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By Ejiro Ernest Ofoye, Esq. Advocate for Democratic Governance.


The announcement by Professor Pat Utomi to establish a shadow government has triggered a wave of political unease and governmental pushback. This development, while controversial in the eyes of the ruling class, is neither unprecedented nor unlawful. Rather, it is a bold and constitutionally grounded assertion of democratic rights. Attempts by the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to paint it as a threat to national security are not only legally unfounded but also indicative of an alarming resistance to democratic opposition and civic engagement.


What Is a Shadow Government?

Professor Pat Utomi, a respected political economist and elder statesman, introduced the “Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government” as a structured platform to propose alternative policies and rigorously evaluate the actions of the current administration. Organized around thematic areas such as the economy, education, healthcare, and security, the coalition seeks to inject accountability and policy substance into Nigeria’s political discourse.


Utomi has been unequivocal: the shadow government is not a tool for rebellion but a legitimate vehicle for alternative governance, advocacy, and civic engagement. Though commonly seen in parliamentary systems, the idea is not foreign to presidential democracies and is well within the scope of civil and political rights.


Legal Foundation in the Nigerian Constitution

The legal foundation of this initiative rests squarely on Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees the right to freedom of association: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union, or any other association for the protection of his interests.”

By this constitutional provision, Professor Utomi and his associates are entirely within their legal rights to form and operate a shadow government, so long as their activities remain peaceful and nonviolent.


Dissent Is Not Treason

There have been murmurs—mostly from reactionary quarters—suggesting that the formation of a shadow government amounts to treason or incitement. However, these claims do not withstand legal scrutiny. Under Nigeria’s Criminal Code, treason refers to acts of levying war against the state or conspiring to do so, while treasonable felony relates to attempts to unlawfully remove a sitting President or Governor.


Nothing in Professor Utomi’s statements or actions suggests a breach of these provisions. His initiative advocates no violence, no insurrection, and no unlawful seizure of power. Rather, it promotes critical discourse and policy engagement—tools vital to a functional democracy.


The Role of Responsible Opposition

Despite criticism from the Ministry of Information and the APC, the existence of a shadow government enriches our democratic landscape. Opposition is not an anomaly; it is an indispensable element of democratic governance. Without credible opposition and policy alternatives, democracy becomes sterile and authoritarianism festers.

A shadow government, by its nature, provides scrutiny, fosters debate, and encourages performance by those in power. These are not threats to democracy—they are its lifeblood.


Conclusion

Professor Pat Utomi’s decision to form a shadow government is a constitutionally protected, democratically sound, and morally courageous step toward strengthening civic engagement and governmental accountability. It is not an act of rebellion, nor does it constitute treason under any known legal doctrine. As such, calls for his arrest are not only legally baseless but deeply troubling. They represent a dangerous attempt to criminalize dissent in a democratic society. Nigeria must rise above such impulses and embrace the full spectrum of democratic expression.

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Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has shed light on behind-the-scenes political maneuverings during the early days of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration, particularly how he advised the president to tread carefully in dealings with his predecessor, Olusegun Obasanjo.

In his newly released autobiography “Being True To Myself,” publicly presented on May 13, 2025, Lamido offers an insider’s view into critical moments of Nigeria’s democratic history.

On pages 257 and 258 of the memoir, he recounts the growing tension between Yar’Adua and Obasanjo, which he believed could have escalated into a major political confrontation.

Lamido recalled that he felt compelled to step in after observing developments in the National Assembly, especially a debate surrounding the controversial $16 billion National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) a flagship program under Obasanjo’s administration. According to Lamido, the tone and direction of the debate gave the impression that Yar’Adua’s government was targeting Obasanjo.

Concerned about the implications of such a rift between two sitting and former presidents of the same political family, Lamido said he personally advised Yar’Adua to avoid getting entangled in what could be perceived as a political witch-hunt.

Lamido said: “If the debate in the House of Representatives was led by a member of the opposition, that could be understood, but it was led by a very prominent PDP member and close ally of President Yar’Adua from Katsina State.

“The impression being given to Nigerians in that debate was that Obasanjo stole the $16 billion and the projects were abandoned. Of course, later events proved otherwise.

“I went to President Yar’Adua and drew his attention to the debate in the House of Representatives on the power issue. His tart response was ‘it is an issue being discussed by an independent arm of government.

“The second incident affected me more personally, when his Chief Security Officer, Tilde, called me while I was in office in Dutse. On answering the call, CSO tilde asked me where I was. I answered him casually that I was in my ‘VIllage capital’, Dutse.

“To my shock and disbelief, he said: ‘I thought you are in Ota with your President’. I was momentarily numbed. When I recovered from the shock, I rained all the insults I could muster on him and threatened that I will report him to President Yar’Adua.

“Perhaps to calm me down, he said: “Sorry sir, I just called to inform you that we have received a petition against you addressed to the President, and I am in a position to suppress it.”

“Not ready to mellow down I retorted, ‘Who do you think you can blackmail? Go to hell! With hindsight, I believe it must have been Mohammed Ali Ringim’s petition.”

Not done, Lamido said he hopped on a plane and went straight to the Presidential Villa where he went to Tilde’s office and heaped all the insults he could find on the security office to the hearing of everyone present.

The former Jigawa State governor noted that he didn’t fail to remind all of the President’s staff present that their principal won’t have been on the seat he occupied if it wasn’t for ex-President Obasanjo.

Haven given them a piece of his mind, he went upstairs to meet (the now late) President Yar’Adua.

As he approached the President’s desk, Yar’Adua said, “Sule what is agitating you?” according to Lamido, “Almost going down on my knees, consumed by emotions, I said, ‘Sir, in the name of God, please I beg you, do not fight Obasanjo.

“You are coming from a very strong, powerful political and moral background. It is neither in our religion nor culture to show ingratitude to one who has been with you in your hour of need and who stood against all forces to ensure you attained this very office you are in.

“He said, ‘Sule calm down. Sit down.’ He picked his intercom and summoned his ADC, Lt. Col Mustapha.

“When the ADC entered, the President asked him point blank, ‘ADC, what were my instructions to you with respect to Obasanjo?

“The ADC replied, ‘Sir, you asked me to accede to any issue either within or outside Nigeria including his travels, without recourse to you.”

“President Yar’Adua then turned to me and said, ‘ Sule, are you comforted now? I said ‘Yes Sir, and bade him farewell.”

