Home Blog Page 283

Two years on: President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle and key appointments

Blessing OTOIBHI
-
0
Two years on: President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle and key appointments

SINCE assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has initiated substantial cabinet reshuffles and made significant appointments aimed at enhancing  efficiency amidst economic challenges and public scrutiny. The reshuffling notably involved the dismissal of five ministers and the appointment of seven new ones. The following is an overview of the principal changes

Ministers removed

  • Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, was  succeeded by Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
  • Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development, was succeeded by Ayodele Olawande.
  • Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, was succeeded by Yusuf Abdullahi Ata.
  • Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, was replaced by Morufu Olatunji Alausa.
  • Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism, was removed with the ministry merged into that of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, now led by Hannatu Musawa.

New ministerial appointments

  • Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
  • Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment.
  • Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
  • Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development.
  • Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development
  • Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of  Industry, Trade and Investment.
  • Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State, Education.

Reassignments

Several ministers were redeployed to different portfolios, including: Doris Uzoka-Anite, from Industry, Trade and Investment to Ministry of State for Finance.

John Owan Enoh was redeployed from Sports to the ministry of State, Trade and Investment.

Yusuf Tanko Sununu, from Ministry of State, Education to that of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction (although later reports indicate  Nentawe Yilwatda assumed this role).

Morufu Olatunji Alausa, was moved from Ministry of State, Health to that of Education.

Bello Muhammad Goronyo, was redeployed from Ministry of State, Water Resources to that of State, Works, while Abubakar Momoh, was moved from Ministry of Niger Delta Development to that of Regional Development (renamed from Niger Delta Development)

Uba Maigari Ahmadu, was moved from Ministry of State, Steel Development to become Minister of State, Regional Development.

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, was redeployed from Ministry of State, Police Affairs to that of Women Affairs.

Ayodele Olawande, was moved from Ministry of State for Youth Development to Ministry for Youth Development.

Salako Iziaq Adekunle Adeboye, was redeployed from Ministry of State, Environment to that of State, Social Health.

The Ministry of Sports was dissolved, with its functions merged into the expanded Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.

Appointments of CEOs and board chairpersons

In addition to ministerial changes, President Tinubu has undertaken extensive appointments and reshufflement of chief executive officers, board chairpersons and directors-general across numerous federal agencies and parastatals, with the objective of strengthening governance and operational efficiency.

January 2025: Appointment of board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations, including a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation. The President emphasised that board chairpersons serve in non-executive capacities and should refrain from interfering with management.

April 2025: The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) board was significantly reconstituted, with the former chairman and Group CEO removed. Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari was appointed Group CEO, while Ahmadu Musa Kida assumed the role of non-executive chairman. The new board comprises representatives from Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, investor confidence, and sectoral growth.

October 2023: Appointment of 14 new CEOs for agencies under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, including leadership for the Industrial Training Fund, Corporate Affairs Commission, and Standards Organisation of Nigeria. These appointments align with the administration’s economic revival agenda focused on trade and industrial development.

October 2023: Appointment of eight new CEOs within the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, including Lanre Issa-Onilu as Director-General/CEO of the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

October 2023: Appointment of two new CEOs in the health sector: Muyi Aina as Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and Kelechi Ohiri as Director-General/CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority, both recognised for their international public health expertise.

January 2024: President Tinubu removed Babatunde Irukera as CEO of the FCCPC.  Adamu Abdullahi served as acting CEO until June 2024, when Tunji Bello, a former Lagos State Commissioner and experienced public servant, was appointed and confirmed by the Senate as the new Executive Vice Chairman/CEO. Bello officially assumed office in July 2024, charged with advancing the commission’s mandate to regulate competition and protect consumer rights nationwide.

Court fixes June 27 to rule on Natasha’s suspension

Ehime ALEX
-
0
Court fixes June 27 to rule on Natasha’s suspension

THE Federal High Court (FHC) Abuja has fixed June 27 to deliver judgment on the suit filed by the suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, against the Nigerian Senate.

Akpoti-Uduaghan is challenging her suspension and had filed a case against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate.

She had argued in her prayers to the court that she was not accorded a fair hearing before the Senate suspended her with effect from March 6.

The Senate had placed a six-month suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged misconduct, depriving her of her privileges as a federal lawmaker.

She was, among others, barred from accessing the National Assembly premises, her salary and those of her legislative aides were withheld, and she was ordered not to represent the country in any official capacity during the period of the suspension.

At the hearing on Tuesday, May 13, the Justice of the Abuja FHC,  Binta Nyako, adjourned the case to June 27 for ruling.

