FEATURES
Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, says 23 indigenes of the state are currently on death row in Indonesia due to drug-related offences.
Soludo spoke on Wednesday, while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to support his re-election bid.
“Go to Indonesia, 23 Ndi Anambra are on death row there for drug-related offences,” he said.
“These native doctors will deceive you that they will prepare a charm that when you carry drugs and enter the airport, the white man’s scanner will go blind.
“These young people believe them and today, many of our people are languishing in jail across the world.”
Soludo warned against the deceptive practices of some native doctors, noting that anyone who claims to have such powers would be arrested by the state government.
“If he makes one person a millionaire, we will bring Anambra people and line them up. Don’t you want an Anambra where everyone will be a millionaire? I will equally present myself because I need money too,” he said.
“One of the native doctors who is in detention, his son is a waiter in a hotel in Nnewi. If it was that simple, why didn’t he make his son a millionaire?
“One of them that we arrested has sworn that he is just a content creator, yet he has used things like these to deceive our young people that you can become rich without doing any work, as far as you have done oke Ite (money rituals).”
Soludo reiterated the negative impact of such beliefs on young people.
“That is why you see young people who wake up in the morning and retire to beer parlours drinking, hoping to get rich later in life,” he added.
The governor clarified that the state is not against traditional worshippers but against those engaging in dangerous practices.
“We are not against traditional worshippers; what we are against is people who are doing dangerous medicines and charms,” he said.
“We have always known those who are into traditional practices, they have things they believe in, and they were about the most upright people then.
“Those were people who believed that if you did the wrong thing, you could be killed by the gods of the land. But what these new crop of criminal native doctors are doing is deceit, and we will not allow that to continue.”
Soludo reiterated his commitment to the ongoing clampdown on native doctors promoting oke-ite (get-rich-quick charm).
Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, has narrated the events that led to the remand of Alabi Quadri, a teenager who went viral in the buildup to the 2023 presidential election.
In February 2023, Quadri dominated social media discourse after he was pictured stretching his arms in front of the motorcade of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the election.
Obi, who stood through the open roof of his car during a campaign stop in Lagos, had responded to the teenager’s gesture with a broad smile.
Recently, an activist posted on X that Quadri is currently languishing in Kirikiri prison for an offence he did not commit.
The activist said Quadri was returning home from work when he was forcefully taken to the police station by some young men over claims that he was among a group of robbers in the community.
The post caught the attention of many Nigerians, including Obi and Effiong. The human rights lawyer had promised to intervene.
Providing an update, Effiong said he and Quadri’s family members visited the teenager at the custodial centre on Wednesday.
He said the teenager has been in custody since January.
Effiong relayed that the teenager’s mother attributed Quadri’s ordeal to the entitlement of some street urchins to the largesse he reportedly received after making the headlines in 2023.
The lawyer said because Quadri refused to “properly settle” the street urchins, they plotted to get back at him.
Effiong said the teenager was subsequently “abducted” by the street urchins.
“After abducting Alabi, the same area boys who have been threatening to deal with him for not sharing the money he was gifted dragged him to the Amukoko Police Station (Pako Police Station), where he was detained,” Effiong said.
“The area boys initially claimed that Alabi was one of the young men who had been involved in street fights.
“However, it came as a rude shock when the Police took him before a Magistrate along with four other individuals who are complete strangers to him, alleging that he conspired with them to commit ‘armed robbery’ with cutlasses.
“The police in the charge sheet alleged that the two victims were robbed of money and four mobile phones.
“The value of both the physical cash and four phones is N579,000 only.
“I spent about two hours interviewing Alabi about the veracity of the charges brought by the police.
“Speaking objectively, we all left Kirikiri with a strong conviction that this gentleman is just another victim of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
“The last point that we want to state on the record is that Alabi is a Minor. He is less than 18 years old.
“Currently, Alabi has appeared before the Magistrate on three occasions.
“The court remanded him along with the four strange individuals who are all adults at the custodial centre pending legal advice by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).”
The lawyer said his team will do everything “legally permissible” to secure the release of the minor.
Festus Onifade, a lawyer, has withdrawn a suit against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, challenging the recent hike in subscription fees for DStv and GOtv services.
