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Plateau Assembly Withdraws Bill On Special Package For Sitting, Former Members

By
Ayodele Oni
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Plateau State House of Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

 

Bowing to public resentment, the Plateau State House of Assembly has withdrawn the controversial bill seeking to establish special allowances for former members, principal officers, and presiding officers of the Assembly.

 

Opposition to the proposed legislation has been from Civil Society Organizations, labour unions, and members of the public.

 

The Chairman of the Joint Committee on Rules and Business, Finance and House Services, who is also the House Majority Leader and Member representing Kanke, Hon. Joseph Gokum announced this during a press briefing at the Assembly complex on Wednesday.

 

He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations, public feedback, and the Assembly’s commitment to responsive governance.

 

According to the committee Chairman, the 10th Plateau State House of Assembly remains committed to transparency, accountability, and people-oriented legislation.

 

He pointed out that since the bill was introduced, the Assembly had carefully listened to concerns raised by civil society organizations, labour unions, and other stakeholders who protested against the proposed legislation and made formal submissions.

 

The committee acknowledged that the concerns expressed by the various groups reflected the realities facing the state and the expectations of the people the lawmakers represent.

 

“As representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure that every law we make promotes equity, fairness, and the overall welfare of all Plateau citizens, especially workers and pensioners who have devoted years of service to the state.”

 

The Chairman stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness but rather as a demonstration of maturity, humility, and respect for public opinion.

 

He further assured that the Assembly remains open to future legislation that would address the welfare of former lawmakers in a manner that is sustainable, equitable, and acceptable to the people of Plateau State.

 

The chairman also expressed appreciation to civil society organizations, labour unions, and residents of the state who participated constructively in the debate over the proposed legislation.

 

According to the Chairman, the active participation of citizens in governance strengthens democracy and reinforces the Assembly’s resolve to remain accountable to the people.

 

He reaffirmed that the 10th Plateau State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Na’anlong Daniel remains committed to enacting laws that promote good governance, unity, and the overall development of the State.

 

It could be recalled that the Plateau State 10th Assembly had on the 7th July, 2026, sponsored the bill titled, “A Bill for a Law to Establish a Payment Allowance as Pension for Former Speakers, Deputy Speaker, Principal Officers and Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly and for Other Related Matters,”.

 

The bill was rejected by many stakeholders including Labour Unions and Civil Society Organizations who planned to protest at the Plateau State House of Assembly premises to register their disagreement with the proposed bill

Due Process Not Followed In PFIPC Recognition –  HoSF Walson-Jack

By
Ayodele Oni
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Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack
Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack

By Ayodele Oni

 

IGP Says Substituting Court Order Stops Appearance Of DG

 

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, ( (HoSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has admitted responsibility for the lapses on the issue of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, ( PFIPC)

 

Walson-Jack made the admission while appearing before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged operation of the purported council.

 

She agreed that due diligence was not thoroughly carried out in the process that led to the recognition of the Council.

 

Walson-Jack, however, maintained that her office relied on documents which appeared authentic without subjecting them to sufficient verification.

 

She told lawmakers that her office had no reason to doubt the documents at the time because they bore the State House logo and what appeared to be a familiar signature.

 

However, the HoSF said subsequent comparisons with genuine State House correspondence, backed by police forensic findings, confirmed that the signatures were different.

 

She, however, assured the committee that her office would review its internal verification procedures to make them more robust and fraud-proof.

 

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has told the Committee that the self-acclaimed Director-General of the purported council, Mr. Adeniyi Adeyemi, could not appear before the lawmakers due to a subsisting court order.

Adeniyi Adeyemi Fake DG arrested
Adeniyi Adeyemi

Disu, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olufemi Akinola, said Adeyemi could only appear upon an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

Following the submission, the committee adjourned further sitting on the matter until next week.

