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Discussions on Niger fruitful, war must unlikely, says ECOWAS envoy

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Retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the ECOWAS envoy on the Niger Republic crisis, said discussions with the military junta was fruitful on the way forward.

He said this on Monday in Abuja after submitting a report on their visit to Niamey to President Bola Tinubu, who is the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

Abubakar, who was accompanied by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said the ECOWAS would continue to explore all options.

He said that the ECOWAS delegation met with the military junta in Niamey on Saturday and discussed on amicably resolving the imbroglio.

‘’As you are aware, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government have made me an envoy to Niger Republic and we were there over the weekend to see the military people and discussed to find a way out of the lacuna we find ourselves.

‘’I must say that our visit to Niger has been very fruitful and that it has opened an avenue to start talking and hopefully we’ll get somewhere,’’ he said.

Abubakar said that the delegation also presented the three years transitional plan of the junta to Tinubu who would table it before the regions Heads of State and Government.

‘’Well, like I said, we’ve started talking, they have made their own points and then I made my report to the Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of state and President.

‘’He will now consult with his colleagues and then the ding-dong starts and we’ll get somewhere hopefully,’’ he said.

On the possibility of engaging in dialogue instead of military options to resolve the Niger crisis, he insisted that the leaders still wants to employ diplomatic options.

‘’Hopefully diplomacy will see the better of this. Nobody wants to go to war. It doesn’t pay anybody, but then, our leaders have said if all fails and I don’t think all will fail, we’ll get somewhere we’ll get out of this mess.’’

During the Niger meeting in Niamey on Saturday, Abubakar met with President Mohamed Bazoum who was reported not to be receiving adequate health attention along with his family.

The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at its meeting last week had ordered the deployment of a military standby force to restore constitutional rule in Niger.(

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Kebbi Relocates 6 Sir Yahaya Hospital Departments for Remodeling

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The Kebbi Government has announced plans to relocate six medical departments from Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, to Kalgo General Hospital in Kalgo Local Government Area for proper remodelling.

Dr Zaki Abubakar-Zaki, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital, gave the information while briefing the press in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

“Gov.

Nasir Idris has approved the transformation of Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital into a modern facility to meet the challenges of contemporary medical care.

“The relocation of some departments to Kalgo Medical Centre is necessary to facilitate the reconstruction of affected buildings and the installation of modern equipment.

“This action puts to rest rumours and speculations that Sir Yahyah Hospital is being relocated to Kalgo,” he said.

Abubakar-Zaki explained that Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital, established in 1952, was originally built when Birnin Kebbi had a smaller population.

“However, the rapid population growth now necessitates modernisation to align the hospital with current needs.

“Gov. Idris sanctioned the hospital’s transformation during his visit, recognising the importance of modern medical care.

“Patients from the affected departments will receive their medical records for transfer to the new location.

“The departments being relocated are Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Dental, and Physiotherapy.

“Departments remaining at the hospital until the completion of the remodelling include Accident and Emergency, Maternity Unit, Paediatrics, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Dialysis, Laboratory, and X-ray.”

Abubakar-Zaki, who is also the hospital’s Permanent Secretary, noted that the hospital was currently unable to train medical interns, except for nurse interns, due to its current state.

He said once modernised, Sir Yahyah Memorial Hospital would be capable of training medical professionals at all levels.

The CMD also clarified that the hospital would continue to serve as a Tertiary Health Institution but stated it would not become a University Teaching Hospital. (NAN)

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NAHCON Approves 4 Banks to Implement Hajj Savings Scheme

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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved four banks to support and implement the Hajj Savings Scheme.

Abdulbasit Abba, an official in the Information and Publications Division of NAHCON, announced the development in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Abba stated, “A significant milestone for the Hajj Savings Scheme, three new Islamic banks—Taj Bank, Alternative Bank, and Lotus Bank have officially joined the initiative to support Nigerian pilgrims.

“These banks will operate alongside Ja’iz Bank, bringing the total number of participating financial institutions to four.

“The official signing and acknowledgment of the appointment letters took place at Hajj House in Abuja, where representatives from the three new banks received their official letters from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

“The Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management, and Finance, Prince Abdullazak Aliu, presented the letters on behalf of the Chairman/CEO, Prof. Abdullahi Usman.

“This expansion marks a new era for the Hajj Savings Scheme, ensuring a more robust financial structure to facilitate pilgrimage arrangements for Nigerian Muslims.”(NAN)

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Bill to Regulate Agency, Legal Fees in Enugu State Scales First Reading

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A bill seeking to regulate house agency and legal fees in Enugu State has scaled first reading in the State House of Assembly.

The bill titled, “Bill for a Law to Amend the Landlord and Tenant Law Cap 101 of of Enugu State 2024” was sponsored by the member representing Nkanu East constituency, Mr Okey Mbah.

Mbah said the move was in response to the growing complaints by Enugu State residents over rising exploitation by landlords.

He pointed out that Section 3 (4) provides that no tenant shall be caused to pay any further premium in acquiring any accommodation except legal fee payable to a qualified legal practitioner.

The lawmaker said it must be for the purpose of preparing the landlord and tenant agreement and such fee should not exceed 10 per cent of the rent.

Mbah explained that offence under this bill, when passed, would attract a N500,000 fine or a prison term of six months or both.

He said the bill equally seeks to checkmate the injustice suffered by tenants through forced, irregular, and fraudulent evictions by establishing a legally defined duration for eviction and other relevant notices.

Mbah said that the amended bill which sought to ensure that anyone who wished to be a land agent/manager must be certified by the government.

The first term lawmaker explained that there was a 10 per cent ceiling for both Agency and Legal fees, the percentage can be negotiated lesser but could never be above 10 per cent.

He also explained that the tradition of caution fee should be prohibited.

The legislator however, said that government ministry or agency was given the powers to make further regulations on housing issues in Enugu State.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the assembly, Chief Uche Ugwu, applauded the initiator of the bill describing it as being apt.

Ugwu urged the members to study the bill and get ready for deliberations during the second reading. (NAN)

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