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Buhari explains how govt will spend $5 billion new loan

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HOW GOVT WILL SPEND LOANS

 

The Presidency has disclosed that a total of 15 projects, spread across the six geo-political zones of the country, are to be financed with more than $4 billion from multilateral institutions, under the 2018-2021 medium term (rolling) external borrowing plan.

Recall that Muhammadu Buhari had requested the Senate to approve sovereign loans of $4.054bn and €710million, as well as grant components of $125m for the proposed projects.

According to the letter by the President, the sovereign loans will be sourced from the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), China-Exim Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Credit Suisse Group and Standard Chartered/China Export and Credit (SINOSURE).

The President’s request to the Senate listed 15 proposed pipeline projects, the objectives, the implementation period, benefiting States, as well as the implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

A breakdown of the ‘‘Addendum to the Proposed Pipeline Projects for the 2018-2021 Medium Term (rolling) External Borrowing Plan,’’ shows that the World Bank is expected to finance seven projects, including the $125million grant for ‘‘Better Education Services for All’’.

The Global Partnership for Education grant is expected to increase equitable access for out-of-school children and improve literacy in focus states.

The grant, which will be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), will strengthen accountability for results in basic Education in Katsina, Oyo and Adamawa States.

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Other projects to be financed by the World Bank are, the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme for Results as well as the Agro-Processing, Productivity, Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project.

The benefiting States for the agro-processing project are, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Cross River, Enugu and Lagos, with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as the implementing ministry.

The objective of the project is to enhance agricultural productivity of small and medium scale farmers and improve value addition along priority value chains in the participating States.

Similarly, the World Bank is also financing the Nigeria Sustainable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Imo and Plateau States, for the next five years.

The project, when completed, is expected to improve rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene nationwide towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for water supply and sanitation by 2030.

Under the external borrowing plan, the World Bank supported projects also include Nigeria’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project (COPREP), under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The project, which has an implementation period of 5 years, will respond to threats posed by COVID-19 through the procurement of vaccines.

Furthermore, no fewer than 29 States are listed as beneficiaries of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Arid Zone Landscape project, which is expected to reduce natural resource management conflicts in dry and semi-arid ecosystems in Nigeria.

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The benefiting states for the project to be co-financed by World Bank and European Investment Bank (EIB) are: Akwa Ibom, Borno, Oyo, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Edo, Plateau, Abia, Nasarawa, Delta, Niger, Gombe, Imo, Enugu, Kogi, Anambra, Niger, Ebonyi, Cross River, Ondo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Bauchi, Ekiti, Ogun, Benue, Yobe and Kwara.

The World Bank is also funding the Livestock Productivity and Resilience project in no fewer than 19 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The China EXIM Bank is expected to finance the construction of the branch line of Apapa-TinCan Island Port, under the Lagos-Ibadan Railway modernisation project.

The French Development Agency will finance two projects, which include the National Digital Identity Management project and the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transport Project.

The digital identity project will be co- financed with World Bank and EIB.

The Value Chain Development Programme to be financed by IFAD and implemented in Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Niger, Ogun, Taraba, Nasarawa, Enugu and Kogi States will empower 100,000 farmers, including over 6,000 and 3,000 processors and traders respectively.

The loan facility to be provided by European ECA/KfW/IPEX/APC will be spent on the construction of the Standard Gauge Rail (SGR) linking Nigeria with Niger Republic from Kano-Katsina-Daura-Jibiya-Maradi with branch to Dutse.

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The specific project title, Kano-Maradi SGR with a branch to Dutse, has an implementation period of 30 months and will be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Transport.

The Chinese African Development Fund through the Bank of China is expected to provide a loan facility of $325 million for the establishment of three power and renewable energy projects including solar cells production facility Phase 1 & II , electric power transformer production, Plants 1, II, III and high voltage testing laboratory.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) will implement the project aimed at increasing local capacity and capability in the development of power and renewable energy technologies and infrastructure.

Credit Suisse will finance major industrialisation projects as well as micro, small and medium enterprises schemes to be executed by the Bank of Industry while SINOSURE and Standard Chartered Bank will provide funds for the provision of 17MW Hybrid Solar Power infrastructure for the National Assembly (NASS) complex.

