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FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has said that he regrets every action he took in ensuring that Siminalayi Fubara became the governor of Rivers State.

Wike, who had boldly announced buying the nomination forms for Fubara and every politician holding elective position in Rivers State, noted that he regretted pleading with the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Felix Obuah and other governorship aspirants of the party to step down for the current governor.

Wike made this disclosure at a thanksgiving service organised by Obuah in Omoku, Rivers State, on Sunday.

The FCT minister pleaded with the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area to forgive him for not supporting their son in his ambition to succeed him as a governor adding that despite Obuah’s supports to him, he denied him the opportunity he desired.

Wike appreciated the former Rivers State PDP chairman for his generous and forgiving heart.

“Leadership is all about firmness, it’s all about courage, it’s all about transparency. When a leader takes a decision that is wrong, nothing stops that leader from coming back to say, I am sorry for that decision I took,” Wike said.

“My relationship with Felix Obuah started 2004, when he became the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government. That was my second tenure and that was his first tenure.

“He showed that he is a man whom God has blessed and therefore he always contributes to people in appreciation of God’s favour in his life.

“It may be painful on how Obuah was treated by the then government, but he is one of those people that will not hesitate to obey my decision. That is why I say, today, I will use this opportunity to do something that is uncommon. In 2023, if you look at those which ordinarily I should support for governorship, Go Round (Obuah) should be one of them in forefront.

“That is if we do things based on your contribution, based on your support, Go Round is the first two persons that ought to get my support. So, I want to use this opportunity to apologise to all of you, to ONELGA for taking a decision that hurt you. I am sorry.

“Your judgement may not be right all the time, but I am a human being, I may make mistake, but it’s important for you realise your mistake and apologise to the people. So, I beg you to beg Go Round to forgive me. I hope one day another opportunity may come, but let nobody lose faith.

“If God has blessed you, no amount of gang-up that can make you to lose faith in your God. That strength that God has given us, we will replicate it at the appropriate time. We will know who knows left and who knows right. Obuah as the leader of the party, supported me and I become the governor.”

Speaking on his experience during and after office as governor, Wike explained that he supported his successor, but regretted that he inherited nothing from his predecessor.

“This is not time for politicking but to let you know we are there. We have the capacity. Some people said they bought the deputy governor. No problem. Tell them to eat. We know how water entered melon.

“Some people today are claiming they brought, but what is important is that we all know how it happened. I initiated the Ring Road, I contracted Julius Berger before I left office to dualise the trans-Kalabari road. As the governor I approved all the major projects because I believe there is going to be consolidation of government.

“I laid the foundation but nobody laid the foundation for me, I came and saw nothing. No handover note to me. I didn’t have any car even on my swearing-in day. I had to borrow car from Ondo State. The governor then, Mimiko donated their own car to us for my swearing-in.

“But as soon as I left as governor, I provided cars for everybody that was coming as a governor, deputy governor. It doesn’t matter about people abusing me. They said Wike is wicked, is the same man that told Go Round and others to step down. You benefited from the wickedness. Don’t worry, whatever you sow, you will reap.”

On the recent crisis in the state, Wike said: “I will accept whatever Mr. President has said and to the glory of God our own team, we have kept our own part and I have also told Mr President that there is nothing in this world that will make me disobey him.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set off a wave of uncertainty among its staff with the sudden announcement of a head office decongestion plan affecting 1,533 employees.

The move, confirmed in a circular dated January 12, 2024, cites safety concerns and a desire to improve efficiency as the driving forces behind the significant workforce shift.

According to the CBN’s Human Resources Department, the move is aimed at optimising the use of existing bank facilities within Abuja and Lagos, as well as addressing understaffed branches.

The apex bank said there is an alarming discrepancy between the current occupancy of 4,233 and the building’s optimal capacity of 2,700.

The most immediate impact will be felt within the Banking Supervision Department, with approximately 80% of its staff relocated to Lagos.

“This is to notify all staff members at the CBN Head Office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimise the operational environment of the Bank.

“This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilisation of our office space.

“This action is necessitated by several factors, including the need to align the Bank’s structure with its functions and objectives, redistribute skills to ensure a more even geographical spread of talent and comply with building regulations, as indicated by repeated warnings from the Facility Manager, and the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Decongestion of the CBN Head Office Building,” it stated.

However, the development has led to uncertainties among staff.

Reacting, a staff member who spoke under anonymity said, “The move is ill-planned. How does the management want those married to cope with the situation?”

Another source said, “I doubt the motive of the management. The decision has been made. Likely, the government is shifting attention to Lagos.”

The much awaited news of the commencement of Dangote refinery for the production of petro chemical products would have been a succor to Nigerians considering the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol commonly used by Nigerians.

Recall that the company announced the commencement of production
commenced on Friday.

The refinery received the fifth crude oil shipment of one million barrels of Bonny Light supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited last week.