Osun Govt Accuses Police Of Raiding Residences Of Commissioners, SSG

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigerian Police

By Ayodele Oni

 

Residences of six Commissioners and that of secretary to Osun State Government have allegedly been raided by personnel of the State Police Command.

 

The Osun State Government raised alarm over “systematic invasion, attacks and bursting of homes of top State Government officials by the Osun State Police Command.”  The latest is the invasion of the residence of the Secretary to the State Government.

 

In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, disclosed that the SSG’s residence was bursted by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, with family members of the SSG taken to unknown destinations.

 

Alimi stated that the gestapo operations on the SSG residence followed a similar raid and arrest at the residences of about six commissioners and other top functionaries of the government.

 

He noted that as at the time the SSG’s house was invaded, his ward officials were holding a meeting within the compound while the SSG himself was attending the stakeholders forum organised by the National Electoral Commission.

 

The commissioner further revealed that the police had on Tuesday raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy at Ikire, ransacking the building and destroying several properties.

 

He added that five other commissioners have reported their houses being shadowed and others bursted even when nothing illegal happened in their abodes.

 

Following several raids and arrests, Alimi stated that reports at the disposal of the government indicated that several Accord Party members are languishing in CID cells at the State Command without being granted bail.

 

The government’s statement read: “These raids on the SSG and our commissioners are an aggravated assault on the government and people of Osun State.

 

“This campaign of repression constitutes grave danger to democracy. It is a reprehensible unprofessional conduct by the police in support of the state APC.”

 

Alimi accused the police command of partiality, saying: “By openly launching attacks on Osun government officials, the state police command has again confirmed its partiality, its partisanship and its becoming a direct tool in the hands of Osun APC.

 

“This is a law enforcement agency becoming lawless and acting against the spirit and letters of the constitution.”

 

He warned that the violations come at a critical time, stating: “These grave violations of the constitution and basic rights of the government and people of Osun State come as the national chairman of INEC is meeting stakeholders.

 

“The police has become a major threat to the conduct of free and fair election in Osun State.”

 

The Commissioner called on higher authorities to intervene, saying: “We again call the attention of our traditional rulers, the Nigeria Police Service, the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to this escalation of targeted violence against top government officials and Accord members in Osun State.

 

“This must be stopped before it escalates into general breakdown of law and order.”

 

He also noted the governor’s restraint despite the provocations, adding: “Our governor has consistently tasked the populace to calm down and not to take law into their own hands.

 

The situation is reaching a boiling point. We must save our democracy from these lawless elements within the Nigerian police.

Why Africa’s Richest Man, Dangote Signs Off 30 Percent Of Wealth To Charity

By
James Orji
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Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote, plans to donate one-third of his wealth to charity as part of his succession plan, his daughter, Halima Dangote, has revealed.
Halima, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, disclosed the arrangement in an interview with Bloomberg published on Tuesday, saying the billionaire had secured his family’s support to dedicate 33 per cent of his estate to philanthropy.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current fortune would amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at that level.
Explaining the decision, Halima said her father considers philanthropy central to his legacy and has embedded it into the family’s long-term succession plans.
“He sort of put all the structure in place whereby we focus a lot on health and education. He actually donated 25 per cent to the foundation. If you look at it, it is what we call in Sharia Code in Islam; it means he has donated 33 per cent of his whole inheritance to his foundation,” she said.
“That is how important it is to him because philanthropy needs to be in existence generation after generation.
“So giving back is part and parcel of what we do. We believe we’re here, that our business is successful because of the giving back and because of the philanthropic aspect. That is why the 33 per cent is important.
“And that is why he made an announcement and he asked myself, my two sisters and his mother to sign under that will that he is able to give that 33 per cent to humanity.”
The planned donation builds on Dangote’s existing philanthropic work through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, established in 1994.
According to Halima, the foundation was endowed with $1.25 billion about a decade ago and has since received an additional $700 million in funding.
She said about 70 per cent of the foundation’s spending is directed to Nigeria, while 20 per cent supports projects across Africa and the remainder funds initiatives in other parts of the world.
The foundation’s interventions span health, education, nutrition and humanitarian relief, and include partnerships with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and state governments in northern Nigeria that contributed to the eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa.
Dangote’s planned charitable commitment comes amid growing global attention on billionaire philanthropy. While the proposed 33 per cent allocation falls short of the 50 per cent threshold commonly associated with the Giving Pledge, it would rank among the largest philanthropic commitments ever announced by an African billionaire.
Earlier this year, TIME magazine named Dangote among the world’s most influential philanthropists in its inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list, recognising his charitable work through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which spends more than ₦50 billion annually on programmes across Africa.

