News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Dr Christopher Kolade  President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the death of Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade. While describing Kolade as one of Nigeria's intellectual treasures, he recalled that the late elder statesman was also a broadcaster and boardroom guru.  Kolade died peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at age 92.  Tinubu noted that Kolade was a custodian of enterprise history, especially concerning corporate governance and human resources management, as well as a principal figure in reputable institutions like the Lagos Business School. The President said: "He (Kolade) was among the finest of men. He was exceptionally brilliant, statesmanly, diligent, and had unimpeachable integrity.  "Dr Kolade was not only a boardroom icon, serving as one-time chief executive and chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, but he was also a patriot and an uncompromising advoc...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has granted a poet, Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa posthumous pardon following the endorsement of the National Council of State.  Vatsa, who was sentenced to death over a treason charge in 1986, was among the 17 people who received presidential pardons on Thursday in Abuja.  President Tinubu also granted a posthumous pardon to Herbert Macaulay, a Nigerian nationalist and co-founder, along with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). Macaulay was the party's first president, which played a pivotal role in Nigeria's struggle for independence.  But in 1913, Macaulay was believed to be unjustly convicted by the British colonialists and banned from public office. He died in 1946, but the stigma of being an ex-convict was not exorcised from his records until now. Tinubu also pardoned four former convicts, including former House of Representatives member, Farouk Lawan; Mrs Anastasia D...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Geoffrey Uche Nnaji  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed the resignation of  Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, two years after his appointment as a Federal cabinet member.  This followed the allegations of certificates forgery leveled against the minister by Premium Times, an online Media Company.  News Rider reports that Nnaji was appointed as a Federal minister in August 2023.  He resigned on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, as contained in a letter, where he thanked the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Before his resignation, Premium Times had published a two-year investigation on Saturday, October 4, 2025, which revealed that Nnaji forged the credentials he submitted to President Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023. In the resignation letter, Nnaji noted that he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu appreciated him f...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Late Stella Okoh-Esene The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has expressed profound sadness over the death of former Chairperson, FCT Chapter, Stella Okoh-Esene. Until her death, Stella, a dedicated and committed journalist, worked with True Verdict Online Newspaper, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.  The National Chairperson of NAWOJ,  Aisha Ibrahim said that Stella's passion for journalism and unwavering commitment to excellence inspired many. She added: "We extend our deepest condolences to her family, particularly her daughter and loved ones. May her soul rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to inspire us. "Stella's contributions to NAWOJ and the journalism fraternity will be greatly missed. We pray that her memory will motivate us to uphold the values of dedication, hard work, and professionalism she embodied." The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council also received with deep shock an...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Prof Joash Amupitan  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This was sequel to the nomination of Amupitan by the National Council of State to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu's exit, who served from 2015 till October 2025. Tinubu had informed the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi State, North-Central region nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.  Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.  In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu is expected to send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening. Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, is a  Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau. He is also an alumnus of the univ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has ordered expedited works on the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of 43.65-kilometre Mararaba-Keffi road.  At the inspection of the project, Minister of State for Works, Hon. Muhammad Bello Goronyo reminded the contractor that the Federal Government had granted permission for night-time construction activities for faster delivery and to mitigate the hardship faced by road users.  The project which is a critical infrastructure upgrade under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, is executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Nigeria Limited. Goronyo expressed concern over the pace of work and persistent traffic congestion along the corridor, which serves as a vital link between the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State. He noted that the daily gridlock affected thousands of commuters, particularly civil servants residing along the axis, many of whom struggle to a...