The 650,000 barrels-per-day oil processing facility started operations in May 2023.

It is designed to process crude oil grades from the three continents of Africa, Asia and America.

Dangote refinery made a move towards the commencement of production of refined petroleum products with the receipt of an additional one million barrels of bonny light crude supplied by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

The fresh one million barrels of crude from the Shell terminal via the MT Otis owned by Trafigural is the second consignment to be delivered to the Dangote facility out of the six million barrels of crude being expected by the world’s largest single-train refinery.

About a week ago Dangote Refinery received one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO), one of the largest trading companies in Nigeria as well as globally, trading over 8 million barrels of crude oil per day.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Dangote Ports Operations, Mr Akin Omole revealed that despite commencing operation, Dangote refinery will not start with the production of petrol but with diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG.

“Once the 6 million barrels are fully delivered, it will facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kick-start the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).”

The one million barrels represent the second phase of the 6 million barrels of crude oil to be supplied to Dangote Petroleum Refinery by a range of suppliers for the production of petroleum products.

The Aliko Dangote-built oil refinery howver received its first supply of crude late last year, despite its scheduled June 2023 start date.

The refinery has an excess of petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation jets that it may export in addition to meeting all of Nigeria’s needs for refined goods.

The refinery’s two SPMs, which are situated 25 km offshore, are designed to handle crude oil, while its three more SPMs are designed to release petroleum products. Furthermore, the refinery’s truck-loading gantries can load 2,900 trucks per day.

The complex is located on 2,635 hectares (6,500 acres) of land in the Lekki Free Zone on the outskirts of Lagos.

It is anticipated that the Port Harcourt refinery will start producing at the same time as the Dangote refinery.

The Federal Government, in December, confirmed the commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company in Rivers State.

Former Senate President, David Mark has urged Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to be magnanimous in victory, following his victory at the Supreme Court.

LeadingReporters gathered that the apex court validated the March 2023 Electoral victory of Alia as the winner of the governorship election in Benue after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate challenged the outcome of the exercise.

In a statement by his media adviser, Mr Paul Mumeh, in Kano on Sunday, the ex-senate president urged Alia to carry everyone along in the interest of the development of Benue, asking him to be a father to all.

He equally urged the governor to strengthen the security network and promote peace, unity, and welfare of all citizens of the state.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your Deputy Governor, Sam Odey, as well as your team on the recent electoral victory and the successful resolution of the court case.

“Your leadership, dedication, and the support of the people have resulted in this triumphant moment, and I want to express my admiration for your unwavering commitment to public service,” he said.

He described the positive outcome of the court case as a testament to the integrity and strength of Alia’s campaign and the affirmation of the people’s mandate through the democratic process.

The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board has said Persons Living With Disability who wish to sit for the 2024/2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination can register at no cost.

The JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this while rolling out the registration process for interested candidates across the country.

While announcing that registration for the 2024 matriculation examination will commence on Monday, (today), Oloyede said JAMB will issue free application documents to all categories of Persons Living With Disability as a form of support.
.
“To support the PLWD, JAMB will issue free application documents to all categories of Persons Living with Disabilities in the advertisement for the 2024 UTME/DE,” he said.

Oloyede who disclosed that measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth exercise for all candidates, said audio books will now be provided for all blind candidates.

The registrar said the development was a digital adaptation of the traditional reading book, noting that it will come in popular audio formats such as MP3, WMV, and WMA which will be compatible with all devices that can stream audio records.

He said the suggestion for the provision of audiobooks was made at the first National Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria.

Apart from the blind candidates, other groups to benefit from the free registration according to the examination body are people with Down syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

“The following categories of candidates will now be listed under the disability group: Down syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),” he said.

•⁠ ⁠Names finance minister as chairman

Following the six-week suspension of the four programmes under the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, he has approved the establishment of a Special Presidential Panel on the programmes, which will be led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun.

The Special Presidential Panel is tasked immediately to undertake a comprehensive review and audit of existing financial frameworks and policy guidelines of the social investment programmes with a view to implementing a total re-engineering of the financial architecture of the programmes with detailed modification to procedures guiding the programmes’ implementation moving forward.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, on Saturday, the Special Presidential Panel, which is comprised of ministers representing strategic sectors and will ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to the reform effort, is made up of six members.

They are the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, as chairman, and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, as member.

Other members include Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and Minister of State for Youth.

“President Tinubu anticipates that this Special Presidential Panel will validate the confidence reposed in it by winning back all lost public confidence in these vital programmes over the years by ushering in a new era of operation based on open and accountable governance frameworks that will prove impervious to abuse and incompetence for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households across our nation,” the presidential media aide added.

The Federal Government has scrapped the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science program across all technical institutions in Nigeria.

The move is aimed at diversifying skilled manpower in the fast-evolving IT landscape and equipping graduates with specialised skillsets.

