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Tinubu Moves to Reform Civil Service, Orders System-Wide Audit

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Tinubu Moves to Reform Civil Service, Orders System-Wide Audit

In a determined drive to restructure Nigeria’s public sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed a complete personnel audit and skills gap study across the Federal Civil Service. The directive was announced on Thursday, at the start of the 2025 International Civil Service Week in Abuja.

The initiative’s goal is to build capacity, increase efficiency, and position the civil service to better deliver public goods and support national growth.

“We can only guarantee a high-performance culture by placing the right people in the right positions,” Tinubu, our president, said. “To that end, I have authorised a full Personnel Audit and Skills Gap Analysis across the Federal Civil Service to build capacity.”

The president underlined the importance of the civil service in effective government, calling it as “the engine room” of the country’s administrative and development endeavors.

“Our civil servants are the quiet architects of stability, innovation, and public trust,” said Mr. Obama.

The audit is part of a larger initiative to align Nigeria’s civil service with international best practices and facilitate the transition to digital governance. Tinubu emphasized his administration’s commitment to evidence-based policy, emphasizing the need of reliable and secure data.

“Data is the new oil.” “Unlike oil, it becomes more valuable when refined and responsibly shared,” he said.

To promote openness and data protection, the president mandated that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) disclose verified data in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

Read Also: Wike: Tinubu Conference Centre Fully Reserved Till 2027

President Tinubu also applauded the continuing reforms under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025, commending the Civil Service’s Head, Dr. Didi Walson-Jack, for her leadership in promoting innovation and digital transformation.

“Launching Service-Wise GPT and other innovations reflects exceptional leadership,” he told me.

Dr. Walson-Jack highlighted during her remarks that the event was entirely self-funded through strategic collaborations and imaginative preparation. She emphasized the necessity of a world-class civil service in fulfilling Nigeria’s African leadership goals.

“If Nigeria must lead Africa, our civil service must lead first,” according to her.

The reforms are a crucial step toward establishing a contemporary, nimble, and results-oriented public sector capable of satisfying citizens’ needs in the digital age.

Wike: Tinubu Conference Centre Fully Reserved Till 2027

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Wike: Tinubu Conference Centre Fully Reserved Till 2027

The recently refurbished Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is fully booked through 2027, according to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike. This indicates strong demand and validates the government’s investment in the facility.

During the commissioning of the Kugbo Bus and Taxi Terminal, one of several infrastructure projects inaugurated in honor of President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office, Wike made this revelation on Thursday in Abuja.

The people has criticized the FCT government for spending ₦39 billion to renovate the conference center. But according to Wike, the project was a good investment because of the large number of reservations and recent high-profile use, such as an ECOWAS meeting that President Tinubu hosted.

“That convention center is currently reserved till 2027 as I speak to you. The minister said, “There is no more room.
“The deputy speaker submitted an application for a constitutional amendment event, but no date is available. Since the facility is not free, I’m attempting to make adjustments, assuming he can pay on time.

Wike emphasized that no government agency or figure is free from the facility’s commercial operations.

Read Also: Tax Reform Head Taiwo Oyedele Shares Emotional Cost of Leading Fiscal Overhaul

Nothing compares to a waiver from the National Assembly. To maintain sustainability, everyone must pay to utilize the facilities.

Wike praised President Tinubu’s leadership and pointed out that making audacious choices despite opposition is necessary for real success.

“A leader cannot be successful if they do not make decisions. Whether you act or not, people will always have something to say. The important thing is to take action and proceed.

The newly finished Kugbo and Mabushi Bus Terminals, as well as the current construction of another terminal in the Central Business District, are intended to bring order to public transit in the Federal Capital Territory, the minister said, highlighting ongoing efforts to upgrade Abuja’s transportation infrastructure.

“We are working to better the lives of all people, rich and poor alike; we are not here just to appease the elite. President Tinubu has adopted that idea, and it is the way to advance this nation,” Wike continued.

