The embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu has appointed nine aides to help him discharge his duties.
The appointments was announced by his Chief Press Secretary, Comrade Musa Ebomhiana.
The appointees are Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.
According to the statement, their appointment takes immediate effect.
Shaibu appointed Kingsley Ehigiamusor as Chief of Staff, Comrade Musa Ebomhiana as Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Akhaba as Senior Special Assistant, Mustapha Lawal as Senior Special Assistant and Mr Charles Olubayo as Senior Special Assistant.
Others are Mathias Akhanemhe as Special Assistant, Comrade Robinson Akhenoba as Special Assistant, Robert Ojele as Special Assistant, and Isioma Ogochukwu also as Special Assistant.
Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly had impeached Shaibu following his rift with Governor Godwin Obaseki.
However, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, reinstated Shaibu as the deputy governor.
Following his reinstatement, Shaibu had vowed to resume his office, stressing that he remains deputy governor till November when the Edo State governorship election would be conducted.
Edo: Philip Shaibu appoints Chief of Staff, other aides
Edo: Philip Shaibu appoints Chief of Staff, other aides
Nigerians are suffering, it’s patriotic to speak truth to power – Ndume blows hot
The lawmaker representing the Borno South, Senator Ali Ndume on Friday insisted that Nigerians are angry over the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country.
The lawmaker spoke on Friday during a chat with newsmen in Maiduguri, Borno State capital while reacting to his removal as Chief Whip of the Senate.
TVN recalls that the Borno lawmaker was removed on Wednesday following his criticism of the President Bola Tinubu government.
Ndume had raised the alarm over the untoward hardship bedeviling Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to urgently address the situation.
His criticism, however, cost him the position of Chief Whip in the upper legislative chamber.
Addressing journalists on the matter on Friday, Ndume wondered why he was sanctioned, stating that he expected those in power to take his views seriously.
According to him, it is unpatriotic to always be on the side of the President, urging patriotic Nigerians to always speak truth to power.
He said, “It is unpatriotic to stand by Mr President with whatever he does, it is patriotic to speak the truth not only to the President but anybody for that matter. It unpatriotic not to speak the truth to power or anybody and still stand by that.
“People are not happy, people are suffering and angry. Leaders in this country need to take a review; they should get back to me to tell me whether I said anything that is not true or is wrong.
“It is God that gave me that position and it is God that took it, so I bear no grudge against anyone. Afterall, I didn’t contest to be the Chief Whip, I didn’t contest to be the Vice Chairman Appropriation Committee, I contested to be a senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Nigerians are suffering, it’s patriotic to speak truth to power – Ndume blows hot
Govs will turn state police to militia – ex-Reps Speaker Dogara
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on Friday warned against the establishment of state police.
Dogara warned that establishment of state police would enable governors to build militias in their domains.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Inside Source with Laolu Akande, the former Speaker described as “laughable” the calls for state police.
He also accused governors of mismanaging state-controlled electoral commissions to have their way during local government elections.
Dogara said, “Look at this country, what is it that has been outsourced to a state that has been properly managed?
“Look at how the state electoral commissions have turned out to be. If I were a governor and I wanted to be a pretentious democrat, I can even say three, four, or five local governments are less consequential to me; let me cede them to oppositions but when they (governors) run these elections, the ruling parties take 100% of the local government chairmen seat.
“If we have state police, what will play out is that we will be giving a hangman the free man to hang, we will enable state governors to build militias.
“They control 100% state assemblies, they control 100% magistrates, area court justices and even the state high court.
“So, when you now reinforce that or strengthen that with the state police, you are making them a judge in their own case, which even runs counter to the principle of democracy.
“What will happen is that if you disagree with your governor, you dare not go home. The state police then becomes a militia used to rig elections by the sitting governors.”
Govs will turn state police to militia – ex-Reps Speaker Dogara
Kidnap incident: We rescued 13 passengers, three missing – Enugu Police
The Police in Enugu State, on Friday, said three persons are still missing after kidnappers attacked passengers at the Amechi-Idodo area of the Enugu/Abakaliki highway in Enugu State.
TVN had reported that a relative of one of the victims told the media that about 11 persons were abducted by the gunmen, and that they were demanding N30 million.
Giving update on the incident, DSP Danied Ndukwe, Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, said the command rescued 13 passengers.
He, however, said three of the passengers were yet to be seen.
According to him, “a Joint Security Operatives, upon receipt of a distress call on the incident, moved to the Enugu/Ebonyi States border point along the Enugu/Abakaliki Expressway, on the said date and time.
“Thence, they rescued thirteen (13) occupants of a Nissan commercial bus.
“However, three (3) others, who scampered into nearby bushes upon the attack, are yet-to-be located.”
Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, had ordered the sustenance of ongoing operations to locate and rescue the three (3) missing victims, and also hunt down the assailants.
“He reassures commitment to sustain collaborative efforts with internal and neigbouring States’ security forces to ensure watertight security on major highways,” he added.
Kidnap incident: We rescued 13 passengers, three missing – Enugu Police
Nigeria not affected by global IT outage – ngCERT
Nigeria was not affected by the global information technology outage which grounded airline operations and other activities in several countries.
The Nigeria Computer and Emergency Response Team, ngCERT, disclosed this in a statement through its official X account on Friday, noting that there has not been any reported outage of IT services in the country.
The update comes amid the global IT outage that grounded activities in the US, UK, India, Australia and New Zealand.
“ngCERT is aware of the global IT outage affecting various services and platforms.
“So far, we have not received any reports of impact on our cyberspace. We will issue an advisory as soon as valid information is available. Please report any noticed impacts for prompt action,” the organization stated.
TVN reports that a global tech outage grounded major US airlines on Friday.
Nigeria not affected by global IT outage – ngCERT
Pakistan police arrest bin Laden’s former Afghan bodyguard
Counter-terrorism police in Pakistan have arrested Aminul Haq, a former Afghan bodyguard of the late al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
Usman Akram Gondal of the counter-terrorism police said Haq, who once headed bin Laden’s elite security unit, was arrested in the city of Gujrat.
He said that Haq’s name is on the United Nations’ list of global terrorists and he was previously arrested in Pakistan in 2007.
Haq went into hiding after he was released from a Pakistani jail in 2011 and reappeared in the Afghan region of Nangarhar in 2021 after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban.
Gondal said Haq recently entered Pakistan and that the purpose of his visit was being investigated.
The al-Qaeda leader carried Afghan and fake Pakistani identity documents that he used to travel with, the officer said.
The counter-terrorism police raided the compound he was staying in on an intelligence tip suggesting his presence in the Gujrat area, Gondal said.
Haq is the first high-profile al-Qaeda figure who has been arrested in Pakistan since the fall of neighbouring Afghanistan to the Taliban.
U.S. forces killed bin Laden in his residential compound in the northern Pakistani city of Abbottabad in a raid in 2011.
Several Arab, Afghan and Pakistani al-Qaeda leaders were killed in the country in U.S. drone strikes in subsequent years, resulting in the weakening of the once formidable global terror network.
According to recent UN reports, the group has been seeking a resurgence in the region since Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021.
Pakistan police arrest bin Laden’s former Afghan bodyguard
Reps to scrutinise N6.2tn supplementary budget – Spokesman, Agbese
The House of Representatives is set to review the N6.2tn 2024 supplementary budget submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
This budget, which targets critical infrastructure including education, healthcare, and public welfare, was transmitted on Wednesday, 17th of July 2024.
Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, revealed the details and purpose of the supplementary budget during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Friday.
Agbese stated the parliament is dedicated to a comprehensive examination of the budget.
“The 2024 supplementary budget, totalling ₦6.2tn, aims to fund critical infrastructure projects, education, healthcare access, and public welfare initiatives.
“The budget is divided into two main components: ₦3.2tn for renewed hope infrastructure projects and other critical infrastructure projects across the country, and ₦3tn to meet further recurrent expenditure requirements necessary for the proper operation of the Federal Government.”
Agbese, who represents Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State, assured that every aspect of the budget proposal will be scrutinized to ensure efficient utilization and alignment with the best interests of constituents.
“We will scrutinize every bit of the budget proposal to ensure that ultimately each kobo is well utilized and that the budget is in the best interest of our constituents,” he said.
Agbese also pointed out the legislative body’s plans to engage with stakeholders, conduct public hearings, and meticulously review the executive bill.
Reps to scrutinise N6.2tn supplementary budget – Spokesman, Agbese
Ijaw leaders back Otuaro, say he has ensured paradigm shift at Presidential Amnesty Programme
The leadership of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, has backed Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, saying he is a product of the Ijaw struggle for self determination.
They equally lauded Otuaro for providing innovative leadership and ensuring a paradigm shift in the operations of the Programme.
The President of the INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, stated this when he led a delegation of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation to visit Otuaro at the PAP Office in Abuja on Thursday.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Friday.
Okaba who congratulated Otuaro, said that the leadership of the INC and the entire Ijaw nation are proud of him.
He said the Ijaw nation had been expressing satisfaction with the laudable performance of the PAP boss since assuming office in March, 2024, particularly in ensuring a paradigm shift in the programme.
The INC chief thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Otuaro, noting that the gesture underscored the attempt at addressing the concerns of the Ijaw nation.
He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for having confidence in the capacity and ability of the PAP boss to deliver on the mandate of the programme.
