The United Nations Organisation on Friday began the evacuation of aid workers from Rann community in the Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State, following a heavy Boko Haram terrorists ’ attack which left three UN workers dead. It was learnt that the Boko Haram insurgents late on Thursday attacked the Rann Internally Displaced Persons camp , during which the UN workers were killed.

Two of the deceased workers were with UN agency; International Organisation for Migration , while the third victim was a doctor, working with the UN Children’s Fund . A female UN nurse was also reported to have been abducted by the insurgents. It was learnt that apart from the officials , a yet -tto be ascertained number of civilians in the camp were also killed while many others were injured during the gun battle . The Boko Haram terrorists reportedly abducted three aid workers and civilians apart from the UN nurse .

Two of the abducted workers are reportedly working with the International Committee of the Red Cross – another major international relief agency in the North – East. A military source said the terrorists stormed the unit of 3 Battalion , 7 Division , located in Rann at about 6 pm on Thursday and exchanged fire with the soldiers for about five hours. aThree soldiers and three mobile policemen were killed after the firefight. The source claimed that the terrorists made away with an Armoured Personnel Carrier and a military truck from the unit in Rann.

The United Nations for the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in a statement on Friday by its spokesperson , Samantha Newport , confirmed the death of its three workers , noting that three other workers were injured by the insurgents. The UN said , “The Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria , Edward Kallon , has condemned the killing of three aid workers in Rann town, Borno State, northeast Nigeria on Thursday night following an attack by a non – state armed group on the military facilities next to the town.“ Three aid workers were also injured in the attack , and a female nurse is missing and feared abducted . Two deceased aid workers were contractors with the International Organisation for Migration , working as coordinators in the camp for 55 , 000 internally displaced persons , who have fled their homes as a result of the ongoing conflict .

“The other deceased aid worker was a medical doctor employed as a third party consultant with UNICEF . The United Nations is also concerned about other civilians who may have been injured or killed in the attack. “The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria ’s northeast , now in its ninth year, shows no sign of abating . Close to 80 ,000 people , including 55 ,000 internally displaced persons , currently reside in Rann and are supported with humanitarian assistance. “The United Nations and non – governmental humanitarian organisations are working across the north – east of Nigeria to provide aid, including food, safe water and medicine, to some 6 .1 million people in need in the northeast . Some 3, 000 aid workers are present in the northeast , the majority of whom are Nigerian nationals .”

The Humanitarian Coordinator, Kallon , said , “ Aid workers put their lives on the line every single day to provide emergency assistance to vulnerable women, children and men . Our deepest condolences go to the families of the victims and our brave colleagues and we call on authorities to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice and account . ”Speaking further with our correspondent, the UNOCHA Head of Communications , Newport , confirmed the evacuation of aid workers from Rann .She said , “ It is true that they have started evacuating aid workers . It is largely because the event has been very critical and traumatic . This is what the United Nations tries to do which is to find the right balance – to keep the work going but also to protect the aid workers .

“There has not been a final decision on how many people are coming out and how many people are going back in. There are certainly very important decisions to be made in the next 48 hours .”Also, the Spokesperson for the ICRC , Aleksandra Mosimann , said there were two midwives in Rann who had yet to be reached .She said , “ The situation is still confusing and we are still trying to make sense of what is going on .There are two midwives that we have not heard from . We are concerned about their whereabouts and we are hoping that they will be found. When things like this happen , people are scattered .”

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BIG STORY

BON Awards Hosts Memorable Book Reading Of Do As You’re Told Baji

Published

2 hours ago

November 25, 2024

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On November 24th, 2024, the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards organized a captivating book reading of Do As You’re Told, Baji, authored by the renowned writer Lola Shoneyin. The event, held at 11 a.m. in Kwara State, celebrated the power of storytelling and the importance of fostering a culture of reading among families.

Among the distinguished attendees were the First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, alongside notable figures such as Wole Ojo, Cynthia Clarke, Chioma Okafor, Segun Arinze, and Kemi Adekomi, who added prestige and insight to the event.

In her remarks, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq highlighted the vital role of parents in fostering a love for reading among children. “Parents should cultivate the habit of reading with their children,” she said. “It’s not just about education—it’s about creating lasting memories and strengthening family bonds.”

The reading of Do As You’re Told, Baji showcased Lola Shoneyin’s vibrant and relatable storytelling, leaving participants inspired to embrace literature as a means of cultural and personal enrichment. The event also featured engaging discussions about the book’s themes, celebrating the depth and diversity of Nigerian literature.

This initiative reinforces the BON Awards’ dedication to promoting the arts, literacy, and the celebration of Nigerian creative talents.

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BIG STORY

Nigeria Has Saved $20bn From Subsidy Removal, Naira Float Policies — Finance Minister Edun

Published

10 hours ago

November 25, 2024

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Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, says Nigeria has saved $20 billion from “petrol” subsidy removal and market-based pricing of the foreign exchange rate.

Edun spoke at a ceremony recently held to mark the first 100 days in office of Esther Walso-Jack, head of civil service of the federation, in Abuja.

“An amount of five per cent of GDP is what those two subsidies were costing when there was a subsidy on “PMS”; when there was petroleum product generally for a long time and when there was a subsidy of foreign exchange. Between them, they were costing five percent of GDP,” he said.

“If you say GDP was on average, let’s say $400 billion. We all know what five percent of that is – $20 billion of funds that could be going into infrastructure, health, social services, education.”

Edun said these flows now return into the government’s coffers for further deployment to the aforementioned sectors.

“The real change that has happened with the measures of Mr. President is that nobody can wake up and their target for the day or for the week or the month or the year is to get access to cheap funding, cheap funding exchange from central bank, which they can now flip,” Edun said.

“And overnight, they become wealthy from no value added for doing virtually nothing, except you know the right people. Similarly, they can no longer try and be part of a new peak market and very inefficient “petrol” subsidy regime as a way of making money overnight.”

On May 29, President Bola Tinubu said the “petrol” subsidy regime was over.

Three months later, TheCable reported that Tinubu was considering a “temporary subsidy” on “petrol” as crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates soared.

After several denials of the return of “petrol” subsidy by the authorities, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, on August 19, said the federal government owes it N7.8 trillion for under-recovery.

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BIG STORY

Dangote Refinery Reduces Ex-Depot Price Of Petrol To N970 For Oil Marketers

Published

10 hours ago

November 25, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as “petrol”, to N970 per litre for oil marketers.

This is a cut from the refinery’s N990 ex-depot price announced earlier this month, according to a statement on Sunday.

The slash would help marketers save about N20 on each litre of “petrol” bought from the Lekki-based plant.

Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Group’s chief branding and communications officer, said the move is the refinery’s way of appreciating Nigerians “for their unwavering support in making the refinery a dream come true”.

“In addition, this is to thank the government for their support as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective well-being,” the statement reads.

“While the refinery would not compromise on the quality of its petroleum products, we assure you of best quality products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.”

“We are determined to keep ramping up production to meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption; thus, dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply.”

On November 11, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) reached an agreement with the refinery to lift “petrol” and “diesel” directly.

Abubakar Garima, national president of IPMAN, said the partnership would ensure a steady, affordable supply of “PMS” products nationwide.

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