The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had a heavy fall earlier today in Abuja while attempting to mount the rostrum in the midst of several aides and security personnel.
Footage of the incident has since gone viral on social media. it can be recalled that the president had just given his independence day speech this morning shortly before the unfortunate occurrence.
The President is hale and hearty.
Watch the video below;
At least two soldiers sustained injury when terrorists attacked a military base in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
One of the bandits was reportedly killed in the gun duel with soldiers during the attack that happened on Monday.
Sources said the terrorists were crossing to Mashegu and Wushishi Local Government Areas when they launched the attack.
Chairman, Rafi Local Government Council, Alhaji Ayuba Usman Katako, who confirmed the incident, said the injured soldiers were responding to treatment at IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna.
He called for prayers and support from communities through useful information to enable the security agencies fight the attackers.
Niger is one of the worst-hit states by attacks from non-state actors.
Two months ago, two officers and four soldiers were killed in an ambush in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The troops were ambushed while on a fighting patrol to Karaga Village in the Shiroro.
The Niger State Deputy Governor, representative of the COAS, GOC and other senior officers had visited two wounded soldiers who received medical attention at the Military Hospital and subsequently paid condolence visit to the families of the deceased.
Some hoodlums scaled a fence and stole a ram kept by one Malam Mundi Shuaibu for the Eid el-Kabir at Unguwar Sabon-Tasha in Abaji Area Council of the FCT.
Leading reporters learnt that the victim’s house shares a fence with the cattle market in the area which holds every five days.
A neighbour, Abdullahi Ahmed, said the incident happened on Saturday around 1:12pm after the victim had gone out.
He said, “When my neighbour returned around 4pm and went to his backyard where he tied the ram, he found nothing.”
Ahmed noted that the owner of the ram said he bought it at N215,000 last week for the forthcoming Eid el-Kabir.
There was no response from the police over the incident as at the time of filing this report.
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, June 12, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement released on Tuesday.
In the statement, Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to reflect on the efforts of the country’s founding fathers and work towards a united, peaceful, and indivisible Nigeria. He also encouraged Nigerians to remain committed to democratic governance and appreciate the progress made so far.
According to the statement, President Bola Tinubu is dedicated to implementing positive reforms to boost the nation’s economy and enhance security.
The minister called on Nigerians and friends of Nigeria to look forward to a brighter future for the country’s democracy.
Democracy Day was previously celebrated on May 29. However, in June 2018, President Buhari announced that Democracy Day would be celebrated on June 12 from 2019 onwards, in honour of the annulled general election of June 12, 1993.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced Solomon Arase as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesman, who announced this in a statement on Monday, said DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd) is the new chairman of the commission.
“President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd) as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
“The President has also approved the appointment of Chief Onyemuche Nnamani as Secretary and DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd) as Member of the Commission.
“The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate. Other members of the Police Service Commission will be appointed in due course.
“Furthermore, the President has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Sheidu as the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) with immediate effect.
“The President expects absolute demonstration of integrity, diligence, and patriotic zeal in the discharge of these important functions for the overall wellbeing of the Nigeria Police and the nation.”
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state has sacked his commissioner for special duties, Bassey Okon.
The Secretary to State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah announced this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, June 10.
Uwah noted that the decision was in an ongoing effort to reposition the current administration in line with the ARISE Agenda.
He said: “In an ongoing effort to reposition his administration in line with Arise Agenda, the governor of Akwa Ibom state, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno has relieved Dr. Bassey. P, Okon, the Honourable Commissioner for Special duties as a member of Akwa Ibom State Executive Council with immediate effect.
“His Excellency thanks him for his services to the state and wishes him the best in his future endeavours.
“He is, therefore, directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry. In the meantime, the Ministry will be supervised by the Secretary to the State Government pending the appointment of a new Commissioner.”
Based on the new development, Okon is the first Commissioner to be sacked by Governor Eno.
It was speculated ahead of the administration’s one year in office that the governor has been under pressure from stakeholders to reshuffle his cabinet as he inherited the majority of them from his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced that it will not embark on a strike action tomorrow, Tuesday, to demand a new national minimum wage.
This decision was made known by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, at the ongoing International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ajaero said: “We cannot declare strike now because the figures are with the President.”
He added that the tripartite committee’s proposals are awaiting the President’s decision, and the NLC’s National Executive Council will deliberate on the new figure once it is announced.