 

(Vanguard)
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As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his second year in office on May 29, the Central Results Delivery and Coordination Unit (CDCU) is gearing up to present a new round of ministerial scorecards to the President and the pressure is mounting across ministries.

According to insider sources at the Presidency, the confidential scorecards will assess the performance of various ministries for the first quarter of 2025. The move comes as Tinubu’s administration hits its halfway mark, with renewed focus on results, impact, and accountability.

“The report is expected any moment now,” one senior aide disclosed to The PUNCH, suggesting that ministers are bracing for critical evaluations. Underperforming ministries, in particular, are reportedly feeling the heat as the CDCU intensifies its verification of submitted performance data.

Sources familiar with the exercise said each ministry uploaded evidence of projects and policy milestones to a secure CDCU portal last month.

Since then, a verification team led by the Unit’s head, Hadiza Bala-Usman, has been poring over the submissions and assigning scores against the performance bonds ministers signed at the October 2023 cabinet retreat.

The officials, who chose to speak on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk about the matter, disclosed that Bala-Usman is working to transmit the reports to the President’s desk as soon as possible.

Asked about the assessment of some prominent cabinet members, an insider described the performance of many ministers as average, noting that only a few of them scored above average.

“The one minister who has done fairly well is the minister of works and a few others. When you look at the assessment of several others, they performed poorly in several critical metrics,” the official stated.

Even though the President is not expected to take any immediate action on the performance of any minister or ministry, the report is expected to provide Tinubu with the most up-to-date information on the performances of his cabinet members.

The information, sources said, will also help the President to engage some of his cabinet members or ministers on areas of improvement when necessary.

A top Presidency source close to the development said, “Officials of the various ministries have uploaded the reports of their activities and projects on the portal provided by the CDCU. These are based on deliverables that the ministries themselves have set.

“Officials of CDCU have done their detailed verifications and assessments of the uploaded projects. Scores have been assigned based on their findings. The final report for all the ministries is meant for the President.”

At the opening of the three-day Cabinet Retreat for Ministers, Presidential Aides, Permanent Secretaries and top government functionaries on November 1, 2023, President Tinubu said ministers in his cabinet would only retain their offices based on performance, which would be reviewed quarterly.

“If you are performing, nothing to fear. If you miss the objective, we’ll review it. If no performance, you leave us. No one is an island, and the buck stops on my desk,” said the President.

In October 2024, the President rejigged his cabinet, and some ministers were asked to leave while others were reassigned to other portfolios.

The CDCU’s dossier was credited with informing the shake-up that led to the swapping of portfolios and resulted in the removal of two underperforming ministers after just 16 months in office.

The CDCU was established in June 2023, when Tinubu appointed Bala Usman, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, as Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination.

Modelled on similar delivery units in the United Kingdom and Rwanda, its mandate is to track key performance indicators, publish quarterly dashboards and flag red-line projects for presidential intervention.

On October 17, 2023, Bala-Usman announced that her unit would begin transmitting quarterly reports to the President from January 2024, as all ministries had received their budgets for the 2024 fiscal year by then.

“We’re looking to commence an assessment of the respective ministries in January 2024. We’re going to have a quarterly assessment of performance, which would culminate in an annual scorecard,” the former NPA Chief explained in an interview on TVC.

That month, the unit trained at least 140 officials to track and assess the performance of federal ministries, departments and agencies.

The officers were drawn from 35 federal MDAs. They comprised a permanent secretary and directors of planning and other officials, four each from 35 ministries, officials told one of our correspondents.

Bala-Usman has repeatedly warned that the scorecards are more than academic.

At a media briefing in February 2025, she reminded ministers that “quarterly assessments will feed directly into presidential decisions,” noting that the Unit’s last report had already triggered “targeted conversations” and mid-term adjustments in at least three ministries.

“If your deliverables are slipping, the data will show it,” she said then.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Labour Party have criticised the President and his ministers over allegations of poor governance.

In an interview with The PUNCH, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described Tinubu and his cabinet as a “monumental failure.”

The NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, called for a cabinet reshuffle.

At the same time, the LP Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, urged the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to do more in addressing the issue of insecurity and economic hardship.

Reacting to the cost of living crisis resulting from Tinubu’s sharp economic reforms, the PDP says the performance of the ministers reflects President Tinubu’s leadership.

“You can’t give what you don’t have,” Ologunagba emphasised, arguing that the government has failed in every aspect.

“This government is a monumental failure; we can’t just talk about the ministers. They have failed in all aspects. The primary responsibility of every government is the security and welfare of the people, and with the killings and hardship, it is obvious that this government has failed.

“That’s why you see them now going into more of a panic mode of constantly governing by propaganda and lies. The one that is more pervasive is the issue of insecurity. There is no part of this country that’s immune to this cancer of insecurity.

“You recall President Tinubu saying that he was going to continue from where former President Muhammadu Buhari stopped. He has surpassed it in bringing more misery and death. He has brought sorrow to Nigerians. He has desecrated democracy as we knew it under the PDP.

“He has destroyed the economy. He has destroyed the livelihood of people. The health sector is in shambles. And so, in every aspect, this government has failed in providing the basic purpose of government. Which is security and the welfare of the people,” he stated.

When asked if the President should reshuffle his cabinet, Ologunagba described the APC-led government as unresponsive.

“When the government has demonstrated that it is deaf and impoverished in advice. Several people, particularly members of our party, the PDP, have made many suggestions, but this government does not listen.

“The government is deaf to Nigerians. And if it’s deaf to their feelings, it is insensitive to their sufferings.

“Also, the cabinet is a reflection of the leadership because the President is the one who appoints people into positions, right? So, if the government fails to provide security and welfare for the people, it means the President lacks the required leadership,” he said.

NNPP Publicity Secretary, Johnson, stated that it is time for President Tinubu to restructure his cabinet.

He expressed concern that Nigeria cannot continue operating at its present pace.

“It is time for President Tinubu to rejig his cabinet. It is time for him to do so. He really has to take stock and see whether he genuinely feels that we are moving in the right direction and at a reasonable pace, even if we are headed the right way.

“So, he probably needs a few new dynamic hands that can think outside the box to get some things done. We cannot continue at this level and pace and hope that things will be different. But, by May 29, our party, the NNPP, will come up with a comprehensive mid-term assessment of this administration.”

The LP scribe also urged the President to remove ministers who are not performing in their positions.

Ifon stated, “The President should deal with those who are not performing. If he finds that some are not living up to expectations, then of course, he should relieve such persons of their appointments. So, the buck stops on the President’s desk.

