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Court orders Kano Govt  to pay emir Bayero N10m over rights violation

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A Federal High Court on Friday, ordered the Kano State government to pay N10 million in damages to the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, for breaching his fundamental human rights.
Ado-Bayero, through his counsel M L Yusufari SAN, filed a motion exparte dated May 27, seeking the court to restrain the state government  from arresting, intimidating or infringing on his rights.
The other respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General Kano, Nigeria Police, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano, State Security Service, NSCDC, Nigeria Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Airforce.
Delivering judgment, Justice Simon Amobeda, described the order given by Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, directing the police to arrest the 15 emir , without any lawful justification is a threatening the fundamental rights of the applicant.
This, the judge held is guaranteed under Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered).
“The act of the governor has forced the applicant into house arrest, preventing him from going freely about his lawful business, constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under Section 41(1)
of the 1999 Constitution,” he held.
He restrained the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents either by themselves, their agents,servants, privies, or any other person from arresting,
detaining, threatening, intimidating and  harassing the applicant or further interfering with the applicant’s fundamental rights. 

“The prayer for the cost of filing and
prosecuting this suit is refused, the amount having not been specifically pleaded and strictly proved” Amobeda said
Earlier, the second Counsel to the applicant, Mr Michael Jonathan, SAN, said that the court had jurisdiction to entertain and hear the case as it is a fundamental rights suit.
Jonathan urged the court to dismiss the respondent preliminary objection for been unmeritorious and abuse to the court.
Counsel to the Kano State Attorney-General,  Mahmoud Abubakar-Magaji, SAN, urged the court to dismiss and strike out the entire process particularly the originating summons of the applicant motion on Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 and fundamental right.
He argued that the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the case and urged the court to set aside the exparte order it earlier granted retraining the respondents from arresting, intimidating or harassing the applicant.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that the State House of Assembly on May 23, dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state.
NAN reports that Gov. Kabir-Yusuf, on May 23, dethroned Ado-Bayero, and reappointed Sanusi II, as the Emir of Kano, four years after he was dethroned by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.(NAN
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Stakeholders Review SDGs Progress as Nigeria Hosts South-East Regional Consultation on 2025 VNR in Enugu

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As Nigeria prepares for its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), key stakeholders across the South-East Geopolitical Zone have assessed the region’s implementation efforts, highlighting the need for strategic collaboration and continuous peer review to accelerate progress on the SDGs.

The assessment was part of the South-East Regional Consultation on Nigeria’s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR), convened by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs in Enugu.
According to a statement released by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, the consultation served as a crucial platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic planning, as well as the evaluation of progress, challenges, and opportunities in implementing the SDGs.
In his opening remarks, the Governor of Enugu State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, underscored the significance of the consultation in driving inclusive SDG progress. He emphasised the need to celebrate achievements while identifying gaps and fostering innovation, particularly for rural communities and youth.
“The SDGs are a call to action for every region, community, and individual. The South-East, with its strong human capital, entrepreneurial spirit, and resilience, has a crucial role to play in accelerating SDG implementation in Nigeria,” Onyia stated.
While acknowledging improvements in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, Onyia urged stakeholders to ensure that development efforts prioritise marginalised communities. He called for bold solutions and enhanced collaboration to drive meaningful change in the region.
Delivering the keynote address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, represented by the Head of the Conditional Grant Scheme in the Office, Dr Ifeyinwa Ukaegbu, highlighted the importance of the 2030 Agenda as a comprehensive framework for addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges. She noted that Nigeria, having previously presented VNRs in 2017 and 2020, is preparing for its third review in 2025.
“Effective VNRs rely on inclusive, broad-based, and participatory processes. That is why we are engaging with diverse stakeholders across Nigeria to ensure a ‘whole-of-government and society’ approach to SDG implementation,” she emphasised.
She further noted that the 2025 VNR aligns with global commitments, particularly following the adoption of the “Pact for the Future” at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2024.
“The Pact reaffirms world leaders’ commitment to bold, accelerated, and transformative actions to fast-track SDG achievement,” she added.
Dr Babatunde Ipaye, Lead Consultant for Nigeria’s 2025 VNR, emphasised the importance of collaboration in exchanging ideas and developing actionable insights for SDG implementation, while the SDG Focal Person for Enugu State, Engineer Onyinye Akubuilo, praised the state’s commitment to sustainable development, attributing its progress to the socioeconomic policies of the state government, which have facilitated effective SDG implementation.
Stakeholders Review SDGs Progress as Nigeria Hosts South-East Regional Consultation on 2025 VNR in Enugu