The project, with an implementation period of five years, is expected to address ‘‘NASS power supply deficit and reduce higher overhead burdensome cost of running and maintaining fossil fuel generators (25MW installed capacity) to power the assembly complex.’’

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media & Publicity)

September 18, 2021

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US releases identities of 24 Nigerians arrested for alleged fraud, money laundering

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The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the names and photographs of 24 Nigerians arrested by immigration authorities in relation to alleged criminal offences, as the country continues its deportation operations.

According to the DHS, the suspects were arrested in different parts of the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The alleged offences listed against them include wire and mail fraud, money laundering, drug-related crimes, identity theft, assault, forgery and cruelty towards a child.

In a statement announcing the arrests, the DHS said the publication was intended to show non-US citizens with criminal records who had been arrested by immigration enforcement officers.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the statement reads.

“Under DHS leadership, the hardworking men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations – starting with the worst of the worst – including the illegal aliens you see here.”

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The list released by DHS identifies the Nigerian nationals, the alleged offences associated with their arrests and the locations where they were apprehended.

The list published by the department identifies the Nigerian nationals, the offences associated with their cases and the locations where they were arrested.

Emmanuel Omowaiye was arrested for mail fraud in  Richmond, Texas.

Laurene Onwuka arrested for fraud and impersonation in Chantilly, Virginia.

Olusegun Shonekan arrested for wire fraud in Newark, New Jersey.

Olusegun Olaseni was arrested for amphetamine sale in Greencastle, Indiana.

Peter Ude was arrested for wire fraud; in Atlanta, Georgia.

Newton Jemide was arrested for wire fraud, conspiracy and mail fraud in  Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Shedrack Umukoro was arrested for money laundering, Yazoo City, Mississippi.

Olasoji Akinbode was arrested for fraud and impersonation in Kearny, New Jersey.

Oluwatosin Afolabi was arrested for fraud, Conroe, Texas.

Alameen Adetunji Tokosi was arrested for drug possession in Chicago, Illinois.

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Joshua Ipoade was arrested for wire fraud in Atlanta, Georgia.

Michael Orji was arrested for weapons violation, fraud, identity theft, wire fraud, false citizenship and money laundering in Oxford, Wisconsin.

Ahmadu Apooyin was arrested for drug-related offence in Baltimore, Maryland.

Teslim Kiriji was arrested for money laundering in Yazoo City, Mississippi.

Onomen Uduebor was arrested for identity theft in Seattle, Washington.

Charles Ochi was arrested for money laundering in white Deer, Pennsylvania.

Daniel Eta was arrested for wire fraud in White Deer, Pennsylvania.

Ifeanyi Ibennah was arrested for cruelty towards a child in Tampa, Florida.

Kazeem Runsewe was arrested for wire fraud in Thomson, Illinois.

Fatiu Lawal was arrested for wire fraud in Lompoc, California.

Justin Akubueze was arrested for money laundering in Orem, Utah.

Moyinoluwaseun Okeowo was arrested for larceny, forgery and concealing stolen property in Orlando,
Florida.

Babajide Oluwaseun Faseyi was arrested for assault in Alden, New York.

Bright Eigbedion was arrested for money laundering in Lompoc, California.

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Ogun 2027: Adebutu faults INEC over exclusion from governorship candidates list, tells supporters to remain calm

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Oladipupo Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has faulted the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to leave out his name from the list of governorship candidates.

Adebutu, in a statement addressing the development, said he remained a registered member of the PDP and had completed the necessary registration and documentation within the stipulated period.

“I have not at any point left the PDP, and my commitment to our great party remains unwavering,” he said.

According to him, the governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate was conducted with INEC officials present as observers, adding that relevant documents were submitted for verification, certification and confirmation.

The PDP candidate said the circumstances surrounding the exclusion raised concerns, particularly as other party candidates contesting for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate had appeared on INEC’s published lists.

Adebutu said the Ogun State PDP had expressed concern over what it described as undue pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on INEC, adding that the party would pursue the matter through appropriate channels.

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“We will pursue this matter through the appropriate channels and insist that due process is respected,” he said.