On February 24, MultiChoice officially announced an increase in the subscription prices of DStv and GOtv packages, with effect from March 1.
The adjustments saw prices increase by up to 25 percent across various packages, with DStv Compact rising from N15,700 to N19,000.
Compact Plus increased from N25,000 to N30,000; DStv Premium moved from N37,000 to N44,500 and GOtv Supa Plus moved from N15,700 to N16,800.
The announcement, which came nearly one year after the firm’s subscription rates were hiked, led to public criticisms.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2025 and filed on February 27, Onifade asked the court to declare that Multichoice’s eight-day notice period for the tariff increase was “unjust, unfair, unreasonable, illegal, grossly inadequate and a breach of the claimant consumer rights”.
He also said Multichoice ought not to have increased the bouquet prices since there is a pending appeal on the same subject before the court of appeal.
He prayed the court for an order mandating and compelling Multichoice Nigeria to suspend the price increase for non-compliance with the provision of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) was also joined in the suit as the second defendant.
However, in a notice of discontinuance dated and filed on April 7, the lawyer said he would no longer be proceeding with the suit.
“Take notice that the claimant hereby wholly discontinues this suit against the defendants,” the notice reads.
Meanwhile, a federal high court in Abuja has fixed May 8 to deliver judgment in the suit filed by the FCCPC challenging the price hike.
The Ondo police command has recovered three headless corpses from a river in the Odigbo LGA.
Locals reportedly stumbled on the decomposing bodies on Wednesday — with some lodged on the riverbanks.
Eyewitnesses said the victims may have been murdered and dumped in the river by suspected kidnappers.
A former youth leader in the community, who identified himself as Shileola, said he was shocked by the incident.
“I was shocked when I first heard about it over the phone. I rushed to the scene, hoping to identify the victims through their clothing or any other means, but all efforts proved abortive,” he said.
He speculated that the victims may have been killed elsewhere and their bodies dumped in the river, noting that there have been no reports of missing persons in the area.
Shileola urged residents to be security conscious.
Ayanlade Olayinka, spokesperson of the Ondo police command, confirmed the development.
“I can confirm to you that some three bodies were recovered at the river in Odigbo. And immediately it was reported at the Ore Division, the DPO of that division moved a detective to the scene where the three bodies were recovered,” Olayinka said.
“Upon recovering the bodies, they were taken to the morgue at General Hospital and the DPO summoned the community leaders and all interest groups to ensure the identification of the body.
“But, we have not seen anybody to identify any of the bodies and it is believed that those bodies were brought there and dumped at that site by some unknown men. So we believe that it did not actually happen in Ondo state.
“The area it happened bordered a lot of states, both Ogun and Edo states. So we believe the body is not from this state. However, it was dumped in that river.”
Olayinka said further details would be provided as investigations continue.
Literary legend, Wole Soyinka has expressed his sadness over the outcome of the administration of the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald Trump.
In an interview with Laura Collins-Hughes which was published in the New York Times, Soyinka said what is happening in the US currently should not be happening in such a progressive nation.
Recall that in 2016, the Nobel Laureate had threatened to destroy his American green card should Trump win the election at that time.
However, speaking to Collin-Hughes, “I just feel very, very sad that what’s happening in the States should be happening in such a potentially progressive country.”
Speaking on whether he feels safe in the US following the tense political atmosphere involving the nation and governments of other countries, he said, “Oh, I’ve lived in a constant state of nonsafety.
“So I’m used to that. If I’m walking through the street and they pick me up, I have no problem whatsoever. You know, my laptop is where it is. It’s up in the clouds,” Soyinka added.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has received backing from leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Osun West Senatorial District to seek re-election in 2026.
The endorsement came during a PDP zonal meeting held in the district and hosted by Senator Akogun Lere Oyewumi.
Adeleke, who became governor in November 2022, is expected to complete his first term in 2026. The PDP leaders said he deserves a second term because of his performance so far.
During the meeting, Hon. Alidu Adeoye, chairman of the PDP in Iwo Local Government, officially moved the motion for Adeleke to be given the party’s ticket again in 2026.
