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Ukraine Will Fight For Bakhmut As long As We Can – Zelenskyy

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said as Moscow’s forces continue their onslaught against a town the Ukrainian leader described as a “fortress”.

The hotly-contested town in the Donetsk region has been at the centre of fighting for months and Zelenskyy said on Friday that Ukrainian forces would continue to hold it for as long as possible, during a summit in Kyiv with EU leaders.

“No one will surrender Bakhmut. We will fight as long as we can,” Zelenskyy said, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with President of the European Council Charles Michel, who was on his second visit to Kyiv in less than three weeks, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“If weapon (deliveries) are accelerated – namely long-range weapons – we will not only not withdraw from Bakhmut, we will begin to de-occupy Donbas,” Zelenskyy added, referring to the eastern region comprised of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces.

Moscow says Russian forces are encircling Bakhmut from several directions and battling to take control of a road that is also an important supply route for Ukrainian forces.

Zelenskyy’s defiant comments on the battle for Bakhmut came at the end of a two-day visit of several senior European Union officials to Kyiv, during which the Ukrainian leader called for his country’s rapid accession to the regional bloc.

Zelenskyy has been clear he wants Ukraine to join the EU as fast as possible and has said he wants the discussions to start this year.

“Our goal is absolutely clear: to start negotiations on Ukraine’s membership,” he said on Friday. “We will not lose a single day in our work to bring Ukraine and the EU closer together.”

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In June last year, just months after the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine, the EU extended candidate status to Kyiv but the path to full membership is likely to be fraught and could take years.

Von der Leyen and Michel reiterated the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine during the Kyiv meeting.

Michel doubled down on his backing for Kyiv’s integration with Brussels, saying: “Ukraine is the EU, the EU is Ukraine.”

“Your future is with us. Your destiny is our destiny,” Michel wrote in a tweet.

The EU released a statement on Friday acknowledging that Ukraine had made “considerable efforts” to advance towards membership but urged Kyiv to implement further reforms.

Corruption is a key EU concern and Ukraine has widened efforts to tackle the issue with highly-publicised raids this week on an oligarch with political connections and a former interior minister.

“You are at war and, while being at war and defending your country against the aggressor, you’re able to deliver one deliverable after the next that is necessary to move forward,” von der Leyen said.

But she also cautioned that the process of accession was merit-based and said there could be “no rigid timelines” put in place for Ukrainian membership or talks.

Smoke could be seen rising from the city centre, behind the golden-domed All Saints Church, and Ukrainian helicopters flew low towards Bakhmut over the frozen countryside to the northwest, the Agence-France Presse news agency reported.

A Belarusian volunteer fighting for Ukraine inside the city said there was no sign yet that Ukrainian forces were planning to pull out.

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“For the moment it’s the opposite, the positions are being reinforced where the Russians are trying to cut us off… We’re holding for now,” he told the Reuters news agency.

A charity helping residents in the war-battered town said an attack on a car carrying volunteer paramedics killed one and injured several others the day before.

An investigation was under way but it could take several days to determine the identity of the victim after reports that foreign nationals may have been involved, a police official said.

Oleksandr Tkachenko, 65, said he and three other locals rushed to help when the car was hit, managing to pull an injured woman free from the vehicle.

He said it was “clear” that the car, which was destroyed in the attack, was not a military target.

Locals involved in the rescue were not soldiers, he added, but they also came under attack and were injured in a second attack as they tried to help.

“I don’t know how we didn’t get torn apart. I got shrapnel in my leg,” added Tkachenko, limping towards a community centre with the help of a walking stick.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

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Dan’agundi Grieves Over Alhaji Abbas Bayero Denise

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Hon Dr. Baffa Babba Dan’agundi the Director General of National Productivity Centre , NPC, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas Sanusi and the resilient citizens of Kano State following the death of Alhaji Abbas Sanusi Bayero (The revered Galadima of Kano).

In a statement released, Dr. Dan’Agundi expressed his profound sorrow, stating that,

“The passing of Alhaji Abbas Sanusi Bayero is a significant loss not only to his family and the Kano Emirate but to the entirety of our beloved Kano State.

His contributions to our society, his commitment to the welfare of the people, and his remarkable leadership will always be remembered.”

Dr. Dan’Agundi acknowledged the pivotal role Alhaji Abbas Sanusi Bayero played in promoting peace, unity, and development within the community, emphasizing that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

Commiserating with the family, he said,

“At this time of mourning, my thoughts and prayers are with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas; and all the people of Kano State. May the Almighty grant them the strength to bear this great loss and grant eternal peace to the soul of our beloved Galadima.”

As the state remembers Alhaji Abbas Sanusi Bayero’s invaluable service and dedication, Hon Dr. Dan’Agundi urges all citizens to unite in honouring his memory and continue his vision for a prosperous and harmonious Kano State.

, DG , National Productivity Centre Commiserates with Kano Emirate , People of Kano State .

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Hon Dr. Baffa Babba Dan’agundi the Director General of National Productivity Centre , NPC, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas Sanusi and the resilient citizens of Kano State following the death of Alhaji Abbas Sanusi Bayero (The revered Galadima of Kano).

In a statement released, Dr. Dan’Agundi expressed his profound sorrow, stating that,

“The passing of Alhaji Abbas Sanusi Bayero is a significant loss not only to his family and the Kano Emirate but to the entirety of our beloved Kano State.

