- FG to take over Almajiri schools
- Court orders interim forfeiture of N228.4m traced to ex-Abia Governor Orji
- Trump asks Supreme Court to block his criminal sentencing
We have highlighted the five most important developments in the news today, Thursday, January 9, and present them below.
5 issues in the news that should matter to you today
1. FG to take over Almajiri schools: The Federal Government has announced plans to retake control of the Almajiri schools built during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which were handed over to governors of the 19 northern states but have since been abandoned by successive administrations.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, Dr Idris Sani, disclosed the move during a Memorandum of Understanding signing event with the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All in Yola on January 8.
2. Kano gov’s aide dies 24 hours after swearing-in: On Wednesday, January 8, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf expressed deep sorrow over the death of his newly appointed Special Adviser on Works, Ahmad Bunkure.
Governor Yusuf’s spokesman, Sunusi Tofa, confirmed that Bunkure died in Egypt about 24 hours after being sworn in as a special adviser to the Kano governor.
3. Court orders interim forfeiture of N228.4m traced to ex-Abia Governor Orji: The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order for the interim freezing and forfeiture of over N228.4m linked to a former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji.
Justice Emeka Nwite made the interim forfeiture order on Wednesday, January 8, following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
4. Air chief celebrates NAF engineers for reviving moribund aircraft: The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has commended military engineers and technicians for successfully reactivating a Dornier DO-228 aircraft that had been grounded for 23 years.
Abubakar commended the five engineers and 40 technicians for their dedication and described the achievement as “a testament to the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to self-reliance and resource optimisation.”
5. Trump asks Supreme Court to block his criminal sentencing: US President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday, January 8, to block his sentencing this week for covering up hush money payments to a porn star while he appeals his conviction.
Trump made the eleventh-hour plea for a suspension of the criminal proceedings to the nation’s highest court after a New York State appeals court dismissed his effort to delay the hearing.