The adjournment became necessary after the suit came up for hearing of all pending motions, including those relating to alleged contempt of court and the substantive suit.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed the suit against the clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, its President, Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct.

Tuesday’s proceeding was reported to be marked by arguments over the proper processes to be adopted.

Nyako, however, advised that such an application, which is in the form of housekeeping, ought to have been made earlier.

After listening to all the parties, she said she would first consider the contempt issues and preliminary objections.

“If they succeed, the matter stops there; if not, we proceed,” she was quoted as saying, before adjourning the case to June 27 for judgment.

Background

The ICIR reported that the crisis began on February 20 when Akpoti-Uduaghan protested a reassignment of her seat in the Senate without prior notice.

She resisted the change, calling it an attempt to silence her, while Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno justified the move, citing Senate rules and party affiliations.

Her protest led to a heated exchange with Akpabio, who ordered the sergeant-at-arms to send her out of the chamber.

This led to the Senate’s unanimously referring her to the Ethics Committee for disciplinary review, which later recommended her suspension.

Amid the dispute, in an interview on Arise Television, she accused Akpabio of making repeated sexual advances toward her, which she said she rejected.

She alleged that her refusal was the reason behind their frequent clashes at plenary sessions.

According to her, some of Akpabio’s love proposals were made with her on the phone and face-to-face in her husband’s presence. She further alleged that she had all the evidence for her claims.

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery

NIGERIAN striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery for a serious abdominal injury he sustained during a football match on Sunday, May 11.    

According to a report from Mail Sport, the injury was severe and life-threatening, but the initial surgery has been deemed successful. 

Doctors, however, were expected to complete the operation today, Wednesday, May 14.

Awoniyi, who plays for Nottingham Forest, suffered the injury on Sunday during a 2-2 draw against Leicester City. The incident occurred when the 27-year-old crashed into a post while attempting to score. 

However, following several minutes of treatment, he returned to action even with an apparent discomfort.

In a statement on Tuesday, Nottingham Forest confirmed that Awoniyi had undergone urgent surgery after the severity of the injury was established on Monday, May 12.

“The Club can confirm Taiwo Awoniyi has undergone urgent surgery following an abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City.

“Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their best wishes to Taiwo. The club will provide further updates when appropriate,” it wrote.

The club, in a separate statement on Tuesday, further stressed that Awoniyi was recovering well from the surgery.

This was as it attacked its medical staff and Sky Sports’ Gary Neville.

The ICIR reports that Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, was seen on the pitch in what appeared to have been confronting manager Nuno Espírito Santo after the 2-2 draw.

The incident has stirred controversy among many football lovers and pundits, including Sky Sports’ Gary Neville, who described the situation as ‘scandalous.’

He also said, “Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that.”

However, Nottingham Forest, in a statement confirming the recovery of Awoniyi, said the owner went to the pitch regarding how Awoniyi’s injury was managed.

The club further faulted its medical team for giving a green light to the coach to allow Awoniyi to continue playing when he was apparently in discomfort. 

Since Forest had already exhausted their final substitution by replacing Elliot Anderson with Jota Silva, Awoniyi could not be substituted with another player. Despite his efforts to continue playing, he struggled to move as Forest pushed for a late goal to strengthen their Champions League qualification chances.

“In moments like that, he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence. In the final ten minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines. 

“His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain – something no one with genuine care could ignore – triggered him to go onto the pitch. It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to recur,” the statement read.

 

Nigerian broadcaster slumps, dies on duty

Itoroabasi Uduak UDO
-
0
Nigerian broadcaster slumps, dies on duty

A FEMALE broadcast journalist with the Ogun State Television (OGTV), Bukola Agbakaizu, is dead.      

She reportedly collapsed while preparing for her afternoon shift on Tuesday, May 13.

She was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, where she was later pronounced dead.

An ex-officio member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), she is aged 52 and survived by two children, an elderly mother, friends, and colleagues.

In a condolence message signed by the chairperson of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Sekinat Salam, the group described her death as a “rude shock” and a painful loss to the media community in the state.

“Her death came at a time when her experience and exemplary leadership were most needed,” the statement read.

“She was a consummate professional, dedicated to journalism, and a compassionate individual whose presence will be sorely missed. Ogun NAWOJ will forever remember her for her love, dedication, and unrelenting passion for journalism,” it added.

Also confirming the death in a statement released Tuesday night, the secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Bunmi Adigun, described her passing as tragic.

“Agbakaizu, a dedicated staff member of Ogun State Television, tragically collapsed while preparing for the afternoon shift, and despite efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Federal Medical Centre,” Adigun wrote.

