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Amidst Crisis, AfDB Allocates $74m To Sudan
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $74 million in funding for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project, which will be implemented by the World Food Program.
This initiative aims to enhance food security and increase wheat production in Sudan.
In a show of support for Sudan during its ongoing civil conflict, Rufus N. Darkortey, the Bank’s Executive Director representing The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, reassured the country of the Bank’s continued assistance in providing humanitarian and economic aid.
“The Bank remains committed to helping Sudan reduce fragility, stabilize its economy, and foster recovery,” said Darkortey, acknowledging the severe impact of the conflict on the nation. The discussions between Darkortey and Sudan’s Finance Minister and Governor of the African Development Bank, Dr. Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Fediel, took place in Cairo, Egypt, due to the ongoing civil conflict. The focus of the meeting was on the Bank’s ongoing support for Sudan, identifying new priorities, and discussing humanitarian aid.
Darkortey highlighted the importance of expanding aid access nationwide, particularly in Darfur. He also emphasized the need to safeguard investments in Sudan financed by the Bank and development partners during the conflict.
Darkortey commended the outcome of the recent humanitarian donor conference in Paris, where a total of $2.13 billion was pledged for Sudan.
Governor Fediel was informed by the Executive Director that the African Development Bank is supporting Sudan at both national and regional levels. The Bank has allocated $74 million for the Sudan Emergency Wheat Production project, which will be implemented by the World Food Program. This project aims to enhance food security and wheat production in Sudan, with the long-term goal of making Sudan a net exporter of wheat.
Additionally, the Bank has committed $1 million from its Special Relief Fund to support humanitarian and food security efforts for internally displaced persons, refugees, and vulnerable communities.
At the regional level, the Bank is co-financing a $36.4 million emergency project to support the stabilization and recovery of refugees and host communities in the Lake Chad Basin. Furthermore, the Bank is exploring additional regional support to address the displacement crisis resulting from Sudan’s conflict.
Minister Fediel expressed gratitude to the Bank and its President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, for their substantial support in helping Sudan meet its immediate needs.
He emphasized the importance of continued humanitarian assistance and technical support to assess the impact of the conflict as peace is established.
With the farming season approaching, Minister Fediel called on the Bank to urgently provide agricultural support, including seeds and fertilizers.
Governor Fediel reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthen the African Development Bank by ensuring the settlement of the country’s debt arrears.
He also pledged Sudan’s financial contribution to the ADF-17 replenishment cycle starting in 2025, as outlined in a constituency memorandum signed in 2023.
This memorandum outlines plans to enhance domestic resource mobilization and promote SME-led private sector growth in constituency member countries.
Both officials expressed their appreciation to the Bank’s Sudan Country Office for its leadership during this challenging period.
They also extended their gratitude to the Egypt Office for hosting the mission.
Darkortey also met with the staff of the Bank’s Sudan Country Office, reaffirming the Bank’s ongoing support for their well-being.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.