Adeoye said the governor had achieved a lot in just two years, and he believes a working governor should automatically be allowed to run again. “A performing governor deserves the ticket automatically,” he stated.
The motion was seconded by the party’s state legal adviser, Ebenezer Bolarinwa. Others who supported the endorsement included Hon. Sunday Oroniyi, who spoke for commissioners, and Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, who represented party elders.
The endorsement was received on behalf of the governor by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Akinleye, who thanked party members for their support.
“Mr Governor is elated by this endorsement and he humbly accepts it as a further call for him to serve the good people of Osun State. The Governor will build on his present successes to provide good leadership for Osun State till 2030,” Akinleye said.
He promised that Adeleke would continue delivering good governance under the PDP’s five-point development agenda.
Senator Oyewumi, the host of the meeting, praised the governor and described him as a symbol of progress in Osun.
“This endorsement is a confirmation of the popularity, acceptance, and support of Mr Governor from his home zone of Osun West,” he said. “We are here telling the state that we are re-presenting our son, our leader, Ademola Adeleke for a second term in July 2026.”
Alhaji Akinbade, speaking for the elders, also praised Adeleke for his mature and effective leadership. He said the governor had strengthened the image of the PDP through his achievements and added that re-electing him would be the best decision for the future of Osun State.
The meeting was attended by several key figures in the party, including commissioners, advisers, and local government party chairmen from across Osun West.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a new acting chairman, Mr. Sam Olumekun, Naija News reports.
Olumekun, who is INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, was referred to as the acting INEC Chairman during a meeting with the Labour Party leadership on Wednesday.
According to The Whistler, Professor Yakubu, the current INEC chairman, is in the Gambia attending the ECONEC (ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions) meeting.
According to constitutional provisions, the tenure of an INEC chairman is five years, and they typically leave at the end of their term unless their appointment is renewed. Yakubu assumed the role on November 9, 2015, and became the first INEC chairman to be sworn in for a second term after former President Muhammadu Buhari renewed his appointment in 2020.
Section 157 of the constitution states that the president can only remove the INEC chairman with the support of two-thirds of the Senate.
On Monday afternoon, a message circulated on WhatsApp, falsely claiming that Prof. Yakubu had been replaced by Prof. Olamilekan Bashiru.
The message, which lacked credible attribution, stated: “INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu.”
In response to the report, the Senior Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media, O’tega Ogra, in a post on his ? handle on Monday afternoon, described it as ‘fake news.’
Yakubu, who is nearing the end of his second term as INEC Chairman, is expected to exit the position towards the end of this year.
[NaijaNews]
The United States government has announced that it will begin screening the social media accounts of foreigners applying for American visas, including students and immigrants, to detect anti-semitic activities.
The new directive, which takes effect immediately, will apply to those seeking permanent residency (Green Card), student visas, and even applicants connected to universities or organisations accused of practices that are hostile, discriminatory, or prejudiced against Jewish people.
According to a statement by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) obtained by Daily Trust, foreigners who have supported or encouraged violent religious extremism — including online posts backing groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, or Yemen’s Houthi rebels — risk being automatically disqualified from obtaining a US visa or residency permit.
“There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here,” said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin. “Sec. Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorism – think again. You are not welcome here.”
The statement, issued on Wednesday, says the crackdown is in line with executive orders signed by President Donald Trump aimed at combating religious extremism and terrorism.
The statement partly reads, “Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin considering aliens’ antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests.
“This will immediately affect aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.
“Consistent with President Trump’s executive orders on combating anti-semitism, additional measures to combat anti-semitism and protecting the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats, DHS will enforce all relevant immigration laws to the maximum degree, to protect the homeland from extremists and terrorist aliens, including those who support antisemitic terrorism, violent antisemitic ideologies and antisemitic terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, or Ansar Allah aka: “the Houthis.
“Under this guidance, USCIS will consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests. This guidance is effective immediately.”
Analysts say the policy could affect international students from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, especially those active on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.
Critics have raised concerns that the policy could be used to target pro-Palestinian voices or human rights activists, blurring the line between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and promoting religious hate speech.
The US government insists that it is not targeting any religion but is focused on violent extremists, regardless of faith.