The changes highlight the administration’s commitment to building vital infrastructure and improving the Federal Capital Territory’s usability and attractiveness.

Tax Reform Head Taiwo Oyedele Shares Emotional Cost of Leading Fiscal Overhaul

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Tax Reform Head Taiwo Oyedele Shares Emotional Cost of Leading Fiscal Overhaul

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has discussed the significant personal and emotional sacrifices he made while leading Nigeria’s massive tax reform campaign.

During an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today, Oyedele commented on the high cost of public service, following President Bola Tinubu’s signing of four historic tax reform laws earlier in the day.

Oyedele, who was appointed by President Tinubu in July 2023, stated that the role had a considerable influence on his profession, income, and family life, but he accepted it as a patriotic obligation.

“It affected everything, including my job trajectory and finances. “I made the decision on purpose, so I’m not complaining,” he explained. “In fact, the money offered by the government was so minimal that I opted not to take a salary — just reimbursement for direct costs.”

While the financial sacrifice was significant, Oyedele identified the emotional toll as the most challenging aspect of the voyage.

“The most significant sacrifice was the emotional impact, particularly on my family. There were false tales and misleading headlines online, all of which weighed severely on my loved ones.”

He said that his wife resorted to nightly prayer vigils owing to emotional stress, highlighting the hidden burden experienced by individuals in public service.

“My wife was performing night vigils every night while yet managing to operate throughout the day. It was challenging. Fortunately, our children are too little to completely understand what we’ve gone through.

Read Also: Abuja: Fubara Engages Suspended Speaker Amaewhule in Reconciliation Talks

Oyedele urged Nigerians to support professionals who volunteer to serve the country, warning that undue antagonism could discourage qualified individuals from entering public service.

“If Nigerians sincerely want a better country, they must not make it difficult for honest people who are attempting to assist. “Public service is already a difficult decision; adding stress only drives good people away.”

His impassioned statements provide a rare peek into the personal struggles that underpin big policy initiatives, as the country prepares to enact broad tax reforms aimed at increasing fiscal responsibility and economic growth.

Abuja: Fubara Engages Suspended Speaker Amaewhule in Reconciliation Talks

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Abuja: Fubara Engages Suspended Speaker Amaewhule in Reconciliation Talks

June 26, 2025, Abuja The suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, met with suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Abuja on Thursday in a major step toward ending the political situation in Rivers State.

The meeting, which took place behind closed doors in Nigeria’s capital, was friendly and the first time the two leaders had met since President Bola Tinubu suspended them, according to those familiar with the situation.

Read Also: Obasanjo Criticizes El-Rufai, Alleges Breach of Trust and Disloyalty

Other State Assembly members were also there, and it was stated that both sides made small talk, joked, and pledged to participate in a positive way.

The suspended governor is adamant on achieving peace. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, “he has begun the real engagement.”

Reports state that the meeting concluded amicably, with each party pledging to engage in communication and de-escalation. According to insiders, the meeting was “fruitful,” suggesting that more talks between the parties involved would take place in the days ahead.

After weeks of instability and leadership conflicts, the federal government and political stakeholders are working to stabilize Rivers State’s governance system at the time of the meeting.

The event has been greeted by observers as a positive indication that cooperation and peace may soon be restored to the political climate of the state.

Obasanjo Criticizes El-Rufai, Alleges Breach of Trust and Disloyalty

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Obasanjo Criticizes El-Rufai, Alleges Breach of Trust and Disloyalty

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has sharply criticized Nasir El-Rufai, the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), calling him a someone who has a chronic predisposition to deceive and a lack of loyalty.

Obasanjo recollected his experiences working with El-Rufai, whom he nominated as Minister during his government, in his book, My Watch (Vol. 2). Although praising El-Rufai’s intelligence and ability to produce outcomes, Obasanjo claimed that the former minister lacked the moral qualities required of a public servant.

