The Federal Government has commissioned the Mines Marshals, a paramilitary squad to curb the menace of illegal mining in the country.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, launched the Marshals at an event in Abuja on Thursday.

Alake said the squad was formed from a unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

The minister added that the unit would also curb the smuggling of solid minerals from the country to foreign nations.

Recall that the minister said on Tuesday that no mining license would be issued to prospective investors without requisite plans for value addition on minerals.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, Alake said the federal government had resolved to ensure compliance before permitting investors to operate.

He said that his Seven-Point Agenda for the ministry had placed the mining sector on global front burner since assuming office, which had generated renewed interest from the international community in Nigeria’s mineral resources.

He said the support of the executive and the legislature had enabled the ministry to showcase the solid minerals sector globally, resulting in his election as the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to him, with the pact that led to the formation of the AMSG, there is now unity of purpose on the African continent regarding the issue of local value addition.

He said: “We are no longer going to allow anybody or license any company that wants to go into the mineral sector without giving us a plan for local value addition, like processing, refining and this has a multiplier effect on the economy.

“It instantly generates employment rather than a few people carting away lithium, gold, and the likes to other countries to sell.

“These minerals must now be processed in Nigeria, creating more value and beneficiation for local communities where they are sourced.”

Foreign airlines operating in the country have criticized the announcement made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stating that it has cleared all outstanding backlog of valid foreign exchange claims.

Daily Post reported on Wednesday that the CBN said it has cleared the balance of $7 million pending valid forex backlog.

Also, in January this year, the apex bank disclosed that it had concluded the payment of all verified claims by foreign airlines with the payment of an additional $64.44 million to concerned airlines.

However, the President of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, AFARN, Kingsley Nwokoma, in an interview with Leadership on Thursday stated that about $700 million belonging to foreign airlines was still trapped in the country.

He challenged the CBN to show evidence of payment, if it truly cleared the backlog of FX belonging to the foreign airlines.

“This statement is just like the same thing they said the last time.

“If they say they cleared all forex backlog, and which include the foreign airlines’ backlog, it’s easy, it’s just for them to show everyone evidence to see that the foreign airlines backlog has been paid.

“However, it’s still the same amount they paid.

“They paid twice and we all know that the foreign airlines are complaining that they are still being owed over $700 million.

“If they say they have cleared it, then they should be transparent because transparency means showing how much they have paid to each sector, they should let us know,” Nwokoma stated.

President Bola Tinubu says his government is making sacrifices and working assidously to build a prosperous Nigeria.

Tinubu made this known on Wednesday in Abuja when he broke Ramadan fast with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the leadership of the House.

He stated that there was light at the end of the tunnel, imploring the legislators not to forget their constituencies and to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to show love and support the less privileged in society

Tinubu, who expressed confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to uphold good governance, lauded the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature.

He said the harmonious working relationship had resulted in the expeditious passage of several bills to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

”We are making sacrifices for the country, and we are assuring citizens that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel.

”We must have faith, and please do not forget your constituencies and remember what they are going through.

”I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing, but it is for our country. There is nothing personal about this. It is for Nigeria, and we have no other country but Nigeria,” the President stated.

On the recent dastardly killing of soldiers on national duty in Delta State, the President while expressing his heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved, pledged that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would never be in vain.

The President announced that the officers would be given a befitting burial and national honours.

”In responding to distress calls, they met the end of their lives in a savage manner. Let us work to sympathize and symbolize the fact that they are worth the sacrifices they have made for Nigeria.

”We salute all our men and women in uniform, and we sympathize with them. I will soon make further pronouncements, but they must have a befitting burial and national honours,” the President said.

The Senate has proposed imposing sanctions on parents who fail to provide formal education for their children in Nigeria.

This proposal emerged during a session where Senator Adebule Idiat Oluranti (representing Lagos West) introduced a motion addressing the pressing issue of out-of-school children in the country.

Central to the discussion was the suggestion to establish mobile courts dedicated to enforcing the compulsory education mandate outlined in the Universal Basic Education Act.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, emphasized the need for all states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to adopt effective measures similar to those implemented during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State. He referenced a policy that prescribed six months’ imprisonment for parents or guardians of school-age children found loitering during school hours.

Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe North) underscored the severity of the out-of-school children crisis, labeling it both a social and security concern. With an estimated population exceeding 20 million, the issue presents a significant obstacle to national development and security.

