Connect with us

News

KDSG lauds centre’s efforts in preventing violent extremism

Published

on

The Kaduna State Government has  expressed gratitude for the ongoing efforts to address violent extremism in the state.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, made this known on Monday in Kaduna when she received a delegation from the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it operates under the  Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
NAN also reports that the visit was for a briefing on the ‘Global Community Engagement and Resilient Fund (GCERF)’ interventions in the state.
She expressed appreciation to the centre and its partners’ efforts in combating violent extremism in the state.
 The deputy governor also  conveyed the gratitude of Gov. Uba Sani and the state government for the impactful work being done through various initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of violent extremism in the satte.
 Balarabe specifically acknowledged the the Global Community Engagement and Resilient Fund (GCERF), the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network, ActionAid Nigeria and the SERVE III project consortium.
She said, “We are encouraged by the recent approval of a grant by GCERF to support the establishment of a Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism (PCVE) Knowledge, Innovation, and Resources Hub through the PAVE Network.”
Balarabe acknowledged the immense toll that violent extremism had taken on the state, affecting lives, disrupting development, and fostering distrust among communities.
The deputy governor reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with all the stakeholders to implement ‘State and Local Action Plans’ for preventing and countering violent extremism.
 She emphasised the vital link between security and sustainable development, opining that both were interdependent and crucial for the state’s progress.
Earlier in her remarks,the Director of the Directorate of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at NCTC-ONSA, Mairo Musa, briefed Balarabe on the partnership with GCERF.
 She explained that the collaboration, which began in 2022, has already seen the implementation of several projects in the state by ActionAid Nigeria.
Musa said that the  initiatives have been instrumental in addressing radicalisation and preventing violent extremism.
She underscored the importance of continued support from the the state government to sustain these efforts.
“The ongoing collaboration between NCTC-ONSA and the Kaduna State Government is crucial to enhancing the state’s capacity in preventing and countering violent extremism,” she said
Musa also explained on the need for strategic communication and engagement with communities.
ActionAid Nigeria, represented by Deputy Director of Programmes, Suwaiba Dankabo, expressed optimism that the secured grant would lead to positive outcomes in the state.
She reeled out the success of the SARVE III project, which has significantly strengthened community resilience against violent extremism across several local governments in the state.
She also reaffirmed  both parties’  commitment to working together to build a safer and a more peaceful Kaduna State.(NAN
ALSO READ:  Nigeria's Police Force Ban POS Machines Within Police Stations, Facilities
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Trump threatens attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities as talks continue

Published

on

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat of drastic consequences for Iran over its nuclear programme, including a potential attack on Tehran’s nuclear facilities.

During a meeting at the White House with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump said: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they got to go fast, because they’re fairly close to having one, and they’re not going to have one.

“And if we have to do something very harsh, we’ll do it. And I’m not doing it for us.

“I’m doing it for the world, and these are radicalised people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

When questioned by a reporter if this included an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump affirmed, “Of course it does.”

The U.S. government and other Western states as well as Israel aim to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

During his first term in office in 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Vienna nuclear deal, which was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear programme and lift sanctions in return.

Following this, Tehran also ceased adhering to the agreement’s stipulations.

Last Saturday, the U.S. and Iran resumed talks about a possible new nuclear agreement after years of deadlock, with Oman acting as a mediator.

The next round of talks is expected to hold on Saturday in Rome.

Trump confirmed the scheduled date and expressed confidence in resolving the issue with Iran, describing it as “almost an easy” problem.

Earlier Monday, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi announced that he would travel to Tehran this week ahead of the next round of nuclear talks.

ALSO READ:  2023 Hajj: Flynas Airlifts 18,000 Nigerian Pilgrims In 45 Flights

According to Iranian media reports, Grossi is expected in Tehran on Wednesday.

“Continued engagement and cooperation with the agency is essential at a time when diplomatic solutions are urgently needed,” Grossi wrote on X on Monday.

Tehran’s lack of cooperation with IAEA inspectors is a main cause of the growing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, along with its production of near weapons-grade uranium. (dpa/NAN

Continue Reading

News

Alleged N33.8bn fraud: Court adjourns trial of ex-Power Minister

Published

on

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, adjourned the trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, until May 2.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s video evidence to counter the allegations by Mamman that his extra-judicial statement was not voluntarily made, was played in the open court.

Justice Omotosho had ordered that the video clip of the interview session conducted by the commission’s officials during their investigation be played in a trial-within-trial, following allegation that the ex-minister did not voluntarily make the statement.

The ex-minister had, through his lawyer, Femi Atteh, SAN, insisted that his statement tendered by the EFCC in the alleged corruption trial was not not made voluntarily.

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, disagreed with Atteh’s submission.

The judge consequently ordered that the video clip be played in the open court to ascertain the veracity of the argument.

In the video on Monday, Mamman insisted that he could not write statement due to his ill-health.

Counsel to the EFCC, Abbas Muhammed, asked the EFCC investigator and a witness, Abubakar Kwaido, whether he read the statement of caution to Mamman before the session.

Kwaido confirmed that the cautionary statement was read to the defendant before the video recorded and the statement taken.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until May 2 for continuation of trial.

Oyedepo, the lead prosecuting counsel, had, on Thursday, asked Kwaido whether he harassed Mamman or threatened him with detention but the witness responded in the negative.(NAN)

ALSO READ:  Emirship Tussle: Bayero’s counsel withdraw legal services
Continue Reading

News

Ghastly accident claims 7 lives in Ebonyi– FRSC

Published

on

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi has confirmed the death of seven persons in Sunday’s auto crash at Nwafia Oga, Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area.

The Sector Commander of the corps, Mr Henry Igwe, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, saying that it occured at about 7.30pm.

Igwe also said that the crash involved a commercial Toyota Bus, with Registration Number UWN 429 ZY and an articulated vehicle, with Registration Number XW 294 ENU.

He said: “20 persons were involved in the crash, consisting of six males and two females.

“The dead include four males and three females, while two females were injured.”

According to him, 11 persons, comprising two males, eight females and one child, escaped unhurt.

The FRSC chief also said that the crash was caused by speed violation.

He said that while the injured were taken to St. Saviour Hospital, Onueke for treatment, the remains of the deceased were taken to the Onueke General Hospital’s morgue.

He said that investigation into the crash had commenced.

“We still urge drivers to drive carefully and obey road signs because it is only the alive that travels,” he said. (NAN)

ALSO READ:  2023 Hajj: Flynas Airlifts 18,000 Nigerian Pilgrims In 45 Flights
Continue Reading