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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.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about counterfeit Arla Dano 14g sachet full cream milk powder currently in circulation across major cities in the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC director-general, said investigations by the TG Arla Dairy Product Enterprise company (holder of certificate of registration), revealed that the counterfeited products are displayed openly in most markets.

Adeyeye said the fake products have batch numbers 7A08016:01 and 8A0306:36 with expiry dates of May 2024 and February 2024, respectively.

She added that NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to conduct surveillance and mop up the counterfeited milk powder across the country.

“NAFDAC implores distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid consuming, selling, or distributing counterfeit products.

“The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked,” the statement reads.

“Anyone possessing the counterfeit Arla Dano 14g full cream Milk Powder is advised to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“Suppose you, or someone you know, have consumed this product or suffered any adverse reaction/event after consumption. In that case, you are advised to seek immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.”

NAFDAC also urged consumers to report adverse events or side effects related to the consumption of unwholesome packaged food products to the nearest NAFDAC office.

The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Rivers Governor.
In unanimous judgment on Thursday, a five-member panel of the court held that the appeal by Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APc) was unmeritorious.

In the lead judgment, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa held that Cole and the APC failed to prove their case with suffencient evidence.

Justice Saulawa resolved all the four issues identified for determination in the appeal against the appellants’.

The presidency has said that ministers who are not delivering on the task assigned to them by President Bola Tinubu will be sacked.

Leading reporters reports that President Tinubu had appointed and assigned portfolios to Nyesom Wike, Festus Keyamo, Dave Umahi, Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo and over 40 others in August 2023.

But speaking at the opening of the technical retreat for delivery desk officers of federal ministries in Uyo on Wednesday, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Coordination and Head, Central Delivery and Coordination Unit, Hadiza Bala Usman, says Tinubu will drop ministers who do not deliver on their mandates.

Usman said the president was serious about delivering on his campaign promises to Nigerians.

While asking for the total commitment of delivery officers and directors of planning in ministries who were present at the retreat, Bala-Usman urged them to get serious with their jobs.

“We must understand that the president is very serious about his promises and that ministers will be assessed, and ministers will be dropped if they don’t perform,” she said.

“You must understand that as ministerial delivery desk officers you are the engine room that will provide that feedback and constantly track ministerial progress and report challenges and bottlenecks to the central coordinating and delivery unit (CDCU).

“As I was saying at the ministry of aviation recently, we will be assessing FAAN on customer experience at the airports; are the escalators, lifts, and conveyor belts functional? How swift is security clearance both for passengers and vehicles in accessing the airport?

“What are the consequences of delayed time of departure for airlines? These are things that everybody can feel and see. When we are talking about agriculture, we want to see our index of fertilizer use per hectare grow in view of the attendant investment that has been made in fertilizer interventions.”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, who was represented by former Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Olusegun Adekunle, reminded participants about Tinubu’s plan to ensure the active and direct participation of citizens in governance and the role they need to play in ensure that ministries and parastatals deliver on their mandates.

Bodija Estate Residents Association has raised an alarm that no more than nine (9) residents of the area have been missing since last week.

The association made this declaration on Wednesday.

LEADING REPORTERS recalls that an explosive device exploded last week Tuesday, killing at least five people, with several others injured.

President of the association, Muyiwa Bamgbose declared that they have been looking for nine residents of the area since the incident occurred.

He said this was based on their findings while collating data of the residents and the number of affected houses.

He said, “It is now towards eight or nine people that have been missing.

“We have brought the map of the street, and we are trying to account for house by house, that is how we can actually get an accurate figure.

“If a person was seen yesterday and you cannot find him today, then you know you need to get worried.”

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.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has reacted following reports of an explosion in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, has said that contrary to initial speculation of a bomb blast, the incident was a result of an overheated metal refuse bin.

The statement reads: “The FCT Police Command hereby wishes to update the public on an alleged explosion on 24/01/2024 at about 1145 hrs, near a refuse dump outside the Bureau of Public Enterprise premises in Maitama, Abuja.”

“A rapid response team and members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was deployed to assess the situation and preliminary findings indicate than an overheated metal refuse container activated under intense heat, exploded, thereby causing injury to two of the refuse evacuator, who are currently receiving medical attention in Maitama General Hospital.

“The FCT Police Command urges members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from using metal refuse bins. Instead, we recommend the use of plastic or rubber containers for waste disposal, as they pose a reduced risk of incidents related to overheated metal refuse containers.”

Residents of Maitama, a highbrow area in Abuja, have raised alarm over what they described as an explosion in the area.

In a series of tweets via X on Wednesday, some residents said the sound emanated from a nearby dump site.

According to an X user, A Y Rafindadi, two men sustained various degrees of injuries.

He said: “A truck came to pick up BPE trash, whilst they were in the process of emptying the second trash can, an explosion occurred, I was merely 4 mts away from the explosion (on that pavement) when it happened. 2 men where injured rushed to the hospital. & my windscreen was shattered.

He said: “A truck came to pick up BPE trash, whilst they were in the process of emptying the second trash can, an explosion occurred, I was merely 4 mts away from the explosion (on that pavement) when it happened. 2 men where injured rushed to the hospital. & my windscreen was shattered.