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Cabinet Reshuffle: Ministry Of Women Affairs Workers Jubilate As Tinubu Sacks Uju Kennedy As Minister
AFOLABI
There were scenes of jubilation at the Ministry of Women Affairs immediately after PresidentBola Tinubu announced the dismissal of Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye from her ministerial role.
Employees at the ministry were captured on video celebrating the decision, an indication of the controversial nature of her tenure.
The video, shared on X by Abubakar Sidiq Usman, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), showed workers dancing and chanting in the corridors of their office.
Echoes of “finally” resonated through the halls as staff expressed their relief over the minister’s departure.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, who had faced various criticisms and controversies, was one of the five ministers dismissed during the latest Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Wednesday.
Her removal was part of a broader cabinet reshuffle by President Tinubu aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of his administration.
Alongside Kennedy-Ohanenye, other ministers who faced the axe included Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism; Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development; Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education; and Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development.
The reaction from the staff at the Ministry of Women Affairs highlights the internal challenges and dissatisfaction that had brewed during Kennedy-Ohanenye’s administration.
Watch the video below:
Media
Dr Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda (Minister-designate Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction ) was born on the 8th of August, 1968 in Dungung, Kanke Local Government in Plateau State, to the family of a clergy, the late Rev and Mrs Toma Yilwatda.
He was Plateau State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s election.
He got his First Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering in 1992 from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and his Master of Engineering and PhD from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka respectively, majoring in Digital systems engineering.
He received training on Building Electronic Governance Structure at the United Nations University International Institute for Software Tech., Macau, China.
He has served as project consultants on the first Integrated Financial Management Information System for the Ministry of Finance, CBN, FOS, OAGF, Debt Management Office, OAuGF, National Planning Commission and Budget Office.
He was also part of the team that worked on the grant by World Bank to implement a Unified Network and ICT Solution for Nigeria Education and Research Network (NgREN) through the World Bank STEP-B project.
Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi (Mnister-Designate Labour and Employment) was born in 1953 in Dingyadi, Sokoto State. He had his Secondary Education at Government College, Sokoto and attended the School of Basic Studies for a two-year course. He is a 1978 graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He represented Bodinga Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.
He was one time, the Secretary to the Sokoto State Government and Chairman, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) Abuja.
He was appointed the Minister of Police Affairs in 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Bianca Odinakachukwu Olivia Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Minister of State-designate, Foreign Affairs), born 5 August 1968, is a politician, diplomat, lawyer, business woman and former beauty queen..
The widow of former Biafra leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, she is a multiple international pageant titleholder, having won Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Miss Africa, and Miss Intercontinental.
She attended Ackworth School, Pontefract, St Andrews College, Cambridge, and Cambridge Tutorial College where she obtained her A-levels. She began a combined honours degree in Politics, Economics and Law at the University of Buckingham, but transferred to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka after her father, insisted she concentrated solely on Law and join the family business.
In 2016, she received a master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Alfonso X el Sabio University in Spain.
In 2011, Mrs Odumegwu-Ojukwu was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs by President Goodluck Jonathan.
She became Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana and later, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain in 2012.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Minister-designate Industry, Trade and Investment) is an academic, former government adviser, and advocate. She is currently a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.
Prior to this, she served as Special Adviser to President Buhari on Ease of Doing Business from August 2019 to May 2023.
Before her appointment to this role, Dr. Jumoke was Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade & Investment in the Office of the Vice President. Her team was responsible for Nigeria moving up an unprecedented 39 places in the World Bank’s flagship Doing Business Report.
Dr. Oduwole led a corporate banking unit of the telecommunications sector team in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc’s Corporate Banking Group. She was an investment banker with FCMB Capital Markets Ltd from 2000 to 2003.
She was on the boards of Ecobank Nigeria Plc and Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA), a leading HIV/AIDS advocacy NGO; as well as the Advisory Board of the “Know Your Constitution” Initiative, a civil liberties movement pioneered by a United Nations Young Ambassador for Peace.
Dr. Oduwole graduated from University of Lagos with a Bachelor’s degree in Law in 1998 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1999.