“During the tenure of the immediate past President, the figure that was proposed to him was N27,000 by the tripartite committee but he increased it to N30,000. We are hopeful that this President will do the right thing. The President had noted that the difference between N62,000 and N250,000 is a wide gulf,” he said.
Ajaero berated governors who declared that they wouldn’t be able to pay a minimum wage of N62,000.
He said, “How can any governor say he cannot pay? They cannot also be calling for the decentralization of the minimum wage.
“Are there wages decentralized? Governors whose states are not contributing a dime to the national purse and who generate pitiable Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) are collecting the same amount as governors whose states are generating billions of dollars into the FAAC.
Thousands of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members are currently stranded in Cross River State due to the sudden crash of the NYSC registration portal on Saturday night.
The portal, which opened on June 8, 2024, crashed less than 12 hours later, leaving registrants stranded.
Leading reporters learnt that thousands of Nigerian graduates, waiting to enrol in the NYSC scheme, were left stranded at Ikom, Calabar, Ogoja, and Ugep, at various computer centres across the state while trying to register for the exercise.
Two days later, on June 10th, 2024, the NYSC headquarters finally stated its apology, explaining that the portal crash was due to a conflict in the link between NIMC’s access to NYSC’s database, which led to the system disruption.
The statement reads in parts: “This is to inform all critical stakeholders of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), accredited NYSC Cyber Café Operators (CB0), 2024 batch “B’ Prospective Corps Members (PCM) and the general public that we are aware of service disruption recently experienced on our registration portal.
“We have reviewed the situation and narrowed the cause of breakdown to conflict on the link in between NIMC access to our database containing sensitive user profile information and our technical crew has made additional changes to our technical infrastructure, which necessitated temporary disablement of access to batch “B” PCM registration to prevent further complications and technical irregularities.
“Note that no specific technical action is required of our esteemed CBOS. However, CBOS is implored to update and educate Prospective Corp Members on this development pending resolution. All 2024 batch “B’ Prospective Corps Members are hereby cautioned to desist from ascribing fault to CBOS for the delay.
“We strongly recommend that all CBOS repose the confidentiality of their access code to prevent unauthorized use by providing an additional layer of security for their account (Additional details are available in our help centre).
The federal government has released a list of events for this year’s Democracy Day celebration on June 12.
The details were unveiled in a notice issued by Abdulhakeem Adeoye on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Sunday, June 9.
According to the notice, the celebration will commence on Tuesday, June 11, with a symposium at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 9am.
This will be followed by a youth conference at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, at 6:00pm.
On Wednesday, June 12, the events will feature a grand parade at Eagle Square, Abuja, starting at 8:00am.
The day will conclude with a dinner at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 6:00pm.
“The programmes lined up for the celebration include a symposium on Tuesday, June 11, at 9:00 AM at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Later that day, a youth conference will be held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, at 6:00pm.
“A grand parade will take place on Wednesday, June 12, at 8:00am at Eagle Square, Abuja,” followed by “a dinner at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, at 6:00pm,” the notice stated.
Only accredited Villa correspondents will be granted access to cover the events held at the Presidential Villa.
A total of 35 lawmakers in the House of Representatives have commenced advocacy for significant alterations to the 1999 Constitution.
The lawmakers are aiming to establish the rotation of the Presidency among Nigeria’s six geo-political zones and introduce a single six-year term for the President and Governors.
Speaking on behalf of the group in Abuja, Ikenga Ugochinyere, the member representing Ideato South/Ideato North Federal Constituency in Imo State, stated, “The reduction in government spending and wastage, efficiency in governance, and national stability by providing a single term of six years for the President and Governors will go a long way in cost-cutting measures.”
According to them, the proposed constitutional changes will enhance political stability and governance efficiency.
By rotating the Presidency among the six geo-political zones, the lawmakers say they aim to promote national unity and ensure a fair representation of all regions in the country’s highest office.
They further stated that the single six-year term for Presidents and Governors is intended to reduce the financial and political costs associated with frequent election cycles and transitions.
“This measure is expected to allow elected leaders to focus on long-term developmental projects without the distractions of re-election campaigns,” Ugochinyere stated.
Ugochinyere added that the proposal is currently under discussion within the legislative framework, and further updates on its progress and potential implications are anticipated.
