News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe has offered 150 free health insurance enrollments to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council. This was even as the Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Dr. Babagana Adam also pledged to sponsor an additional 50 members  in memory of his late brother, Mohammed Alkali, a former head of Press and Public Relations Unit in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The declaration followed a courtesy visit to the Secretariat by a delegation from the NUJ FCT Council on Tuesday in Abuja.  Fasawe described the gesture as part of ongoing efforts to expand affordable healthcare access and promote universal health coverage in the Federal Capital Territory, saying that the media remains a critical partner in health promotion and public enlightenment. She disclosed that health promotion focuses on prevention, ad...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has unveiled a technology meant to phase-out Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and protect public health from emerging diseases, in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.  Tagged Oxytane Fuel Additive, it is designed to enhance engine performance, increase fuel efficiency by over 25 percent, and reduce harmful emissions by up to 70 percent. It has been tested on high-capacity generators, including at the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation. Oxytane works by cleaning fuel injectors, removing carbon deposits, and improving combustion in petrol, diesel, and kerosene engines. It is used for personal vehicles, generators, and industrial equipment.  Unveiled by EHCON in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment and Oxytane Africa Investment Limited, the initiative will strengthen environmental governance and control Nigeria's carbon footprints.  These formed the c...

   L-R: Egbetokun, Tinubu and Disu The Presidency has opened up on the intricacies surrounding the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector General of Police (IGP).  This followed news swirling on the Social Media on Tuesday that President Bola Tinubu compelled the former police boss to resign from the exalted and intimidating position.  The Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga informed that Egbetokun exited as the IGP due to personal matters that required his complete attention.  Though Onanuga failed to mention some of the personal matters, he added that: "The IGP resigned in a letter today (Tuesday), citing family issues which required his undivided attention.” But sources revealed that Egbetokun's resignation surfaced shortly after a meeting with President Tinubu, who directed him to resign. In order to fill the vacuum created by Egbetokun's resignation, President Tinubu has appointed Tunji Disu, an...

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...