News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has disclosed that traditional institutions will strengthen democracy, preserve cultural heritage and contribute massively to conflict resolution in line with internationally accepted rules.  Senior Special Assistant to the President on Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Abbas Tijjani Hashim stated this at the launch of the “Traditional Leaders Summit on Mediation, Conflict Management, and Peacebuilding for Sustainable Democracy and Peaceful 2027 General Elections' on Thursday in Abuja. He noted that President Bola Tinubu is confident in the power of traditional institutions to bolster peace in the country. “It (summit) will deepen understanding of democratic institutions and electoral processes, develop skills in post-conflict reconciliation and community healing and promote inclusive governance that ensures meaningful participation of women, youth and marginalised groups. Nigeria’s traditional institutions stand as monuments of endur...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Royal Father's have resolved to join forces across the 36 States of the Federation, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for lasting peace and national development. This formed the crux of discuss at the launch of 'Traditional Leaders Summit on Mediation, Conflict Management, and Peacebuilding for Sustainable Democracy and Peaceful 2027 General Elections' on Thursday in Abuja. It was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Chieftaincy Matters in partnership with the Research Centre for Advocacy and Policy Advisory in Africa (ReCAP).  The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Abbas Tijjani Hashim was optimistic that through concrete programmes with clear timelines, measurable outcomes, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement, that peace-building will be attained.  He pointed out that the summit will attract 350 traditional rulers across 36 States and the FCT, a...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Committed to infrastructure development, the Federal Government has insisted that road projects built under Renewed Hope administration is more durable, will last between 50 to 100 years, save public funds, and promote economic growth. The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi stated this during a follow-up inspection of ongoing works on the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna).  The Renewed Hope Agenda is a comprehensive programme under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration that priortises infrastructure, agriculture, security, economic reforms, social welfare and poverty reduction.  Umahi explained that the ministry is adopting modern construction methods and using materials that ensure road longevity and sustainability under varying climatic and traffic conditions. "You cannot achieve a better California Bearing Ratio (CBR) by simply bringing laterite on the road. The existing subgrade, which has consolidated o...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Officials of the Federal Ministry of Works have extended their heartfelt condolences to the people of Essan Community following the tragic tanker explosion that claimed several lives and caused extensive damage in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.   The Director of Highways, North Central, Engr Salihu Kolapo Ahmed led a delegation to the community head, Dekechi of Essan, Alhaji Muhammad Dauda Muhammad on behalf of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.  Delivering the minister's message, he commiserated with the bereaved families and the entire community, describing the incident as a painful and avoidable tragedy. He assured that the Federal Government remains committed to improving the condition of the road network in the country to prevent similar accidents in the future. "The Federal Ministry of Works mourns with you at this difficult time. We pray for the peaceful repose of the departed souls and strength for the familie...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu has sacked four Service Chiefs in furtherance of the Federal Government's efforts to strengthen the national security architecture.   The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.  Also, the new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.  This was even as the President retained Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye.  Tinubu appreciated the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership. The President charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that defined the Armed Forces...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi (Middle), Team Lead, Operations, Islamic Development Bank, Nigeria Regional Hub, Abuja Office, Mr. Ibrahima Chalive (Right) and Operations Team Leader of E.I, Mr. Mohaman Mamoudou Abdousalam at the Ministry’s headquarters, Mabushi, Abuja. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has indicated interest to accelerate Nigeria’s road infrastructure development through active collaboration with the Federal Government.  This was the crux of discuss when the Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi received a delegation from IsDB on Thursday in Abuja.  Umahi reiterated the Federal Government's commitment to strengthening partnerships with international development institutions in order to fast-track the completion of major road and bridge projects across the country. The parley centred on deepening collaboration between the Federal Ministries of Works, Finance, and the IsDB, to fund and implement key components of the...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja     Engr David Umahi The Federal Ministry of Works has commenced upskilling programme for its staff, aimed at transforming civil service for national development.  Tagged Personnel Audit and Skills Gaps Analysis (PASGA), the event was declared open by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary (DOOPS), Mr. Aliyu Abdullahi on Thursday in Abuja.  The PASGA exercise, which is to be conducted in close collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), aims to revolutionise human capital management across the ministry and its agencies.  It focuses on personnel verification, data collection, workforce optimisation, and organisational restructuring, laying the groundwork for a more productive and efficient service. It is also a landmark initiative for public sector reform. The Project Manager, Coordinator and Lead Analyst for PASGA, Mr. Jonathan Yusuf emphasised the importance o...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Prince Lateef Fagbemi  The Federal Government is currently reviewing the presidential prerogative of mercy list as no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise has been released from custody. This followed the escalating outcry by Nigerians over the names of certain individuals included in the list for presidential pardon.  The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) in a statement on Thursday, hinted that the process remains at the final administrative stage.  It includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued. After approval by the Council of State, the last stage of the exercise is the issuance of the instrument for the implementation of the decision concerning each beneficiary. This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list...

BY CHIKA OKEKE,, Abuja   Mohammed Ndarani  Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohamed Ndarani, SAN has called on the government to investigate all retired Chief Executive Officers and Directors in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as public office holders.  Ndarani who disclosed this at a news briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, said the call was necessary as another set of elections and the accompanying electioneering campaigning are practically around already. He suggested that retired civil servants should be barred from contesting any elective positions for at least one year to give the anti-corruption agencies the opportunity to investigate them. "People with political ambitions are already beginning to throw their hats into the ring all the way from the local government tier to the presidency. "Among those expected to emerge as political gladiators are retired civil servants, or those who resigned from public...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Kaduna State Coordinator for NESREA, Mr. Emmanuel Hena with officials of the Nigeria Customs Service during the destruction of 700 sacks of donkey parts handed over by the Service in Kaduna State recently.  In compliance with environmental regulations and safety protocols, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has destroyed 700 sacks of donkey parts in Kaduna State.  The donkey parts were seized by the   Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and handed over to NESREA  in continuation of its determination to end illegal trafficking of endangered species.  Two facilities were utilised for the incineration of the bones, while the skins were buried in a designated area. The exercise took place on the 3rd, 4th, and 6th of October, 2025. The exercise was conducted in the presence of regulatory officers and in accordance with environmental standards. It was made possible through the collaboration...

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...