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Finally, Tinubu opens land, air borders with Niger, lifts other sanctions

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger 8n qddition to lift8ng of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.

The directive was in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja, according to a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson.

ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

“The President has now directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately:

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“(1) Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.

“(2) Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.

“(3) Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.

“(4) Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD.

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“(5) Travel bans on government officials and their family members.

“President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea,’ a statement by Presidential Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, said on Wednesday.

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Former Reps member, Temilola Adibi is dead

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Hon. Temilola Adibi, a former member of the House of Representatives, has died.

He was aged 64.

He represented the Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire federal constituency in Oyo State from 1999 to 2003 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy party.

His death reportedly happened on Tuesday morning.

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Adibi reportedly died after going for a jog in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he had been living.

A close associate said that Adibi had been in good health prior to his sudden death.

He had spoken with people the night before and even posted on his WhatsApp status at 4 a.m. before his death.

Adibi was well-known and respected in Oyo State for his contributions to local governance and community development.

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In addition to his time in the House of Representatives, he also held important roles, such as Chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council and Director-General of the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OYSAA).

He further served as Director-General of the Bill and Signage Board during Governor Seyi Makinde’s first term.

Earlier in his career, Adibi had been the Chairman of the Ogbomoso North Local Government Area.

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Sokoto govt intensify operations against bandit, terrorists

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*Alerts residents as bandits flee military operations

By Francesca Hangeior

The Sokoto State Government has issued a warning to residents to remain vigilant as military operations against bandit terrorists intensify in the eastern part of the state and surrounding areas.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Colonel Ahmed Usman, the government highlighted the success of the ongoing joint military operations, which have left the bandits disorganised.

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The statement explained that multiple terrorist enclaves have been destroyed, dozens of bandits neutralised, and hundreds of kidnapped victims rescued.

The statement urged residents to be cautious and report any suspicious activities in their communities.

“As security forces increase pressure on the bandits, some of them are fleeing to other areas with injured members. We are raising awareness to ensure our people remain alert, as these bandits may attempt to hide in villages or seek medical treatment at local clinics under disguise,” the statement read.

The government reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies to restore peace and stability in the state, adding that residents were encouraged to play an active role by reporting unusual activities to the authorities to support the ongoing efforts to secure the region.

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“This proactive measure aligns with the governor’s nine-point agenda to create a safer and more economically viable Sokoto State.

“The government remains determined to work collaboratively with security operatives to protect citizens and maintain peace in the state,” the statement concluded.

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Families weigh risk of sending kids to school over Trump immigration crackdown

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By Francesca Hangeior

As President Donald Trump cracks down on immigrants in the U.S. illegally, some families are wondering if it is safe to send their children to school.

In many districts, educators have sought to reassure immigrant parents that schools are safe places for their kids, despite the president’s campaign pledge to carry out mass deportations. But fears intensified for some when the Trump administration announced Tuesday it would allow federal immigration agencies to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals, ending a decades-old policy.

“Oh, dear God! I can’t imagine why they would do that,” said Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, after hearing that the Trump administration had rescinded the policy against arrests in “sensitive locations.”

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She plans to take her two grandchildren, ages 6 and 4, to their school Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area unless she hears from school officials it is not safe.

“What has helped calm my nerves is knowing that the school stands with us and promised to inform us if it’s not safe at school,” said Carmen, who spoke on condition that only her first name be used, out of fear she could be targeted by immigration officials.

Immigrants across the country have been anxious about Trump’s pledge to deport millions of people. While fears of raids did not come to pass on the administration’s first day, rapid changes on immigration policy have left many confused and uncertain about their future.

At a time when many migrant families — even those in the country legally — are assessing whether and how to go about in public, many school systems are watching for effects on student attendance. Several schools said they were fielding calls from worried parents about rumors that immigration agents would try to enter schools, but it was too early to tell whether large numbers of families are keeping their children home.

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Missing school can deprive students of more than learning. For students from low-income families, including many immigrants, schools are a primary way to access food, mental health services and other support.

Tuesday’s move to clear the way for arrests at schools reverses guidance that restricted two federal agencies — Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection from carrying out enforcement in sensitive locations. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said: “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”

Daniela Anello, who heads D.C. Bilingual Public Charter School in the nation’s capital, said she was shocked by the announcement.

“It’s horrific,” Anello said. “There’s no such thing as hiding anyone. It doesn’t happen, hasn’t happened. … It’s ridiculous.”

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An estimated 733,000 school-aged children are in the U.S. illegally, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Many more have U.S. citizenship but have parents who are in the country illegally.

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