My Blog

Category: Breaking News

  • Tinubu Swears In New Ministers

    Tinubu Swears In New Ministers

    President Bola Tinubu has expanded his cabinet, swearing in seven new ministers at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    These appointments are part of a broader response to Nigeria’s economic challenges, aiming to address pressing national issues.

    The new ministers include Nentawe Yilwatda for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi for Labour & Employment, and Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

    Others are Jumoke Oduwole for Industry, Trade, and Investment; Idi Mukhtar Maiha for Livestock Development; Yusuf Abdullahi Ata for Housing and Urban Development; and Suwaiba Said Ahmad for State Education.

    This development follows the discgarge of five former ministers in October, as well as portfolio changes for ten other officials.

    The reshuffle also involved structural adjustments, with the Ministry of Niger Delta Development transformed into the Ministry of Regional Development, overseeing multiple development commissions.

    Similarly, sports administration was redirected to the National Sports Commission, emphasizing a streamlined approach.

    These changes reflect Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to adapt governance strategies and improve national administration amidst evolving economic and social needs.

  • Tinubu appoints Oluyede as acting COAS

    Tinubu appoints Oluyede as acting COAS

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    Another Yoruba from the president’s ethnic extraction Gen Oluyede replaces Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, also a Yoruba.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Wednesday said Oluyede will act as the COAS pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,, who is said to be indisposed and receiving treatment abroad.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    “Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” the statement reads.

    The current appointment further contradicts Nigeria’s Federal Character principle which encourages inclusivity in line with the country’s multiethnic composition.

    Currently, people of the president’s ethnic extraction dominate the management of the security aparatus and commanding heights of Nigeria’s public finance.

  • Court stops CBN from releasing allocation to Rivers

    Court stops CBN from releasing allocation to Rivers

    Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria from further releasing monthly financial allocations to Rivers State Government.

    The presiding judge held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Governor Siminalayi Fubara before a four -member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

    She described the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by Fubara as a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

    Justice Abdulmalik also held that Fubara’s action in implementing an unlawful budget smacked gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.

    She proceeded to restrain the CBN, Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank, and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

  • APC mourns as party’s deputy director dies at 48

    APC mourns as party’s deputy director dies at 48

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the death of a senior member of staff of its National Secretariat, Mr. Isaiah Edegbo.

    According to a statement by the party’s national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, Edegbo died on Monday, 28th October 2024, in Abuja.

    “The late Mr. Edegbo, who hails from Dekina LGA of Kogi state, was 48 years old. Until his passing, he was a Deputy Director in the Organization Department of the National Secretariat.

    “He attended CMML Primary School, Anyigba (1981-1986); Kizito Seminary, Idah (1986-1992); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained Diploma in Civil Law (1997), LL.B(Hons) (2003), LL.M (Public Law) (2016), and his PhD (Commercial Law) in view.

    “Although a lawyer by training, the late Isaiah Edegbo was a brilliant, thorough, and dependable staff member who participated and supported the Party in the conduct of many successful congresses, conventions and other electioneering activities.

    “He will be sorely missed,” Morka said in the statement.

  • Police arrest Abia lawmaker over assault on cab driver

    Police arrest Abia lawmaker over assault on cab driver

    The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command on Monday said it has arrested a lawmaker for assaulting a driver in the nation’s capital.

    Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the Abuja Command, confirmed that Alex Mascot Ikwechegh has been arrested.

    She said Ikwechegh is “at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning”.

    The Police spokesperson explained in the statement that the cab driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, reported the matter to the Command.

    “Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Ikwegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery. During this altercation, Mr. Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted.

    “The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Hon. Ikwegh’s dismissive attitude toward the office of the Inspector General of Police following the incident.

    “After allegedly slapping the victim, he reportedly remarked with contempt, ‘You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police,’ demonstrating a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement.

    “Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” the statement read.

    The statement added that the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Olatunji Disu, has mandated a thorough investigation into the matter.

    “The Command is committed to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases. Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate legal action will be taken.”

  • NNPCL Releases Names Of Six Victims Of Crashed Helicopter

    NNPCL Releases Names Of Six Victims Of Crashed Helicopter

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has released the identities of six employees who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Thursday.

    According to the flight’s electronic manifest, the deceased NNPC staff members are: “Tamunoemi Suku, Alu Lawrence, Etim Emmanuel, Kenneth Chikwem, Frank Oriamre, and Borris Ndorbo.” 

    The pilot, Captain Yakubu Dukas, was also among the victims, while one additional passenger remains yet to identified.  

