Kaduna Security Council orders enforcement of law against begging, street hawking and Okadas

The Kaduna State Security Council has announced the commencement of enforcement of subsisting restrictions on begging, street hawking and usage of motorcycles for commercial transport in Kaduna metropolis and other urban centres in the state.

Credible reports at the disposal of security agencies have made it necessary to begin vigorous enforcement of the laws against street begging, hawking and the illegal business of motorcycle taxis, and safeguard lives and property.

A Kaduna State Security Council statement said that the Security Council has given sufficient notice to persons that may be affected by the implementation of these decisions.

Agenda sets: Joint Press Briefing by Presidents Buhari, Obama

Security, economy, employment especially of youth, fighting corruption dominate the agenda!

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, it’s a great pleasure to welcome President Buhari and his delegation here to the Oval Office for his first visit since the historic election that took place.

Nigeria is obviously one of the important countries in the world and one of the most important countries in the African continent. Recently, we saw an election in which a peaceful transition to a new government took place. And it was an affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, a recognition that although Nigeria is a big country and a diverse country with many different parts, nevertheless the people of Nigeria understand that only through a peaceful political process can change take place.

President Buhari comes into office with a reputation for integrity and a very clear agenda, and that is to make sure that he is bringing safety and security and peace to his country.

Gaza toll hits 165 as Israel campaign enters 6th day

Israeli troops briefly raid Gaza as offensive rages

Ignoring international appeals for a cease-fire, Israel widened its range of Gaza bombing targets to civilian institutions with suspected Hamas ties and deployed ground troops inside Gaza for the first time early Sunday to raid a rocket launching site in the Palestinian territory. More than 156 Palestinians have been killed.

Four Israeli soldiers were hurt in clashes during the brief incursion to destroy a rocket launching site in northern Gaza, the military said. It said the troops later returned to Israeli territory.
Israeli strikes on Gaza killed a teenage boy and a woman on Sunday, medics said, raising the overall death toll to 165 as the punishing air campaign entered its sixth day.

According to emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra, one strike on the northern town of Jabaliya struck a house, killing a 14-year-old boy.

West Africa: UN envoy cites region’s daunting challenges, Boko Haram threat to Nigeria

While countries in West Africa are trying to promote development and consolidate democracy, they continue to face daunting challenges such as transnational organized crime and growing terrorist activities, the top United Nations official in the region told the Security Council on Tuesday, while also warning of the increasing threat the Boko Haram crisis poses to Nigeria.

Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa, added that the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), which he heads, has been trying to sensitize regional leaders to the need for “decisive concerted efforts” to fight these threats to regional security and stability.

Crimea War: Nigeria Backs US , EU to Condemn Russian annexation of Ukraine

The Federal Republic of Nigeria on Thursday in New York backed a UN General Assembly resolution which declared Russian annexation of Crimea illegal and affirmed Ukraine's territorial integrity. 

President Jonathan to attend ECOWAS summit in Cote D’Ivoire

Nigeria President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan will depart Abuja Thursday for Yamoussoukro, Cote D’Ivoire to participate in the 44th Ordinary Session of the Conference of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government.

The summit will begin Friday 28 March and end Saturday 29 March, said Dr. Rueben Abati, the president’s media adviser in a statement.

The Conference which will consider several reports from the ECOWAS Commission, Council of Ministers and ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, will also be addressed by the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations to ECOWAS as well as the President of the African Union Commission.

Ukraine crisis: Putin ordered troops to return to base in a news conference

Russian leader Vladamir Putin has ordered the Russian troops that took part in military exercises this week to return to base, Russian news agencies quoted the Kremlin spokesman as saying, according to Reuters news agency

The Russian military exercises, which Moscow denied were linked to events in Ukraine, had been a success, Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. The exercises took place across western Russia, an area which borders Ukraine.