[DailyTrust]
[Full List] Gbajabiamila missing as presidency releases names of Tinubu’s appointments to date
Admin![[Full List] Gbajabiamila missing as presidency releases names of Tinubu’s appointments to date](/media/k2/items/cache/68d9ba68bf20d8e51368c3a98e982a88_S.jpg)
The Presidency, through Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has provided a list of the President’s appointments to date as it tries to defend alleged lopsided appointments.
In the list, South West has 29 appointees of the President as against 24 stated by Dare.
For instance, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is one of the first appointees of the President, appointed as Chief Of Staff on Friday, June 2, 2023, was not mentioned in the list.
The South East has fewer appointments.
Also, it appears that the West Eest, where the President comes from, has the majority of the key appointments into ‘juicy’ positions.
Here is the list of Tinubu’s appointments to day:
South West:
1. Bosun Tijani
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
2. Wale Edun
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy
3. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo
Minister of Interior
4. Adebayo Adelabu
Minister of Power
5. Dele Alake
Minister of Solid Minerals Development
6. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment
7. Adegboyega Oyetola
Minister of Marine & Blue Economy
8. Olayemi Cardoso
CBN Governor
9. Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja
Chief of Army Staff
10. Kayode Egbetokun
Inspector General of Police
11. Zaccheus Adedeji
Chairman, FIRS
12. Adeola Ajayi
Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS)
13. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi
Comptroller-General of Customs
14. Olanipekun Olukoyede
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
15. Kayode Isiak Opeifa
Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation
16. Oluwasegun Faleye
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund
17. Vincent Olatunji
(NSITF)
18. Raji Kazeem Kolawole
Managing Director /CEO, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT)
19. Bayo Onanuga
Director General, National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI)
20. Sunday Dare
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy
21. Tope Kolade Fasua
Special Adviser on Public Communications Orientation
22. Peju Adedajo
Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters (Office of the VP)
23. Temitola Asekunle-Johnson
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Investment & Privatisation (Office of VP)
24. Mariam Temitope
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Job Creation & NSMEs (Office of VP)
25. Tunde Rahman
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Regional Development Programmes
26. Moremi Ojudu
SSAP on Community Engagement
27. Tope Ajayi
SSA, Media and Public Affairs
28. Segun Dada
Special Assistant, Social Media
29. Demola Oshodi
SSA, Protocol
North Central:
1. Shuaibu Audu
Minister of Steel Development
2.Muhammed Idris
Minister of Information
3. Zaphanian Jisalo
Minister of Special Duties
4. Lateef Fagbemi
Minister of Justice
5. Joseph Utsev
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation
6. Nentawe Yilwatde
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
7. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim
Minister of State, Police Affairs
8. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security
9. Bashir Bayo Ojulari
GMD, NNPC Limited
10. Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed
Director General, National Intelligence Agency
11. Dr. Idris A. Sulaimon
Director General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
12. Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
13. Engr. Jaji O. Abdulganiyu Controller General of the Federal Fire Service
14. Kemi Nandap
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service
15. Haruna Y. Usman
Chairman, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority
16. Dangajere Shuaibu Bawa Jaja Managing Director, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority
17. Dr. Amos Gizo Yadukso
Chairman, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority
18. Engr. Ninga Terese
Managing Director, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority
19. Abiodun Essiet SSAP on Community Engagement
20. Gimba Kakanda
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Research and Analytics (Office of the VP)
21. Isaq Ahmed Ningi,
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital media & Emergency Management
22. Mr. Aliyu Audu,
Special Assistant to the President, Public Affairs
23. Sen. Ibrahim Oloriege
Chairman, NHIA
24. Tunde Ajibulu,
Deputy Executive Secretary (Services), UBEC
25. Sunday Sylva Togo Echono Executive Secretary, TETFUND
North East:
1. Abubakar Kyari
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
2. Idi Mukhtar Maiha
Minister of Livestock Development
3. Sa’idu Alkali
Minister of Tranportation
4. Yusuf Tuggar
Minister of Foreign Affairs
5. Muhammad Ali Pate
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare
6. Ibrahim Gaidam
Minister of Police Affairs
7. Uba Maigari Ahmadu
Minister of State for Regional Development
8. Ahmadu Musa Kida
NNPCL Non-executive Chairman.
