppliers to bandits in Gombe
Troops of 3 Division liberate Mansur Village, Alkaleri LGA in Operation BUGUN KARKANDA III
Military EOD neutralizes improvised explosive device in Talata Mafara, Zamfara
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
