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Folarin Kehinde

Peter Obi
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“I will end my career as secondary school teacher” Peter Obi

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023, Mr Peter Obi on Friday said he will retire to Onitsha as a secondary school teacher to inspire students.

Obi said this while teaching final year students of Dennis Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha, to mark the international day of education.

“I was just passing by when I decided to mark the International Day of Education here with you. I told myself there was need for me to come here and speak to students.

“I also know that tomorrow will mark the 100 years of existence of this school, so I came to be with you.

“Education is the most important thing in your life. It is the most important capital, equipment that you need to be successful. That you are here is a sign that you’re already a success.

“I’m here to encourage you, you are acquiring the best and some of you are potential governors and presidents and you must take your education seriously.

“In this school in 1970, I was at the gate here to salute General Gowon who visited, and joined other children to sing for him, but through education I was able to grow to the point where I sat with him on the same table and made decisions.

“I hope to retire to Onitsha someday, and take up a teaching job to inspire children,” Obi said.

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Headlines

FG’s Open Treasury Portal Inaccessible as Budget Presentation Nears Completion

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

It is budget presentation season in Nigeria yet the Open Treasury Portal (OTP), a platform designed for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to report daily transactions and enable public financial monitoring, has been down for days.

FIJ observed the portal’s inaccessibility on Monday and the issue remained unresolved at press time. Since then, FIJ has called the department through the phone line available on the webpage to no avail. No one answered the calls.

In December 2019, former president Muhammadu Buhari launched the Open Treasury Portal as part of his administration’s commitment to transparency. The portal was intended to ensure the “timely availability of financial information” for civil society groups and citizens.

Buhari had said that all MDAs must publish daily reports of payments above N5 million. He also mandated that the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) release daily treasury statements detailing inflows and outflows.

“The AGF and all accounting officers must publish daily payments reports,” Buhari said during the launch.

“With these reports, the treasury will publish payments of at least N10 million, and all MDAs must provide answers to any questions from the public regarding their transactions.”

With the portal’s current unavailability journalists, citizens, and observers who rely on it to track government spending, are at a loss, especially during a critical time for fiscal information sourcing.

The need for transparency is particularly pressing because Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the budget for the 2025 fiscal year on Wednesday. During the presentation, the president had pegged the 2024 budget performance by Q3 at 85% for expenditure and 75% for revenue.

But Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, had recently passed a bill to extend the running of the 2025 budget to June 30, 2025, because of performance reasons. Akpabio had said that capital expenditure performance for the 2024 fiscal year was at 50% and recurrent expenditure at 48%.

“We have noted the 2024 budget performances… Given these great achievements, we have deemed it necessary to extend the life of the 2024 budget,” Akpabio said.

A 50% performance for capital expenditure means only half of the planned projects for 2024 had been funded, while a 48% recurrent expenditure performance indicates that less than half of the allocated funds for salaries, overheads and debt servicing had been used.

Meanwhile, FIJ found that Nigeria had spent only 38% of its allocated funds for capital and recurrent expenditures across all MDAs as recently as September’s end, according to the Open Treasury Portal.

The portal’s inaccessibility contravenes the guidelines set by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Section 7.3.1 of the guidelines mandates that all government websites remain operational at all times.

Source: FIJ

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Headlines

Tinubu names Hon. Shola Olofin, Ganduje, Magnus Abe, 42 Others As Board Chairpersons, CEOs

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Hon. Shola Olofin as Chairman Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and 44 eminent Nigerians as chairpersons and Chief executive officers into various boards.

Tinubu also appointed Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as board chairman of Federal Airport Authority Of Nigeria (FAAN) and the 2023 governorship candidate of the APC in Kano State, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna as the chairman of Federal Mortgage Bank Of Nigeria (FMBN).

According to a statement by the Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, made available to journalists on Friday, Senator Magnus Abe was also appointed as board chairman of National Agency For Great Green Wall, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi as board chairman of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Hon. Hilliard Etta as named Chairman of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The statement read in part: “The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).