She obtained an LL.M. degree in Commercial Law from Cambridge University in 2000, where she was a DFID-Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholar. In 2007, Dr. Oduwole received a master’s degree in International Legal Studies from Stanford University and obtained her doctorate degree in International Trade and Development from Stanford Law School.
Mukhtar Maiha is the Managing Director of Zaidi Farms Limited. If cleared he will be the pioneer minister of Livestock Development.
Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Minister-designate Housing and Urban Development) was born on the 22nd June, 1962 at Fagge Local Government of Kano State. He started his Quranic education at the age of three and later began his western education in 1968 at Fagge Primary School.
He attended the Kano Community Commercial College, which is now called Aminu Kano Commercial College for his secondary education. He obtained a degree in Economics from the Bayero University, Kano.
Ata was first elected as member, Kano State House of Assembly to represent Fagge constituency in 1999. He served for three terms after winning elections in 2011 and 2015.
Ata became Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly in 2021 when the former Speaker, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, resigned, following attempts to impeach him.
Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad (Minister of State -designate Education) is a trained educationist, gender advocate and consultant. She served in various capacities in the university including level coordinator, examination officer, PG coordinator, Sub Dean Academics, and Head of Department, Science Education.
Her consultancy portfolio centres on governance and development. Dr Ahmad research interests focuses around political economy and institutional analysis, policy planning, development and strategy, capacity building and training.
She has participated in funded researches as a consultant, including for the British Council (won a research grant in 2015 as team lead), Education Data, Research and Evaluation in Nigeria (EDOREN), Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) and Aafaaq Educational Foundation.
[TheNation]
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, on Wednesday, said the fund has disbursed over N10bn to successful applicants since the commencement of the scheme in August 2024.
This is just as he dismissed the fears in some quarters that the student loan scheme may be discriminatory against some applicants.
He stated this on Wednesday during a maiden meeting of NELFUND with the House of Representatives Committee on Student Loans, Scholarships, and Higher Education Financing, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Sawyerr assured the committee that the fund had reached out to every part of the country, particularly the South-East, which had earlier complained of marginalisation.
He said, “So far, the fund has received over 350,000 applications and disbursed over N10bn with a commitment to disbursing N90bn in tuition fees and stipends.
“Applications are coming in at an average of over 1,000 per day, and we are making special provisions for students living with disabilities.
“Moreover, we are focused on addressing the barriers to girl-child education, recognising that denying girls the opportunity for further education is denying the nation a chance to benefit from their incredible leadership potential.
“With 70 per cent of our population under the age of 35, failing to provide access to education for this segment exposes Nigeria to a future fraught with instability and violence. This intervention by President Bola Tinubu could not have come at a better time.”
He described the scheme as a unique palliative with a long-term solution to the challenges facing access to education in Nigeria.
“This administration of President Bola Tinubu has introduced many brilliant policies, and the student loan initiative hits close to home. It is reaching every corner of the nation-East, West, North, and South.
“This policy is not discriminatory; it is inclusive, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location or background, has access to the education they deserve.
“It is akin to monumental policies such as the free education programme of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps by Gen Yakubu Gowon, and the creation of federal universities.
“These policies have shaped Nigeria’s development, and the student loan initiative is equally progressive, representing an investment in our nation’s future,” he added.
The Chairman of the Committee, Gboyega Isiaka (APC, Ogun), described NELFUND as a critical agency created not only to provide loans but also to create a future where every Nigerian youth has the opportunity to realise his or her potential.
He urged the management of the fund to be proactive, saying, “We want, for example, to be able to tell ourselves where NELFUND will be within the next three to five years. How is it going to get there? And what are the issues that we need to address for them to get there?”
[Vanguard]
Court Sentences Canadian Lady To 11 Years Imprisonment For Importing Illicit Drugs Into Nigeria
AFOLABI
A 41-year-old Canadian lady, Adrienne Munju, has been convicted and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The foreigner was convicted for importing 74 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of synthetic cannabis weighing 35.20 kilograms, into Nigeria.
The spokesperson of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi disclosed this via a statement on Wednesday.
Munju’s conviction followed her arraignment on two counts charge before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of a Federal High Court, Lagos, by the NDLEA.
