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113 Suspected Kidnappers Nabbed at Ransom Pickup Location in Edo

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In a single day, the Edo State Police Command reported that it had apprehended 113 alleged kidnappers in the state.

According to reports, on Thursday, 26, 2026 in Benin City, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Command’s public relations officer, revealed this in a statement made accessible to reporters.

On Thursday, February 26, 2026, at around three in the morning, Ikoedem claimed, the suspects were taken into custody in “Zangos” in Agbede and Iruekpen as part of a coordinated operation with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, vigilante organizations, and local hunters.

She claimed that in order to determine their level of involvement, the apprehended individuals are now being thoroughly profiled.

According to her, the suspects and their accomplices were apprehended at specific Zango communities in Agbede and Iruekpen, where they gathered to collect ransom money.

In a bold, intelligence-driven operation, the Edo State Police Command, led by the decisive and results-driven Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, launched a massive joint security sweep across key locations in Edo Central at approximately 0300 hours on February 26, 2026, according to the statement.

“Acting on reliable information that ransom money from abduction operations was being secretly collected and organized at designated “Zangos” in Agbede and Iruekpen.

In a coordinated enforcement action, the Commissioner of Police personally oversaw a powerful joint task force that included members of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, vigilante groups, and local hunters.

“Actionable intelligence showed that suspected kidnappers and their collaborators congregate to receive ransom payments, regroup, and blend with unsuspecting members of the public. Therefore, coordinated raids were conducted on the identified Zango settlements in Agbede and Iruekpen.

One hundred thirteen (113) suspects were apprehended as a result of the precise inspections. At this time, each suspect is being thoroughly profiled to determine their degree of involvement.

“Those found to be at fault will be subject to the full force of the law,” she declared.

The Command’s campaign against abduction organized networks would continue to be unrelenting and uncompromising, according to State Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika.

In addition to targeting armed elements in the forests, Agbonika stressed that the police will step up efforts to weaken their human and financial support networks throughout the state.

Nonetheless, he urged citizens to maintain their vigilance and to keep giving security services accurate and timely information, promising that all intelligence will be handled with the utmost discretion.

There will be no shelter for kidnappers or their collaborators anywhere in Edo State, he said, adding that the Command is still resolute, aggressive, and prepared for battle to protect people and property.

Senate Panel Orders Arrest of CAC Registrar-General for Failing to Honour Invitation

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Because Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), is accused of repeatedly refusing to show up for committee appearances, the Senate Committee on Finance has issued an arrest warrant against him.

During a budget defense session on Thursday, the Federal Ministry of Finance and its agencies issued the warrant.

Senator Sani Musa, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, accused the head of the CAC of routinely ignoring legislative summonses and neglecting to account for matters concerning the commission’s earnings.

“This committee’s summonses and invitations have been repeatedly ignored by the Registrar General,” Musa stated.

He also said that there were unanswered questions about the reconciliation of CAC income on the committee.

“Every time we called him, he would send a junior officer, but we have problems with the CAC’s revenue reconciliation,” the chairman said.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu brought up the issue initially, demanding that the committee suggest Magaji’s dismissal from office to President Bola Tinubu.

According to Kalu, the National Assembly’s authority and responsibility are compromised when parliamentary supervision is disregarded.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, another committee member, suggested that the Registrar-General should personally appear before the parliamentarians before any budgetary provision for the CAC in the 2026 Appropriations Act could be authorized.

Additionally, it was suggested by Oshiomhole that the commission be prohibited from using its own funds without first obtaining National Assembly consent.

In order to limit the CAC’s access to its internally generated cash while it awaits compliance, the committee later approved the plan.

This development highlights the increasing conflict between the legislative branch and important government entities on financial accountability and oversight function compliance.

At the time this report was filed, additional responses from the CAC were not immediately accessible.

Coronavirus disease 2019

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Coronavirus disease 2019

COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever,[7] fatigue, cough, breathing difficulties, loss of smell, and loss of taste.[8][9][10] Symptoms may begin one to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. At least a third of people who are infected do not develop noticeable symptoms.[11][12] Of those who develop symptoms noticeable enough to be classified as patients, most (81%) develop mild to moderate symptoms (up to mild pneumonia), while 14% develop severe symptoms (dyspnea, hypoxia, or more than 50% lung involvement on imaging), and 5% develop critical symptoms (respiratory failure, shock, or multiorgan dysfunction).[13] Older people have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Some complications result in death. Some people continue to experience a range of effects (long COVID) for months or years after infection, and damage to organs has been observed.[14] Multi-year studies on the long-term effects are ongoing.[15]

