News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all political appointees under his administration, who intend to contest elective offices in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to resign their appointments on or before March 31, 2026. The directive is pursuant to the provisions of Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, which was issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, the resignation requirement applies to all categories of presidential political appointees who wish to participate in the forthcoming party primaries or seek nomination for any elective office.  They are Honourable Ministers, Honourable Ministers of State, Special Advisers to th...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has arrived in the United Kingdom for a two-day historic State Visit on the invitation of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Tinubu’s plane touched down at London Stansted Airport at 3.18 pm.  He was received on behalf of the Royal Family by Mark Bevan, Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, as well as by the acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, Ambassador Mohammed Maidugu, and other senior officials.  Also on hand to welcome the President to his hotel were some senators, governors and ministers.   President Tinubu and his wife will be hosted at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and to explore investment opportunities for businessmen from both nations. This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bay...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In what appeared to be a flop against wildlife trafficking, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has received pangolins from AkwaIbom and Kano States.  To this end, officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service handed over one dead and two live pangolins suspected to be part of an illegal wildlife trade, to officials of the agency led by an Assistant Director, Mr. Ismaila Thoulut Anamoh. The pangolins were subsequently taken to Kano Zoological Garden by NESREA officials and received by the representative of the Kano State Zoological and Wildlife Management Agency (KAZOWMA), Hajiya Hafsah Bello Adam.  In Akwa Ibom, a local hunter known as Imo Etim, whose traps caught two pangolins instead of the grass-cutters he intended, promptly notified Prof. Olajumoke Morenikeji of the Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria (PCGN).  Although one of the pangolins died, Etim handed over ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has felicitated the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah as he marks his birthday today, March 17, 2026. Tinubu celebrates the lawyer and philanthropist, highlighting the tremendous progress recorded in Enugu State under his leadership over the past two years. The President particularly lauds Dr Mbah's bold commitment to the ideals of progressive governance and constitutional democracy, as exemplified in his administration's transformational projects and programmes. Mbah, a private-sector player, had achieved success in the oil and gas sector before he was elected governor of Enugu State in 2023.  President Tinubu says: "During my official visit to Enugu in 2025, I witnessed firsthand what good and competent leadership, as demonstrated by Mbah, can accomplish when anchored on vision and service to the people. "Dr Mbah's inclusive governance and partnership with other Southeast governors is repositioning the...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for a State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla. King Charles will host President Tinubu and his wife at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19. The state visit is the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years. President Tinubu is also the first Nigerian leader to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle. Nigeria and the United Kingdom share a deep history of ties and a special bond. The purpose of this visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for collaboration on issues such as immigration, trade, investment, and cultural exchange. While at Windsor Castle, Their Majesties will invite the President and the First Lady to view a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria. Later, the King an...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja    R-L: President Bola Tinubu in a handshake with Taiwo Oyedele at the State House Abuja on Monday.  President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Mr Taiwo Oyedele as Minister of State for Finance, extolling his determination and dedication to duty. Oyedele is also the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. President Tinubu, who spoke after the brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa on Monday in Abuja, described the appointment as a vote of confidence in Mr Oyedele.  He extolled the new minister for his professionalism in coordinating the work of the Tax Reforms Committee. Tinubu noted that Oyedele’s commitment and deep knowledge of tax policy played a critical role in shaping the reforms designed to simplify the tax system, expand the revenue base, and create a more business-friendly environment in Nigeria. "We are very proud of your knowledge, your simplicity, ambition, and excellence. I congratulate your w...