The Nigerian Military has declared  Halilu Buzu, a national of  Buzu in Republic of Niger wanted for terrorising Nigerian territory, particularly Zamfara.

The Director of  Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja, at a media briefing on the operations of the military.

Buba said the notorious suspected terrorist leader settled in Subbubu Forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.

He said that Buzu had a camp for illegal gold mining located at Kawayi, in Anka Local Government Area of the state, and had lots of boys working for him.

According to Buba, the terrorist is also a prominent cattle rustler.

He said that the Buzu’s group had in the last week killed 19 villagers at Farar Kasa.

”He is a High Value Target and we hereby declare him wanted.

”Furthermore, he is a major arms supplier, trusted by arms dealers supplying arms from Libya.

”We have been on his trail and whenever we close in on him, he bolts across the border into Republic of Niger for refuge.

”At this time, we are through appropriate channels calling on the Nigerien authorities, regional and international bodies to support in effecting his arrest to hold him accountable for his atrocities,” he said. (NAN)

Vice -President Kashim Shettima, says cooperative initiatives have what it takes to boost inclusive growth, development and end poverty in the country.

Shettima said this at the 2nd Abuja Cooperative Summit organised by the National Cooperatives Agency of Nigeria (CFAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Shettima, represented by Dr Nurudeen Zauro, the Technical Adviser to the President on Financial Inclusion, said the role of cooperatives in facilitating economic activities was key to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He said that Tinubu’s administration had signed the Student Loan Act, set up the Credit Corp to enhance access to consumer credit.

The vice-president said the recent signing of Aso Accord on Economic and Financial Inclusion was also a commitment to support economic and financial inclusion which cooperatives played significant roles in achieving.

”This administration is mindful of the fact that over 30 million of our people do not have access to a broad range of affordable financial services to enable them to fulfill their economic potential.

”A major reason for that is low income.

”This is not just an economic problem but might further lead to insecurity, this is the reason why the conversation on economic inclusion, financial inclusion, and insecurity is of high priority to this administration today.

”This administration believes a strategic approach is important to address the subject of economic and financial inclusion, and as such has elevated the subject to the agenda of the National Economic Council, ” he said.

Ms Nkem Chime, the Head, Strategy Coordination Office, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said that 74 per cent of the populace was financially included while 26 per cent was excluded.

Chime said the CBN would continue to pave the way for innovative programmes to encourage cooperatives.

The Executive Secretary of CFAN, Mr Emmanuel Atama, said the summit was geared toward activating the Cooperative Development Fund.

Atama said the summit was also to have a robust discussion on cooperatives resilience in the face of diverse economic challenges.

He said the agency had also partnered with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Science, Technology and Innovation to build the entrepreneurial capacity of cooperative members.

The Director, FCT Department of Science Technology and Innovation, Mr Olobashola Kolawole, said that cooperatives were the backbone of entrepreneurship.

He said the department would continue to collaborate with cooperatives to establish youths for the development of the country.

Reports says that cooperatives’ members from different states attended the summit. (NAN)

The Labour Party (LP) in Edo on Saturday,  announced its campaign council for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for Sept. 21.

The council, led by Rev. Sam Omede as Director-General and Dr Ehikioya Agboga as Deputy, will be inaugurated on May 13.

Other members of the council are Sen.

Mr Kelly Ogbaloi, State Chairman of the party unveiled the members of the campaign council while addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat in Benin.

This was after a stakeholders’ meeting of the State Working Committee with senatorial, local government leaders and executives across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Ogbaloi said: ” in preparation for the upcoming election, we have meticulously selected individuals of impeccable character to lead the State Campaign Council and local government campaign committees

He also appealed to members to leverage the forthcoming new voters’ registration exercise to expand the voter’s base as well as ensure broader participation in the electoral process.

“A robust membership drive shall be launched to attract new members and reconcile with  disenchanted individuals who have legitimate grievances,” he added.

The LP chairman said that Ken Omusi the party’s youth leader had been suspended from the party for anti-party activities, announcing Dan Ero from Oredo local government as his replacement

He added that the suspension  on some members, excluding Ken Omusi, had been lifted.

According to him,  a reconciliation committee will  be set up to ensure peace among aggrieved party members ahead of the election. (NAN)