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The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Tuesday called on the federal government and everyone else to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped Dapchi schoolgirls. The forum asked for a quick revamp of the nation’s security architecture in order to avoid a repeat of what it likened to the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls.

Describing the act as wicked and callous, the ACF asked the Yobe state government, the military and the police to shelve the need to trade blames and focus all that energy on rescuing the girls. These are contained in a statement released by the ACF national publicity secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu. It reads: “ACF shares the pains and trauma the parents of the girls, government and people of Yobe State and indeed Nigerians are going through and pray for their safe rescue and return to their parents soon.

“ACF urges the Military and other Security Agencies to deploy all resources at their disposal including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the rescue of the abducted girls. “The blame game between the Yobe State government officials and the Military on one hand and among security agencies on the other over this unfortunate incidence is unnecessary and unhelpful.” It added that “All hands should, therefore, be on deck to ensure that the girls are rescued. The stories that the abducted girls were ferried across our borders or within some locations in Nigeria, should not be ignored for possible links to the whereabouts of the girls”.

BIG STORY

Oil Cabal Fought Back After Subsidy Removal — But Tinubu Didn’t Budge — VP Shettima

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Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu stood firm against pressures from oil sector cabals after the removal of petrol subsidy.

Shettima made this known on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the newly elected executives of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) at the presidential villa.

The group was led by NACCIMA’s national president, Jani Ibrahim, according to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, spokesperson to the vice-president.

Shettima described the subsidy removal as long overdue, calling it a burden previous administrations could not handle.

“I want to assure you that the current administration is your own because the President speaks your language – the language of commerce,” he said.

He explained that the President understands the business environment, having worked as the financial controller at Mobil.

“And he (the President) has taken some bold initiatives. For instance, while fuel subsidy had been an albatross around the neck of successive administrations, he had the courage and the conviction to withdraw fuel subsidy.

“And we know the consequence of unveiling a masquerade. The oil cabal is richer than the Nigerian nation; they fought back, but he (President Tinubu) refused to budge.”

Shettima emphasized that the President stood his ground because his actions were in the “best interest of Nigerians”.

He reaffirmed the administration’s support for businesses and emphasized the importance of the private sector in achieving national development goals.

“This is how great nations build; this is how Korea became what it is,” he said.

Jani Ibrahim, speaking as the new NACCIMA president and OPS chairman, said he assumed office a month ago.

He praised Shettima for his leadership of critical economic institutions like the national economic council (NEC), National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

Ibrahim called for regular dialogue between the OPS and the vice-president’s office, proposing bi-annual meetings.

He also recommended including private sector representatives in technical and policy councils of the government.

On May 29, President Bola Tinubu officially announced the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Three months after, TheCable reported that the President was weighing the idea of a “temporary subsidy” on petrol due to rising crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates.

Though the federal government repeatedly denied any reintroduction of subsidy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited stated on August 19 that it was owed N7.8 trillion for under-recovery.

Nigeria completely ended subsidy payments in October 2024 following the deregulation of the downstream sector, which saw petrol prices at NNPC retail outlets exceed N1,000 per litre in line with market rates.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Humanitarian Minister, Nentawe, Emerges APC National Chairman

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The National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress has appointed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Yilwatda Nentawe, as the party’s substantive chairman.

Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State and chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, moved the motion during the ongoing 14th Committee meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

The motion was supported by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

The minister was sworn in immediately after.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

EFCC Declares 28-Yr-Old Woman Wanted Over Alleged Fraud, Theft

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared Oyinkansola Folashade Okanlawon, aged 28, wanted over alleged involvement in fraud and the illegal acquisition of funds.

The announcement was made through the Commission’s official X handle, stating that Okanlawon is being sought for reportedly obtaining money through false pretence and theft.

The notice reads: “The public is hereby notified that OYINKANSOLA FOLASHADE OKANLAWON, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of Stealing and Obtaining Money by False Pretence.

“She is 28 years old and a native of Ipokia LGA in Ogun State. Her last known address is 21 Hammed-Kasumu Street, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos.

“Anybody with useful information as to her whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: [email protected] or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”

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