The announcement was contained in a letter dated January 8, 2024, and signed by Prof. Idris M. Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

The letter, addressed to the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and copied to key stakeholders, outlines a phase-out plan by the 2025 academic session.

The letter said no HND Awarding institutions will be allowed to admit a new set of students to study Computer Science from the 2024/2025 Academic Session. However, students who might have wanted to study computer science at the HND level can now choose from any of the four specialised areas floated from the former “Computer Science” discipline.

The four new areas of specialisation floated from Computer Science include HND Artificial Intelligence, HND Networking and Cloud Computing, HND Software and Web Development, and HND Cybersecurity and Data Protection.

Gunmen, in the early hours of Saturday, abducted the Caretaker Chairman of  Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Haanongon Gideon, and three others.

The chairman was said to have been kidnapped along Anyagba, Tongov, in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state around 6.30am while on the way to attend the burial of the paramount ruler of Katsina-Ala LG, the Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Fezaanga Wombo.

Among those kidnapped along with him were his personal assistant, Mr. Ior Yuhwam, his driver, and a police officer.

However, a press statement from the council secretary, Jonathan Modi, confirmed the abduction of the caretaker chairman and three others.

The statement read in parts, “The Ukum Local Government Area Executive Council announces the kidnap of the Council Chairman, Rev. Haanongon Gideon, alongside his PA on Administration, Mr Ior  Yuhwam, his driver and police officer.

“The ugly incident took place this morning, along Anyagba, Tongov, in Katsina-Ala LGA, of Benue State, around 6:30am, while on the way to attend the burial of the paramount Ruler of Katsina Ala LG, the Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Fezaanga Wombo.”

The statement enjoined all the people of the local government to remain calm and be law-abiding, assuring them that measures are being taken to ensure the victims’ freedom.

The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Matthew Abo, also confirmed the abduction of the chairman.

He said, “It’s true he was abducted, I cannot say much now because I am at a funeral in Katsina-Ala.”

The state Commissioner for Information, who hails from the same local government area, was also abducted by gunmen in September, 2023.

However,  the state command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, said she was yet to be briefed

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly the areas of Bwari and Dei Dei, has witnessed a distressing surge in bandit attacks and kidnappings, with over 96 individuals abducted in the past 21 days.

Residents in the areas are now living in constant fear as the criminal elements continue to terrorize their communities.

The most recent incident occurred on January 1, 2024, at approximately 11:30 pm when a high-ranking official of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and several family members, including his wife and a child, were abducted.

This marked another grim chapter in a series of attacks that commenced on December 9, 2023, when 23 residents in Dei-Dei were kidnapped from their homes.

The Mai Unguwar Dei-Dei, Ibrahim Galadima, confirmed the December 9 incident, stating that security vigilantes in the area were able to rescue seven victims about an hour after the abduction.

Galadima suggested that the kidnappers may have released the victims upon sensing the presence of security personnel during their escape into the bush.

As of December 24, 2023, Bwari alone reported 25 abductions, with three lives lost during the attacks.

The violence escalated on December 23, as bandits invaded the Garam community, resulting in the tragic death of a pastor associated with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and the abduction of 13 individuals.

Subsequent attacks on Kuduru and Ahzu on December 28 and 29 led to further casualties and abductions, with residents revealing that the assailants often strike between 11 pm and 11:30 pm.

Leadership reports that residents are alleging collusion between the bandits and security agencies, pointing out that military personnel were reportedly deployed just meters away from the bandit attack on January 1.

The suspended minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, faces an uncertain future, with indications suggesting that her return to office may be unlikely.

Speaking anonymously, sources from the presidency hinted that the alleged scandal surpasses what has been made public, and Edu might not resume her ministerial duties.

One official, who was not authorized to comment on the matter, told Punch, “What we have in that ministry is more than what we have seen. I can tell you that Edu may not return to the ministry or even return as a minister.

“She may not be the only one involved. But as it stands now, she should forget the idea or dream of her returning to the Federal Executive Council. In fact, she is gone.”

The scandal involves a comprehensive inquiry directed by President Bola Tinubu into the misappropriation of N585 million in the ministry.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating Edu for authorizing the funds to transfer into a private account.

The probe also extends to former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, under scrutiny for alleged N37.1 billion money laundering, and Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme.

ICPC, in its investigation, reportedly recovered over N50 billion from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs in 2023.

The funds, initially meant for vulnerable citizens, were blocked by ICPC during a naira scarcity period. Attempts to transfer the money into private bank accounts were thwarted, and the recovered funds were paid into the Central Bank of Nigeria.

An anonymous source shed light on the recovery: “During the naira scarcity between late 2022 and 2023, the ICPC under Prof Owasanoye blocked and recovered the sum of N50 billion from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

“The money was meant for the vulnerable and the poor people in the country, which the ministry could not distribute due to the scarcity of currency during the naira redesign period.”

As investigations intensify, EFCC detectives continue to question senior civil servants connected to the financial scandals in the ministry.