COVID‑19 transmission occurs when infectious particles are breathed in or come into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. The risk is highest when people are in close proximity, but small airborne particles containing the virus can remain suspended in the air and travel over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur when people touch their eyes, nose, or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus. People remain contagious for up to 20 days and can spread the virus even if they do not develop symptoms.[16]

Testing methods for COVID-19 to detect the virus’s nucleic acid include real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR),[17][18] transcription-mediated amplification,[17][18][19] and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT‑LAMP)[17][18] from a nasopharyngeal swab.[20]

Several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and distributed in various countries, many of which have initiated mass vaccination campaigns. Other preventive measures include physical or social distancing, quarantining, ventilation of indoor spaces, use of face masks or coverings in public, covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing, and keeping unwashed hands away from the face. While drugs have been developed to inhibit the virus, the primary treatment is still symptomatic, managing the disease through supportive care, isolation, and experimental measures.

Benue Assembly Advances Bill to Reform State Planning Commission

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At the state house of assembly, a bill to restructure and modify the Benue Planning Commission has passed second reading.

During the plenary on Thursday in Makurdi, House Majority Leader Mr. Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) stated that the measure aimed to amend the current laws that were passed in 2001 and that the fourth assembly had previously examined in 2005.

The majority leader claims that the proposed amendment seeks to reposition the Benue State Budget and Planning Commission for optimal performance by rearranging its makeup, structure, and operational focus.

In the creation, coordination, and oversight of development plans, policies, and goals, he pointed out that the commission was essential to the state’s development architecture.

Dugeri clarified that the organization was also in charge of formulating development goals, performing economic research, coordinating public-private partnership functions similar to those of the National Planning Commission at the federal level, and offering the governor professional advising services.

“The proposed amendment becomes imperative in order to equip the commission to serve the state better, given these enormous responsibilities,” Dugeri stated.

The motion to read the proposed amendment a second time was seconded by Mr. Abu Umoru (PDP/Apa).

Alfred Emberga, the Speaker, asked Dr. Bem Mela, the Clerk, to read the bill a second time.

Before the bill’s third reading and potential passage, Emberga sent it to the House Standing Committee on Appropriations for careful consideration and preparation.

Peter Obi Attack Sparks Call for Responsible Statements, Lawmaker Says

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In light of the recent assault on African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders, including the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections The public and supporters of the party leaders have been urged by Mr. Peter Obi, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Billy Famous Osawaru, to refrain from making divisive remarks about the issue.

At a news conference on Thursday at the House news Corps in Abuja, Osawaru, a member representing the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency in Edo State and a new member of the National Assembly’s green chamber, gave a speech.

According to him, the purpose of the briefing is to explicitly address the recent accusations involving the attack on Peter Obi and ADC chieftains in Edo State made by Hon. Ifeanyi Peter Uzokwe, a member of the House and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He recalled that on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, some African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi were allegedly attacked by suspected gunmen in Edo State.

“It is malicious and false to claim or even allege that Edo State government officials or thugs sponsored by the Governor of Edo State or its officials attacked Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and members of his political camp,” he said.

“This will be a misrepresentation of the facts,” he stated.
Although I recognize the seriousness of the situation and vehemently denounce violence in all its forms, I would like to add some background information that appears to be absent from the story.

Given the unrest that preceded Peter Obi’s prior visit, Governor Okpebholo’s warning to Obi was a sincere concern for his safety and well-being.

The governor’s first duty is to protect the safety of all residents and guests, and it is well known that there were fatalities and extensive unrest during his most recent visit to Edo State.

The federal lawmaker stated that it is unfair to connect the governor to this attack in the absence of hard proof and that the governor of Edo State has consistently maintained that politically exposed individuals are expected to at least notify the appropriate authorities ahead of major public events in the state in order to enable adequate security coordination in the interest of public safety.

He went on to say that they have not found any reliable proof to back up these accusations, and he believes that they are politically driven and without merit.

The governor has nothing to gain from such an attack, he said, and it is telling that the people leveling these accusations have not offered any evidence to support them.

“The administration of Governor Okpebholo is not and will never be in the business of attacking innocent Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliation,” Osawaru stated.

He exhorts the public, the ADC, and his associates to concentrate on reality rather than fiction.

He added that although Obi has every right to travel to Edo or anyplace else, there are legitimate security concerns. Let’s avoid making this a political matter.

Edo residents want stability and peace, not unfounded accusations and divisive language.