Echoing Lawan’s sentiments, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, expressed deep concern over the potential security implications posed by uneducated youth. He highlighted the disproportionate impact of the issue in certain states, particularly those in the northern region of Nigeria, and called for concerted efforts across all levels of government and society to address the problem.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) echoed the sentiment, urging relevant agencies to disclose state-by-state data on the prevalence of out-of-school children transparently. This transparency, he argued, would hold governors accountable for addressing the issue and safeguarding the future of Nigerian youth.

Super Eagles interim head coach, Finidi George has said the team’s objective is to get good results in their upcoming friendlies against Ghana and Mali.

Finidi said it is important for the team to maintain the high standard they set for themselves at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles finished second at the competition losing 2-1 to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final.

“We finished in second place at the Africa Cup of Nations and everyone expects us to maintain that high rating and be even better in a short while. Our objective is to get good results in these two matches and stay positive ahead of the World Cup qualifiers,” Finidi told thenff.com.

“They call it friendly matches but there is really nothing friendly when you play, especially Ghana. I have been involved in matches against Ghana since the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal. Matches between our countries are serious duels and are always seen as battles by our people. The Black Stars did not perform that well at the recent Africa Cup of Nations and they will be keen to banish that memory.”

Friday’s match will be the 60th encounter between both countries, since a Jalco Cup match on 20th October 1951 ended 5-0 in favour of Nigeria. Twenty of the previous 59 duels have ended in draws, including their last two encounters (2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches) in March 2022.

Their last friendly match, in London on 11th October 2011, ended scoreless.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, on Wednesday, visited the Barkin-Iku Suleja Central Mosque, located along the Suleja–Kaduna road in Niger State.

In a statement via his official X handle on Thursday, Obi said his visit to the mosque is a continuation of his nationwide tour to identify and share with the Muslim faithful during this sacred Ramadan season.

Obi said during the visit, he was able to offer aid to about 100 individuals, break the Ramadan fast with about 1000 individuals, and share a meal with the devout Muslim community.

He wrote: “In continuation of my nationwide tour of identifying and sharing with the Muslim faithful during this sacred Ramadan season, I made a stop at the Barkin-Iku Suleja Niger State Central Mosque, located along the Suleja – Kaduna road in Niger State.

“It was a privilege to offer aid to about 100 individuals, break the Ramadan fast with about 1000 individuals, and share a meal with the devout Muslim community, fostering a spirit of togetherness and solidarity, while also addressing a critical societal need by installing a borehole.

“During this visit, I had the honour of listening to a Tafsir by the Chief Imam, who revealed the pressing needs of the community that has been deprived of a basic necessity for over three decades—a reliable source of clean water.

“I am thankful that this act of support was able to meet their need for the last 30 years and exemplify the core values of our movement—empathy, inclusivity, and a commitment to uplifting the lives of all citizens, regardless of creed or background.”

Former Governor of Abia State and the immediate-past Senator who represented Abia Central district in the 9th Senate, Senator Theodore Orji, has flatly denied receiving any dime from Abia State Government as pension since his exit as Governor in 2015.

Senator Orji spoke exclusively with Vanguard on the heels of the recent abolition of the Abia State Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s Pensions Law by the State House of Assembly.

The Bill entitled:”H.A.B 11: The Abia State Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s Pensions Law Repeal Bill 2024″ was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Arochukwu state constituency, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu.

Speaking through his former Chief Liaison Officer, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere, Senator Orji, said nobody had paid him any pension as former Governor, adding that he has also never asked for it as a matter of morality since he moved to the Senate immediately after leaving office as Governor.

He said:”Since T. A Orji left office as Governor, he has not received any penny as pension.

” He transited from Governor to Senate and he made it a point of morality that he will not, and he didn’t ask for any pension or question anybody about it because he is not interested in it.”

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The former Governor who noted that the House of Assembly has the constitutional powers to review any laws of the state, said he was not part of the scrapped pension law.

“The House of Assembly has the prerogative to periodically review the laws of the state. It’s in their powers to do so but nobody should link Senator Orji with the said pension law because nobody has paid him any pension after leaving office as Governor.

“Senator Orji has not received any pension as former Governor, and as a statesman he has not asked for any. He didn’t receive any pension from Okezie Ikpeazu and he didn’t pay anybody too.”

