News Update: Enugu Govt seals more illegal mining sites as Federal Govt denies negotiating with terrorists

Enugu State Government, yesterday  sealed two illegal coal  mining sites, Agu Umuaka mines Nsude, Udi local government area , and Okpara mines, Akwuke, Enugu South local government area in continuation of it’s determination to rid the state of illegal mining activities.

Speaking after visiting the sites, the state Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam.C.Ugwu, who was accompanied by the Special Adviser (SPA) Energy and Mineral Resources to the Governor, Kingsley Nnaji Esq. expressed sadness that despite the warning issued by the State Government recently, some people were still engaged in the illegal activities.

He lamented the level of environmental devastation the coal mining activities had caused, stressing that what they had observed was devastating

He noted that the site has been sealed and they will be monitoring the sealed site

FG not negotiating with terrorists – Defence Minister

The Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, and his State counterpart, Bello Matawalle, have denied allegations that the Federal Government was secretly negotiating with bandits in Zamfara State.

A statement was reportedly credited to the Zamfara state governor, Dauda Lawal, alleging that the federal government was bargaining with the Zamfara terrorists to secure the release of abducted persons without the knowledge of the state government.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had yesterday denied the allegations, adding that the Zamfara governor should rather appreciate the efforts of the security agents and FG.

However,  Badaru and Matawalle in a statement by the acting Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, Attari Hope, today expressed confidence that the joint security task force working round the clock would rescue the students.

SGBV: FG to introduce mobile courts

Federal Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, has disclosed its readiness to introduce mobile courts as part of efforts to address cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence  SGBV and other vices in the country

The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, at a briefing in Abuja, stated that If  the nation had a mobile court, it would help in its  advocacy against SGBV.

She disclosed that the mobile court was part of the  reforms and targets she hopes to realise in her first 100 days in office.

She stressed the need for a different approach to interventions targeting grassroots women. She highlighted the importance of working with women cooperatives to implement empowerment projects that can be sustained by the recipients beyond the initial government support.

In a meeting with students’ union representatives on the sidelines of the briefing, the minister reiterated government’s stand with Nigerian women, girls and boys, as well as her stand for justice on any case of sexual harassment in the country.

Senate Screens News CBN Governor

The  Senate today is expected to screen the acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria,  Dr Olayemi Cardoso, for confirmation into a substantive capacity alongside four nominees for the positions of CBN Deputy Governors,  to steer affairs of the apex bank in the next five years.

The Red Chamber, which is returning from its two-month annual vacation, has also scheduled the screening of two additional ministerial nominees by  President Bola Tinubu for Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

The Media Office of the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

While the National Assembly was on break, the President appointed the duo of Dr. Jamila Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande as Minister of Youths and Minister of State for Youths respectively.

Tinubu also approved the nomination of  Cardoso as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria pending his confirmation by the Senate

US President shows solidarity with striking workers

The United States President, Joe Biden, will join the picket line with striking auto workers on a historic trip to Michigan today, putting him on a collision course with likely 2024 election rival Donald Trump who visits a day later.

Democrat Biden, 80,  is believed to be the first sitting president to walk the picket and says he wants to show solidarity with workers who have walked out on Detroit’s “Big Three” carmakers.

Republican Trump had previously announced a visit to Michigan on Wednesday, and their dueling trips have ensured that a strike that already threatened major economic disruption will now become a political battleground.

White house Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told a briefing yesterday  that the  trip will be a historic trip  adding that it would “underscore that the president is the most pro-union president in history.

She insisted Biden’s visit to the picket line in Wayne County, Michigan, was “absolutely not” influenced by Trump’s planned trip to the state the following day.

NDE trains 60 unemployed youths in Ogun

The National Directorate of Employment has embarked on three months training of 60 unemployed youths in Ogun State on Environmental Beautification Training Scheme under the Special Public Works department of the Directorate.

The NDE Director-General, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo while flagging off the Environmental Beautification Training Scheme (EBTS) 2023 training in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the training was developed as part of the effort of NDE to empower unemployed persons through acquisition of professional skills in environmental beautification, sanitation and protection.

The Director-General who was represented by Ogun State Acting State Coordinator  Mrs. Oshinowo Ajoke, remarked that the scheme comprises of Hard Landscaping, Soft Landscaping, Horticulture, Tilling and Plaster of Paris (POP).

He further reiterated that each skill area will be anchored by different experienced resource persons in order to ensure their proficiency at the end of the training period.

Nigeria’s Gift Orban slammed two-match ban for red card in Belgium

KAA Gent forward, Gift Orban, has been given a two-match ban for his red card against KAS Eupen in the Belgian topflight on Sunday.

The Super Eagles invitee was at the risk of missing multiple games for receiving a straight red for violent conduct but his punishment was lessened for being a first-time offender.

Orban received the first red card of his professional career as Gent came from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Eupen in a Belgian Pro League match at the Ghelamco Arena

Orban was reportedly sent off in the 45th minute for shoving Rune Paeshuyse in the neck during an off-the-ball incident, and the referee confirmed the red card after a review by VAR.

The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office ruled that it involved ‘physical misconduct’, and more specifically ‘a brutal push with high intensity.

If you have comments, opinions and news stories-do share them with us. Email us at gouni.newsroom@gmail.com.

You can also connect with us on social media. We’re on Facebook @1069GOUNIRadio and on Twitter, Instagram and Threads @gouniradio