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

Published

3 years ago

May 1, 2023

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“ 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.

“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.

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.

“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.

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)

News

Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican Reggae Legend, Cultural Icon, Is Dead

Published

29 minutes ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican singer and actor whose music helped bring reggae to a global audience, has died at the age of 81.

His wife, Latifa Chambers, shared the news on Instagram, saying: “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia. I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him.

“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career … Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace.” The message was also signed by their children, Lilty and Aken.

Cliff rose to international fame with hits including You Can Get It If You Really Want, I Can See Clearly Now, and Wonderful World, Beautiful People. His lead role in the 1972 film The Harder They Come further cemented his place in Jamaican cultural history and introduced reggae to wider audiences, particularly in the United States.

He was one of only a few musicians, alongside Bob Marley, to receive the Jamaican Order of Merit.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness paid tribute, calling him “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world … Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul. His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.”

Born in Saint James, Jamaica, in 1944, Cliff began his career in the early 1960s in Kingston, working with producer Leslie Kong. After early local success, he gained international attention through Island Records and by performing to diverse audiences in London. Cliff’s music often blended upbeat rhythms with socially conscious lyrics, addressing topics from war to social justice.

In addition to his music, Cliff acted in several films, toured widely, and collaborated with artists including the Rolling Stones, Sting, and Wyclef Jean. His most recent album, Refugees (2022), won a Grammy for best reggae album, marking one of two wins from seven nominations over his career.

Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae legend, cultural icon, leaves behind a legacy of music, film, and cultural influence that shaped both Jamaica and the world.

(The Guardian UK)

News

BREAKING: South-West Governors Hold Security Meeting In Ibadan

Published

1 hour ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

Governors of the South-West are meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, over the security situation in the region.

The governors in attendance are Seyi Makinde, Oyo, Dapo Abiodun, Ogun, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo and Biodun Oyebanji, Ekiti.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State is represented by his deputy, Kola Adeusi.

According to reports, that the meeting was summoned to review the security situation in the South-West.

Special Adviser on Media to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, confirmed the development to DAILY POST on Monday afternoon.

Olanrewaju, in a brief telephone conversation with DAILY POST, noted that all the governors except Adeleke who sent his deputy are currently in the meeting.

He said, “The meeting has started. All the governors are present except Governor Adeleke who was represented by his deputy.”

News

Army Releases List Of Shortlisted Candidates For SSC Course

Published

2 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has announced the release of the list of shortlisted candidates for the Short Service Combatant Commission Course 49/2026 Selection Board.

In a Monday statement signed by the Military Secretary (Army), the Army said the full list of successful applicants is now available on its recruitment portal: recruitment.army.mil.ng.

According to the statement, shortlisted candidates are to report to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Ribadu Campus, Kaduna State, on December 1, 2025

“The shortlisted candidates are to report to the Nigerian Defence Academy Ribadu Campus (Old Site), Kaduna State on 1 December 2025.

“Candidates are advised to be in Kaduna on 30 November 2025 and report to the Selection Board venue between 6 am 11 am on 1 December 2025,” the statement partly read.

The Army warned that “candidates who arrive after 11am on 1 December 2025 will be automatically disqualified.”

It was stated that candidates are required to present original and photocopies of all academic and professional certificates, including NYSC discharge or exemption certificates.

They must also bring a valid birth certificate, certificate of state of origin, BVN printout, NIN slip, and completed forms from the SSCC portal.

The Army further listed items candidates must come with, including writing materials, blue shorts, white T-shirts, white canvas shoes, toiletries, beddings, full-size coloured photographs, and scratch cards for checking WAEC or NECO results.

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Parents or guardians must also provide a “duly signed Letter of Consent” made in a recognised court of law, declaring they will not seek compensation for any injury or death during the exercise.

The selection process will include document verification, physical and medical tests, academic assessments and an oral interview.

The Army noted that any alteration on documents will automatically render them invalid.

According to the statement, candidates will be accommodated and fed during the exercise but must cater for their transportation. The use of private vehicles and visits from outsiders are prohibited for the entire duration.

The Army also cautioned that a high level of discipline is required, stressing that “candidates who violate any instruction during the Selection Board will be disqualified.”

The statement added that, due to the military nature of the exercise, the Nigerian Army will not be liable for injuries or deaths recorded during the selection.

“A high standard of discipline is expected from all candidates. Candidates who violate any instruction during the Selection Board will be disqualified.

“Due to the military nature of the Exercise, the Nigerian Army shall not be liable for any injuries/deaths recorded in the course of the Selection Board,” the statement concluded.