United States Govt announces $27 million aid for Nigeria

Published

1 year ago

August 20, 2024

United States Govt announces $27 million aid for Nigeria

The U.S. government has announced a 27-million-dollar humanitarian aid package for Nigeria to assist vulnerable populations and build resilience against food insecurity and climate change impacts.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria which stated this on Tuesday in Abuja, said the funding was part of the U.S. government’s 536 million dollars humanitarian aid package to Sub-Saharan Africa.

The mission said the aid was officially unveiled by Uzra Zeya, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.

“The funding will be channeled to those in need through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.

“It brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to sub-Saharan Africa in Fiscal Year 2024 to nearly 3.7 billion dollars.

“The assistance aims to address the critical needs of vulnerable individuals across the sub-Saharan region,” the mission explained.

It added: “This includes refugees from war and terrorism violence, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless individuals, and other conflict-affected people.

“It will focus on crises in the Sahel, among other areas, and support efforts to build durable solutions, such as voluntary returns and refugee integration.”

Speaking on the development, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, emphasised the impact of the new U.S. funding.

Mills said the package underscored the U.S.’ commitment to providing life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable people and host communities throughout the continent.

“This assistance will make a real difference in the lives of those most in need in Nigeria and across the continent.

“This 27 million dollars in aid demonstrates the U.S.’ unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing humanitarian challenges.

“We stand with Nigeria in its efforts to provide for vulnerable populations and build resilience against food insecurity and climate change impacts,” the mission quoted Mills as saying. (NAN)

President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing

Published

4 hours ago

January 17, 2026

olalekan

President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).

Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

The president attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.

On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The agreement is aimed at deepening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing technology transfer.

It will also expand collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.

In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.

The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.

Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.

He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity. (NAN)

APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor

Published

5 hours ago

January 17, 2026

olalekan

APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor

The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied receiving a letter from Gov. Dauda Lawal seeking to defect to the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were speculations across the state over Lawal’s move to defect to APC.
A statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, described the speculations as fabricated.
“The party came across a fabricated report purported to have emanated from one Tambarin Gusau claiming that Go Dauda Lawal has sent a letter to the party wanting to join the APC.
“The report is malicious, unfortunate, unfounded, mischievous and showed the unprofessional manner which some people can go in misleading others and causing chaos in a stable and a peaceful party like the APC.
“The APC has responsible channels where everything is done in a guided manner,” Idris said.
According to him, the party has not received any letter from Lawal as claimed through the imagination of the writer nor was the party aware of any recent moves by the governor to defect from the PDP to the APC.
“All members of the party and indeed the public especially in Zamfara should therefore disregard such report.,” Idris added.(NAN)

News

282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos

Published

9 hours ago

January 17, 2026

olalekan

282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos

A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.

The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.

According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.

He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.

“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.

“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”

“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.

Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.

“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.