9. Nuhu Ribadu
National Security Adviser
10. Mohammed Buba Marwa Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
11. Hajiya Hafsat Bakari
CEO, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit
12. Prof. Abdu Dauda
Chairman, Chad Basin Development Authority
13. Tijjani Musa Tumsa
Managing Director, Chad Basin Development Authority
14. Alh. Sanusi Mohammed Babantanko
Chairman, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority
15. Abdulhamid Yahaya Abba SSAP on Community Engagement
16. Dr. Bala Mohammed
Deputy Governor, CBN
17. Aliyu Modibbo Umar
Special Adviser (SAD), General Duties
18. Sadiq Wanna Special Adviser (SAD), to the President on Power Infrastructure (Office of the VP)
19. Usman Muhammad
SSA to the President on Administration & Office Accommodation (Office of the VP)
20. Nasir Yammama
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Innovation (Office of the VP)
21. Bashir Maidugu
Deputy State House Counsel (Senior Special Assistant to the President)
22. Dr. Daniel Bwala,
Special Adviser on Media and Policy Communications
23. Mr. Francis Adah Abah
Personal Assistant to the President, Special Duties
24. Mumuni Dagazau
Executive Vice President for Downstream
North West:
1. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar Minister of Defence
2. Hannatu Musawa
Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy
3. Ahmed Dangiwa
Minister of Housing and Urban Development
4. Bello Goronyo
Minister of State for Water Resources
5. Yusuf Tanko Sununu
Minister of State for Education
6. Bello Matawalle
Minister of State for Defence
7. Hajiya Hafsat Bakari
CEO, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit
8. General Christopher Gwabin Musa Chief of Defence Staff
9. Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar Chief of Air Staff
10. Haliru Nababa
Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service
11. Shehu Usman Mohammed Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission
12. Aminu Maida
EVC, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
13. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
14. Brig Gen YD Ahmed
Director-General, National Youth Service Corps
15. Mohammed Buba Marwa Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
16. Abdullahi U. Ganduje
Chairman, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
17. H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje Chairman, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria
18. Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu
Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission
19. Nasiru Gawuna
Chairman, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
20. Musa Sarkin Adar
Chairman, National Inland Waterways Authority
21. H. E. Nasiru Gawuna
Chairman, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria
22. H.E Aminu Bello Masari
Chairman, TETFUND
23. Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Yola
24. Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan Chairman, Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kudu
25. Isa Sadiq Achida
Chairman, Raw Materials Research and Development Council
26. Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno Chairman, Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority
27. Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Secretary, Civil Defence, Immigration and Prisons Services Board
28. Dr Mohammed Mohammed Aminu
Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (NABTEB)
29. Abdullahi Tanko Yakassai SSAP on Community Engagement
30. Sani Dattijo
Deputy Governor, CBN
31. Rukaiya El-Rufai
Special Adviser to President on NEC & Climate Change (Office of the VP)
32. Hakeem Baba Ahmed
Special Adviser (SAD), on Political Matters (Office of VP)
33. Muhammad Bulama
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Politics/Special Duties (office of the VP)
34. Zainab Yunusa
Senior Special Assistant to the President on NEC (Office of the VP)
35. Abdulaziz Abdulaziz
Senior Special Assistant to the President, Print Media
36. Ibrahim Masari
SSA Politics
South South:
1. Festus Keyamo
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development
2. Ekperipe Ekpo
Minister of State, Gas Resources
3. Heineken Lokpobiri
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources
4. John Enoh
Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment
5. Nyesom Wike
Minister of Federal Capital Territory
6. Abubakar Momoh
Minister of Regional Development
7. Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla
Chief of Naval Staff
8. Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye
Chief of Defence Intelligence
9. Emomotimi Agama
Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
10. Mrs. Glory Ekpo Oho
Managing Director, Cross River Basin Development Authority
11. Sen. Magnus Abe
Chairman, National Agency for the Great Green Wall
12. Chief (Barr.) Ebikemi Boi Bosin Chairman, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority
13. Hon. Amgbare Ebitimi
Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority
14. Mr. Saleh Abubakar
Director-General, National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW)
15. Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George Director-General, Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).
