NEWS
Two Dead, Donkeys Killed, Multiple Injured In Jigawa Auto Crash
A tragic accident on Monday in Shuwarin town, Kiyawa Local Government Area, Jigawa State, resulted in multiple casualties and significant loss.
The lone accident involved a DAF vehicle with registration number NGU 498 XA, driven by 34-year-old Mohd Hassan from Potiskum LGA, Yobe State. The vehicle, carrying around 100 donkeys and passengers, was traveling from Yobe State to Enugu State.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Shiisu Lawan Adam, confirmed to Arewa PUNCH that two individuals—Innani Abubakar, a 45-year-old woman, and Kalifa Adamu, a 30-year-old man, both from Potiskum—lost their lives in the crash.
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The driver, Mohd Hassan, suffered severe injuries, including the loss of his left hand, and was taken to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in neighboring Kano State for medical treatment.
ASP Adam further reported that around 40 donkeys being transported in the vehicle died at the scene, which was particularly busy due to the local market day.
Sharing more details of the tragic event with Arewa PUNCH, ASP Adam explained that while the cause of the accident is still under investigation but preliminary evidence shows that speeding may have been a contributing factor.
As the investigation into the accident continues, the police have assured that measures will be taken to prevent similar accidents in the future.
However, the Jigawa Police Command has urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such tragedies.
Our correspondent who visited the community reports that the residents have been mourning the losses occasioned by the accident.
Also lamenting the incident, Faruk Garba, another eyewitness revealed that it was very painful that such an accident happened in the area, especially, on Monday which is the market day of the town.
A community head, Malam Auwal Danbaba said that the driver may have lost control as he approached the market’s junction area.
“I Just heard the loud sound from my back. I was in shock and grief as I witnessed what just happened and all could muster to say was innalillahi wa’inna’ilaihi raji’un, when I turned back to see what just happened after seeing the trailer turn upside down.”
Malam Danbaba also said that “the incident underscored the importance of road safety measures, such as education and awareness campaigns, strict law enforcement, and improved infrastructure in the area because this is not the first time such a similar incident happened in the area.”
NEWS
JUST IN: Senate Approves Tinubu’s ₦1.77trn Loan Request
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…………..
NEWS
Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
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.
READ ALSO: Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia
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.