She was arrested at the terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos on Thursday 3rd October 2024, during the inward clearance of inbound passengers on KLM flight at the ‘D’ Arrival Hall of the airport.
In her statement after her arrest, she claimed she was recruited to traffic the illicit consignment through an online platform for 10,000 Canadian dollars upon successful delivery in Lagos.
According to Babfemi, “She said she took the offer because she needed the money to pay for her ongoing master’s degree program in Canada.
“Justice Dipeolu convicted and sentenced Muju to the term of imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against her by NDLEA.
“Prosecuting Counsel, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the illegal acts of the convict, contravened sections 20(1}(a) and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (NDLEA) Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the same Act.
“Following her guilty plea, the prosecutor called his witness, Angela Mba, an Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics narrated how the Canadian was arrested with the illicit drugs, after which she tendered some exhibits, which include: two suitcases that were used in concealing the drugs, her Canadian passport, confessional statements, laboratory test analysis reports and samples of the illicit drug. All the tendered exhibits were admitted as Exhibits 1 to 13.
“After the conclusion of the review of the facts of the crime, the prosecutor urged the court to convict the Canadian as charged based on the evidence placed before the court, the exhibits tendered and the guilty plea of the defendant. As a result, Justice Dipeolu after reviewing the facts of the case as submitted by Abu Ibrahim convicted the defendant as charged.
“After listening to the allocutus by the defendant’s counsel, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Adrienne Munju to six years imprisonment on count one and five years on count two.
“The judge however gave the convict an option of N50 million fine on each of the two counts, bringing the total fine to N100 million.”
Chairman of Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, Mr. Kunle Ahmed, has said that the insurance industry has a role to play in de-risking vital sectors, driving financial inclusion, and creating a resilient economic framework as the government embarks on various economic reforms.
He stated: “With the government outlining ambitious priorities for socio-economic transformation, there is an increasing need for industries that can support this vision. One such industry is insurance—an often overlooked but critical player in economic development. “As we move forward, the role of insurance in de-risking vital sectors, driving financial inclusion, and creating a resilient economic framework cannot be overstated.”
According to him, globally, insurance has proven to be a powerful tool for stabilizing economies, protecting investments, and providing the financial resilience that allows societies to thrive. But he lamented that, “in Nigeria, depending on your source of data, insurance penetration remains strikingly low. We currently lag far behind African and global averages despite being one of the continent’s largest economies.”
He listed his strategic focus as the new NIA Chairman to include: customer-centricity, digital transformation, commitment to excellence, advocacy and collaboration, as well as education and awareness.
On customer-centricity, Ahmed said: “Enhancing customer satisfaction will be our priority. This will involve driving programs, initiatives, and policies to simplify the insurance onboarding process, improve claims handling, and ensure transparency in our operations.”
On digital transformation, he said: “Our sector has historically been slow to adopt digital solutions. Moving forward, embracing digital innovation will be essential.”
On education and awareness, he said: “Raising awareness about the importance of insurance is vital not just for our industry growth but for our economic development. We will expand our outreach initiatives, including educational programs in schools and partnerships with your esteemed media organization and institutions to disseminate information about insurance products and their benefits”.
[Vanguard]
‘It’s to enhance regional development coordination’ — minister speaks on scrapping of Niger Delta ministry
AFOLABI
Abubakar Momoh, the former minister of Niger Delta development, says the ministry’s scrapping is to enhance regional development coordination.
On Wednesday, the federal executive council (FEC) scrapped the ministry of Niger Delta and the ministry of sports development.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy, said the council took the decision during its meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
A newly established regional development ministry will oversee all the regional development commissions.
The commissions include the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North West Development Commission (NWDC), South West Development Commission (SWDC), and North East Development Commission (NEDC).
Tinubu retained Momoh as the minister in charge of the ministry for regional development.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Momoh assured that the adjustment was “purely administrative,” which did not diminish the focus on Niger Delta development.
He said the restructuring was done to establish a centralised oversight system for the increasing regional development commissions nationwide.
“For our people in the Niger Delta region, I would like them to know that this has not removed anything from them,” Momoh said.
“The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is still very much in place under the ministry of regional Development, and all other such agencies remain intact.