He added, “A versatile journalist and a passionate comrade, Bukola served as a former vice chairman of OGTV Chapel and was an invaluable member of the Wale Olanrewaju-led Executive. Her vibrant spirit and commitment to journalism will be sorely missed, leaving an irreplaceable void in our community.”

FG to close Ijora-Marine bridge for 21 days

Ehime ALEX
-
0
FG to close Ijora-Marine bridge for 21 days

THE Federal Government has announced a temporary closure of the Ijora-Marine Bridge in Lagos State for 21 days.

The closure would begin at 7.00 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, reportedly said in a statement on Tuesday, May 13.

According to her, some sections of the bridge will be completely closed, while others will experience partial closure during the 21 days.

Kesha noted that the repair works would involve lifting the bridge deck to replace worn-out bearings and carrying out other critical maintenance work.

The aim is to make the bridge safer and more comfortable for motorists and pedestrians, she explained.

“We understand the inconvenience this may cause, but this is a necessary step to keep the bridge in good condition and ensure the safety of all road users,” Kesha stated.

Appealing to residents, commuters, and business owners in the area to plan their movements and cooperate during the period, she said traffic diversion had been carefully arranged, and traffic officials would be on the ground to guide motorists and ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

“Safety signs and traffic management tools will be put in place to minimise disruption.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and thank members of the public for their patience,” she added.

Nigerian government owes MKO Abiola N45bn, Tinubu should pay debt, says Sule Lamido

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Nigerian government owes MKO Abiola N45bn, Tinubu should pay debt, says Sule Lamido

FORMER Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to settle the N45 billion debt allegedly owed the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola by the Nigerian government.

Lamido made this call during the public presentation of his autobiography, “Being True To Myself”, in Abuja on Tuesday, May 13.

“I would like to appeal to President Tinubu to close the chapter of June 12. In his book, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida revealed that Abiola won the election,” Lamido said. 

He claimed that when he met with former military leader, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), the retired general acknowledged that the government owed Abiola N45 billion.

“When I went to him (IBB), he said Abiola was being owed ₦45 billion. Abiola is doubly punished. One, he was not given the presidency, and two, he is owed,” he said.

He urged the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, who represented Tinubu at the event, to convey his message to the president.

The ICIR reports that Abiola, widely known by his initials – MKO – won the 1993 presidential election, annulled by Babangida.

Recall that Babangida, in his new autobiography, “A Journey in Service”, launched on February 20, 2025, publicly admitted Abiola won the election. 

In the book, reviewed by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Babangida dedicated a full chapter to the transition to military rule and the annulment of the June 12 election, widely believed as the most credible, freest and fairest in Nigeria’s democratic history. 

Osinbajo described the annulment as a decision with “cataclysmic consequences” that led to a “military interregnum” considered one of the most vicious in Nigeria’s nationhood.

In the book, Babangida said Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), met all constitutional requirements to be declared Nigeria’s president.

At Lamido’s book launch, Tinubu hailed him as a principled politician whose personal journey mirrors the story of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

While speaking on behalf of the president, the Minister of Information and National Orientation said the book “is the celebration of a life defined by courage, consistency, and commitment to democratic ideals.

“Alhaji Sule Lamido, though a staunch member of the political opposition and often a critic of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), remains one of the strong pillars of Nigeria’s political evolution,” he said.

Three Kebbi senators dump PDP, defect to APC, cite PDP crisis

Abdullahi MURITALA
-
0
Three Kebbi senators dump PDP, defect to APC, cite PDP crisis

Three senators representing Kebbi State in the National Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)

They are Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South). They had visited President Bola Tinubu, accompanied by the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, and the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, ahead of their defection last week.

Their letters of defection were read during Tuesday’s plenary by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session.

The defection was witnessed by the APC national chairman and the Kebbi State governor.

Some major politicians have defected from the PDP and other opposition parties to the APC in recent weeks.

The ICIR reported in April that the PDP collapsed its structure in Delta State, with the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other party members pitching their tent with the APC.

This gale of defections to the APC now appears to be a national phenomenon, despite growing hardship occasioned by its government’s policies.

In Cross River State, several top PDP figures have joined the APC, reflecting a broader pattern of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Jibrin described the defections of the three Kebbi senators as a significant victory for the ruling party. He said the decision would boost the APC’s chances in future elections.

“This is a strong indication of what lies ahead for the APC. Nigerians are beginning to appreciate the vision of progressive governance,” he said.

He congratulated President Bola Tinubu and the APC leadership, and urged them to sustain their efforts for the benefit of both the party and the nation.

