The Chairman of the House Committee on Downstream Petroleum, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has refuted allegations that he gave $1.7 million to the House leadership to secure the position.
He described the allegations as an attempt to divert attention from endemic corruption in the oil industry.
The lawmaker also expressed support for the Speaker’s decision to dissolve the joint committee investigating challenges in the oil sector, stressing that he trusted the Speaker’s judgment.
He reiterated his commitment to transparency and reform, vowing to push for accountability in the oil industry.
Ugochinyere hailed the Speaker and Deputy Speaker for their inclusive leadership style, which, according to him, has maintained stability in the House.
He dismissed the allegations as a “smear campaign” by corrupt elements seeking to escape justice, reaffirming his focus on fighting for good governance, undeterred by the attacks and allegations against him and the House leadership.
Ugochinyere said, “The allegation is a belated nonsensical, childish, and unprofessional fiction work aimed at creating division in the House to aid some criminal elements that are long overdue for the prison to think they can escape justice which is impossible as the demand for transparency and reform is a task that will be pushed.
“Only a childish mind will believe the poorly scripted work that Speaker was given 1.7m dollars for something that those not worth a penny. We will not dignify the cheap attempt to distract and divert attention from the House investigation on the corruption from our Oil industry.”
I didn’t bribe to secure House Committee chair – Ugochinyere
I didn’t bribe to secure House Committee chair – Ugochinyere
FG rejects foreign interference, investigates protest violence
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has reiterated Nigeria’s stance against foreign interference in its domestic affairs and highlighted the importance of cordial international relationships.
Tuggar made this known at the briefing of the members of the diplomatic corps on the programme and policies of the Federal Government, in Abuja on Wednesday.
The nationwide #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest, which commenced on Thursday, August 1, was in response to the hardship experienced by citizens in the country.
Several major highways were blocked, exacerbating the situation.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which gained momentum in major cities such as Lagos, Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Abuja, and other northern towns, were marked by violence.
In some instances, security officials’ actions were the catalyst for the violence, while in other cases, it has been driven by overzealous protesters or counter-protesters.
Over the weekend, media reports and footage showed EndBadGovernance protesters carrying Russian flags.
In a national broadcast on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu pleaded with the organisers of the nationwide protest to suspend the action as it had gone violent in some states with the attendant loss of lives and destruction of property.
The According reported on Monday that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested no fewer than 30 EndBadGovernance protesters waving Russian flags in Kano and other states.
Also, one of the flag producers, identified as Ahmed Bello, was arrested with a large quantity of flags in Kano.
The Minister appealed for continued collaboration from the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts in overcoming its current challenges and achieving a better future for all Nigerians.
“While the government continues to work hard through the various reform programs and measures to address the challenges facing Nigeria and Nigerians, it is pertinent to remind us that no nation tolerates foreign interference in its domestic affairs and that of its citizens. Nigeria is not an exception.
“The government would take appropriate action against any foreign entity residing in Nigeria that is found to have directly or indirectly supported the protesters by whatever means or seeks to interfere in the internal affairs of the country.
“Nigeria cherishes and continues to value the cordial relationships that happily subsist between her and your countries and organisations and will not do anything to undermine or take for granted such relationships.
“Indeed, more than any time before now, we solicit your understanding and collaboration in the ongoing efforts of the Federal government in addressing the economic challenges confronting the country, to achieve a better life for every Nigerians at home and abroad,” he explained.
In his address, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the government’s support for peaceful assembly and freedom of expression while committing to investigating the violence and bringing those responsible to justice.
Idris thanked the diplomatic community for their support and assured that the worst of the unrest is over.
He expressed optimism that the government’s policy interventions would soon yield positive results for the nation.
“I want to assure your excellencies that the Federal Government has launched an investigation into the violence that we have seen in the last one week to identify and bring to justice all those responsible.
“We are committed to preventing the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future. I also want to thank you individually and collectively for your support and understanding during that difficult period.
“I want to assure you that the worst is over, and we can now as a nation march forward to enjoy the fruit of all the policy and programme interventions being implemented. I thank you for your kind attention,” he stated.
Obaseki mourns Patrick Ekpu, Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Benin
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has mourned the passage of Emeritus Archbishop of Benin, Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, saying he was a great ambassador of the Catholic faith.
TVN reports that Obaseki, in his condolence message, said he was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of the cleric.