“We want a government that will focus more on security, economic development, and the overall well-being of Nigerians.”

The Chairman of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, highlighted lapses in the ministries of education, health and security, noting that all social sectors of the economy were not “doing well.”

He argued, “When you look at education, education is rotting. Therefore, the Minister of Education should be held accountable, as not all our educational institutions are being well-managed, especially public institutions.

“The implementation of their curriculum has been watered down to the extent that an average graduate cannot defend the degree that they brandish around. And nothing is being done to improve the condition of students and teachers at all levels of education, from Primary to University levels.

“In most institutions, everything is inadequate: facilities, equipment, materials, and motivation from the teachers and lecturers to teach them.”

Adeniran decried blame-shifting in the administration, saying, “Now, I do not know which ministry is even responsible for our security. Because when you talk about the Chief of Air Staff or the Chief of Defence Staff, they push it to the Minister of Defence, the Minister pushes it to the President. But what affects us is that there is no security of life and property, meaning that the purpose of government has been defeated.”

“Then, healthcare delivery, with all the secondary and tertiary health institutions, is no longer worth its name.

“The primary healthcare institutions, and all those working there, are not well-motivated.

“The healthcare delivery is also in shambles. Not all social sectors can be said to be doing well,” he added.

For his part, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani, stated that while some ministers were determined to fulfil their assigned tasks, others appeared to be focused on ensuring the President’s re-election in 2027, and some were largely invisible in the government.

“I would say that some of the ministers appear to be determined to meet up with their assignments, their responsibilities, whereas the majority of the ministers are just sitting there because the mood of the nation, of recent, is not about governance, it is about the election.

“Therefore, many ministers are just working hard to impress and show the President that they are working for his second term, not necessarily as ministers,” said Rafsanjani.

He called for the public dissemination of the CDCU’s report, saying, “Mr President has someone who is supposed to be evaluating the ministers in person of Hadiza Bala-Usman. The public did not hear or receive any report from her concerning the evaluation of ministers’ performance.

“Therefore, there is no willingness by the government to demonstrate how well some ministers are performing and meeting their responsibilities.

“In terms of real work that you can see a minister working, there are very few of them that you can pass that remark on.”

He continued, “The second issue is that some of the ministers, even before this campaign mood, appear to be on a low profile, Nigerians are not hearing much of them, or much about what they are doing.

“This is simply because some of the ministers were brought in to fulfil the political obligation of Mr President to put his guys there, and then be able to meet up with the constitutional provision of every state having one minister.”

Although insiders say Tinubu is unlikely to announce sackings before the May 29 commemorations, the upcoming report will guide one-on-one reviews with ministers and shape the next cabinet reshuffle.

When asked for comments, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the performance report as ‘’a routine to keep the ministers and agency heads on their toes.”

 

(Punch)


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What began as a desperate search for a missing Lagos banker has ended in heartbreak, as the body of Osemudiamen Idemudia was discovered days after he vanished without a trace.

Idemudia, an employee in the Point-of-Sale (POS) department of a commercial bank in the Ikota area of Lagos, was last seen on the evening of May 9 around the CMS axis. His sudden disappearance left his family and loved ones in deep distress, prompting an intensive search across the city.

After days of unanswered questions and growing fears, a breakthrough came — but not the one they had hoped for. On Sunday, his lifeless body was located in a morgue in the Yaba area of Lagos.

A relative, identified as Segun, confirmed the tragic discovery, revealing that the family had visited several hospitals and mortuaries in a bid to locate him.

The relative said the deceased 26-year-old banker was found with deep machete cuts on his head, face, and legs.

He added that the discovery raised suspicions that he might have been murdered.

“We have found Osemudiamen’s body. He was murdered. We found the body on Sunday in a morgue at Yaba with machete cuts on his head, face, and legs. I’m so sad.”

Segun further stated that the police were said to have brought the corpse to the morgue.

He also added that efforts to get more details about how and where the body was recovered from were unsuccessful as the attendants could not provide the identities of the officers.

“The staff members of the morgue claimed that the body was brought in by the police but when we asked where they brought the body from, they could not provide an answer. They said they did not have details of the policemen who brought the corpse to their facility. That made the discovery more complicated.”

According to him, the remains had been buried by the family on Tuesday.

The father of the late banker, Julius, while narrating what transpired on the day his son went missing, told our correspondent that he left the office alongside a colleague for an appointment with a senior staff member at the bank’s headquarters in CMS, Lagos Island.

However, upon their arrival at CMS, the scheduled meeting was cancelled by the official.

The two colleagues then decided to head home.

He said that after parting ways with his colleague, Osemudiamen was neither seen nor heard from again.

He said, “Osemudiamen has been missing since Friday, May 9. He resumed at his office in Ikota that morning and later planned to go to the head office with a colleague after work for an appointment they had with a senior staff member. However, while they were on their way, the official called to say he wouldn’t be able to see them until Monday.

“When they eventually got to CMS, they parted ways. As usual, Osemudiamen was expected to board a bus to Iyana Ipaja, and from there, take another bus to Igando. But when it started getting late and we hadn’t heard from him, we became worried. After 24 hours of no contact, we raised the alarm. Since then, we haven’t heard from him. Our hearts are heavy with worry. This is so unlike him, and we are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being.”

Julius said the incident was reported at the Igando Police Station which is close to the Akesan area where Osemudiamen lived.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached as calls made to his telephone line were not responded to. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

 

(Punch)
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As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approaches his second year in office, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled plans to mark the milestone with a 19-day project commissioning exercise across the capital.

The announcement came during the 14th Executive Committee meeting of the FCTA, chaired by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. According to the committee, the commissioning period will showcase key infrastructure and development projects completed under the Tinubu administration.

President Tinubu was sworn into office on May 29, 2023, and the FCT is now set to celebrate two years of his leadership with a visible display of achievements in Abuja.

According to a statement by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, “the commissioning of projects will commence on 10 June, 2025 and will go on for 19 days.”

Some projects scheduled for commissioning are the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre, Bus Terminals in Kugbo and Mabushi, and Apo-Wassa Road.

Others are N16 interchange and roads to connect Maitama through Katampe to Jahi, Inner Northern Expressway from Ring Road 3 (Idu to Kubwa Road), CN8 from N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) to Court of Appeal, N20 Flyover Onnex Kubwa Road and Life Junction to Ring Road III.