“President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive”.

See full statement below:

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRPERSONS AND CEOS

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services.

The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).

President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.

All the appointments take immediate effect:

  1. NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND
    – Hon. Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti)
  2. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
    – Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman (Lagos)
  3. FEDERAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA, MINISTRY OF AVIATION
    – H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje, Chairman (Kano)
  4. NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
    – Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru Ajibola, Chairman (Osun)
  5. NIGERIA BULK ELECTRICITY TRADING COMPANY
    – H. E. Sulaiman Argungu, Chairman (Kebbi)
  6. NATIONAL AGENCY FOR GREAT GREEN WALL
    – Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman (Rivers)
  7. NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE
    – Barr. Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau)
  8. NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)
    – Raji, Kazeem Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo)
  9. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
    – Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman (Rivers)
  10. TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
    – Comrade Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa)
  11. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND
    – Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Chairman (Gombe)
  12. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
    – Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia)
  13. SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX
    – Sen. Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi)
  14. FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA
    – H. E. Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano)
  15. NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION
    – Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos)
  16. NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE
    – Chief D. J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo)
  17. NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY
    – Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairman (Sokoto)
  18. NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL
    – Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa)
  19. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
    – Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna)
  20. NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
    – Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, Chairman (Niger)
  21. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE
    – Hajia Zainab A. Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba)
  22. NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION
    – Dr.Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos)
  23. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI
    – Aare (Hon.) Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Chairman (Ogun)
  24. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA
    – Mr Abdullahi Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos)
  25. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA
    – Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile Idele, Chairman (Edo)
  26. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA
    – Nze Chidi Duru (OON), Chairman (Anambra)
  27. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI
    – Hon. Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu)
  28. CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD
    – Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd, Secretary (Kano)
  29. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA
    – Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi)
  30. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA
    – Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka, Chairman (Delta)
  31. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA
    – Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa)
  32. DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE
    – Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)
  33. NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY
    – Chief Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo)
  34. NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)
    – Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna)
  35. NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE
    – Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman (Borno)
  36. AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE
    – Hon. Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)
  37. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA
    – Dr. Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)
  38. RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)
    – Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairman (Sokoto)
  39. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU
    – Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairman Zamfara
  40. NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    – Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa)
  41. SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
    – Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto)
  42. AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL
    – Augustine Chukwu Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi)
  43. FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD
    – Engr. Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti)
  44. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
    – Hon. Hillard Eta Chairman (Cross River)
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Governor Sule
Latest Articles

Why the Federal Government Must Act Now to Clip the Wings of most State Governors

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

By Farooq Abdullahi

Nigeria’s mining sector is fast growing, attracting global attention due to the enormous wealth buried in the country’s soil. Investors and businessmen are now concentrating on Nigeria’s solid minerals industry. Much of this positive response can be attributed to the efforts of the current Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Oladele Alake, who has implemented security measures and policies. If these measures are properly managed and sustained, Nigeria could ascend to the global stage as a mining powerhouse, with solid minerals joining oil as a major source of revenue for our nation.

As we know, many state governors with mineral resources feel a sense of entitlement when it comes to these resources. Typically, disagreements between federal and state governments on such issues are resolved amicably to avoid chaos. Some state governors like Benue, Zamfara, Niger, Kogi Taraba, among others have banned mining activities in their respective states while they mine for themselves, some use none state actor to intimidate and chase legal miners so that they can mine on other people’s sites.

Let’s take Osun as a case study, Segilola is the only mechanized gold miner that we have in Nigeria at the moment and the pride of the nation in mining sector at international mining forum. Osun state governor woke up one day to stop them from working just because they asked for kangaroo fees that the company refused, before the federal government intervened. Kogi state government will claim he has banned mining activities in the state but is mining on legal tittle holder’s mining site.

However, the Nassarawa State governor has to be the most greedy and self-serving person, endangering not only local and foreign investments but also the reputation of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. I will shed more light on this troubling development.

