Nelson Ugwuagbo

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has once again sworn-in nine Commissioners who earlier resigned their appointment in the wake of the governor’s face-off with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, thereby re-admitting them into the State Executive Council (SEC).

The Commissioners include Professor Zacchaeus Adangor, Dr. Jacobson Nbina, Dr. Gift Worlu, Mrs. Inimefien Aguma, Egnr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Prof Chinedu Mmom, Dr. Dakorinama Kelly-George, Isaac Kamalu, Esq., and Mr. Ben Chioma.

Recall that the Commissioners, loyal to former Governor Wike, were earlier screened and confirmed for the second time by the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly on January 17, 2024.

Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday, Governor Fubara charged them to engage in activities for which they will be positively remembered by posterity.

The governor told the appointees that: “I wish you well in your coming back. Stand for justice, and stand for the interests of our dear state. That is the purpose of your appointment and that is the truth.

“I can see how heavy your hearts are. But I assure you that I don’t have anything against anyone of you. You were caught in between during the crossfire.

“I will advise that you give your best. Like I said the first time, let this State and posterity remember you for what is good.”

The Kano State Fire Service says it rescued 37-year-old Saifillahi Rabiu, who allegedly attempted to commit suicide over a failed deal.

The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen on Thursday in Kano.

He said the incident happened on Thursday morning at State Road, Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano.

“We received a distress call at about 10:07 a.m. from the Ministry of Works and Housing, Kano State, about a suicide attempt by hanging on a tree.

“On receiving the information, we quickly sent our fire fighting vehicle to the scene at 10:10 a.m,” he stated.

Abdullahi stated that Rabiu, a resident of Semegu Quarters, attempted to hang himself over his inability to refund N2 million to those he tried to assist in obtaining a travel visa.

“During interrogation, we gathered that Rabiu connected some people to those that process travel visas to foreign countries, which was successful.

“Those he tried to help, however, rejected the visa, saying it was not the type they paid for and demanded a refund of their money already paid to the processors.

“We reliably gathered that he was able to raise half a million naira only.

“But pressure and threats from the people he wanted to assist made him try to take his own life,” the PRO added.

He added that Rabiu was rescued alive and handed over to Zaharaddini of Farm Centre Police Division.

The Benue State Education Quality Assurance Agency, BSEQAA, has ordered school principals in the state to immediately refund the excess West African Examination Council and National Examination Council charges paid by SS3 students.

The Director-General of the agency, Dr Francis Terna, gave the order on Thursday, when he visited some schools in Makurdi, the state capital.

LeadingReporters gathered that Terna had engaged some students in SS3 in the schools visited to ascertain what they paid as WAEC and NECO examination fees.

Having ascertained the facts, he instructed the principals to refund the excess charges to the students without delay, directing all the schools to adhere strictly to the approved handling charges of N5,000 per student.

He called on the schools’ authorities to desist from such sharp practices, adding that failure to comply with the government’s directive would be met with appropriate sanctions, adding that the state government was fully committed to upholding high standards and ensuring academic excellence.

Terna, who said the agency would continue its random visit to schools to monitor their operations, also restated the government’s directive that no SS3 student should be admitted during the second term to avoid disrupting the academic calendar.

Senator Boluwaji Kunlere, who represented Ondo South Senatorial District from 2011 to 2015, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on whose platform he went to the National Assembly.

Kunlere’s resignation is contained in a letter he signed and addressed to the party chairman in his Igbotako Ward 2, Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area.

The letter was made available to newsmen on Thursday in Okitipupa.

“I, hereby tender my letter of resignation from the PDP, with effect from Jan. 24.

“I sincerely express my appreciation to you and other members of the party for your cooperation and support throughout the period of my membership of the party. Thank you and God bless.

“I will decide who to vote for, after the primaries, by God’s grace.

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has expressed his support for the apex bank’s decision to relocate five of its departments from the headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to Lagos State.

Sanusi criticised those opposing the move, labelling their stance as detrimental to the bank’s future.

He stressed the importance of prioritising the bank’s interests over personal preferences for staying in Abuja.

Sanusi pointed out that many CBN employees are children of politically exposed individuals who prioritise their personal lifestyle and business interests in Abuja over their responsibilities at the bank.

He believes that moving certain functions to the bank’s larger office in Lagos will enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.

In his proposal, Sanusi suggested relocating the Financial Systems Stability (FSS) department and most of the Operations department to Lagos, with two Deputy Governors operating primarily from there.

However, he recommended that departments reporting directly to the Governor, such as Economic Policy, Corporate Services, Strategy, Audit, Risk Management, and the Governor’s Office, remain in Abuja.

Sanusi noted that the decision to relocate certain departments should be based on strategic analysis to determine the roles best suited for each location.

Regarding the capacity of the Lagos office to accommodate additional staff, Sanusi dismissed concerns, suggesting that construction company Julius Berger could confirm the viability of the move.

Additionally, Sanusi advocated for consideration of individual circumstances, showing empathy towards employees who may face challenges relocating, such as young mothers with school-going children or those with medical conditions.

He urged the CBN to concentrate on its primary mandates of controlling the exchange rate and inflation, asserting that success in these areas would fortify the Governor’s position and facilitate the implementation of necessary changes despite resistance.

Sanusi also addressed criticism from Northern politicians regarding the relocation, asserting that principled decisions should override such objections. He recalled his own experience of facing religious opposition when licensing Jaiz Bank, noting that he proceeded with the decision regardless of the criticism.

Sanusi clarified his involvement in the construction of the new Lagos building, crediting Charles Soludo for the design and contract. He said his role in the foundation laying ceremony and utilisation of the building during his tenure as CBN Governor.

Sanusi’s overarching message was the importance of the CBN prioritising its institutional success over ethnic and religious critiques.

The Supreme Court affirmed the election of Ahmed Aliyu as Sokoto State governor after dismissing the appeal filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Saidu Umar.

Delivering the lead judgment of a five-member panel of the court, Tijjani Abubakar dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Saidu Umar.

The supreme court has affirmed the election of Kefas Agbu as the duly elected governor of Taraba state.

Dismissing the appeal filed by Muhammad Yahaya and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), on Thursday, a five-man panel of justices held that the appellants failed to transmit complete records of appeal to the court.

The apex court held that the parts which were omitted were crucial to the determination of the appeal.

Former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Anayo Nnebe has been reported dead.

The lawmaker, who was a member of the House of Representatives, died at the age of 61.

Though no official declaration of his death has been made by his family, a source said the former Speaker died at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, after a brief illness.

The source said there will be a meeting of members of his family before an official press release on his death would be made.

The late former lawmaker is an indigene of Umuokpu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano.

He ordered that the former governor should be restricted to the court jurisdiction.

He ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to deposit the defendant’s travel documents with the court registrar. 

Ekwo then ordered the registrar to notify the Nigerian Immigration Service of the development.

The prosecution counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, had prayed the court to remand the former governor.

He subsequently adjourned the case till March 4,5,6 and 7 for continuation of trial.