HammerTimes News Online

Tag: Minna

  • Nigeria Army eliminates scores of terrorists in Niger State ambush

    Troops of 1 Division of the Nigeria Army eliminated several terrorists who ambushed them on Friday while on fighting patrol to Karaga Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

    Two officers and four soldiers were lost to the ambush, however, Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Sunday in Abuja.

    He stated that some of the terrorists’ equipment were recovered.

    Nwachukwu added that the General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander “Operation Whirl Punch’’, Maj.-Gen. Landers Saraso, had sent condolences to the families of the deceased personnel on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff.

    He stated that Maj.-Gen. Saraso had assured that the unfortunate loss of personnel would be avenged as troops were currently trailing terrorists who fled from the encounter.

    Saraso also urged the people of Niger to go about their legitimate and lawful activities and reassured that the Nigerian Army and other security agencies would ensure their protection at all times.

    “In line with customs and traditions, the Nigerian Army has contacted the Next-of-Kin of the fallen heroes while burial has been conducted for the deceased Muslim personnel with the approval of their family members.

    “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) was represented at the burial which took place at Minna Military Cantonment Cemetery by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe.

    “Niger State’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, Maj.-Gen. Aligbe, Maj.-Gen. Saraso and other senior officers visited the two soldiers wounded in the ambush as they were receiving treatment at a military hospital.

    “They also paid condolence visits to the families of the deceased.

    “We urge the people of Niger and contiguous states to continue to avail the Nigerian Army and other security agencies with actionable and timely information to enhance the operations of the troops,’’ Nwachukwu stated.

  • FG commits to stabilise forex, ease living cost – Information Minister

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is committed to implement reforms to curb inflation, ease cost of living and stabilise foreign exchange.

    The Minister stated this on Saturday in Minna, Niger at the 2024 Press Week of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    This is contained in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja

    According to Idris, this is a part of broader objectives of boosting economic growth.

    The minister, represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said the year had a lot of prospects for Nigerians as some of the promising initiatives of the administration began to bear fruits.

    “2024 would be a great year for Nigeria as the Renewed Hope Agenda takes firmer roots for the growth of our nation’s economic development, invaluable human assets, and national security.

    “The Tinubu administration will continue to implement macroeconomic reforms to achieve broad economic objectives of sustained economic growth aimed at bringing down inflation, easing the cost of living, stabilising foreign exchange and job creation, among others.

    “Against the backdrop of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, liberalising the foreign exchange regime, and the fight against corruption.

    “The Tinubu-led government is showing fidelity to the rule of law and the independence of institutions as demonstrated in the recent judgements of the courts.

    “The recent decision to relocate certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the headquarters of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to Lagos is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency.

    “And also, streamline processes, ensure a responsive financial system for Nigeria, and cut operational cost. The directive aligns with global best practices and has no political motivation what so ever as wrongly propagated.

    “I assured that no policy of the present administration would put any part of the country in a disadvantage position,” Idris said.

    He said that Tinubu’s commitment to fairness and equitable development, as outlined in his oath of office, ensured that no policy under his administration would be of disadvantage to any region.

    According  to Idris, Tinubu’s dedication to fostering national unity and inclusivity is reflected in policies guided by principles of fairness and equality.

    The Minister, who also used the occasion to enlist the support of the media in the fight against fake news, said the ‘hydra-headed menace’ of fake news was ravaging the media space.

    “My dear colleagues, we need to rise against the elements of fake news that are deliberately designed to misinform Nigerians”.

    Idris also stated that the Federal Government would soon unveil comprehensive details of the National Values Charter, aimed at inculcating values in the citizenry. (NAN)

  • Drone incident: Minister appreciates traditional, religious leaders for dousing tension

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has appreciated traditional and religious leaders for helping to calm nerves in the aftermath of the unfortunate drone incident in Kaduna State.
    The minister said this when he addressed the Central Council Meeting of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), in Minna.
    The minister, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by his media aide, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim, said President Bola Tinubu was distressed by the incident and had ordered immediate investigation.
    He prayed God to grant mercy to those who died, comfort the living and ensure their physical, spiritual and psychological healing.
    The minister informed the JNI that the Federal Government would commence the FULAKO Initiative, a unique humanitarian response to the effects of banditry in communities.
    He said that the programme would be implemented in Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Benue, and would involve the provision of houses, health centres, schools, veterinary clinics, solar energy, and empowerment to those affected.
    Idris enjoined the JNI to align with the government’s new charter for national values and attitudes tagged ‘Values Charter for Nigeria’.
    “Last week, I had the honour to announce a committee of renowned experts to work on and finalize a Values Charter for Nigeria, in line with President Tinubu’s desire for a true and sustained reorientation of national values and attitudes.
    “This new charter, to be unveiled by the President early next year, will consist of a Nigerian Promise, and Citizen Codes, defining our core values as Nigerians while taking into full account our ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversities.
    “It will seek to entrench in all Nigerians a balanced understanding of our rights and responsibilities as citizens of the greatest black nation on earth,” he said.
    The minister also intimated the traditional and religious leaders that President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria is all-encompassing as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
    According to him, the Agenda seeks to reform the economy, guarantee national security, achieve food security, unlock the country’s natural resources, and build infrastructure with focus on health and social investment.(NAN)

  • Humanitarian Minister mourns victims of NAF plane crash

    Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has expressed deep sorrow over the crash of a Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft on Sunday.

    Farouq, in a statement issued by her Media Aide, Mrs Nneka Anibeze, on Sunday in Abuja, said that she was saddened by the unfortunate incident.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the plane was said to have developed an engine problem six minutes after take-off and crashed nine minutes after the problem was reported.

    Seven passengers were reportedly onboard the ill-fated aircraft, including two crew members.

    The plane was en-route Minna when it crashed close to the runway of Abuja runway.

    The statement read, “I am deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic occurrence.

    “I sympathise with the Nigerian Airforce and the families of those who lost their lives in the crash.

    “The Nigerian Air Force has been of immense help to our humanitarian activities since the creation of the ministry.

    “They have helped to airlift humanitarian relief materials for persons of concern, especially during the lockdown period, to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in 2020 and to victims of flood, banditry, communal clashes and other disasters.

    “We appreciate the services of the air crew, especially the pilots, who have put in hundreds of hours of flying us to and from areas affected by disasters and other humanitarian issues.”

    The minister prayed God to console the families they left behind by the victims and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of their dear ones. (NAN)