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US vice president Harris, Tinubu in phone call after coup in Niger

Published

9 months ago

July 28, 2023

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The Vice President of the United States (US), Kamala Harris said she spoke with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about defending democracy in West Africa and other issues.

Harris disclosed this in the early hours of Friday while she also tweeted that she and Tinubu discussed about the ties between Nigeria and the US.

The phone call between the two leaders came after a coup in Nigeria’s neighbour Niger sacked President Mohamed Bazoum.

“Today, I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria about the strong ties between the Nigerian and American people and our shared work on global and regional issues,” she tweeted.

“These issues are ranging from defending democracy in West Africa and the Sahel to promoting digital inclusion and economic growth.”

Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), condemned the coup.

He vowed not to tolerate any actions against the West African country’s democratically-elected government.

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Bazoum was detained by members of the Presidential Guard, who have been given an “ultimatum” by the army.

According to reports, disgruntled members of the guard sealed off access to the president’s residence and offices, and after talks broke down, they refused to release the president.

In response to Bazoum’s detention, Tinubu said in a statement on Wednesday that the ECOWAS was closely monitoring the situation and developments in the Niger Republic.

Tinubu stated that the ECOWAS leadership will not accept any action that impedes the smooth functioning of legitimate authority in Niger or any part of West Africa.

He also noted that the ECOWAS leadership and “all lovers of democracy around the world will not tolerate any situations that incapacitate the country’s democratically-elected government.”

The ECOWAS chairman added that the commission will do everything within its powers to ensure democracy is firmly planted, nurtured, well-rooted and thrives in its region.

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“I am in close consultation with other leaders in our region, and we shall protect our hard-earned democracy in line with the universally acceptable principle of constitutionalism,” Tinubu stated.

“Nigeria stands firmly with the elected government in Niger and equally conveys the absolute resolve of leaders in our sub-region that we shall not waiver or flinch on our stand to defend and preserve constitutional order.”

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UPDATED: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

9 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

Ngelale said Tinubu believes that Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience to ensure that no Nigerian student suffers a paucity of funds in the quest for tertiary education.

On April 3, Tinubu signed the student loans amendment bill into law to provide Nigerians with quality and accessible education.

The law will allow Nigerian students in tertiary institutions to access low-interest loans for tuition and other academic needs.

Subsequently, the president appointed Akintunde Sawyerr as the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund.

Tinubu also appointed Frederick Oluwafemi Akinfala as the executive director of finance and administration, while Mustapha Iyal will serve as the executive director of operations of NELFUND.

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JUST IN: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

12 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

More to follow…

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ICPC detains TETFund boss ‘over questionable N7.6bn project’

Published

16 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained Sonny Echono, executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Demola Bakare, ICPC spokesperson, confirmed the development on Friday.

Bakare said that Echono was invited by the anti-graft agency on Thursday.

“The executive secretary of TETFund is here with us. He has been invited for questioning. He is still in custody. He was invited yesterday.” Bakare said.

“He was invited on Thursday. He has not been released. He’s still with us. Investigation is still ongoing.”

It was earlier reported that TETfund awarded two contracts to Fides Et Ratio Academy and Pole Global Marketing (PGM) within two months at the cost of N3.8 billion respectively without the approval of the federal executive council (FEC), which is required for the contract size.

The contract was to provide capacity building course and learning management systems to about 2 million students across higher institutions in the country.

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In a rejoinder, TETFund said it did not award N7.6 billion contracts to two companies without due process.

The agency said it was wrong to say they were contracts, whereas they were ICT projects implemented under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which doesn’t require competitive bidding in public procurement.

TETFund further said its disbursement guidelines were approved by the president on the recommendation of the “Fund’s Board of Trustees and concurrence of the Honourable Minister of Education in line with the TETFund Act 2011″.

In an interview with TheCable, Echono said there was no form of irregularity in the N7.6 billion project.