News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: President Bola Tinubu in a handshake with Governor Mohammed Bago recently.  President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago on his birthday, just as he lauded his courage, diligence, and commitment to the state's development.  Tinubu celebrated with Governor Bago, his family, friends, and political associates on the special occasion, which provided another opportunity for appreciation, reflection, and more alignment with the service of the state, nation, and citizens.  The President acknowledged the transformative leadership that the governor has provided in the state, especially on health, education, infrastructure, and the revolution in the agricultural sector that has earned him the epithet “farmer governor’’. Tinubu was optimistic that Governor Bago’s experience in the banking sector over the years and his service to the nation as a member of the House of Representatives prepared him for the o...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the winners of Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory, and Kano and Rivers States. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Saturday conducted elections in the six area councils of the FCT and by-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies of Rivers State, as well as in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies in Kano State. Tinubu urged the winners to serve with humility, patriotism, and dedication and to view the mandate given to them by the people as a sacred trust. He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike for his remarkable achievements in the territory, which yielded political dividends to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The President congratulated the APC national leadership, Kano and Rivers leaderships, and all members of the party on the victories at the polls. Tinubu lauded the IN...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Chief Isreal Ogbue  President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the family, friends, and associates of the former Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chief Israel Ogbue, who died at the age of 99. With a distinguished career in the Federal Civil Service, the National Insurance Corporation (NICON), and NAL Merchant Bank, Chief Ogbue served as a non-executive director of UBA from 2005 until 2011, when he was appointed Chairman.  He served on the board until 2013. Throughout his tenure, he displayed dignity and strategic foresight, and provided steady and principled leadership during a pivotal period in the bank’s transformation. Chief Ogbue is the father of Dr Awele Elumelu, the wife of UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu. While condoling the Elumelu family and extended family members over the loss, the President sympathised with UBA's board, management, and staff. Tinubu acknowledged the numerous testimonies praising the exemplary life an...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Federal Government has unveiled several projects aimed at tackling flooding and stimulating socio-economic development in Benue State.  The projects sited across the state include Katsina Ala–Takum, Katsina Ala–Calabar (Ushongo and Atihi), Old Makurdi–Wukari, Otukpo-Oshegbudu-Oweto, and the Makurdi-Otukpo-9th Mile-Enugu Roads. Targeted at enhancing infrastructure and transportation as catalysts for national growth, the projects unveiled at the just concluded Media Tour are expected to address failures across the various alignments and improve connectivity.   At the rehabilitated Katsina Ala–Takum road, the Federal Controller of Works, Benue State, Engr. Mukaila Danladi disclosed that work has progressed significantly, reaching binder and sub-base levels, with preparations underway for the execution of hydraulic structures. He identified key challenges encountered by the contractor of Messrs Gerawa Global Engineering (Nigeria) Limited as i...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja    Senator Mpigi Barinada  Lawmaker representing the South East Senatorial district of Rivers State, Senator Mpigi Barinada is dead. Currently serving at the 10th National Assembly, Barinada died on February 19, 2026, at 64 years.  The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Akin Alabi confirmed his death in a tribute posted on his official X handle on Thursday. He wrote, "Good night my dear friend. Rest in Peace, Senator Mpigi Barinada. Sen Mpigi represented Rivers South East in the Senate." Barinada was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works. The Senator had served as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal constituency before seeking for higher political office.  In 2019, he was elected as the Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District in the National Assembly under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  As at the time of filing this ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has endorsed an Executive Order on direct remittance of oil and gas revenue to the Federation account to curb wasteful spending and eliminate duplicative structures, while redirecting the resources for the benefit of Nigerians.  Tinubu signed the EO in pursuant of Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The Executive Order is anchored on Section 44(3) of the Constitution, which vests ownership, control, and derivative rights in all minerals, oils, and natural gas in, under, and upon any land in Nigeria, including its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, in the Government of the Federation. It seeks to restore the constitutional revenue entitlements of the Federal, State, and Local Governments, which were taken away in 2021 by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).  The PIA created structural and legal channels through which substantial Federation revenues were lost through dedu...