“All the structures and everything about the Niger Delta remain. It’s just a change of nomenclature and, of course, expansion of activities of the ministry.”
Momoh lauded Tinubu’s vision behind the restructuring, describing it as a “forward-thinking move” to enhance regional development coordination across the country.
Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, says the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has commenced the process of paying the $6 billion debt owed to suppliers.
Edun spoke on Wednesday during an engagement with investors in Washington DC.
The global investors’ forum was held on the sidelines of the 2024 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
Addressing a question on the supply arrears the NNPC owes to refined petrol suppliers, Edun said the national oil firm would soon start clearing the debt, making clarification on the petrol subsidy removal announced earlier in the year.
“In terms of NNPC and their situation, the reality is that, although the subsidy on May 29, 2023, was removed and was no longer on the balance sheet of the government, it did rear its head, not in terms of petrol subsidy, but foreign exchange subsidy, which was borne elsewhere, and borne mainly by NNPC,” the minister said.
“I think what I can say about their own situation is with where they are now, they have a route to paying down their payables and I’m sure that in no time at all, they will start. From what I understand, they have even commenced the process of paying down their payables.”
On September 1, the NNPC had admitted to owing the sum of $6 billion to suppliers of petrol, also known as premium motor spirit (PMS).
Speaking on the issue, Olufemi Soneye, the company’s chief corporate communications officer, said the NNPC is facing a serious financial strain due to the petrol supply costs — a development that is affecting the company’s ability to sustain PMS supply.
[TheCable]
…As OBJ asks LND to look beyond Northern Nigeria
ABUJA—Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Chief of Army Staff, Gen. T. Y. Danjuma (retd), have decried the dwindling quality and standard of leadership in Nigeria.
The two statesmen spoke when members of the League of Northern Democrats, LND, paid them courtesy visits in Abeokuta and Lagos respectively.
While Obasanjo promised to be the patron of the group, asking it to expand its operations to include the rest of Nigeria, Danjuma challenged those currently in public office to look beyond themselves and take immediate steps to stem the tide of poor leadership to leave behind a nation for future generations to inherit.
Leader of the group and former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, had informed Obasanjo that the group was with him to tap from his wealth of experience in governance and leadership.
Obasanjo said: “Anytime you people metamorphose into a League of Nigerian Democrats, come back to me and I will be your patron.
“I share your concern of the situation in Nigeria, but if you’re a national league, I will join you and even be your patron, if I cannot be active because I’m getting old.”
The former president noted that with the calibre of membership of the delegation, he was confident something good would come out of it.
He expressed gratitude to Shekarau for his commitment, while commending the group for taking the trouble to come to Abeokuta, in spite of the hash economic situation in the country. He also commended Dr. Umar Ardo for the foresight in convening the group.
On his part, General Danjuma lamented that the quality of political leadership in Nigeria was “going down and down and down.”
Danjuma, who noted that the situation was “worse in the north,’, urged leaders to sit up and stem the worrisome tide.
The LND, which disclosed these in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, quoted Danjuma as advising members of the league to pursue their vision with measured doggedness because they were up against a section of “a corrupt political class with plenty of power and money” that would be ready to fight back to continue being in power.
Leader of the LND delegation and former Kano State governor, Sen Ibrahim Shekarau, while speaking during the visit, explained that the visit was to brief Danjuma on the vision and mission of the league, which was principally to influence the emergence of credible leadership, especially in the north.
This, the LND said, could be achieved by forging unity among the various northern interest groups, facilitate a credible leadership recruitment process across all offices and make the north a bloc of first influence in Nigeria.
Shekarau had lamented that, right now, the north was immersed in insecurity and backwardness in education, economy and development in generally.
He said the LND was intensifying contacts and consultations with eminent statesmen to tap into their vast knowledge on politics and leadership which were crucial to society.
Responding to this, Danjuma said while age was no longer on his side, members of the league should be commended for their initiative and commitment, promising to offer his support in anyway he could.
The general, became emotional when Muktari, the son of late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, recounted some events of January 1966, and described the late Sir Balewa as a truly great man.
In his vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Emmanuel Jime, thank God for the life of President Obasanjo, whom he described as the most “nationalistic and detribalized Nigerian alive.”
