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  • Nigeria’s security in good hands with Tinubu, Defence Minister Musa – Kukah

    Nigeria’s security in good hands with Tinubu, Defence Minister Musa – Kukah

    The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has expressed confidence that efforts to restore security and normalcy across Nigeria are “in very good hands” following the swearing-in of General Christopher Musa (rtd) as Minister of Defence.

    Speaking to journalists at the State House after witnessing Thursday’s ceremony, Bishop Kukah said the blend of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resolve and General Musa’s experience offers renewed hope for stabilising the country.

    “We just need restoration of normalcy in this country by any means possible, and I think that this job is in very good hands. It does seem very clear that the President wants to reposition issues of security, and I think the situation is in very good hands”, he declared.

    Kukah, who noted that he attended the event in dual capacity, representing the Sultan of Sokoto and as a son of Southern Kaduna like the new minister, conveyed the Sultan’s greetings and goodwill to General Musa.

    Responding to a question on the minister’s position during his Senate screening, where Musa had said terrorists require more punitive measures, Bishop Kukah said there is broad agreement on the urgency and seriousness needed to confront insecurity.

    “We are on all fours as far as that is concerned. Rain, thunder, sunshine, whatever it takes to get this mess under control. These guys need to be flushed out. Normalcy needs to return to our country. Laughter and joy have to come back to Nigeria within the shortest time possible”, he said.

    He added that Nigerians must continue to support efforts aimed at ending insecurity, noting that “all we do is to pray for the best” as the new minister takes on the national assignment.

  • FULL LIST of 68 ambassadors-nominees

    FULL LIST of 68 ambassadors-nominees

    President Bola Tinubu has sent a total of 68 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

    The Nation reported that President Tinubu submitted a fresh list of non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

    Among the nominees are the immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State and former Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former presidential aide, Ita Enang; former Imo First Lady, Chioma Ohakim; and former Minister of Interior and ex–Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

    The nominations were unveiled on Thursday during plenary, after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter to lawmakers.

    In the correspondence, Tinubu called for accelerated consideration to enable the federal government to fill critical foreign diplomatic positions.

    Following the announcement, Akpabio referred the list to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, directing the panel to screen the nominees and submit its report within one week.

    Here is a full list of ambassadors-designate nominated by Tinubu:

    CAREER AMBASSADORS (34):

    1. Abia: Ambassador Mwaobiola Ezeuwo Chukwuemeka

    2. Adamawa: Maimuna Ibrahim

    3. Anambra: Enpeji Monica Okochukwu

    4. Bauchi: Ambassador Mohammed Mahmoud Lele

    5. Bayelsa: Endoni Sindup

    6. Borno: Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno

    7. Cross River: Ambassador Jen Adams Ni Okun Michael

    8. Delta: Ambassador Clark Omeru Alexandra

    9. Ebonyi: Chima J. Leoma Davies

    10. Edo: Oduma Yvonne Ehinose

    11. Edo: Wasa Shogun Ige

    12. Ekiti: Ambassador Adeyemi Adebayo Emmanuel

    13. Enugu: Ambassador Onaga Ogechukwu Kingsley

    14. Jigawa: Ambassador Magaji Umar

    15. Kaduna: Ambassador Mohammed Saidu Dahiru

    16. Kano: Ambassador Abdul Salam Abus Zayat

    17. Katsina: Ambassador Shehu

    18. Katsina: Ambassador Aminu Nasu

    19. Kebbi: Abubakar Musa Musa

    20. Kebbi: Ambassador Haidara Mohammed Idris

    21. Kogi: Ambassador Bako Adamu Umar

    22. Kwara: Ambassador Sulu Gambari

    23. Lagos: Ambassador Romata Mohammed Omobolanle

    24. Nasarawa: Ambassador Shaga John Shama

    25. Niger: Salau Hamza Mohammed

    26. Niger: Ambassador Ibrahim Dan Lamy

    27. Ogun: Adjola Ibrahim Mopolola

    28. Ondo: Ruben Abimbola Samuel

    29. Osun: Ambassador Akonde Wahab Adekola

    30. Oyo: Ambassador Ariwani Adedokun Esther

    31. Plateau: Ambassador Gedagi Joseph John

    32. Rivers: Ambassador Luther Obomode Ayokatata

    33. Taraba: Danladi Yakubu Yaku

    34. Zamfara: Bidu Dogondagi

    NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS (31)

