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UN Resident Coordinator Calls for SDGs Acceleration to Meet 2030 Target

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UN Resident Coordinator Calls for SDGs Acceleration to Meet 2030 Target

By: Michael Mike

Following the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, which reveals that only 17 per cent of the SDG targets are currently on track, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, has taken the advocacy for the rescue and acceleration towards the achievement of the SDGs to the sub-national level.

The Resident Coordinator on Wednesday concluded a one-week working visit to Lagos, Enugu and Anambra States where he engaged with Governors, Commissioners, private sector, civil society, traditional rulers, women and youth groups, and other critical stakeholders.

According to a statement on Thursday, in all his engagements, Fall strongly advocated for the acceleration of the SDGs to meet the 2030 target with a view to improving the wellbeing of the people and the planet.

Receiving the Resident Coordinator in Enugu was the State Governor,Peter Mbah who acknowledged that the UN was established for public good and added that the vision of his administration aligned with the UN mandates and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Reflecting on his time in Enugu state, the Resident Coordinator said, “My visit to Owo Smart School, Enugu State was an eye opener and a confirmation that with the right leadership, nothing is impossible. I saw firsthand how technology was deployed to ensure quality education, thus placing students on the path to a brighter future.”

At a Type-3 hospital in Agbogugu community, Fall noted the use of innovation in health and how commitment to expanding primary health centres could improve access to health services, leaving no one behind.

Engaging with women and youth groups, the Resident Coordinator said he was impressed by the young people taking action to accelerate the SDGs in Enugu state, and acknowledged the women’s clamour for increased female representation in politics.

He urged all Nigerian women to remain optimistic about having more women in political leadership.

In Anambra State, he engaged with the Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, and they discussed issues around poverty alleviation, environmental threats, social protection, health, education, innovative financing and the need to leave no one behind.

At the palace of Eze Uzu II of Awka, Anambra state, HRH Obi Gibson Nwosu who was represented by the Prime Minister, Engr. Benjamin Okoye, Fall addressed the Council of Chiefs, and noted that traditional rulers were key to accelerating the SDGs and improving peoples’ wellbeing.

Addressing State Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and other senior government officials at the UNICEF South-East Zonal Policy Dialogue on Child-sensitive Budgeting in Awka, he emphasised the readiness of the UN in Nigeria to support Southeast in accelerating the SDGs in the sub-region.

He visited Eziabor village Oko, which is one of the over 1000 active erosion sites in Anambra State. “I saw a soil erosion disaster site that required interventions of the Federal Government, the State Government and all development partners, to save lives andlivelihoods. Anambra state needs all the support it can get to sustainably address the challenging situation of devastating soil erosion in the state.” He said.

At the Onitsha market, he acknowledged the industrious nature of the people. “I saw the vibrancy and resilience of the people, oiling the wheel of commerce and entrepreneurship while contributing to the development of not only Anambra State but the entire Southeast and beyond.

Fall called for a diligent integration of innovation and skill development into commerce, which he emphasized, would be an effective enabler of SDGs acceleration.
In Lagos, he engaged with the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, the UBA and Transcorp groups, Mr. Tony Elumelu and emphasized the role of the private sector in rescuing and accelerating the SDGs in Nigeria.

Fall acknowledged the contribution of Elumelu to youth development in Nigeria and Africa, especially through the platform of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
“It’s always a pleasure to engage with you and your team, always reflecting on the youth bulge in Nigeria and Africa and the inherent demographic dividend. Young people offer great opportunities for national development.” He added.

At the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) joint press briefing with the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, MrAbubakar Suleiman, and Sterling One Foundation CEO, Ms. AdepejuIbekwe, the Resident Coordinator restated the UN’s collaboration with Sterling One Foundation to ensure continuity of the Summit which started in 2022.

He expressed optimism that the forthcoming ASIS2024 would help provide some insights on how best to rescue the SDGs in Nigeria and in Africa.

Reflecting on his interaction with young people in Lagos, Fall said, “It’s so amazing and inspiring to hear vibrant young people – the timbuktoo cohorts – speak about their tech-driven innovative solutions to societal problems such as climate change, access to credits, rent payment, medical supplies, among others.”

“With so many young people embracing tech and innovation, we see a ray of hope for a brighter, better future – a future of innovative solutions for the present and future generations in Africa. For the timbuktoo cohorts, You’re our hope. You’re also our pride.” He further said on at the launch by UNDP, of the first ever timbuktoo FinTech in Africa.

The Resident Coordinator emphasised further that technology and innovation would be critical for Africa to leapfrog and transform thesociety. According to him, Fintech could play a vital role in expanding financial inclusion – which would in turn, help reduce inequalities; create jobs; and reduce inequalities.

The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) is the highest-ranking representative of the UN Development System at the country level.

RC leads UN Country Teams and coordinates UN support to thecountry in implementing the 2030 Agenda. The Resident Coordinator is the designates representative of – and reports to – the UN Secretary-General.

UN Resident Coordinator Calls for SDGs Acceleration to Meet 2030 Target

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.

The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.

A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.

“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.

“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.

“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.

Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.

These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001

This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.

And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.

The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.

President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.

This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.

The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).

The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).

Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.

Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.

He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.

“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.

“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.

Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.

NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

By: Michael Mike

The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.

The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.

The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.

During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.

His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.

In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.

He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.

The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.

Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.

Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship

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