Recall that the LND was convened in July and since then, had been engaged in several activities, making consultations and trying to define itself.
It gained good grounds with the former Vice President Namadi Sambo, General Martin Luther Agwai, General AbdulRahman Dambazau, General Alwali Kazir, and a host of other critical northern leaders. And its membership has been on the increase.
Gives Directive On Merged Ministries
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has announced that his office is actively collaborating with the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to carry out the presidential directive on the merger and winding down of several ministries.
In a statement released Wednesday night in Abuja, Akume confirmed that directives have been issued to facilitate the implementation of the President’s approval.
He stressed that all handover and takeover processes must be completed by Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
Outgoing ministers without successors should transfer their duties to the respective Permanent Secretaries.
Akume further explained that the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, along with the winding down of the former Ministry of Sports Development, is being overseen by both the SGF’s office and the Head of Civil Service.
He also highlighted that the renaming and expanded mandate of the former Ministry of Niger Delta Development has taken effect immediately. Relevant supervising authorities and commissions under the new ministry have been notified.
Permanent Secretaries have also been instructed to ensure a smooth transition and to submit one copy of the handover notes to the SGF for record-keeping.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Wednesday sacked five Minister and appointed seven others.
Tinubu reassigned 10 Ministers to new portfolio while also merging restructuring some Ministries and scrapping the Ministry of Sports Development.
*Appoints Oduwole, Yilwatda, Dingyadi, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Maiha, Ata, Ahmad, redeploys 10
*Niger Delta ministry merged in new regional development ministry, tourism now infused into art, culture and creative economy
*FG issues Oct 30 ultimatum to affected ministers to complete handover exercise
Deji Elumoye, Olawale Ajimotokan, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano
Three weeks after hinting at a possible cabinet reshuffle, and 17 months into his administration, President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, made good his promise as he discharged five ministers, appointed seven new ones, and reassigned 10 of the cabinet members.
The discharged ministers were Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Prof Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Youth Development).
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who announced the development to newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, later clarified that the ministers were not sacked but discharged.
Speaking on a national television, he explained that the term “sacked” did not accurately describe their departure, insisting that the “ministers were not sacked; they were discharged.”
According to him, the new ministers whose appointments would be subject to confirmation by the Senate to include Dr Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction); Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi (Labour & Employment); Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu (State, Foreign Affairs); and Dr Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade and Investment).
Equally lucky were Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Livestock Development); Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (State, Housing and Urban Development) and Suwaiba Said Ahmad (State, Education).
Equally lucky were Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Livestock Development); Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (State, Housing and Urban Development) and Suwaiba Said Ahmad (State, Education).
Onanuga listed the 10 redeployed ministers to include Hon. Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu former Minister of State, Education, now Minister of State Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health, now Minister of Education; Bello Muhammad Goronyo Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation, now Minister of State Works.
Also on this list were Hon. Abubakar Eshiokpekha Momoh, Minister of Niger Delta Development now Minister of Regional Development; Uba Maigari Ahmadu Minister of State Steel Development, now Minister of State Regional Development; Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment now Minister of State Finance; Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of Sports Development now Minister of State Trade and Investment (Industry).
Still, among those reassigned were Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of State, Police Affairs now Minister of Women Affairs; Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth Development now Minister for Youth Development and Dr. Salako Iziaq Adekunle Adeboye, Minister of State, Environment now Minister of State, Health.
The presidential aide further explained that Tinubu has approved the immediate implementation of eight far-reaching actions to reinvigorate the administration’s capacity for optimal efficiency pursuant of his commitment to deliver on his promises to Nigerians.
According to him, the eight actions included “The renaming of the Ministry of Nigeria Delta Development to Ministry of Regional Development to oversee the activities of all the Regional Development Commissions.
“The Regional Development Commissions to be under the supervision of the new Ministry are; the Niger Delta Development Commission, the South East Development Commission, the North East Development and the North West Development Commission.
“The immediate winding up of the Ministry of Sports Development and the transfer of its functions to the National Sports Commission in order to develop a vibrant sports economy.
“The immediate winding up of the Ministry of Sports Development and the transfer of its functions to the National Sports Commission in order to develop a vibrant sports economy.
