NEWS
Osun Indicates Govt-Alumni Partnership Board Modus Operandi
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has declared the operational procedures for the proposed Government-Alumni Partnership Board designed to harness alumni contributions for the development of the education sector.
He detailed these in a government statement on Sunday in Osogbo, the state capital.
He took the opportunity of his being awarded the ‘Most Benevolent Leader’ by the Alumni Association of the Ilesa Grammar School during school’s 90th anniversary to make the disclosure.
After listening all through to the anniversary lecture presented by Dr Akin Fapohunda, class of 1969, Gov Adeleke said the partnership board would operate on a Public-Private Partnership Model, though “the board will be private sector driven”.
In his words, “I have directed the Ministry of Education to consult widely while putting up a framework for the operation of the board.
“It is not going to be another bureaucratic set up. No. It is going to involve a private sector driven structure.
“We are open to ideas on how best to make the board functional and strong enough to fulfill its mandate. My team will reach out to all stakeholders in the process of putting up the structures.
“The paper submitted by the guest lecturer will also be closely studied. I noted all the brilliant ideas. We will make the board as simple as possible.
“The main goal is to ensure that alumni groups alongside the Parents and Teachers Associations play prominent roles in the development of our schools.”
He told the gathering that his administration was implementing multiple programmes to enhance the state of education, citing ongoing complete rehabilitation of schools, recruitment of teachers, planned integrated retraining of teachers and planned e-learning project to address the question of access to instructional materials.
On the general policy focus of his administration, Gov Adeleke said that his government would be implementing a multi-billion naira infra upgrade, the diversification of state economy through new cocoa revival plan and new creative industry agenda, the reform of the mining sector to widen revenue base, the ongoing execution of a state digital economy agenda among others.
Presenting the award on behalf of the alumni association, the Asiwaju of Ijesahland, Chief Yinka Fasuyi described the Government-Alumni Partnership Board proposed by the Governor as the first of its kind by any state government in Nigeria.
“This is unprecedented and unique. We are really impressed that you have this plan and you have given the due directive for the making of an implementation framework. Mr Governor, we are pleasantly surprised.
“We thank you profusely for all you are doing for Ijeshaland. We appreciate your support and positive action on the University of Ilesa. We thank you for our sons you placed in a key office within your administration. You have our backing to do more for the greater glory of our dear state”, Chief Fasuyi stated.
The Chairman of the Anniversary celebration committee, Dr Wale Boluwaduro described Governor Adelekw as an impressive achiever who within a year has transformed the state and placed it on a trajectory of people centered development.
“You earn the confidence of Osun people. You satisfy the expectation of the association and there is no doubt you have our backing for a second term in office”, Dr Boluwaduro noted.
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.
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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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