Also to be commissioned are Kabulsa-Takushara Access Road, Kabusa-Ketti Access Road, access road in Giri District,15km Road from A2 Junction Abuja-Lokoja Road to Pai in Kwali Area Council, as well as the Ushafa, War College, and Army Checkpoint roads in Bwari Area Council.

Also, the FCT executive committee has approved the contract award for the upgrade of streetlights on Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (Ring Road I).

Acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, said the project was among the seven approved memos submitted by the FCDA for consideration.

He explained that the project involves the upgrade of the obsolete streetlights on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, a 14-kilometre 10-lane expressway from Maitama to Gudu.

“If you pass there in the night, you will realise that most parts of the road are in darkness because the streetlights have been there for close to 15 years now.

“The project was completed between 2005 and 2006, and the lights have become obsolete and no longer bright enough to lighten the road,” he said.

He said the upgrade became necessary following the availability of new technology in street lighting.

He added that a hybrid street lighting system would be deployed to brighten the road and make it more secure and motorable at night.

 
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Tuoyo Omatsuli, a former Executive Director of Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), over an alleged N3.6 billion money laundering case.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Omatsuli was brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos alongside three co-defendants: Francis Momoh, Don Parker Properties Limited, and Building Associates Limited.

The accused persons are facing a total of 46 counts of money laundering involving billions of naira. The charges stem from various financial transactions believed to have been carried out while Omatsuli was a senior executive at the NDDC.

The provision criminalises conspiracy, aiding and abetting and money laundering. Section 15(3) of the same Act prescribes seven to 14 years imprisonment for an individual and revocatioc of licence in the case of a corporate body.

The defendants denied all the charges on Tuesday.

The move to re-arraign the defendants is sequel to the Court of Appeal’s reversal of their earlier acquittal handed down by the trial court.

Mr Omatsuli’s legal troubles began in 2018 when he was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

However, trial judge Saliu Saidu (now retired) exonerated him and other defendants, dismissing the charges after upholding the defendants’ no-case submission in 2020.

The trial court held that there was no point for the defendants to enter defence when the prosecution, at the end of the presentation of its evidence, failed to link them to the alleged crimes.

But the EFCC, dissatisfied with the ruling, went on appeal against it.

The Court of Appeal upheld EFCC’s appeal, overturning the acquittal and ordering the trial to proceed to defence stage.

The trial has faced setbacks since the Court of Appeal’s November 2022 judgement reversing the acquittal of the defendants.

The trial initially resumed before the former judge, Mr Saidu, following the Court of Appeal’s judgement, but was soon truncated.

But Mr Saidu soon retired, prompting the reassignment of the case to the current judge, Daniel Osiagor.

This necessitated the need for the re-arraignment of the defendants before the new judge.

Recall that the anti-graft agency initially secured 22 March 2024 for the re-arraignment, but the proceedings did not take place as planned.

Following the not-guilty plea of the defendants on Tuesday, the prosecuting lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), called the first prosecution witness.

The witness, Usman Adamu, an operative with the EFCC, recounted his involvement in the investigation leading to the charging of the defendants.

He stated that 16 witnesses had testified in the previous trial before the former judge.

He added that 34 pieces of exhibits were admitted and marked Exhibits ET01 to ET34 during the said trial.

“None of the witnesses resides in Lagos. They had to travel from Portharcourt or Abuja to Lagos.

“Some of the witnesses have relocated abroad, while others are no longer reachable,” Mr Adams said.

The prosecuting lawyer, Mr Iheanacho, thereafter, applied to tender the records of the proceedings of the former trial, along with the exhibits admitted in evidence by the former judge. He cited Section 46 of the Evidence Act to support the move.

He also informed the court that his request was predicated on the need to reduce further delay and expenses as earlied held by the court.

The defence counsel did not oppose the application by the prosecution.

The court ruled and admitted the records as well as the exhibits in evidence, which were marked ET 01 to ET 34.

The prosecution counsel also applied to adopt the previous testimony of the 13th prosecution witness, Mr Adamu. He also applied that all the exhibits should be taken as read.

The judge granted the prayer, as there was no objection by the defence team.

The defendants applied for more time to enable them open their defence after the PW1 had closed his testimony.

The judge fixed 2, 3 and 4 July for further proceedings.

In Nigerian courts, cases are often plagued by lengthy trials, frequently prolonged by judge transfers or truncated by the judge’s retirement or elevation to a higher bench.

 

(PremiumTimes)
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Former American President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, according to a statement released on Sunday by his personal office.

The announcement did not specify when the diagnosis was made or the stage of the cancer, but it described the condition as aggressive, suggesting a need for urgent and intensive treatment.

“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” the statement reads.

It added, “On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.”

Explaining further, the statement said, “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

This comes a few months after Mr Biden left office, handing over to President Donald Trump.

Mr Biden, 82, had dropped out of the re-election race due to pressure from his party members, who raised questions about his mental acuity.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reported a significant reduction in its net loans and receivables, dropping by ₦4.145 trillion in 2024.

This decline, according to the apex bank’s audited financial statements, is largely attributed to a substantial cut in overdraft facilities extended to the Federal Government under the Ways and Means provision.

At the bank level, net loans and receivables fell from ₦16.122 trillion in 2023 to ₦11.977 trillion in 2024. The group-level figure also saw a corresponding drop from ₦15.091 trillion to ₦10.959 trillion, representing a ₦4.132 trillion decrease.

The most notable change came from the government’s overdraft exposure, suggesting a deliberate effort by the CBN to reduce fiscal financing and possibly align with tighter monetary policy objectives aimed at curbing inflation and stabilizing the naira.

The Ways and Means provision in Nigeria refers to the CBN’s practice of extending temporary advances to the Federal Government to cover short-term funding gaps. Governed by Section 38 of the CBN Act, 2007, this facility allows the government to borrow up to 5 per cent of its previous year’s actual revenue.

However, this limit was exceeded under the previous administration, leading to concerns about fiscal discipline and monetary policy implications.

In response to the growing concerns over the excessive use of the Ways and Means facility, the National Assembly approved the securitisation of N22.7tn of these advances in 2023.

This move effectively converted the short-term overdrafts into long-term debt instruments, aiming to mitigate inflationary pressures and restore monetary stability.

Also, the Federal Government repaid a part of this obligation, with reports indicating that N7.3tn has been paid back so far. This repayment aligns with the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on central bank financing and enhancing fiscal responsibility.

This facility, which stood at N7.948tn in 2023, was scaled down to N3.268tn in 2024, a sharp reduction of N4.679tn or 58.89 per cent. The decline aligns with Governor Yemi Cardoso’s reform stance and a shift away from fiscal dominance, following years of criticism over the central bank’s role in deficit financing.

