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Tinubu

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Tinubu crowned Dike Si Mba’ of Anambra State

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Traditional rulers in Anambra State on Thursday conferred a chieftaincy title of ‘Dike Si Mba’ of Anambra on President Bola Tinubu.

The Traditional rulers led by the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi, gave the President the title in Awka during his official visit to the state.

‘Dike Si Mba’ loosely translates to ‘Hero from another land’, was given to President Tinubu by the traditional rulers representing all the communities in Anambra State.

Tinubu, who is in Anambra State on official visit, arrived at the Chinua Achebe International Airport in Umueri around 12:15pm, and was received by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, his deputy, Onyeka Ibezim and other government officials.

Tinubu inaugurated Anambra State’s first-ever Government House on Thursday, marking a historic milestone more than 30 years after the state’s creation.

Tinubu also inaugurated several other projects done by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

It is the President’s second visit to the South-East this year after visiting Enugu State in January.

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Tinubu
Business

Tinubu Orders Removal of Checkpoints to Boost ECOWAS Free Movement

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the setting up of a Presidential Task Force to dismantle multiple checkpoints that are hindering free movement.

Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, disclosed this during a visit to the Nigeria/Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.

“We are starting with the Seme-Badagry Corridor first. That committee has been set up under the authority of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon start working to address this issue.

“So, we have noted all the issues mentioned, and I assure you that the government of Nigeria will also address the other issues that are subsequently mentioned.”

There have been complaints of multiple checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which are affecting the smooth movement of people and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.

Ambassador Nuhu said, “This is the busiest border in West Africa, in terms of passage of goods, people and services. And if free movement is working in West Africa, it is in this border that we will be able to find out”.

Most motorists who spoke during the meeting complained about multiple checkpoints and extortion by security agencies along the corridor.

Responding, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, said that any payment made by motorists must be accompanied by receipts.

He lamented that the multiple checkpoints and extortion of community citizens across the member states was defeating the intention of ECOWAS to have a more integrated region.

“While you check passengers and road users, we should go beyond these charges of being asked to pay money without receipts. If there are any payments to be done, those payments should be officially receipted.

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Politics

2027:Tinubu, Delta gov meets behind closed doors in Aso Rock

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu is meeting the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

The governor arrived the premises at about 03:45 pm Tuesday, alone, our correspondent observed.

Tuesday’s meeting is the Governor’s first encounter with the President since he defected to the governing party, the All Progressives Congress.

On April 23, 2025, Oborevwori became the first incumbent governor of Delta State to abandon the Peoples Democratic Party since 1999.

His predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, commissioners, local government chairmen, and the grassroots machinery moved en bloc to the APC after a closed-door meeting in Asaba.

Okowa was the PDP’s vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

Delta’s wave of defection follows similar realignments in Rivers and Cross River, trimming the PDP’s governorship map to ten states and shaking a region once regarded as a fortress for the opposition.

Feelers from the APC identified Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Aba Yusuf of Kano and suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, as four new converts expected to join the party in the coming weeks.

The PDP, Labour Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party are currently grappling with internal crises compounded by defections to the APC, which has left their parties in disarray.

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Tinubu
Headlines

Tinubu bans procurement of foreign goods produced locally

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

IN a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic economy and promote local content, President Bola Tinubu has initiated a policy that bars the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, from procuring foreign goods or services already available locally without a written waiver from the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP.

This is as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Monday, gave its approval to the new policy framework that places the country at the center of all public procurement and business activity, with a strong emphasis on empowering local industries and reducing dependency on foreign imports.

The new policy tagged the Renewed Hope Nigeria First Policy, seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and very Nigeria.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the fifth cabinet meeting in 2025, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the new policy is to ensure that the country promote the home grown products.

The Minister described the policy as a bold shift in the country’s economic approach.

It mirrors U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine.

He said: “This policy seeks to foster a new business culture that is bold, confident, and very Nigerian. It aims at making government investment directly benefit our people and industries by changing how we spend, how we procure, and how we build our economy.”

Idris said that the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, has been directed to draft an Executive Order to give full legal effect to the new framework.

According to him: “The Nigeria First policy is expected to become the cornerstone of the administration’s economic strategy, especially as the government pushes forward with its industrialisation agenda and import-substitution goals.”

He enumerated the decisions that were approved by the Council which will be enforced immediately

“The Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP is to revise and enforce procurement rules that prioritise Nigerian-made goods and homegrown solutions across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“The BPP will create a comprehensive compliance mechanism to ensure all government procurements adhere to local content requirements.