“Nasir has a nearly obsessive tendency to destroy people’s reputations. He shamelessly lied against me, his coworkers, and even his own relatives, Obasanjo wrote.

The former president recalled how El-Rufai constantly violated trust and misrepresented the truth in order to further his own agenda, even though he had the backing and authority of his administration.

Obasanjo denounced El-Rufai’s purported acts against his own family members, including a half-brother and a well-respected uncle, calling the behavior extremely concerning and indicative of a lack of moral guidance.

Despite his talent, he requires careful monitoring. “He has what I refer to as the’small man syndrome,’ which is a confluence of psychological and upbringing problems,” Obasanjo said.

Read Also: I Worked For Tinubu For 2 Years, Never Had A Sit-Down With Him — Ex-Aide Blasts Tinubu

Despite the severe criticism, Obasanjo acknowledged that El-Rufai played a significant role in carrying out important initiatives while in office and that he could still serve the nation, but only under close supervision.

“He delivered what I knew he could.” But he is a liability in unsupervised situations because of his character flaws,” he continued.

Finally, Obasanjo voiced concern about the factors that might have influenced El-Rufai’s disposition, pointing out that his actions might have been influenced by his early lack of parental direction.

I Worked For Tinubu For 2 Years, Never Had A Sit-Down With Him — Ex-Aide Blasts Tinubu

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I Worked For Tinubu For 2 Years, Never Had A Sit-Down With Him — Ex-Aide Blasts Tinubu

Aliyu Audu, a former advisor to President Bola Tinubu on Public Affairs, claims to have worked for the president for two years without having direct access to him.
He revealed that, despite working as Tinubu’s spokesperson for nearly two years, he had never met him.
According to reports, Audu has resigned from his post as SSA for Public Affairs.

He noted that his previous employer willingly met with Nigerian singer David Adeleke, aka Davido, and Lagos politician Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran but refused to give him access.

Read Also: OKANGA 2027: Full Support for Chief (Dr.) Philip Agbese

During an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday evening, the former presidential aide stated that they will work against Tinubu’s reelection.

He stated, “I worked for the President for nearly two years.” I did not have a sit-down with him. I am one of his spokespersons, but he sat with Davido, who insulted him a few weeks ago.

“Then he sat with Jandor, who finished last in the Lagos election. “It does not make sense.”

Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s uncle and Governor of Osun State, paid Tinubu a visit in Lagos just a few days before Audu resigned.

It should also be noted that in March, Jandor, who campaigned for Lagos governorship in the 2023 election on the Peoples Democratic Party platform, met with the President after resigning from the party.

OKANGA 2027: Full Support for Chief (Dr.) Philip Agbese

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OKANGA 2027: Full Support for Chief (Dr.) Philip Agbese

I’m thrilled to announce my full support for Chief (Dr.) Philip Agbese Okanga’s re-election in 2027 by God’s Grace.

As a proud son of the Owukpa community in Ogbadibo Local Government, I’m overjoyed to see the numerous projects for Owukpa included in the 2025 budget, which will soon kick off. Despite all he has already done, I score him 60% in his 2 years in office.

This tangible progress has convinced me that Honorable Agbese’s achievements are not mere propaganda, but a testament to his dedication.

Having contested for the same seat in 2023, I’ve had a front-row seat to his exceptional work. I’m impressed by his commitment to our constituency, and I believe I might not have done any better if I had won. His youthfulness is an asset, and I think it’s time to give our younger generation a chance.

As many know, our constituency has an informal zoning arrangement, where each local government gets an eight-year term from 1999-2023. By the last election conducted 2 years ago, every local government in Enone Federal Constituency had already enjoyed two terms. Ado LG (1999-2003), Okpokwu (2003-2011), then Ogbadibo (2011-2019), and then Ado came on board again (2019-2023). This was the basis for my contesting the election in 2023, since every local government had, had its fair turn.

