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Terrorist Getting Funds From Mining Activities- CDS Musa
The Defence Minister Designate Christopher Musa has fingered mining activities in the country as funding terrorism and related crimes in the country.
He called for close monitoring of mining activities in the country.
Musa, who spoke while being screened by the Senate on Wednesday, also said that lack of credible data base in the country hinders counter insurgency efforts.
According, the absence of a credible data base makes it possible for criminals to easily relocate from where they committed crime to another location in a different state.
The nominee also discouraged state govenors from negotiating with kidnappers, saying that such agreements are not honoured because the terrorists make commitments under the influence of drugs.
Assuring that Nigeria can win the counterterrorism war, Gen Musa said the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba would be investigated by the military authorities.
He also assured the nation that there will be investigation into the recent withdrawal of troops at the Kebbi girls secondary school where about 25 students were abducted.
The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, had raised the alarm, demanding the identity of the Army Commander who ordered the withdrawal of troops from the school only for the kidnappers to strike about 30 minutes later.
On claims of Christian genocide in the country, Musa said the killings affect every Nigerian, Christian or Muslim and that everyone is a victim because the killers don’t discriminate.
Answering a question on operational costs, Gen Musa put the cost of a single drone at $100, 000, saying “when you shoot just one drone, whether you hit your target or you miss it, $100, 000 is gone.”
He promised to involved stakeholders in the efforts to stem insecurity by collaborating with state governors, local government chairmen and members of the public.
Promising not to let the nation down, Musa however, said there are a lot of gaps hindering efficient. execution of military operations, but which he could not divulge in public.
Almost all the senators at plenary had the opportunity to ask the nominee one or two questions before he was confirmed through a voice vote.
Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to relocate Nigeria’s capital from Abuja to Lagos upon his re-election in 2027.
Frank made this allegation known in a statement on Monday.
The former APC chieftain slammed Tinubu’s government for what he described as a ‘Lagos-centric agenda.’
He said that it has become clear to him that the President is pursuing an agenda of sidelining other regions.
According to Frank, major decisions of Tinubu’s administration are targeted to benefit Lagos State.
“It is now clear that the President’s long-term plan is to concentrate political and economic power in Lagos if given another term in office,” Frank said.
Frank also claimed that federal appointments and development initiatives under Tinubu have been largely one-sided, warning that such a trend undermines national unity.
“We do not want a president who is one-sided,” he said.
“Where are Tinubu’s MOUs tied to agricultural and livestock production in the North, industrial development in the Southeast, and oil and gas development in the South-South? None!
“Secondly, no president in Nigeria’s history has divided the country and its people along regional and ethnic lines the way this administration has done.
“There is a growing sense of alienation and division among Nigerians that is deeply troubling.
“It appears to be a deliberate strategy to impoverish certain regions, especially the North, South, and Southeast, so that citizens are economically weakened ahead of the 2027 election cycle,” Frank stated.
His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has announced the date for Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria.
The Emir, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, has not reported the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal, 1447AH, today, Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan .
This was contained in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Daular Usmaniyya , signed by the Wazir of Sokoto and Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee of the Sultan’s Palace, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The statement stated that the Sultan’s Palace Moon Sighting Committee had not received any reliable reports of moon sightings from anywhere in Nigeria. According to this information, Thursday, March 19, will be the day to complete the 30th day of Ramadan.
The Sultan of Sokoto has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day of the lesser Sallah, i.e. the 1st of Shawwal 1447AH.
He urged Muslims to use this time of Eid al-Fitr to pray for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The statement said: “His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has received the moon sighting report, which showed that the crescent moon was not sighted today, Wednesday.
“Accordingly, he declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as 1 Shawwal 1447AH (the Day of the Small Prayer). He also congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community on the occasion, and wished them the guidance and blessings of God.”
“He also called for continued prayers for peace, progress, and development of the country . He also wished Muslims a peaceful and prosperous Eid. May Allah (SWT) accept our acts of worship, amen.”
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approves ₦19.6 billion Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola The Adamawa State government says the hospital aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Adamawa State Fintiri explains that the facility will serve as a training center and improve healthcare services in the North-East.
Yola, Adamawa State – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola. The proposed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will cost the state ₦19.6 billion, and it’s expected to be completed within 52 weeks. The landmark project is designed to significantly strengthen maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare services across the state.
The project aligns with Governor Fintiri’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The hospital will also improve access to quality healthcare and position Adamawa as a referral hub for specialized medical services in the North-East region.
As reported by Daily Trust, the hospital will be equipped with modern medical technology and specialized units when completed.
The state governor explained that the hospital capable units to handle high-risk pregnancies, neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergencies, and other complex medical cases affecting women and children. Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will also serve as a training and research centre for healthcare professionals.
It will help to strengthen capacity and improve the quality of medical services within the state’s health sector. It will offer other healthcare services like advanced diagnostic and laboratory services, fully equipped operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency response facilities, and modern inpatient wards designed to provide quality care for patients.
Recall that Fintiri’s administration executed over 100 infrastructural, educational, health, and social projects across Adamawa state, transforming both urban centres and rural communities. The administration completed major road networks, flyovers, and township roads, including the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Flyover, Yola, and the Nyibango-Yolde Pate Road in Yola South.
Over 100 new primary health care centres were built, while hospitals such as Numan General Hospital and Specialist Hospital, Yola, underwent comprehensive development and modernisation.