    35. Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)

    36. Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu (Abia)

    37. Adamawa: Senator Grace Bent

    Read Also: Buhari names Adesina, Djeba, Seriki, 39 others as ambassadors-nominees

    38. Akwa Ibom: Senator Eta Enang

    39. Anambra: Nkechi Linda Okocha

    40. Bauchi: Mahmoud Yakubu

    41. Bayelsa: Philip K. Ikurusi

    42. Benue: Paul Olga Adiku

    43. Cross River: Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (rtd.)

    44. Delta State: Reno Omokri

    45. Edo: Hon. Abbasi Brahma

    46. Ekiti: Erelu Angela Adebayo

    47. Ekiti: Barrister Olumilua Oluwayemika

    48. Enugu: Rt. Hon. Ugwanyi Ifeanyi

    49. Imo: Barr. Mrs. Chioma Ohakim

    50. Kano: Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd.)

    51. Katsina: Hon. Tasiu Musa Maigari

    52. Kogi: Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Aliu

    53. Lagos: Olufemi Pedro

    54. Nasarawa: Barr. Mohammed Obanduma Aliu

    55. Ondo: Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, PhD

    56. Ondo: Ambassador Joseph Yusuf Shara’aji

    57. Osun: Fani-Kayode

    58. Oyo: Ajimobi Fatima Florence

    59. Oyo: Lola Akande

    60. Plateau: Yakubu N. Gambo

    61. Plateau: Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut

    62. Rivers: Onweze Chukwudi

    63. Sokoto: Dr. Kulu Haruna Abubakar

    64. Taraba: Rt. Hon. Jerry Samuel Manwe

    65. Yobe: Adamu Garba Tarba-Nagri

    First batch cleared by Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs (3)

    66. Oyo State: Ayodele Oke

    67. Jigawa: Amin Mohammed Dalhatu

    68. Ogun: Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are

  • 2027: Northern groups to Tinubu: Don’t replace Shettima with Dogara

    2027: Northern groups to Tinubu: Don’t replace Shettima with Dogara

    Youth and socio-political groups from the North East and North West have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima, cautioning that any move to elevate former Speaker Yakubu Dogara to a more prominent political role could unsettle party loyalists and create uncertainty ahead of the 2027 elections.

    The appeal was made during separate media briefings held in Gombe and Kaduna.

    In Gombe, the session was led by the President of the APC Youth Mandate Forum and North East Youth Forum, Honourable Umar Waziri Kumo.

    In Kaduna, the coalition included the North West Sociopolitical Group, Northern Rights Concerns Protection, and the Arewa Coalition for Good Governance, led by Comrade Haruna Mai Kano.

    The groups said Vice President Shettima enjoys broad support in the North East and warned that attempts to undermine his position could lead to discontent among party supporters in the region.

    Read Also: Otuaro applauds Tinubu as nine PAP foreign scholarship beneficiaries graduate in UK varsities

    They also noted that Dogara’s political influence should be carefully evaluated, stressing that the President should ensure strategic considerations that will strengthen national unity and party cohesion.

    The groups further encouraged all political leaders to avoid divisive statements and to continue fostering harmony within the party.

    They highlighted the lasting respect many in the region have for the late President Muhammadu Buhari and urged political actors to uphold the values of unity and stability associated with his legacy.

    Despite their concerns, the groups reaffirmed their support for President Tinubu and expressed confidence in his leadership.

    They emphasised that maintaining stability within the administration would help consolidate the President’s efforts toward national development.

  • Otuaro applauds Tinubu as nine PAP foreign scholarship beneficiaries graduate in UK varsities

    Otuaro applauds Tinubu as nine PAP foreign scholarship beneficiaries graduate in UK varsities

    The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s love for the Niger Delta following the graduation of nine foreign postgraduate scholarship students of PAP from their various universities in the United Kingdom.

     A statement signed on Thursday by Otuaro’s Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma, said the nine students successfully graduated from their master’s degree programs.

    The successful scholars were described as the first graduates in the offshore postgraduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by Otuaro for the 2024-2025 academic session.

    They graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Dundee, and the University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.

    The statement said 711 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries were expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.

