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Nasarawa, UKNIAF Signs MoU On Mutual Accountability Framework

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2 years ago

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…Undertakes two climate smart projects in Nasarawa

Solomon Attah,Lafia

The Nasarawa Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) on a Mutual Accountability Framework(MAF)

The partnership which is facilitated by the Nasarawa state Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) was signed by Governor Abdullahi Sule.

The partnership ushers in funded technical assistance for the preparation of Climate Smart Infrastructure Public Private Partnerships(PPP) projects in the state.

The targetted was to enhance institutional and human capacity of the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) and other key Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the state, d well as the technical assistance that will enable the state to deliver on the objective of the UKNIAF programme.

Two climate-smart projects from some of the Nasarawa state PPP pipelines have been selected to be undertaken under the partnership. They include a 4000-Bed Hostel for the Nasarawa State University, Keffi and 450 ha Gudi Industrial Hub, Gudi.

During the signing of the MoU, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed optimism that the partnership will help improve productivity, and reduce poverty based on sustainable economic, social and environmental development as enshrined in the Nasarawa state economic development strategy (2019-2023).

He said that, he administration was looking forward to UKNIAF’s support of other climate-smart projects in the Nasarawa state PPP pipeline and to also benefit from a full spectrum of the UKNIAF support, through the development of Outline Business Case and market engagement to secure private sector participation.

He added that, the state is committed to advancing its support for the objectives of the programme in developing Climate Smart PPP project with the requisite potential to attract early-stage and downstream financing as he restates his commitment to strengthen the Nasarawa State Infrastructure Fund towards unlocking finance for eligible infrastructure projects.

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“As we sign this Mutual Accountability Framework, we wish to reaffirm our promise and commitment to do things differently.

“We will continue to work innovatively, leverage partnerships, and
implement essential policy reforms that translate to good governance for everyone across Nasarawa State.

“I crave the continuous support of all stakeholders, in ensuring that this signing today, translates into tangible benefits for all, as we inch closer to the Nasarawa of our dreams,” Governor Sule noted.

The Head of Economic Development, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Sally Woolhouse said, with the signing of the agreement, UNICEF and the Nasarawa Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), would be collaborating to develop climate-smart infrastructure projects and unlock critically private financing for the development of the state.

“The support is provided through the UKNIAF which is our flagship infrastructure and energy programme. It is central to the long-standing partnership between the UK and Nigeria on infrastructure.

“The PPP offers the opportunity to leverage that important private sector capital. No state government can do that on their own but to accelerate infrastructure development and help meet the needs of citizens,” WoolHouse said.

She explained that, Nasarawa State was chosen for the project mostly because of the reforms introduced by governor Abdullahi Sule Administration in the area of ease of doing business.

“We are very excited to be working with you given the positive context we can run a programme such as this. It’s not a coincidence that those things go together. But equally, we see the need for infrastructure in addressing climate change both in terms of decarbonizing the economy, also increasing resilience to impact,” Sally added.

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The Managing Director, UKNIAF, Chidiebere Onyia said, five key reforms initiated by the Governor Sule administration are the catalyst that is facilitating the PPP agreement between UKNIAF and Nasarawa State.

Onyia particularly mentioned the development of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), evolving a PPP framework backed by law, with Nasarawa State among the few states to initiate the policy, the establishment of NASIDA, an agency constituted beyond the state for sustainability and most significantly, the establishment of Nasarawa Infrastructure Fund, as well as instituting a high-powered investment and economic advisory council.

“These five high-level processes and systems, are part of the reasons why it was not difficult for us to select Nasarawa State.

“The work that we are doing with your team is quite remarkable. UNICEF, on the leadership side, we appreciate your forthrightness, even in giving us the necessary data to begin to think about the pipelines.

“One thing we have learnt over the years in engaging with some state governments and governors is that, they are not always forthright in what is not there.

“They paint glossy pictures when we begin to dig deep, we found out that things are not there. That has not been the case with you, you have always been open. That is why we are committing to work with Nasarawa State,’ he stated.

Also speaking, Managing Director/CEO of Nasarawa Investment Development Agency, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the state is committed to the partnership for mutual prosperity.

Abdullahi assured that, Nasarawa State would continue to have deliberate policies to ensure that when developers come to the state, communities engage with them and traditional rulers give the necessary support.

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The UKNIAF is a Power
sector and Infrastructure Finance development programme funded through Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and delivered by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office
(FCDO).

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National

Centre demands prosecution of IBB over June 12 annulment

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1 hour ago

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February 27, 2025

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By Abubakar Yunusa

A leading civil society organisation, the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida over his role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, CHRICED’s Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, described Babangida’s recent self-incriminating remarks as a critical test for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He asserted that failure to hold the former leader accountable would undermine Tinubu’s moral and political legitimacy.

