President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje as the board chairman of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.

Also appointed is the APC National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola as the board chairman of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

The Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, announced the appointment in a statement on Friday.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services,” the statement read.

“The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).”

He said Tinubu appointed former deputy governor of Kebbi State, Sulaiman Argungu, as the Chairman, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

Similarly, a long time ally of the President and former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe, made the list as the Chairman, National Agency For Great Green Wall.

According to the presidential spokesman, Tinubu directed the “board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.”

See the full statement below:

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

 

APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRPERSONS AND CEOS

ADVERTISEMENT

 

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services.

 

The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).

 

President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.

 

All the appointments take immediate effect.

 

1. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

– Hon. Hillard Eta Chairman (Cross River)

 

2. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

– Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman (Lagos)

 

3. FEDERAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA, MINISTRY OF AVIATION

– H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje, Chairman (Kano)

 

4. NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

– Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru Ajibola, Chairman (Osun)

 

5. NIGERIA BULK ELECTRICITY TRADING COMPANY

– H. E. Sulaiman Argungu, Chairman (Kebbi)

 

6. NATIONAL AGENCY FOR GREAT GREEN WALL

– Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman (Rivers)

 

7. NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE

– Barr. Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau)

 

8. NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)

– Raji, Kazeem Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo)

 

9. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

– Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman (Rivers)

 

10. TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

– Comrade Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa)

 

11. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND

– Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Chairman (Gombe)

 

12. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

– Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia)

 

13. SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX

– Sen. Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi)

 

14. FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA

– H. E. Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano)

 

15. NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION

– Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos)

 

16. NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE

– Chief D. J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo)

 

17. NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY

– Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairman (Sokoto)

 

18. NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL

– Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa)

 

19. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

– Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna)

 

20. NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

– Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, Chairman (Niger)

 

21. NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Hon. Durosimi Meseko, Chairman (Kogi)

 

22. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE

– Hajia Zainab A. Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba)

 

23. NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION

– Dr.Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos)

 

24. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI

– Aare (Hon.) Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Chairman (Ogun)

 

25. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA

– Mr Abdullahi Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos)

 

26. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA

– Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile Idele, Chairman (Edo)

 

27. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA

– Nze Chidi Duru (OON), Chairman (Anambra)

 

28. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI

– Hon. Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu)

 

29. CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD

– Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd, Secretary (Kano)

 

30. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA

– Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi)

 

31. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA

– Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka, Chairman (Delta)

 

32. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA

– Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa)

 

33. DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE

– Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)

 

34. NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY

– Chief Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo)

 

35. NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)

– Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna)

 

36. NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE

– Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman (Borno)

 

37. AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA,

KADUNA STATE

– Hon. Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)

 

38. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA

– Dr. Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)

 

39. RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)

– Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairman (Sokoto)

 

40. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU

– Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairman Zamfara

 

41. NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa)

 

42. SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

– Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto)

 

43. AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL

– Augustine Chukwu Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi)

 

44. FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD

– Engr. Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti)

 

45. NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND

– Hon. Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti)

 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

January 23, 2025

US President Donald Trump said Thursday his administration would appeal a federal judge’s ruling that temporarily blocks his attempt to restrict birthright citizenship.

“Obviously we will appeal it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the ruling by Washington state District Judge John Coughenour, who said the president’s order was “blatantly unconstitutional.”

A federal judge on Thursday put a temporary block on Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship.

The ruling imposes a 14-day stay on the enforcement of one of the most controversial executive orders Trump signed in the hours after he was sworn into office for a second term.

“This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” US District Judge John Coughenour was reported as saying during the hearing in Washington state.

“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is,” said Coughenour, who was appointed by a Republican president, Ronald Reagan.

Trump told reporters his administration would “obviously” appeal the ruling, while the Department of Justice said it would defend the executive order, which a spokesman said “correctly interprets” the US Constitution.

“We look forward to presenting a full merits argument to the Court and to the American people, who are desperate to see our Nation’s laws enforced,” the spokesman said.

Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the US Constitution under the 14th Amendment which decrees that anyone born on US soil is a citizen.

It says, in part: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

Trump’s order was premised on the idea that anyone in the US illegally, or on a visa, was not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the country, and therefore excluded from this category.

An incredulous Coughenour chided Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate over his assertion that Trump’s order was constitutional.

“Frankly, I have difficulty understanding how a member of the bar could state unequivocally that this is a constitutional order,” Coughenour said.

“It just boggles my mind.”

– ‘On a whim’ –

The ruling comes after a flurry of lawsuits filed by 22 states, two cities and numerous civil rights groups.