2027: We Are Winning FCT, Our Performance Will Speak For Us- Wike

By
James Orji
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Nyesom Wike has stated that the the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC will have no problem winning the 2027 election across the country, including Nigeria’s capital, saying the party’s performance will speak for it.

The Minister disclosed this during the inspection of the construction of Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, linking Jahi with Gwarimpa and Karsana, which is being handled by CBC Global, and the 7.3-kilometre Tunga Madaki-Zuba Road.

While speaking to journalists, the minister stated that the ruling party would not need to sweat to win election next year in the FCT, stating that the APC have delivered huge infrastructure projects across the nation’s capital, which is visible for the people to see.

Wike stated that the party does not really have to campaign much as its performance will do the job, saying all the APC needs to do is to go back to the people and tell them that its ‘promise” has been kept.

He said “We are already campaigning with our performance. The major campaign is to provide the dividends of democracy. What are you going to tell the people when you have nothing to show? Our campaign is showing what we have done.

“All we have to do is go back to the people and tell them we made promises and kept them. People want to see your report card, not empty rhetoric. As far as the FCT is concerned, we have shown our report card, and we have no problem winning any election whenever INEC fixes it.”

The magazine reports that Wike is a member of the opposition peoples Democratic Party, PDP appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the APC government.

Presidency 2027: Makinde Appoints Campaign DG

By
James Orji
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Seyi Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has appointed Dr Nureni Adeniran as campaign Director General for his presidential campaign.Adeniran, the current Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB also doubles as the DG for the governorhsip election, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

Governor Makinde is the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement, while Bimbo Adekanbi is the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election in the country.

According to the statement, the governor has also appointed Saheed Arowosaye, as the Deputy State Coordinator of the APM 2027 Presidential Campaign. Others are Demola Ojo, Deputy Director General, South, and Dr Femi Ojo and Alhaji Siju Lawal as Deputy Director Generals.

The statement stressed that the inauguration of the members of the Campaign Council will take place at the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office on Friday.

Osun Guber: Amupitan Says Election Not Worth Blood Of Innocent Citizens During Visit To Ooni

By
James Orji
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INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

The Prof. Joash Amupitan-led Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has disclosed that over two million registered voters will decide who will be the governor of Osun state in next month’s governorship election.

Prof Amupitan the Chairman of INEC made this known during a courtesy visist to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi in his palace, saying over 2. 3 million voters have registered with the electoral body to participate in the upcoming election to elect the next governor of the state.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, the incumbent is among those seeking to be elected governor. If he wins, he will be running the state as its executive governor for a second term.

The governorship election is scheduled for August 13, according to information from  INEC.

Speaking during the visit to the traditional ruler,  the INEC boss stated that the election will serve as a litmus test for the commission, adding that all necessary  things have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free, credible and fair election that the country will be proud of.

According to Amupitam,  election will take place in the state, across the the 30 local government in the state, in 3,763 polling units, and 332 registration areas.

The INEC boss who solicited the support of all the stakeholders in the state, including the traditional and religious leaders said election should be allowed to take place peacefully, saying there’s not need for violence that can lead to the loss of lives.

