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Kalu condemns killing of soldiers, urges military restraint
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the 144 Infantry Battalion Headquarters in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the Abia State over the recent killing of three soldiers by yet-to-be identified gunmen.
He appealed to the military to exercise restraint while combing the city and its environs in search of the perpetrators of the crime.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu issued on Sunday night quoted Kalu as saying, “In a time when we are trying to see how to encourage the soldiers and the police who we believe need more for the sacrifice they make for this nation; at a time when we in parliament are struggling to see how we can better their lives, people are carrying guns. What a pain!
“Whatever made them do this, it’s a painful thing for this country. That is why all of us are rising boldly to condemn it, to condemn this act in its entirety.
“It has no justification especially when we have been begging with our Peace in South East Project. Since December 29, 2023, we’ve been pleading that we should no longer use kinetic ways to settle conflicts.
“We’ve been begging the security agencies. Enough of shooting, and they have respected our call. Even the Chief of Army Staff has gone around preaching non kinetic means to settling our conflicts. He has been going around. I watch him.
“And he has been selling this to the rank and file, saying, everything cannot be solved through guns. We can negotiate, we can talk, we can apply other skills. Not because they are weak, but because by their training, they are trying to employ a better approach to spill less blood.”
He warned of the dangers of provoking armed soldiers, saying, “If you allow the military to be angry in this State, none of us will be safe. If they get angry and say they want to retaliate, we will not be safe in this Abia State. And that is why we are still begging that a non kinetic approach is still what will work.
“We want to urge the military to please continue using your non kinetic means. Do not because of this provocation, go on rampage. But if there is any step to be taken to find those people, please do it. Do all you can because I know you can.
I know your military intelligence skills. I know the security agencies in this country can come together if not for anything, but this one. Find us those who did this and let it be made public.
“Let the military, the Navy, the Air Force, the Police, the DSS, all of you should come together, find these people who did it. I’m happy Mr. President stood up and spoke firmly against this because he is a lover of peace.”
The Deputy Speaker in conjunction with the Peace in the South East Initiative Project made a donation of N10 million to assist the wives of the slain soldiers.
“You are not alone. Weep no more. I know it is difficult but we are standing with you. That was why we decided to show you the first sign of love. We didn’t come empty handed.
“We said since the Governor came here and gave you a scholarship, we are going to open an account, a fund for all lovers of the work people are doing, to support the welfare of those who have lost their lives in the course of their duty.
“But in launching that fund, we are starting with M10m. We are giving you today the sum of N10m. We want at least each of them to get N2m to start a business on the side, not for school fees since the Governor has taken care of school fees. This is coming from the Peace In South East Project and the Office of the Deputy Speaker,” he said.
In his response, the Brigade Commander of the 114 Battalion, Brigadier O Diya who received the deputy speaker said efforts are already ongoing to apprehend the killers.
Diya said, “We can assure you, sir, that those that committed this, we will look for them. We will find them and we will smoke them out wherever they are.
“Efforts are already in place to ensure that we find them and make them pay for what they have done for making these women and children go through this pain, this irreparable pain. It’s very unfortunate.”
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Video: Watch moment Senator Manu tasks NAFDAC officials on poor budget presentation
The Senator representing Taraba Central, Manu Haruna white washed officials of NAFDAC for poor budget presentation during 2025 budget defense on Friday.
In a video, Senator Manu a former Deputy Governor of Taraba State opened the underbelly of NAFDAC on improper presentation of figures in the outlines.
He pointedly told the officials that the presentation was designed to mislead senators.
Watch video below:
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Why I returned N100m excess fund to Kano Govt Commissioner
The Kano State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tajo Othman, who was recently in the news for returning N100 million excess fund to the state government, has revealed the reason behind his action.
The commissioner while addressing newsmen in Kano on Friday said his action was influenced by the state governor’s “exemplary leadership style,” adding that in an ideal situation, leaders are always a pace setter for others to follow.