It was hailed by states that took part in the legal actions.

“No president can change the constitution on a whim and today’s decision affirms that,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said.

The ruling is “the first of many wins to come as my office fights instances of executive overreach and any illegal actions the new administration may take.”

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said Trump’s order was “un-American.”

“Birthright citizenship makes clear that citizenship cannot be conditioned on one’s race, ethnicity or where their parents came from,” he said after the ruling.

“It’s the law of our nation, recognized by generations of jurists, lawmakers and presidents, until President Trump’s illegal action.”

The legal challenge was no surprise, and Trump had acknowledged it was likely when he signed the order.

He has repeatedly — and wrongly — asserted that the United States is the only country in the world with birthright citizenship; in fact more than 30 others also have it, including Canada and Mexico.

Trump’s opponents have argued that the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868 as the United States sought to knit itself back together after the Civil War, has been settled law for over a century.

They have cited an 1898 US Supreme Court ruling in the case of a San Francisco-born Chinese American man called Wong Kim Ark.

Wong was denied entry back into the United States after visiting relatives in China on the grounds that he was not a citizen.

The court affirmed that children born in the United States, including those born to immigrants, could not be denied citizenship.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court  Abuja has proscribed the Lakurawa sect, classifying it as a terrorist organisation.

The prescription order followed an ex-parte application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

In a ruling, Justice Omotosho, equally proscribed similar groups operating in Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central regions of the country.

“It is hereby ordered as follows: That an order is hereby made declaring the activities of the Lakurawa Sect and other similar groups In any part of Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central Regions of Nigeria as acts of terrorism and illegality.

“That an order is hereby made proscribing the existence of the Lakurawa and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, especially In the North West and North Central Regions of Nigeria either in groups or as Individuals by whatsoever names they are called and publishing same in the Official Gazette and two (2) National Dailies.

“That an order is hereby made proscribing any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities evolving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the Lakurawa under any other name or platform however called or described.

“That an order is hereby made proscribing ali other groups in Nigeria by whatever name called with similar objectives as the Lakurawa which Include but not limited to banditry, kidnapping for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abduction of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling, enslavement, imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings n communities, commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria,” the court held.

FG had in the ex-parte application, prayed the court for four orders.

An Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, mister David Kaswe, moved the motion that was initially filed on January 14 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Mohammed Abubakar.

In a supporting affidavit that was deposed to by Mr Michael Akawu, a litigation officer in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), the federal government told the court that the Lakurawa sect/group had been involved in acts of terrorism, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage taking, attack on top government officials, attack on security personnel, propagation of their ideology to the local communities, encouraging the locals to disregard constituted authorities, within Nigeria.

The FG maintained that it had reasonable grounds to believe that the Lakurawa sect met the criteria to be proscribed as a terrorist group under the Terrorism (Prevent and Prohibition) Act.

It told the court that it would be in the overall interest of justice, peace and security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to proscribe the sect.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has lost his elder brother, Sunday Makinde.

He was aged 65 years.

He died on Friday, January 24, 2025.

Announcing the passing in a message, a brother of the deceased, who is also the Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland and Head of the Aigbofa Family of Oja’ba, Ibadan, Chief Olumuyiwa Makinde, wrote, “With a heavy heart, I announce the passage of my older brother, Engr Sunday Makinde, to eternal glory today, Friday, 24th of January, 2025.”

“His sudden death occurred in his Ibadan residence at 3:20 am today, Friday, 24th January 2025.”

“He is survived by siblings, among whom is the executive governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, children, and grandchildren.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday withdrew the arrest warrant against Ezekiel Thankgod, manager of gospel musician Mercy Chinwo.

Justice Alexander Owoeye issued a bench warrant against the music producer last week following an ex parte order filed by the EFCC.

The commission asked to withdraw the warrant in a request by its lawyer Bilikisu Buhari.

A couple escaped death on Wednesday after a container fell on their Lexus Jeep at the Toyota bus stop on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

In a statement on Thursday, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, stated that the incident occurred in the evening after a distress call.

According to her, the incident occurred after the container accidentally fell on the rear side of the vehicle.

They were later rescued from the wreckage of their vehicle.

The statement read, “A male adult of about 45 years old and a female adult of about 37 years old (both names withheld) were rescued from the jaw of death by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service from a vehicle accident involving their Lexus Jeep 350 with registration number EKY 251 HW and a Mack Trailer with registration number BDG 513 XW conveying two containers of 20 feet each.”

