By Our Reporter

The Chairman of the Independent Investigative Committee on the death of some Niger miners in the state, Jonathan Kure, has recommended that one point four billion be paid to the families of 33 victims and 44 survivors.

Speaking in Abuja while presenting the report of the committee on Tuesday, Kure said the deaths were avoidable as the victims, including 14 minors, were held in inhuman conditions.

The committee also recommended summary dismissal of the state commandant of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and all other officers who were directly involved in the detention and eventual death of the miners.

The committee equally recommended institutional reforms for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in order to strengthen the leadership of the corps.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who received the report, promised to implement the recommendations of the committee in order to ensure justice for all affected persons.

Tunji-Ojo also directed the commandant of the Corps to immediately suspend all officers who cleaned up the detention centre in order to destroy evidence.

By Our Reporter with agency report

President Bola Tinubu has sought the approval of the Senate for a 2026–2027 supplementary external borrowing plan of $20.52 billion dollars and 1.05 billion euros.

Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read at plenary on Tuesday.

Tinubu said the proposed borrowing plan would be utilised on critical sectors of the economy, including infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, water supply, security, employment generation and financial management reforms.

He said the funds would help address the country’s infrastructure deficit and bridge the financing gap required to implement critical development projects.

The president said that the projects and programmes under the plan were selected following technical and economic evaluations, with consideration on its anticipated contributions to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development.

“These initiatives aim to generate employment, promote skill acquisition, foster entrepreneurship, reduce poverty and enhance food security, all of which improve the livelihood of the Nigerian child,” he said.

Tinubu said most of the projects and programmes would be implemented across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. (FCT).

He said substantial investment in infrastructure remained necessary to support economic growth and address longstanding development challenges.

“In light of the need for significant infrastructure investment in the country and the vast financial resources needed to address this gap.

“It has become essential to pursue prudent external borrowings to close the financing shortfall,” the President said.

He said the funds would primarily be channelled into critical infrastructure projects, particularly in the power, transportation and healthcare sectors.

Tinubu urged the Senate to give the borrowing plan urgent consideration, adding that approval would enable the government to meet its obligations to Nigerians through timely disbursements and effective project implementation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said that the borrowing plan had been previously featured in the approved borrowing plan of the federal government.

He thereafter referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for further legislative inputs with collaboration from the Committees on Appropriations and Finance.

“The borrowing plan is attached, but of course, this was even earlier approved in our budget, and also the external borrowing plan was approved as far back as 2025 to 2027,” Akpabio said. (NAN)

England captain Harry Kane has been crowned the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or winner, beating Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé to claim the prestigious individual award.

Kane received the award at the Palladium Theatre in London, United Kingdom, on Monday, becoming the first English player to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.

The 33-year-old striker enjoyed a remarkable 2025/26 season, scoring 73 goals for club and country. His goals played a key role in helping Bayern Munich secure the German Bundesliga title and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Kane also captained England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where the Three Lions finished with a bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Barcelona and Spain legend Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, joining fellow Spaniard Aitana Bonmatí as the only players to have achieved the feat.

Putellas’ latest triumph further underlines her status as one of the most decorated players in women’s football.

Earlier in the ceremony, Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Trophy in recognition of his humanitarian and charitable activities.

Saka was honoured for his charity work, which has supported surgeries for children in Nigeria and other African countries.

Full List of 2026 Ballon d’Or Winners

1- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane
2- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas
3- Best Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal and Vicky López
4- Best Goalkeeper Trophy: Cata Coll and Unai Simón
5- Women’s Best Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral
-6- Men’s Best Striker of the Year: Harry Kane
7- Best Men’s Coach: Luis de la Fuente
8- Best Women’s Coach: Pere Romeu
9+ Men’s Best Club: Paris Saint-Germain
10+ Women’s Club of the Year: FC Barcelona
11- Socrates Trophy: Bukayo Saka