According to him, Archbishop Patrick Ekpu was compassionate and kind and had an illustrious history as a Catholic priest who worked assiduously for the growth of the Christian faith.
“He was an inspiration to many and a model that a lot of young people looked up to.
“I celebrate his impactful service to humanity and God and appreciate his work for Christ in Edo State, where he served for many years in promoting peace and societal cohesion. He is a great ambassador of the Catholic faith.
“Archbishop Ekpu was devoted to Christ and has done enviable work in the Lord’s vineyard, building a community of Catholic faithful who have continued to sustain his legacy of service, compassion, and sacrifice,” the governor said.
Obaseki commiserated with His Grace, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, the Archbishop of the Benin City Catholic Archdiocese, and the entire Edo Catholic community.
He prayed God to grant the Catholic community the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Obaseki mourns Patrick Ekpu, Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Benin
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Yunus, to lead Bangladesh interim government
Nobel laureate, Prof. Muhammad Yunus has been named Bangladesh’s interim leader.
Recall that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following weeks of intense protests by the citizens.
Yunus, 84, was appointed a day after Hasina left.
The Nobel laureate, who is a long time political foe of the ousted Prime Minister, has been praised for his pioneering use of microloans.
Hasina regarded him as a public enemy – he is currently on bail, appealing against a six-month jail term in what he has called a politically-motivated case.
Students who led the mass protests that unseated Hasina refused to accept a military-led government and pushed for Prof Yunus to lead the interim administration.
The decision to name Yunus as chief adviser of the interim government was sequel to a meeting between President Mohammed Shahabuddin, military leaders and student leaders.
“When the students who sacrificed so much are requesting me to step in at this difficult juncture, how can I refuse?” Prof Yunus had said.
“He is returning to Dhaka from Paris where he is undergoing a minor medical procedure,” his spokesperson had said.
Recall that the protests in Bangladesh began in early July with demands from university students to abolish quotas in civil service jobs, but snowballed into a broader anti-government movement.
READ ALSO: Bangladesh president dissolves parliament, frees ex-PM
Over 400 people are reported to have died in clashes between government forces and protesters – mostly civilians shot by police.
On Monday alone, more than 100 people died across the country, making it the single deadliest day in the movement. Hundreds of police stations were also torched.
Hours before protesters stormed and looted the former PM’s official residence in the capital Dhaka, Ms Hasina resigned and fled to neighbouring India. That brought a swift and abrupt end to her nearly 15-year rule.
Even as Bangladesh’s economy grew in the past decade, the former PM came under increasing criticism for silencing her critics and jailing her political opponents.
Some of them, such as ex-PM Khaleda Zia and activist Ahmad Bin Quasem, were released soon after Hasina’s hasty exit.
Zia chairs the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which boycotted elections in 2014 and again in 2024, saying free and fair polls were not possible under Hasina.
The 78-year-old was imprisoned in 2018 for corruption – charges which he said were politically motivated.
Rights groups had said that Quasem was detained in 2016, one of hundreds of forced disappearances during Ms Hasina’s tenure.
Yunus, who was sentenced to six months in jail in January for violating labour laws, has said he too was a victim of Hasina’s ire.
He has faced other allegations in the past, going back to 2011 when he was accused of defaming Bangladesh’s politicians.
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Re-strategize approach in addressing hardship – Group tells Tinubu
The Katsina State chapter of the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah, JIBWIS, has called on President Bola Tinubu to re-strategize his approach to addressing the economic hardship in the country.
The leader of the Islamic sect in the state, Sheikh Yakubu Musa-Hassan, made the call on Wednesday in Katsina during an interactive session with journalists.
He also urged protesters to shun such an act, as it was not the best, considering the existing security situation in some parts of the country, urging them to rather embark on a national prayer.
Musa-Hassan further gave an example with the incident of vandalism, stealing, and killing as a result of the protests as the reason they have called on the youths to sheath their swords.
He, therefore, called on parents to always call their children to order, so as to avoid their involvement in such nefarious acts.
“The protests should serve as a lesson to the state Governors and Tinubu, to re-strategize their approaches in addressing the dire economic situation in the country.
“Tinubu should adopt the follow-up method in ensuring that whatever support he released to be shared to the people reaches those that are in dire need of it, but not to be shared to politicians.