    Otuaro, during a graduation reception for the scholars in London, congratulated them, saying they completed their programmes in record time to demonstrate their seriousness.

    He said they justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.

    He said, “We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level”.

    Otuaro reiterated his unwavering commitment to expanding the scholarship scheme to create more opportunities for indigent students of the Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.

    Otuaro said it was for this reason that he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session, with 200 for foreign scholarships.

    Read Also: Otuaro gets plaudits on PAP reforms

    Otuaro has so far deployed 7700 students for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.

    Within the period, he also deployed 162 students from the region for postgraduate programmes in targeted disciplines in UK universities.

    Otuaro said, “This is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.

    “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.

    “We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”

  • UPDATED: Tinubu swears in Musa as Defence Minister hours after Senate confirmation

    UPDATED: Tinubu swears in Musa as Defence Minister hours after Senate confirmation

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd), as the new Minister of Defence, in a swift transition aimed at stabilising leadership within the nation’s security architecture.

    The brief ceremony, held at the State House, Abuja, came almost 24 hours after the Senate screened and confirmed the retired military chief.

    President Tinubu had sent Musa’s nomination to the Senate on Tuesday, following the resignation of former Minister of Defense, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who stepped down on health grounds.

    General Musa’s assumption of office comes at a time of heightened security challenges across the country, with the administration counting on his extensive military background to reinforce ongoing counter-terrorism and internal security operations.

  • Insecurity: Tinubu needs our prayers to end banditry, says APC chieftain

    Insecurity: Tinubu needs our prayers to end banditry, says APC chieftain

    A stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Olabode Omoyele, has called on Nigerians to pray and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his administration intensifies efforts to curb the rising cases of banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges bedevilling the country.

    Omoyele said President Tinubu had shown enormous commitment through various security reforms but stressed that the battle against violent crimes required both governmental action and collective spiritual support.

    He made the appeal on Wednesday at the empowerment organised for the residents of the 13 wards at Okitipupa in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

    The APC chieftain expressed optimism that the insecurity bedevilling the country would soon be surmounted following the ongoing efforts of President Tinubu-led administration at tackling the escalating activities of the bandits ravaging the Northeast and Northcentral.

    “At this moment in our country, Mr President (Tinubu) deserves our support and prayers as he is making efforts to end the ongoing insecurity challenges in some parts of the country.

    “I will also urge our people to be security-conscious in their environments. Security matter should be a business of everyone, and I believe very soon this challenging time will be over,” Omoyele said.

    He observed that insecurity remained a nationwide issue that could not be resolved overnight, stressing that the government of President Tinubu had continued to invest in modern equipment, recruit more security personnel and restructure command systems to strengthen intelligence gathering and rapid response.

    praising the President for his various reforms at addressing the nation’s economic challenges, Omoyele asked Nigerians to be very vigilant in the environment.

    He explained that the empowerment initiative, with the disbursement of items worth N100 million to the beneficiaries was born out of his utmost passion for community development and desire to create meaningful impact in the lives of people across Okitipupa Local Government Area.

    Omoyele, who is also the founder of Olabode Humanitarian Foundation, added that the empowerment initiative was a strategic move to support the good work and laudable performance of President Tinubu and the Minister for Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

    Read Also: Ondo APC endorses Tinubu for 2027, moves to digitise membership register

    According to him, Tunji-Ojo has continued to work relentlessly via various platforms such as the Asiwaju Mandate Group and PBAT Continuity Project in Ondo State to ensure that the good works of the Mr President continue beyond 2027.

    “This initiative is driven by my commitment to making life better for our people, particularly the vulnerable. We must continue to support one another to build a stronger and more prosperous community, This is my personal project sponsored by myself to give back to the society,” he said.

    The major highlight of the event was the official launch of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Continuity Project in Ondo State, led by its Director-General, Pastor Femi Agagu, former Commissioner for Education and former Chief of Staff to the late Governor Olusegun Agagu.

    Some of the items distributed include 1000 10kg bags of rice and N10,000 cash presentation to 1000 widows, 1000 spraying pumps to farmers, 1000 bottles of herbicides to farmers, N50,000 cash presentation to 200 youths, N50,000 cash presentation to 50 men and another N50,000 cash to 100 women. Over 1000 cutlasses were also shared to farmers among others.