16. Gift Johnbull SSAP on Community Engagement
17. Emem Nnana Usoro
CBN Deputy Governor
18. O’tega Ogra SSA, Digital/New Media to the President
19. Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe SSA, Strategic Communications
20. Rowland Ewubare
Group Chief Operating Officer, NNPCL
21. Nosa Asemota
Special Assistant, Visual Communications to the President
22. Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey
Project Coordinator, HYPREP
South East:
1. Dr. Doris Anite Uzoka
Minister of State for Finance
2. Bianca Ojukwu
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
3. Nkeiru Onyejiocha
Minister of State for Labour
4. Sen. Dave Umahi
Minister of Works
5. Dr. Uche Nnaji
Minister of Science and Technology
6. Uzoma Nwagba
MD, Credicorp
7. Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka
Managing Director, Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority
8. Adesua Dozie
Company Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, NNPCL
9. Hon. Mark Okoye
MD/CEO, South-East Development Commission (SEDC)
10. Philip Ikeazor
Deputy Governor for Financial System Stability, CBN
11. Sophia Mbakwe
Executive Vice President of Business Services, NNPCL
12. Mr. John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu Special Adviser, Industry, Trade and Investment
13. Chioma Nweze
SSAP on Community Engagement
14. Kingsley Stanley Nkwocha SSA to the President, Media and Communication (Office of VP)
15. Kingsley Uzoma
SSA to the President on Agribusiness & Productivity Enhancement (Office of VP)
16. Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo
SSA to the President on Public Engagement
Tony Elumelu, chairman of Transcorp Group, says Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy target cannot be realised without urgent and sustained efforts to address challenges in the country’s electricity sector.
Elumelu spoke on Wednesday at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) held in Abuja.
The business mogul said access to reliable power remains the single most critical factor in transforming the Nigerian economy, particularly as the country pushes for increased contribution from the non-oil sector.
“I want to use this opportunity to reiterate that access to electricity remains the single most critical factor in fixing the Nigerian economy, especially as we seek to have the non-oil sector make greater contributions to our economy,” he said.
“We must, therefore, have the power to fix and transform Nigeria. We know that to grow a $1 trillion economy, electricity must be fixed. That is not the case today.”
Elumelu added that although President Bola Tinubu had directed last year that all impediments to the power sector be removed, the pace of implementation remained slow.
“The president directed last year that all impediments to the power sector should be removed,” he added.
“But I’m afraid to say that critical people who should help to see the president’s vision come alive are afraid to do so.
“May I use this opportunity to call on them to help translate the President’s initiative idea into action?”
‘FG OWES TRANSCORP N600BN FOR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY’
Elumelu also said the federal government owed the company N600 billion for electricity supplied to the national grid.
“As of date, federal government owes your company over N600 billion. That is $400 million,” he said.
“Much as we, patriotic Nigerian investors, are committed to supporting the efforts of the federal government in fixing the economy, we have a rather excruciating burden of subsidising the sector. It requires urgent attention.”
Elumelu acknowledged efforts by the present administration to address liquidity issues in the power sector, including the presidential metering initiative and transmission reforms.
He added that implementation must be swift to prevent further deterioration.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Elumelu said it experienced significant growth within the group despite economic challenges.
He said Transcorp Plc’s market capitalisation had risen to over N4.5 trillion from less than N20 billion in 2011 when his group took over the company.
Elumelu added that since the takeover, the company has consistently paid dividends, declaring N1 per share for the 2024 financial year.
“By the time we took over the company in 2011, they had not paid dividends one day. But since we took over the company, we have consistently paid dividends to shareholders,” he said.
“We have declared N1 dividend for 2024. And 2025 will definitely be better than 2024.”
According to Elumelu, Transcorp Power now has a market value of over N2.7 trillion and has fully repaid its foreign exchange (FX) acquisition loan of $215 million in 2024.
“When we say that Transcorp is about transforming lives, improving lives and transforming Nigeria and Africa, it is based on the role we play in catalysing development. Power is critical for the development of every economy,” he said.
He also announced the completion of a new 5,000-capacity event centre at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a hub for global events.