He also alleged that the party had faced attempts to frustrate its campaign, including restrictions on its billboards, attacks at campaign grounds and harassment of members.

According to him, such challenges would not deter the party from participating in the democratic process or seeking the support of voters across the state.

“No amount of intimidation should prevent the people of Ogun State from having a fair opportunity to choose leaders of choice,” Adebutu said.

He urged PDP members, supporters and residents of Ogun State to remain calm while the party takes the necessary steps to address the omission.

“The party has spoken, and the necessary steps are being taken to address this matter. I remain confident that it will be resolved, and I assure you that I will not abandon the struggle to bring the leadership and relief our people deserve,” he said.

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Adebutu described the party’s ambition as a broader effort to improve the welfare and development of Ogun State, rather than a struggle centred on an individual.

“Our cause is bigger than any individual. It is about the dignity of our people, the progress of our state and the right of Ogun people to determine our own future,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to the party’s campaign message, Adebutu said, “OGUN FOR OGUN is more than a slogan. It is a call for leadership rooted in our people, responsive to our needs and committed to our welfare.”

He concluded by urging supporters to remain focused and resolute, declaring: “The journey to a better Ogun continues.”

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12 killed, over three hundred injured as terror group attacks Saudi Arabia airport

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Twelve people were killed, while 309 others were injured following a deadly attack on the Riyadh’s international airport in Saudi Arabia by suspected Yemen’s Houthis.

The attack, reportedly the deadliest on Saudi soil in more than a decade, has prompted the Saudi-led coalition to vow on Sunday a decisive response against the group.

The coalition described the attack as a “full-fledged war crime” that a diplomatic source attributed to a missile.

The attack came during an unprecedented wave of Houthi strikes on the kingdom since a truce in the group’s long-running war with Yemen’s Riyadh-backed government unravelled in July.

The spiralling violence has raised the possibility of a wider escalation, with US President Donald Trump signalling Washington could join military action against the fighters.

A passenger told AFP they witnessed a strike in the airport’s domestic terminal.

“I was on gate 403,” the witness said. “I saw 401 hit, I saw injured in front of my eyes. Everyone was running.”

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According to reports, four Saudi citizens were among those killed in the attack, as well as two Bangladeshis, one US citizen, one Egyptian, one Jordanian, one Syrian, one Palestinian and one Sudanese, the kingdom’s civil aviation authority said in a statement.

It said some of the 309 wounded were in serious condition.

Operations at the airport were suspended following the attack and authorities said damage assessments were ongoing.

The attack prompted health officials to activate a rare mass call-up of doctors to deal with the “serious emergency situation”, a medical source said.

Two doctors said that several pilgrims headed to Mecca were among the wounded.

Schools in Riyadh switched to remote learning for the second time in a month.

Parents in the capital received emails Sunday seen by AFP, citing an order from the education ministry, saying “all schools in Riyadh will switch to distance learning for the entire week”.

“The cowardly terrorist attack by the Terrorist Houthi Militia… which resulted in deaths and injuries among civilian passengers and airport staff, constitutes a full-fledged war crime,” coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said in a statement on X.

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Earlier, the coalition said it had intercepted missiles targeting Saudi Arabia and destroyed launch platforms.

The Houthis claimed a series of attacks targeting the airport on Thursday that killed three people and damaged a plane, though they did not immediately take responsibility for any new strikes on Saturday.

Saturday’s attack was the deadliest in the kingdom since May 2015, when a suicide bombing by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group killed 21 worshippers in a Shia mosque in the eastern Qatif governorate.

The civil war in Yemen flared back to life in July after a four-year, UN-brokered truce collapsed, months into a wider Middle East war that has rocked the region and roiled energy supplies and markets.

Saudi Arabia leads an international coalition that has supported Yemen’s government militarily since 2015 and is now being drawn deeper into its impoverished neighbour’s conflict.

Asked on Saturday whether he had changed his mind about joining Saudi strikes on the group, Trump said: “We may.”

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He said he would be speaking with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling what happened in the kingdom “not acceptable”.

US media outlets have reported that previous Saudi requests for US military assistance in dealing with the Houthis have been rebuffed.

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