  • Tinubu celebrates industrialist, Samuel Adedoyin, at 90

    Tinubu celebrates industrialist, Samuel Adedoyin, at 90

    …hails him as “a national icon of industry, philanthropy”

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to veteran industrialist and founder of the Doyin Group of Companies, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, as he marks his 90th birthday, describing him as an extraordinary Nigerian whose life epitomises industry, resilience, and patriotic commitment.

    In a statement he personally issued on Thursday, the President joined family, friends, and admirers across the country in celebrating the nonagenarian businessman, whom he hailed as “a national icon with decades of footprints in the manufacturing sector of our national economy.”

    Tinubu lauded Prince Adedoyin as a patriarch of “uncommon vision, discipline, and generosity,” noting that his entrepreneurial journey, built on integrity, faith, and hard work, has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economic development and created opportunities for generations of Nigerians.

    “Baba Adedoyin stands as one of Nigeria’s finest examples of industry, resilience, and patriotic commitment. Through sheer determination, entrepreneurial brilliance, and integrity, he built enterprises that have contributed significantly to our economy,” the President said.

    Beyond his achievements in business, President Tinubu highlighted the celebrant’s far-reaching philanthropic impact, describing his compassion for the vulnerable, investments in education, and dedication to community development as a legacy that “transcends generations.”

    Read Also: 2,000 elders benefit from Tunji-Ojo’s free medical outreach in Ondo, rally support for Tinubu

    He also recounted Adedoyin’s inspiring life story, arriving in Lagos as a young teenager from Agbamu, Kwara State, driven solely by faith and determination, and rising to become a towering figure in the state’s social and economic life over the past seven decades.

    “Baba Adedoyin is a classic example of a Lagos success story. His love and affection for his native Agbamu have never waned, either”, Tinubu stated.

    The President further reflected on his personal relationship with the nonagenarian, describing it as warm and longstanding, and praising his fortitude in the face of adversity and personal loss.

    “As Baba Adedoyin marks this remarkable milestone, I celebrate his purposeful and impactful life as a cherished leader whose wisdom continues to enrich our society,” Tinubu added, praying for continued grace, peace, and strength for him.

    Welcoming the industrialist to “the grand club of the nonagenarians,” President Tinubu wished him a joyful 90th birthday.

  • 2,000 elders benefit from Tunji-Ojo’s free medical outreach in Ondo, rally support for Tinubu

    2,000 elders benefit from Tunji-Ojo’s free medical outreach in Ondo, rally support for Tinubu

    No fewer than 2,000 elderly persons in Ondo State have benefited from a free medical outreach sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s healthcare intervention and grassroots engagement initiative ahead of the 2027 election.

    The outreach, which largely targeted senior citizens within the All Progressives Congress (APC), provided essential services including eye examinations, blood pressure and sugar checks, diabetes screening, basic treatments, and free medications—further boosting the ruling party’s presence among its core support base.

    Speaking at the event on Thursday, the leader of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, Erastus Akeju, described the exercise as both a humanitarian effort and a strategic intervention to reinforce support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

    Akeju said the initiative was designed to bring healthcare closer to the people, especially at a time when many elderly citizens are struggling with economic hardship. He revealed that the programme aims to reach “at least 2,000 elderly residents in each senatorial district,” noting that it followed extensive planning within the elders’ forum.

    He commended Tunji-Ojo for his “unwavering political loyalty and commitment to the welfare of the people,” saying the minister’s interventions are crucial to consolidating the APC’s grassroots structure. The party stalwarts also described the medical outreach as a reflection of the minister’s humanitarian disposition and steadfast support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

    “Our elders are the foundation upon which our victories stand. Their sacrifices, wisdom, and endurance shaped our journey. It is therefore both a moral duty and a political responsibility to prioritise their health and dignity,” he said.

    The Secretary of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, Chief Ebenezer Alabi, noted that many elderly APC members had long neglected their health due to economic challenges, adding that the outreach renewed hope among the party’s senior supporters.

    He said a monitoring team had been constituted to ensure effective and transparent implementation.

    Earlier, the programme facilitator, Hon. Ademola Ijabiyi, urged beneficiaries to appreciate Tunji-Ojo’s continued support, citing the minister’s facilitation of jobs, assistance for monthly elders’ meetings, and various development initiatives across Ondo State.