He said he did not expect Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf to reveal the act to the public, but the governor chose to do so during the flag-off of the free uniform distribution to encourage the future generation to be transparent.
He said, “In an ideal governance setting, the leader is a pace setter for others to follow. We have seen the governor’s body language and as such we fall in. That is what exactly happened. it is the wish of the governor that everybody should be as transparent as possible.
“He is a transparent governor and therefore we should be transparent as well. I never expected the governor to go public with it, but I believe the reason behind his announcement is indeed genuine.”
The commissioner added that as the head of the committee for school uniform distribution, the state governor entrusted him with the task and advised the committee to execute it to the best of their ability.
The commissioner who was a retired customs officer was in the news when the Governor Yusuf publicly commended him for returning N100 million in unspent funds from a N2 billion budget earmarked for the production of 798,000 uniforms for pupils of primary 1 in the state.
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Nigerian Online Population Shows Strong Enthusiasm for AI – Report
A new global survey report from Ipsos and Google has shown widespread use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among Nigerian online population.
The study, tagged: “Our Life with AI: From Innovation to Application,” surveyed 21,000 people across 21 countries, and observed that global AI usage has jumped to 48 per cent and excitement about its potential now exceeds concerns (57 per cent vs. 43 per cent, up from 50 per cent / 50 per cent last year).
According to the report, in Nigeria, AI adoption and enthusiasm are even higher, as 70 per cent of the Nigerian online population used generative AI, surpassing the 48 per cent global average. Moreover, 87 per cent are excited about AI’s potential and see its benefits outweighing the risks.
Analysing the report, President of Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, Kent Walker, said: “AI is starting to deliver magic at scale, making people’s lives easier and better. The survey results show the more people use these tools, the more excited they get about the possibilities and about the personal, professional, and scientific breakthroughs on the way.”
The survey results indicate that optimism about AI is growing within the surveyed online community in Nigeria. Key findings from the survey, show that among survey participants in Nigeria, 70 per cent reported using generative AI in the past year, which is significantly higher than the global average of 48 per cent. A substantial 87 per cent of Nigerian respondents feel that AI’s potential benefits outweigh the associated risks, suggesting a strong belief in the positive impact of AI. A significant 81 per cent of surveyed Nigerian adults believe AI will positively change the economy.
Furthermore, 90 per cent of the survey respondents in Nigeria anticipate AI having a positive impact on science and medicine, demonstrating the widespread belief in the potential of AI to drive progress in these sectors.
According to the report, Nigeria’s online population demonstrates a higher level of excitement and adoption of AI when compared to other regions. The survey indicates: Nigeria is among the top countries in terms of AI usage and excitement about its potential.
This contrasts with more cautious sentiment in some European and North American countries.
The report also said the Nigerian online community saw immense potential for AI in science and medical advancements:
“A significant 90 per cent of survey respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on science and medicine. This is one of the highest rates globally, highlighting the strong anticipation of breakthroughs in these fields through AI,” the report said, and onlinerd that the population in Nigeria recognised AI’s potential to enhance personal and professional development:
“Many believe AI can make people’s lives better by boosting productivity and providing access to resources. Within the Nigerian online population surveyed, there is a prevailing sentiment that supports the fostering of AI advancement rather than restrictive regulations. This suggests that those surveyed are keen to embrace innovation,” the report further said.
The survey results highlight the strong enthusiasm and optimism of the surveyed online population in Nigeria about the role of AI in various aspects of life, particularly in the economy, healthcare, and scientific advancement. The findings suggest that Nigeria’s online community is among the most enthusiastic globally about the transformative potential of AI.
Google has been pursuing AI boldly and responsibly for years. In 2018, Google was one of the first companies to establish AI Principles grounded in beneficial use and avoidance of harm. Two years ago, it unveiled its opportunity agenda, which shard concrete recommendations for governments to ensure AI benefits the broadest range of people possible.
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