News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE Scene of Monday bomb blast in Maiduguri  President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the people of Borno over the recent terror attacks in the State.  At least 23 people were killed and 108 injured on Monday night, March 16, when terrorists attacked Maiduguri city, the capital of Borno State.  Security officials had attributed the attacks to Boko Haram or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), in 17 years insurgency in the northeast.  The first explosive detonated at a post office in Maiduguri, followed by another at the popular Monday market, according to security agents and residents.  While one bomb blasted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, another struck in Kaleri, a community in Maiduguri. Both incidences occurred on Monday evening. The attacks, which targeted crowded areas during the holy month of Ramadan, violated years of fragile peace in Borno, forcing a security crackdown and elevating fears of prolon...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja    Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo  Federal Government has declared Thursday, 19 March, and Friday, 20 March 2026, as public holidays to mark Eid-el-Fitr celebration, which signified the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The declaration was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the Federal Government. In a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, the minister extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the fasting period. Tunji-Ojo encouraged Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice emphasised during the holy month. He called on all Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of the nation. While wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-el-Fitr celebration, the minister urged citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to th...

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...