“Many people were not aware of such financial and food support from the Federal Government, therefore, the president should re-strategize.
“Giving food and money to those in need is not enough, the government should teach the youths entrepreneurship for them to be self-reliant,” the cleric said.
Musa-Hassan called on those that the Federal Government saddled with the responsibility of sharing such largesse with the public to fear Allah and deliver it to the people it was meant for.
According to him, failure to do so, they should await the punishment from Allah on the judgment day, where they have nothing to pay with, except their little good deeds.
He also responded to social media reports alleging that JIBWIS was given the Federal Government’s rice for distribution to people, saying “I have never seen a single bag of such rice.
Re-strategize approach in addressing hardship – Group tells Tinubu
Hardship: Tinubu didn’t come into office to cause difficulties – Nigerian Govt insists
The Federal Government has insisted that President Bola Tinubu did not come into office to make life difficult for Nigerians.
Addressing members of the Diplomatic Community, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the President has come to office with bold solutions to historical problems.
He said the President is determined to correct many of the poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have held the nation back for decades.
“It is important to kick off on this note: that President Tinubu did not come to office to cause hardship or make life difficult for Nigerians.
“He has come to office with bold solutions to historical problems; with the determination to correct many of the poor policies and dysfunctional choices that have held us back as a nation for decades.
“The President assumed office during one of Nigeria’s most challenging periods in its history, where the country was spending 97% of all its revenue on debt service; coupled with widespread poverty, rising unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, and insecurity.
“Faced with these daunting realities, the administration took decisive action and implemented long-overdue reforms to save the economy from collapse.
“For decades, the costly, wasteful and unsustainable fuel subsidy regime had denied Nigeria the opportunity to invest in critical infrastructure, social service, and the welfare of its citizens.
“The President, therefore, had to take a very painful decision to abolish the fuel subsidy and redirect the funds towards critical sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security, which directly impact citizens’ well-being and the development of the country,” he said.
The minister added, “The President was not under any illusion that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy and the harmonization of foreign exchange rates would not come with some transitional pains.
“This informed the decision of the Federal Government to design comprehensive intervention programmes to cushion the transitional pains.
“We have been very determined about ensuring that these interventions are fully implemented, and bring the intended relief to Nigerians.”
Hardship: Tinubu didn’t come into office to cause difficulties – Nigerian Govt insists
NBA mourns ex-Ikeja branch chair, Ogunlana
The Nigerian Bar Association has expressed sadness over the death of the former chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA, Adesina Ogunlana.
Ogunlana who was Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch from 2016 to 2018, passed away on Tuesday.
In a statement signed by the National Executive Committee of the NBA, through the National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, on Wednesday, the body said Ogunlana’s passage is a monumental loss.
The statement also said that Ogundare’s term as the Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch between 2016 and 2018 witnessed a renaissance of some sort within the Bar, as he actively led the protest against the increase in the Land Use Charge introduced by the Lagos State Government in 2018.
The statement read,” It is with great sadness that the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association received the news today of the passage of one of the illustrious members of the NBA, Adesina Ogunlana, Esq.
“Mr. Ogunlana was a former chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA.
“His term as the Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch between 2016 and 2018 witnessed a renaissance of some sort within the Bar, as he actively led the protest against the increase in the Land Use Charge introduced by the Lagos State Government in 2018.
“In this time, when citizens of this country look up to conscientious members of the legal profession for direction, the passage of Adesina Ogunlana is a monumental loss, as he was an activist in the exact sense of the word.
“Not one to shy away from standing firmly on the side of the people, Mr Ogunlana actively participated in the Nationwide Hunger Protest in Lagos last week.
“Through his life works as an advocate in the courtroom and publisher of Squib Magazine, Mr. Ogunlana, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, was renowned for his active commitment to the rule of law, effective administration of justice, and protection of human rights.
“The NBA and indeed the legal profession will miss Adesina Ogunlana, but more so will Nigeria. To his immediate family, friends, and members of the NBA Ikeja Branch, the NBA offers its deepest condolences.
“Be assured that you are not alone in your grief; we grieve with you but take solace in the man that Adesina Ogunlana was. May Almighty God comfort us all.”
Kano to renovate, relocate Golden Jubilee Monument
The Kano State Executive Council has approved the sum of N2,665,646,756.44 for multiple projects in the state.