It may interest you to know that no local government voluntarily left the stage after enjoying their two-term turn. In 2011, Okpokwu Local Government forced its way to do a third term but lost in the field, while in 2019, Ogbadibo Local Government also forced its way to get a third term but met stiff resistance and lost in the field. In all this analysis, it was Ado Local Government that broke its tenure into two, which is 1999-2003 and then 2019-2023. This became the major reason we all stood against Ado Local Government in 2023, with a superior argument that they had done their two terms, irrespective of how they managed to split it.

After many crucial stakeholders’ meetings and upon meetings in 2022, a school of thought came together in Okpoga, the constituency headquarters, and reviewed exhaustively, concluding that since we (Ogbadibo) refused to let Ado Local Government continue solely in the election (considering they were the incumbent then), we could all go ahead and contest for the election from the three local governments, with the agreement that whosoever wins, the zoning will start from there. It was named “The Okpoga Accord 2022” and happened in the buildup to the primary election in 2022. As faith would have it, the three local governments participated in the general election, with Ogbadibo in (PDP), Okpokwu in (Labour), and Ado in (APC).

Given that Ado Local Government won the seat in 2023, it is only normal to concede the zoning to them, especially in a civilized society where agreements are respected and values are maintained.
I believe Honorable Agbese should be allowed to complete his second term without disruption, except if another accord is entered into that every local government should just start doing one term turn now, which I don’t think will work.

While this decision might not sit well with everyone, I’m making it based on my conviction that he’s the best person for the job. I’ve seen his blueprint, and the 2025 budget reflects his commitment to our constituency. With projects planned for all 35 wards, I’m confident that he’ll continue to deliver. I pray for his success and wish him all the best in his re-election bid.

As a matter of fact, I’ve had some individuals, friends and wellwishers approach me to contest against him, but I believe that God’s plan is what’s most important. As I always say, A man can get nothing except what he’s given to him from God. I’m focusing on supporting Honorable Agbese for now, but if the Lord tarries, I’ll continue to prepare for higher elections and share my plans with you. Let’s give our younger generation a chance to lead and make a difference. I’m 100% behind Honorable Philip Agbese, and I believe he’ll win the 2027 House of Representatives seat for Enone Federal Constituency 2027 by the special grace of God 🙏.

 

Rep. Philip Agbese Celebrates Comrade Austin Agada on His Birthday

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Rep. Philip Agbese Celebrates Comrade Austin Agada on His Birthday

The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives and Honourable Member representing Ado, Ogbadibo, and Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Chief (Dr.) Philip Agbese, has extended his warmest birthday wishes to the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State and Chairman of the National Agricultural Seed Council, Comrade Austin Agada.

In a heartfelt message, Chief Agbese, widely known as Okanga K’Agila, described Comrade Agada as a symbol of resilience, visionary leadership, and commitment to progress. He commended Agada’s transformative leadership within the APC in Benue State, noting that his tenure has been defined by unity, strategic growth, and unwavering dedication to party principles.

Highlighting Comrade Agada’s role as a beacon of hope and inspiration to the youth, Rep. Agbese reaffirmed his readiness to continue working alongside leaders like him in fostering the socioeconomic development of Benue State and, more specifically, the Enone Constituency.

Chief Agbese also offered prayers for Comrade Agada, asking for God’s continued guidance, wisdom, and protection as he leads with purpose and contributes to both state and national development. He wished him good health, peace of mind, and many more impactful years ahead.

On this special occasion, Chief (Dr.) Philip Agbese joins friends, colleagues, and well-wishers in celebrating a leader whose commitment to public service continues to inspire.

One Killed in Chaos During APC Bwari Primary Election

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One Killed in Chaos During APC Bwari Primary Election

After violent altercations during the All Progressives Congress (APC) council primaries in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja on Wednesday, one person was confirmed dead.
It was discovered that the incident took place as emotions grew over alleged anomalies in the list of delegates used for the election.
It allegedly acquired a video of the event showing a body being hastily loaded into a black car.

The media claims to have heard a voice saying, “Quickly, put him inside the car,” in the background.