The governor pretends to be good and supportive to the Director General of IMCO and the Minister of Solid Minerals, but behind the scenes, he harasses and intimidates legitimate license holders. He uses state resources to block access to mining sites, urges the DG of IMCO to step on people’s evaluation report so as to withhold approvals for Mining Leases by the minister, and even suggests revoking licenses. These actions break federal rules for the mining sector and scare off investors, harming confidence in Nigeria’s mining sector.

It is well known that the mining sector can often be a mafia sector. Victims of this governor’s tactics who lack strong backing find themselves at his mercy. A recent incident on December 24, 2024, shows the extent of the governor’s malfeasance. On that day, his commissioner of environment announced the revocation of a mining license belonging to a company named Timadez, stopping them from working on their site. This act has led many to question whether a governor even possesses the authority to revoke legitimate mining licenses. To make matters worse, the governor openly admitted to transferring the revoked license to a Chinese company. This raises serious concerns: could such an act happen in China?

The Chinese company tried to bribe community leaders to get their consent, but the community rejected them repeatedly. They even offered as much as ₦2,500,000,000, yet the leaders still refused. This makes one wonder why the governor has left his core mandate to become a title revoker and land grabber. Could it be that he took the bribes the community turned down, or was even given more?

Another glaring fact to everyone following the developments in the sector is that the governor is targeting all the choicest lands with existing titles. He wants these lands handed over to the Chinese and aims to position himself as a godfather in the mining sector even after leaving office. This is why he has been causing chaos in the state, making the ministry look bad in the eyes of investors.

Given these developments, I urge the federal government to take swift and decisive action to clip this governor’s wing. His greed, selfishness, and disregard for due process threaten to drive away current and prospective investors in the mining sector.

What people should know is that the sacked Commissioner of Environment and the removed Commissioner of Police are not the true masterminds behind these fraudulent license revocations. The real culprit is the Commander in Greed, the governor himself, and he must be held accountable for his actions.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals and the federal government must act quickly to prevent more harm to Nigeria’s economic interests and image. They should put all the necessary measures and sucour in place to protect indigenous investors. The solid minerals sector has the power to change Nigeria’s economy, and one should not be allowed to ruin this opportunity. Action must be taken immediately.

The most dangerous precedent being set by the DG of IMCO is the fact that his loyalty has shifted from the minister to the Nassarawa state governor, also, there’s no where in the history of the sector that the DG would write to a state governor to authenticate consent letter, until this current DG stooped so low to be writing to Nassarawa state governor and the member of the state assembly to confirm if a consent letter is genuine or not.

The minister of solid mineral needs to swift into action and bring back sanity to the sector, before the state governors, most especially Nassarawa state governor turn the mining sector into confusionist sector.

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Tinubu
Headlines

JUST IN: Confusion as Tinubu appoints two chairmen for Federal govt institute

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent announcement of board appointments for 42 federal agencies has raised eyebrows after an apparent duplication of positions emerged.

Two individuals, Hon. Durosimi Meseko from Kogi State and Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa from Nasarawa State, were both named as chairmen of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI).

The error, which was contained in a press statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has led to widespread confusion.

Hon. Meseko was listed as the chairman of NBRRI at number 21 on the list, while Hon. Inuwa was also designated as chairman at number 41.

President Tinubu, in the original statement, stated that the roles of board chairpersons are non-executive and warned against interference in the day-to-day management of the agencies.

However, the directive risks being overshadowed by the conflicting appointments. As of now, no official response has been issued to explain or resolve the duplication.

The announcement, which included appointments for managing directors, directors-general, and board secretaries, took immediate effect.

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Headlines

Washington-bound United Airlines flight declares emergency, returns to Lagos

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A United Airlines flight, a Boeing 787-8 bound for Washington Dulles International Airport, declared an emergency mid-air on Thursday and made an air return to Lagos.

The flight, with the registration number N27903, was carrying 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots. It departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport but returned shortly after due to an unspecified technical issue.

Sources confirmed to Punch that the flight crew activated the emergency transponder code 7700, signalling distress to the control tower throughout its return.

