This is the Signature TV News Update
Nigeria Determined to Target Assets of Drug Cartels, Marwa Assures At UN
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa has assured the international community of Nigeria’s preparedness and determination to go after the assets of drug barons and traffickers in any part of the country.
According to a statement on Tuesday by NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA boss gave the assurance in his presentation at the ongoing third committee session of the 76th United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, in New York, United States.
He added that the Nigerian Government has exhibited political will by demonstrating high commitment to the protection of public health and safety with the launch of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, a call for civil action for all Nigerians to buy in and take full ownership of the fight against the menace of illicit drugs.
Marwa expressed appreciation to all international partners for their great support through technical assistance, information and intelligence sharing, capacity building and training specifically in the area of countering the use of information and communication technology for criminal purposes”.
Marwa, explained that the pandemic saw a hike in the proliferation of online sales of drug cookies and the use of courier services to move illicit drugs.
Catholic Priest Kidnapped In Abia
A Catholic Priest of St Theresa Catholic Church, Umuahia, Abia State, has been abducted
Reverend Father Godfrey Chimezie was kidnapped on Wednesday along Enyiukwu Road Ohokobe Afaraukwu community, Ibeku in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State.
According to Eyewitnesses, the kidnappers intercepted the clergy who had just concluded a morning mass at St Gabriel, Okpururie, Afaraukwu, forced him out of his Toyota Corolla into their jeep and drove away.
The priest who hails from Enugu state has ordained a priest earlier this year.
Borno Police Command parades 76 suspects for murder, kidnapping, other offences
The Borno State Police Command on Wednesday paraded 76 suspects involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, theft and other offences.
Also paraded were three suspects, involved in the killing of a Head Teacher of Model Public School, Late Abubakar Ahmed in Bulumkutu community of Maiduguri last few days.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Umar Abdu while briefing newsmen at the Police Headquarters in Maiduguri.
The command is working seriously in implementing the revolutionized policing introduced by the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman to curb all criminal acts in the state.
He however said all the suspects would be charged to court with a view to ascertain the level of their crimes for necessary action, even as he called on the general public to continue giving the police the needed support and cooperation to stem the tide of criminal activities in the state.
El-Rufai presents N233bn 2022 budget to Kaduna Assembly
Governor of Kaduna state Nasiru El-Rufai has presented the State House of Assembly with a budget proposal worth over 230 billion naira for approval.
Governor El-Rufai while presenting the budget, said the planned capital component of the budget was over 146 billion naira, while the recurring expenditure was over 87 billion naira.
He noted that the 2022 budget estimates are marginally lower than the Two Hundred and Thirty-Seven Point Five Two Billion Naira budgets for 2021, which included One Hundred and Fifty-Seven Point Five Six Billion Naira in capital and Seventy-Nine Point Nine Six billion in recurrent expenditure, for capital to the recurring ratio of 66 percent to 34 percent
He stated that the objectives of the 2022 forecasts are education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Speaking during the presentation of the draft budget on Tuesday, El-rufai noted that the allocations in the 2022 budget estimates reflect the political values and governance principles that have consistently guided the six previous budgets that his government has presented since 2015.
IN BUSINESS
Governor Sanni Bello expresses delight over renewal of UK, Africa partnership
United Kingdom Parliamentarians and Business Investors from Africa have gathered at the House of Commons Westminster, London to launch the UNLOCK AFRICA Project.
Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is in attendance to convince investors of the need to look at the numerous investment opportunities in Niger state.
The Governor expressed delight over the renewed business and commercial relationship that has hitherto eroded over time between the United Kingdom and Africa.
Chairman of Africa House London, Andrew Boff, while giving an overview of the Unlock Africa Project, explained that there are Multinational companies involved in the UK-Africa trade space adding that the project will create direct trade for sustainable wealth development between the UK and African countries.
One of the Guest Speakers and sponsors of the event, Duncan Smith, said the forum allows the UK and African businesses to trade more effectively with each other, provide support, information and dedicate resources for ease of access to business partners and mitigate potential trading risks.
ON THE FOREIGN SCENE
G20 Leaders Agree to Step Up Afghan Humanitarian Effort
G20 leaders agreed on Tuesday to work together to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan, as the European Union pledged a one-billion-euro aid package and host Italy stressed the need to maintain contacts with the Taliban.
As the Islamist group held its first face-to-face talks with the United States – European Union delegation in Qatar, US President Joe Biden, Turkey’s Recep Erdogan, and India’s Narendra Modi joined a virtual summit on the looming economic and humanitarian crises sparked by the Taliban’s return to power.
The European Union opened the talks by pledging one billion euros, including money for urgent humanitarian needs and Afghanistan’s neighbours who were taking in Afghans fleeing the Taliban.
Draghi had been pushing for the Group of 20 meeting since the August takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, insisting debate over solutions must go beyond the usual club of Western allies.
IN SPORTS
Sports Ministry Budgets N1.47bn For Construction, Upgrading Of 14 Stadia
The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has proposed to spend N1.47bn on the construction, upgrading as well as completion of at least 14 sporting centres and mini stadia across the country.
This is contained in the 2022 budget estimates submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly on Thursday, October 7th.
According to the budget, the sports ministry will spend N30m on the construction of a mini stadium with 1,000 seating capacity in Anambra south senatorial district in Anambra State while N10m will be spent on constructing a mini-stadium at Ode Aremo, Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Also, N20m is expected to be spent on the construction of the mini-stadium at Agu Isi-Onye, km 70 Enugu-Onitsha dual carriageway, Anambra while N50m has been budgeted for the completion and upgrading of mini sports centre located at Orabuike, Enugwu Ukwu, Anambra State.