The PUNCH earlier reported that the CBN’s earnings from the Federal Government’s overdraft facility declined from N1.6tn in 2023 to N3.1bn in 2024. Also notable was a major increase in the CBN’s Standing Lending Facility, which grew from N29.431bn in 2023 to N386.904bn in 2024.

The CBN’s SLF serves as a critical tool for managing short-term liquidity within the banking sector. It allows authorised financial institutions to borrow funds from the CBN to address temporary liquidity shortages, ensuring stability in the financial system.

Although relatively small within the total portfolio, the increase indicates renewed activity in the interbank lending space. Long-term loans also rose by N712.673bn, from N2.009tn in 2023 to N2.722tn in 2024, suggesting sustained CBN participation in select financing programmes with extended maturities.

In contrast to intervention-based programmes that saw widespread contraction, certain legacy and operational exposures remained stable or expanded slightly. Notably, AMCON Notes rose from N3.902tn in 2023 to N4.136tn in 2024, an increase of N234.096bn.

These notes remain a key part of the CBN’s financial system stabilisation efforts and are backed by a sinking fund arrangement. The “Other Loans” category, which includes legacy or miscellaneous lending not classified under specific programmes, declined marginally at the group level by N8.722bn, from N539.377bn to N530.655bn.

At the bank level, however, the line item held steady at N116.187bn. Staff loans grew from N58.521bn to N65.644bn at the group level and from N58.521bn to N65.194bn at the bank level, while Nigerian Treasury Bonds remained unchanged at N423m.

The financial statement also revealed that Promissory Notes previously valued at N23.028bn were completely cleared by 2024. Similarly, the NESI Stabilisation Strategy Limited Debenture, which held a balance of N802.918bn in 2023, was reduced to zero in 2024.

The CBN established the NESI Stabilisation Strategy Limited (NESI SS Ltd) as a Special Purpose Vehicle to address liquidity challenges in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

This initiative involved the issuance of debentures to raise funds aimed at settling outstanding payment obligations to market participants, service providers, and gas suppliers.

These loan eliminations further contributed to the sharp drop in the bank’s total gross loans and receivables. Gross loans at the group level declined from N16.391tn in 2023 to N12.767tn in 2024, a contraction of N3.624tn.

At the bank level, gross loans fell by N3.645tn from N17.422tn to N13.778tn. These figures reflect a broad reduction in exposure across lending categories.

At the same time, the allowance for Expected Credit Losses increased from N1.3tn in 2023 to N1.801tn in 2024 at the bank level and from N1.3tn to N1.808tn at the group level, signalling stricter credit risk recognition and improved provisioning discipline.

The PUNCH observed that the CBN recovered a total of N252.996bn from beneficiaries of its intervention loan programmes in 2024, following the decision by Governor Olayemi Cardoso to phase out the Bank’s controversial development finance initiatives.

At the bank level, intervention loans fell from N3.336tn in 2023 to N3.083tn in 2024, marking a year-on-year recovery of N252.996bn. The group position similarly declined from N1.883tn to N1.658tn, indicating a recovery of N224.64bn.

The repayments span across several programmes, including the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, Real Sector Support Facility, Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme, BOI Debentures, and other legacy interventions.

The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, which has faced significant public scrutiny due to rising defaults and limited transparency, recorded one of the highest recoveries. Outstanding balances reduced from N424.825bn in 2023 to N311.903bn in 2024 at the group level, reflecting a repayment of N112.922bn.

At the bank level, the figure declined from N408.801bn to N296.830bn. Originally launched in 2015 to support smallholder farmers by linking them with off-takers, the programme has come under criticism from the National Assembly, which recently directed the CBN to recover over N1tn disbursed under the scheme, citing poor recovery levels.

The Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme also recorded a sharp drop in outstanding balances, declining from N101.783bn in 2023 to N58.453bn in 2024, a recovery of N43.33bn.

The Real Sector Support Facility reduced from N98.237bn to N60.730bn within the same period, resulting in a repayment of N37.507bn. Meanwhile, the BOI Debenture balance dropped by N9.941bn to N52.055bn, and the Export Development Facility saw a minor decrease of N802m to N139.621bn.

The Non-Oil Export Facility recorded a recovery of N5.855bn, falling to N8.071bn. The NIRSAL Lending Debenture, however, saw a slight increase, rising from N268.655bn to N269.380bn.

The facility remains one of the largest on the CBN’s balance sheet, with repayment efforts still ongoing. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises loans remained largely stable, dipping slightly from N443.652bn to N442.730bn.

The NBET Payment Assurance Facility recorded a modest decline from N48.317bn to N44.954bn, while the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance balance fell by N744m to N36.855bn.

The six per cent Perpetual Debentures decreased from N4.793bn to N1.246bn, indicating a recovery of N3.547bn. Under the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme, the outstanding balance dropped from N4.365bn to N990m, amounting to a recovery of N3.375bn.

The Nigerian Youth Investment Fund rose slightly from N95m to N112m. The balance for Advances to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria remained unchanged at N9m.

The NESI Stabilisation Strategy Limited Debenture, a large-scale intervention in the power sector, was fully cleared, with the loan balance falling from N802.918bn in 2023 to nil in 2024.

Similarly, the NESI Stabilisation Strategy Limited Loan declined by N8.461bn to N368.371bn.

Cardoso, who assumed office in 2023, had announced a strategic departure from the previous administration’s interventionist finance model, arguing that such practices distorted monetary policy transmission and reduced private sector lending.

Speaking at a press briefing after the first Monetary Policy Committee meeting of 2024, Cardoso said, “The intervention has two dysfunctions. One it takes a lot of time for something you do not have an expertise to do, and two, if not carefully handled, creates a lot of distortions in your economy through inflow of money supply.”

He added, “The interventions that took place in the recent past were estimated in excess of N10tn. I’m not talking about ways or means. What was the budget of the federal government of Nigeria? What was the budget of the largest states in Nigeria? Do the maths and it would tell you the extent of damage too much of what may appear to be good things can do to an economy.

“So, for me, it’s a major issue. A number of things will be naive to say. We’re not going to get directly involved in interventions; those that are out there need to be properly monitored to ensure they come back in.

“We have to ensure that we monitor them to ensure that they come back in, and we’re doing so. We are already doing that and with various degrees of success at some point in time, in the interest of transparency, those figures will be made public.