ALSO READ:  Former Gov. Lalong congratulates Rev. Hayab as CAN chairman, Northern Nigeria 

As Nigeria prepares for its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), key stakeholders across the South-East Geopolitical Zone have assessed the region’s implementation efforts, highlighting the need for strategic collaboration and continuous peer review to accelerate progress on the SDGs.
The assessment was part of the South-East Regional Consultation on Nigeria’s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR), convened by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs in Enugu.
According to a statement released by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, the consultation served as a crucial platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic planning, as well as the evaluation of progress, challenges, and opportunities in implementing the SDGs.
In his opening remarks, the Governor of Enugu State, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, underscored the significance of the consultation in driving inclusive SDG progress. He emphasised the need to celebrate achievements while identifying gaps and fostering innovation, particularly for rural communities and youth.
“The SDGs are a call to action for every region, community, and individual. The South-East, with its strong human capital, entrepreneurial spirit, and resilience, has a crucial role to play in accelerating SDG implementation in Nigeria,” Onyia stated.
While acknowledging improvements in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, Onyia urged stakeholders to ensure that development efforts prioritise marginalised communities. He called for bold solutions and enhanced collaboration to drive meaningful change in the region.
Delivering the keynote address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, represented by the Head of the Conditional Grant Scheme in the Office, Dr Ifeyinwa Ukaegbu, highlighted the importance of the 2030 Agenda as a comprehensive framework for addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges. She noted that Nigeria, having previously presented VNRs in 2017 and 2020, is preparing for its third review in 2025.
“Effective VNRs rely on inclusive, broad-based, and participatory processes. That is why we are engaging with diverse stakeholders across Nigeria to ensure a ‘whole-of-government and society’ approach to SDG implementation,” she emphasised.
She further noted that the 2025 VNR aligns with global commitments, particularly following the adoption of the “Pact for the Future” at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2024.
“The Pact reaffirms world leaders’ commitment to bold, accelerated, and transformative actions to fast-track SDG achievement,” she added.
Dr Babatunde Ipaye, Lead Consultant for Nigeria’s 2025 VNR, emphasised the importance of collaboration in exchanging ideas and developing actionable insights for SDG implementation, while the SDG Focal Person for Enugu State, Engineer Onyinye Akubuilo, praised the state’s commitment to sustainable development, attributing its progress to the socioeconomic policies of the state government, which have facilitated effective SDG implementation.
This year’s VNR, themed “Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, Science and Evidence-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Its Sustainable Development Goals for Leaving No One Behind,” saw participation from government representatives, academia, people with disabilities, youth groups, and civil society organisations across the South-East states.
The outcomes of the consultation will play a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s 2025 VNR, contributing to the nation’s ongoing efforts to achieve the SDGs and ensuring that no one is left behind.
This year’s VNR, themed “Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, Science and Evidence-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Its Sustainable Development Goals for Leaving No One Behind,” saw participation from government representatives, academia, people with disabilities, youth groups, and civil society organisations across the South-East states.
The outcomes of the consultation will play a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s 2025 VNR, contributing to the nation’s ongoing efforts to achieve the SDGs and ensuring that no one is left behind.

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NELFUND Mulls Plan to Ease Students’ Verification Process

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By Ngozi Nwankwo

In a bid to ease verification of applicants for the student loan, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund said it has commenced moves to ensure that its site is linked to the portals of institutions to enable ease of verification.

The Executive Director, operations of the Fund, Mustapha Iyal made this known during the sensitization programme held at the University of Ilorin for higher institutions in Kwara state on Tuesday.