“The merger of the Federal Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to become Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy; the re-assignment of 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and the discharge of five Ministers.
“The nomination of seven (7) new ministers for onward transmission to Senate for confirmation. The appointment of Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission.
“The appointment of Sunday Akin Dare as Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation working from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.”
The President, according to Onanuga, thanked the outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council for their service to the nation while wishing them the best in their future endeavours.
He then charged the newly appointed ministers as well as their reassigned colleagues to see their appointment as a call to serve the nation.
Tinubu added that all appointees must understand the administration’s eagerness and determination to set Nigeria on the path to irreversible growth and invest the best of their abilities into the actualisation of the government’s priorities.
Briefing newsmen earlier, after the FEC meeting, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the Ministry of Regional Development would take over the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, North East Development Commission, South East Development Commission and other regional development commissions in the country.
Tinubu added that all appointees must understand the administration’s eagerness and determination to set Nigeria on the path to irreversible growth and invest the best of their abilities into the actualisation of the government’s priorities.
Briefing newsmen earlier, after the FEC meeting, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the Ministry of Regional Development would take over the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, North East Development Commission, South East Development Commission and other regional development commissions in the country.
He further said the president also directed that the sports commission would henceforth handle all sports activities and programmes initially handled by the Ministry of Sports Development.
According to him, with the scrapping of the Ministry of Tourism, all of its activities have been brought to the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.
Providing further clarity, the Minister of the newly created Ministry of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, who was in charge of the scrapped Ministry of Niger Delta Development, said the NDDC was still in place.
The minister also explained that the Ministry of Niger Delta Development was renamed and given a greater responsibility under the Ministry of Regional Development.
He explained that the new ministry was created to supervise all the agencies under the Ministry of Niger Delta Development and other regional commissions in the country.
“For our people over there in the Niger Delta region, I would like them to know that, that has not removed anything from them. The NDDC is still very much in place, which is still under the Ministry of Regional Development and all other such agencies are there. It’s just a question of change of nomenclature.”
He advised that nobody from the Niger Delta region should feel that the Ministry of Niger Delta has been scrapped, and it’s no more in existence.
He advised that nobody from the Niger Delta region should feel that the Ministry of Niger Delta has been scrapped, and it’s no more in existence.
“All the structures and everything about the Niger Delta remains. It’s just a change of nomenclature and, of course, expansion of activities of the ministry. So, I think it’s something worth to be commended,” he said.
Meanwhile, the federal government has ordered the five ministers that were discharged and the 10 that were reassigned to new portfolios to finalise the handing over and taking over processes on or before October 30, 2024.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, issued the clarification yesterday, adding that in the case of ministries without ministers to take-over, the out-going ministers should hand over to the substantive permanent secretaries.
The statement also said the processes for the seamless merger of the Ministry of Tourism with Ministry of Arts Culture and Creative Economy as well as the winding down of the defunct Ministry of Sports Development were being coordinated jointly by the Offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
Akume added that the renaming and the expansion of mandate of the defunct Ministry of Niger Delta Development would take immediate effect.
The SGF stated that the releasing supervising authorities as well as commissions under the new Ministry had been duly notified on this development.
Also, respective Permanent Secretaries were directed to ensure seamless implementation and also forward one copy each of the hand-over notes to the SGF for the record.
Also, respective Permanent Secretaries were directed to ensure seamless implementation and also forward one copy each of the hand-over notes to the SGF for the record.
Kano’s Nominee for Housing, Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, Pledges to Serve with Integrity
The newly nominated minister from Kano State, Abdullahi Yusuf Ata, has pledged to serve the country with diligence and Integrity.
Speaking with party supporters, who thronged his home at Fagge Local Government Area, in the metropolis, Ata vowed not to betray the trust bestowed on him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the discharge of his official duties.
He also promised to work round the clock to ensure the successes of Tinubu’s administration and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deliver on the mandate of his ministry.
“As an Honourable Minister of Nigeria, I will not betray the trust bestowed on me by Mr. President, and I will work round the clock with my management team to deliver on the mandate of the ministry,” he said.
[Thisday]
More...