“The time when we have failed interventions is over. There is no wiggle room to take up interventions that have a great potential to fail and do not get down to the people who were intended to in the first place.”

The 2024 financial statement validates this policy pivot, with significant recoveries suggesting efforts by the apex bank to restore its focus on monetary stability and financial sector discipline.

While the CBN has halted new applications under its intervention schemes, repayments and recoveries remain active. The drawdown of these programmes has continued to generate debate, with stakeholders divided on their legacy.

Supporters maintain that the interventions shielded key sectors during periods of fiscal constraint, while critics argue that inadequate monitoring and weak recovery structures made the programmes vulnerable to abuse and unsustainable over the long term.


(Punch)

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Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has identified two key factors behind his team’s failure to secure the Premier League title this season: injuries and red cards.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta reflected on a campaign that saw the Gunners once again fall short in their bid to dethrone Manchester City. Despite high expectations and a strong start, Arsenal were overtaken in the title race, with Arne Slot sensationally guiding Liverpool to Premier League glory in his debut season.

“This season, red cards and injuries, for sure,” Arteta said when asked to explain the reasons behind Arsenal’s title miss. The Gunners endured the highest number of red cards in the league—six in total—and were plagued by injuries, more than any other team in the division.

It marks the fifth consecutive season without a trophy for Arsenal under Arteta. The club also suffered semi-final exits in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, and were eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round by Manchester United after a dramatic penalty shootout.

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Mallam Kamorudeen Yusuf, Personal Assistant on Special Duties to President Bola Tinubu, has emphasized the crucial role of education in achieving national peace and development, calling for greater investment in the academic future of Nigerian youth.

Yusuf made this known during a scholarship presentation ceremony in Lagos, where he awarded educational grants to some high-performing candidates in the recently released Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

Among the beneficiaries was Miss Adetutu Blessing Osoba from Ado-Odo Local Government Area of Ogun State, who scored an impressive aggregate of 309. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to Yusuf, describing the scholarship as a timely boost toward achieving her academic dreams.

“The young scholar, who is the first of three children in a family of five, came to the limelight in her neighbourhood, a boundary between Badagry and Ogun state, following her outstanding academic performance amongst her other contemporaries.

“Therefore, Mr Yusuf, who heard of her feat and was personally inspired by her devotion to studies and sacrifices, all in a bid to achieve her goal has pledged to see her through the university.

“Besides offering her a scholarship, Mr Yusuf, had also paid for hostel and school fees in a popular fashion academy in Lagos as it’s her dream to polish her tailoring skills before admission.”

The young Osoba, according to the release, who turns 17 years in two months, had sat for the UTME last year scoring 265, after clearing all her subjects at the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), but narrowly missed her admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), to study for a B.Sc in Business Administration.

Overwhelmed with joy, she said she never expected the recognition and rewards she has received for her sterling academic performance.

“It was very, very unexpected because being in this part of the world, where no one remembers people without the right connections and influence, to be in the limelight is so very wonderful,” she mused excitedly.

“We’re really grateful for the kind gestures shown by my benefactor, Mr Yusuf, who has promised to sponsor my education and I want to assure him that he’s not going to regret it because I’m going to make him proud and proud and proud forever and ever,” she said.

The mother, Tolulope Osoba, a petty trader, also expressed a sense of pride for their daughter bringing them to the limelight, and for the kind gestures of the public-spirited Nigerian who has pledged to fund her studies in the university, as well as the God Almighty, who facilitated the intervention.

Yusuf’s philanthropic gesture was also extended to Sodiq Shoyode, a 16-year-old, who scored 360 marks, and also hails from Ado Odo LGA, Ogun State, whose feat went viral on social media, drawing widespread commendations.

“The president’s aide had received the news of Sodiq’s high performance and awarded him scholarship and equally funded his admission into one of the top digital academies to learn Full Stack Development before his admission with his school fees and accommodation taken care of as well.

“Yusuf had recently awarded N10m scholarships to some students in Lagos state, as part of his lifelong commitment to support the less privileged to help them achieve their potential in spite of their poor stations in life,” the statement noted.

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A wave of shock and grief has swept through Ibagwa-Aka, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the gruesome murder of four siblings by a self-proclaimed spiritualist.

The victims Kamsiyochukwu Ezema (7), Ezinne Ezema (6), Ujunwa Ezema (5), and Chinedu Ezema (2) were reportedly bludgeoned to death with a pestle by a pastor said to be affiliated with a Sabbath church in the community.

While the motive behind the horrific act remains unclear, residents are reeling from the trauma of the loss, and local authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident. Police say efforts are ongoing to ensure that the perpetrator and any accomplices are brought to justice.

Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Mr. Ferdinand Ukwueze, described the incident as a painful and disturbing event for the community.

“Our community was shaken by the tragic and heinous murder of four innocent children in Ibagwa-Aka,” he said during a visit to the bereaved family on Saturday. He extended his condolences and assured them of the government’s commitment to justice.

Ukwueze visited the scene of the crime with officers from the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies. According to him, some key suspects have already been apprehended, while others remain at large.

“Following preliminary investigations, law enforcement agencies have apprehended some key suspects in connection with the crime, while still searching for others yet at large,” he said.

The premises where the killings took place reportedly used for unlicensed herbal practices and spiritual activities have been sealed off on the orders of the council.

“We are fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and ensuring that justice is served,” Ukwueze stated.

The children’s parents, Mr. Chinonso Ezema and Mrs. Loveth Ezema, who were not home at the time of the incident, have called for a full investigation.

“We want the police to thoroughly investigate this and ensure the culprit is brought to book,” Mr. Ezema said.

As the community continues to mourn, local authorities have promised increased collaboration with security agencies to enhance surveillance and prevent future incidents.

Efforts to reach the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to phone calls or text messages seeking comments on the case.

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The Imo State Police Command has confirmed that the 15 students who were earlier declared missing on their way to write the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Okigwe have been found and safely reunited with their families.

The students had reportedly travelled from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Okigwe, Imo State, for the examination but were declared missing, sparking public concern.

In a post shared on the command’s official X handle, the police assured the public that the students were located following swift efforts by security operatives and concerned stakeholders.

Authorities thanked the public for their support and vigilance, and reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors in the state.

The command wrote: “It is true that they made the travel to Okigwe, where they were scheduled to write the UTME. However, their vehicle developed a mechanical fault while at it, but they were secured and have now been returned with their families.

“We appreciate citizens and stakeholders, such as yourself, who raise awareness concerning issues of security. We encourage the spirit.”