The accident, which was a visible call on the Isolo Fire Station of the Agency at about 18:35 hours Wednesday, at the busy Toyota bus stop on the Apapa—Oshodi Expressway inward Isolo, Lagos, had one of the containers accidentally fall on the rear side of the vehicle while on motion, prompting sympathisers to come to their aid before firefighters teamed up to bring them out of the accident unhurt.

Adeseye added that both victims were joined by the trailer driver who also escaped unscathed and was taken through trauma therapy to ascertain their well-being.

“The remains of the vehicles had been cleared off the path of the highway by LASEMA after men of LASTMA cleared the ensuing traffic backlog with the support of the Nigeria Police from the Ilasamaja Division who had since brought the operations into conclusion,” the statement added.

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to immediately deploy new printers to the passport offices in the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta and New York, United States of America.

This is coming a few days after Vanguard Newspaper published a petition by a group of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

The petitioners had appealed to the minister to act after detailing challenges being faced by Nigerians in dire need of consular services in the two cities.

In response, Tunji-Ojo in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, acknowledged receipt of the petition while announcing his directive to the NIS.

The Minister’s response is reproduced below:

RE: NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA PETITION INTERIOR MINISTER OVER PRINTER CRISIS

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has acknowledged the receipt of a petition concerning an appeal for passport printers in Atlanta and New York Consulates in the United States of America.

To address this issue, the Minister has since approved and directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately deploy new printers to the passport offices in both cities. These printers are ready for installation. This short-term solution aims to resolve the current challenge promptly.

The Minister hinted that there is a new solution being implemented as a long-term plan that will usher in a streamlined passport regime, enabling Nigerians to apply for their passports with more ease.

Part of this plan includes the activation of the Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, which is scheduled to start in the next few weeks while also opening up more countries for the already-deployed contactless solution.

The Ministry of Interior under the Minister is working round the clock, and none of the agencies is left behind. At the Nigeria Immigration Service, for instance, there has been an end-to-end automation of the passport application process and the introduction of the contactless application process, which has since been launched in Canada.

The Minister assures that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians experience #RenewedHope laced with innovation and convenience while still enhancing national security.

U.S. immigration agents raided business establishments in Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday and detained undocumented residents as well as citizens, including a U.S. military veteran, the city’s mayor said.

The raid in New Jersey’s most populous city, hailed in the past by mayor Ras Baraka for its “sanctuary” policies protecting migrants, follows President Donald Trump’s pledge to deport millions of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally.

Trump issued a raft of executive orders after taking office on Monday that aim to clamp down on illegal immigration. He has taken steps to punish officials who resist enforcement of his sweeping crackdown.

In a raid of a business establishment in Newark, outside New York City, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents failed to produce a warrant as they detained “undocumented residents as well as citizens,” Baraka said in a statement.

“One of the detainees is a U.S. military veteran who suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned,” Baraka said.

Baraka said the act violates the citizens’ rights under the U.S. Constitution. “Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorised,” he said.

Baraka did not identify the business raided by name. The White House and ICE had no immediate comment on the raid.

Baraka is one of the first local officials in the U.S. to state a specific raid following the start of Trump’s immigration crackdown.

In 2017, he signed an executive order cementing Newark’s sanctuary status and was a vocal opponent of Trump’s immigration policies during the president’s first term.

Of the estimated 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally or with temporary status in 2022, about 44% lived in states with “sanctuary” laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

That figure does not include those in sanctuary cities and counties in places without a statewide law, such as New Mexico.

U.S. media outlets reported that federal law enforcement and ICE agents had arrested nearly 500 undocumented migrants wanted for outstanding crimes in sanctuary cities, including some from New York and New Jersey. The reports cited ICE officials who said the arrests took place on Tuesday and Wednesday

US authorities arrested 538 illegal migrants and deported hundreds in a mass operation just days into President Donald Trump’s second administration, his press secretary said late Thursday.

“The Trump Administration arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals,” Karoline Leavitt said in a post on social platform X, adding “hundreds” were deported by military aircraft.

“The largest massive deportation operation in history is well underway. Promises made. Promises kept,” she said.

Trump promised a crackdown on illegal immigration during the election campaign and began his second term with a flurry of executive actions aimed at overhauling entry to the United States.

He has signed orders declaring a “national emergency” at the southern border and announced the deployment of more troops to the area while vowing to deport “criminal aliens.”

Early on Thursday, Newark city mayor Ras J. Baraka said in a statement that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents “raided a local establishment… detaining undocumented residents as well as citizens, without producing a warrant”.

Earlier in the week the Republican-led US Congress green-lit a bill to expand pretrial incarceration for foreign criminal suspects