National News
POLICE MAKES U-TURN, FINALLY ADMITS THAT ERIC WAS ARRESTED BUT LATER DIED
POLICE MAKES U-TURN, FINALLY ADMITS THAT ERIC WAS ARRESTED BUT LATER DIED
By: Our Reporter
The Nigerian police on Tuesday finally admitted to the Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units in Abuja, that Eric Ezela, was arrested by the officers of the Intelligence Response Team in 2017.
According to the police,Eric Ezeala fell sick twice in the course of investigating allegations of kidnapping against him and was hospitalized.
He later died at the Ikeja General Hospital while receiving treatment for the second time.
ASP Izuka Eguzoikbe, a principal member of the IRT, testified before the panel that Eric Ezeala was arrested following the confession by Evans, the famous alleged kidnapper.
The police alleged that Evans the self confessed kidnapper stated that Eric was his accomplice in his notorious business of kidnapping.
Testifying before the Justice Suleiman Galadima retd led panel, ASP Eguzoikbe stated that Evans said Eric was not only his accomplice, he was also the second in command in their group.
Evans gave out Eric’s phone number, which was forwarded to Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) Force headquarters to track and locate the whereabouts of Eric.
Following the lead of the OC Legal of the IRT, Barrister Blessing Ezeala, ASP Eguzoikbe informed the panel that the first tracking indicated that Eric was hiding out in Osun state but evaded the arrest.
Stating further, Eguzoibe said the second tracking which led the team to Ihime Mbanu in Imo state, resulted in the arrest of Eric on the 17th July,2017 at about 17.00 hours.
Continuing his narration, ASP Eguzoikbe, stated that Eric was brought down to the Imo state police command where he also confessed working with Evans and he was subsequently brought down to Abuja where both “Evans and Eric acknowledged one another as partners in the kidnapping business and he was detained in the IRT cell” he added.
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ASP Eguzoikbe disclosed to the 11 man panel that in the course of investigation Eric’s wife allegedly claimed that she is not aware of her husband’s activities because he is hardly around. She claimed that she had always suspected his activities and had reported to his family members her suspicions about him.
ASP Eguzoikbe further stated that Eric was later transported to Lagos where he showed the IRT where they house their kidnapped victims. Eguzoikbe lamented that it was in the process of taking them to where they store their arms and ammunition for their operations that Eric fell sick for the second time and was taken to the Ikeja General Hospital where he eventually died.
“We felt very pained with the death of Eric Ezeala because we could not get all the information we needed about their activities and armoury in his possession” ASP Eguzoikbe concluded his testimony.
Following the death of Eric Ezeala,the panel asked if an autopsy was conducted on the deceased to ascertain the cause of death. The ASP response was that the wife blatantly refused to show up for the autopsy and there was no way the police was going to conduct the autopsy without the consent and presence of the family.
Under cross examination, Counsel to the Ezeala family, Nonye Okpor asked the ASP whether he was aware that Hilda Ezeala, mother to the deceased visited Abuja on two occasions but she was denied access to her son.
While submitting copies of Eric Ezeala’s statement, statements from his wife, extract from crime diary and signal sent to IRT Commander to the panel, one of the panelists John Aikpokpo-Martin asked the ASP was the arrest documented and incidented by IRT records. To which the ASP answered in the affirmative. He further added that ,signal was sent to Commander IRT who authorized the arrest.
“It may interest you to know ASP Eguzoikbe that before today there was no record of arrest and detention of the deceased ” Aikpokpo-Martins told him.
The matter has been adjourned for the panel’s report.
POLICE MAKES U-TURN, FINALLY ADMITS THAT ERIC WAS ARRESTED BUT LATER DIED
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
By: Michael Mike
In a decisive step to reverse land degradation, 39 land restoration projects led by grassroots organisations have been awarded USD 395,000 through the inaugural Small Grants Programme of the G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI), a flagship initiative of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Drawn from 22 countries, the winning projects were selected for their innovation, impact and sustainability. Over 650 organisations from more than 100 countries applied for the award. The winners were selected following three rounds of review by separate UNCCD staff teams, with varied expertise in land management and restoration.
Awardees will receive between US$5,000 and US$15,000 to fund grassroots efforts that boost local economies, improve food and water security and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
The announcement was livestreamed at an event showcasing the grant winners.
The Small Grants Programme is an important tool for achieving the G20 GLI’s mission of reducing degraded land by 50 percent by 2040.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative,Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, said: “We are aware that these big numbers, cannot be achieved by small initiatives alone. Yet, we feel, it is important that tens of thousands of small actors, engaged in land restoration around the world, be supported, promoted and recognized,”
Special priority was given to organisations accredited to UNCCD and to projects empowering Indigenous Peoples, youth, women and the elderly.
The programme was set up in 2024 to support community-level non-profit organisations worldwide. According to a statement, by directly supporting civil society and grassroot actors, these grants will generate measurable progress across global aided restoration priorities, such as soil fertility enhancement, forest regeneration, sustainable agriculture, agroecology and ecosystem-based adaptation.
