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Hunger protest: Hoodlums vandalise bank, mount armoured tank in Kaduna

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Hunger protest: Hoodlums vandalise bank, mount armoured tank in KadunaThe ongoing #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest in Kaduna took a new twist on Monday as protesters regrouped and set fire to a security patrol vehicle belonging to the Kaduna State Vigilance Service in Rigasa, located in the Igabi Local Government Area.

The Zaria office of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency was also razed.

Spokesman for the state police command, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed that hoodlums vandalised a branch of one of the new generation banks at Tudun Wada in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Monday.

He said, “Hoodlums broke into the bank and carted away some valuables and also destroyed some vehicles parked within the bank premises.”

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He, however, debunked rumours that “a police armoured personnel carrier was snatched by the violent protesters at Tudun Wada.”

Hassan said, “The driver of the armoured vehicle succeeded in manoeuvring the crowd of protesters who climbed on top of the vehicle since it was carrying live ammunition and couldn’t have used maximum force against the crowd.

He added that “On the same day, protesters vandalised several government properties, including the office of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency on Sokoto Road in the heart of the state. Part of the office was burnt, and furniture and other items were stolen.”

Our correspondent reports that this unexpected escalation has raised concerns about the protests’ direction and the potential involvement of external influences.

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This was just as the Kaduna State Security Council, led by Governor Uba Sani, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities and their environs, effective immediately.

The decision followed a review of the security situation in the state, which revealed that the ongoing protests have been hijacked by criminal elements engaging in looting and destruction of private and public property.

In a statement by the Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, citizens were advised to remain indoors while security forces work to maintain safety and security.

He said the curfew would be reviewed as necessary.

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The Kaduna State Government urged citizens to cooperate with the security forces and to report any suspicious activities.

Meanwhile, after a brief period of calm, the protesters, mainly youths and children, reassembled in the city centrechanting “bama so,” meaning, “we don’t want” in Hausa.

They carried no placards stating their demands, only leaves and the Russian national flags.

According to one of the protesters, who wished to remain anonymous, they were angered by President Bola Tinubu’s failure to announce the return of fuel subsidies in his Sunday address to the nation.

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Source : The Punch

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Diaspora Affairs Office hosts African diaspora delegation ahead of citizenship conferment

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The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.

The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.

He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.

The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.

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According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.

He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.

Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.

Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.

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By: Jacob Aggrey

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Ghana signs debt restructuring agreement with Belgium

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Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.

The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.

He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.

However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.

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According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.

Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.

He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.

The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.

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The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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