“The blood of one innocent person is not worth a governorship election. Nobody should be killed, threatened or intimidated because of an election,” Amupitan said.

Gov. Adeleke: We Won’t Sack You For Loving Your Job

By
The Source
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Governor Ademola Adeleke
Governor Ademola Adeleke

By Kunle Awosiyan

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‎About 30 years ago, I nearly lost my job at Fototek Industry because I loved what I was doing.

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‎At the time, the late one-man band maestro, Dipo Sodipo, popularly known as Pope, dominated the airwaves. His songs were always playing in our Ebute Metta office on Cemetery Road, where I worked in the laboratory, mixing chemicals to print photographs on the Noritsu machine.

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‎One day, while joyfully dancing and working at the same time, the company’s Technical Manager walked in unexpectedly. To him, my dancing reflected unseriousness. He immediately seized my staff identity card and returned to the headquarters in Opebi to prepare my dismissal.

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‎Fortunately, my Branch Manager, Mr. Biodun, and the Human Resource Manager, Mr. Sunny Ikioya, saw things differently.

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‎When I arrived at the headquarters, the HR Manager smiled and said, “Your Branch Manager told us that you are always relaxed while working and that, despite the dancing, you remain one of our most efficient staff.”

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‎Then he added words I have never forgotten:

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‎”We won’t sack you for loving your job.”

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‎That experience came back to me as I reflected on the administration of Governor Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

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‎For a long time, I never appreciated Adeleke’s style. His habit of dancing at public events made me see him as someone who turned serious occasions into entertainment. Like my former Technical Manager, I mistook style for substance.I was wrong.

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‎After nearly four years in office, Governor Adeleke has demonstrated that beneath the dancing is a leader focused on delivering development. His administration has embarked on projects that have changed the landscape of Osun State.

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‎For me, the most symbolic is the flyover in Ile-Ife, my hometown. For the first time in the city’s history, such infrastructure now stands as a landmark, transforming both its appearance and road network.

 

Adeleke’s achievements go beyond partisan politics. This is no longer about the APC, PDP, Accord, or any other political platform. It is about governance and development, which should always be the true measure of leadership.

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‎In my assessment, Governor Adeleke has outperformed the administrations of his immediate predecessors, Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola, in terms of visible infrastructure and the impact many residents can identify with.

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‎Although Osun politics has become increasingly tense and sometimes violent, many observers still consider Adeleke the most popular contender heading into the next political contest.

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‎As an indigene of Ile-Ife, I have every reason to appreciate what his administration has brought to the ancient city. His developmental strides have rekindled my pride in the town that shaped my youth and have given me even more reasons to look forward to returning home.

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‎Sometimes, we judge people by their style instead of their results. Governor Adeleke may be a dancer, but like I once did in that photo laboratory decades ago, he has shown that loving your job should never be mistaken for not doing it well.

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Copied from Kunle Awosiyan Facebook page

“Keep Off Benue Land, It Is For Benue People”, Gov Alia Warns

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has vowed that suspected herders who have been unleashing an  orgy of violent attacks and wanton destructions on his people, as well as killing them in droves will not go scot-free.

 

The Governor lauded the State Police Command for their swift response that led to the neutralization of two terrorists who masterminded the lastest attacks on parts of Otukpo communities.

 

The Governor’s reaction is coming against the backdrop of Tuesday’s attack and killings in Efeyi-Ugboju and Ipom-Ugboju in Otukpo Local Government Areas of the State by suspected banditry elements. The attacks led to the death of no fewer than 15 people.

 

According to eyewitness accounts, while 14 persons were killed in Efeyi-Ugboju in the early hours of Tuesday, one was killed in Ipom-Ugboju earlier on Monday by the attackers.

 

Confirming the attack earlier on, Hon Maxwell Ogiri, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Council  described it as barbaric and unprovoked, accusing the attackers of only being out to shed blood of innocent residents and citizens.