His contributions to our society, his commitment to the welfare of the people, and his remarkable leadership will always be remembered.”

Dr. Dan’Agundi acknowledged the pivotal role Alhaji Abbas Sanusi Bayero played in promoting peace, unity, and development within the community, emphasizing that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

Commiserating with the family, he said,

“At this time of mourning, my thoughts and prayers are with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas; and all the people of Kano State. May the Almighty grant them the strength to bear this great loss and grant eternal peace to the soul of our beloved Galadima.”

As the state remembers Alhaji Abbas Sanusi Bayero’s invaluable service and dedication, Hon Dr. Dan’Agundi urges all citizens to unite in honouring his memory and continue his vision for a prosperous and harmonious Kano State.

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Akwa-Ibom: Eno empowers 500 petty traders with N50m grant

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Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, on Saturday, provided N50 million grant for 500 petty traders in Eket in the effort to assist them make a difference in their businesses.

Eno, at inaugurated a 5000-capacity Conference Hall in Eket Local Government Area of the state, explained that the beneficiaries were petty traders under the Eket ARISE Empowerment Initiative.

The governor, who was represented by Mr Frank Archibong, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, further explained that each of the 500 petty traders would receive the sum of N100,000.
According to him, the money will make a lot of difference for the petty traders in the area.

“This is Arise Agenda at work in the local government; this government is desirous of seeing more of this project in the landscape of every local government areas in Akwa Ibom.

‘’The project reflects collective vision for progress and determination to complement the transformative ARISE AGENDA, championed by the administration,’’ he said.

Eno urged the council to ensure that monitoring mechanism was put in place to monitor how successful the beneficiaries were able put the grant to use.

He, however, commended the council for achieving the conference hall project, describing it as landmark since it would serve as a place for meetings.

Also speaking, Mr Akaniyene Tommey, the Eket Local Government Chairman, said that the event was not merely infrastructure and economic empowerment celebration but a tangible evidence of unwavering commitment to people’s growth and prosperity.

Tommey said that the ARISE AGENDA of Gov. Eno led-administration was a well-crafted roadmap designed to uplift the socio-economic standards of Akwa Ibom.

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He said the facility was designed to serve as a premier hub for major events, conferences, and social gatherings.

“It will be a key driver of our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and will also create numerous employment opportunities in the area,” Tommey said.

The Chairman explained that the N50 million grant to 500 entrepreneurs was a clear demonstration of the resolve to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which are the backbone of the economy.

He said the proposed Ultramodern Eket legislative complex would mark another stride in infrastructural development journey when completed.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Deborah Willie, commended the Chairman for finding her worthy to benefit from the empowerment grants.

She promised to use the money judiciously in order to grow her petty trading business in the area.

The highlight of the event was the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ultramodern Eket legislative complex. (NAN)

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NNN Death Toll hit 110 as ex CBN Governor, Mai Borno’s son dies waiting for NGSF’s payment

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The Death Toll of New Nigerian Newspaper Retirees waiting for payment of their benefits from Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has reached 110 on Sunday with the death of Alhaji Aliyu Modibbo Yola, who was the first son of late Alhaji Mai Borno ex Central Bank Governor of Nigeria.

A statement on NSGF Beneficiaries Whatsapp platform by his bossom friend Magaji lsa Hunkuyi said he died in the early hours of today Sunday 6th April, 2025 at Federal Medical Centre Yola, after a brief illness.
“Inna lillahi wainna alaihun rajihun Aliyu Modibbo Yola died at early hours of today Sunday at Federal Medical Centre Yola. May the Almighty Allah forgive his sins and grant him Jannatul Firdausi Amin” Hunkuyi prayed.

“He was in the NNN desk and was later transferred to Yola, Adamawa state his home town as state Editor NNN after the death of his Father Alhaji Aliyu Mai Borno a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN who’s his photo is in N1000 note.
The last time we spoken on telephone, about four days ago, he prayed that “may Allah help us to collect our benefits from Northern Governors with our hands” He added.

Recounting his relationship with late Aliyu Modibbo, in the early 1980s when he was working at the Newsroom of the NNN in Kaduna, while he Magaji Isa Hunkuyi was reporting for National Concord and later transferred to Yola in 1992 as chief correspondent of the National Concord where they met and maintained a more close relationship the relationship continued even after l was posted to Taraba State as a principal reporter by the New Nigerian Newspaper.

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He said he and late Aliyu had spoken for the last time few days ago before his phone was switched off.
According to him, he tried Aliyu’s line luckily the line was on but a strange voice answered the call.
“Where is the owner of the phone? but the person who answered the call calmly said the owner of the is my father and he died at about 4am today Sunday.
May the Almighty Allah forgive his sins and grant him Jannatul Firdausi Amin.” Hunkuyi said

Last week Saturday, the death of Ado Umar at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada Kaduna brought the total number of beneficiaries awaiting payment from Northern Governors to 109.

Reports say that the number of beneficiaries in dear need of medical attention is 35.

Northern States Governors Forum under Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State raked in 7 billion naira after selling New Nigerian Newspaper properties in the name of paying NNN beneficiaries but until now no penny has been paid out of the 2.5 Billion naira owed the retirees.

Meanwhile recent interactions of New Nigerian Newspaper Elders Forum with the Northern States’ Governors Secretariat suggests that efforts may have been underway to pay the retirees however no specific time frame was stipulated

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