NEWS
Highlights From Tinubu’s Security Meeting With Intelligence Chiefs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed his security chiefs to develop a new plan to oversee security operations in the nation.
This marks Tinubu’s first meeting with the country’s security chiefs since taking office.
During the meeting held on Thursday, Tinubu expressed his personal philosophy on how security matters should be addressed to achieve optimal outcomes.
Babagana Munguno, the National Security Adviser (NSA), shared some key highlights from the meeting, emphasizing the President’s strong emphasis on the importance of coordination among the intelligence chiefs.
During the meeting, Munguno disclosed that Tinubu explicitly stated his zero tolerance for any scenario where the various security agencies operate independently without proper coordination.
The gathering, marking Tinubu’s inaugural meeting since assuming office, was attended by high-ranking officials including General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Defense Staff; Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, the Chief of Naval Staff; Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, the Chief of Air Staff; and Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba.
Others are the Director-General of the Department of State Service(DSS), Yusuf Bichi; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
Munguno said, “the president commander in chief of the armed forces has just concluded a meeting of the general security appraisal committee consisting of the Chief of Staff service chiefs Inspector General of Police, and heads of the intelligence agencies.
This is the very first meeting he’s had with the heads of the security agencies. The meeting last two hours.
“Having been briefed by the participants of the meeting, Mr. President, addressed prevailing issues confronting the nation in terms of insecurity and also mentioned his own philosophy towards dealing with national security issues.
“First and foremost, he appreciated the armed forces and intelligence agencies and the wider paramilitary agencies for the work they have been doing in the past couple of years.
“Their sacrifice, their loyalty, and he also paid tribute to those who died in defending this country, from the big menace of terrorism, insurgency banditry, Oil theft, sea robbery, piracy.
“The President has made it very, very clear that he’s determined to build on whatever gains have been made and to reverse misfortunes and turn the tide in our favour.
“As far as he’s concerned, this country should not be on its knees struggling while other countries are walking and achieving greater heights”.
In a subsequent briefing with State House Correspondents, Munguno elaborated on their discussions, stating that the President emphasized the need for the security agencies to intensify their efforts in propelling the country forward.
Munguno further noted that Tinubu highlighted his personal philosophy, which advocates for the adoption of modern security strategies that address the present-day needs and challenges.
“He has made it very clear that he will not accept a situation in which our fortunes keep declining. And his own trajectory is that national security has to be coordinated, there has to be wherever whatever it says whether it is a basket system, but there must be a clearing house.
According to the NSA, all agencies are expected to work to achieve one single purpose. Working at cross purposes and colliding with each other is not something that he will condone.
“He has made it very, very clear that all the security agencies must comply with the demands of coordination, with the demands of frequent consultations and also timely reports which must be acted on.
“He is going to embark on a lot of reforms in terms of our security architecture, he is going to take a closer look at our misfortunes in the maritime domain, focusing particularly on the issues of oil theft, that is not going to tolerate. Wherever the problem is coming from it must be crushed as soon as possible.
“He is already mandated by the security agencies to come up with a blueprint as far as he knows as far as it’s concerned, it doesn’t have the luxury of time. And whatever changes will be made have to be done as soon as possible.
To address Nigeria’s ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year, the Senate has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to secure a ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2 billion) loan.
The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary session, where a voice vote confirmed the approval following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
RELATED NEWS: Tinubu Seeks ₦1.767tn Loan to Tackle 2024 Budget Deficit
Chaired by Senator Wammako Magatarkada (APC, Sokoto North), the committee endorsed the loan request as a vital step in managing the country’s fiscal challenges.
Recall that President Tinubu had submitted the proposal earlier in the week, outlining the loan as a crucial component of his administration’s external borrowing strategy.
Details shortly…………..
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, has been arrested by Finnish authorities on allegations of inciting terrorist activities.
The Päijät-Häme District Court ordered his detention following an incident that reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021.
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The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also seeking the arrest of four other individuals in connection with the case. Officials say the charges involve public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said in a statement.
Details regarding the additional suspects or the specifics of the alleged crimes remain unclear as the investigation continues. Authorities have emphasized the sensitive nature of the case, stating that further information will be disclosed as the inquiry progresses.
This development marks a significant step in Finland’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure public safety.
International News
COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.
The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.
The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
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However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.
Ambiguity in Funding Commitments
Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.
Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.
“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.
The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.
Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.
Key Provisions and Concerns
The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.
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It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.
However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.
David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.
“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.
Rising Frustration from the Global South
Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.
Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.
“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A Critical Juncture
With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.
Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.
JUST IN: Senate Approves Tinubu’s ₦1.77trn Loan Request
Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
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