“Rwanda, Dubai, and Kenya have become event centres. So, we want to put your country on that mark. And you have succeeded,” he said.
Elumelu also said the company was considering expanding into other critical sectors, including agriculture and renewable energy, following recommendations from shareholders.
On her part, Owen Omogiafo, president and group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Transcorp Group, said the firm is committed to excellence and innovation.
Omogiafo said the firm is exploring strategic diversification into agriculture, targeting high-impact opportunities.
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‘We walked through the valley of death,’ Stranded train passenger shares ordeal in Kogi forest
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Train passengers from Delta State were stranded for hours on Wednesday after the train travelling through Kogi State broke down in a forest.
Kola Edokpayi, who was among the stranded passengers, took to Facebook on Wednesday to explain the ordeal.
According to him, he had opted to travel by train from Agbor, Delta State to Itakpe, Kogi State after being unable to secure a flight to Abuja.
However, the journey took a dramatic turn when the train developed technical issues in a location he described as an “evil forest,” devoid of mobile network coverage and surrounded by cattle herders.
His caption read, “I couldn’t get a flight to Abuja today, I decided to board a train from Agbor to Itakpe, Kogi State en route Abuja.
“On getting to an evil forest without network in Kogi, the train developed technical issues that couldn’t be fixed immediately.
“Passengers became apprehensive while stranded in the forest dominated by Fulani herders and their cows.”
As panic grew among passengers, Edokpayi said many opted to begin an “endurance trek” through the forest in a desperate bid to reach a nearby town or train station.
The trek reportedly lasted for over three hours, with elderly passengers struggling and some near collapse.
“We decided to embark upon an endurance trek to quickly get to town. We trekked for more than three hours and are still trekking to the train station.
“What interests me is that all the Fulani herders in the forest we encountered were so friendly and they assisted us while we were navigating the evil forest,” he said.
In a follow-up post on Thursday after arriving in Abuja, Edokpayi described the experience as “terrible and horrific.”
He likened the journey to a biblical test of faith, quoting Psalm 23:4 to describe how he found comfort while trekking through what he called “the valley of the shadow of death.”
He wrote, “Thank God for safe arrival in Abuja this morning. It was a terrible and horrific experience in the wilderness.
“While embarking upon the unsolicited endurance trek, I took solace in the book of Psalm 23:4, which says ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.'”
He narrated how they got exhausted from trekking and how an elderly man almost died in the forest.
Edokpayi wrote, “Having trekked for hours, I became sinewless with no water to drink to resuscitate myself, we kept on trekking in the forest until we saw bike riders coming with bikes, they told us point-blank that they wanted to go and rescue their co-workers who were also stranded in the forest.
“An old man who trekked with us for about 30 minutes almost died, we had to assist him to be alive. Thank God that he is alive to share the testimony of what God did for him and other travellers.”
Eventually, the group encountered motorcyclists and rescue vehicles heading toward the stranded train.
With the last of their strength, Edokpayi said, passengers rushed to board the vehicles and were taken to safety.
He wrote, “The genuine Fulani cattle herders in the forest were very friendly. We give thanks to God that at the time of the unsolicited endurance trek in the forest, the terroristic bandits were in deep slumber.
“We trekked to almost where there was a hill before we sighted vehicles coming to pick up passengers. At that point, we started rushing into the vehicles with the last strength. Thank God that we all arrived at our various destinations safely.”
While grateful for the safe outcome, the man criticised the state of Nigeria’s transport infrastructure, warning that the incident could have ended in tragedy.
He wrote, “The Federal Government needs to be proactive enough to ensure that the trains are in a better state for the safety of passengers.
“Airline operators go dey cancel flight anyhow, we fear kidnappers for road wey still bad. Train dey spoil for evil forest dominated by herders.
“Make God continue to help us ooo in Bongo. Welcome to Bongo, the heartbeat of abracadabra.
“I don kawalelogran for train oooo until government address the issue. The fear of train for me is the beginning of wisdom.”
The Presidency has apologised for the errors in the list of appointments released to counter the narrative about President Bola Tinubu’s alleged lopsided appointments.
The President’s appointments have been a topic of conversation lately as opposition politicians accuse him of favouring his tribesmen and women over Nigerians from other ethnic groups.