In addition to stating that he and other like-minded individuals are not discounting the alleged attack on Obi and other ADC party members, the lawmaker stated that they are calling for a comprehensive inquiry and are certain that it will clear Governor Okpebholo.

Additionally, he stated that all parties are being urged to wait for the inquiry to conclude and to avoid saying anything that might sway the results.

Primeboy Calls for Mohbad’s Corpse to Be Released for Burial

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Owodunni Ibrahim, better known as Primeboy, is a Nigerian singer who has made a heartfelt public plea for the burial of his close friend, the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, also called Mohbad, almost three years after his passing.

It was noted that Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, under contentious circumstances, and has been in the mortuary ever since.

Originally buried on September 13, 2023, he was dug up on September 21 to undergo an autopsy and has been at the morgue ever since.

The singer’s father, Joseph Aloba, has requested that the singer’s bones not be interred until a DNA test is performed to determine the genuine paternity of Liam, the only kid he and his wife, Omawunmi, left behind.

Primeboy urged the government, the public, and Mohbad’s family to see to it that the singer’s remains be interred in a widely shared video.

“Mohbad left us almost three years ago,” he remarked. In the mortuary, his body remains. I’m pleading with the government, the public, and the family to bury our brother. He merits a dignified funeral.

In order to ascertain Liam’s paternity, an Ikorodu High Court has mandated that three distinct DNA tests be carried out overseas.

After previous preparations to perform a DNA test failed, the court issued the new order, delaying the resolution of the dispute between Mohbad’s widow and his relatives.

When Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, and his attorney, Oladayo Ogungbe, appeared in court, they indicated that problems with the testing center’s eligibility prevented the first court-approved procedure from moving forward.

Ogungbe informed the court that a new agreement had been reached in order to prevent future disagreements and to guarantee confidence in the result.

Mostbet AZ: Yeni İstifadəçilər üçün Uğurlu Başlanğıc Bələdçi

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El-Rufai’s Arraignment Postponed Over ICPC-DSS Custody Clash, Next Hearing April 23

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Due to Nasir El-Rufai’s absence from court, the arraignment of the former governor of Kaduna State was delayed on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Joyce Abdumalik decided to postpone the hearings to April 23, 2026.

Oluwole Aladedoye, the prosecution’s attorney, told the court during the resumption that even though the case was scheduled for arraignment, the defendant could not be brought because he was presently being held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission.

Despite both being federal security organizations, Aladedoye said that the Department of State Services, which started the charges, had no authority over the ICPC and asked the court to give a brief adjournment so the anti-graft agency could produce the former governor.

Although Oluwole Iyamu, the defendant’s attorney, did not object to the request for adjournment, he did pull the court’s attention to conversations with the prosecution that suggested the state would not object to bond.

The charges against El-Rufai were later certified by the prosecution to be bailable in public court.

Then, the defense asked the court to consider the bail request before moving forward.

The prosecution argued against the action, requesting that the court postpone the consideration of bail for a period of two weeks.

Iyamu maintained that his client had not yet been formally brought before the court to enter a plea, and that holding him for two more weeks without arraignment would be suppression.

He insisted that El-Rufai’s absence from court could not be attributed to the defense since they did not place him under arrest.

Additionally, he argued that the circumstances surrounding the defendant’s incarceration called for judicial involvement, especially since the agency that brought the accusations was not the one detaining him at the time.

He encouraged the court to use its authority to order the defendant’s production, citing Section 159 of the statute, regardless of whether agency held him.

The issue of bail could not be raised because the defendant had not yet been arraigned, according to Justice Abdumalik’s order.

The judge refused to entertain the bail application at this time, citing Section 156 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as justification.

The case was then postponed by the court until April 23, 2026, for arraignment.

On February 16, 2026, the DSS filed a three-count accusation against El-Rufai in the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He is charged with illegally intercepting National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu’s phone conversations.

The charging sheet, which is labelled FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, claims that the former governor acknowledged intercepting NSA conversations with others when he appeared on Arise TV’s Prime Time Program on February 13.

According to the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act of 2024, the offenses are punished.

El-Rufai, meantime, has filed a notice move to have the allegations quashed through his legal team.

He called the accusations an abuse of the legal system and unlawful in the application, which was submitted on Tuesday.

Additionally, he requested that the court grant N2 billion in costs against the DSS, alleging that the agency had abused the criminal justice system to publicly victimize, harass, and shame him.

INEC Enhances BVAS Technology to Ensure Transparent Elections — Chairman

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According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in order to eradicate electoral result manipulation, it has implemented crucial technological safeguards to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

This was revealed on Wednesday in Abuja by Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), the chairman of INEC, at a meeting with the RECs and the inauguration of Dr. Chukwu Joseph as the Abia REC.