Niger Delta Ministry: Don’t Use South-South Money To Develop Other Regions – Edwin Clark Tells Tinubu
AFOLABI
Prominent South-South leader, Edwin Clark, has countered the decision of President Bola Tinubu to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
The former federal commissioner for information argued that there is no basis for the President to scrap the Ministry, alleging that the plan of the Nigerian leader is to use the money from the region to develop other regions of the country.
Naija News recalls President Tinubu, on Wednesday, scrapped the Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of Sports Development.
Tinubu said a Ministry of Regional Development would oversee all the regional development commissions, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission.
The National Sports Commission will take over the role of the Ministry of Sports.
However, Clark, who is the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), saidPresident Tinubu has no good plans for the people of Niger Delta.
He argued that President Umaru Yar’Adua created the Ministry for the development of the region and to curb insecurity in the region; therefore, President Tinubu has no basis for scrapping the Ministry.
He said, “The news came to me as a surprise. There’s no basis for scrapping it now, Yar’Adua had a poised for creating it, to develop the Niger Delta Region and Nigeria, to bring peace to the region.
“What I have noted so far is that there is no basis for scrapping it. Yar’Adua had a clear purpose to address the security situation in the Niger Delta, which led to the creation of the Ministry to focus on the development of that area. We have been working for some time now, managing our commissions.
“It is not about that; it is the administrative structure created by the President. Unfortunately, it was misunderstood by Nigerians due to its complexity.
“Why would you take over a Ministry without any development plans, funding, or concrete actions? Even the East-West Road, which was meant to be under the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is not being addressed; it has been handed back to the Ministry of Works.
“What I am saying is that the federal government lacks special arrangements for this region. When I saw that every region was establishing its development centres or Commissions, I anticipated these issues would arise.
“Are there going to be multiple ministries within one region? One would expect that 30 or 40 people would have walked out to share the details.
“I remember during the national conference in 2014, it was decided to increase the revenue allocation to the regions from 13% to 25%. Ultimately, it was settled at 18%, but we disagreed, which led to further discussions about a separate fund to support development post-Boko Haram.
“There was also an agreement that 5% of the federation account would be allocated annually to support regions affected by the conflict. Unfortunately, this has not been implemented.
“We also agreed that 5% of the revenue account should be dedicated to developing mineral resources and other industries to enhance local capacity. I was pleased with these discussions, but they haven’t translated into action, which is disturbing.
“The government needs to consult with the leaders of the Niger Delta and the South-South region. What we ate saying is that these unresolved issues cannot be overlooked by the government.”
Clark further said the decision to scrap the Ministry should not be a unilateral decision and the government must explain the reason for its action to the people.
“The government must explain why they decided to halt critical legislation. This raises concerns about how the benefits of regional developments are being managed. Many people feel disconnected from the process, and it seems resources are being diverted from local needs.
“We need to ensure that regional development isn’t scrapped without a clear plan for its replacement. We will not allow it to be scrapped, the government wants to use South South money to develop other Development Commissions.
“In a democratic system, the government should be created for the people, by the people, and for their benefit. It shouldn’t operate as a one-man show,” Clark added.
Apostle Johnson Suleman, Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has responded to Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar’s public apology for her defamatory comments, asserting that forgiveness does not equate to memory loss.
In a terse statement on X.com on Wednesday, Suleman said, “You all stop calling my phone. Forgiveness is not memory loss! Status quo maintained!”
The statement comes after Abubakar issued a public apology to Suleman for her defamatory remarks against him.
In a statement shared on her Instagram account, Abubakar admitted that her past statements were “false and hurtful.”
The actress expressed regret for the pain she inflicted with the allegations while pleading for forgiveness from Apostle Suleman and his family.
She stated that her actions were due to poor judgment at the time, adding that the apology was motivated by “deep reflection and conscience.”
Abubakar had alleged on social media in 2022 that she had a romantic relationship with Suleman, prompting threats of legal action from the cleric over “defamatory statements.”
The controversy intensified in 2023 when the actress claimed she had been pregnant three times with Suleman’s child.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court had in April ordered Abubakar to pay N10 million in damages for publishing derogatory comments against Suleman.
The court also restrained her from further publishing defamatory statements against the cleric.