    Recall that on Thursday, the helicopter, operated by East Winds Aviation, was en route to the FPSO-NUIMS ANTAN facility when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

    The Nigerian Air Management Agency (NAMA) had enlisted neighbouring countries such as Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in the search for the missing crashed helicopter and four other passengers.

    As of the time of the crash on Thursday, eight persons were onboard but three lifeless bodies were retrieved from the Atlantic Ocean where the chopper ditched. Two others were later recovered on Friday, putting the tally of recovered bodies at five.

  • President Tinubu reshuffles cabinet, nominates Bianca Ojukwu, 6 others, Minister

    President Tinubu reshuffles cabinet, nominates Bianca Ojukwu, 6 others, Minister

    In a massive revamp of the Federal cabinet, President Bola Tinubu sacks five ministers, nominates 7, merges two ministries and scraps one.

    The reforms were encapsulated in what the presidency refers to as “eight far-reaching actions to reinvigorate the Administration’s capacity for optimal efficiency.”

    The action also entailed the reassignment of 10 ministerial portfolios, merger of two ministries and the scrapping of the Ministry of Sports.

    In a release titled, “Statement on the Restructuring of Ministries and Ministerial portfolios,” sighted by the Nigerian Anchor, the five ministers to be discharged are: Professor Tahir Mamman (Education), Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development), and Barr. Uju-Ken Ohannenye (Women Affairs).

    The other Ministers to be discharged are Lola Ade-John (Tourism Development) and Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development.

    The Ministerial nominees Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs; Nentawe Yilwatda for appointment as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

    Other nominees and their portfolios are: Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Idi Mukhrar Maiha, Ministry of Livestock Development; Rt Hon. Yusuf Abdulahi Ata, Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development; Suwaiba Said Ahmed (PhD), Minister of State, Education.

    Ministers re-assigned new portfolios are Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, formerly Minister of State for health, now assigned the Ministry of Education and Dr. Doris Uzoka Anite, formerly Minister of Trade and Investment, now Minister of State, Finance.

    Others are Sen John Owan Enoh who is now reassigned to Minister of State, Trade and Investment, following the scrapping of the Ministry of Sports where analysts say he underperformed.

    Also re-assigned are: Hon Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu; Minister of state, Education, now Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Minister of State, Water Resources, now Minister of State, Works; Hon Abubakar Eshiokpekha Momoh, Minister of Niger Delta Development, now Minister of Regional development.

    Now re-assigned as Minister of Women Affairs is Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, formerly Minister of State, Police Affairs, while Maigari Ahmadu, formerly Minister of State, Steel Development is now re-assigned to Minister of State, Regional Development.

    Also appointed…

    In his ever-burgeoning cabinet, President Tinubu also brought on board his long time ally and former Minister of Sports, Sunday Akin Dare as Special Presidential Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation.

    Chief Dare, it was stated, shall operate from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

    Also appointed is Mr. Shehu Dikko, who shall function as the Chairman of the resurrected National Sports Commission.

  • Tinubu scraps two ministries, merges others

    Tinubu scraps two ministries, merges others

    President Bola Tinubu has scrapped the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development.

    Special Adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a post on his official X handle on Wednesday.

    He said the decisions were taken at the meeting of the FEC in Abuja.

    According to him, “there will now be a Ministry of Regional Development to oversee all the regional development commissions, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, North East Development Commission”.

    He also stated that the National Sports Commission will take over the role of the Ministry of Sports henceforth.

    During the FEC meeting, the president also approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy.

    Observers of governmental affairs opine that the creation of the new Ministry of Regional Development was anticipated following the recent creation of regional development commissions with some still to be announced.

    Already, legislative works are at advanced stages preparatory to the creation of North Central

    Development Commission and South East Development Commission to round off one development commission each for the six geopolitical zones of the country.

  • Governing Council dethrones Prof Ujah, FUHSO VC

    Governing Council dethrones Prof Ujah, FUHSO VC

    The Governing Council has suspended Professor Innocent Ujah as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.

    The Council, at a meeting today in Otukpo, announced Professor Ediga Agbo as Acting Vice Chancellor.

    The former VC whose tenure ends this November was barred from stopping foot on the University premises.

    Details later…

  • Senators Pass Vote Of Confidence On Akpabio

    Senators Pass Vote Of Confidence On Akpabio

    Senators have overwhelmingly passed a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    This decision follows speculation about an impending impeachment by some of his colleagues.

    On Wednesday, various online media outlets reported that the presidency had deployed numerous operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) to the National Assembly Complex to disrupt the Senators’ constitutional duties, including efforts to remove Akpabio.

    However, Akpabio refuted these claims, asserting that the Senate remains united.

    The presidency also issued a statement clarifying that there are no threats of impeachment against Akpabio.