According to Amupitan, the updates were made especially to protect the result management system and guarantee the accuracy of data sent to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

“I can’t overlook the enhancement we made to our result management system.

“We have determined that the actual compilation of the results at multiple levels poses a greater threat to our political process than even voting at the polling places.

He said that in order to prevent any kind of manipulation of the findings that are sent to IREV, we have added certain safeguards to the BVAS system.

The presiding officer must now take a picture of the filled-out Form EC8A and upload it to the IReV, according to Amupitan.

Additionally, he stated that the presiding officer must input each political party’s score straight into the BVAS gadget.

The BVAS system conducts internal validation checks to make sure that the number of accredited voters is not exceeded by the total number of votes cast.

“Mathematically, the figures entered are consistent. “Excessive voting is automatically detected and cannot be resolved,” he stated.

According to Amupitan, the Kano and Rivers States Constituencies polls, as well as the FCT Area Council election on Saturday, were used to test the enhancements.

He mentioned that the election results were verified to be accurate after being uploaded to IREV.

“As of right now, 97 percent of the results from the FCT Area Council election have been uploaded to IREV,” he stated.

Additionally, the INEC Chairman revealed that INEC would shortly begin reviewing its rules and policies for the 2027 election.

Amupitan also deemed the alleged election result tampering at the Kuroko Health Center polling station in Kwali Area Council during the Saturday FCT area council election to be inaccurate and false.

He clarified that a clerical error by a presiding officer, who recorded 122 for a party instead of 121, was discovered during an examination into the internet rage.

Additionally, she used words to correct the figures. Following that, the accurate and correct result was properly recorded into the Ward Collation’s collation form EC8B.

Because of the investigation’s findings, the FCT REC had to issue a news release on that occurrence as well as a few other incidents that had changes.

“I must tell you all that Nigerians are looking to us with increased anticipation and vigilance, even though there is no flawless election.

“I have to stress that there is no space for mistake or justification in this important process,” Amupitan stated.

After the Electoral Act 2026 was passed on February 13, the INEC chief also revealed that the Commission would shortly release an updated Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.

In order to strengthen the integrity of the voter registration, he also said that the Commission would shortly begin a revalidation process to guarantee a “thorough clean-up.”

The previous notice was given in accordance with the outdated legislation. We must make certain changes and release an updated schedule for the general election of 2027 in light of the new Electoral Act.

Additionally, the revalidation exercise for our voters must be mentioned.

In order to further sanitize and enhance the integrity of the register in advance of the 2027 General Election, he stated that the commission would shortly begin a comprehensive cleanup.

The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) second phase is still in progress and will run through April 17, Amupitan added.

He stated that the CVR exercise will be completed on August 30 and is expected to last for a full year.

In addition, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) across the country have been instructed by Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to step up voter education and sensitization in advance of the general elections in 2027.

On Wednesday in Abuja, Amupitan issued the directive during a meeting with RECs and the swearing-in of Dr. Chukwu Chukwuemeka Joseph, the new REC representing Abia.

Additionally, he encouraged voters nationwide to locate their voting places (PUs) in advance of the 2027 elections by using the INEC portals that are now available.

The chairman stated that voter indifference remained a major problem that required “continuous, not episodic” engagement, even though voter turnout during the most recent FCT Area Council elections had somewhat improved.

“Voter indifference persisted in the turnout, notwithstanding a little improvement in the FCT.

Over 239,000 people cast ballots in this election, compared to 148,685 in 2022, and participation increased to roughly 15% from 9.4% in 2022.

“Deepening voter engagement and confidence still requires a great deal of work,” he stated.

Amupitan clarified that no voters were relocated in 2026 in response to the public concern over purported “voter migration” in the FCT.

He clarified that in 2022, it was decided to redistribute the voters’ initiative in order to increase access by clearing out 12,000 voting places and constructing more than 56,000 new ones across the country.

Amupitan clarified that INEC didn’t relocate voters to a different neighborhood, stating that the new polling places were situated within the same building just a few meters from the original ones in order to minimize crowding and enhance the voting experience.

He stated that nearly 6.7 million voters were moved from roughly 12,000 crowded polling places to new 17,000 less crowded ones nationwide in 2022 in order to fill the newly constructed units, many of which had no registered voters at first.

About 580,000 voters were re-distributed to 1,156 polling places in the FCT alone, and 411 polling places were cleared of congestion. Four years ago, in 2022, rather than in 2026, that exercise was conducted.