In a recent interview with Arise Television, Senator Ali Ndume, an APC lawmaker representing Borno South, accused the President of violating the federal character principle in his appointments.
Ndume said he decided to call the President’s attention to his ‘lopsided appointment’ because, as a lawmaker, he has the right to criticize the President even though they belong to the same party.
To counter the allegation, the Presidency released a list of President Tinubu’s appointees and their geo-political zones.
The list showed that the President had appointed 29 people from the South West, his home region, 35 from the North West, 22 from the South-South, 16 from the South East, 25 from North Central and 24 from the North East.
However, the President’s critics have pointed out that the list was not comprehensive, as the name of a major appointee from the President’s home region was missing.
The omission of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, from the list further strengthened the regional imbalance narrative against President Tinubu’s administration, as the list clearly showed that the South East is highly underrepresented in his government.
As the document sparked debate on social media, Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser, Media & Public Communication/Spokesperson to the President, has tendered an apology for the errors in the list.
“We have noticed a number of errors in the list of appointments tweeted. We are sorry. We will provide an updated list later. Thank you,” Dare appealed to Nigerians on X.
However, Dare did not explain why Gbajabiamila’s name was omitted from the list.
The Nigerian presidency has continued to debunk the claim by Senator Ali Ndume who alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment since assuming office was lopsided.Nigerian cultural tours
Recall that Ndune in a recent interview had said that appointments by the Tinubu’s administration were mainly from the Southwest region.
The lawmaker also accused the president of violating the principles of the Federal Character.
However, in a reaction to Ndume’s allegation, Sunday Dare, an aide to the president said Tinubu is a detribalized leader.
Dare said, “His antecedents before he even became president speak to this fact. As Lagos Governor, President Tinubu populated his government with competent hands both from within and outside Lagos not minding which tribe you come from.”
He noted that Tinubu has remained the same and he is not blinded by tribe or religion.
He also stated that a lot of people have failed to examine recent appointments made by the presidents and that it is too early to conclude that Tinubu’s appointments are lopsided.
Continuing, Dare said that a review shows the president is on track as far as Federal character is concerned.
“A glance at this list of 134 federal appointments shows that the Northern part of this country has a total of 71 appointments compared to 63 for the entire South.
“When you break down the 63 positions given to the South, the South West leads marginally with 26 slots while the South-South has 21 positions. The South East with five states has 16 positions,” he said.
He added that an unbiased analysis of the appointments made by the president will show Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Buba Galadima has slammed former President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly not paying his daughter during the time she worked for him.Nigerian political art prints
Speaking on AIT’s Jigsaw program watched by Politics Nigeria, the politician said he was treated badly by the former president who was also his friend.
“We are friends and will continue to be friends, if I want anything from him, I will ask,” Galadima said about Buhari.
Continuing, he said his daughter had called the former president after they graduated from school and were unemployed for a long time.
“In fact let me confess to you on television, my daughter did NYSC, the one who lost her passport. That’s why she wanted us to go to Mecca to thank God.
He said his daughter searched for a job in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) but could not get one and decided to call the president.
Galadima noted his daughter and her sister at that time scrolled through his phone contacts,saw the president’s phone number and decided to call him.
According to him, the former president picked the call thinking it was him calling.Political candidate merchandiseNigerian political art prints
“Then they said they are my children and they were calling him because country hard.
“They said, Baba country hard oo! Our father cannot get any job for us oo! And he told us that you’re his friend,” he said.
To this, Galadima said the president affirmed that they were friends and the younger daughter further explained to the president that she could not get a job with the NUPRC
“He (the president) just asked, to call Komolafe (the DG of NUPRC) and give my friend’s daughter a job. That was why she wanted to go to Mecca – to thank God and even to thank Mr President,” the NNPP chieftain noted.
He explained that he worked for former President Muhammadu Buhari for 13 years while his daughter worked for four years.
“My daughter worked for him for four years and he instructed that she should not be paid salary.
“Let them bring any voucher where she was paid. She worked for Buhari for four years in Osinbajo’s office without payment,” he added.
Asked why his daughter was not paid a salary, Galadima advised the interviewer to go and ask former President Buhari.