Headline

NDE Distributes Starter Packs To 20 Trainees In Bauchi

Published

4 years ago

December 17, 2021

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Bauchi State, on Friday, distributed starter packs to 20 graduated trainees in the state.

Speaking during the distribution ceremony in Bauchi, the state Coordinator of NDE, Malam Lawan Yaya, said that the beneficiaries were selected from the just concluded training under its Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B-NOAS).

According to him, the beneficiaries were also drawn from its Advanced National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (A-NOAS) as well as its Quick Fix scheme.

Represented by Alhaji Inuwa Abdullahi, Head of Department, Agriculture, NDE, Bauchi, Yaya, who explained that the beneficiaries were selected across the 20 LGAs of the state, highlighted some of the skills they were taught to include tailoring, welding, GSM repair, among others.

“Today, we are giving out resettlement items to 20 of our selected beneficiaries who have met all our criteria.

“These items include welding machines, GSM repair equipment, computers, generators, tailoring machines among others,” Yaya said.

He added that the selected beneficiaries of the items exhibited high levels of concentration, punctuality and obedience during the course of their training, hence, the distribution of the items as a way of motivating them.

The state Coordinator however, explained that the starter packs distributed are loan packages and the beneficiaries were expected to start repayment after six months.

Earlier, Alhaji Isa Abdul, Director, Vocational Skills Development Department, NDE, Headquarters, urged them to make effective use of the items for the purpose they were meant for so as to become employers of labour.

He was represented by Malam Mustafa Yakasai, Chief Vocational Development Officer, NDE, Headquarters.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Jamal Abubakar appreciated the Director General of NDE, Malam Abubakar Fikpo for the provision of the resettlement packages, adding that they would judiciously make use of the equipment so as to become successful entrepreneurs.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.