News
United States Move To Impact International Relations
In a move set to impact international relations, the United States is poised to impose constraints on $6 billion worth of Iranian assets, which are scheduled to be released as part of a negotiated prisoner exchange.
This arrangement is expected to coincide with the release of five detained American citizens by Tehran.
Analyzing this pivotal agreement, John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, emphasized the United States’ vigilant oversight regarding the allocation of these funds.
He underscored ongoing discussions and stressed that finalizing the deal remains a work in progress.
Kirby clarified that the funds are earmarked exclusively for essential supplies like food, medicine, and medical equipment devoid of any potential dual military application.
Furthermore, he outlined a comprehensive due diligence process involving input from the US Treasury Department to ensure adherence to stringent standards.
Media outlets have widely reported on this development, revealing that the frozen Iranian assets will not only be unfrozen but also that five incarcerated Iranians will be released from US penitentiaries.
President Joe Biden is said to have granted preliminary approval to this arrangement.
Recent White House announcements indicate that the five Americans detained in Iran have transitioned to house arrest, with four of them having recently regained their freedom after being incarcerated in Tehran’s Evin Prison.
The identified detainees are Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, and Emad Shargi, while others have requested anonymity.
The frozen Iranian assets, currently held in a restricted South Korean account, are poised for relocation to Qatar as stipulated by the agreement.
This transfer would enable Iran to access these resources.
Kirby affirmed that once an agreement is finalized, there will be no obstacles to the transaction.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that the prisoner exchange will not result in any sanctions relief for Iran.
Instead, the country will regain access to its own funds, with these assets explicitly earmarked for humanitarian purposes.
Iran has consistently advocated for the lifting of economic sanctions imposed following President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear accord involving Iran, the United States, and other global powers.
While discussions regarding restarting the nuclear agreement in exchange for sanctions relief have reached a standstill, Kirby expressed the United States’ willingness to welcome any proactive measures Iran takes to curtail its nuclear activities.
The ongoing prisoner exchange discussions are unfolding against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf.
The United States has recently authorized the deployment of a range of military assets, including F-35 fighter aircraft, guided-missile destroyers, and other naval vessels.
The US Navy disclosed that approximately 3,000 American marines and sailors are stationed in the region to act as a deterrent against perceived provocations by Iranian forces, citing instances of harassment and seizures.
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.