“The same voters in the FCT cast ballots in those polling places in the general election of 2023,” he stated.

Amupitan said that INEC found out during the mock accreditation on February 7 in the Federal Capital Territory that some voters had complained about their voting places being moved in 2022, but they were having trouble finding the new ones.

Additionally, the INEC chairman remembered that he promptly ordered new emails and texts to be issued to impacted FCT voters prior to the election, particularly to those whose polling places were moved in 2022.

For the advantage of those who did not cast ballots in the general elections of 2023, he claims that this will act as a refresher so that everyone who is willing to cast a ballot may easily find their polling places.

They could easily find the polling unit by using the Polling Unit Locator at https://cvr.inecnigeria.org/pu, which was included in the texts and emails received.

Furthermore, he ordered that the voter register be re-displayed in all impacted polling places for a minimum of four days so that electors could verify their names prior to the FCT election.

Despite extensive publicizing, the posting of the Register of Voters, and the distribution of emails and texts to impacted voters in the days leading up to the election, Amupitan stated that some voters were still having trouble finding their polling places.

“If citizens do not understand our processes, then the objective is only half achieved,” he remarked, indicating that INEC’s policies may be sound and its intents may be pure.

So, I’m telling all RECs to step up voter education and awareness campaigns in their states. There cannot be no episodic voter awareness. It needs to go on forever.

“The commission’s online Polling Unit Locator at https://cvr.inecnigeria.org/pu must be used by citizens to confirm their polling unit details well in advance of elections.”They should, if required, personally attend their polling places prior to election day.

For the benefit of individuals who did not cast ballots in the general elections of 2023, we must start spreading this important information right away so they can find their polling places in advance, he stated.

Information Minister Urges Clear Messaging on FG Reforms to Prevent Public Backlash

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The Federal Government is committed to making sure that public service reforms are not only put into place but also effectively communicated to Nigerians in order to improve accountability, transparency, and digital governance, according to the Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, the Director-General, and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) management team paid the Minister a courtesy call in his Abuja office on Wednesday.

He emphasized that any reform program’s effectiveness depends on effective communication. In addition to being put into practice, reforms also need to be effectively conveyed.

Resistance to reforms is inevitable when they are not fully understood.

We must make sure Nigerians know that these reforms are intended to benefit them more broadly,” he stated.

Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister’s Special Assistant (Media), signed the statement, which included this information.

He called reform “crucial to national development” and praised BPSR for maintaining institutional improvements throughout the public service.

The Minister cited the digitization of Nigeria’s public finance management system as one of the most significant developments in the last few years. He claims that the elimination of paper-based financial procedures has strengthened accountability within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), enhanced openness, and prevented leaks.

“The days of contractors racing ministries to pick up checks at year-end are long gone. These days, the system is digital.

The smooth operation of the banking industry throughout Nigeria with technology run by Nigerians would enable our public service to function effectively as well,” he stated.

According to the Minister, attitudinal transformation is necessary to complement structural reforms. National Orientation’s inclusion in the Ministry’s mandate, he clarified, indicates the Federal Government’s determination to encourage civic engagement, patriotism, and shared ownership of public institutions.

He also revealed continuous initiatives to digitize and modernize Nigeria’s archival system in order to avoid policy gaps and preserve institutional memory. When addressing deepfakes, misinformation, and manipulation by artificial intelligence, he emphasized the value of media and information literacy.

He gave the delegation his word that the Ministry’s organizations, such as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), would keep promoting reform milestones and making sure Nigerians were informed.

The visit, according to the Director-General of BPSR, was intended to advance cooperation with the Ministry in order to speed up reforms, boost communication, and increase transparency among MDAs.

The visit, according to the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, was intended to improve cooperation with the Ministry in order to expedite reform communication and improve transparency among MDAs. He described the main tenets of the National Strategy on Public Service Reforms, which include enhancing citizen involvement, digitizing public finance management, bolstering national development planning, and raising governance standards.

“Public service reform is an ongoing process of bolstering institutions, enhancing accountability, and utilizing technology to improve outcomes for residents; it is not a one-time intervention.

To make sure that these changes are effectively understood, communicated, and sustainably implemented across all MDAs, our collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation is essential,” the Director-General said.

The DG pointed out that payroll integrity has improved across federal, state, and local agencies and that digitization improvements have greatly decreased irregularities like phantom workers.

He also called for better adherence to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and urged MDAs to make operational and budgetary data available on their official platforms.

He also emphasized current initiatives to improve public servants’ digital literacy, such as safeguarding government communication systems through training on the proper use of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence.