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Afreximbank pledges Finance for Enugu’s Key Projects, Lauds Governor Mbah’s Courage, Vision
The African Export-Import Bank, Afreximbank, has committed to supporting the vision and agenda of the Governor Peter Mbah administration in Enugu State through the financing of several key projects to drive development and investment in the state.
The Bank said its interest in Enugu State stemmed from the vision Mbah had espoused and the work he was doing in the State, which it said, were in line with the bank’s goals and objectives for the rapid development of the African continent, noting that anything good that happens to Nigeria, inextricably happens to Africa.
These were made known by the President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, during a working visit to the Government House, Enugu, Tuesday, describing Mbah’s investment and development drive as impressive, adding, “whenever we see a leader take such solid and courageous steps, we fall in line because it makes our work much easier”.
Oramah said: “We have been discussing how to support the Enugu State Government and people. Today is the 2nd of January. So, this is the first official assignment I would do in 2024. It is remarkable for me and it speaks a whole lot about our friendship and also the confidence in the work you are doing and the vision you have, not only for this great state, but also for our country, Nigeria.
“We also thank you for the wisdom of visiting us in Cairo and having an extensive discussion on the development priorities of your government. We share in most of those priorities. In fact, I think the strategic thinking you have shown is still out of the book of our own, especially in how we believe that sub-nationals can contribute to the development aspirations of our country, Nigeria, and our continent.
“I know we have identified specific areas, where we intend to quickly advance collaboration. We want to take a look at the hotel and the Conference Centre that is under development to work with you and see how quickly we can complete them.
“We also are very interested in supporting the development of the new terminal at the airport and especially the cargo and, of course, using it as a base to implement and grow an agro-processing zone. The airport will be critical in getting that done.
“We also think that the work that is being done at the hospital is nice. We are working on the African Medical Centre of Excellence. We are building one in Abuja. So, it is in that spirit that we will be looking at that medical centre to see how we can bring it into the circle.
“We are also interested in considering the development of solid minerals in Enugu State. We would follow that very closely to see also how we can play a role.
“There are a number of infrastructural projects, roads that not only connect us, but also all the way to Cameroun. And that is why I think we have agreed that we put in place their preparation facility so that we can begin to develop bankable values for those aspects of interventions that we share as priorities.
“I want to assure you that you can count on us because we believe in the vision you have and we believe that those things that you have identified are things that will shape this state and also our country, Nigeria, and continent.
“Nigeria is not only the largest shareholder of Afreximbank, but also the largest economy on the continent. So, everything that happens to Nigeria, happens to Africa. So, for us, anything we can do to make Nigeria great is something that helps us to make Africa great.
“So, it is our hope that by the end of 2024, we can point to some of these projects as completed projects or projects nearing completion for the benefit of Enugu State people, for the benefit of Nigeria, benefit of Africa, and of course, benefit of Afreximbank.”
Speaking, Governor Peter Mbah, who appreciated the Afreximbank President and his team for prioritising Enugu State in bank’s plans and development support, reiterated the determination of his administration to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn, assuring that the Enugu State Government would play its own part to ensure the actualisation of those pinpointed infrastructure to drive investment and grow the Enugu State and the nation’s economy.
Mbah also listed the steps taken by his administration to de-risk investment and promote ease of doing business in the state.
“Our aim is to make Enugu State the premier destination for investment. We are determined to make it easy for the investors to come in. So, we are highly impressed and very happy about the collaboration with Afreximbank and its affiliates. We have truly looked forward to this day because all that is lacking in everything we have said here is the necessary financial support. But with the assurances we are getting from you and with the zeal we both have in realising or accomplishing these projects, I have no doubt in my mind that our partnership will become a model”, Mbah stated.
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Baltasar Engonga: Wife of Equatorial Guinea ANIF boss sextape with another man leaked
Wife of the sacked Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, ANIF, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, has been caught in extra-marital affairs.
Video footage emerged of Engonga’s wife having an intimacy with another man.
This was disclosed by popular social critic, Martins Ortse aka VeryDarkMan via an Instagram post on Saturday.
Sharing pictures of the Engonga’s wife from the video footage, VeryDarkMan said: “Just when I thought it was all over about this Equatorial Guinea man, the whole thing is getting more interesting. I just saw a video of his wife and another man, if you watch this video; it’s crazy. If you see how another man was na*cking his wife.”
Engonga was recently caught with about 400 sex tapes with several women during an investigation into a fraud case.
The leaked videos have continued to generate controversy via the social media space.
Reacting, First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang expressed outrage over the scandal during a meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue.
Mrs Obiang called for immediate government intervention to uphold the dignity of Equatoguinean women and protect their privacy in the digital age.
Following the discovery, Engonga was relieved of his duty and subsequently arrested. He was remanded in prison on Friday.
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Three police officers arrested for torturing student to death in Kwara
Three police officers, who allegedly beat a student of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Suleiman Olayinka to death at Tanke Bridge in Ilorin, the state capital, have been arrested and detained.
The spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Ejire Adeyemi Toun, disclosed this in a statement in Ilorin on Friday.
Reports said that the incident occurred on Tuesday around 2 p.m. when the victim got off a motorcycle and was approached by three officers who then dragged him to the ground.
An eyewitness claimed that the victim had arrived to collect N1,000 he had already transferred to a Point of Sale (POS) operator, intending to give the money to the rider who brought him.
“I was with him, as soon as he got the money, the officers came out of a tricycle and dragged him to the ground. The victim kept asking what offence he had committed, but they didn’t let him speak,” the source said.
The witness further explained that the victim pleaded with the officers, informing them that he was asthmatic, but they ignored his pleas.
In a reaction on Friday, the spokesperson said, “the Kwara State police command is aware of this unfortunate incident which led to the sudden death of Suleiman Olayinka (M) 27yrs.
“A complaint of cheating and criminal breach of trust was reported against the deceased. Police detectives were immediately detailed to investigate the case.
“Meanwhile the officers involved in the incident have been identified, arrested and detained for further investigations as regards the death of the suspect.
“Further updates will be provided promptly as investigations unfold,” the statement added.
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400 sex tapes: Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar remanded in prison
The former Director-General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been remanded in Malabo’s Black Beach Prison, Saturday PUNCH has reported.
The embattled former anti-graft chief was arrested days ago for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.
This scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, resulting in an impromptu search of his home and office by ANIF officials, who reportedly discovered several CDs that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.
As the footage leaked online, causing a media uproar, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, dismissed Engonga.
According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, the dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”
A viral video surfaced on social media on Friday, showing Engonga handcuffed on both hands and legs during a court appearance.
Confirming the situation, French online blog Afrikmatin reported that Engonga, who was officially removed from his role on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison.
He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.
Additionally, online newspaper UGStandard reported that the sex tapes began circulating on social networks while Engonga was already held at Malabo’s notorious Black Beach Prison on charges of embezzling public funds, as reported by state television, TVGE.
In a fact-checking report published Wednesday, Dubawa verified that Engonga had indeed been taken into custody on corruption charges and is currently being held in Black Beach Prison.
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