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Sudan Crisis: 1,519 Nigerian Students Leave Khartoum For Port Sudan – FG

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The Federal Government said about 1,519 stranded Nigerians in Sudan are expected to leave the capital Khartoum via hired buses to Port Sudan and other designated border points for their onward evacuation to Nigeria.

This development followed the extension of another 72 hours ceasefire agreement reached between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Para-military Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.

The Port Sudan is a port on the Red Sea in Eastern part of Sudan and the Capital of the State of Red Sea.

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The Permanent Secretary with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Sani Gwarzo, confirmed this while briefing newsmen on the situation with Nigerian students in Sudan on Sunday in Abuja.

READ ALSO: Jubilation As 1,768 Lagos Retirees Get N5bn Accrued Benefits

Gwarzo, who is the chairperson of the federal government situation room, on the evacuation exercise, explained that the stranded students are expected to leave on April. 30.

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He said government had already secured 31 buses in addition to the reserve buses kept in case of unforeseen circumstances.

“We have given the bus company our word that under no circumstances shall they leave anybody on ground; even if it is one more person that is remaining let them activate our reserve list and bring out the new buses.

“And I spoke to the student leader and the Embassy in this regard, so we are expecting each bus will carry 49 persons and if you calculate this number times 31 buses it will give you the number of persons to be evacuated today,” he said.

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READ ALSO: Sudan: 7,000, Including Nigerians, Stranded At Egypt Border

The federal government also clarified the controversy over the 1.2 million dollars used to hire buses for the evacuation of stranded Nigerians from Khartoum to the designated border point.

“Do you know how much it takes to hire a bus from Khartoum to the border?, is 30,000 dollars per bus and you times it by 40 buses, that is where 1.2 million dollars comes into.

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“ So, we transfer the first tranche of the money approved by federal government, which is 400,000 dollars, to them as deposit if you take our 400,000 dollars what does it come to you is 1/3 of the total sum.

“ So, they gave us 13 buses times 30,000 dollars it will give us 390,000 dollars believing that will continue with the evacuation, but they stopped giving us buses that our money has expired.

”But, they kept the remaining 10,000 dollars and told us that our money has finished untill we complete the remaining balance because we are meant to understand in Sudan there is nothing like you deposit money until assignment is done before you complete the remaining balance.

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READ ALSO: First Set Of Stranded Nigerians In Sudan Arrive Egypt

“We started transferring the remaining balance in tranches and believe me you don’t transfer money to Sudan directly, you have to get somebody who knows the company who will transfer and give them cash then go into agreement.

“And the transport company threatened that they will not move on with the evacuation process and whoever thinks that 1.2 million dollars will be enough to move people from Khartoum to the border and airlift them to Nigeria is being economical with the truth,” he said.

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Gwarzo further explained that the federal government had to enter into agreement with the transport company to ensure due process were followed in the transfer of the funds.

“We signed an MoU with them and at every stage we report this to DSS and NFIU so that they can monitor the movement of the money.

”And the company too should know that in Nigeria if you transfer money from government account, it does not go direct because it has a dashboard that it can be seen.

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READ ALSO: Sudan: Nigerians Stranded In Desert, Lament After buses’ Fuel Finished

“We had to alert the DSS and NFIU before we send this money, though in the process the money got delayed by the Central Bank System and this is what they call swift electronic cash transfer system, it got delayed,” he said.

According to him, that is the hitches they experienced in the first phase of the evacuation exercise.

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He therefore emphasised that the federal government is more interested in the safety and successful evacuation of the trapped students.

Gwarzo said while government is doing its best to evacuate them, he also urged the media to report subjectively as the health and safety of the evacuees and the emotional feelings of their parents are at stake.
(NAN)

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Benin GSM Village Puts Aside Differences, Embrace Peace

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There was celebration galore at the Great GSM Village, Benin as members in their large numbers and in one accord, agreed to put their differences behind them for the sake of peace and progress of the association.

Addressing Journalists at an enlarged meeting attended by both factions, Mr. Odion Jerry Igbineweka said he was not really happy while the crisis lasted.

He said now that peace has been restored, they should forget about the past and embrace the peace that has come to stay as there is no meaningful development that can be recorded in an atmosphere of rancour and disunity.

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And for Mr. Michael Ojiezele, while commending Mr. Odion Jerry Igbineweka for toeing the path of honour to embrace peace for the overall interest of the association, said, henceforth, the association is going to witness a tremendous growth and that as a man who loves and cherishes peace, he would want every member of the association to key into the process and let bye gone be bye gone.

READ ALSO:VIDEO: Jubilation As Ojiezele Emerges Chairman Of Great GSM Association Benin

Ojiezele said that there is a lot more to benefit and achieve if everyone could come together as it was in the past maintaining that it is all for the good of everyone.

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Speaking also former chairman of the association, Hon. Stephen Osagie Imoukhuede Ohimai, CEO Osagie wireless link Nig Ltd, commended the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, the SA on Security, Peter Akhere, High Chief Lucky Ohimai, Edo State Youth Coordinator, Asiwaju 2027, Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Political Mobilisation and Engagement, Hon Eugene Utubor for wading into the crisis and restoring a lasting peace in the association.

He further appealed to the state government and ministry of Education to partner the association as it has all that it takes to train the youths on GSM repairs instead of bringing people outside the state to train them.