The judge also ordered Abubakar to publish a retraction of her defamatory statements on her Instagram handle #Halimabubakar.
On Tuesday, Ola Olukoyede, the chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), recounted an encounter with a 17-year-old cybercrime suspect.
Speaking at the launch of the 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Desk in Abuja, Mr Olukoyede said the boy, whose name was not given, demonstrated surprising computer proficiency that left him shocked.
He said the boy’s case underscores the need for societal change towards tackling the underlying motivations behind cybercriminal activities.
Mr Olukyede said he decided to engage the boy, a first-year university student studying history, to let him “demonstrate his acumen, his proficiency.”
“And I gave him my laptop. ‘How do you do this, young man?’ By the way, he is not even studying science. He is studying history. But you need to see the proficiency.
“He opened my system and without giving him my password, he decoded my system.
“And I was there, shocked. I mean, this is not funny. I mean, that shows the skills that we have in Nigeria.”
He continued, “And before you could say that, he said, ‘Sir, which bank do you use?’ I said, ‘No, I’m not going to tell you that. I don’t want to demonstrate that in my office.’ But he was ready to probably go into my account.”
Mr Olukoyede said he sought to know the motivation driving the boy’s cybercrime activities.
“’Why do you do this?’ And he told me because there is no alternative. He had to pay his school fees – a 100-year-level student,” he said.
He said from his encounter with the boy, he realised that “This job can’t be left to EFCC law. It’s a collective responsibility,” stressing the need to redirect such talents.
“We must change the narrative—from criminality to productivity and from cybercrime to cyberwealth,” he said.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, October 23, ordered the release of Tigran Gambaryan, the detained Binance Holdings Limited’s executive, from Kuje Correctional Centre.
It was gathered that the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s counsel, R. U. Adagba, informed the court of the decision of the Federal Government to withdraw the charge against Gambaryan.
Adagba, who held the brief of Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, premised the decision on Gambaryan’s deteriorating health and the diplomatic intervention.
Gambaryan was the 2nd defendant in the charge preferred against the cryptocurrency platform (1st defendant) by the EFCC.
The EFCC had, on April 8, arraigned Binance Holdings Ltd and Gambaryan before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
They were arraigned on a 5-count charge bordering on alleged tax evasion, currency speculation and money laundering to the tune of $34,400,000 (Thirty-Four Million, Four Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).
Upon resumed hearing, EFCC’s counsel, Adagba, told Justice Nwite of the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw the charge against the detained employee of Binance because of his deteriorating health.
Adagba recalled that the case could not go on at the last adjourned date as a result of the health condition of the 2nd defendant which, she said, the government had managed effectively.
She, however, said that recently, the report they received from the NCoS, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), indicated that Gambaryan’s health had deteriorated to the extent that he hardly walked without the assistance of a wheelchair.
Adagba said besides his ill health, Gambaryan needs to undergo surgery which would take some time and may impact the pace of the trial.
He stated further that the government had reviewed the case and had taken cognizance that Gambaryan, a U. S. citizen, was a mere employer of Binance Holdings Ltd, “whose status in the matter has no impact.”
The lawyer equally told the court that the prosecution had taken into consideration some critical diplomatic and international meetings by the Federal Government, hence, the need to discontinue the charge against the 2nd defendant (Gambaryan).
“I urged the honourable court to discharge the 2nd defendant accordingly in line with Section 108(1), (2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015,” she prayed.
Lawyer to Binance, Olujoke Aliu, and Gambaryan’s counsel, Mark Mordi, SAN, did not oppose the application.
However, Mordi, who told the court that since one of the reasons for withdrawal of the case was that Gambaryan was just an employee of Binance, urged the court to make an order for his client’s acquittal and not a discharge.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite granted Adagba’s application.
“It is hereby ordered as follows:
“That the application of the prosecution’s counsel is granted as prayed having reviewed the circumstances of the charge.
“That this charge is hereby struck out against the 2nd defendant (Gambaryan).
“That the 2nd defendant is hereby discharged.
“That an order of this honourable court is hereby made for the immediate release of the 2nd defendant from Nigerian Correctional Service, Kuje,” the judge ruled.