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Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has dissolved his cabinet, citing the need to bring new professionals on board to drive his administration’s agenda.

Speaking during a valedictory session at the Executive Council Chambers on Friday, Eno commended the outgoing commissioners for their performance, noting that none of them was removed due to non-performance.

“For me, if you were to be changed based on non-performance, I think none of the commissioners would go. All of you have delivered, and that’s why the Arise Agenda has succeeded. But we must come to the end of a season, start another season, and keep moving,” he said.

Governor Eno announced that a valedictory dinner would be held on Friday evening at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Uyo to honor the outgoing executive council members.

Many of the commissioners had served in the previous administration under former Governor Udom Emmanuel, with some holding their positions for nearly a decade. It is believed they were retained by Eno to compensate them for their contributions, as they were not rewarded at the end of the last administration on May 29, 2023.

The governor is expected to announce a new cabinet soon to further his administration’s objectives.

The Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has approved the conferment of honorary degrees on Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Sheikh Sharif Ibrahim Sale at the institution’s 44th convocation ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025.

The decision followed recommendations by the Honorary Degrees Committee, which were endorsed by the University Senate during its 544th special meeting. The approval was finalized at the council’s 207th (special) meeting held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

According to a statement released by the Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, both recipients have accepted the honor.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), will be conferred with a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Honoris Causa. Okonjo-Iweala, a renowned global finance expert and economist, is recognized for her over 40 years of experience in international development, spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America. She made history in March 2021 as the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.

Sheikh Sharif Ibrahim Sale will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) Honoris Causa in recognition of his contributions to society.

The convocation ceremony is expected to celebrate their exceptional achievements and contributions to global and national development.

Suspected bandits attacked Baure village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, leaving 21 people dead and several others missing. The incident occurred on Tuesday, according to residents, and was confirmed by police authorities.

Baure village, known as a hotspot for banditry, came under attack when armed assailants reportedly went door to door in the community. A resident, who spoke to Channels Television on condition of anonymity, revealed that 15 people were killed on the spot during the attack, while others remain unaccounted for. The attackers reportedly burned some of the victims’ corpses.

Katsina State Police Spokesman, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed the incident, stating, “Sadly, twenty-one (21) persons were fatally shot as a result of the attack. Efforts are currently being made to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act. Further developments will be communicated in due course as the investigation proceeds.”

In a separate but related attack, suspected bandits ambushed members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps in the same Baure village on Thursday. Eyewitnesses told BBC Hausa that the victims, mostly from Charanchi, Safana, Kurfi, and Kaita Local Government Areas, were attacked while returning from a condolence visit to Madaddafai village in Batsari LGA.

The eyewitness reported that over 30 people were killed in the ambush. According to the source, “The victims were members of a local vigilante group who had visited Madaddafai village to offer condolences over the death of one of their members. After the visit, their leaders returned home, but the rest proceeded to Baure village, where they were ambushed by the bandits.”

Investigation into the attacks is ongoing.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding a meeting with the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, arrived in Nigeria on a two-day working visit. He was welcomed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by Dunoma Umar Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sources reveal that the discussions focus on the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in China. Key topics include economic cooperation, political relations, and developments in the oil and gas sector.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, is also in attendance at the meeting.

Both foreign ministers are expected to address the press following their closed-door talks.

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the last election, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the increasing crime rate in Nigeria, particularly kidnappings, describing the situation as alarming and worrisome.

Obi’s remarks followed recent incidents, including the abduction of two Catholic reverend sisters by unknown gunmen and the killing of the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala.

The sisters were reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday along Ufuma Road in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Condemning the incidents, Obi stated, “No one is currently spared from the dangerous wave of kidnappings and killings sweeping through many parts of the nation. Every Nigerian feels the heat of insecurity, which has continued to affect every aspect of our nation.”

He highlighted the impact on critical sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare, citing instances where farmers, teachers, and health workers have been targeted.

“These are people contributing immensely to our national development through their sacrifices in farms, educational and health facilities in different remote villages. Nothing justifies these kidnaps and killings, as well as those of many Nigerians who suffer the same fate daily,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor called on the government to intensify efforts to address the insecurity, urging leaders to take urgent action to rescue those in captivity and curb the menace.

“This worrisome situation continues to demand urgent attention from us, the leaders. One wonders if the reported cases of kidnapping and killings are this much, then how many go unreported? I appeal to the government to employ every security arsenal at its disposal to end this menace and ensure the safe rescue of those in captivity,” he added.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has dismissed concerns over a potential coalition of opposition parties aiming to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on the nation’s progress, Sule lauded President Bola Tinubu’s policies, attributing them to consistent economic growth and improved production levels. He described these developments as evidence of the administration’s positive impact.

The governor also praised the successful rehabilitation of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries under Tinubu’s leadership, calling it a significant achievement worthy of recognition and celebration.

Meanwhile, speculation persists about secret meetings among key political figures exploring alliances and realignments to reshape the political landscape before the next elections.