The aircraft, over 13 years old, landed safely, but the shaky flight caused food and passengers’ belongings to scatter throughout the cabin. Some passengers and crew sustained minor injuries, though details remain unclear.

Videos and photos from onboard passengers show the aftermath of the turbulent flight, which they suspect was caused by an engine issue.

However, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is expected to conduct an official investigation to determine the cause.

Micheal Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirmed the incident,

“Passengers have been lodged into a hotel as stipulated by the NCAA Act,” he said.

United Airlines also issued a statement attributing the emergency to a technical issue, adding, “After landing safely, the aircraft was met by first responders to address reports of minor injuries to several passengers and crew.”

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Headlines

BREAKING: Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde loses brother

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Oyo State Governor Engr Seyi Makinde has announced the passing of his older brother, Engr Sunday Makinde.

The 65-year-old engineer died in the early hours of Friday, January 24, 2025, at his residence in Ibadan.

The news was announced by Chief Olumuyiwa Makinde, a younger brother of the deceased and the Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland.

In a statement, Chief Makinde said, “With a heavy heart, I announce the passage of my older brother, Engr Sunday Makinde, to eternal glory today, Friday 24th of January 2025.

“His sudden death occurred in his Ibadan residence at 3.20am today, Friday 24th January 2025.

“He is survived by siblings, among whom is the Executive Governor of Oyo state, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, children and grandchildren.”

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Headlines

Days after death of over 90 in Niger, Youth Scoop Fuel From Faulty Petrol Tanker

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Some youths in Jalingo, the capital city of Taraba State have resorted to scooping fuel from a faulty tanker despite the possible calamity such action poses.

The action by the youths comes barely days after a tanker explosion killed almost 100 people in Niger state.

Eyewitnesses on Wednesday said the youths were busy scooping fuel when some security agencies arrived at the location of the faulty petrol tanker.

Officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force managed to chase the youths who gathered at the location at Mile 6, Jalingo where the tanker was said to have crashed and spilt some of its content.

Petty traders and shop owners in the area were seen locking their shops and closing for the day for fear of possible explosion.

Reacting to the incident and the action by the youths, the Taraba State command’s spokesperson for the NSCDC, Illia Samuel said that the driver of the tanker sustained some injuries following the crash of his vehicle.

Stating that the driver has been taken to a medical facility for immediate attention, Samuel also urged residents to stay away from the scene of the crash.

He said, “Immediately we got information about the accident, the command drafted our men to the scene to avert any occurrences that could lead to casualties.

“We are going to ensure that the area is safe, both for residents and travellers,” Samuel said.

The incident was also confirmed by the spokesperson for the police in the state, Superintendent of Police Abdullahi Usman.

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Headlines

BREAKING: Pastor Adeboye visits Fubara (DETAILS)

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has visited Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

During the visit, the governor was presented with a gift. Pastor Adeboye also offered prayers for the Governor, his family, and the state government.

Pastor Adeboye was joined by a delegation of senior pastors, church leaders, and other esteemed members of his entourage. Governor Fubara, on the other hand, was accompanied by Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the State Government.

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Headlines

Tinubu appoints former Lagos transport commissioner, Kayode Opeifa, as NRC MD

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Kayode Opeifa as the substantive Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

Opeifa was the former Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State under the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

He was subsequently appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to help tackle the perennial, notorious, intractable Apapa gridlock and environs.

Opeifa was appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Task Team (PTT) to free Apapa gridlock by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who chaired the team and then charged with unbundling the ravaging traffic gridlock at Lagos ports.

Meanwhile, by his new appointment, Opeifa succeeds Ben Iloanusi, who was acting Managing Director that replaced former Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, who exited on October 18, 2024, after completion of his second four-year tenure.

Opeifa gained prominence during his tenure as Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation where he spearheaded initiatives that modernised the city’s transport sector.

His policies and innovations not only improved traffic management but also established Lagos as a benchmark for urban transportation systems in Africa.

Based on his achievements in the sector, Opeifa was later appointed as Transport Secretary for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by Buhari.

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