 

“There was no provocation. They came only to shed blood and kill our people. 14 dead bodies have been recovered, while many others were wounded.

 

“The people are now living in fear and there is great apprehension. Residents of neighbouring communities are already fleeing for safety”, Ogiri lamented.

 

In a statement from Tersoo Kula, his spokesperson, Governor Alia pointedly warned suspected herders behind the dastardly killing of unsuspecting citizens that they must pay for their criminal activities.

 

He, also, vowed that nobody will ever take the land of Benue people away from them.

 

“Benue land is for Benue people. Those who think they can come and push people away and take over should think twice.

 

“Our people are peaceful and hardworking. I was elected to protect them, and I must do everything legally possible to ensure my people are protected, and our land is secured”, Gov Alia asserted.

 

The Governor expressed grief and concern over the attacks on Efeyi-Ugboju and Ipom-Ugboju by suspected armed herdsmen on Tuesday, describing the killings of several persons as unfortunate, condemnable and unacceptable.

 

According to the statement, “scores of persons were murdered , with many others sustaining varying degrees of injuries ,as suspected armed herdsmen launched yet another attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area of the state” 

 

The Governor, however, expressed satisfaction with the swift intervention of the police,which resulted in the killing of two of the attackers.

 

Governor Alia reaffirmed his  unflinching commitment towards adequately supporting security agencies in their efforts in ensuring peace and stability of the state.

 

The twin Benue State Councils of Ohinimini and Otukpo have been under siege since the gruesome killing of the Chairman of the State’s chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, Ardo Risku Mohammad and his associate, Yakubu Isah Mairiga on June 26, 2026.

 

Although the authorities and the Fulani community in the state have continued to deny it, there are strong indications that the killing of the Miyetti Allah leader in Okukwu/Okudu community in Otukpo Local Government Area while returning from a peace and security meeting held in Ohinimini Local Council is at the root of the renewed wave of sectarian attacks and reprisal attackers across the two Councils and other parts of the State of late.

FCT Minister, Wike Approves Promotion Of 3,592 Workers

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister
Nyesom Wike.

By Ayodele Oni

 

Following the conclusion of the 2025 promotion exercise conducted by the Federal Capital Territory, ( FCT), Civil Service Commission, the Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the promotion of 3,592 civil servants.

 

The development was announced on Wednesday by the Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Emeka Ezeh, in a statement made available through the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

 

According to the chairman, the approval forms part of activities marking the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

 

He recalled that between June 8 and July 17, 2026, the FCT Administration commissioned and flagged off more than 30 projects to commemorate the anniversary.

 

Ezeh described the promotion exercise as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

He disclosed that promotion examinations for senior officers were held between July 1 and 3, while junior officers sat for their examinations on July 10.

 

The commission chairman commended Wike for providing the necessary support that ensured the successful conduct of the exercise.

 

He also revealed that the minister had directed the commission to commence the 2026 promotion exercise immediately, with a view to ensuring that eligible officers are promoted without delay.

 

“Under this administration, it is a priority that FCT workers get promoted as and when due. This is to complement the tremendous work that the FCT Minister is doing in infrastructural development of the Territory.

 

“For us, the workers will not be left out in the celebrations marking the third anniversary of Mr President,” Ezeh said.

 

He explained that the directive reflects the administration’s resolve to improve staff welfare alongside ongoing infrastructure development across the Federal Capital Territory.

 

Ezeh also praised civil servants for maintaining peace and discipline throughout the 2025 promotion exercise and urged officers expected to participate in the 2026 exercise to sustain the same level of professionalism.

 

He further appreciated the leadership of the Joint Union Action Committee for its cooperation, noting that its support contributed significantly to the smooth conduct of the promotion exercise.

 

The commission chairman advised eligible officers preparing for the 2026 exercise to begin early preparations, stressing that promotions in the FCT Civil Service remain merit-based, competitive and subject to available vacancies

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