“A regularly updated database of high-quality Nigerian suppliers will be maintained by the BPP and used as a reference for all procurement decisions.

Procurement officers currently deployed to various MDAs will be reverted to the BPP to ensure compliance and reduce undue influence or corruption.

“No MDA will be allowed to procure foreign goods or services already available locally without a written waiver from the BPP.

“Where foreign contracts are unavoidable, they must include provisions for technology transfer, local production, or capacity development in Nigeria.

“All MDAs are to immediately review and resubmit their procurement plans to align with the new policy directives. Breaches will result in disciplinary action and possible cancellation of the procurement process.”

The minister cited Nigeria’s sugar industry as an example of local capacity being neglected.

He said: “We continue to import sugar despite the existence of the Nigerian Sugar Council and several local producers. This policy will change that.”

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Headlines

BREAKING: Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria to award Bachelor’s degrees

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has officially begun the implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy across all Federal Colleges of Education (FCOEs).

This follows the enactment of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023.

This was confirmed in a statement signed by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.

The legislation, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, empowers FCOEs to concurrently award the Nigeria Certificate in Education and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education.

This marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s teacher education reform.

Announcing the commencement of implementation of the policy in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa described it as a bold and progressive step.

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The Dual Mandate Policy represents not just a reform but a revolution in teacher preparation — enabling FCOEs to offer both NCE and Bachelor’s degrees.

“This initiative empowers institutions, broadens access, and enhances the quality of classroom instruction across Nigeria,” he said.

According to the Act, all FCOEs that meet the National Universities Commission standards are now eligible to operate under the Dual Mandate.

This inclusive policy ensures that institutions, regardless of their establishment date, can participate once the stipulated requirements are met.

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Tinubu and Chief Olu
Headlines

President Tinubu’s Birthday Tribute To Chief Pius Olu Akinyelure

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

My dear brother, friend and former boss, I congratulate you warmly on your birthday, May 2.

You have lived a remarkable and impactful life as a husband, father, and accomplished administrator. Today, you stand out not just as a fine politician and respectable community leader but also as an eminent figure in our country.

As a professional with extensive experience in finance and management, you had a rewarding career at ExxonMobil, where our paths first crossed.

Our relationship blossomed at Mobil, where you were my Executive Director. From a professional work environment where we developed a special bond, we have become brothers, confidantes, associates, and trusted allies for over 40 years.

I cherish our enduring friendship and brotherhood, which has enriched my life through your wisdom, forthrightness, and steadfast counsel.

Your love for Nigeria is boundless. As a patriot deeply committed to national development, you have embraced the ideals of progressive politics and played pivotal roles in shaping our nation’s future.

You were the National Vice Chairman of our party, the All Progressives Congress, for the South-West at a critical and defining moment in its evolution. You later served on the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, first as a director and as Chairman.

Thank you for your leadership at NNPC Limited, which led to some achievements the state-owned oil company recorded in the last ten years.

On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank you immensely.

Your wisdom and example as an octogenarian will continue to benefit our country, community, and family.

I pray that Almighty God will continue to grant you good health, happiness, and many more years of fulfilment.

Happy birthday and many happy returns, my dear friend and brother!

Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
May 1, 2025

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FBI
Headlines

FBI, DEA Seek 90-Day Extension to Release Tinubu Drug Case Records

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have requested an additional 90 days from a United States District Court to release investigative documents related to an alleged drug case involving Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.

This request was disclosed in a Joint Status Report filed on Thursday with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The case involves allegations linking Tinubu to a drug trafficking network in Chicago during the 1990s. The plaintiff, Aaron Greenspan—an American legal transparency advocate and founder of the platform PlainSite—opposed the extension and proposed a 14-day deadline for the agencies to produce the requested records.

Judge Beryl Howell of the District Court had previously directed the FBI and DEA to provide an update on the search and release of non-exempt documents by May 2, 2025.

Between 2022 and 2023, Greenspan filed 12 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking information related to the Chicago-based drug ring, which allegedly involved four individuals, including Tinubu.

The FBI and DEA had earlier issued “Glomar responses,” declining to confirm or deny the existence of the requested documents. However, the court ruled such responses inappropriate in this case.

In the latest filing dated May 1, 2025, the FBI and DEA cited the need for additional time to complete their searches and process the relevant records.

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Headlines

Tinubu Government Lacks Clear Strategy to Tackle Banditry, Says Amnesty International

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Amnesty International has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of lacking a clear and effective strategy to tackle the growing wave of violence by armed groups.