The statement added that beyond reclaiming land, the projects are enhancing livelihoods, strengthening community climate resilience, and fostering social enterprise and eco-preneurship.
“When we do these small grants program, it is not just about the grant. It’s about the network which we create and the visibility it provides — both for those within it and those outside who can benefit from their knowledge and experience,” Thummarukudy added.
Three of the highest-scoring projects were showcased at the UNCCD Conference of the Parties held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in December 2024, to highlight their potential for scaling and replication across regions.
The statement also revealed that winners will also be showcased at select high-level events in the future, stating that the G20 GLI is committed to inclusive and continuous engagement, and is exploring future
collaboration opportunities for the applicants not selected in this round.
Stressing that “this is just the beginning, this will be an annual process, the next cohort is about to start,” Dr Thummarukudy invited community organisations doing land restoration to apply to join the network because both “big and small” [efforts] are important.
He noted that the second call for applications will open in 2025 with increased funding and expanded
support for grassroots restoration efforts worldwide.
Innovative community-led restoration initiatives are essential for creating green jobs, especially for youth and women..The awards provide support that can transform restoration into a catalyst for economic opportunity and sustainable environmental management.
Examples of selected 2024 grantees include: Legacy of War Foundation (Rwanda), which will restore six hectares of degraded soil while empowering 90 women as landowners of fully organic cooperative farms. By integrating climate-smart and artisanal farming methods, the project aims to improve soil fertility and agricultural resilience in post-conflict rural communities.
Up2Green Foundation (India) is restoring mangroves and riverbanks in Tamil Nadu, India. The project is reforesting 60 hectares and planting 15,000 fruit trees, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening coastal resilience for flood prevention, and training local communities in sustainable agroforestry practices.
Sustainability and Environmental Studies Endeavor (Nepal) is working to restore
ecological balance along the mythological Nagaraj Trail. By revitalizing degraded farms, wetlands and forests using nature-based solutions, the project promotes nature-inclusive agriculture and convivial conservation approaches.
The G20 Global Land Initiative was launched in 2020 under the Saudi G20 Presidency. Hosted by the UNCCD, its ambition is to reduce degraded land by 50 percent by 2040. By showcasing
land restoration, empowering civil society, engaging the private sector and building capacity, G20 GLI is driving restoration to scale and energizing a restoration economy. The Small Grants Programme is a key component of this vision, empowering civil society to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable land management at scale.
UN Agency Gives USD 395,000 to 39 Land Restoration Projects Worldwide
National News
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
By: Michael Mike
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep grief over the passing of prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, saying the nation has lost an irreplaceable institution.
The late Dantata, an uncle of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, passed away at the age of 94 in Abu Dhabi in the early hours of Saturday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Mustapha Abdullahi Junaid, his Personal Private Secretary (PPS), who confirmed the death.
In a condolence message, Vice President Shettima praised the late businessman for his lifetime of service, describing him as “a living bridge that connected us to our past.
“We have not just lost a leader; we have lost an irreplaceable institution,” Senator Shettima said, describing Dantata as “one of the greatest titans in Nigeria’s philosophical history” whose departure marks the end of a vital chapter in the country’s economic and democratic evolution.
“In African tradition, when such an elderly person transitions, a vital chapter of our history departs with them. He was indeed among the great titans, a living bridge that connected us to our past,” VP Shettima added.
The Vice President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, expressing hopes that they would “find the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” even as he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus.
Born into the legendary Dantata family of Kano, Alhaji Aminu built on his father’s commercial legacy to become one of Nigeria’s most influential business figures. His empire spans construction, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and the oil and gas sectors.
Beyond business, Dantata was renowned for his extensive philanthropic work, funding schools, mosques, health centres, and supporting widows and the underprivileged across Nigeria.
VP Shettima Mourns Late Alhaji Aminu Dantata, Says Nigeria Has Lost An Irreplaceable Institution
National News
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
By: Michael Mike
The Senior Officials Meeting between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.
A statement on Saturday by the Press Officer, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka, read: “The Delegation of European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS wishes to inform that the Senior Officials Meeting between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July 2025 in Abuja.
“The agenda of the very important meeting is to prepare for the upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting and to explore areas of cooperation.”
According to the statement, the Senior Officials Meeting will be co-chaired by the Regions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director, and the Deputy Managing Director for Africa Department, European External Action Service, European Union, Mr Mathieu Briens.
The statement revealed that the agenda of the meeting is expected to entail wide-ranging discussions that would focus on various aspects of the Nigeria – EU partnership, such as: Cooperation on multilateral and regional issues; Peace, Security and Governance; Humanitarian situation; Trade and Investment; Human Development: Health, Education, Social Protection; Science, technology, innovation and digital transition; Migration; Energy, climate change and green economy transition among others.
Nigeria and the European Union share a deep, long-standing partnership inspired by mutual values and interests as well as support for multilateralism and rule-based international order, the statement said.
Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Meet in Abuja to Prepare for Upcoming Nigeria – EU Ministerial Meeting
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