Also, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has urged the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to carry out an independent and transparent audit of its examination infrastructure.

Addressing reporters in Abuja on the glitches that hampered this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Kalu faulted what he called the hurried rescheduling of the examination at a time many students were writing the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) which required some of them to travel far distances to write the examination.

According to him, it is only by triangulating internal findings with external audits that Nigerians can ensure that no affected candidate is left behind.

Kalu also urged JAMB to safeguard the educational path of the affected candidates from the Southeast and Lagos, saying they should not be made to face further stress, having borne the brunt of the glitches.

He said: “JAMB must provide a clear, accessible mechanism for remark and appeal, especially for those dissatisfied with the hurried retake or who experienced technical difficulties during the second sitting.

“Furthermore, coordination with WAEC and other examination bodies must continue to ensure that no candidate’s academic progression is impeded by scheduling conflicts.”


(Nation)

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A political support group under the banner of the Progressive Voters’ Forum (PVF) has praised President Bola Tinubu and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), chaired by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for organizing the party’s first-ever National Summit.

The summit, themed ‘Renewed Hope Agenda: The Journey So Far’, is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja by 10:00 a.m.

Among the expected dignitaries are President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, APC state governors and their deputies. Also expected are former presidents affiliated with the party, APC members of the National Assembly, and other stakeholders.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, PVF National Coordinator Dr. Olusegun Kenneth expressed optimism about the event’s impact on party unity and national development.

He noted: “The summit will afford the APC leaders opportunity to review the party’s performance as a ruling political party, dialogue on how to move the country forward and unite the party leaders more ahead of future elections.”

Dr. Kenneth also emphasized the summit’s potential to highlight accomplishments of the Tinubu administration that may not have received sufficient public attention.

“As a forum, we believe that this summit is coming at the right time. By 29th of this month of May, it will be two good years that our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over. So as a responsible party, the Ganduje’s NWC has provided this platform to showcase many achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda that have been under reported or the opposition parties have refused to see. We commend the National Working Committee for that.”

He called on delegates to engage constructively during the summit and focus on strengthening the party’s internal cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.

“We, however, call on all the delegates to the summit to attend with a open mind and engage on productive dialogue that will solidify our party, evangelise it to more Nigerians and drive APC to victories in future elections.

“This summit should also bring onboard different interests and groups and find a way to accommodate all interests, including those that are just joining the fold.”

The PVF also urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that the administration has laid a strong foundation over the past two years.

“The government has used the last two years to lay good foundation for the economy, infrastructure and wellbeing of Nigerian, and the results have started yielding as prices of commodities have started coming down, inflation dropping among others.”

“We believe that this national summit is in the interest of Nigerians and the nation. In due time, Nigerians will totally ignore the noisy opposition parties and their figures, and embrace the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement added.

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China has pledged to deepen its economic partnership with Nigeria, particularly in the solid minerals sector, by setting up electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plants and expanding industrial collaboration.

During a courtesy call on Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, over the weekend, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, reiterated his country’s commitment to fostering stronger ties, describing Nigeria as a key partner in China’s foreign relations.

“Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources. Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing.“We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals,” he said.

Dunhai pointed to the recent meeting between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping as a turning point in relations, noting that both leaders had agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

He also stressed the importance of ethical practices by Chinese enterprises in Nigeria.“We have zero tolerance for illegal mining. The Chinese government is ready to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to bring any culprits to justice,” he stated, while highlighting efforts by the Chinese embassy to ensure its companies comply with local laws and uphold corporate social responsibility, as well as environmental and safety standards.

Responding to the ambassador’s remarks, Minister Alake acknowledged the role of Chinese investment in Nigeria’s development but also addressed concerns about unlawful practices by a minority of firms.

“We’ve taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals. While isolated, such incidents undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms. We need your cooperation in ensuring that such culprits are brought to justice,” he stated.

He referred to a recent viral video that allegedly showed a Chinese national attempting to bribe local security officials and emphasized that such behavior cannot be tolerated.

Alake highlighted new government initiatives aimed at addressing illegal mining, including the deployment of Mining Marshals, which he said has improved compliance among industry players.

He further stressed the government’s intention to shift from raw mineral exports to domestic processing, encouraging value addition within Nigeria.

“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialisation. That must change. We now prioritise local processing to drive Nigeria’s development.“For instance, with the abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries,” he explained.

The minister urged Ambassador Dunhai to encourage Chinese companies to adopt end-to-end operations—from extraction to processing—within the country, noting that this would better harness Nigeria’s market potential and support clean energy goals.

In his closing remarks, Dunhai affirmed China’s support for this vision, revealing that preparations are already underway to launch EV production and related manufacturing projects in Nigeria.

He said the initiative aligns with President Xi Jinping’s broader strategy to support Africa’s industrial advancement.

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President Bola Tinubu has authorised the issuance of essential regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a major oil exploration initiative spanning Bauchi and Gombe States.

This was revealed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during a ceremony to commence construction of the permanent site for the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area on Sunday.

A statement from the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, quoted Lokpobiri as saying the approvals are part of broader efforts to harness all viable hydrocarbon assets in the country and scale up national oil output.

He said, “The imperative to activate all available oil platforms for increased production led President Bola Tinubu to grant approvals for the issuance of all critical regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Projects.”

Lokpobiri emphasised the administration’s dedication to unlocking Nigeria’s energy potential in order to stimulate industrial activity, generate employment, and boost federal income.

“Mr President is intentional about transforming our energy landscape into one that fuels industrial growth, creates jobs and enhances national revenue,” he stated.

He also praised the Bauchi State Government for aligning with federal energy initiatives, describing the planned academy as a vital investment in developing skilled manpower for the oil and gas sector.

“With this academy, Bauchi is making a strategic contribution to the development of the human capital needed to drive our sector forward,” he added.

In addition, the minister acknowledged the role of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund in building capacity within the industry.

“PTDF has played a critical role in ensuring that our sector is not just productive but also future-ready,” Lokpobiri noted, expressing confidence in a strong collaboration between the fund and the new institution.

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, expressed gratitude for federal backing and reiterated the state’s commitment to supporting the academy.

“This institution will serve as a foundation for skill acquisition and innovation that will benefit not just Bauchi State but the entire nation,” the governor said.

The Kolmani project, first launched in November 2022, marked a significant step in oil exploration efforts in Northern Nigeria. Located at the Kolmani River II oil field, the project sits on the border between Bauchi and Gombe States.