The criticism follows the brutal killing of the Chief Imam of Maru Jumma’a Mosque in Zamfara State, Alkali Salihu Suleiman, along with his three children.

The human rights organization said the killing, which occurred after the bandits received N11 million of the N20 million ransom they demanded, shows the Nigerian government’s lack of any effective plan to curb mass atrocities that have plagued the country for years.

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According to the organisation, the horrific killing of the 79-year-old Chief Imam and his children serves as another grim reminder that President Bola Tinubu’s administration lacks an effective strategy to end the reign of terror by armed groups.

“Alkali Salihu Suleiman and his children were abducted in March during the holy month of Ramadan. While in the custody of the bandits, they were subjected to almost daily rounds of torture and other ill-treatment. Apart from beatings, they were also made to go long hours without food or water,” Amnesty International said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

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The group also criticized the Nigerian government’s silence and inaction over repeated attacks, saying bandits now act with growing impunity across Zamfara and other states.

Almost daily attacks across Zamfara and other states clearly show that President Bola Tinubu and his government have no effective plan for ending years of atrocities by armed groups and gunmen that are increasingly having free reign across many parts of Nigeria,” the group added.

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Headlines

Tinubu to Security Chiefs: End the Bloodshed Now

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has issued marching order to security agencies to tackle insecurity within the country.

Tinubu, while ordering a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s security strategy, said “enough is enough.”

He issued the directive during a meeting with security chiefs on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and was contained in a statement signed by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

There have been killings in Borno, Benue, Plateau and Kwara states.

However, the statement said the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu while addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting, said Tinubu directed a new approach to tackling insecurity across the country.

Ribadu said, “Mr President gave us the chance to come and brief him again. It lasted very long. We gave him an update on what was going on.”

He explained that while the President was on official visits to Paris and London, he remained actively involved and continued to issue instructions to security agencies.

“Today, we had the opportunity to come and brief him again, and it lasted hours. It was a very detailed briefing, and it was exhaustive.

“The issue of insecurity often is not just at the higher levels. It involves the subunits. They are the ones who are directly with the people, especially when some of the challenges border on community problems.

“We need to work with the communities. We need to work with the local governments, and we need to work with the governors.

“The President directed that we work more with governors,” he said.

Ribadu noted that the President was “very worried and concerned” at the meeting.

“He said, ‘Enough is enough’. We are working to ensure that we restore peace and security.”

“We were all at the meeting with the President, armed forces, police, and intelligence community,” Ribadu added.

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Tinubu
Headlines

Tinubu to meet service chiefs over rising killings

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu is planning to meet with the service chiefs to discuss the rising killings in Plateau, Benue and other parts of the country on his return to Abuja from his two-week working visit to Paris, the French capital.

Tinubu returned to Abuja on Monday night after spending 18 days on a working visit and retreat in Paris and London.

The Air Force 001 aircraft conveying the President landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 09:50pm on Monday, the State House media office announced.

Since April 2, when he travelled, more than 120 locals have been killed by armed assailants.

Several homes have been burnt and 3,000 persons displaced despite the deployment of security forces.

On Monday, a top functionary privy to the development confirmed to The PUNCH that the security meeting would review the rising violence and the measures to contain it.

“The President will certainly meet the service chiefs to review the security situation across the country and the flash point of Plateau, Benue and Borno. He has been getting security briefings while away and giving directives to the security chiefs. So, he will meet his security chiefs and ministers too,’’ he affirmed.

This came as the Presidency blamed state governors for the mounting cases of killings nationwide, especially the recent incidences in Plateau, Benue and Enugu States.

It cited the governors’ poor funding of security outfits in their states despite receiving humongous security votes.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, stated this when he appeared on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines show with Nifemi Oguntoye Monday evening.

Bwala said, “What we are finding, very sadly, is that there are some states where the governors give N20m to the SSS, N20m to the police, and N20m to the army as monthly allocation for fighting insecurity. And you hear their security vote is between N1bn, N2bn and N3bn. Where are we going?”

A cross-section of stakeholders in Plateau agreed that self-defence is a necessary measure given the current security situation.

A security officer, Jackson Dauda, stated, “I believe that self-defence is a legitimate means of protecting lives and property. There is no better time to apply this than now in Plateau State, given the number of lives we have lost through attacks.

“This is important, especially given the rise of terrorist groups like Mahmuda, which has been terrorising rural communities in the North Central region. So, what is left is for the government to give the needed support to the local communities to enable them to defend themselves against any form of terrorism.”

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