Leading the debate on the floor of the House, the Sponsor of the Bill, argued that if passed into law, it would help to reduce the cost of governance.

According to him, the humongous amount used in paying the former Governors and their Deputies, would have been channelled into other better uses.

He said that it was not fair for the welfare of the majority of the citizens to be sacrificed on the altar of the comfort of only few individuals who are already comfortable.

The Labour Party lawmaker, therefore, urged his colleagues to give the Bill accelerated hearing, and to consider it for passage.

Other members of the House spoke in favour of the bill, and later it was passed into law.

Announcing the passage of the bill, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, commended his colleagues for their forthrightness, understanding and maturity in supporting the passage of the Bill.

The Speaker who said the passage of the bill was in tandem with the yearnings of the majority of Abians, said the current Assembly would always make people-centric laws.

The Delta State Police Command said its personnel have not been able to access the troubled Niger Delta community of Okuama because of an ongoing military operation.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda stated this in an interview on Arise Television.

The commissioner said, “We have not been able to move into this community. Yes it is our responsibility as the primary line of defense in internal security. But when you have another sister agency conducting an operation, the reasonable thing to do is to wait for them to finish.

“We have not been able for now to get into Okuoma because of the volatile nature of what is presently ongoing around that environment.”

Abaniwonda further stated, “They are working hand in hand with other security agencies to make sure that those who murdered 16 soldiers are caught.

“In the Okuama incident, we have an ongoing military operation there. We have been on ground, we have been supportive. We have not been missing in action. Technology has been an integral part of present day policing. These individuals are being tracked.

“Effort is being made to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to book. We are working in conjunction with other security agencies and I can assure you that we are making progress.”

Speaking on the current situation within the Okuama community, he said, “Most of the places are deserted. I would not like to say more than that. It’s an ongoing military operation. I think when these things are ongoing, it is better that things are not said that might aggravate or pass information to those who are looking for.”

However, the commissioner assured that the police are offering their full support toward ensuring the safety and protection of life and property in the state.

“I can assure you that very very soon, we will be able to get in. For us to get to Okoloba and Okuoma, you would need to get clearance. So we are working on this so that we can also ensure the safety of our people who are in those environments.

“But we are on the ground, we are in our divisions, we are in our outpost, we are in our various formations. We are rendering our services, which is what the mandate of the inspector general of police is. Protection of lives and property. We are doing this. Not just in this community but all over Delta state,” he said.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said posterity will remember President Bola Tinubu for being a decisive leader.

He said Tinubu has played an important role in guiding the country towards economic prosperity and stability.

The Vice President’s remark was disclosed on the X handle of the Presidency.

According to Shettima, Tinubu does not apportion blame over the current economic situation in the country.

He said: “We have crossed the Rubicon, and the nation is on the path to sustained growth. Some nations have gone through worse cases in the annals of their history than us.

“The President means well for the nation. He has a good heart for the nation and we have the moral imperative to support him in whatever way we can to salvage the ship of the state.

“The President doesn’t subscribe to the idea of apportioning of blame, the buck stops on his desk and he has not shied away from taking those decisive actions.

“Be rest assured that in the fullness of time, posterity will be very kind to him.”

A report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that out of the total loans of N10.3 trillion disbursed as intervention, N193 billion has been declared lost and another N418.9 billion remains doubtful.

According to the report, which was last updated in September 2023, detailed the breakdown of the bank’s intervention funds over the years.

A doubtful loan is one for which full repayment is questionable and uncertain. The degree of repayment of loans in question ranges from a complete loss to an uncertain loss unless corrective actions are taken.

According to the report, out of the N10.3 trillion in intervention funds, N4.4 trillion has been repaid, while approximately N5.8 trillion remains outstanding. Some of the loans are tenured, meaning they only fall due when the principal repayments mature.

However, only N969.8 billion of the outstanding amount was past due, as some loans had repayment tenures extending years beyond 2023. Based on this, the report claimed the percentage of repayments to amounts due was 75.8%.

The apex bank report also indicates that N289 billion of the loans are performing, N67.9 billion is substandard and N418.9 billion is doubtful and N193.9 billion of the loans are lost.

The apex bank governor, Yemi Cardoso, has repeatedly criticised the intervention funds carried out under the leadership of Godwin Emefiele, claiming that the bank could not implement the interventions appropriately.