According to a party source, Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s national chairman, was also in charge of submitting a controversial list of delegates for the primary election for the Bwari Area Council.
According to the source, the list purportedly created by the chairman of the APC Local Council was unanimously rejected by candidates and authorized delegates.

After the disputed list was supposedly sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the APC leadership, the situation apparently worsened.

“APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje is accused of compromising IEC by supplying the list of delegates for the local government election in the Bwari Area Council. The purportedly fraudulent list that was sent by the APC Local Council Chairman was unanimously rejected by candidates and authorized delegates, according to a different source.

In a video that journalists were able to get, the APC council chairman, however, charged that certain party members had been compromised after allegedly taking payment to sabotage the primaries.

He begged everyone to examine their consciences and stop causing trouble for financial gain during the heated discussion.

Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, told reporters when they reached him that “I am not in Abuja at the moment.” Thanks.

SP Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, stated that she was out of town and would respond to reporters later.
The police spokesperson told SaharaReporters, “I will call to confirm as I am out of town at the moment, but let me confirm and get back to you.”

Oyetola: Blue Economy Up 90%, On Track to Outpace NNPC

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Oyetola: Blue Economy Up 90%, On Track to Outpace NNPC

Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has announced a staggering 90% rise in revenue earned by Nigeria’s blue economy sector. He expressed confidence that, with continuing changes, the sector will overtake the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) in income generation.

Speaking at the “My Harassment-Free Ship” 2025 Day of the Seafarers celebration in Port Harcourt, Oyetola emphasized the importance of port automation, modernization, and digital transformation as key drivers of this progress.

“In a short period of time, we boosted our revenue by at least 90%. “We are confident that with continued modernization and technology adoption, the blue economy will eventually outperform the NNPC in terms of revenue generation,” the minister stated.

NPA forecasts ₦1.27 trillion revenue by 2025.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) anticipates a 40% rise in revenue from ₦894.86 billion in 2024 to over ₦1.27 trillion by 2025, in line with the minister’s declaration. The NPA’s estimate is based on increased operational efficiency, full activation of the Dangote Refinery’s marine infrastructure, and the deployment of cutting-edge technology in Nigerian ports.

Managing Director of the NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, presented the data during a budget defense session with the House Committee on Ports and Harbours, noting that capital projects will account for more than 70% of 2025 spending.

Maritime Labor E-Platform Launched
To improve transparency and labour governance, the federal government has launched the Maritime Labour E-Platform, a digital portal that will streamline maritime worker administration. The technology enables real-time data access, encourages regulatory compliance, and centralizes workforce management.

Read Also: First International Civil Service Conference, Global Leaders Unite for Governance Reform in Abuja

“This e-platform is a bold step toward digital governance, improved service delivery, and industry-wide innovation,” Oyetola said, pushing all stakeholders to adopt the system.

Promoting Seafarers’ Welfare and Safety.
Oyetola, speaking on the topic of the 2025 celebration, underlined the need of eliminating harassment and bullying in the marine sector. He underlined the ministry’s commitment to raising seafarer education to international standards and fully complying with the STCW Convention, including anti-harassment training.

He also applauded NIMASA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which established standards for fair compensation, reasonable working conditions, and conflict resolution for seafarers.

NIMASA Encourages Alignment with MLC 2006 Amendments
Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of NIMASA, has urged shipowners and crewing agencies to update their operations manuals in accordance with the recently approved changes to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.

The reforms address crucial problems such as recognising seafarers as key workers, improving safety, shore leave, and repatriation benefits. The revised rules are planned to go into force internationally by December 2027.

“These reforms represent a global agreement to safeguard seafarers and ensure fair treatment. “Our operators must quickly align to ensure compliance,” Mobereola stated.

With substantial progress in modernization, regulation, and human capital development, Nigeria’s blue economy is developing as a crucial source of national revenue. The government’s commitment to building a harassment-free, digitally enabled maritime industry is a solid foundation for long-term success.

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