    Read Also: Rivers APC lauds Tunji-Ojo for promoting 75,202 paramilitary officers

    Ijabiyi cited the monthly elders’ meetings and job opportunities facilitated by the minister and various development projects across Ondo state as evidence of his commitment to humanity.

    Also speaking, APC chieftain and National Chairman, Senior Citizen Centre, Abuja, Chief Ade Ayeni, noted that opinion leaders under his coordination had been working tirelessly to mobilize support for the APC, particularly towards securing President Tinubu’s reelection.

    A guest lecturer at the event, Dr. (Mrs.) Joy Eloho-Orji of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, educated participants on healthy living in old age, stressing that ageing is a natural transition rather than a disease.

    She also advised elders on domestic safety precautions and urged political leaders to prioritise regular medical check-ups, including blood pressure and prostate screening.

    Dr. Orji further encouraged adherence to prescribed medications, adequate sleep, and avoidance of smoking and alcohol.

  • Ondo APC endorses Tinubu for 2027, moves to digitise membership register

    Ondo APC endorses Tinubu for 2027, moves to digitise membership register

    The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The endorsement was announced on Thursday during a meeting of the party’s State Executive Committee (SEC), chaired by Ade Adetimehin, in Akure, the state capital.

    The decision followed a motion moved by the State Central Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Festus Aregbesola, and seconded by the APC Chairman in Ose Local Government, Chief Victor Tenabe.

    Adetimehin said the SEC carefully reviewed Tinubu’s economic reforms and expressed satisfaction with the administration’s efforts in stabilising the country, especially in tackling security challenges.

    “The chapter further charged its members to commit sincerely to the Renewed Hope Agenda project of President Bola Tinubu so that the state could deliver the highest percentage of votes during the election,” he said.

    He recalled that Ondo, also known as the Sunshine State, delivered one of the highest voting percentages for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket in the 2023 elections.

    Adetimehin added that the APC remains the dominant political party in the state, with several members of opposition parties defecting to the ruling party due to the performances of President Tinubu and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    In a related development, the party has concluded plans to authenticate and harmonise its membership register across the state through an electronic process.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued by the party’s spokesman, Alex Kalejaiye.

    Read Also: Ondo APC leaders vow to mobilise massive support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid

    According to the statement, the SEC meeting – also presided over by Adetimehin – deliberated extensively on the need for secure and permanent membership records.

    “Adetimehin explained that the exercise would provide both the National and State offices the opportunity to obtain accurate and authentic membership records,” the statement read.

    Party leaders at the local government and ward levels were urged to give the exercise top priority.

    The SEC also resolved that 18 resource persons – one from each local government – would be trained to coordinate the process and further train ward-level officials.

    The digital registration is expected to commence with the enrolment of the state governor and leader of the party, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    A committee led by the State Organising Secretary, Hon. Charles Fagbohunka, has been constituted to ensure speedy and hitch-free implementation of the exercise.

  • Tinubu hails Senate for swift confirmation of Ex-CDS Musa as Defence Minister

    Tinubu hails Senate for swift confirmation of Ex-CDS Musa as Defence Minister

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Senate for its prompt confirmation of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, describing the appointment as timely and crucial to the nation’s security needs.

    In a message posted Wednesday on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, the President expressed appreciation to the Upper Chamber for what he called its “expedited confirmation” of the retired military chief, barely 24 hours after he forwarded Musa’s name for screening.

    “Two days ago, I transmitted the name of General Christopher G. Musa, our immediate past Chief of Defence Staff and a fine gentleman, to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation as the Federal Minister of Defence.

    Read Also: Bandits, criminals will be defeated with concerted efforts, says Gen. Musa

    “I want to commend the Nigerian Senate for its expedited confirmation of General Musa yesterday. His appointment comes at a critical juncture in our lives as a Nation”, President Tinubu wrote.

    The President, who has repeatedly prioritised the strengthening of Nigeria’s security architecture, noted that General Musa’s entry into the Federal Executive Council comes at a time the country is confronting heightened threats from terrorists and other violent criminal groups across multiple fronts.

    General Musa, who served as CDS until his recent retirement, is expected to bring extensive operational experience and a deep understanding of the nation’s security challenges to his new role.

    The President ended his post with a brief prayerful note: “God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”