Just last week, the Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, announced plans to resume drilling operations in the Kolmani field.

According to him, the renewed activity is expected to revive previously closed businesses and attract new investment to the region. “This will bring benefits to the region, which will lead to everyone benefiting because wealth will increase. Therefore, we must return and continue this project,” he said.

“We will continue with the oil drilling in Kolmani and other places. After the oil drilling, we will also ensure that we complete the gas pipeline from Ajaokuta to Kano,” Ojulari said.

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There was mild drama on Sunday when President Bola Tinubu  met with the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi and former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi.

A terse statement shared by spokesman to the President, Bayo Onanuga,  said the trio met at Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass on Sunday in Rome.

He said: “Fayemi sighted President Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed.

“On getting to the President, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu. He said: ‘Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.’

“President Tinubu, ever quick-witted, responded:  “I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation’.

“The President’s response cracked up Obi, who agreed with the President.

“Obi said:  ‘Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation’.”

PlatinumPost reports that Peter Obi and Fayemi are staunch Catholics and Papal knights.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, finished third behind Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election.

Obi secured a total of 6,101,533 votes, trailing Atiku’s 6,984,520 votes and Tinubu’s winning tally of 8,794,726 votes, according to official results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Despite his third-place finish, Obi caused a major political upset by defeating Tinubu in Lagos State—widely regarded as the President’s stronghold—and made significant inroads across key states in the South-East, South-South, and parts of the North Central.

As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 elections, Obi is reportedly repositioning for another shot at the presidency. He is also said to be part of a growing opposition coalition, which allegedly includes Fayemi, ex-ally of the President, which is gearing up to mount a strong challenge to Tinubu’s re-election bid.

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A man wanted for his alleged involvement in several kidnapping cases was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Hajj camp in Abuja, according to a security source.

The suspect, identified as Yahaya Zangon, was reportedly apprehended on Sunday while undergoing documentation with a group of intending Muslim pilgrims preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.

Zangon, who hails from the Paikon-Kore community in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had been on the radar of security agencies over his alleged links to a series of abductions.

“It was this afternoon during the screening at the hajj camp in (the) airport when the DSS operatives apprehended him and whisked him away,” the security source said.

A senior official with the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, who asked not to be named, also confirmed the arrest.

It was further gathered that the suspect had been evading capture prior to his arrest. However, an official statement from the DSS regarding the development had not been released at the time of this report.

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The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, has approved the redeployment of several judges across various divisions of the court.

The announcement was made on Sunday through a statement issued by the court’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Christopher.

As part of the changes, Justice M. G. Umar, previously serving in the Enugu Judicial Division, will now handle matters previously overseen by Justice Inyang Ekwo at Court 5 of the Abuja division.

“The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho, KSS, OFR, FCIArb. (UK) has effected the redeployment of some judges of the court.

“The general public is hereby notified that all cases pending before Court No. 5 in the Abuja Judicial Division will be attended to by the judge who has been moved to Abuja for that purpose.

“Consequently, there is no need for litigants and /or counsel to apply to the Hon. Chief Judge for re-assignment of cases that have been pending before the court,” the statement said.

Other movements include Justice Tijjani Garba Ringim’s transfer from the Gombe Division to Yola, while Justice M. T. Segun-Bello moves from Abakaliki to Enugu. Justice Bala Khalifa-Mohammed Usman has been redeployed from Yola to Awka, and Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed from Awka to Gombe.

According to the official release, the redeployments take effect immediately.

“The affected judges are to make their best endeavour to deliver all pending judgements in their current stations within the shortest possible time.

“The judges currently resident in the Abakaliki and Katsina Judicial Divisions shall take responsibility for all the cases already pending or newly instituted in their respective Divisions, until otherwise instructed,” it concluded.

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The Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse III has been honoured as 100 Most Reputable Africans, an award organised in Johannesburg, South Africa by Global Reputation Forum.

The award was presented to him by former Deputy former President of South Africa, Her Excellency, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka in Johannesburg.

The award coincides with the signing of the MoU between Olu of Warri and his counterpart, His Majesty King Misuzulu KaZwelithini which held at the KwaKhangelamankengane Royal Palace, KwsNongoma.

The Royal Father is largely seen as a man of class and character, ascending the throne, he took up a role steeped in centuries of tradition, becoming the 21st Olu of Warri. 
He coronation few years ago, ceremonial rite, was a promise to bridge the rich tapestry of Itsekiri culture with the demands of a modernising world.

Educated in the best of schools, he honed a global perspective, equipping him with the acumen to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes.

Olu of Warri’s reign has been a masterclass in balancing reverence for tradition with proactive governance. 

Recognising that cultural preservation and development are not mutually exclusive, he has championed initiatives that uplift the Warri Kingdom economically and socially.

All these put together may have played a role in his emergence as 100 Most Reputable Africans.

The MoU signed with His Majesty King Misuzulu KaZwelithini, Zulu Kingdom aims to enhance economic and social cultural exchange between the two kingdoms. 

King KaZwelithini expressed confidence that the new developmental pact being established between the Majesties will be of mutual benefit among the two Kingdoms adding that a seed of fraternal relationship has been planted.
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It was an evening of stars especially from the entertainment sector as they converged at the elite Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja for the comedy show of one of them, Funny Bruno a star-studded show tagged, "All-in-one". 

One person that was not missing at the event was renowned sensational singer, Jessa Joan who thrilled guests to exciting moment with her songs. 

She shared stage with others in the entertainment space, especially big comedians such as AY, MC Edo Pikin, Chucks D General, Madiba, Short Cut, MC Miti, MC Papi and others. 

Jessa Joan, a serial entrepreneur, is known for bringing new vibes into any event where she performs. 

Her hit track, TONIGHT which is embedded with Afro-beat sound with an infusion of RnB vibes gives that perfect expression for true lovers, a track that gets audience relaxed. 

Jessa Joan, a multiple award winner has warmed her way to the hearts of Abuja entertainment lovers and fans of good music with her intriguing and energy-filled performances at high profile events and industry gatherings. 

Very creative, enterprising, innovative and kind-hearted, Jessa Joan apart from her waxing presence in the music world also engages in several other humanitarian activities where she makes huge impact in the lives of less privileged persons. 

Her performance at the "All-in-one" comedy show of Funny Bruno which held on May 3, 2024 was again a good opportunity to showcase her talent to a new audience. 

She has since been receiving thumbs up for her energetic output at the outing which also attracted top business executives.

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