This was in a move to enhance the infrastructure and public services across the state.
Sanusi Dawakin, the spokesman to Governor Abba Yusuf, disclosed this on Wednesday while highlighting the outcomes of the 17th Executive Council meeting.
The projects he said were aimed at fostering sustainable development and improving the safety of residents across the state.
“These sweeping initiatives are designed to elevate public services and infrastructure across Kano State, addressing both current needs and future demands.
“One of the key projects is the renovation and conversion of part of the Kano State Library into an office complex for the Ministry of Transport and offices of Special Advisers to Governor Abba Yusuf with a budget of N268,160,455.84.
“This renovation is expected to provide modern, functional workspaces, thereby enhancing the efficiency of government operations and service delivery,” Dawakin stated.
He further said, ”Additionally, the council approved the relocation, re-instalment, and upgrading of the Golden Jubilee Monument at Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso Bridge along Emir’s Palace Road, costing N164,949,693.46. ”
Dawakin also said the infrastructure overhaul also includes the “Laterite filling of a 2-km road from Riga to Karkari in Gwarzo LGA (N43,382,210.10), revalidation and approval for outstanding payment for the construction of Dangote female hostel and landscaping at the Kano State University of Science & Technology, Wudil,” among others.
These projects collectively highlight the government’s proactive approach to addressing infrastructural challenges and improving public services.
Don’t belong to secret societies, fight on duty – Abia civil servants warned
Civil servants in Abia State have been charged to discharge their duties in line with the rules and to avoid involving in acts of misconduct that may tarnish the integrity of the Civil Service.
The advice was given to the civil servants by a lead resource person, Mr Anthony Nwachukwu, during a seminar organized by the Office of the Head of Service for civil servants going for promotion, conversion and confirmation examinations.
Delivering a lecture at the event attended by thousands of workers from different MDAs, Nwachukwu admonished them to refrain from acts such as fighting on duty, membership of secret societies, truancy, and falsification of personal and official records.
He also cautioned the civil servants against unofficial and illegal adoption of children, absenteeism without permission, lateness to work, unauthorized leave, rejection of transfer, poor attitude to duty or declaring for any political party.
The resource person reminded the workers that any civil servant who engages in acts that are inimical to the rules and integrity of the Civil Service will be risking suspension or dismissal, in line with the Service Rules.
He further took time to educate the workers about leave allowances, sabbatical leave, sick leave, obedience to the government in power and the need to professionalize their career.
Speaking while declaring the seminar open, Abia State Head of Service, Mrs Ngozi Obioma, explained that the seminar was put together for those going for promotion examinations to prepare them for more dedicated service.
She said the government is keeping a record of workers’ performances but allayed the fears that civil servants will be witch-hunted through the monitoring of their files.
Obioma, who tasked the civil servants on the need to move away from analogue system of service by becoming computer literate to drive speed of service delivery, challenged them to prove that they are capable and qualified to discharge their duties creditably.
Don’t belong to secret societies, fight on duty – Abia civil servants warned
Anambra offers scholarship to eight-year-old maths genius
The Anambra State Government has offered a full-time scholarship to Master Chukwuemeka Nwuzor, an eight-year-old mathematics genius who was captured in a viral video solving mathematics some weeks ago.
The wife of the state governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, who announced the scholarship award after meeting Master Chukwuemeka and his family at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia on Wednesday, said the scholarship is for the boy’s complete education in any school of his choice from primary to any level he wants to attain in life.
Master Chukwuemeka was seen in a viral video giving correct answers to different mathematical questions, including solving advanced formulas and numerical equations.
Learning that the boy in the video is from Nibo in Awka South Local Government Area of the state, to be precise, Mrs Soludo said she immediately launched a search for him and soon found his family.
On invitation to the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, the governor’s wife, sat with the boy, his father, and his younger brother.
She brought a calculator close and asked the boy questions about formulas, equations, and structures, to which he answered all correctly.
The governor’s wife then announced that she would sponsor the boy’s education from his present primary class to any level of his choice and build mentorship around him to help him reach his full potential.
She said, “Chukwuemeka’s breed is rare among mankind, and he has incredible talent. I have pledged to give him all the support he needs to grow, starting from the scholarship to any level.
“I also advised the parents not to put him under pressure by forcing him up in classes but instead allow him to walk at a pace that grows his talent better.”