The senators cited deep-rooted internal crises and unresolved divisions within the PDP in Kebbi State as key reasons for their departure.

The wave of defections has elicited varied reactions. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar defended members who quit the PDP.

He said such realignments were part of democratic processes.

Conversely, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal criticised the motives behind the moves. He attributed them to personal gains rather than ideological shifts.

Nigerian government approves plans to crash drug prices

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Nigerian government approves plans to crash drug prices

THE Nigerian government has approved the establishment of MediPool, a new group purchasing organisation that will guarantee a reduction in the costs of drugs and other medical consumables in Nigeria.

According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, the approval was made during the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday, May 12.

Pate described MediPool as an organisation that would facilitate competitive pricing and act as a supplier of essential medicines and healthcare products nationwide.

He explained that the initiative was designed to consolidate demand from basic healthcare centres and federal tertiary hospitals, allowing the government to leverage bulk purchasing to reduce medical costs.

“Today, council approved Medipool; it’s a group purchasing organisation for competitive pricing and to be supplier of essential medicines and healthcare products across Nigeria, through the Federal Government’s intervention, the basic health care provision fund, but also eventually outside that, through federal tertiary hospitals, so that as a buyer, we can negotiate lower prices. 

“So, it’s using the monopsony power of the government as a large buyer of those commodities, negotiating lower prices and then channelling those commodities,” he said.

 The minister said the scope of MediPool includes procurement planning, distribution monitoring, supply chain management, logistics coordination, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. 

He stressed that the development also aimed at supporting local manufacturers, encouraging import substitution, and including financial management, payment systems, capacity building, training, and contingency planning to ensure a continuous supply of high-quality, affordable essential drugs through a public-private partnership.

The minister noted that MediPool was developed using models from similar initiatives in countries like Kenya, South Africa, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.

He stressed that the administration was committed to enhancing local manufacturing, promoting import substitution, and ensuring that Nigerians could access high-quality, affordable medications.

“Medipool has been vetted through the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, has been benchmarked with other global group purchasing organisations, including Kenya, South Africa, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and many other countries.

“We believe that this is a major intervention that will shape the domestic market, allowing demand for quality pharmaceuticals to be channelled in a way that lowers costs, improves quality, and stimulates local medical manufacturing,” Pate noted.

The development came a few weeks after the Nigeria Customs Service said it had commenced the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) and import duty exemption on raw materials essential for the production of pharmaceutical products. 

The NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement on March 26, noted the decision was in line with the presidential order to boost local production of healthcare products.

The ICIR reports that Tinubu had, in June 2024, signed the Executive Order to increase local production of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical devices. 

Nigeria’s decision to crash drug prices came hours after the United States (US) President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at significantly reducing the prices of prescription drugs in the US.

In a statement on Sunday, May 11, via its TruthSocial handle, Trump said the move would lower drug prices between 30 per cent and 80 per cent, and address what he described as a long-standing disparity in global medication costs.

Trump criticised the high cost of prescription drugs in the US compared to other countries, noting that medications produced in the same laboratories and by the same companies are often five to ten times more expensive for Americans.

Kano varsity shuts female hostel over alleged immorality

Itoroabasi Uduak UDO
-
0
Kano varsity shuts female hostel over alleged immorality

THE Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN) has ordered the immediate closure of the off-campus female hostels, Al-Ansar Indabo hostels, located along UDB Road and in the Hotoro area of Kano metropolis.

In a statement released on Monday, May 12, by the university’s Vice President of Campus Life, Hamza Garba, a doctorate holder, the institution cited safety concerns and violations of its student code of conduct as reasons for the closure.

According to the statement, the decision to withdraw the university’s approval for the hostels was made to safeguard students and ensure that they reside in secure and morally appropriate environments.

“I am directed by the management to write, inform, and bring to the attention of our esteemed parents and students that the university has withdrawn its approval for Al-Ansar Indabo female students’ hostels located at UDB Road and Hotoro,” the statement read.

He detailed several infractions, including reports of immoral behaviour, poor water and electricity supply, unauthorised movements at night, student violence, and sharing of hostel facilities with unknown tenants.

The students also allegedly breached the school’s regulations governing private accommodations.

“These issues pose a serious threat to the well-being of our students,” he stated.

The university has instructed all students currently residing in the affected hostels to vacate the premises immediately after the ongoing semester examinations. It also warned students and parents against further association with the facilities.

The school said it was working with relevant security agencies to ensure compliance, adding that it would not be held liable for any consequences resulting from non-compliance with the directive.

1...282283284...3,440Page 283 of 3,440