Sharing more insight on the update, Iyal said, “We observed that one of the problems we are having is the problem of verification. So what NELFUND is trying to do is that we want to engage the institutions directly by linking the NELFUND activities on the institutional portals so by doing that when a student is trying to do registration in school, they can select whether they want to pay via NELFUND, cash or other means.

“So if the student opts to pay with NELFUND, they will fill in the application with their details which are already on the institutional portals so they don’t have to go to the NELFUND portal. That is the kind of portal we are looking at. We want to create a synergy.”

Speaking further on complaints raised by students of beneficiary institutions in Kwara state, the NELFUND top official said the Fund has commenced work on issues raised.

“On the issues raised by the students, we are working on ways to make the whole process seamless. We have already started working on the issues. We work 24 hours and we are always there for the student.”

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Also speaking, the representative of the National Association of Nigerian Students on the NELFUND board, Umar Farouk hailed the move by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to establish the student loan initiative.

According to Farouk, the move will further encourage indigent students to have access to higher education.
“One of the campaign promises of the President is the student loan and I am happy to say that the student loan fund is here to stay. Nigerians can now get to understand that children of nobodies can now access higher education easily.
With access to student loan, everyone now has the ease to go to school,” he said.

The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.
Barely a month after his inauguration as president, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

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Nigeria on new growth trajectory – Shettima

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Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria is on a new growth trajectory, welcoming investments across different sectors.

Shettima said this on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during an update meeting with some Ministers and Heads of agencies ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.

According to Shettima, the growth trajectory is sequel to President Bola Tinubu’s bold, courageous leadership and well-thought-out policies.

He noted that, “in President Tinubu, Nigeria has a leader who has shown the dexterity and audacity of hope for a better tomorrow.”

Shettima expressed satisfaction with the firm grasp of the real issues by the ministers in the key sectors targeted for deliberations during the Dialogue.

He called on all the key actors on the Nigerian side to make adequate preparations for the dialogue slated for the later part of the year

The Vice President underscored the need for clarity, strategic coherence and a deep understanding of issues that will be tabled for discussion at the meeting

” I want to urge all Ministers involved in this Nigeria-Brazil strategic dialogue to take charge of the initiative of the discussions so that we can take it to the next level.

“Drive the process, engage with different strategic groups to give you weekly updates to prepare us for the visit of the Brazilian Vice President and his delegation.

“The most important thing at this moment is for us to actualise the dreams of our nation’s development.

” We have the resources and institutional knowledge to make this work for our country” he said

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On the similarities between Nigeria and Brazil, Shettima stressed the need to leverage the huge opportunities inherent in the partnership between both countries.

Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said the dialogue presents a renewed opportunity for Nigeria to revitalise the nation’s agricultural sector to attain food sovereign goals of the administration.

“On behalf of the agriculture sector, it is time for us to walk the talk. It is a good day for Nigeria because agriculture will play a major role in the partnership.

” We have an opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world and be on our way to food sovereignty,” the Minister said.

Also, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa spoke on the cultural significance of the partnership.

” There is a huge population of Nigeria descent in Brazil who have a lot of interest in Nigeria.

“What we have done in the Ministry is to engage Brazil actively in working together. Already, we have an MoU, but we want to expand that beyond cultural diplomacy.

” Brazilians have a lot of interest in tapping into our creative industry,” she added.

The Minister hinted on plans to rebuild the Nigerian House in Brazil as well as host an annual Orisha Festival, soon.

On defence cooperation, Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, said all is set for the signing of a defence agreement with Brazil.

” We are also engaging with them on defence industry development to start production centres in Nigeria.”

Also, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, highlighted healthcare opportunities that dialogue presents to Nigeria.

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” Brazil is able to produce almost everything they need, including pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

” We are keen on turning things around and with the efforts of President Bola Tinubu, we are unlocking the healthcare value chain.

” Manufacturing vaccines, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals is on the agenda, but it’s a very long journey and we are determined to walk through it,” he said. (NAN)

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