N90bn probe: Ex-Hajj commission chair leaves EFCC custody

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8 months ago

August 22, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released the sacked chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Jalal Arabi, and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, on bail.

Arabi and Kontagora were detained over alleged illegal withdrawal and the mismanagement of the N90bn 2024 Hajj intervention fund.

They were, however, unable to meet their bail conditions and stayed in EFCC’s custody for five days.

But speaking with our correspondent on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter stated that Arabi and Kontagora had met their bail conditions.

Resolve trade tensions inimical to global economic growth – IMF tells countries

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2 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, on Thursday urged countries to swiftly resolve trade disputes that threaten global economic growth.

Georgieva said the unpredictability arising from President Donald Trump’s aggressive campaign of taxes on foreign imports was causing companies to delay investments and consumers to hold off on spending.

She made the call while addressing reporters in a briefing during the spring meetings of the IMF and its sister agency, the World Bank.

“Uncertainty is bad for business,’’ she said.

Georgieva’s comments came two days after the IMF downgraded the outlook for world economic growth this year.

The 191-country lending organisations which seek to promote global growth, financial stability and to reduce poverty, also sharply lowered its forecast for the United States.

It said the chances that the world’s biggest economy would fall into recession have risen from 25 per cent, to about 40 per cent.

Georgieva warned that the economic fallout from the trade conflict would fall most heavily on poor countries, which do not have the money to offset the damage.

Trump, since his second return to the White House on January 20, has aggressively imposed tariffs on American trading partners.

Among other things, he slapped 145 per cent import taxes on China and 10 per cent on almost every country in the world, raising U.S. tariffs to levels not seen in more than a century.

He has, however, repeatedly changed US policy, suddenly suspending or altering the tariffs.

This has reportedly left companies bewildered about what he is trying to accomplish and what his endgame might be.

Trump’s tariffs culminated in a sharp reversal of decades of U.S. policy in favour of free trade and the resulting uncertainty around them have caused a week-long rout in financial markets.

But stocks rallied Wednesday, after the Trump administration signaled that it was open to reducing the massive tariffs on China.

“There is an opportunity for a big deal here,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday.

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Governor Mbah decorates CSO with new rank

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5 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has decorated his Chief Security Officer, CSP Alex Akinlalu, with his new rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram handles, @PNMbah, on Wednesday, the governor shared: “Today, I had the honour of decorating my Chief Security Officer, Alex Akinlalu, with his well-deserved new rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, assisted by the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Giwa.”

“ACP Akinlalu is a disciplined, strategic, and exceptionally dependable officer whose commitment to duty continues to stand out. His professionalism, loyalty, and excellence are commendable.

“This promotion is not just a recognition of his service, it is a testament to his impeccable track record and leadership acumen.

“Congratulations, ACP Akinlalu”, he wrote.

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NAF airlifts Airforce students to their destinations across Nigeria

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10 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The Nigerian Air Force has airlifted hundreds of Junior Airmen and Junior Airwomen from the Air Force Military School and Air Force Girls Military School in Jos to various destinations across the country.

In a post on the NAF’s official X handle on Thursday, it said the students were transported using the NAF’s C-130 and ATR-42 aircraft as part of a special mission aimed at supporting personnel and their families.

According to the statement, ”the Nigerian Air Force carried out a series of airlift missions, transporting hundreds of Junior Airmen and Junior Airwomen from Air Force Military School and Air Force Girls Military School, Jos, to various destinations across the country, adding that the NAF’s iconic C-130 and ATR-42 aircraft soared across Nigerian skies, not for combat, but for care”.

It further added that this was more than just a flight, it was a symbol of hope, love, and unity. Watching their children arrive home safely and swiftly boosted morale and reaffirmed trust in the Force that guards our skies