“We firmly assert that if President Tinubu fails to take decisive action against General Babangida and does not ensure that he faces the consequences of his actions—specifically, imprisonment, which is where he rightfully belongs—he will lack the moral and political legitimacy to govern effectively,” Zikirullahi stated.

The organisation argued that Babangida’s candid admission of his role in annulling the election paints him as a figure who has evaded justice for too long.

It warned that failure to prosecute him would further entrench a culture of impunity in Nigeria.

The statement also highlighted the tragic aftermath of the annulment, including the deaths of protesters and the imprisonment of pro-democracy activists.

Among those mentioned were Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the election, who was detained and later died under suspicious circumstances, as well as journalist Dele Giwa, whose unresolved murder remains a symbol of repression during Babangida’s regime.

“For decades, successive governments have claimed a lack of evidence to prosecute Babangida.

However, with his recent confessions and public statements, there is now compelling evidence for legal action,” CHRICED said.

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The organisation also criticised the financial waste associated with the annulled election, arguing that resources used to conduct the poll could have been better utilised for national development.

The center blamed Babangida’s administration for fostering a political culture where power is acquired through manipulation rather than democratic means.

“The decisions made by Babangida and his associates have led to the infiltration of unqualified individuals into various positions of authority, undermining governance and eroding public trust,” the statement read.

CHRICED urged President Tinubu to take a stand for justice, insisting that addressing Babangida’s role in the June 12 annulment is crucial to restoring faith in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“This is not just about the past; it is about Nigeria’s future. If impunity is allowed to persist, the cycle of injustice and corruption will continue to plague our nation,” Zikirullahi warned.

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U.S. department ‘accidentally’ cut Ebola prevention – Elon Musk

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2 hours ago

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February 27, 2025

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Elon Musk, U.S tech billionaire on Thursday revealed that the U.S. government accidentally cut Ebola virus prevention efforts.

Musk told a U.S. Cabinet meeting that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had made mistakes as it cut jobs and programmes in recent weeks.

“We won’t be perfect, but when we make mistake, we’ll fix it very quickly.”

Musk, who is not a Cabinet member or an elected official, said one such mistake was “accidentally” cancelling Ebola prevention while cutting U.S. development aid agency USAID.

“I think we all want Ebola prevention. So we restored the Ebola prevention immediately, and there was no interruption,” Musk said.

“But we do need to move quickly if we are to achieve a trillion dollar deficit reduction in financial year 2026.

“It requires saving 4 billion dollars per day, every day, from now through the end of September,” he added. “But we can do it, and we will do it.”

Ebola is a contagious and life-threatening infectious disease. The virus is transmitted through physical contact and contact with bodily fluids.

USAID is one of the largest aid agencies in the world, employing around 10,000 people, two-thirds of whom work outside the United States.

It is responsible for doling out much of the U.S. government’s humanitarian assistance to developing countries and countries in crisis.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has effectively dismantled the agency, placing almost all staff on leave.

Trump froze the agency’s funds in January pending an internal review, impacting a vast array of initiatives around the globe. (dpa/NAN)

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North Korea behind $1.5bn cryptocurrency heist – FBI

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2 hours ago

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February 27, 2025

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The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday said that North Korea is behind the theft of about 1.5 billion dollars in digital assets from a cryptocurrency exchange, .

The company said hackers stole about 1.5 billion dollars in digital assets from Dubai-based crypto exchange Bybit on Feb.19, marking the biggest cryptocurrency heist ever recorded.

The FBI warned that the assets will be laundered and eventually converted into currency.

“FBI refers to this specific North Korean malicious cyber activity as ‘TraderTraitor,’ the FBI said in a public announcement.

“Trader Traitor actors are proceeding rapidly and have converted some of the stolen assets to Bitcoin and other virtual assets dispersed across thousands of addresses on multiple block chains,” the agency said.

“It is expected these assets will be further laundered and eventually converted to fiat currency.”

Fiat currency refers to government-issued currency that is not backed by a physical commodity such as gold.

Bybit has offered a bounty to those that help them recover the losses, setting up an online system to trace and freeze stolen funds.

Chief executive Ben Zhou said transparency was not just a principle, but “our most potent weapon” against cybercrime.

“We are taking a stand to ensure that every transaction is visible and every hacker is held accountable.

“Our multifive-pronged offensive is a clear message: if you steal, you will be found, and justice will be swift,” said Zhou. (dpa/NAN)

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