Okaba said, “When we heard that you are the one appointed to this highly exalted position, we felt very happy. Today, it is to familiarise ourselves and to understand the terrain.
“We want to say that you have started very well. We have seen the paradigm shift in many areas. We want to appreciate you. Ijaw people are talking well about you; you are a very pragmatic person, an engager and somebody who is not pursued by problems. Rather, when they come, you confront them frontally.
“We like to take this opportunity to really appreciate the President, Bola Tinubu, for your appointment. And only yesterday, a daughter of Ijaw nation was also appointed as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The Ijaw issues of marginalisation, exploitation and underdevelopment etc, are receiving a much-needed attention.
“Also, we thank the National Security Adviser for the confidence he has in you. In any opportunity we have, we shall impress it upon him that you are a round peg in a round hole. You are a product of the Ijaw struggle for self-determination; not a stranger to the Ijaw problems.
“You can interpret those salient points of Ijaw agitation, and you understand the peculiarities of this engagement. You understand your assignment and Ijaw nation is waiting. You are already doing very well, you have our prayers and support.”
Responding, the PAP Administrator called for unity among the Ijaw people, assuring the INC leadership that he would not disappoint the Ijaw nation.
Otuaro vowed to work hard to promote Tinubu’s strong will for the sustainable development, peace and security of the Niger Delta.
While thanking the INC for the “legacy visit”, Otuaro said he was poised to make the PAP better with innovations and transparency.
According to him, his administration would increase the number of scholarship students from the current 275 it inherited in the 2023/2024 academic session across various partnering universities in the country.
Otuaro also said that the PAP had designed a scheme to empower not less than 1,000 Niger Delta people in the vocational sectors in the months ahead, adding that he would always do the right things.
The PAP boss said, “I will not be carried away on this assignment. I will make sure that as an Ijaw man, I will not disappoint the Ijaw National Congress. The INC is the umbrella voice of the Ijaw people. I will not work at cross-purposes with the aspirations of our Niger Delta Delta people.
“In doing that, I will also make sure that I promote the strong will Mr President has towards the development of the Niger Delta. As a people, it is when we are united and support the aspirations of our people, that Mr President will even listen to us. We need to work together.
“I will always do the right things here; make sure this programme under this administration focuses on empowerment of our youths through formal and informal education. I will not use backdoor to do something that is worth doing.”
Ijaw leaders back Otuaro, say he has ensured paradigm shift at Presidential Amnesty Programme
Ndume rejects chairmanship of Senate Committee on Tourism, kicks against removal as Chief Whip
The lawmaker representing the Borno South, Senator Ali Ndume on Friday declined the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism.
Ndume announced the decision at his country home in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital, about 48 hours after he was removed as the Chief Whip of the Senate.
TVN reports that Ndume was removed as the Senate Chief Whip after criticizing President Bola Tinubu.
The lawmaker, while reacting to his removal, said after reviewing the conversation that angered his colleagues, his believed his action did not warrant the punishment.
He said he declined the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Tourism because he lacks the experience and exposure to lead such a sensitive group.
Ndume claimed that he was given the chance to choose which committee to serve as the vice chairman, having successfully led the campaigns that brought about the emergence of Godswill Akpabio as President of the Senate.
On speculations that he may resign from the All Progressives Congress, APC, the senator said he will remain in the party, being a founding member.
According to him, he was one of the 22 senators from the PDP that formed the APC when the current national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, was a deputy governor in Kano State.
Ndume rejects chairmanship of Senate Committee on Tourism, kicks against removal as Chief Whip
NAF Operation Delta Safe destroys canoes, illegal sites in Rivers
The Nigerian Airforce on Friday, said its Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, carried out reconnaissance missions along the Kolo Creek trunkline and Soku Sambarth lines and destroyed Canoes and illegal sites at Obenibokiri in Rivers State.
Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force in a statement on Friday, said the crew scanned the Right of Way of the pipeline with no sign of breach observed.
According to him, midway along the line, a leak was observed with some persons suspected to be staff of an oil company attempting to fix the leakage but the team while extending the patrol towards the end of the line revealed no sign of illegal activities.
It said the aircraft proceeded to Soku-Sambarth, identified Soku Gas station, and carried out a further scan of the general environment with no sign of illegal activities observed, but on their return journey, the crew sighted 6 canoes loaded with suspected stolen oil products, which were subsequently destroyed.
“Flying overhead Obenibokiri, a settlement about 15 Km away from Port Harcourt, the crew spotted 8 active Illegal Refining Sites with overhead tanks and one with over 300 piled up sacks containing suspected stolen oil products. These were all effectively destroyed.” It further said.
NAF Operation Delta Safe destroys canoes, illegal sites in Rivers