According to the former chairman of the association, “The rate of employment is reducing in Edo State because of Great GSM Village. We are be able to create job for many persons in the state. So, we want the governor to partner with us in the area of ICT and communication. You don’t need to go to China. As we speak, we still have our members in China more than 30 that are working there.

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READ ALSO:More Trouble At Benin GSM Village As Igbineweka Warns Ojiezele To Stop Parading Himself As Chairman

“So, in this skill acquisition he is trying to introduce to school, to students, they should partner with us because we can be of a better help. And we should be able to deliver what the governor want.

“The agenda of the governor is to see that Edo is shining. And by God’s grace, we will get there. Please, I want the Commissioner of Education Dr. Paddy Iyamu to work with us to let us train all those graduates that are coming up during their holiday period.

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“We have a school center where we can launch and work together. The MD of Edojob all should work with us so that we’re able to achieve success for the state. It is when you have a better environment, you can have a better state”.

Earlier, the Special Adviser on Security to the Edo State governor, Peter Akhere said his promise to the association at the beginning of the crisis was that he was going to do all in his power to restore peace to the association.

He said that now that such has been achieved, there should be no need to reawaken the crisis but to continue to live in peace and harmony adding that, that is the only way they can make meaningful progress.

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Mr. Akhere thanked God that during the period of the crisis, no life was lost stressing that, they must continue with that spirit of sportsmanship and unity for the state to move forward.

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Bauchi Govt Sanctions 4 Senior Officers For Gross Misconduct

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The Bauchi state Civil Service Commission (CSC) has sanctioned four senior officers for gross misconduct in the discharge of their service.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Friday by Mr Saleh Umar, the Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi state Civil Service Commission.

According to him, the decision, which was made during the Commission’s plenary session, was in its continued effort to sanitise the State’s Civil Service.

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He listed the names of the officers that were sanctioned to include; Garba Hussaini, a Director, Education and former Provost, Haruna Umar, a Deputy Director, Administration and Human Resources.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise

Others included; Umar Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer (Account)- Bursar and Mohammed Usman, Chief Clerical Officer – Cashier, all attached to Bill and Melinda Gate College of Health Sciences Technology in Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

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Umar explained that the interdicted officers have been placed on 50 per cent of their salaries with effect from 28th October, 2025 until the end of the full investigation.

The Commission’s decision was taken to allow further investigation into the allegations laid against the officers.

“The Officers were found guilty of misconduct that contradict Bauchi State Public Service Regulations – 0327 (x) and (xxii) and interdicted under rules 0329 (i), (ii) and (iii) to further distance them from their duty posts for seamless and smooth investigation.

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READ ALSO:Bauchi Begins Production Of Exercise Books, Chalks For Schools

“In a light-hearted part, the Commission has promoted 21 officers to their next grades of Deputy Chief Librarian, Assistant Chief Librarians and Principal Librarians to grade levels 15, 14, 13, 12 and 10 respectively.

“Others were Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Chief Confidential Secretary on grade levels 13 and 14,” said Umar.

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The Public Relations Officer added that Dr. Ibrahim Muhammad, the Chairman of the Commission, reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to the rules of law under his watch.

He noted that while promising to continue to uphold integrity, transparency and fairness in the commission, the Chairman also expressed dismay over the nonchalant attitude of some Civil Servants not knowing the disciplinary procedures in civil service and its consequences.

Chairman also called on all workers to be conversant with the do and don’t in carrying out their assignments to avoid unnecessary offense,” he said.

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Don’t Take Law Into Your Hands – NYSC Warns Corps Members

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The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has warned all corps members serving their fatherland not to take laws into their own hands during and after their service year.

Mr Umoren Kufre, the Bauchi state Coordinator of NYSC gave the warning during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘C’ stream 1 corps members at the state’s NYSC permanent orientation camp, Wailo in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state on Friday.

“I urge you to obey all the rules and regulations governing the NYSC. In case you notice any irregularity, do not take the laws into your hands.

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READ ALSO:NYSC Deploys 1,900 Corps Members To Bauchi State

“Always ensure that you follow the proper channel of communication to express your grievances.

“Let me assure you again that management will ensure that the basic amenities you need in the camp are provided for you. Your safety and comfort remains our utmost priority,” he said.

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Kofre, who explained that a total of 2,050 corps members were posted to the state for the one year compulsory service, said there has not been any serious problem since the commencement of the course and the prospective corps members were participating actively in all camp activities.

He appreciated Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state for his continuous support to the scheme in the state as well as the complete renovation of Corps Members hostels and the construction of a brand new Multipurpose Hall in the camp.

READ ALSO: PDP NWC Suspends Legal Adviser, Anyanwu, Others Amid Convention Crisis

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The NYSC boss, however, called on the governor to help them rebuild the part of the camp perimeter fence that collapsed about a year ago.

Declaring the orientation camp exercises open, Gov. Bala Mohammed urged the corp members to take the lead and advocate for national development and transformation.

Represented by Mr Mohammed Umar, the State’s Head of Service, Mohammed called on them to take the noble call with utmost seriousness and commit themselves to achieving the scheme’s objectives of national unity and development.

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While administering the oath of allegiance, Justice Rabi Umar, the Chief Judge of the state who was represented by Abdullahi Yau, Deputy Registrar, High Court of Justice, charged the corps members to maintain law and order towards the peaceful orientation exercises

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